JP4810861B2 - Liquid supply member and liquid ejecting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid supply member, a liquid ejecting apparatus, and an attachment method. In particular, the present invention relates to a liquid supply member, a liquid ejecting apparatus, and a mounting method that have flexibility and have a flow path through which liquid flows between both ends in a longitudinal direction.

  Conventionally, an ink jet recording apparatus is known as a liquid ejecting apparatus. In this ink jet recording apparatus, recording is performed by forming dots on a recording medium by moving the carriage along a guide member while ejecting ink droplets from a recording head provided on the carriage.

  In this ink jet recording apparatus, a main body frame includes a plurality of ink containers, the ink container and the carriage are connected by an ink supply tube, and ink is supplied to the recording head via the ink supply tube. Some of them were supplied (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  For example, in the ink jet recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the ink supply tube includes five elastic members formed in an elongated shape by an elastomer, two film materials, and two connection members. Yes. The ink supply tube is formed by welding the five elastic members so that they are sandwiched between two film materials in a state where the five elastic members are arranged at equal intervals and parallel to each other. Two flow paths are formed. The ink supply tube is flattened, elongated and flexible by attaching connecting portions having communication holes communicating with the four flow paths to both ends of the elastic member. It becomes the tube which has property.

  The ink supply tube configured in this manner supplies ink from the ink container toward the recording head of the carriage by connecting the connection portions provided at both ends thereof to the carriage and the ink container, respectively. When the carriage moves during recording, the ink supply tube can be bent with this movement.

Note that two-color molding and insert molding are known as a method for manufacturing a member for an ink jet printer (for example, see Patent Document 3).
JP 2003-320680 A JP 2000-168099 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-157092

  However, in the ink supply tube of Patent Document 1, connection parts molded separately are inserted at both ends. Further, in the ink supply tube of Patent Document 2, a connection portion molded separately is joined at the end portion by heat welding. Therefore, the number of parts increases and the number of assembly steps increases. On the other hand, when the connection part is outsert-molded at the end of the ink supply tube using a mold as in the two-color molding or insert molding of Patent Document 3, the resin for molding the connection part is the ink supply tube. There is a problem of entering the flow path.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a connection portion is provided at least at one end of a liquid supply tube having flexibility and having a flow path through which liquid flows between both ends in the longitudinal direction. A preparation step for preparing a pin having substantially the same cross section as the flow path of the liquid supply tube, and an insertion for inserting the tip of the pin into the flow path from at least one end of the liquid supply tube Placing the mold so as to surround at least one end of the liquid supply tube into which the tip of the pin is inserted, and filling the resin into the mold in which the liquid supply tube and the pin are disposed A molding step for outsert molding of the connection portion, and a step of removing the mold from the liquid supply tube and the connection portion and extracting the pin from the liquid supply tube. . Accordingly, when the connection portion is formed so as to surround the end of the liquid supply tube, the flow path connected to the flow path of the liquid supply tube is prevented while preventing the resin from entering the flow path of the liquid supply tube. Can be provided.

  The attachment method may further include a welding step for welding a sealing member that seals the hole from which the pin has been extracted and forms a flow path in the connection portion after the extraction step. Thereby, a flow path can be freely provided in the connection part by which outsert molding is carried out.

  In the above attachment method, before the insertion step, a liquid having a hollow inner layer part forming a flow path and an outer layer part having a melting point equal to or lower than the melting point of the inner layer part and covering the inner layer part with a material included in the connection part An extrusion step of molding the supply tube by extrusion may be further provided, and in the molding step, the resin may be outsert molded at a temperature equal to or lower than the melting point of the inner layer portion. Thereby, the adhesiveness of a liquid supply tube and a connection part can be raised, preventing that the inner layer part of a liquid supply tube deform | transforms with a heat | fever.

  In the above attachment method, the liquid supply tube has a plurality of flow paths, prepares a connection pin in which a plurality of pins are connected in parallel in the preparation step, and sets the tip portions of the plurality of connection pins in the insertion step as liquid. You may insert in the flow path of a supply tube. Thereby, the connection part which has several flow paths connected with these flow paths can be easily shape | molded at the end of the liquid supply tube which has several flow paths.

  In the mounting method, the pin may have an arc portion bent in an arc shape with substantially the same cross section from the tip portion, and the pin may be extracted in a direction along the arc shape in the extraction step. Thereby, the flow path which changes the direction which flows a liquid in a connection part can be provided.

  In the above attachment method, the liquid supply tube may be a thermoplastic elastomer. Furthermore, the liquid supply tube may be formed by extrusion.

  In the above attachment method, the connecting portion may be polypropylene. Further, the connecting portion may be polyethylene. The connecting portion may be a thermoplastic elastomer.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, the liquid supply tube having flexibility and having a flow path through which liquid flows between both ends in the longitudinal direction, and one end of the liquid supply tube are provided. Is connected to the flow path of the liquid supply tube and has a connection portion having a flow path that is connected to the outside at the other end, and the connection portion is connected to the flow path of the liquid supply tube at one end, A groove portion having one surface open, and an external communication portion that communicates the other end of the groove portion with the outside, a main body portion that is integrally formed, and a sealing member that seals the one surface opened in the groove portion And in the connection portion, the groove portion, the sealing member, and the external communication portion form a flow path. Thereby, the connection shape with another flow path can be comprised easily.

  In the liquid supply member, the liquid supply tube may have a plurality of flow paths, and the connection portion may have the same number of flow paths that are connected to each of the plurality of flow paths of the liquid supply tube. Thereby, in a liquid supply member, multiple types of liquid can be supplied from one end to the other end.

  In the liquid supply member, the external communication portion of the connection portion is connected to the other end of the groove portion in at least one of the plurality of flow passages, and penetrates through the main body portion to the open back surface of the groove portion. A connecting channel that includes a through channel and connects the other end of the groove portion to the back surface of the surface on which the liquid supply tube is arranged may be included in another channel among the plurality of channels. Thereby, a liquid can be flowed between the exterior in the different surface of a connection part.

  In the liquid supply member, the liquid supply tube has a hollow inner layer portion forming a flow path, and an outer layer portion having a melting point equal to or lower than the melting point of the inner layer portion and covering the inner layer portion with the material included in the connection portion. May be. Thereby, the adhesiveness of a liquid supply tube and a connection part can be raised, preventing that the inner layer part of a liquid supply tube deform | transforms with a heat | fever.

  In the liquid supply member, the connection portion may further include a flow path that connects the liquid supply tube and the groove, and the flow path may be bent in an arc shape. Thereby, the flow path can be smoothly bent in an arc shape from the flow path of the liquid supply tube in the connection portion. Therefore, it is possible to connect to the outside in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the liquid supply tube, improve the sealing performance, and prevent bubbles in the liquid supply tube from staying in the flow path of the connection portion. be able to.

  In the liquid supply member, the liquid supply tube may be a thermoplastic elastomer. Further, the liquid supply tube may be formed by extrusion.

  In the liquid supply member, the connection portion may be polypropylene. Further, the connecting portion may be polyethylene. The connecting portion may be a thermoplastic elastomer.

  In the third aspect of the present invention, a liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid, a liquid storing means for storing the liquid, and a liquid supply tube having flexibility and supplying the liquid from the liquid storing means to the liquid ejecting head A liquid ejecting apparatus including a connection portion provided at at least one of both ends of the liquid supply tube, having one end connected to the flow path of the liquid supply tube and the other end connected to the outside, The connecting portion is connected to the flow path of the liquid supply tube at one end, and has a groove portion that is open on one surface, and an external communication portion that communicates the other end of the groove portion with the outside, and an integrally formed main body portion; And a sealing member that seals the opened surface of the groove portion, and the groove portion, the sealing member, and the external communication portion form a flow path in the connection portion. Thereby, the same effect as the second embodiment can be obtained.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the connection portion may further include a flow path that connects the liquid supply tube and the groove, and the flow path may be bent in an arc shape. The liquid supply tube may be a thermoplastic elastomer. The liquid supply tube may be formed by extrusion.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the connection portion may be polypropylene. Further, the connecting portion may be polyethylene. The connecting portion may be a thermoplastic elastomer.

  In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the liquid supply tube having flexibility and having a flow path through which liquid flows between both ends in the longitudinal direction, and at least one of both ends of the liquid supply tube are formed by outsert. A liquid supply member including a connection portion having a flow path in which one end is connected to the flow path of the liquid supply tube and the other end is connected to the outside, and the liquid supply tube is a hollow inner layer portion forming the flow path And an outer layer portion having a melting point equal to or lower than the melting point of the inner layer portion and covering the inner layer portion with the material included in the connection portion. Thereby, the adhesiveness of a liquid supply tube and a connection part can be raised, preventing that the inner layer part of a liquid supply tube deform | transforms with a heat | fever.

  In the liquid supply member, the liquid supply tube may have a plurality of flow paths, and the connection portion may have the same number of flow paths that are connected to each of the plurality of flow paths of the liquid supply tube. Thereby, in a liquid supply member, multiple types of liquid can be supplied from one end to the other end.

  In the liquid supply member, the liquid supply tube may be a thermoplastic elastomer. The liquid supply tube may be formed by extrusion.

  In the liquid supply member, the connection portion may be polypropylene. Further, the connecting portion may be polyethylene. The connecting portion may be a thermoplastic elastomer.

  The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the scope of claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are included. It is not necessarily essential for the solution of the invention.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining an outline of an ink jet recording apparatus 1 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet recording apparatus 1 that is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus includes a substantially rectangular frame 2. A paper feed tray 3 is provided on the upper surface of the frame 2, and a paper discharge tray 4 is provided on the front surface of the frame 2. The paper feed tray 3 and the paper discharge tray 4 can be folded and accommodated with respect to the frame 2 by a hinge structure (not shown).

  A platen 5 is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the frame 2, and recording paper inserted into the frame 2 from the paper feed tray 3 is fed onto the platen 5 by a paper feed mechanism (not shown). The The fed recording paper is discharged from the paper discharge tray 4 to the outside of the frame 2.

  A guide member 6 is installed in the frame 2 so as to be parallel to the platen 5. A carriage 7 that is movable along the guide member 6 is inserted into and supported by the guide member 6. A carriage motor (not shown) is attached to the frame 2, and the carriage 7 is connected to the carriage 7 via a timing belt (not shown) hung on a pair of pulleys (not shown). Has been. With this configuration, when the carriage motor is driven, the driving force is transmitted to the carriage 7 via the timing belt. Upon receiving this driving force, the carriage 7 is guided by the guide member 6 and reciprocates in parallel with the platen 5 (main scanning direction).

  On the other hand, a recording head 8 as a liquid ejecting head is provided on the lower surface of the carriage 7 (the surface facing the platen 5). The recording head 8 has a nozzle forming surface so as to face the recording paper, and the nozzle forming surface includes nozzle rows each including n nozzles (n is a natural number). ) Are formed in six rows. In this embodiment, six nozzle rows each consisting of n nozzles per row are formed for convenience of explanation, but this is not restrictive, and the number of nozzles and the number of nozzle rows per row may be changed as appropriate. .

  On the other hand, a first ink cartridge 9 is disposed in the left inner part of the frame 2 in FIG. 1, and a first ink guide member 10 is connected to the first ink cartridge 9. . In addition, a second ink cartridge 11 is disposed in the right rear portion of the frame 2, and a second ink guide member 12 is connected to the second ink cartridge 11. The first and second ink guide members 10 and 12 are for guiding the ink stored in the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 11, respectively, and are respectively provided in the central portions in the frame 2. Are connected to the cartridge side connecting portion 13 of the tube connecting portion 100 described later.

  An ink supply tube 14 of an ink supply member 110 having six flow paths is connected to the cartridge side connection portion 13. The other end side of the ink supply tube 14 is connected to the carriage 7 by a carriage side connection portion 220 described later. It is connected to the. The cartridge side connecting portion 13 passes the ink guided from the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 11 via the first and second ink guide members 10 and 12 via the ink supply tube 14. To the carriage 7. That is, the inks stored in the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 11 are the first and second ink guide members 10 and 12, the cartridge side connection portion 13, the ink supply tube 14, and the carriage side connection portion, respectively. 220 and the carriage 7 are supplied to the recording head 8.

  In the present embodiment, the first ink cartridge 9 includes an ink pack (not shown) that stores black, cyan, and magenta, respectively. The second ink cartridge 11 includes ink packs (not shown) that store yellow, light cyan, and light magenta, respectively. Each of these ink packs is pressed by pressurized air supplied into the first and second ink cartridges 9 and 11 from a pressurizing pump (not shown) provided in the frame 2, respectively. Ink is pumped to the first and second ink guide members 10 and 12.

  That is, black, cyan, and magenta are supplied to the recording head 8 from the first ink cartridge 9, and yellow, light cyan, and light magenta are supplied to the recording head 8 from the second ink cartridge 11. The ink that has flowed into the recording head 8 is pressurized by a piezoelectric element (not shown) and discharged from each nozzle as an ink droplet, thereby forming dots on the recording paper. Therefore, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 moves the carriage 7 along the guide member 6 and discharges ink from the recording head 8 to perform recording on the recording paper.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the first ink guide member 10 in the accommodated state of FIG. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the first ink guide member 10. FIG. 4 is a top view of the first ink guide member 10 similarly.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first ink guide member 10 includes a connecting plate 20 and an arm 21. The connecting plate 20 is formed in a rectangular plate shape, and a fixing portion 23 is formed to extend upward from one side (upper side) thereof. Further, the arm 21 is formed in a long plate shape, the base end portion 24 a is fixed to the fixing portion 23, and the distal end portion 24 b is connected to the cartridge side connection portion 13. As a result, when the first ink guide member 10 is accommodated in the frame 2 (see FIG. 1), the arm 21 has its leading end 24b extending toward the center in the frame 2. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 3, three cylindrical cartridge connection portions 25 protrude from the back surface 22 a of the connecting plate 20. These cartridge connection portions 25 are for connecting the corresponding ink packs of the first ink cartridge 9, and are each provided with a lead-out hole 26. Each lead-out hole 26 penetrates through the connecting plate 20 and communicates with one end of a corresponding first groove portion 27 that is recessed in the front surface 22b.

  Further, three cylindrical first valve connection portions 29 are formed on the rear surface 22a of the connecting plate 20 so as to protrude. Each of these first valve connection portions 29 includes a first communication hole 28. The first communication holes 28 of the first valve connecting portions 29 penetrate the connecting plate 20 and communicate with the other ends of the corresponding first groove portions 27 that are recessed in the front surface 22b.

  Further, three cylindrical second valve connection portions 30 are formed on the rear surface 22a so as to protrude. Each of these second valve connection portions 30 includes a second communication hole 31. This 2nd communicating hole 31 penetrates the connecting plate 20, and is connected with the end of the corresponding 2nd groove part 32 each recessedly provided by the front 22b.

  A third communication hole 33 is formed at the other end of each second groove portion 32. Each of the third communication holes 33 penetrates the connecting plate 20 and communicates with one end of the corresponding third groove portion 34 provided in the back surface 22a. As shown in FIG. 3, the other ends of the third groove portions 34 are formed up to the fixing portion 23. A fourth communication hole 35 is formed at the other end of each third groove portion 34.

  Each of the fourth communication holes 35 penetrates the fixing portion 23 and the arm 21 fixed to the fixing portion 23 and communicates with one end of a corresponding fourth groove portion 36 formed in the front surface 24c of the arm 21 and correspondingly recessed. To do. Each fourth groove portion 36 formed on the front surface 24c of the arm 21 is formed between the base end portion 24a and the distal end portion 24b, and a fifth communication hole 37 is formed at the other end of each fourth groove portion 36. ing. Each of the fifth communication holes 37 penetrates the arm 21 and communicates with one end of the corresponding fifth groove 38 that is recessed in the back surface 24d. At the other end of each fifth groove portion 38, a sixth communication hole 39 that penetrates the arm 21 to the back surface 24d is formed. The connection portion 40 protrudes from the back surface 24d so as to surround the sixth communication hole 39. The three connection portions 40 shown in FIG. 2 are arranged alternately. In addition, a positioning protrusion 176 that protrudes lower than the height of the connection portion 40 is disposed on the back surface 24d.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first film F <b> 1 is welded to the front surface 22 b of the connecting plate 20 formed in this way so as to seal the first and second groove portions 27 and 32. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, the 2nd film F2 is welded to the back surface 22a of the connection board 20 so that the 3rd groove part 34 may be sealed. Further, a third film F3 is welded to the front surface 24c of the arm 21 so as to seal the fourth groove portions 36, respectively. Furthermore, the fourth film F4 is welded to the back surface 24d of the arm 21 so as to seal the fifth groove portions 38, respectively.

  The films F1 to F4 have gas barrier properties. By sealing in this way, the first flow path 41 is formed by the first film F1 and the first groove 27, and the first film F1 and the second film A second flow path 42 is formed by the groove 32. Furthermore, the third flow path 43 is formed by the second film F2 and the third groove portion 34, and the third flow path 44 is formed by the third film F3 and the fourth groove portion 36. Furthermore, a fourth flow path 45 is formed by the fourth film F4 and the fourth groove portion 38.

  Further, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4, each of the three first valve connecting portions 29 and the second valve connecting portions 30 provided on the back surface 22 a of the connecting plate 20 corresponds to the valve device 15. Connected through. The valve device 15 is configured to prevent the ink guided from the first ink cartridge 9 from flowing backward to the first ink cartridge 9 side.

  Then, the connecting plate 20 is connected to the outlet of the corresponding ink pack accommodated in the first ink cartridge 9 by connecting the three cartridge connecting portions 25 provided on the back surface 22a of the connecting plate 20 to the first ink. Connected to the cartridge 9. As a result, the ink stored in the ink pack in the first ink cartridge 9 is transferred to the cartridge side connecting portion 13 via the first to fifth flow paths 41 to 45 formed in the first ink guide member 10. Supplied.

  Next, the configuration of the second ink guide member 12 provided between the second ink cartridge 11 and the cartridge side connecting portion 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a front view of the second ink guide member 12. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the second ink guide member 12. FIG. 7 is a top view of the second ink guide member 12.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the second ink guide member 12 includes a connecting plate 50 and an arm 51. The connecting plate 50 is formed in a rectangular plate shape, and an adhering portion 53 is formed to extend upward from one side in FIG. The arm 51 is formed in a long plate shape, and is fixed to the fixing portion 53 at the base end portion 54 a of the arm 51. As a result, when the second ink guide member 12 is accommodated in the frame 2 (see FIG. 1), the distal end portion 54b of the arm 51 extends toward the central portion in the frame 2. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, on the arm 51 of the second ink guide member 12, three cylindrical tube connection portions 100 protrude and are arranged in parallel on the side surface 54e on the tip end portion 54b side. . The tube connection unit 100 connects the second ink guide member 12 to the connection tube 13. Each tube connecting portion 100 has a communication hole 101, and each communication hole 101 communicates with each sixth communication hole 39 of the fourth flow path 45. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the ink stored in the ink pack in the second ink cartridge 11 flows from the first flow path 41 to the valve device 15 and the second to fifth flow paths 42, respectively. , 43, 44, 45 sequentially flow, and then reach the tube connection part 100.

  Except for the points described above, the configuration of the other flow paths of the second ink guide member 12 is the same as that of the first ink guide member 10. Accordingly, the second ink guide member 12 is the same as that used in the first ink guide member 10 and will not be described in detail.

  FIG. 8 is a front view of the ink supply member 110 and shows a state in which the sealing members 140 and 240 are removed for explanation. As shown in FIG. 8, the ink supply member 110 has flexibility, and is provided at both ends of the ink supply tube 14 and the ink supply tube 14 having a flow path 141 through which liquid flows between both ends in the longitudinal direction. The cartridge side connection portion 13 and the carriage side connection portion 220 are provided. The cartridge-side connecting portion 13 is connected to the first ink guide member 10 and the second ink guide member 12, and ink from the first ink guide member 10 and the second ink guide member 12 is supplied to the ink supply tube 14. To the channel 141. The carriage-side connection unit 220 is connected to the carriage 7 and guides ink from the flow path 141 of the ink supply tube 14 to the recording head 8 provided on the carriage 7.

  FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the ink supply tube 14 in FIG. 8 taken along the line AA. The ink supply member 110 has six channels 141 corresponding to the three types of ink supplied from the first ink guide member 10 and the three types of ink supplied from the second ink guide member 12. The cartridge side connection unit 13 and the carriage side connection unit 220 have the same number of channels connected to each of the plurality of channels 141 of the ink supply tube 14. Thereby, the ink supply member 110 can supply a plurality of types of liquids from one end to the other end. The ink supply tube 14 has a hollow inner layer portion 142 forming the flow path 141 and a melting point equal to or lower than the melting point of the inner layer portion 142, and the inner layer is made of a material contained in the cartridge side connection portion 13 and the carriage side connection portion 220. And an outer layer portion 144 covering the portion 142. The inner layer portion 142 and the outer layer portion 144 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is an enlarged front view in which the cartridge side connecting portion 13 of FIG. 8 is enlarged. FIG. 10 is a rear view of the cartridge side connection portion 13 as seen from the back side. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge side connection portion 13 in FIG. 9 cut along a BB cross section.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the cartridge-side connecting portion 13 includes a main body portion 130 integrally formed by an outsert at the end portion of the ink supply tube 14 and a sealing member that covers the front surface 132 of the main body portion 130. 140. The main body 130 of the cartridge side connecting portion 13 is connected to the flow path 141 of the ink supply tube 14 at one end 152, and communicates at one end 162 to the arc flow path 150 bent in an arc shape and the other end 154 of the arc flow path 150. The groove portion 160 whose front side 132 is open, and the three external communication portions 172 that connect the other end 164 of the groove portion 160 and the first ink guide member 10 and the three that are connected to the second ink guide member 12. The external communication part 170 is provided. The sealing member 140 seals the front surface 132 in the groove portion 160 of the main body portion 130.

  The external communication part 172 of the cartridge side connection part 13 is connected to the other end 164 of the groove part 160 in each of three of the six flow paths and penetrates the main body part 130 from the front surface 132 to the back surface 134. A through flow path 180 is provided. In the external communication part 172 of the cartridge side connection part 13, the arc flow path 150, the groove parts 160 and 140 and the through flow path 180 form a flow path. As shown in FIG. 10, the open ends of the external communication portions 172 are arranged alternately in the width direction. Thereby, when the external communication part 172 of the cartridge side connection part 13 is connected to the first ink guide member 10, the seal of the flow path is improved.

  Furthermore, the external communication portion 170 of the cartridge side connection portion 13 is the back surface of the surface where the ink supply tube 14 is disposed from the other end 164 of the groove portion 160 in each of the other three flow paths of the six flow paths. It has a connecting channel 190 that connects up to (the right surface in FIG. 11). In the external communication part 170 of the cartridge side connection part 13, the arc flow path 150, the groove part 160, the sealing member 140 and the connection flow path 190 form a flow path. A positioning recess 174 is provided on the back surface 134 of the main body 130. The positioning recess 174 positions the cartridge-side connecting portion 13 with respect to the first ink guide member 10 by engaging with the positioning protrusion 176 of the first ink guide member 10.

  FIG. 12 is an enlarged front view in which the carriage side connecting portion 220 in FIG. 8 is enlarged. FIG. 13 is a rear view of the carriage side connection unit 220 as seen from the back side. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the carriage-side connecting portion 220 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12 to FIG. 14, the carriage-side connecting portion 220 is also integrally formed with the end portion of the ink supply tube 14 by an outsert as in the cartridge-side connecting portion 13, and the main-body portion 230. And a sealing member 240 that covers the front surface 232. The main body portion 230 of the carriage side connecting portion 220 is connected to the flow path 141 of the ink supply tube 14 at one end 252, and communicates at one end 262 to the arc flow path 250 bent in an arc shape and the other end 254 of the arc flow path 250. The groove portion 260 is open on the front surface 232 side, and has six external communication portions 270 that communicate the other end 264 of the groove portion 260 with the carriage 7. The sealing member 240 seals the front surface 232 in the groove portion 260.

  The external communication part 270 of the carriage side connection part 220 has a through flow path 280 that connects to the other end 264 of the groove part 260 and penetrates the main body part 230 from the front surface 232 to the back surface 234 in each of the six flow paths. In the external communication part 270 of the carriage-side connection part 220, the arc flow path 250, the groove part 260, the sealing member 240, and the through flow path 280 form a flow path. As shown in FIG. 13, the open ends of the external communication portions 270 are staggered in the width direction. Thereby, when the external communication part 270 of the carriage side connection part 220 is connected to the carriage 7, the sealing of the flow path is improved.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining an attachment method in which the carriage side connection portion 220 shown in FIG. 14 is attached to the ink supply tube 14. Since the attachment method for attaching the main body 230 to the ink supply tube 14 is the same, the description thereof is omitted.

  When the carriage-side connecting portion 220 is attached to the ink supply tube 14, first, the ink supply tube 14 having two layers of the inner layer portion 142 and the outer layer portion 144 is formed by extrusion. In this case, the material of the outer layer portion 144 is preferably included in the materials of the inner layer portion 142, the cartridge side connection portion 13, and the carriage side connection portion 220, and the melting point thereof is less than the melting point of the inner layer portion 142. . For example, when at least one of the inner layer portion 142, the cartridge side connection portion 13, and the carriage side connection portion 220 is a flexible elastomer and includes PP (polypropylene), a polyolefin resin is used as the outer layer portion 144. . For example, PP is used for the outer layer portion 144 as an example of a polyolefin resin. Further, when at least one of the elastomer on the carriage side connecting portion 220 and the inner layer portion 142 includes polyethylene, polyethylene may be used as the outer layer portion 144.

  In addition, a metal pin 300 is prepared. As shown in FIG. 15, the pin 300 includes a distal end portion 310 having substantially the same cross section as the sealing member 140 of the ink supply tube 14, and an arc portion 320 bent from the distal end portion 310 into an arc shape in substantially the same cross section. Have In the pin 300 shown in FIG. 15, the cross-sectional area of the arc portion 320 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the tip portion 310. Therefore, even if the distal end portion 310 does not follow the arc defined by the arc portion 320 and extends linearly at the distal end of the arc portion 320, the distal end portion 310 can be extracted from the carriage side connecting portion 220. Further, the pin 300 is chamfered for guidance at the tip of the tip portion 310. The tip portion 310 of the pin 300 is inserted into the flow channel 141 from one end of the ink supply tube 14.

  The upper mold 410 and the lower mold 420 are arranged so as to surround the end of the ink supply tube 14 into which the tip portion 310 of the pin 300 is inserted. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the upper mold 410 and the lower mold 420 are combined so as to be separable from each other by using the surface on which the flow paths 141 of the ink supply tube 14 are arranged in parallel. When these are combined, the same cavity as the outer shape of the carriage-side connecting portion 220 is formed inside the upper mold 410 and the lower mold 420. In this case, a flow path forming mold 430 is provided in the lower mold 420 to form the groove 260 and the through flow path 280. Further, for example, a recess is provided in the lower mold 420, and the end of the pin 300 opposite to the tip 310 is inserted into the lower mold 420, and the pin 300 and the ink supply tube 14 are positioned with respect to the lower mold 420. May be. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the tip portion 310 of the pin 300 sandwiches the ink supply tube 14 between the upper mold 410 and the lower mold 420. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the resin from leaking from between the upper mold 410 and the lower mold 420 and the flexible ink supply tube 14.

  Next, resin is filled in the upper mold 410 and the lower mold 420 in which the ink supply tube 14 and the pin 300 are arranged, and the carriage side connection portion 220 is outsert-molded. In this case, the resin is outsert-molded at a temperature higher than the melting point of the outer layer portion 144 of the ink supply tube 14 and lower than the melting point of the inner layer portion 142. Since the melting point of the outer layer part 144 is equal to or lower than the melting point of the inner layer part 142, the outer layer part 144 of the ink supply tube 14 is melted and bonded to the resin of the carriage side connection part 220, and the inner layer part 142 is deformed by heat. Can be prevented. Furthermore, since the material of the outer layer portion 144 is included in the material of the inner layer portion 142, the adhesion between the inner layer portion 142 and the outer layer portion 144 can be improved.

  After the resin is filled and cooled, the upper mold 410 and the lower mold 420 are divided in the direction of the solid arrow in FIG. Thereafter, the pin 300 is extracted from the ink supply tube 14 in the direction along the arc shape of the arc portion 320 (the direction of the wavy arrow in FIG. 15). Accordingly, when the carriage-side connecting portion 220 is formed so as to surround the end of the ink supply tube 14, the flow path 141 of the ink supply tube 14 is prevented while preventing the resin from entering the flow path 141 of the ink supply tube 14. An arc channel 250 connected to the carriage-side connecting portion 220 can be provided.

  After the carriage-side connecting portion 220 is taken out from the upper mold 410 and the upper mold 410, the sealing member 240 is welded to the side from which the pin 300 has been removed. When the sealing member 240 is welded, the other end 254 of the arc-shaped flow path 250 of the carriage-side connecting portion 220 from which the pin 300 is removed and the groove portion 260 connected thereto are formed as flow paths. Thereby, a flow path can be freely provided in the carriage side connection part 220 to be outsert-molded.

  In the above attachment method, a connection pin is prepared by connecting the same number of pins 300 as the number of channels 141 of the ink supply tube 14 in parallel, and the tip 310 of each pin 300 of the connection pin is connected to the channel of the ink supply tube 14. 141 may be inserted. As a result, the carriage-side connection portion 220 having the plurality of arc-shaped channels 250 connected to the channels 141 can be easily formed at the end of the ink supply tube 14 having the plurality of channels 141.

  FIG. 16 is a top view showing a state in which the cartridge side connection portion 13 of the ink supply member 110 is connected to the first ink guide member 10 and the second ink guide member 12. By positioning the positioning protrusion 176 of the first ink guide member 10 in the positioning recess 174 of the cartridge side connection portion 13, the first ink guide member 10 and the cartridge side connection portion 13 are positioned. In this state, the connection portion 40 of the first ink guide member 10 is inserted into the through flow path 180 from the back side of the cartridge side connection portion 13, and the sixth communication hole 39 of the first ink guide member 10 and the cartridge side are inserted. The flow path of the connection part 13 communicates. In this case, the set of the three paper discharge trays 40 and the through passages 180 are alternately arranged, so that the sealing performance is improved. Further, the first ink guide member 10 and the cartridge side connecting portion 13 are sandwiched and fixed by the belt 96. On the other hand, the tube connection portion 100 of the second ink guide member 12 is inserted into the connection channel 190 from the opposite side of the ink supply tube 14 in the cartridge side connection portion 13. As a result, the communication hole 101 of the second ink guide member 12 and the flow path of the cartridge side connection portion 13 communicate with each other. Thereby, ink can be allowed to flow between the first ink guide member 10 and the second ink guide member 12 on different surfaces of the cartridge side connection portion 13.

  As described above, according to the attachment method of the present embodiment, when the cartridge side connection portion 13 and the carriage side connection portion 220 are molded so as to surround the end of the ink supply tube 14, the resin is placed in the flow path 141 of the ink supply tube 14. It is possible to provide the cartridge-side connecting portion 13 and the carriage-side connecting portion 220 with a flow path that connects to the flow path 141 of the ink supply tube 14 while preventing the ink from entering.

  Further, according to the ink supply member 110 manufactured by the above attachment method, the flow path can be smoothly bent in an arc shape from the flow path 141 of the ink supply tube 14 in the cartridge side connection portions 13 and 220. Therefore, the first ink guide member 10 and the carriage 7 can be connected in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the ink supply tube 14 to improve the sealing performance, and the air bubbles in the ink supply tube 14 are on the cartridge side. It can prevent staying in the flow path of the connection part 13 and the carriage side connection part 220.

  FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of another example of the carriage-side connecting portion 220 cut along a CC section similarly to FIG. The same components as those in the carriage side connection unit 220 in FIG. 18 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the carriage-side connecting portion 220 includes a main body portion 230 integrally formed by an outsert at the end of the ink supply tube 14 and a sealing member 240 that covers the front surface 232 of the main body portion 230. Have. The main body portion 230 of the carriage side connection portion 220 is connected to the flow path 141 of the ink supply tube 14 at one end 252, and communicates the groove portion 260 whose front surface 232 side is open, and the other end 264 of the groove portion 260 and the carriage 7. There are six external communication portions 270. The sealing member 240 seals the front surface 232 in the groove portion 260. That is, the carriage side connecting portion 220 shown in FIG. 18 is different from the carriage side connecting portion 220 shown in FIG.

  The external communication part 270 of the carriage-side connection part 220 has a through-flow path 280 that connects to the groove part 260 and penetrates the main body 230 from the front surface 232 to the back surface 234 in some, for example, three of the six flow paths. . In this case, in the external communication portion 270 of the carriage side connection portion 220, the groove portion 260, the sealing member 240, and the through flow path 280 form a flow path. Further, the external communication part 271 of the carriage side connection part 220 has a through flow path 281 that is connected to the groove part 260 and penetrates the end surface 233 in some of the 6 flow paths, for example, 3 flow paths. In this case, in the external communication portion 271 of the carriage side connection portion 220, the groove portion 260, the sealing member 240, and the through flow path 281 form a flow path.

  FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining an attachment method in which the carriage side connection portion 220 shown in FIG. 18 is attached to the ink supply tube 14. In FIG. 19, the same components as those in FIG. 15 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  When the carriage-side connecting portion 220 is attached to the ink supply tube 14, first, the ink supply tube 14 having two layers of the inner layer portion 142 and the outer layer portion 144 is formed by extrusion.

  Further, an upper mold 440, a lower mold 450, and a core 370 are prepared. The core 370 includes a core main body 350 that forms part of the groove 260 of the carriage-side connecting portion 220, and a pin 360 that extends linearly from the core main body 350. The pin 360 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the outer diameter of the cross section is the same as or slightly larger than the inner diameter of the flow path 141 of the ink supply tube 14. When the core 370 is installed in the upper mold 440, the upper surface of the core 370 and the side surface opposite to the side where the ink supply tube 14 is disposed contact the upper mold 440. Further, in this case, the pin 360 is inserted into the flow path 141 from one end of the ink supply tube 14.

  In the state shown in FIG. 19, the carriage-side connecting portion 220 is outsert-molded by filling the resin formed in the space formed by the upper mold 440 and the lower mold 450. Thereafter, the upper mold 440 and the lower mold 450 are separated from each other (in the vertical direction in the drawing), and are removed from the carriage side connection portion 220 and the ink supply tube 14. Further, the pin 360 of the core 370 is extracted from the ink supply tube 14 (left direction in the figure).

  As described above, according to the mounting method of the present embodiment, when the carriage-side connecting portion 220 is formed so as to surround the end of the ink supply tube 14, the resin is prevented from entering the flow path 141 of the ink supply tube 14. In addition, a flow path connected to the flow path 141 of the ink supply tube 14 can be provided in the carriage side connection portion 220.

  In the present embodiment, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 has been described as an example of the liquid ejecting apparatus. However, the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention is not limited to these. Other examples of the liquid ejecting apparatus include a color filter manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a color filter for a liquid crystal display, an electrode forming apparatus that forms electrodes such as an organic EL display and an FED (surface emitting display), and a bio that manufactures a biochip. This is a chip manufacturing apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention includes other liquid ejecting apparatuses having industrial use. Further, the recording object is an object on which recording or printing is performed by ejecting a liquid. For example, a recording paper, a circuit board on which a circuit pattern such as an electrode of a display is printed, a CD-ROM on which a label is printed A preparation on which a DNA circuit is printed is included.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 is a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus 1 in the present embodiment. It is a front view of the 1st ink guide member 10 in the accommodation state of FIG. 4 is a rear view of the first ink guide member 10. FIG. 4 is a top view of the first ink guide member 10. FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view of a second ink guide member 12 in the accommodated state of FIG. 1. 4 is a rear view of the second ink guide member 12. FIG. 4 is a top view of the second ink guide member 12. FIG. 2 is a front view of an ink supply member 110. FIG. It is the enlarged front view which expanded the cartridge side connection part 13 of FIG. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the cartridge side connection portion 13 as viewed from the back side. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the cartridge side connection part 13 in FIG. 9 in the BB cross section. FIG. 9 is an enlarged front view in which a carriage side connection unit 220 in FIG. 8 is enlarged. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the carriage side connection unit 220 as viewed from the back side. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the carriage side connection part 220 in FIG. 12 in the CC cross section. FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining an attachment method in which the carriage-side connecting portion 220 shown in FIG. 14 is attached to the ink supply tube 14. FIG. 6 is a top view showing a state in which the cartridge side connection portion 13 of the ink supply member 110 is connected to the first ink guide member 10 and the second ink guide member 12. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the ink supply tube 14 in FIG. 8 in the AA cross section. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another example of the carriage-side connecting portion 220 cut along a CC section. FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining an attachment method for attaching the carriage side connection portion 220 shown in FIG. 18 to the ink supply tube 14.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording device, 2 frame, 3 paper feed tray, 4 paper discharge tray, 5 platen, 6 guide member, 7 carriage, 8 recording head, 9 1st ink cartridge, 10 1st ink guide member, 11 1st Second ink cartridge, 12 Second ink guide member, 20 Connecting plate, 21 Arm, 22a Back surface, 22b Front surface, 23 Adhering portion, 24a Base end portion, 24b Front end portion, 24c Front surface, 24d Back surface, 25 Cartridge connection portion, 26 outlet hole, 27 first groove portion, 28 first communication hole, 29 first valve connection portion, 30 second valve connection portion, 31 second communication hole, 32 second groove portion, 33 third communication hole, 34 third groove portion , 35 4th communication hole, 36 4th groove part, 37 5th communication hole, 38 5th groove part, 39 6th communication hole, 41 1st flow path, 42 2nd flow path, 43 3 flow path, 44 3rd flow path, 45 4th flow path, 50 connecting plate, 51 arm, 53 fixing part, 54a base end part, 54b front end part, 100 tube connection part, 101 communication hole, 110 ink supply member, 14 Ink supply tube, 141 channel, 142 inner layer portion, 144 outer layer portion, 13 cartridge side connection portion, 130 main body portion, 132 front surface, 134 back surface, 140 sealing member, 150 arc channel, 152 one end, 154 other end, 160 groove portion, 162 one end, 164 other end, 170 external communication portion, 172 external communication portion, 174 positioning recess, 176 positioning projection, 180 through flow passage, 190 connection flow passage, 220 carriage side connection portion, 230 main body portion, 232 front surface 234 rear surface, 240 sealing member, 250 arc flow path, 252 one end, 254 other end, 260 Groove part, 262 one end, 264 other end, 270 external communication part, 271 external communication part, 274 positioning recess, 280 through flow path, 281 through flow path, 300 pin, 310 tip part, 320 arc part, 350 core body, 360 pin 370 Core, 410 Upper mold, 420 Lower mold, 430 Flow path forming mold, 440 Upper mold, 450 Lower mold

Claims (6)

A liquid supply tube having flexibility and a flexible flow path through which liquid flows between both longitudinal ends;
A main body having a groove formed integrally with the liquid supply tube and connected to at least one of the both ends of the liquid supply tube and having one surface open;
A sealing member for sealing the opened one surface in the groove,
A liquid supply member in which the main body, the groove, and the sealing member form a main body flow path. The liquid supply tube has a plurality of the flexible flow paths,
The liquid supply member according to claim 1 , wherein the main body portion has the same number of the main body flow paths as the flexible flow paths, which are connected to each of the flexible flow paths . The main body is
In at least one of the body passage of a plurality of the body passage, said connecting one end of the groove, wherein a through-flow path through the body portion to the back surface of said one open side in said groove,
In the other main body flow path among the plurality of main body flow paths, a connection flow path that connects from the one end of the groove to the back surface of the surface on which the liquid supply tube is disposed is included.
The liquid supply member according to claim 2 , further comprising an external communication portion . The liquid supply tube includes a hollow inner layer portion forming the flexible flow path, and an outer layer portion having a melting point equal to or lower than the melting point of the inner layer portion and covering the inner layer portion with a material included in the main body portion. liquid supply member according to any one of claims 1 to 3 having. It said body portion, the liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the further have a circular arc passage that is bent in an arc shape connecting the said liquid supply tube the groove Supply member. A liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid;
Liquid storage means for storing the liquid;
Flexible and said supplying said from liquid storage means to the liquid ejecting head liquid, and the liquid supply member claimed in any one of claims 5,
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising:

Images