Liquid discharge apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus includes a container configured to store a liquid to be supplied to a discharge device, a first cover portion movable between a closed position in which an inlet portion in the container is covered and an open position, a second cover portion movable between a closed position in which the first cover portion is covered and an open position in which the first cover portion is exposed so as to open and close, and a valve that opens and closes a passage that communicates with an inside of the container. The valve closes the passage in conjunction with movement of the first cover portion to the open position, and opens the passage in conjunction with movement of the second cover portion to the closed position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a liquid discharge apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] As an example of a liquid discharge apparatus, a printing apparatus that prints an image by discharging ink to a print medium such as paper is known. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-79910 discloses a printing apparatus that includes an ink tank including an inlet configured to replenish ink, a print head configured to discharge ink supplied from the ink tank, and a valve that can open and close a passage between the print head and the ink tank. The valve is closed when the ink is replenished.

[0003] In the apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-79910, a user manually performs the valve opening and closing operation. If the user erroneously performs the opening and closing operation, for example, if printing is performed in a state in which the valve is closed, discharging failure can occur due to the fact that ink is not supplied from the ink tank to the print head. In addition, for example, if ink is replenished to the ink tank in a state in which the valve is open, ink can leak from the print head. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides a technology capable of preventing erroneous opening and closing of a valve.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including: a container configured to store a liquid that is supplied to a discharge device for discharging the liquid; a first cover portion that is movable between a closed position in which an inlet portion is covered and an open position in which the inlet portion is allowed to be accessed, the inlet portion being provided in the container and the liquid being injected into the container through the inlet portion; a second cover portion that is movable between a closed position in which the first cover portion is covered and an open position in which the first cover portion is exposed so as to open and close; and a valve configured to open and close a passage that communicates with an inside of the container, wherein the valve is configured to close the passage in conjunction with movement of the first cover portion to the open position and to open the passage in conjunction with movement of the second cover portion to the closed position.

[0006] Other features of the present application will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to the accompanying drawings). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a view showing an external appearance of a liquid discharge apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0008] Figure 2 is a view showing Figure 1 an internal mechanism of the liquid discharge apparatus shown;

[0009] Figure 3 is an explanatory view of a container and its peripheral structure;

[0010] Figure 4 is Figure 1 is a block diagram of a control unit of the liquid discharge apparatus shown in

[0011] Figure 5A and Figure 5B is an explanatory view showing an ink replenishment process;

[0012] Figure 6A is an explanatory view showing an ink replenishment process;

[0013] Figure 6B is a sectional view showing an open mode of the inlet portion;

[0014] Figure 7A is a view showing an intermediate state in which the cover member and the cover portion are moved to the closed position;

[0015] Figure 7B is Figure 7A is an enlarged view of a portion P1 in

[0016] Figure 8A is a view showing a state in which the cover member and the cover portion are moved to the closed position;

[0017] Figure 8B is Figure 8A is an enlarged view of a portion P2 in

[0018] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the peripheral structure of the container, the valve, and the discharge head;

[0019] Figure 10A and Figure 10B is an explanatory view of the cover portion and the valve;

[0020] Figures 11A to 11C is an explanatory view of the operation of the valve;

[0021] Figures 12A to 12C is an explanatory view of the operation of the valve;

[0022] Figures 13A to 13B is an explanatory view of the operation of the valve;

[0023] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing a control example.

[0024] Figure 15A is a side view of the cover portion;

[0025] Figure 15B shows a perspective view and a partial enlarged view of the cover portion;

[0026] Figure 16Ais a view showing an example of an ink leakage portion; and

[0027] Figure 16B and Figure 16C is a view showing another configuration example of a groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the application claimed. In the embodiments, a plurality of features are explained, but the application is not limited to require all such features, and a plurality of such features can be appropriately combined. Furthermore, in the drawings, the same reference signs are given to the same or similar configurations, and repeated explanation of the configurations is omitted.

[0029] <Outline of liquid discharge apparatus>

[0030] Figure 1 is a view showing an appearance of a liquid discharge apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present application, as viewed from the front side. The liquid discharge apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is an inkjet printing apparatus configured to perform printing on a print medium by discharging ink as a liquid. The present application can be applied to various liquid discharge apparatuses other than the inkjet printing apparatus. In the present embodiment, the liquid discharge apparatus 1 is an inkjet printing apparatus. Figure 1 In the present embodiment, arrows X and Y indicate horizontal directions orthogonal to each other, and an arrow Z indicates an up-down direction (a direction of gravity). The X direction is a width direction (a left-right direction) of the liquid discharge apparatus 1. The Y direction is a depth direction of the liquid discharge apparatus 1.

[0031] Note that "printing" includes not only formation of important information such as characters or a graphic pattern, but also formation of an image, a design, or a pattern on a print medium in a broader sense, and processing of the print medium, regardless of whether the information is important or has become apparent to allow human visual perception. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the "print medium" is assumed to be a sheet of paper, but can be a fabric, a plastic film, or the like.

[0032] The liquid discharge apparatus 1 is a flat rectangular parallelepiped in its entirety, and includes an apparatus main body 2 and a cover portion 3. The cover portion 3 is provided to cover the apparatus main body 2, and constitutes a top portion of the liquid discharge apparatus 1. The cover portion 3 according to the present embodiment is provided with a reading unit (scanner unit) 3a that reads an image of an original. An ejection portion 10 that ejects a print medium is formed in a front portion of the liquid discharge apparatus 1. Furthermore, an operation unit 36 that accepts a user's operation is provided in the front portion of the liquid discharge apparatus 1. The operation unit 36 includes a display unit of a touch panel type, and accepts an input operation of the user, and displays information to the user.

[0033] A plurality of window portions 2a to 2d are formed in a housing that forms an outer wall of the apparatus main body 2. A user can visually recognize components inside the apparatus main body 2 via the window portions 2a to 2d. In the present embodiment, the user can visually recognize the remaining amounts of liquid stored in the containers 5Bk, 5C, 5M, 5Y (hereinafter collectively referred to as containers 5 or without distinction) via the window portions 2a to 2d. The containers 5 are ink tanks that store ink as a liquid, and four containers 5 store different types of ink. In the present embodiment, black ink is stored in the container 5Bk, cyan ink is stored in the container 5C, magenta ink is stored in the container 5M, and yellow ink is stored in the container 5Y. Note that the types of ink are not limited to the four types as in the present embodiment. One type of ink can be used, or a plurality of types of ink other than the four types can be used. The number of containers 5 can be equal to or greater than the number of types of liquid ink.

[0034] Figure 2 is an explanatory view showing the internal mechanism of the liquid discharge apparatus 1. The liquid discharge apparatus 1 includes a discharge head 4 that discharges a liquid. The discharge head 4 according to the present embodiment is a print head that performs printing by discharging ink supplied from the containers 5 to a print medium. The discharge head 4 includes a discharge face 4a (refer to Figure 3 ) in which a plurality of nozzles configured to discharge ink are formed. Each nozzle is provided with, for example, an electrothermal transducer (heater). The electrothermal transducer heats ink by electrification and causes the ink to foam, and the ink is discharged by the foaming energy.

[0035] The discharge head 4 is mounted on a carriage 6. The carriage 6 is reciprocated in an X direction (main scanning direction) by a drive unit 7. The drive unit 7 includes a drive wheel and a driven wheel (only the driven wheel 7b is shown in Figure 2 ), a ring-shaped belt 7c wound around the wheels, and a carriage motor 7a serving as a drive source that rotates the drive wheel. The carriage 6 is connected to the ring-shaped belt 7c. When the ring-shaped belt 7c is caused to travel, the carriage 6 moves in the X direction. During the movement of the carriage 6, ink is discharged from the discharge head 4 to a print medium, thereby printing an image. This operation is sometimes referred to as a print scan.

[0036] As described above, the liquid discharge apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a serial type inkjet printing apparatus in which the discharge head 4 is mounted on the reciprocating carriage 6. However, the present application can also be applied to other printing apparatuses, such as an inkjet printing apparatus including a so-called full-line discharge head (print head) that is provided with a plurality of nozzles configured to discharge a liquid to an area corresponding to the width of a print medium.

[0037] The liquid discharge apparatus 1 includes a feeding unit 8 and a conveyance unit 9 that convey a print medium. The feeding unit 8 includes a tray 8a in which a stack of sheet-shaped print media is stored, and a feeding mechanism (not shown) for the print medium. The feeding mechanism includes, for example, a feeding roller that feeds the print medium on the tray 8a, and a feeding motor 8b that serves as a drive source for rotating the feeding roller Figure 4

[0038] The conveyance unit 9 is a mechanism that conveys the print medium fed from the feeding unit 8 in the Y direction (sub-scanning direction). The conveyance unit 9 includes a conveyance roller 9a and a conveyance motor 9b that serves as a drive source for rotating the conveyance roller 9a Figure 4

[0039] In the present embodiment, the containers 5 are stationary containers that are fixed in the liquid discharge apparatus 1. If the amount of ink remaining decreases, the user replenishes the ink in the containers 5 without removing the containers 5 from the liquid discharge apparatus 1.

[0040] The containers 5C, 5M, and 5Y are containers of the same structure, and the container 5Bk is a container that has a larger capacity than the containers 5C, 5M, and 5Y. Therefore, the container 5Bk is a container that has a wider width in the X direction than the containers 5C, 5M, and 5Y. The container 5Bk is disposed at the left end portion of the front portion of the liquid discharge apparatus 1. The containers 5C to 5Y are disposed side by side in the X direction at the right end portion of the front portion of the liquid discharge apparatus 1. That is, the containers 5C to 5Y are disposed such that the discharge portion 10 is positioned between the container 5Bk and the containers 5C to 5Y. The upper portion of the container 5Bk is covered by the cover portion 13A, and the upper portions of the containers 5C to 5Y are covered by the common cover portion 13B.

[0041] <Structure of Container>

[0042] Figure 3 The container 5 and the surrounding structure are schematically shown. As described above, the container 5Bk and the containers 5C to 5Y have substantially the same structure as shown in FIG. 8, although the capacities are different. The container 5 includes a storage portion 54 that stores ink, an air-liquid exchange portion 52, and a buffer chamber 53. The air-liquid exchange portion 52 is a portion into which the same amount of air as the ink discharged from the discharge head 4 is introduced, and the ink is generally held by the meniscus of the ink Figure 3 Figure 3 ​​​The buffer chamber 53 can store ink pushed out as the meniscus of the ink in the gas-liquid exchange portion 52 breaks when the air in the storage portion 54 expands due to atmospheric pressure changes, temperature changes, or the like. The upper portion of the container 5 is provided with an inlet portion 5a for replenishing liquid (replenishing ink). The inlet portion 5a is closed by a lid portion 120. When replenishing ink, the user performs the ink replenishing work in a state in which the lid portion 120 is removed from the inlet portion 5a to open the inlet portion 5a. The lid portion 120 (the lid portions 120Bk, 120C, 120M, and 120Y, described later) is provided for each container 5.

[0043] The channels 14a and 15a communicate within the container 5. The channel 14a is a liquid supply path (ink supply path) that communicates with the storage portion 54 and is configured to supply ink from the container 5 to the discharge head 4, and is formed by a supply tube 14 that is a flexible tube. The channel 15a is an atmospheric communication path that communicates with the buffer chamber 53 and is configured to communicate the inside of the container 5 with the atmosphere, and is formed by an atmospheric communication tube 15 that is a flexible tube. A valve 16 simultaneously opens and closes the channels 14a and 15a. In the present embodiment, as the valve 16, a valve 16A for the container 5Bk and a valve 16B common to the containers 5C to 5Y are provided, as shown. Figure 2

[0044] The gas-liquid exchange portion 52 is provided at a position lower in height H than the discharge face 4a of the discharge head 4. That is, the gas-liquid exchange portion 52 is configured to apply negative pressure by a head difference corresponding to the height H of the discharge face 4a. This can prevent ink from leaking from the discharge face 4a. Further, the buffer chamber 53 is located in the lower portion of the container 5. This can prevent ink from leaking from the atmospheric communication path 15a.

[0045] The recovery unit 11 is a mechanism configured to maintain the ink discharging performance of the discharge head 4, and is disposed at one end of the moving range of the carriage 6. The recovery unit 11 includes a lid 11a that covers the discharge face 4a of the discharge head 4, and a pump 11b configured to suck ink from the discharge head 4 via the lid 11a. The lid 11a can be displaced by a mechanism (not shown) between a position at which the lid 11a covers the discharge face 4a and a position at which the lid 11a is separated from the discharge face 4a. When the lid 11a covers the discharge face 4a (capping), drying of the ink on the discharge face 4a can be suppressed. Further, when the pump 11b is operated in a state in which the lid 11a covers the discharge face 4a, highly viscous ink adhering to the discharge head 4 or the channel 14a or the discharge head 4 filled with ink can be removed. If a printing operation is performed in a state in which the channel 14a or the discharge head 4 is filled with ink, as much ink as the amount of ink (discharge amount) reduced from the discharge head 4 is supplied from the container 5.

[0046] <Control Unit>

[0047] Figure 4 ​is a block diagram of the control unit 30 of the liquid discharge apparatus 1. The MPU 31 is a processor that controls each operation, data processing, and the like of the liquid discharge apparatus 1. The MPU 31 executes a program stored in the storage 32, thereby controlling the entire liquid discharge apparatus 1. The storage 32 is formed of, for example, a ROM or a RAM. The storage 32 stores not only a program to be executed by the MPU 31 but also various data required for processing, such as data received from the host computer 100.

[0048] The MPU 31 controls the discharge head 4 via the driver 34a. The MPU 31 controls the carriage motor 7a via the driver 34b. The MPU 31 also controls the conveyance motor 9b and the feeding motor 8b via the drivers 34c and 34d.

[0049] The MPU 31 also acquires detection results of various types of sensors 35 provided in the liquid discharge apparatus 1 and performs a control operation. The sensors 35 include the cover detection sensor 35a. The MPU 31 also controls display of the display unit of the operation unit 36 and accepts an operation of the operation unit 36 by a user.

[0050] The host computer 100 is, for example, a personal computer or a portable terminal (for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal) used by a user. The host computer 100 has installed therein a printer driver 101 that performs communication between the host computer 100 and the liquid discharge apparatus 1. The liquid discharge apparatus 1 includes the interface section 33, and performs communication between the host computer 100 and the MPU 31 via the interface section 33. For example, if an execution of a print operation is input from a user to the host computer 100, the printer driver 101 collects data of an image to be printed and settings related to printing, such as information of quality of a printed image, and instructs the liquid discharge apparatus 1 to perform the print operation.

[0051] <Operation at the time of liquid replenishment>

[0052] The operation process at the time of replenishing ink in the container 5 will be described with reference to Figures 5A to 6B The operation process at the time of replenishing ink in the container 5 will be described with reference to Figure 1 The position shown in FIG. 6) and an opened position in which the inside of the apparatus main body 2 is exposed. Figure 5A The state in which the cover 3 has been moved to the opened position is shown. In the present embodiment, the cover 3 is supported by the apparatus main body 2 so as to be swingable between the opened position and the closed position. The swing center 3b of the cover 3 is parallel to the X direction, and is provided at the rear portion of the cover 3 (and the apparatus main body 2). In other words, the front portion of the liquid discharge apparatus 1 is opened by the cover 3.

[0053] When the cover portion 3 is moved to the open position, the cover portions 13A and 13B covered with the cover portion 3 in the closed position are exposed. In the liquid discharge apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the cover portions 13A and 13B are each configured to be movable between a closed position (position shown in Figure 5A ) in which the upper portion of the container 5 is covered and an open position (position shown in Figure 5B ) in which the upper portion of the container 5 is exposed, by manual operation of a user. Figure 5A A state in which the cover portions 13A and 13B have each been moved to the closed position is shown. In the present embodiment, the cover portions 13A, 13B are supported by the apparatus main body 2 so as to be swingable between the open position and the closed position. The swing center 13a of the cover portions 13A, 13B is parallel to the X direction, and is provided at the rear portion of the cover portions 13A, 13B. The cover portion 13A covers the inlet portion 5a of the container 5Bk at the closed position, and exposes the inlet portion 5a at the open position (normally, the inlet portion 5a is covered by the lid portion 120Bk, as shown in Figure 5B ). In other words, in a state in which the cover portion 13A is located at the open position, the user is allowed to access the inlet portion 5a. The cover portion 13B covers the inlet portions 5a of the containers 5C to 5Y at the closed position, and exposes the inlet portions 5a at the open position (normally, each of the inlet portions 5a is covered by a corresponding one of the lid portions 120C to 120Y, as shown in Figure 5B ). In other words, in a state in which the cover portion 13B is located at the open position, the user is allowed to access the inlet portions 5a.

[0054] When the lid portion 120 is removed from the container 5 that is the target of ink replenishment, the inlet portion 5a is exposed, and ink replenishment is possible. Figure 6A A state in which the lid portions 120 of all of the containers 5 are removed from the inlet portions 5a is shown. Figure 6B A state in which the cover portion 13A is located at the open position and the lid portion 120Bk is removed from the container 5Bk is shown. The remaining containers 5C to 5Y, the cover portion 13B, and the lid portions 120C to 120Y are also in the same mode. In this state, the user can replenish ink from the inlet portion 5a to the container 5. After replenishment, the inlet portion 5a is closed by the lid portion 120, the cover portions 13A and 13B are moved to the closed position, and the cover portion 3 is also moved to the closed position. Through the above-described process, the ink replenishment job is completed, and printing can be performed.

[0055] <Configuration of lid member and cover portion>

[0056] The lid portions 120Bk to 120Y are each provided in the lid member 12Bk to 12Y. The configuration of the lid members 12Bk to 12Y and the configuration of the cover portions 13A and 13B will be described with reference to Figures 6A to 10B . Figure 7Ais a view showing a state in which the lid member 12Bk and the cover portion 13A are moving toward the closed position, Figure 7B is Figure 7A an enlarged view of the portion P1 of Figure 8A is a view showing a state in which the lid member 12Bk and the cover portion 13A are moved to the closed position, Figure 8B is Figure 8A an enlarged view of the portion P2 of Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the peripheral structure of the container 5, the valves 16A and 16B, and the discharge head 4. Figure 10A and Figure 10B are explanatory views of the cover portion 13A and the valve 16A.

[0057] Note that the configuration of the lid member 12Bk and the cover portion 13A will be mainly described here. The lid members 12C to 12Y and the cover portion 13B also have the same configuration.

[0058] The lid member 12Bk will be first described. The lid member 12Bk includes an arm portion 121. A lid portion 120Bk is replaceably supported at one end portion of the arm portion 121, and a shaft portion 122 is formed at the other end portion. The arm portion 121 is branched into two portions from the middle portion in the longitudinal direction toward the other end portion, and a gap 121a is formed at the branch. The lid member 12Bk is supported by the device main body 2 so as to be able to swing at the shaft portion 122, and the swing center 12a( Figure 6A ) is parallel to the X direction.

[0059] The lid portion 120Bk is a tubular member which is open at the tip side and closed at the base side. A seal portion 123 is formed at the middle portion in the axial direction, and a tip portion 124 defines a circular opening. The inlet portion 5a includes a tubular inlet hole 5b and a tube portion 5c which stands in the inlet hole 5b. The ink supply bottle is inserted into the inlet hole 5b, and the ink in the bottle is injected into the container 5Bk via the tube portion 5c. Note that the tip portion 124 is located on the tip side of the lid portion 120Bk with respect to the seal portion 123 in the direction of insertion into the inlet hole 5b.

[0060] The lid portion 12Bk can be moved between an open position shown in Figure 6B and a closed position shown in Figure 8A . In the closed position, the lid portion 120Bk is inserted into the inlet hole 5b to close the inlet portion 5a. In the open position, the lid portion 120Bk is separated from the inlet hole 5b to open the inlet portion 5a.

[0061] The user can lift the lid member 12Bk which is in the closed position, thereby manually moving the lid member 12Bk to the open position. Further, the user can press the lid member 12Bk which is in the open position, thereby manually moving the lid member 12Bk to the closed position.

[0062] In this embodiment, the cover member 12Bk is disposed in the rocking space of the cover portion 13A, and the rocking center 12a is located between the rocking center 13a and the inlet portion 5a in the Y direction. Therefore, if the cover portion 13A is in the closed position, the cover member 12Bk is covered by the cover portion 13A. Thus, unless the cover portion 13A moves to the open position, the cover member 12Bk is prohibited from moving to the open position. When the cover member 12Bk is covered by the cover portion 13A, it is possible to prevent the cover member 12Bk from accidentally moving to the open position to open the inlet portion 5a and causing ink to leak from the inlet portion 5a.

[0063] The cover member 12Bk can be moved independently from the open position to the closed position. When the cover portion 13A is allowed to move from the open position to the closed position, the cover member 12Bk can move from the open position to the closed position. A pressing portion 134 is formed on the inner wall surface of the cover portion 13A, which contacts the cover member 12Bk during movement from the open position to the closed position. Figure 7A As shown, during the movement of the cover portion 13A from the open position to the closed position, the pressing portion 134 contacts the cover member 12Bk to move the cover member 12Bk to the closed position. When the user moves the cover portion 13A to the closed position after refilling ink, the cover member 12Bk can also move to the closed position simultaneously to close the inlet portion 5a. Furthermore, this configuration prevents the user from forgetting to move the cover member 12Bk to the closed position (forgetting to close the inlet portion 5a).

[0064] The cover portion 13A will now be described. The cover portion 13A includes a connecting portion 130 at one end and a pair of bearing portions 132 at the other end. The shaft portion of the cam member 162 of the valve 16A (described later) is inserted into the bearing portion 132, and the cover portion 13A is rotatably supported around this shaft portion. The connecting portion 130 engages with a connecting portion 20 on the side of the device body 2. The connecting portion 20 is formed on a member located on the inner side of the outer wall of the device body 2, and its position is fixed. By engaging with the connecting portion 130, the connecting portion 20 restricts the movement of the cover portion 13A from the closed position to the open position and maintains the cover portion 13A in the closed position.

[0065] According to this embodiment, the connecting portion 130 is hook-shaped and has a protrusion 130a at its end, which protrudes towards the rocking center 13a in the Y direction. On the other hand, the connecting portion 20 is a protrusion that protrudes towards the opposite side of the rocking center 13a in the Y direction, and is formed by forming a recess on its lower side. When the protrusion 130a contacts the lower surface 20a of the connecting portion 20, it restricts the movement of the cover portion 13A from the closed position to the open position. Figures 7A to 8B The engagement pattern between the engagement portion 130 and the engagement portion 20 is shown when the cover portion 13A moves from the open position to the closed position.

[0066] When the user operates the cover portion 13A from the open position to the closed position, the protruding portion 130a comes into contact with the engaging portion 20, as shown in Figure 7A and Figure 7B , and the engaging portion 130 elastically deforms in the direction of the arrow D1 (the direction opposite to the rocking center 13a in the Y direction). When the protruding portion 130a passes over the engaging portion 20 downward, the engaging portion 130 elastically recovers in the direction of the arrow D2 (the rocking center 13a side in the Y direction), as shown in Figure 8A and Figure 8B . Thus, the engaging portion 130 and the engaging portion 20 engage with each other. When the user operates the cover portion 13A from the closed position to the open position, the engaging portion 130 and the engaging portion 20 disengage by the reverse phenomenon. In the present embodiment, the engaging portion 130 side elastically deforms, but conversely, the engaging portion 20 side can elastically deform. Alternatively, both can elastically deform. The engaging portion 130 and the engaging portion 20 can be displaced by elastically deforming one or both of the engaging portion 130 and the engaging portion 20 in a portion of the cover portion 13A and the device main body 2.

[0067] When the engaging portion 130 elastically deforms from the state shown in Figure 7B to the state shown in Figure 8B , an appropriate click feeling can be given to the user who is operating. This allows the user to feel that the cover portion 13A is moved to the closed position and set in the engaged state (the entrance portion 5a is closed by the cover portion 120Bk).

[0068] Here, in order to give a user a good click feeling, it is necessary to appropriately manage the amount of interference (the amount of overlap in the Y direction in the natural state) that occurs when the protruding portion 130a passes over the engaging portion 20. If the amount of interference is large, the amount of elastic deformation of the engaging portion 130 that occurs when the protruding portion 130a passes over the engaging portion 20 is large, and a large operation force from the user is required. If the operation force is large, the user can mistakenly think that the cover portion 13A has been moved to the closed position. Conversely, if the amount of interference is small, the amount of elastic deformation of the engaging portion 130 is small, and an adequate click feeling can not be generated.

[0069] In design, the amount of interference can be adjusted by the distance L0 from the rocking center 13a of the cover portion 13A to the protruding portion 130a and the engaging portion 20, as shown in Figure 8A . However, in the present embodiment, the cover portion 13A is swingably supported using a member (cam member 162) of the valve 16A. Due to dimensional tolerances or assembly errors of the respective members, the amount of interference can vary.

[0070] In the present embodiment, the intermediate position of the cover portion 13A in the Y direction is determined at the closed position. More specifically, a plate-shaped contact portion 131 protruding from the inner wall surface of the cover portion 13A is provided integrally with the cover portion 13A. The contact portion 131 protrudes in a direction intersecting the direction connecting the rocking center 13a and the engaging portion 130 at the position between the rocking center 13a and the engaging portion 130. At the closed position of the cover portion 13A, the contact portion 131 protrudes downward in the Z direction. The contact portion 21 that contacts the contact portion 131 is provided on the device main body 2 side.

[0071] The contact operation between the contact portion 131 and the contact portion 21 will be described with reference to Figure 7A and Figure 8A Figure 7A An intermediate state of the movement of the cover portion 13A from the open position to the closed position is shown. The contact surface 131a of the contact portion 131 includes a curved surface at the tip side and a flat surface at the remaining portion. At the stage shown in Figure 7A , the tip side of the contact surface 131a starts to contact the contact portion 21. Note that the contact surface 21a of the contact portion 21 is a vertical surface. At the stage shown in Figure 8A , the flat portion of the contact surface 131a and the contact surface 21a of the contact portion 21 contact each other. In the present embodiment, the contact surface 131a and the contact surface 21a contact each other in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the cover portion 13A (the shaft portion of the cam member 162).

[0072] In the case of this configuration, as shown in Figure 8A , the interference amount can be adjusted by the distance L1 from the contact surface between the contact portion 131 and the contact portion 21 to the protruding portion 130a and the engaging portion 20. This can minimize the variation in the interference amount due to the dimensional tolerance or assembly error of each component. The user can thereby experience a good click feeling.

[0073] <Valve>

[0074] The valves 16A and 16B will be described next with reference to Figures 9 to 13B Figures 11A to 11C , Figures 12A to 12C and Figure 13A and Figure 13B are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the valve 16A. The valve 16A simultaneously opens and closes the passages 14a and 15a of the container 5Bk (a total of two passages). The valve 16B simultaneously opens and closes the passages 14a and 15a of the containers 5C to 5Y (a total of six passages).

[0075] ​​In the printing operation, both the ink supply path 14a and the atmosphere communication path 15a need to be opened from the viewpoint of supplying ink to the discharge head 4. On the other hand, when replenishing ink in the container 5, both the ink supply path 14a and the atmosphere communication path 15a need to be closed. At the time of injecting the replenishment ink, the inlet portion 5a is opened, and the liquid surface of the ink within the container 5 functions as a gas-liquid exchange portion. Therefore, the gas-liquid exchange portion can be higher than the height of the discharge face 4a of the discharge head 4 Figure 3 If the ink supply path 14a is opened, a pressure generated by a water head difference corresponding to the height Hm can be applied to the discharge face 4a, and ink can leak from the discharge face 4a. It is possible to make a design to prevent the liquid surface of the ink within the container 5 from becoming higher than the height of the discharge face 4a of the discharge head 4. However, this limits the ink storage amount of the container 5 or the design freedom of the liquid discharge apparatus 1 in the Z direction. Further, if the atmosphere communication path 15a is not closed, the injected ink can flow into the buffer chamber 53. In this case, if an atmospheric pressure change or a temperature change occurs, the buffer chamber 53 can not sufficiently function to store the ink pushed out from the storage portion 54.

[0076] From these points, it is necessary to avoid erroneous opening and closing of the passages 14a and 15a by the valves 16A and 16B. In the present embodiment, the valve 16A is opened and closed in conjunction with the movement of the cover portion 3 and the cover portion 13A, and the valve 16B is opened and closed in conjunction with the movement of the cover portion 3 and the cover portion 13B. That is, the cover portion 3 and the cover portions 13A, 13B also function as operation portions that receive the user's operation of the valves 16A, 16B. This makes it possible to omit the necessity of a sensor and an actuator, to open and close the valves 16A and 16B by the user's manual operation, and to prevent erroneous opening and closing of the valves 16A and 16B.

[0077] The valve 16A will be described below. The configuration of the valve 16A will be mainly described here. The valve 16B also has the same configuration.

[0078] Reference will be made to Figure 10A and Figure 10BValve 16A includes a base member 160, a displacement member 161, a cam member 162, and a housing 166. Base member 160 includes a support portion 160a that is groovelike in the Y direction, on which an intermediate portion of supply tube 14 is placed, and a support portion 160b that is groovelike in the Y direction, on which an intermediate portion of atmosphere communication tube 15 is placed. In addition, base member 160 includes a groove 160c that extends in a direction intersecting support portions 160a and 160b (i.e., a direction intersecting tubes 14 and 15), and into which displacement member 161 is inserted to be freely displaced in the Z direction (a radial direction of tubes 14 and 15). Cam member 162 is a member that is overall shaftlike. Cam member 162 is disposed on displacement member 161 and is supported by housing 166 so as to be able to rotate about an axis in the X direction. Housing 166 stores a central portion in the axis direction of displacement member 161 and cam member 162, and is fixed to base member 160.

[0079] Cam member 162 includes a cam surface 163 that contacts displacement member 161 at a center in the axis direction. Cam surface 163 is formed so as to press displacement member 161 in a direction flattening tubes 14 and 15 when cam member 162 is rotated in direction D3. This closes passages 14a and 15a. Cam surface 163 is formed so as to eliminate the pressing of tubes 14 and 15 when cam member 162 is rotated in direction D4 (a direction opposite direction D3), thereby opening passages 14a and 15a.

[0080] At one end portion in the axial direction of cam member 162, a rodlike contact portion 164 that contacts with contact portion 133 of cover portion 13A is formed. When cover portion 13A is rocked in the opening direction, contact portion 133 contacts with contact portion 164 to rotate cam member 162 in direction D3. At the other end portion in the axial direction of cam member 162, a rodlike contact portion 165 that contacts with contact portion 3c of cover portion 3 is formed. When cover portion 3 is rocked in the closing direction, contact portion 3c contacts with contact portion 165 to rotate cam member 162 in direction D4. Figure 13B

[0081] Figures 11A to 11C A mode in which passage 14a is closed is shown step by step. Figure 11A A state in which valve 16A opens passage 14a is shown. When cam member 162 is rotated in direction D3, as shown in (a), cam surface 163 presses displacement member 161 against supply tube 14, and supply tube 14 begins to be flattened. Then, as shown in (b), supply tube 14 is flattened and passage 14a is closed. Although not shown, this also applies to passage 15a and atmosphere communication tube 15. Figure 11B Figure 11C

[0082] ​​​Figures 12A to 12C The rotation mode of the cam member 162, which is linked to the movement of the cover 13A, is shown. Figure 12A The diagram shows the cover 13A in the closed position. Valve 16A opens channels 14a and 15a. Figure 12B The diagram shows the cover 13A moved from the closed position to the open position. Through the contact between the contact portion 133 and the contact portion 164, the cam member 162 rotates in direction D3 as the cover 13A moves. As a result, according to reference... Figures 11A to 11C The principle explained is that channels 14a and 15a are closed. When ink is replenished, channels 14a and 15a can be reliably closed via valve 16A.

[0083] The contact between contact portion 133 and contact portion 164 occurs only when the cover portion 13A is rocked in the opening direction. Even when the cover portion 13A moves from... Figure 12B The status shown returns to the closed position, as indicated. Figure 12C As shown, contact portion 133 and contact portion 164 do not make contact. Therefore, cam member 162 does not rotate in direction D4, and valve 16A is not linked to the movement of cover portion 13A.

[0084] As described above, in this embodiment, the movement of the cover portion 13A does not cause the valve 16A to open. Assuming that the valve 16A is set to the open state by moving the cover portion 13A to the closed position, if the movement is insufficient, the user may begin printing without noticing that channels 14a and 15a are closed. This embodiment prevents this. Furthermore, even if the cover portion 13A is mistakenly moved to the closed position before the cover portion 120 fully closes the inlet portion 5a, ink leakage from the discharge head 4 or ink flow into the buffer chamber 53 is prevented because the valve 16A is not open.

[0085] Figure 13A and Figure 13B The rotation mode of the cam member 162, which is linked to the movement of the cover 3, is shown. Figure 13A It shows the relationship with Figure 12C In the same state, valve 16A closes channels 14a and 15a, but cover 13A is in the closed position. When cover 3 moves from this state to the closed position, contact portion 3c protruding downward from the lower surface of cover 3 contacts contact portion 165, causing cam member 162 to rotate in direction D4, as... Figure 13B As shown, channels 14a and 15a open. When the opening operation of valve 16A is linked to the movement of cover 3 to the closed position, channels 14a and 15a can be opened more reliably before the printing operation. Note that both valves 16A and 16B are provided with contact portions 3c, and when cover 3 moves to the closed position, both valves 16A and 16B are simultaneously in the open state.

[0086] The contact of the contact portion 3c with the contact portion 165 occurs only when the cover portion 3 is rocked in the closing direction. Even if the cover portion 3 is returned to the open position from the state shown in FIG. 17, the contact portion 3c and the contact portion 165 do not come into contact with each other. Therefore, the cam member 162 is not rotated in the direction D3, and the valve 16A or the valve 16B is not linked with the movement of the cover portion 3. That is, the movement of the cover portion 3 does not cause the closing of the valves 16A and 16B. The purpose of moving the cover portion 3 to the open position is not limited to replenishing ink, and the operation is related to general maintenance inside the device main body 2. Figure 13B

[0087] Note that in the present embodiment, if the cover member 13A or 13B is located at the open position, the cover portion 13A (or the cover portion 13B) is not in the vertical posture but in the upright posture inclined backward, as shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B. Figure 5B 、 Figure 6B and Figure 12B In this state, when the user wants to move the cover portion 3 from the open position to the closing position, the cover portion 3 is prohibited from being moved to the closing position due to interference with the cover member 13A or 13B. That is, the movement of the cover portion 3 to the closing position is restricted by the opened cover member 13A or 13B. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cover portion 3 from being erroneously closed during ink replenishment and the valves 16A and 16B from being set to the open state.

[0088] <Example of Cover Opening / Closing Detection and Control>

[0089] Figure 4 The cover detection sensor 35a shown in FIG. 19 detects the position of the cover portion 3. For example, the cover detection sensor 35a is a mechanical switch that is pressed when the cover portion 3 is located at the closing position, or an optical sensor that optically detects that the cover portion 3 is located at the closing position. As described above, if the cover portion 3 is located at the closing position, the valves 16A and 16B are set to the open state, and ink can be supplied to the discharge head 4. In order to prevent a printing operation from being performed in the ink supply disabled state, the printing operation can be performed in a state where the detection result of the cover detection sensor 35a is referred to. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the MPU 31. The processing is a setting processing regarding the permission and prohibition of performing a printing operation, and is periodically executed.

[0090] In step S1, the detection result of the cover detection sensor 35a is acquired. In step S2, whether the cover portion 3 is located at the closing position is judged on the basis of the detection result obtained in step S1. When it is determined that the cover portion 3 is located at the closing position, the processing proceeds to step S3. When it is determined that the cover portion 3 is not located at the closing position, the processing proceeds to step S4.

[0091] ​In step S3, the printing operation is set to be permitted. If a new print job is instructed from the host computer 100, the printing operation is started. In step S4, the printing operation is set to be prohibited. Even if a new print job is instructed from the host computer 100, the printing operation is not started. In addition, if the printing operation is set to be prohibited during the printing operation, the printing operation is interrupted. Notification can be made to cause the user to move the cover portion 3 to the closed position.

[0092] <Sealing performance is maintained by the cover portion>

[0093] If the inlet portion 5a is closed by the cover portion 120 and a foreign matter such as hair is caught between the cover portion 120 and the inlet portion 5a, ink can leak. In order to prevent such leakage, it has conventionally been known to apply a sealing liquid to the sealing portion 123. Even if a foreign matter is caught between the cover portion 120 and the inlet portion 5a, the sealing liquid fills the gap and prevents ink from leaking.

[0094] However, at the time of replenishing ink or the like, the sealing liquid can be mistakenly wiped off by the user. If a foreign matter is caught thereafter, ink can leak. In order to prevent such a situation, a groove can be formed in the distal end portion 124 of the cover portion 120, and a sealing liquid can be applied to the groove. Since the sealing liquid is held in the groove, it is possible to prevent the sealing liquid from being mistakenly wiped off by the user.

[0095] Figure 15A and Figure 15B are views showing examples. Figure 15A is a side view of the cover portion 120, Figure 15B shows a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of the cover portion 120. In the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion 124, a plurality of grooves 125 are formed in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, the arrangement pitch of the plurality of grooves 125 in the circumferential direction is equidistant.

[0096] Each groove 125 has a depth D in the radial direction of the opening defined by the distal end portion 124, a width W in the circumferential direction, and a length in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction. For example, at the stage of shipment from the factory, a sealing liquid is applied to the sealing portion 123 and the distal end portion 124 in advance, and each groove 125 holds the sealing liquid.

[0097] According to this manner, even if the user attempts to wipe off the sealing liquid on the cover portion 120, the sealing liquid in the plurality of grooves 125 exists in a deep position and is not completely wiped off. Therefore, even if a foreign matter is caught between the cover portion 120 and the inlet portion 5a thereafter, the sealing liquid in the groove 125 is guided to the gap around the foreign matter by capillary phenomenon, and thus it is possible to prevent leakage of ink. For example, even if the sealing liquid is wiped off from the groove 125 by the user, the sealing liquid remains in the groove 125 in the deep position, and thus it is possible to prevent the sealing liquid from being completely wiped off. Figure 16AThe portion P3 (a portion between the sealing portion 123 and the inner wall surface of the inlet hole 5b) of the circular-enclosed portion in the container 5 is sandwiched by foreign matter such as hair, and forms a small gap, and the sealing liquid in the groove 125 can also fill the gap and prevent ink leakage.

[0098] When the depth D of the groove 125 is equal to or greater than the width (D≥W), the specific surface area can be increased, and the sealing liquid holding performance of the groove 125 can be improved. The sealing liquid can contain a hygroscopic component such as glycerin. This causes the sealing liquid to absorb moisture in the air in the container 5, so that the groove 125 is easily filled with the sealing liquid.

[0099] The form of the groove 125 is not limited to Figure 15A and Figure 15B the form shown in the drawings. For example, as shown in Figure 16B and Figure 16C , the longitudinal direction of each groove 125 can be inclined in the circumferential direction with respect to an imaginary plane passing through the center axis of the opening defined by the distal end portion 124. In addition, in the form according to the present embodiment, the cover portion 120 is inserted into the inlet portion 5a to close the inlet portion 5a. However, a form in which the inlet portion 5a is inserted into the cover portion 120 can also be adopted. In this case, the groove 125 can be formed on the inner wall surface of the opening into which the inlet portion 5a is inserted.

[0100] <Other Embodiments>

[0101] In the above-described embodiments, a configuration example in which the cover portion 3 includes a reading unit (scanner unit) 3a has been shown. However, the cover portion 3 can not have such a reading function, as typified by an access cover of an SFP (single function printer). In the above-described embodiments, a configuration example in which all of the cover portions 3, 13A, and 13B are moved by swinging has been shown. However, these can be moved by translation between an open position and a closed position. In the above-described embodiments, a configuration example in which the valve 16 opens and closes both of the passages 14a and 15a has been shown. However, the valve can open and close one passage. In the above-described embodiments, the cover portion 13B common to the containers 5C to 5Y is used. However, each container can be provided with a separate cover portion.

[0102] Other Embodiments

[0103] Embodiments of the present application can also be realized by a computer- readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for performing the functions of the above-described embodiments, and a method of making a computer or a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU) read and execute the program by a network or various storage media.

[0104] While the application has been described with reference to the example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the application is not limited to the example embodiments disclosed. The scope of the following claims should be given the broadest interpretation to encompass all such variations and equivalents.

Claims

1. A liquid discharge device, comprising: A container configured to store liquid, which is supplied to a discharge device for discharging the liquid; A first cover is movable between a closed position in which the inlet is covered and an open position that allows access to the inlet, the inlet being disposed in the container and the liquid being injected into the container through the inlet; A second cover, which is movable between a closed position where the first cover is covered and an open position where the first cover is exposed, to open and close; and A valve, configured to open and close a passage communicating with the interior of the container. The valve is characterized in that it is configured as follows: The channel is closed in conjunction with the movement of the first covering portion to the open position. The channel is opened in conjunction with the movement of the second cover towards the closed position, and It is not coordinated with the movement of the first covering part toward the closed position and the movement of the second covering part toward the open position.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The first cover is supported so that it can rock between the closed position and the open position, and, The second cover is supported so that it can swing between the closed position and the open position.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein, The channel is formed by a flexible tube. The valve includes: A displacement member, configured to freely displace radially within the flexible tube; and A cam member, which is rotatably supported and includes a cam surface in contact with the displacement member. The cam component It rotates in the first direction in conjunction with the movement of the second covering portion toward the closed position. It rotates in conjunction with the movement of the first covering portion toward the open position along a second direction opposite to the first direction, and, The cam surface is formed to press the displacement member in the radial direction, which is the direction in which the cam member flattens the flexible tube when it rotates in the first direction.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein, The cam component includes: A first contact portion, configured to contact the first cover portion that swings in the opening direction; and The second contact portion is configured to contact the second cover portion that is rocking in the closing direction.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The channel includes an atmospheric connection path configured to connect the interior of the container to the atmosphere.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The channel includes a liquid supply path configured to supply the liquid from the container to the discharge device.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein, When the second cover is in the closed position, movement of the first cover is prohibited, and... When the second cover is in the open position, the first cover is allowed to move.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The movement of the second cover toward the closed position is restricted by the opened first cover.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The liquid is ink, and, The liquid discharge device is a printing device configured to discharge the ink to the printing medium for printing.

10. The device according to claim 9, further comprising: A detection device for detecting the position of the second cover; and A control device for controlling the discharge device to start the printing operation based on the detection result of the detection device.

11. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a first container and a second container as the container, The first cover is disposed on each of the first container and the second container, and, A second cover is configured to be used in both the first container and the second container.

12. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a device body, The second cover forms the top of the liquid discharge device and is supported by the device body in a rocking manner.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The first cover is rock-supported between the closed position and the open position. The liquid discharge device includes: A first joint portion is configured to hold the first cover portion in the closed position; and The first contact portion is configured to contact the first cover portion from a position during its swing in the closing direction to the closed position, and... The first covering portion includes: The second joint portion is positioned away from the rocking center of the first cover portion and is configured to engage with the first joint portion; and The second contact portion is disposed between the rocking center and the second engagement portion and is configured to contact the first contact portion.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein, The first contact portion and the second contact portion are in contact in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis that serves as the shaking center of the first cover portion.

15. The device of claim 13, further comprising a cover member including a cover portion configured to close the inlet and rotatably supported between a closed position where the cover portion closes the inlet and an open position where the cover portion opens the inlet. In the closed position of the first cover, the first cover covers the cover member located in the closed position, and The first cover includes a pressing part configured to press the cover member to the closed position when the first cover is rocked to the closed position.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein, The center of rotation of the cover member is parallel to the center of rotation of the first cover and is located between the center of rotation of the first cover and the entrance.

17. The device according to claim 13, wherein, The first joint and the second joint engage and disengage from each other through elastic deformation of at least one of the first joint and the second joint.

18. The device of claim 1, further comprising a cover configured to close the inlet. The cover includes a groove configured to retain a sealing fluid.

19. The device of claim 1, further comprising a cover configured to close the inlet. The inlet includes an inlet hole. The cover includes: A sealing part, which is inserted into the inlet hole; and The distal end, which is located on the distal side relative to the sealing portion in the insertion direction, and A groove configured to retain sealing fluid is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end.

20. The device according to claim 18, wherein, The depth of the trench is not less than the width of the trench.

21. The device according to claim 19, wherein, The depth of the trench is not less than the width of the trench.

22. The device according to claim 18, wherein, The sealing fluid contains hygroscopic components.

23. The device according to claim 19, wherein, The sealing fluid contains hygroscopic components.

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