JP6897019B2 - Liquid supply device and liquid injection device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid injection device such as an inkjet printer and a liquid supply device provided in the liquid injection device.

In general, an inkjet printer is widely known as a type of liquid injection device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a printer includes a carriage and a recording head supported by the carriage, and prints by ejecting ink supplied from an ink supply device from the recording head onto paper while moving the carriage back and forth along the scanning direction. I do.

The ink supply device includes an ink bag filled with ink, an ink container having an ink lead-out unit communicating with the inside of the ink bag, a case for accommodating the ink container, and a case provided in the case to support the ink container. It includes a right recess and a left recess, an ink introduction needle that can be connected to the ink lead-out portion, and a connection tube that connects the ink introduction needle and the printer. Then, the ink container is set in the case so as to be detachably supported by the right recess and the left recess so that the ink lead-out portion is located above the ink bag in the direction of gravity.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-107660

By the way, in the ink supply device as described above, the ink introduction needle in a state of not being connected to the ink lead-out unit is not held at a fixed position and is in a free state. Therefore, when the ink container is set in the case, the ink introduction needle in the free state becomes an obstacle, so that there is a problem that the work of setting the ink container in the case becomes complicated.

The present invention has focused on such problems existing in the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid supply device and a liquid injection device in which a liquid container can be easily set on a liquid container support portion.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above problems and their actions and effects will be described.
The liquid supply device that solves the above problems is a liquid supply device that supplies the liquid to the liquid injection unit that injects the liquid, and can accommodate the liquid supplied to the liquid injection unit and derive the liquid. A connecting body having a liquid introducing portion that can be connected to the liquid leading portion of a liquid containing portion having a liquid leading portion, and the liquid containing portion in a state in which the liquid introducing portion can be detachably connected to the liquid leading portion. A liquid container supporting portion capable of supporting the liquid container, and a connecting body holding portion for holding the connecting body in a state in which the liquid introducing portion is disconnected from the liquid leading portion are provided.

According to this configuration, the connecting body in which the liquid introducing portion is disconnected from the liquid leading portion is held at a position determined by the connecting body holding portion, so that the liquid containing body is held with respect to the liquid containing body supporting portion. Can be easily set.

In the liquid supply device, the connecting body holding portion is a connection body held by the connecting body holding portion and the connecting body holding portion when the liquid containing body is set on the liquid containing body supporting portion. It is preferable that it is provided so as to deviate from the set path through which it passes.

According to this configuration, when the liquid container is set on the liquid container support, the connecting body and the connecting body holding portion do not get in the way, so that the liquid container can be easily set on the liquid container support. Can be done.

In the liquid supply device, the liquid container support portion has a mounting surface on which the liquid container is placed, and the connection body holding portion is the connecting body and the connecting body held by the connecting body holding portion. It is preferable that the connecting body holding portion is provided so as to be located below the plane including the above-mentioned mounting surface.

According to this configuration, the connecting body and the connecting body holding portion do not get in the way when the liquid containing body is placed on the mounting surface, so that the liquid containing body can be easily set with respect to the liquid containing body support portion. it can.

In the above liquid supply device, it is preferable that the above-mentioned mounting surface is inclined so that the back side in the setting direction of the liquid container is lower than the front side in the set direction with respect to the support portion of the liquid container.

According to this configuration, the liquid container can be easily moved to the set position while sliding the mounting surface by utilizing its weight.
In the liquid supply device, the connecting body holding portion is provided on the front side of the liquid container with respect to the liquid container support portion in the setting direction with respect to the liquid container supported by the liquid container support portion. Is preferable.

According to this configuration, after the liquid container is set on the liquid container support portion, the liquid introduction portion of the connecting body can be easily connected to the liquid outlet portion of the liquid container.
In the liquid supply device, the connecting body includes a locked portion that is locked to a locking portion of the liquid container in a state where the liquid introducing portion and the liquid leading portion are connected, and the locked portion. The connecting body holding portion has an operating portion for releasing the locked state between the portion and the locking portion, and the connecting body holding portion has the liquid of the liquid accommodating body in which the operating portion is more than the locked portion. It is preferable to hold the housing in a posture that is on the front side in the setting direction with respect to the housing support portion.

According to this configuration, when connecting the connecting body (liquid introduction portion) to the liquid outlet portion of the liquid container, the connecting body can be easily removed from the connecting body holding portion, and the connecting body removed from the liquid leading portion can be easily removed. Can be easily held by the connecting body holding portion.

In the liquid supply device, the connection body has an electrical connection portion connected to the liquid container, and the connection body holding portion is in a posture in which the electrical connection portion is above the liquid introduction portion. It is preferable to hold the connection.

According to this configuration, when the liquid leaks from the liquid introduction portion, it is possible to prevent the leaked liquid from adhering to the electrical connection portion.
In the liquid supply device, the connecting body holding portion preferably has a cap portion that covers the liquid introduction portion or the space including the liquid introduction portion.

According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the solvent component of the liquid from evaporating from the liquid introduction part which is not connected to the liquid outlet part and thicken the liquid, or to prevent foreign substances such as dust from adhering to the liquid introduction part. it can.

The liquid injection device that solves the above problems is a liquid injection unit that injects a liquid and a liquid supply device that supplies the liquid to the liquid injection unit, and accommodates the liquid supplied to the liquid injection unit. A connecting body having a liquid introduction section that can be connected to the liquid delivery section of a liquid container having a liquid delivery section capable of leading the liquid, and the liquid introduction section can be detachably connected to the liquid delivery section. A liquid comprising a liquid container support portion capable of supporting the liquid container in a state, and a connection body holding portion for holding the connection body in a state where the liquid introduction unit is disconnected from the liquid lead-out unit. Equipped with a supply device.

According to this configuration, the same effect as that of the liquid supply device can be obtained.

The schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the inkjet printer of one Embodiment. The cross-sectional schematic diagram of the filter part in an inkjet printer. The block diagram which shows the electrical structure of an inkjet printer. The side schematic diagram which shows the structure of a tank holder. The plan view which shows the connection state of a connection body and a liquid lead-out part. The plan view which shows the connection state of the connection body and the connection body holding part. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state when the connecting body is connected to the connecting body holding portion. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state when the connecting body is connected to the connecting body holding portion. A side schematic diagram showing a state when the main tank is set in the tank holder of the modified example. A side schematic diagram showing a state when the main tank is set in the tank holder of the modified example. FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a state when the main tank is set in the tank holder. A side schematic diagram showing a state when the main tank is set in the tank holder of the modified example. A side schematic diagram showing a state when the main tank is set in the tank holder of the modified example. A side schematic diagram showing a state when the main tank is set in the tank holder of the modified example.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the liquid injection device will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printer 11 as an example of a liquid injection device has a liquid injection unit 14 for injecting ink as an example of liquid from a plurality of nozzles 13 formed on a nozzle forming surface 12, and a liquid injection unit. A liquid supply device 15 for supplying ink to the unit 14 is provided.

The liquid supply device 15 is a liquid container support unit capable of supporting a main tank 16 as an example of a liquid container having a liquid discharge unit 20 capable of accommodating ink supplied to the liquid injection unit 14 and delivering the ink. A tank holder 18 is provided as an example. The tank holder 18 has a mounting surface 19 on which the main tank 16 is mounted, and the main tank 16 has a liquid lead-out portion 20 for leading out the ink inside.

Further, in the liquid supply device 15, the connection between the connecting body 21 having the liquid introduction unit 61 that can be detachably connected to the liquid outlet 20 of the main tank 16 and the liquid introduction unit 61 is disconnected from the liquid outlet 20. It is provided with a connecting body holding portion 62 for holding the connecting body 21 in the state. The connecting body holding portion 62 is provided in the tank holder 18. The tank holder 18 supports the main tank 16 on the mounting surface 19 in a state where the liquid introduction portion 61 can be detachably connected to the liquid outlet portion 20.

Further, the liquid supply device 15 includes a liquid supply path 17 that supplies the ink in the main tank 16 to the liquid injection unit 14. The liquid supply path 17 is formed of, for example, a flexible tube. The upstream end side of the liquid supply path 17 is connected to the connecting body 21, and the downstream end side of the liquid supply path 17 is connected to the liquid injection section 14. Therefore, the ink in the main tank 16 is transferred from the main tank 16 on the upstream side to the liquid ejection unit 14 on the downstream side via the liquid outlet unit 20, the connecting body 21 (liquid introduction unit 61), and the liquid supply path 17. Be supplied.

The tank holder 18 is provided with a cover 22 that covers the liquid outlet portion 20 side of the main tank 16 supported by the tank holder 18, and a cover sensor 23 that detects the open / closed state of the cover 22. The cover 22 has a closed position (position shown in FIG. 1) covering the liquid outlet 20 side of the main tank 16 supported by the tank holder 18 and a liquid outlet 20 side of the main tank 16 supported by the tank holder 18. The tank holder 18 is provided so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 24 with the open position (position shown in FIG. 4) to be opened.

In the liquid supply path 17, a supply valve 25 for opening and closing the liquid supply path 17 is provided on the downstream side of the connecting body 21 and the tank holder 18, and the ink in the liquid supply path 17 is downstream on the downstream side of the supply valve 25. A supply pump 26 is provided to flow toward. The supply valve 25 is composed of, for example, a solenoid valve, and the supply pump 26 is composed of, for example, a diaphragm pump. The supply valve 25 is set to be closed when the power of the inkjet printer 11 is off.

On the downstream side of the supply pump 26 in the liquid supply path 17, a filter unit 27 for collecting foreign matter in the ink flowing through the liquid supply path 17 is provided. Therefore, the supply pump 26 that supplies ink to the liquid injection unit 14 side is arranged at a position that is closer to the main tank 16 than the filter unit 27 in the liquid supply path 17.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the filter unit 27 is a hollow cylindrical case 28, a cylindrical filter 29 arranged at the center of the case 28, and a space inside the case 28, which is the filter 29. It is provided with an upstream filter chamber 30 located on the upstream side of the above. The upstream filter chamber 30 communicates with the liquid supply path 17 on the upstream side of the filter unit 27. The filter portion 27 is arranged so as to be inclined so that the upstream side is higher than the downstream side. Both sides of the filter 29 in the axial direction are closed by support plates 31, and the central hole 29a of the filter 29 communicates with the liquid supply path 17 on the downstream side of the filter portion 27.

Then, the ink supplied to the filter unit 27 from the upstream side is temporarily stored in the upstream filter chamber 30, and then enters the filter 29 from the outer peripheral surface of the filter 29 to reach the hole 29a. Foreign matter including air bubbles is removed. The ink from which foreign matter has been removed by passing through the filter 29 is supplied from the hole 29a of the filter 29 to the liquid supply path 17 on the downstream side of the filter unit 27.

Fluids such as ink and air bubbles in the liquid supply path 17 can be discharged to the outside at the upper end of the upstream filter chamber 30 opposite to the direction of gravity (the end in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2). The upstream end of the discharge flow path 32 is connected, and the downstream end of the discharge flow path 32 is inserted into the waste liquid tank 33. In this case, the upstream end of the discharge flow path 32 is the highest position in the upstream filter chamber 30 and is connected to the corner portion. That is, the upstream end of the discharge flow path 32 is connected to a position in the upstream filter chamber 30 where air bubbles are most likely to collect.

A hydraulic pressure sensor 34 for detecting the pressure in the liquid supply passage 17 is provided at an intermediate position of the discharge flow path 32. A discharge valve 35 for opening and closing the discharge flow path 32 is provided on the downstream side of the hydraulic pressure sensor 34 in the discharge flow path 32. That is, the discharge valve 35 can be switched between a communication state in which the discharge flow path 32 and the outside communicate with each other and a non-communication state in which the discharge flow path 32 and the outside do not communicate with each other by the opening / closing operation. The discharge valve 35 is composed of, for example, a solenoid valve, and is set to be in an open state when the power of the inkjet printer 11 is off.

As shown in FIG. 1, an upstream valve 36 for opening and closing the liquid supply path 17 is provided on the downstream side of the filter portion 27 in the liquid supply path 17. A sub-tank unit 37 for storing ink supplied from the main tank 16 is provided on the downstream side of the upstream valve 36 in the liquid supply path 17. A downstream valve 38 for opening and closing the liquid supply path 17 is provided on the downstream side of the sub tank unit 37 in the liquid supply path 17. The upstream valve 36 and the downstream valve 38 are each composed of solenoid valves, and are set to be closed when the power of the inkjet printer 11 is turned off.

The sub-tank unit 37 includes a bag-shaped intermediate storage portion 39 formed of a flexible member, a liquid amount sensor 60, and a bag-shaped pressing portion 40 formed of a flexible member. The intermediate storage unit 39 is arranged at an intermediate position of the liquid supply path 17, and expands or contracts according to the amount of ink stored inside. The liquid amount sensor 60 detects the amount of ink in the intermediate storage unit 39 from the degree of swelling of the intermediate storage unit 39. The pressing portion 40 is arranged so as to be adjacent to the intermediate storage portion 39. The pressing portion 40 is connected to the downstream end of the air supply passage 42 extending from the air supply portion 41. The air supply unit 41 may be provided in equipment such as a factory, or may be configured by an air pump or the like.

An air pressure sensor 43 for detecting the air pressure in the air supply path 42 is provided in the middle of the air supply path 42, and an air supply path 42 is provided at a position on the air supply path 42 closer to the pressing portion 40 than the air pressure sensor 43. An air valve 44 that opens and closes is provided. Then, when the pressing unit 40 expands by receiving the air supply from the air supply unit 41 while the upstream valve 36 is closed and the downstream valve 38 is opened, the intermediate storage unit 39 is pressed by the pressing unit 40. The ink stored in the intermediate storage unit 39 is supplied to the liquid injection unit 14 side.

A pressure adjusting valve 45 for adjusting the pressure of the ink supplied to the liquid injection unit 14 is provided on the downstream side of the downstream valve 38 in the liquid supply path 17, and a pressure adjusting valve 45 is provided on the downstream side of the pressure adjusting valve 45. A liquid injection unit 14 to which the downstream end side is connected is arranged. The pressure regulating valve 45 and the liquid injection unit 14 are supported by a carriage 46 provided so as to be reciprocally movable along the scanning direction. In this case, the liquid injection unit 14 is arranged at the lower end of the carriage 46. The pressure adjusting valve 45 and the liquid injection portion 14 may be integrally formed.

The pressure regulating valve 45 includes a filter chamber 48 and a supply chamber 49 partitioned by an in-valve filter 47 that captures foreign matter such as air bubbles in the ink. Further, the pressure adjusting valve 45 closes the pressure chamber 51 that communicates with the supply chamber 49 through the communication hole 50, the valve body 52 provided between the pressure chamber 51 and the supply chamber 49, and the valve body 52. It includes an urging member 53 that urges in the direction. That is, the valve body 52 is inserted into the communication hole 50, and is provided so as to close the communication hole 50 by being urged by the urging member 53.

The pressure chamber 51 is composed of a diaphragm 54 whose wall surface is partially bent and deformed along the urging direction of the urging member 53. The diaphragm 54 receives atmospheric pressure on the outer surface side (left side in FIG. 1), while it receives the pressure of the ink in the pressure chamber 51 on the inner surface side (right side in FIG. 1). Therefore, the diaphragm 54 bends and displaces according to a change in the differential pressure between the pressure of the ink in the pressure chamber 51 and the atmospheric pressure (the pressure received on the outer surface side of the diaphragm 54).

Further, the supply chamber 49 is held in a pressurized state by the ink supplied from the intermediate storage unit 39. When the pressure in the pressure chamber 51 is lower than the atmospheric pressure and the differential pressure between the pressure in the pressure chamber 51 and the atmospheric pressure becomes larger than the predetermined pressure difference, the valve body 52 is pressured by the urging force of the urging member 53. The state in which the communication between the chamber 51 and the supply chamber 49 is restricted is changed to the state in which the pressure chamber 51 and the supply chamber 49 are communicated with each other.

Subsequently, when ink flows from the supply chamber 49 into the pressure chamber 51 and the differential pressure between the pressure in the pressure chamber 51 and the atmospheric pressure returns to a predetermined pressure difference, the valve body 52 moves between the pressure chamber 51 and the supply chamber. Regulate communication with 49. In this way, the pressure adjusting valve 45 adjusts the pressure of the ink supplied to the liquid injection unit 14 in order to adjust the pressure in the liquid injection unit 14 which is the back pressure of the nozzle 13.

Inside the liquid injection unit 14, a filter 55 in the injection unit that captures foreign matter such as air bubbles in the ink supplied from the pressure adjusting valve 45 side is provided. Therefore, the ink after passing through the filter 55 in the injection unit is ejected from the nozzle 13 of the liquid injection unit 14. Then, by driving the carriage motor (not shown) to reciprocate the carriage 46 along the scanning direction and injecting ink from each nozzle 13 of the liquid injection unit 14 toward a medium such as paper, the medium can be printed. Will be done.

In the inkjet printer 11 of FIG. 1, a liquid supply device 15 for supplying one type (one color) of ink to the liquid injection unit 14 is depicted, but the type (color) of ink used in the inkjet printer 11 is drawn. ), The number of liquid supply devices 15 required is the same as the number of ink types (number of colors). For example, when the inkjet printer 11 is a color printer that uses eight colors of ink, eight liquid supply devices 15 are required. In this case, it is preferable to share the waste liquid tank 33 between the liquid supply devices 15.

Next, the electrical configuration of the inkjet printer 11 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the inkjet printer 11 (see FIG. 1) includes a control unit 56 that collectively controls the inkjet printer 11. A hydraulic pressure sensor 34, a liquid volume sensor 60, an air pressure sensor 43, and a cover sensor 23 are electrically connected to the input side interface (not shown) of the control unit 56, respectively. On the other hand, a supply pump 26, a supply valve 25, a discharge valve 35, an upstream valve 36, a downstream valve 38, and an air valve 44 are electrically connected to the output side interface (not shown) of the control unit 56, respectively. Then, the control unit 56 controls the drive of the supply pump 26 based on the signals transmitted from the hydraulic pressure sensor 34, the liquid volume sensor 60, the cover sensor 23, and the air pressure sensor 43, and also controls the drive of the supply pump 26, and the supply valve 25 and the discharge valve 35. , The upstream valve 36, the downstream valve 38, and the air valve 44 are individually controlled to open and close.

Next, the configuration of the tank holder 18 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 4, the tank holder 18 has a substantially L-shape as a whole, and has a base portion 65 having a horizontal mounting surface 19 on the upper surface and a back side of the base portion 65 (right side in FIG. 4). It is provided with a back wall portion 66 erected at the end of the. The front side (left side in FIG. 4) surface of the back wall portion 66 is a contact surface 67 which is a vertical surface, and the contact surface 67 is in contact with the mounting surface 19 at a right angle. Then, the position (position shown in FIG. 4) when the back surface 16a, which is the inner surface of the main tank 16, comes into contact with the contact surface 67 while the main tank 16 is supported on the mounting surface 19, is the tank. The setting position is such that the main tank 16 is set with respect to the holder 18.

The tank holder 18 of the present embodiment is opened from the upper side to the front side (left side in FIG. 4) with respect to the set position, and the path to be passed when the main tank 16 is set to the set position of the tank holder 18 is set. It is said to be a route. Therefore, in the set path, the main tank 16 is set from the left side with respect to the set position of the tank holder 18 from the path through which the main tank 16 passes when the main tank 16 is set from above with respect to the set position of the tank holder 18. The range H up to the path through which the main tank 16 passes can be taken.

In the present embodiment, the set path is the path through which the main tank 16 passes when the main tank 16 is set from the left side with respect to the set position of the tank holder 18. That is, when the back surface 16a of the main tank 16 faces the contact surface 67 of the back wall portion 66 and the main tank 16 is set at the set position along the plane including the mounting surface 19, the main tank 16 passes through. The route is a set route.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4 (direction from left to right) is the setting direction A in which the main tank 16 is set at the set position. In the present embodiment, the liquid outlet portion 20 is arranged on the surface of the main tank 16 opposite to the back surface 16a. That is, the liquid lead-out unit 20 is arranged on the front surface of the main tank 16 in the setting direction A.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, a slope 68 is formed on the front side (left side in FIGS. 4 and 7) of the base portion 65 in the setting direction A so as to be adjacent to the mounting surface 19. The slope 68 is inclined so that the height becomes lower toward the front side in the setting direction A, and the connecting body holding portion 62 is provided on the slope 68.

In this case, the connecting body holding portion 62 is provided so that the connecting body 21 and the connecting body holding portion 62 held by the connecting body holding portion 62 are located below the plane including the mounting surface 19. That is, the connecting body holding portion 62 is from a set path through which the connecting body 21 and the connecting body holding portion 62 held by the connecting body holding portion 62 pass when the main tank 16 is set at the set position of the tank holder 18. It is provided so that it can be removed. Further, in this case, the connecting body holding portion 62 is provided on the front side of the main tank 16 in the setting direction A with respect to the tank holder 18 with respect to the main tank 16 set at the setting position of the tank holder 18.

As shown in FIG. 5, bearing portions 69 are provided on both side surfaces of the connecting body 21 so as to form a pair. A rod-shaped lever member 71 is rotatably supported at the center of each of the paired bearing portions 69 via a support shaft 70. At one end of each lever member 71, an example of a locked portion to be locked in a lead-out side locking recess 72 as an example of a locking portion formed on both side surfaces of the liquid lead-out portion 20 of the main tank 16. The claw portion 73 is formed. On the other hand, an operating portion 74 is formed at the other end of each lever member 71.

A spring 75 is provided between both side surfaces of the connecting body 21 and a position of the lever member 71 on the operating portion 74 side of the support shaft 70. The spring 75 urges each lever member 71 so that the operating portions 74 of the lever member 71 are separated from each other. Therefore, each lever member 71 is rotated in a direction in which the claw portions 73 approach each other by the urging force of each spring 75.

Then, the liquid introduction unit 61 is connected to the liquid outlet unit 20 in a state where the lever members 71 are rotated in the direction in which the operation units 74 approach each other against the urging force of the springs 75 by pinching the operation units 74 to each other. After that, when each lever member 71 is rotated in a direction in which the operating portions 74 are separated from each other by the urging force of each spring 75, each claw portion 73 is locked in each of the lead-out portion side locking recesses 72. As a result, the state in which the liquid introduction unit 61 of the connecting body 21 is connected to the liquid outlet unit 20 is maintained.

On the other hand, by pinching the operating portions 74 in a state where the claws 73 of the lever members 71 are locked in the locking recesses 72 on the lead-out portion side, the operating portions 74 approach each other against the urging force of each spring 75. When each lever member 71 is rotated in the direction, the locked state between each claw portion 73 and each lead-out portion side locking recess 72 is released. Therefore, the connecting body 21 has a claw portion 73 locked in the outlet side locking recess 72 of the liquid outlet portion 20 of the main tank 16 in a state where the liquid introduction portion 61 and the liquid outlet portion 20 are connected, and a claw. It can be said that it has an operation unit 74 that is picked and operated in order to release the locked state between the unit 73 and the lead-out unit side locking recess 72.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, holding portion-side locking recesses 76 capable of locking the claws 73 of the lever members 71 are formed on both side surfaces of the connecting body holding portion 62, respectively. Then, by pinching the operating portions 74 to each other, the connecting body 21 is connected to the connecting body holding portion 62 in a state where the lever members 71 are rotated in the direction in which the operating portions 74 approach each other against the urging force of the springs 75. After that, when each lever member 71 is rotated in a direction in which the operating portions 74 are separated from each other by the urging force of each spring 75, each claw portion 73 is locked in each holding portion side locking recess 76.

As a result, the connecting body 21 is held by the connecting body holding portion 62. In this case, the connecting body holding portion 62 holds the connecting body 21 in a posture in which the operating portion 74 is closer to the front side (left side in FIG. 7) of the setting direction A with respect to the tank holder 18 of the main tank 16 than the claw portion 73. On the other hand, by pinching the operating portions 74 in a state where the claws 73 of the lever members 71 are locked in the locking recesses 76 on the holding portion side, the operating portions 74 approach each other against the urging force of the springs 75. When each lever member 71 is rotated in the direction, the locked state between each claw portion 73 and each holding portion side locking recess 76 is released.

As shown in FIG. 8, the connecting body 21 has an electrical connecting portion 77 connected to the main tank 16, and the electrical connecting portion 77 is electrically connected to the control unit 56 (see FIG. 3) via the electric wire 78. ing. The connecting body holding portion 62 includes a bottomed box-shaped accommodating portion 79 capable of accommodating the electrical connecting portion 77, and a bottomed box-shaped cap portion 80 that covers the space including the liquid introduction portion 61 or the liquid introduction portion 61. ing. The opening of the cap portion 80 is provided with an elastic member 81 such as an annular seal rubber that comes into close contact with the liquid introduction portion 61 when the liquid introduction portion 61 is inserted into the cap portion 80. An absorbent material 82 capable of absorbing and holding a liquid such as ink dripping from the liquid introducing portion 61 is arranged on the entire bottom portion in the connecting body holding portion 62.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9, in a state where the connecting body holding portion 62 holds the connecting body 21 so that the liquid introducing portion 61 and the electrical connecting portion 77 are housed in the cap portion 80 and the accommodating portion 79, respectively, electricity is supplied. The connection portion 77 is located above the liquid introduction portion 61. That is, the connecting body holding portion 62 holds the connecting body 21 in a posture in which the electrical connecting portion 77 is above the liquid introducing portion 61.

Next, the operation of the inkjet printer 11 when the main tank 16 is replaced will be described.
When replacing the main tank 16, first, the cover 22 is opened. Then, when the cover sensor 23 detects that the cover 22 has been opened, the liquid introduction portion 61 of the connecting body 21 is removed from the liquid outlet portion 20 of the main tank 16 regardless of whether or not the main tank 16 has been replaced. Therefore, the control unit 56 closes the supply valve 25 and stops the supply pump 26.

Subsequently, by pinching the operating portions 74 of the lever members 71 of the connecting body 21, the lever members 71 are rotated in the direction in which the operating portions 74 approach each other against the urging force of the springs 75. The locked state of the portion 73 and the locking recess 72 on the side of each of the lead-out portions is released. If the connecting body 21 is pulled in the direction opposite to the setting direction A (on the left side in FIG. 4) in this state, the connecting body 21 is disconnected from the liquid outlet portion 20 of the main tank 16.

At this time, since the supply valve 25 is closed and the supply pump 26 is stopped, the negative pressure generated on the upstream side of the supply valve 25 in the liquid supply path 17 does not become so large. Therefore, when the connecting body 21 is removed from the liquid leading-out portion 20 of the main tank 16, air is hardly drawn into the liquid supply path 17 from the liquid introducing portion 61 of the connecting body 21.

Subsequently, after connecting the connecting body 21 removed from the liquid outlet portion 20 of the main tank 16 to the connecting body holding portion 62, the operating portions 74 separate the lever members 71 of the connecting body 21 from each other by the urging force of each spring 75. When rotated in the direction, each claw portion 73 is locked in each holding portion side locking recess 76. As a result, the connecting body 21 is held by the connecting body holding portion 62, so that the liquid introducing portion 61 of the connecting body 21 does not come into contact with other members and stain the other members with ink.

Subsequently, the old main tank 16 at the set position of the tank holder 18 is moved along the set path in the direction opposite to the setting direction A (left side in FIG. 4) to remove the old main tank 16 from the tank holder 18. Subsequently, the new main tank 16 is set at the set position of the tank holder 18 by moving the new main tank 16 in the setting direction A (on the right side in FIG. 4) along the set path.

At this time, since the connecting body 21 and the connecting body holding portion 62 held by the connecting body holding portion 62 are located outside the set path and below the plane including the mounting surface 19, the set position is set. When replacing the old main tank 16 in the above with a new main tank 16, the connecting body 21 and the connecting body holding portion 62 held by the connecting body holding portion 62 do not get in the way. Therefore, the replacement work of the main tank 16 at the set position of the tank holder 18 can be easily performed.

Subsequently, by pinching the operating portions 74 of the lever members 71 of the connecting body 21, the lever members 71 are rotated in the direction in which the operating portions 74 approach each other against the urging force of the springs 75. The locked state between the portion 73 and the locking recesses 76 on each holding portion side is released. If the connecting body 21 is pulled from the connecting body holding portion 62 in this state, the connecting body 21 is disconnected from the connecting body holding portion 62.

Subsequently, after connecting the connecting body 21 (liquid introducing portion 61) removed from the connecting body holding portion 62 to the liquid leading portion 20 of the new main tank 16, each lever member 71 is connected to the operating portion 74 by the urging force of each spring 75. When the claws 73 are rotated in the directions away from each other, the claws 73 are locked in the locking recesses 72 on the side of each outlet. As a result, the state in which the liquid introduction unit 61 of the connecting body 21 is connected to the liquid outlet unit 20 is maintained. After that, by closing the cover 22, the replacement work of the main tank 16 is completed.

According to the embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The liquid supply device 15 includes a connecting body holding unit 62 that holds the connecting body 21 in a state in which the liquid introducing unit 61 is disconnected from the liquid leading unit 20. Therefore, the connecting body 21 in the state where the liquid introducing unit 61 is disconnected from the liquid leading unit 20 is held at a position determined by the connecting body holding unit 62, so that the main tank 16 is held with respect to the tank holder 18. It can be set easily.

(2) In the liquid supply device 15, the connecting body holding portion 62 passes through the connecting body 21 and the connecting body holding portion 62 held by the connecting body holding portion 62 when the main tank 16 is set in the tank holder 18. It is provided so as to deviate from the set path. Therefore, when the main tank 16 is set in the tank holder 18, the connecting body 21 and the connecting body holding portion 62 do not get in the way, so that the main tank 16 can be easily set in the tank holder 18.

(3) In the liquid supply device 15, the connecting body holding portion 62 is such that the connecting body 21 and the connecting body holding portion 62 held by the connecting body holding portion 62 are located below the plane including the mounting surface 19. It is provided in. Therefore, when the main tank 16 is placed on the mounting surface 19, the connecting body 21 and the connecting body holding portion 62 do not get in the way, so that the main tank 16 can be easily set with respect to the tank holder 18.

(4) In the liquid supply device 15, the connecting body holding portion 62 is located closer to the front side of the main tank 16 in the setting direction A with respect to the tank holder 18 than the main tank 16 set (supported) at the setting position of the tank holder 18. It is provided. Therefore, after the main tank 16 is set in the tank holder 18, the liquid introduction portion 61 of the connecting body 21 can be easily connected to the liquid outlet portion 20 of the main tank 16.

(5) In the liquid supply device 15, the connecting body holding portion 62 holds the connecting body 21 in a posture in which the operating portion 74 is on the front side (left side in FIG. 7) of the setting direction A with respect to the claw portion 73. Therefore, when connecting the connecting body 21 (liquid introduction section 61) to the liquid leading section 20 of the main tank 16, the connecting body 21 can be easily removed from the connecting body holding section 62 and also removed from the liquid leading section 20. The connecting body 21 can be easily held by the connecting body holding portion 62.

(6) In the liquid supply device 15, the connecting body 21 has an electrical connecting portion 77 connected to the main tank 16, and the connecting body holding portion 62 has the electrical connecting portion 77 above the liquid introducing portion 61. The connector 21 is held in the posture. Therefore, when ink leaks from the liquid introduction section 61, it is possible to prevent the leaked ink from adhering to the electrical connection section 77.

(7) In the liquid supply device 15, the connecting body holding portion 62 has a cap portion 80 that covers the space including the liquid introduction portion 61 or the liquid introduction portion 61. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the solvent component of the ink from evaporating from the liquid introduction unit 61 which is not connected to the liquid outlet unit 20 to thicken the ink and to prevent foreign matter such as dust from adhering to the liquid introduction unit 61. it can.

(Change example)
The above embodiment may be changed as follows.
As shown in FIG. 10, an upper wall portion 83 that covers the upper side of the main tank 16 set at the set position of the tank holder 18 may be provided at the upper end portion of the back wall portion 66 of the tank holder 18. In this case, the set path is in the region J between the plane including the lower surface of the upper wall portion 83 and the plane including the mounting surface 19, and the back surface 16a of the main tank 16 is the contact surface 67 of the back wall portion 66. It is composed of a path through which the main tank 16 passes when the main tank 16 is set at the set position while facing the above.

-As shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 10, the liquid outlet portion 20 may be provided on the side surface of the main tank 16.
As shown in FIG. 11, in the liquid supply device 15, the mounting surface 19 of the tank holder 18 is set in the setting direction A rather than the front side (left side in FIG. 11) of the main tank 16 with respect to the tank holder 18. It may be inclined so that the back side (the right side in FIG. 11) is lower. In this case, it is preferable that the contact surface 67 of the back wall portion 66 is inclined so as to be perpendicular to the mounting surface 19, and the cushioning material 84 is arranged at the contact portion of the main tank 16 on the contact surface 67. In this way, as shown in FIG. 12, the main tank 16 can be easily moved to the set position while sliding the mounting surface 19 by utilizing its weight. Then, the inclination angle θ of the mounting surface 19 at this time is set so as to satisfy the equation of μ <tan θ derived from the equation of Mg · sin θ> μ Mg · cos θ. In this case, M indicates the mass containing ink inside the main tank 16, g indicates the gravitational acceleration, and μ indicates the coefficient of static friction of the main tank 16.

-As shown in FIG. 13, the liquid outlet portion 20 may be provided on the upper surface of the main tank 16. In this case, the connecting body holding portion 62 is preferably arranged on the upper surface of the back wall portion 66 of the tank holder 18. Further, in this case, the main tank 16 may be arranged on the upper surface of the inkjet printer 11.

As shown in FIG. 14, a vertical surface 85 orthogonal to the mounting surface 19 is provided on the front side (left side in FIG. 14) of the base portion 65 of the tank holder 18 in the setting direction A instead of the slope 68. The connection body holding portion 62 may be arranged on the surface 85.

As shown in FIG. 15, on the front side (left side in FIG. 15) of the setting direction A in the base portion 65 of the tank holder 18, instead of the slope 68, a step is provided with the mounting surface 19 so as to be larger than the mounting surface 19. A horizontal plane 86 located at a low position may be provided, and the connecting body holding portion 62 may be arranged on the horizontal plane 86. In this case, the height of the horizontal plane 86 is preferably set so that the connecting body 21 and the connecting body holding portion 62 held by the connecting body holding portion 62 are lower than the mounting surface 19.

-The cap portion 80 of the connecting body holding portion 62 may be omitted.
The connecting body holding portion 62 does not necessarily have to hold the connecting body 21 in a posture in which the electrical connecting portion 77 is above the liquid introducing portion 61. That is, the connecting body holding portion 62 may hold the connecting body 21 in a posture in which the electrical connecting portion 77 is lower than the liquid introducing portion 61, for example.

The connecting body holding portion 62 does not necessarily have to hold the connecting body 21 in a posture in which the operating portion 74 is on the front side (left side in FIG. 7) of the setting direction A with respect to the claw portion 73.
-The connecting body holding portion 62 does not necessarily have to be provided on the front side in the setting direction A of the main tank 16 set (supported) at the setting position of the tank holder 18.

-The connecting body holding portion 62 does not necessarily have to be provided so that the connecting body 21 and the connecting body holding portion 62 held by the connecting body holding portion 62 are located below the plane including the mounting surface 19.

The connecting body holding portion 62 is arranged so that the connecting body 21 and the connecting body holding portion 62 held by the connecting body holding portion 62 are separated from the set path through which the main tank 16 is set in the tank holder 18. It does not need to be provided.

-The supply pump 26 may be omitted. In this case, it is preferable that the ink in the main tank 16 is supplied to the liquid injection unit 14 side by, for example, pressurizing with air pressure. Alternatively, the ink in the main tank 16 may be supplied to the liquid injection unit 14 side by utilizing the head difference.

-In the above embodiment, the liquid injection device may be a liquid injection device that injects or ejects a liquid other than ink. The state of the liquid discharged as a minute amount of droplets from the liquid injection device includes those having a granular, tear-like, or thread-like tail. Further, the liquid referred to here may be any material that can be injected from a liquid injection device. For example, the substance may be in a liquid phase, and may be a highly viscous or low-viscosity liquid, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts). ) Is included. Further, it includes not only a liquid as a state of a substance but also a particle of a functional material made of a solid substance such as a pigment or a metal particle dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. Typical examples of the liquid include various liquid compositions such as water-based ink, non-water-based ink, oil-based ink, gel ink, hot melt ink, and liquid crystal as described in the above-described embodiment. Specific examples of the liquid injection device include liquids containing materials such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, surface emitting displays, color filters, etc. in the form of dispersion or dissolution. There is a liquid injection device that injects. Further, a liquid injection device for injecting a bioorganic substance used for producing a biochip, a liquid injection device for injecting a liquid as a sample used as a precision pipette, a printing device, a microdispenser, or the like may be used. Furthermore, a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin is used to form a liquid injection device that injects lubricating oil pinpointly into precision machinery such as watches and cameras, and a microhemispherical lens (optical lens) used for optical communication elements. May be a liquid injection device that injects the liquid onto the substrate. Further, it may be a liquid injection device that injects an etching solution such as an acid or an alkali to etch a substrate or the like.

11 ... Inkjet printer as an example of a liquid injection device, 12 ... Nozzle forming surface, 13 ... Nozzle, 14 ... Liquid injection unit, 15 ... Liquid supply device, 16 ... Main tank as an example of a liquid container, 16a ... Back , 17 ... liquid supply path, 18 ... tank holder as an example of liquid container support, 19 ... mounting surface, 20 ... liquid outlet, 21 ... connector, 22 ... cover, 23 ... cover sensor, 24 ... times Drive shaft, 25 ... Supply valve, 26 ... Supply pump, 27 ... Filter part, 28 ... Case, 29 ... Filter, 29a ... Hole, 30 ... Upstream filter chamber, 31 ... Support plate, 32 ... Discharge flow path, 33 ... Waste liquid tank, 34 ... hydraulic pressure sensor, 35 ... discharge valve, 36 ... upstream valve, 37 ... sub tank unit, 38 ... downstream valve, 39 ... intermediate storage section, 40 ... pressing section, 41 ... air supply section, 42 ... air supply Road, 43 ... Air pressure sensor, 44 ... Air valve, 45 ... Pressure regulating valve, 46 ... Carriage, 47 ... Valve inner filter, 48 ... Filter chamber, 49 ... Supply chamber, 50 ... Communication hole, 51 ... Pressure chamber, 52 ... Valve body, 53 ... urging member, 54 ... diaphragm, 55 ... injection section filter, 56 ... control section, 60 ... liquid level sensor, 61 ... liquid introduction section, 62 ... connector holding section, 65 ... base section, 66 ... Back wall portion, 67 ... contact surface, 68 ... slope, 69 ... bearing portion, 70 ... support shaft, 71 ... lever member, 72 ... outlet side locking recess as an example of locking portion, 73 ... locked Claw part as an example of a part, 74 ... operation part, 75 ... spring, 76 ... holding part side locking recess, 77 ... electrical connection part, 78 ... electric wire, 79 ... accommodating part, 80 ... cap part, 81 ... elastic member , 82 ... Absorbent, 83 ... Upper wall, 84 ... Buffer, 85 ... Lead face, 86 ... Horizontal plane θ ... Tilt angle, A ... Set direction, H ... Range, J ... Region.

Claims (9)

A liquid supply device that supplies the liquid to a liquid injection unit that injects the liquid.
A connector having a liquid introduction portion that can be connected to the liquid outlet portion of a liquid container having a liquid outlet portion that accommodates the liquid supplied to the liquid injection portion and can derive the liquid.
A liquid container support portion capable of supporting the liquid container in a state in which the liquid introduction portion can be detachably connected to the liquid outlet portion, and a liquid container support portion.
A connecting body holding portion that holds the connecting body in a state where the liquid introducing portion is disconnected from the liquid leading portion, and a connecting body holding portion.
With
A liquid supply device, wherein the connecting body holding portion covers and holds the liquid introducing portion or a space including the liquid introducing portion when holding the connecting body. A liquid supply device that supplies the liquid to a liquid injection unit that injects the liquid.
A connector having a liquid introduction portion that can be connected to the liquid outlet portion of a liquid container having a liquid outlet portion that accommodates the liquid supplied to the liquid injection portion and can derive the liquid.
A liquid container support portion capable of supporting the liquid container in a state in which the liquid introduction portion can be detachably connected to the liquid outlet portion, and a liquid container support portion.
A connecting body holding portion that holds the connecting body in a state where the liquid introducing portion is disconnected from the liquid leading portion, and a connecting body holding portion.
With
When the setting direction of the liquid container is set to the setting direction, the connecting body holding portion supports the liquid container of the liquid container rather than the liquid container supported by the liquid container support. A liquid supply device provided on the front side in the setting direction with respect to the portion. A liquid supply device that supplies the liquid to a liquid injection unit that injects the liquid.
A connector having a liquid introduction portion that can be connected to the liquid outlet portion of a liquid container having a liquid outlet portion that accommodates the liquid supplied to the liquid injection portion and can derive the liquid.
A liquid container support portion capable of supporting the liquid container in a state in which the liquid introduction portion can be detachably connected to the liquid outlet portion, and a liquid container support portion.
A connecting body holding portion that holds the connecting body in a state where the liquid introducing portion is disconnected from the liquid leading portion, and a connecting body holding portion.
With
The connecting body includes a locked portion that is locked to a locking portion of the liquid container in a state where the liquid introducing portion and the liquid leading portion are connected, and the locked portion and the locking portion. It has an operation unit that releases the locked state with
When the setting direction of the liquid container is set to the setting direction, the connection body holding portion is such that the operation unit of the connection body is more relative to the liquid container support portion of the liquid container than the locked portion. A liquid supply device characterized in that it is held in a posture that is on the front side in the setting direction. A liquid supply device that supplies the liquid to a liquid injection unit that injects the liquid.
A connector having a liquid introduction portion that can be connected to the liquid outlet portion of a liquid container having a liquid outlet portion that accommodates the liquid supplied to the liquid injection portion and can derive the liquid.
A liquid container support portion capable of supporting the liquid container in a state in which the liquid introduction portion can be detachably connected to the liquid outlet portion, and a liquid container support portion.
A connecting body holding portion that holds the connecting body in a state where the liquid introducing portion is disconnected from the liquid leading portion, and a connecting body holding portion.
The mounting surface on which the liquid container is mounted and
With
The liquid supply device is characterized in that the above-mentioned mounting surface is inclined so that the back side in the setting direction of the liquid container is lower than the front side in the set direction with respect to the support portion of the liquid container. A liquid supply device that supplies the liquid to a liquid injection unit that injects the liquid.
A connector having a liquid introduction portion that can be connected to the liquid outlet portion of a liquid container having a liquid outlet portion that accommodates the liquid supplied to the liquid injection portion and can derive the liquid.
A liquid container support portion capable of supporting the liquid container in a state in which the liquid introduction portion can be detachably connected to the liquid outlet portion, and a liquid container support portion.
A connecting body holding portion that holds the connecting body in a state where the liquid introducing portion is disconnected from the liquid leading portion, and a connecting body holding portion.
With
When the direction in which the liquid container is set is set as the set direction and the path through which the liquid container is set is set as the set path, the set path and the connecting body holding portion overlap in the set direction. A characteristic liquid supply device. The connection body holding portion is separated from the set path through which the connection body and the connection body holding portion held by the connection body holding portion pass when the liquid container is set on the liquid container support portion. The liquid supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the liquid supply device is provided as described above. The liquid container support portion has a mounting surface on which the liquid container is placed.
The connecting body holding portion is characterized in that the connecting body and the connecting body holding portion held by the connecting body holding portion are provided so as to be located below a plane including the above-mentioned mounting surface. The liquid supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5. The connector has an electrical connection that is connected to the liquid container.
The one according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the connecting body holding portion holds the connecting body in a posture in which the electrical connecting portion is above the liquid introducing portion. Liquid supply device. It is a liquid injection device
A liquid injection part that injects liquid and
The liquid supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
A liquid injection device characterized by being equipped with.

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