JP5921020B2 - Channel opening / closing device and inkjet recording apparatus provided with the channel opening / closing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a channel opening / closing device and an ink jet recording apparatus including the channel opening / closing device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a flow path opening / closing device for a tube through which a recording liquid flows, an apparatus having an opening / closing member driven by a rotating cam is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this flow path opening / closing apparatus, a pinch valve as an open / close member is driven by a cam member, and the flow path in the tube is blocked by crushing the tube placed on the tube support member by the pinch valve. It has become.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-19159

  However, in the flow path opening / closing device shown in Patent Document 1, the separation distance between the tube support member and the opening / closing member varies due to the dimensional tolerance and assembly tolerance of each component such as the opening / closing member and the tube support member. As a result, for example, if the separation distance is smaller than the design value, when the tube is crushed by the opening / closing member, the pressing force acting on the tube becomes excessive, the life of the tube is reduced, or the rotating cam is driven. There is a problem that the driving force increases. Conversely, if the separation distance between the tube support member and the opening / closing member is larger than the design value, the pressing force acting on the tube from the opening / closing member is insufficient, and the flow path in the tube cannot be completely blocked. There is a problem that ink is lost.

  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object thereof is to maintain a constant pressing force acting on the tube from the opening / closing member.

The flow path opening / closing device according to the present invention includes a tube through which a recording liquid flows, a tube support member on which the tube is placed, and a flow in the tube by crushing the tube placed on the tube support member. An opening / closing member having a closed position for blocking the path, and an open position where the blocking is released by the restoring force of the tube, and an elastic support member for elastically supporting the tube support member so as to approach and separate from the opening / closing member And a driving means for driving the opening / closing member, wherein the driving means includes a rotating cam member, and the opening / closing member is linearly driven by the rotating cam member so as to approach and separate from the tube support member. The drive means is designed to drive the tube support member in conjunction with the drive of the opening / closing member, and drives the opening / closing member from the open position to the closed position. When doing so, the opening and closing member together to close move relative to the tube support member and said tube support member is configured to close move relative to the opening and closing member.

  According to this configuration, the tube support member is elastically supported by the elastic support member so as to be able to approach and separate from the opening / closing member. Therefore, the distance between the opening and closing member and the tube support member when the opening and closing member is in the closed position by absorbing the dimensional tolerance and assembly tolerance of each component such as the opening and closing member and the tube support member by the elastic support member. Can be maintained substantially constant. As a result, the pressing force acting on the tube from the opening / closing member can be kept constant.

The opening / closing member is linearly driven by the rotating cam member. Therefore, when the tube is crushed by the opening / closing member, the outer surface of the tube is not rubbed in the tangential direction by the opening / closing member. Therefore, abrasion of the outer surface of the tube can be suppressed and the life of the tube can be improved.

Further, when the opening / closing member is driven from the open position to the closed position by the driving means, the opening / closing member is moved closer to the tube support member, and the tube support member is moved closer to the opening / closing member. The Therefore, the tube can be crushed from both sides in the radial direction by the opening / closing member and the tube support member. Therefore, the force required for crushing the tube can be reduced.

  It is preferable that the mounting surface on which the tube is mounted in the tube support member is formed in a curved surface that is convex toward the opening / closing member.

  According to this configuration, the tube is placed in a point contact with the placement surface. Therefore, when the tube is crushed by the opening / closing member, the surface pressure acting on the tube from the mounting surface can be significantly increased as compared to the case where the mounting surface is a flat surface. Therefore, the force required to crush the tube by the opening / closing member can be reduced as much as possible.

  When driving the opening / closing member from the open position to the closed position, the driving means moves the opening / closing member closer to the tube support member while maintaining the position of the central axis of the tube constant. In addition, it is preferable that the tube support member is configured to move closer to the opening / closing member.

  According to this configuration, when the opening / closing member is driven from the open position to the closed position by the driving means, the opening / closing member is moved closer to the tube support member, and the tube support member is moved relative to the opening / closing member. Moved closer. In addition, at this time, the position of the central axis of the tube is kept constant. Therefore, since the central axis of the tube is not bent, the force required for crushing the tube can be further reduced.

  The driving means includes a first rotating cam portion having a maximum diameter portion and a minimum diameter portion, and a second rotating cam portion having a maximum diameter portion and a minimum diameter portion, and is the outermost portion of the first rotating cam portion. The small diameter portion is brought into contact with the opening / closing member to drive the opening / closing member to the open position, and in conjunction with the driving, the maximum diameter portion of the second rotating cam portion is brought into contact with the tube support member. As a result, the tube support member is driven to the farthest position farthest from the opening / closing member, and the opening / closing member is closed by bringing the maximum diameter portion of the first rotating cam portion into contact with the opening / closing member. The tube support member is closest to the opening / closing member by driving to a position and bringing the minimum diameter portion of the second rotating cam portion into contact with the tube support member in conjunction with the drive. Drive to position It is preferably made of.

  According to this configuration, when the opening / closing member is driven to the open position by the driving unit, the tube supporting member is driven to the most separated position that is the farthest away from the opening / closing member by the driving unit. On the other hand, when the opening / closing member is driven to the closed position by the driving means, the tube supporting member is driven to the closest position to the opening / closing member by the driving means. Thus, in conjunction with the movement of the opening / closing member from the open position to the closed position, the tube support member moves from the most distant position to the most close position. Thereby, a tube can be crushed from the both sides of radial direction by an opening-and-closing member and a tube support member.

  An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described flow path opening / closing device. By using the flow path opening / closing device, it is possible to prevent the recording liquid from dropping and improve the quality of the printed image. Further, wear of the tube caused by pressing the opening / closing member against the tube can be suppressed, and as a result, the number of times of replacement of the tube in the ink jet recording apparatus can be reduced and the maintainability can be improved. Further, since the driving force for driving the opening / closing member can be reduced, the actuator for driving the opening / closing member can be reduced in size, and as a result, the entire inkjet recording apparatus can be reduced in size.

  According to the present invention, the pressing force acting on the tube from the opening / closing member can be maintained constant.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an ink jet printer including a flow path opening / closing device according to a reference embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flow path system diagram showing the configuration of the ink supply mechanism. FIG. 3 is a table summarizing the operating state of the inkjet printer and the open / closed states of the second flow path opening / closing section and the third flow path opening / closing section. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the flow path opening / closing device. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 3 and shows a state where the opening / closing member is in the open position. 6 is a view corresponding to the cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG. 3 and showing a state where the opening / closing member is in the closed position. Figure 7 is a 4 corresponds diagram showing a preferred type status. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6 and shows a state where the opening / closing member is in the open position. FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to the cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6 and showing a state in which the opening / closing member is in the closed position.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments and reference embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.
"Reference-type state"
-Overall configuration-

FIG. 1 shows an inkjet printer A provided with a flow path opening / closing device 100 according to a reference embodiment. The ink jet printer A includes an ink jet head 2 that prints by ejecting ink onto a paper P that is a printing medium, a paper feed cassette 3 that stores the paper P, and a paper transport device that is disposed to face the ink jet head 2. 1, a discharge tray 4 for discharging the paper P after printing, and an ink supply mechanism 50 for supplying ink to the inkjet head 2. In the following description, “upstream side” and “downstream side” mean an upstream side and a downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction, respectively.

  The inkjet head 2 has four printing units (line heads 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K) that are fixedly arranged in order along the paper conveyance direction (left-right direction in FIG. 1) in the paper conveyance device 1. The line heads 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K eject inks of different colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. A large number of nozzles are formed on the lower surface of the inkjet head 2 for each of the line heads 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K. Each of the line heads 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K is filled with the ink supplied from the ink supply mechanism 50, and discharges ink from the nozzles by changing the volume of the pressure chamber by a piezoelectric element. Details of the ink supply mechanism 50 will be described later.

  The paper feed cassette 3 is provided at the lower part of the apparatus, and can accommodate a plurality of sheet-like papers P by stacking them.

  The paper feed cassette 3 is provided with a paper feed roller 6 for feeding paper. A transport path 7 for guiding the paper P in the paper feed cassette 3 to the paper transport device 1 is provided on the downstream side of the paper feed roller 6. The transport path 7 is constituted by a guide plate 8. In the transport path 7, a first transport roller pair 9, a second transport roller pair 10, and a registration roller pair 11 are provided in order from the upstream side to the downstream side. The paper P fed from the paper feed cassette 3 by the paper feed roller 6 is transported to the registration roller pair 11 by the first and second transport roller pairs 9, 10, and the registration roller pair 11 performs a predetermined timing. Is sent to the sheet conveying device 1.

  The sheet conveying device 1 is disposed on the lower side of the inkjet head 2 so as to face it. The paper transport device 1 transports the paper P supplied from the registration roller pair 11 from the vicinity of the upstream side of the inkjet head 2 to the vicinity of the downstream side. A paper discharge roller pair 22 and a paper discharge tray 4 are provided on the downstream side of the paper transport device 1.

  The sheet conveying apparatus 1 includes a driving roller 15, a driven roller 16, two tension rollers 13 and 14, an annular conveying belt 18 wound around these four rollers 13 to 16, and a radially inner side of the conveying belt 18. And a negative pressure generator 19 provided.

  The driving roller 15 is a roller for transmitting a driving force to the conveyance belt 18 and is disposed on the downstream side of the inkjet head 2. The drive roller 15 is connected to a drive motor (not shown) so that power can be transmitted.

  The driven roller 16 is disposed on the upstream side of the inkjet head 2. The driven roller 16 is disposed at substantially the same height as the drive roller 15. The tension rollers 13 and 14 are rollers for adjusting the tension of the transport belt 18, and are disposed below the driving roller 15 and the driven roller 16.

  The upper surface of the transport belt 18 forms a paper transport surface for transporting the paper P. The transport belt 18 transports the paper P while adsorbing and holding the paper P on its upper surface. Although not shown, the transport belt 18 is formed with a large number of ventilation holes penetrating in the belt thickness direction. Each vent has a function of causing the negative pressure generated by the negative pressure generator 19 to act on the paper P.

  The negative pressure generator 19 has a fan case 25 to which a fan 24 is attached. The fan case 25 includes a case body 30 that opens upward, and a thick top plate portion 31 that covers the upper side of the case body 30. The fan 24 is attached to the lower surface of the case body 30. The fan 24 is driven to generate a negative pressure in the fan case 25. The top plate portion 31 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the conveyor belt 18. The top plate 31 guides and supports the paper P held on the upper surface (outer peripheral surface) of the transport belt 18 from below via the belt 18.

  -Ink supply mechanism-

The configuration of the ink supply mechanism 50 of this reference embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Four ink supply mechanisms 50 are provided corresponding to each of the four printing units (line heads 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K). As shown in FIG. 2, each ink supply mechanism 50 includes a main tank 55, a sub tank 60, first to third ink supply channels 71 to 73, and a pump 80.

  The main tank 55 is a sealed tank in which ink is stored as a recording liquid, and is mounted on the upper part of the ink jet printer A. The sub tank 60 is disposed below the main tank 55, stores the ink supplied from the main tank 55, and stores the stored ink in predetermined line heads 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K (hereinafter simply referred to as a line head). Supply).

  The pump 80 is a so-called syringe type pump. That is, the pump 80 has a cylinder 81, a piston 82 provided in the cylinder 81, and an ink storage chamber 83 surrounded by the piston 82 and the cylinder 81. The piston 82 is connected to a piston driving unit (not shown) via a piston rod 84. In response to a command from the controller, the piston driving unit reciprocates the piston 82 in the vertical direction in FIG. 2 to pressurize or depressurize the inside of the ink storage chamber 83.

  The first to third ink supply channels 71 to 73 are constituted by a hollow cylindrical flexible tube 75 (see FIG. 4). The tube 75 is made of, for example, a resin material. The first ink supply channel 71 has one end connected to the main tank 55 and the other end connected to the sub tank 60. A first channel opening / closing part 91 is provided in the middle of the first ink supply channel 71. The first flow path opening / closing portion 91 is configured by an electromagnetically driven opening / closing valve. The on-off valve is driven to open by a controller (not shown) when the water head in the sub tank 60 falls below a predetermined height, and allows ink to flow from the main tank 55 to the sub tank 60. As a result, the water head of the ink in the sub tank 60 is kept constant.

  The second ink supply channel 72 has one end connected to the sub tank 60 and the other end connected to the pump 80. In the middle of the second ink supply channel 72, a second channel opening / closing part 92 is provided. The second flow path opening / closing unit 92 is configured to be able to open and close the second ink supply flow path 72. The third ink supply channel 73 has one end connected to the pump 80 and the other end connected to the inkjet head 2. A third channel opening / closing part 93 is provided in the middle of the third ink supply channel 73. The third flow path opening / closing part 93 is configured to be able to open and close the third ink supply flow path 73.

  FIG. 3 is a table showing the open / close states of the flow path opening / closing sections 91 and 92 at the time of executing printing, purging, and filling the pump. As shown in this table, at the time of printing, the second and third ink supply channels 72 and 73 are opened by the second and third channel opening / closing parts 92 and 93 (the channel is opened). At the time of printing, the same amount of ink discharged from the inkjet head 2 due to capillary phenomenon is transferred from the sub tank 60 to the inkjet head 2 via the second ink supply channel 72 → pump 80 → third ink supply channel 73. Supplied.

  When the pump is filled, the second ink supply channel 72 is opened by the second channel opening / closing unit 92, while the third ink supply channel 73 is closed by the third channel opening / closing unit 93 (the channel is blocked). State). When the pump is filled, ink is supplied from the sub tank 60 to the ink storage chamber 83 of the pump 80 by driving the piston 82 upward in the drawing by the piston driving unit. At the time of purging, the second ink supply channel 72 is closed by the second channel opening / closing unit 92, while the third ink supply channel 73 is opened by the third channel opening / closing unit 93. At the time of the purge, the piston 82 is driven to the lower side of the drawing by the piston driving unit, whereby the ink in the pump 80 is supplied to the inkjet head 2 via the third ink supply channel 73, and the inkjet head 2. It is ejected from the nozzle. As a result, nozzle clogging due to ink thickening or the like is eliminated. The second flow path opening / closing section 92 and the third flow path opening / closing section 93 are constituted by a cam-driven flow path opening / closing apparatus 100.

  -Flow channel switch-

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the flow path opening / closing device 100 includes a tube support member 101 on which a tube 75 is placed, an open / close member 102 for opening / closing a flow path in the tube 75, and an open / close member 102. And a urging spring 104 that elastically supports the tube support member 101 from below.

  The tube support member 101 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens downward. That is, the tube support member 101 includes a cylindrical portion 101a that extends in the vertical direction and an upper wall portion 101b that covers the upper side of the cylindrical portion 101a. The upper end surface of the tube support member 101 has, for example, a circular shape in plan view, and functions as a mounting surface 101c on which the tube 75 is mounted. The tube 75 is placed on the placement surface 101 c in a state orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotating cam member 103. The placement surface 101c is formed in an arcuate surface shape in which the central portion in the radial direction (left-right direction in FIG. 5) bulges upward relative to both end portions when viewed from the axial direction of the rotating cam member 103. The radius of curvature of the arc surface is sufficiently larger than the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the tube 75.

  The tube support member 101 is externally fitted to a cylindrical guide tube 105 fixed to the casing of the printer A. Thus, the tube support member 101 is slidable in the vertical direction along the guide tube 105. A gap is provided between the upper end of the guide tube 105 and the upper wall portion 101b of the tube support member 101 so that they do not come into contact with each other even when the biasing spring 104 expands and contracts by opening and closing the tube 75.

  The urging spring 104 is constituted by a compression coil spring inserted in the guide cylinder 105, and always urges the tube support member 101 upward. The upper end of the urging spring 104 is in contact with the upper wall portion 101b of the tube support member 101, and elastically supports the tube support member 101 from the lower side. Thus, the tube support member 101 is elastically supported by the biasing spring 104 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. In other words, the tube support member 101 is elastically supported so as to be able to approach and separate from the opening / closing member 102. A cylindrical boss portion 101d protruding downward is formed on the upper wall portion 101b of the tube support member 101, and the upper end portion of the urging spring 104 is externally inserted into the boss portion 101d. As a result, the biasing spring 104 is positioned in the radial direction.

  The rotating cam member 103 has a plate-like cam main body portion 103a and protruding shaft portions 103c that protrude from both sides of the cam main body portion 103a in the thickness direction. The projecting shaft portion 103c is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) and is connected to a motor (not shown) so that power can be transmitted.

  The cam main body 103a is located on the opposite side of the first arcuate surface 103f that swells radially outward when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis and the first arcuate surface 103f across the rotation axis. 2 arc surface portions 103g, and a flat surface portion 103h connecting the first arc surface portion 103f and the second arc surface portion 103g. The top of the first arc surface portion constitutes the maximum diameter portion 103j having the largest distance from the rotation axis, and the top portion of the second arc surface portion 103g constitutes the minimum diameter portion 103k having the smallest distance from the rotation axis. ing. The minimum diameter portion 103k is located 180 ° opposite to the maximum diameter portion 103j with the rotation axis of the cam main body 103 interposed therebetween.

The opening / closing member 102 is linearly driven by the rotating cam member 103 so as to be able to approach and separate from the tube support member 101. That is, in this preferred embodiment, the opening and closing member 102 is reciprocally is linearly driven in the vertical direction by rotating the cam member 103. The opening / closing member 102 includes a closed position in which the flow path in the tube 75 is blocked by crushing the tube 75 placed on the tube support member 101, and an open position in which the blocking is released by the restoring force of the tube 75. And have.

  Specifically, the opening / closing member 102 includes a plate-like opening / closing body 102a and guide shafts 102b that protrude from both sides of the opening / closing body 102a in the thickness direction. The axial center direction of each guide shaft portion 102 b coincides with the axial center direction of the rotating cam member 103. Each guide shaft portion 102b is supported by a pair of guide plates 106 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. The pair of guide plates 106 are provided on both sides of the opening / closing main body 102a and are fixed to the casing of the printer A. Each guide plate 106 is formed with a guide hole 106f penetrating in the thickness direction and extending in the vertical direction, and each guide shaft portion 102b is inserted into the guide hole 106f. An end portion of the guide shaft portion 102b is connected to a tension spring (not shown), and the opening / closing member 102 is urged upward by the tension spring.

  The opening / closing main body 102a has a plate shape extending in the vertical direction. The upper end surface 102f of the opening / closing main body 102a is formed of a smooth arc surface that bulges upward as viewed from the axial direction of the guide shaft portion 102b, and functions as a cam surface that is pressed by the rotating cam member 103. . The lower end surface 102g of the opening / closing main body portion is configured by a circular arc surface that protrudes downward as viewed from the axial direction of the guide shaft portion 102b, and functions as a tube contact surface that contacts the outer surface of the tube 75. . The radius of curvature of the lower end surface 102g of the opening / closing main body 102a is smaller than the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the tube 75.

  FIG. 5 shows a state where the opening / closing member 102 is in the open position. In this state, the minimum diameter portion 103k is positioned at the lower end portion of the rotating cam member 103, and the minimum diameter portion 103k is in contact with the upper end surface 102f of the opening / closing member 102. At this time, the opening / closing member 102 is at a position farthest from the tube support member 101. The tube support member 101 is urged upward by the urging spring 104, but its upward movement is restricted by contacting the opening / closing member 102 via the tube 75.

  When the rotating cam member 103 is rotated, for example, in the clockwise direction in the figure from the state of FIG. 5, the opening / closing member 102 is pushed down by the rotating cam member 103. As shown in FIG. 6, when the maximum diameter portion 103 j of the rotating cam member 103 contacts the upper end surface 102 f of the opening / closing member 102, the opening / closing member 102 comes closest to the tube support member 101. The position of the opening / closing member 102 at this time is the closed position of the opening / closing member 102. When the opening / closing member 102 is driven to the closed position, the tube 75 is sandwiched between the lower end surface 102g of the opening / closing member 102 and the mounting surface 101c of the tube support member 101 and is crushed. As a result, the flow path in the tube 75 is blocked. When the opening / closing member 102 is moved from the closed position to the open position, the tube 75 returns to the original state by the restoring force, and the blocking of the flow path is released.

  Here, in the conventional flow path opening / closing device that does not have the urging spring 104, the separation distance between the lower end surface 102 g of the opening / closing member 102 and the mounting surface 101 c of the tube support member 101 is determined by the rotation cam member 103 or the opening / closing member 102. It varies depending on the dimensional tolerance and assembly tolerance of each component. For this reason, if the separation distance is larger than the design value, the pressing amount of the tube 75 by the opening / closing member 102 is insufficient, so that the ink flow path cannot be completely blocked, and ink is lost. On the other hand, if the separation distance is smaller than the design value, an excessive pressing force is applied to the tube 75 by the opening / closing member 102 to reduce the life of the tube 75 and increase the driving force for driving the rotating cam member 103. End up.

Biasing the above referenced type state the contrary, since the tube support member 101 is closer separably elastically supported with respect to the opening and closing member 102 by the biasing spring 104, the dimensional tolerance and assembling tolerance of the components The distance between the opening / closing member 102 and the tube support member 101 when the opening / closing member 102 is in the closed position can be maintained constant by absorbing the expansion / contraction of the spring 104. Therefore, the tube 75 can be always crushed by the opening / closing member 102 with a constant pressing force. As a result, it is possible to avoid the above-described problems such as ink dropout, abrasion of the tube 75, and increase in driving force of the rotating cam member 103.
According to the above configuration, for example, when the ink flow path in the tube 75 is blocked by the opening / closing member 102, the pressure in the cylinder 80 (pressure in the tube 75) becomes higher than expected for some reason. The tube support member 101 is pushed downward against the urging force of the urging spring 104 by the pressure in the tube 75. Therefore, the blocking of the ink flow path by the opening / closing member 102 is released, and the pump 80 can be prevented from being damaged.

In addition the reference shape state, the mounting face 101c of the tube 75 in the tube support member 101 is placed, when viewed from the axial direction of the rotating cam member 103, the upper side than the central portion in the radial direction at both ends Thus, the tube 75 is placed in a state of being substantially in point contact with the placement surface 101c. Therefore, when the tube 75 is crushed by the opening / closing member 102, the surface pressure acting on the tube 75 from the placement surface 101c can be remarkably increased compared to the case where the placement surface 101c is a flat surface. Therefore, the driving force of the rotating cam member 103 required when the tube 75 is crushed by the opening / closing member 102 can be reduced.
"Implementation-shaped state"

7 to 9 show a flow channel opening and closing device in accordance shaped state. In exemplary form state, structure construction and tube support member 101 of the rotating cam member 103 of the flow channel opening and closing device 100 is different from that of the above-reference type status. The same components as those in FIGS. 4 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

That is, the flow path opening and closing device 100 according to this embodiment forms condition, in addition to the first cam body part 103a having the same configuration as cam body portion 103a and a protruding shaft portion 103c in the reference shape state, the pair of second cam body Part 103b.

  The pair of second cam main body portions 103b are provided on both sides in the thickness direction of the first cam main body portion 103a. The protruding shaft portion 103c penetrates the second cam main body portion 103b, and the first cam main body portion 103a and the pair of second cam main body portions are coupled together in a rotating manner via the protruding shaft portion 103c.

  The second cam body 103b is positioned 180 ° opposite to the first arcuate surface portion 103m bulging radially outward when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis and the first arcuate surface portion 103m across the rotation axis. And a second arcuate surface portion 103n. The top portion of the first arcuate surface portion 103m constitutes the maximum diameter portion 103p having the maximum distance from the rotation axis of the second cam main body portion 103b, and the top portion of the second arcuate surface portion 103n is the rotation axis of the rotating cam member 103. A minimum diameter portion 103q that minimizes the distance from the center is formed.

  The maximum diameter portion 103p and the minimum diameter portion 103q of the second cam main body portion 103b and the maximum diameter portion 103j and the minimum diameter portion 103k of the first cam main body portion 103a are viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the rotary cam member 103. It is located on the same straight line passing through the rotation axis. The maximum diameter portion 103p side of the second cam main body portion 103b coincides with the minimum diameter portion 103k side of the first cam main body portion, and the minimum diameter portion 103q side of the second cam main body portion 103b and the maximum of the first cam main body portion 103a. The side of the diameter portion 103j coincides.

Tube support member 101, the shape of the mounting face 101c is different from the reference shape state. That is, the mounting surface 101 c has a semi-cylindrical surface portion 101 j that extends in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotating cam member 103. The semi-cylindrical surface portion 101j is located at the center of the mounting surface 101c in the radial direction (left-right direction in FIG. 8) when viewed from the rotational axis direction of the rotating cam member 103. Is equal to or slightly smaller than the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the tube 75.

It will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the operation of the flow channel opening and closing device 100 according to the exemplary shaped state.

  FIG. 8 shows a state where the opening / closing member 102 is in the open position. In this state, the minimum diameter portion 103k of the first cam body portion 103a abuts on the upper end surface 102f of the opening / closing member 102, and the maximum diameter portion 103p of the second cam body portion 103b contacts the semi-cylindrical surface portion 101j of the tube support member 101. It touches.

  When the rotary cam member 103 is rotated clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 8, the opening / closing member 102 is pushed down by the first cam body 103a. As shown in FIG. 9, when the maximum diameter portion 103 j of the first cam main body portion 103 a comes into contact with the upper end surface 102 f of the opening and closing member 102, the opening and closing member 102 comes closest to the tube support member 101. The position of the opening / closing member 102 at this time is the closed position of the opening / closing member 102. On the other hand, when the rotating cam member 103 is rotated clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 8, the tube support member 101 moves upward by the biasing force of the biasing spring. As shown in FIG. 9, when the minimum diameter portion 103q of the second cam main body portion 103b contacts the semi-cylindrical surface portion 101j of the tube support member 101, the tube support member 101 is closest to the opening / closing member 102. To do.

Thus, in the above-described type state, while the opening and closing member 102 is driven from the open position to the closed position, closest position closest from the farthest position the tube supporting member 101 are farthest away from the opening and closing member 102 To move up. Therefore, the tube 75 can be crushed from both sides in the radial direction by the opening / closing member 102 and the tube support member 101. Therefore, as compared with the above referenced type condition, to further reduce the force necessary for crushing the tube 75.

  Here, it is preferable that the moving distance until the opening / closing member 102 moves from the open position to the closed position is equal to the moving distance until the tube support member 101 moves from the most distant position to the closest position. In this way, when the tube 75 is crushed by the opening / closing member 102 and the tube support member 101, the position of the central axis of the tube 75 can be maintained constant. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the center axis of the tube 75 can be prevented from being bent, and the force required to crush the tube 75 can be reduced as much as possible.

  << Other embodiments >>

Above Symbol embodiment has been designed to linearly drive the opening and closing member 102 by rotating the cam member 103 is not limited to this, so as to adopt a linear cylinder in place of the rotary cam member 103 Also good.

Above Symbol embodiment, it is adapted to press the tube 75 by opening and closing member 102 provided between the rotating cam member 103 and the tube support member is not limited to this, for example, the rotary cam member Alternatively, the tube 75 may be pressed directly by 103. In this case, the rotating cam member 103 functions as a pressing member.

The liquid in the upper Symbol embodiment, an example is a ink recording liquid flowing through the tube 75 is used by the inkjet printer A, used the recording liquid is not limited to the ink, such as liquid developer It may be toner.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for a tube flow path opening / closing device through which a recording liquid flows, and is particularly useful when applied to an inkjet recording device.

A Inkjet printer (inkjet recording device)
75 Tube 100 Flow path opening / closing device 101 Tube support member 101c Mounting surface 102 Opening / closing member 103 Rotating cam member (driving means)
103a 1st cam main-body part (1st rotation cam part, drive means)
103b 2nd cam main-body part (2nd rotation cam part, drive means)
103j Maximum diameter part (maximum diameter part of the first rotating cam part)
103k minimum diameter part (minimum diameter part of the first rotating cam part)
103p maximum diameter part (maximum diameter part of the second rotating cam part)
103q minimum diameter part (minimum diameter part of the second rotating cam part)
104 Biasing spring (elastic support member)

Claims (5)

A tube through which the recording liquid flows;
A tube support member on which the tube is placed;
An open / close member having a closed position where the flow path in the tube is blocked by crushing the tube placed on the tube support member, and an open position where the blocking is released by the restoring force of the tube;
An elastic support member that elastically supports the tube support member so as to be able to approach and separate from the opening and closing member;
Driving means for driving the opening and closing member ,
The driving means includes a rotating cam member,
The opening / closing member is linearly driven by the rotating cam member so as to be able to approach and separate from the tube support member,
The driving means is designed to drive the tube support member in conjunction with driving of the opening / closing member, and when the opening / closing member is driven from the open position to the closed position, the opening / closing member is A flow path opening and closing device configured to move closer to the tube support member and move the tube support member closer to the opening and closing member . The flow path opening and closing device according to claim 1,
The flow path opening / closing apparatus in which the mounting surface on which the tube in the tube support member is mounted is formed in a curved surface shape that protrudes toward the opening / closing member. In the flow path opening and closing device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
When driving the opening / closing member from the open position to the closed position, the driving means moves the opening / closing member closer to the tube support member while maintaining the position of the central axis of the tube constant. A flow path opening / closing device configured to move the tube support member closer to the opening / closing member. In the flow path opening and closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The drive means is
A first rotating cam portion having a maximum diameter portion and a minimum diameter portion;
A second rotating cam portion having a maximum diameter portion and a minimum diameter portion,
The opening / closing member is driven to the open position by bringing the minimum diameter portion of the first rotating cam portion into contact with the opening / closing member, and the maximum diameter portion of the second rotating cam portion is interlocked with the driving. By abutting the tube support member, the tube support member is driven to the most separated position farthest from the opening / closing member, while the maximum diameter portion of the first rotating cam portion is brought into contact with the opening / closing member. Accordingly, the open / close member is driven to the closed position, and in conjunction with the drive, the tube support member is moved to the open / close member by bringing the minimum diameter portion of the second rotating cam portion into contact with the tube support member. A channel opening and closing device configured to be driven to the closest approach position with respect to. An ink jet recording apparatus having a flow channel opening and closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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