Print material application apparatus

Abstract

A print material application apparatus includes a container configured to store a print material to be supplied to an application device, a cover portion configured to be detachably attached to an inlet portion of the container and to be able to close the inlet portion, a first cover portion including a first engagement portion and configured to be able to move between a closed position covering the cover portion and an open position exposing the cover portion, a second engagement portion configured to engage with the first engagement portion so as to restrict movement of the first cover portion from the closed position to the open position, and a force applying device separate from the cover portion for applying a force to the first cover portion in the opening direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a printing material application device. Background Technology

[0002] As an example of a printing material application device, a printing device is known that prints an image by discharging ink onto a printing medium such as paper. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-69705 discloses a liquid jetting device comprising: a liquid receiving portion 40 including an injection port configured to replenish ink; a plug member 50 capable of opening and closing the injection port; a cover 32 covering the plug member 50; and an image reading device 13 covering the receiving portion 32.

[0003] If the opening / closing components, such as cover 32 or plug component 50, as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-69705 are not properly moved to the closed position by the user, the image reading device 13 or cover 32 may break due to improper closure, or liquid may leak from the liquid containment section 40. Even if the user intends to move the opening / closing component to the closed position, the component may not be correctly positioned. If the positional deviation is small, the user will not notice it. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a technology that allows users to easily visually determine whether a component to be opened or closed is in the closed position.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a printing material application apparatus is provided, comprising: a printing material application apparatus including: a container configured to store printing material to be supplied to an application device for applying the printing material for printing onto a printing medium; a cover configured to be detachably attached to and capable of closing the inlet, the inlet being disposed in the container and the printing material being loaded into the container through the inlet; a first cover including a first engagement portion and configured to be movable between a closed position covering the cover and an open position exposing the cover; a second engagement portion configured to engage with the first engagement portion to restrict movement of the first cover portion from the closed position to the open position; and a force application device separate from the cover portion for applying force to the first cover portion in an opening direction.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, a printing material application apparatus is provided, comprising: a printing material application apparatus including: a container configured to store printing material to be supplied to an application device for applying the printing material; a cover member including a cover portion capable of closing an inlet and a first engagement portion, the inlet portion being disposed in the container and the printing material being loaded into the container through the inlet portion, the cover member being movable between a closed position where the cover portion closes the inlet portion and an open position where the cover portion opens the inlet portion; a second engagement portion configured to engage with the first engagement portion to restrict movement of the cover member from the closed position to the open position; and a force application device separate from the cover member, the force application device being used to apply force to the cover member in an opening direction.

[0007] Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to the accompanying drawings). Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a view showing the appearance of a liquid discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A diagram illustrating the internal mechanism of the liquid discharge device shown.

[0010] Figure 3 It is an explanatory diagram of the container and its surrounding structure;

[0011] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A block diagram of the control unit of the liquid discharge device shown;

[0012] Figure 5A and Figure 5B This is an explanatory diagram showing the ink replenishment process;

[0013] Figure 6A This is an explanatory diagram showing the ink replenishment process;

[0014] Figure 6B It is a cross-sectional view showing the opening mode of the entrance;

[0015] Figure 7A It is a view showing the state of the cover member and the cover part as they move toward the closed position;

[0016] Figure 7B yes Figure 7A A magnified view of part P1 in the image;

[0017] Figure 8A This is a diagram showing the state of the cover component and the cover part in the closed position;

[0018] Figure 8B yes Figure 8A A magnified view of part P2 in the image;

[0019] Figure 9 It is a perspective view showing the peripheral structure of the container, valve, and discharge head;

[0020] Figure 10 It is a perspective view showing the peripheral structure of the opened cover;

[0021] Figures 11A to 11C This is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the force-applying unit;

[0022] Figure 12A This is a cross-sectional view showing the joining mode;

[0023] Figure 12B This is a cross-sectional view of the cover when it is moved to the closed position;

[0024] Figure 13A and Figure 13B It is an explanatory diagram showing the equilibrium relationship of forces;

[0025] Figure 14A and Figure 14B These are explanatory diagrams of other force-applying units; and

[0026] Figures 15A to 15C This is a diagram showing an example of a force-applying unit being installed on a cover member. Detailed Implementation

[0027] In the following description, embodiments will be detailed with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. Several features are illustrated in the embodiments, but this does not limit the invention to requiring all such features, and multiple such features can be suitably combined. Furthermore, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar structures, and repeated descriptions of said structures are omitted.

[0028] <First Implementation Method>

[0029] <Overview of Liquid Discharge Equipment>

[0030] As an embodiment of the printing material application device according to the present invention, a liquid discharge device will be described as an example. The liquid discharge device applies liquid, which is used as printing material, to the printing medium. Figure 1 This is a view showing the appearance of the liquid ejection device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front. The liquid ejection device 1 according to this embodiment is an inkjet printing device configured to print by ejecting ink, which is a liquid, onto a printing medium. The present invention can be applied to various liquid ejection devices other than inkjet printing devices. Figure 1In the diagram, arrows X and Y indicate the horizontal direction, which is orthogonal to each other, and arrow Z indicates the vertical direction (direction of gravity). The X direction is the width direction (left-right direction) of the liquid discharge device 1. The Y direction is the depth direction of the liquid discharge device 1.

[0031] Note that "printing" includes not only the formation of important information such as characters or graphic patterns, but also the formation of images, designs, or patterns on a printing medium in a broader sense, as well as the processing of the printing medium, regardless of whether the information is important or has become explicit enough to allow human visual perception. Furthermore, in this embodiment, "printing medium" is assumed to be sheet paper, but it could also be fabric, plastic film, etc.

[0032] The liquid discharge device 1 is generally flat and rectangular in shape, and includes a main body 2 and a cover 3. The cover 3 covers the main body 2 and forms the top of the liquid discharge device 1. According to this embodiment, the cover 3 is provided with a reading unit (scanner unit) 3a for reading original images. A discharge section 10 for discharging printing media is formed in the front of the liquid discharge device 1. Furthermore, an operation unit 36 ​​for receiving user input is provided in the front of the liquid discharge device 1. The operation unit 36 ​​includes a touch panel-type display unit and receives user input to display information to the user.

[0033] Multiple windows 2a to 2d are formed in the outer casing forming the outer wall of the device body 2. Users can visually identify components inside the device body 2 via the windows 2a to 2d. In this embodiment, users can visually identify the remaining amount of liquid stored in containers 5Bk, 5C, 5M, and 5Y (hereinafter collectively referred to as containers 5 or without distinction) via the windows 2a to 2d. Containers 5 are ink containers that store liquid ink, and four containers 5 store different types of ink. In this embodiment, black ink is stored in container 5Bk, cyan ink is stored in container 5C, magenta ink is stored in container 5M, and yellow ink is stored in container 5Y. Note that the type of ink is not limited to the four types shown in this embodiment. One type of ink can be used, or multiple types of ink other than the four types can be used. The number of containers 5 is only required to be equal to or greater than the number of types of liquid ink.

[0034] Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram showing the internal mechanism of the liquid dispensing device 1. As an application head for applying printing material, the liquid dispensing device 1 includes a dispensing head 4 for dispensing liquid. According to this embodiment, the dispensing head 4 is a print head that performs printing by dispensing ink supplied from the container 5 into the printing medium. The dispensing head 4 includes a dispensing surface 4a (see reference). Figure 3The ink discharge surface 4a contains multiple nozzles configured to discharge ink. Each nozzle is equipped with, for example, an electrothermal transducer (heater). The electrothermal transducer heats the ink by passing an electric current through it, causing the ink to foam, and the ink is discharged using the foaming energy.

[0035] The discharge head 4 is mounted on the carriage 6. The carriage 6 reciprocates in the X direction (main scanning direction) via a drive unit 7. The drive unit 7 includes a drive wheel and a driven wheel separately arranged in the X direction. Figure 2 Only the driven wheel 7b, the annular belt 7c wound around the wheel, and the carriage motor 7a, which serves as the drive source for rotating the drive wheel, are shown. The carriage 6 is connected to the annular belt 7c. When the annular belt 7c is moved, the carriage 6 moves in the X direction. During the movement of the carriage 6, ink is discharged from the discharge head 4 onto the printing medium, thereby printing an image. This operation is sometimes referred to as print scanning.

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

[0037] The liquid discharge device 1 includes a feeding unit 8 and a conveying unit 9 for conveying printing media. The feeding unit 8 includes a tray 8a for stacking sheet-like printing media and a feeding mechanism (not shown) for the printing media. The feeding mechanism includes, for example, a feeding roller for feeding the printing media on the tray 8a and a feeding motor 8b serving as a drive source for rotating the feeding roller. Figure 4 ).

[0038] The transport unit 9 is a mechanism for transporting the printing media fed from the feed unit 8 in the Y direction (sub-scanning direction). The transport unit 9 includes a transport roller 9a and a transport motor 9b, which serves as the drive source for rotating the transport roller 9a. Figure 4 A pinch roller (not shown) presses against the conveyor roller 9a, and the printing medium is held by the gap between the conveyor roller and the pinch roller. As the conveyor roller 9a rotates, the printing medium is intermittently conveyed to the discharge head 4. The printing operation is performed by alternately repeating the conveying operation of the printing medium through the conveyor unit 9 and the printing scan.

[0039] In this embodiment, container 5 is a fixed container that is fixed in the liquid discharge device 1. If the remaining ink level decreases, the user can replenish the ink in container 5 without removing it from the liquid discharge device 1.

[0040] Containers 5C, 5M, and 5Y are containers with the same structure, while container 5Bk has a larger capacity than containers 5C, 5M, and 5Y. Therefore, container 5Bk is wider in the X direction than containers 5C, 5M, and 5Y. Container 5Bk is positioned at the left end of the front portion of the liquid discharge device 1. Containers 5C to 5Y are arranged side-by-side in the X direction at the right end of the front portion of the liquid discharge device 1. That is, containers 5C to 5Y are configured such that the discharge section 10 is located between containers 5Bk and containers 5C to 5Y. The upper part of container 5Bk is covered by a cover portion 13A, and the upper parts of containers 5C to 5Y are covered by a shared cover portion 13B.

[0041] <Container Structure>

[0042] Figure 3 The container 5 and its surrounding structure are schematically shown. As mentioned above, despite their different capacities, containers 5Bk and 5C to 5Y essentially have... Figure 3 The structure shown is as follows. Container 5 includes a storage section 54 for storing ink, a gas-liquid exchange section 52, and a buffer chamber 53. The gas-liquid exchange section 52 is the section that introduces the same amount of air as the ink discharged from the discharge head 4, and the ink is typically held by the meniscus of the ink container. Figure 3 The location is shown. When the air in the storage section 54 expands due to changes in atmospheric pressure, temperature, etc., the buffer chamber 53 can store the ink ejected as the meniscus of the ink in the gas-liquid exchange section 52 breaks. The upper part of the container 5 is provided with an inlet 5a for replenishing liquid (replenishing ink). Replenishing ink is loaded into the container 5 through the inlet 5a. The inlet 5a is closed by the cover 120. When replenishing ink, the cover 120 is disengaged from the inlet 5a, and the user performs the ink replenishment operation with the cover 120 removed from the inlet 5a to open the inlet 5a. Covers 120 (as described later, covers 120Bk, 120C, 120M, and 120Y) are provided for each container 5.

[0043] Channels 14a and 15a are connected within container 5. Channel 14a is a liquid supply path (ink supply path) connected to storage section 54, and is configured to supply ink from container 5 to discharge head 4, and is formed by supply pipe 14 as a flexible tube. Channel 15a is an atmospheric communication path connected to buffer chamber 53, and is configured to allow the interior of container 5 to communicate with the atmosphere, and is formed by atmospheric communication pipe 15 as a flexible tube. Valve 16 simultaneously opens and closes channels 14a and 15a. In this embodiment, as... Figure 2 As shown, valve 16 includes valve 16A for container 5Bk and valve 16B shared by containers 5C to 5Y. Valves 16A and 16B open channels 14a and 15a when ink is replenished, otherwise they are essentially closed.

[0044] The gas-liquid exchange section 52 is positioned at a height H lower than the discharge surface 4a of the discharge head 4. That is, the gas-liquid exchange section 52 is configured to apply negative pressure through a head difference corresponding to the height H of the discharge surface 4a. This prevents ink leakage from the discharge surface 4a. Furthermore, the buffer chamber 53 is located at the bottom of the container 5. This prevents ink leakage from the atmospheric communication path 15a.

[0045] The recovery unit 11 is a mechanism configured to maintain the ink ejection performance of the ejector head 4 and is disposed at one end of the travel range of the carriage 6. The recovery unit 11 includes a cover 11a covering the ejection surface 4a of the ejector head 4 and a pump 11b configured to draw ink from the ejector head 4 via the cover 11a. The cover 11a can be moved between a position where the cover 11a covers the ejection surface 4a and a position where the cover 11a is separated from the ejection surface 4a by a mechanism (not shown). When the cover 11a covers the ejection surface 4a (covered), drying of the ink on the ejection surface 4a can be suppressed. Furthermore, when the pump 11b operates with the cover 11a covering the ejection surface 4a, it can remove highly viscous ink or ink-loading channel 14a or the ejector head 4 adhering to the ejector head 4. If a printing operation is performed with ink loaded in channel 14a or the ejector head 4, an amount of ink as much as the amount of ink reduced from the ejector head 4 (ejection volume) is supplied from the container 5.

[0046] <Control Unit>

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

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

[0049] MPU 31 also acquires detection results from various types of sensors 35 installed in the liquid discharge device 1 and performs control operations. The sensors 35 include a cover detection sensor 35a. The cover detection sensor 35a 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 in the closed position, or a photoelectric sensor that optically detects that the cover portion 3 is in the closed position. MPU 31 also controls the display of the display unit of the operation unit 36 ​​and accepts user operations on the operation unit 36.

[0050] The host computer 100 is, for example, a personal computer or portable terminal used by a user (e.g., a smartphone or tablet). A printer driver 101 is installed in the host computer 100 to communicate between the host computer 100 and the liquid dispensing device 1. The liquid dispensing device 1 includes an interface unit 33, and communication between the host computer 100 and the MPU 31 is performed via the interface unit 33. For example, if a user inputs a print operation to the host computer 100, the printer driver 101 collects data on the image to be printed and information about printing settings (such as the quality of the printed image), and instructs the liquid dispensing device 1 to perform the print operation.

[0051] <Procedures for fluid replenishment>

[0052] Reference Figures 5A to 6B The procedure for replenishing ink in container 5 is explained. To replenish ink in container 5, the inlet 5a needs to be exposed. In the liquid discharge device 1 according to this embodiment, the cover 3 is configured to be closed inside the device body 2 by manual operation of the user. Figure 1 It moves between the position shown and the open position where the interior of the device body 2 is exposed. Figure 5A The diagram shows the cover 3 in the open position. In this embodiment, the cover 3 is supported by the device body 2 and is able to swing between the open and closed positions. The swing center 3b of the cover 3 is parallel to the X direction and is located at the rear of the cover 3 (and the device body 2). In other words, the front of the liquid discharge device 1 is opened through the cover 3.

[0053] When the cover 3 is moved to the open position, the covers 13A and 13B, which were covered by the cover 3 in the closed position, are exposed. In the liquid discharge device 1 according to this embodiment, both covers 13A and 13B are configured to be in a closed position that can be covered on the top of the container 5 by manual operation of the user. Figure 5A The location shown in the figure) and the open position where the upper part of container 5 is exposed ( Figure 5B Move between the positions shown in the diagram. Figure 5A The diagram shows the state where both covers 13A and 13B have been moved to the closed position. In this embodiment, covers 13A and 13B are supported by the device body 2 so that they can swing between the open and closed positions. The swing center 13a of covers 13A and 13B is parallel to the X direction and is located at the rear of covers 13A and 13B. Cover 13A covers the inlet 5a of container 5Bk in the closed position and exposes the inlet 5a in the open position (typically, the inlet 5a is covered by the cap 120Bk, such as...). Figure 5B(As shown). In other words, with the cover 13A in the open position, the user can access the entrance 5a. The cover 13B covers the entrances 5a of containers 5C to 5Y in the closed position and exposes the entrances 5a in the open position (typically, each entrance 5a is covered by one of the corresponding covers 120C to 120Y, such as...). Figure 5B (As shown). In other words, with the cover 13B in the open position, the user is allowed to access the entrance 5a.

[0054] When the cap 120 is removed from the container 5, which is the target for replenishing ink, the inlet 5a is exposed and can be replenished with ink. Figure 6A The diagram shows the state in which the lids 120 of all containers 5 have been removed from the inlet 5a. Figure 6B The diagram shows the state where cover 13B is in the open position and cover 120M is removed from container 5M. The remaining containers 5Bk, 5C, and 5Y, and covers 13A and 120Bk, 120C, and 120Y are also in the same configuration. In this state, the user can refill ink into container 5 through inlet 5a. After refilling, inlet 5a is closed by cover 120, covers 13A and 13B move to the closed position, and cover 3 also moves to the closed position. Through this process, the ink refilling operation is completed, and printing can proceed.

[0055] Construction of Cover Components and Covering Parts

[0056] Cover portions 120Bk to 120Y are respectively provided in cover members 12Bk to 12Y. (Refer to...) Figures 6A to 9 The construction of cover members 12Bk to 12Y and the construction of cover parts 13A and 13B are described. Figure 7A This is a view showing the state of the cover member 12M and the cover portion 13B as they move toward the closed position. Figure 7B yes Figure 7A A magnified view of part P1. Figure 8A This is a view showing the cover member 12M and the cover portion 13B in the closed position. Figure 8B yes Figure 8A A magnified view of part P2. Figure 9 This is a perspective view showing the peripheral structure of container 5, valves 16A and 16B, and discharge head 4.

[0057] Note that the construction of cover member 12M and cover portion 13B will be mainly described here. Cover members 12Bk, 12C and 12Y and cover portion 13A also have the same construction.

[0058] First, the cover member 12M will be described. The cover member 12M includes an arm 121. The cover portion 120M is replaceably supported at one end of the arm 121, and a shaft portion 122 is formed at the other end. The arm 121 branches into two parts from its longitudinal middle towards the other end. The cover member 12M is supported by the device body 2 and is capable of rocking at the shaft portion 122, with the rocking center 12a ( Figure 6A It is parallel to the X direction.

[0059] The cap 120M is a cylindrical member that is open at the end and closed at the base. A sealing portion 123 is formed in the middle portion along the axial direction, and a circular opening is defined at the end portion 124. The inlet portion 5a includes a cylindrical inlet hole 5b and a tube portion 5c that stands upright in the inlet hole 5b. When an ink refill bottle is inserted into the inlet hole 5b, the ink in the bottle is loaded into the container 5M via the tube portion 5c.

[0060] The cover 120M can be Figure 6B The opening position shown and Figure 8A The cover 120M moves between the shown closed positions. In the closed position, the cover 120M is inserted into the inlet hole 5b to close the inlet 5a. In the open position, the cover 120M separates from the inlet hole 5b to open the inlet 5a.

[0061] The user can lift the cover component 12M, which is in the closed position, to manually move the cover component 12M to the open position. Alternatively, the user can press the cover component 12M, which is in the open position, to manually move the cover component 12M to the closed position.

[0062] In this embodiment, the cover member 12M is disposed in the rocking space of the cover portion 13B, 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 13B is in the closed position, the cover member 12M is covered by the cover portion 13B. Therefore, unless the cover portion 13B moves to the open position, the cover member 12M cannot move to the open position. When the cover member 12M is covered by the cover portion 13B, it can prevent the cover member 12M 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 12M can move independently from the open position to the closed position. When the cover portion 13B moves from the open position to the closed position, the cover member 12M can also move from the open position to the closed position. A pressing portion 134 is formed on the inner wall surface of the cover portion 13B that contacts the cover member 12M during the movement from the open position to the closed position. Figure 7AAs shown, during the movement of the cover portion 13B from the open position to the closed position, the pressing portion 134 contacts the cover member 12M to move the cover member 12M to the closed position. When the user moves the cover portion 13B to the closed position after ink refilling, the cover member 12M (and cover members 12C and 12Y) can also simultaneously move to the closed position to close the inlet portion 5a. Furthermore, this configuration prevents the user from forgetting to move the cover member 12M to the closed position (forgetting to close the inlet portion 5a).

[0064] Next, the cover portion 13B will be described. The cover portion 13B includes a connecting portion 130 at one end (distal end) and a pair of bearing portions 132 at the other end (base end) located on the opposite side. A shaft portion 18 is inserted into the bearing portions 132, and the cover portion 13B is movably supported around the shaft portion 18. As the shaft portion 18, a shaft portion corresponding to the cover portion 13A and a shaft portion corresponding to the cover portion 13B are provided.

[0065] The joint 130 engages with the joint 20 on the side of the device body 2. The joint 20 is formed on the frame member 22 located on the inner side of the outer wall of the device body 2, and its position is fixed. By engaging with the joint 130, the joint 20 restricts the movement of the cover 13B from the closed position to the open position and holds the cover 13B in the closed position.

[0066] 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 13B 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 13B moves from the open position to the closed position.

[0067] When the user moves the cover 13B from the open position to the closed position, the protrusion 130a contacts the engagement portion 20, such as Figure 7A and Figure 7B As shown, the joint 130 elastically deforms in the direction of arrow D1 (opposite to the rocking center 13a in the Y direction). When the protrusion 130a passes downward past the joint 20, the joint 130 elastically recovers in the direction of arrow D2 (on the side of the rocking center 13a in the Y direction), as... Figure 8A and Figure 8BAs shown. Therefore, the joint 130 and the joint 20 engage with each other. When the user moves the cover 13B from the closed position to the open position, the joint 130 and the joint 20 disengage through a reversal phenomenon. In this embodiment, the joint 130 side is elastically deformed, but conversely, the joint 20 side can be elastically deformed. Alternatively, both can be elastically deformed.

[0068] When the joint 130 is from Figure 7B The state shown is elastically deformed to Figure 8B In the indicated state, the user can be given an appropriate tactile feedback. This allows the user to feel the cover 13B move to the closed position and be set in the engaged state (each entrance 5a is closed by the corresponding cover 120C to 120Y).

[0069] Note that in this embodiment, if the cover 13B is in the open position, the cover 13B is not in a vertical position but in a backward-tilted upright position, such as... Figure 5B and Figure 6B As shown. This also applies to the cover section 13A. Therefore, in this state, when the user wants to move the cover section 3 from the open position to the closed position, the cover section 3 cannot move to the closed position due to interference with the cover sections 13A or 13B. That is, the movement of the cover section 3 to the closed position is limited by the open cover sections 13A or 13B. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cover section 3 from being mistakenly closed during ink replenishment.

[0070] <Force Application Unit>

[0071] Even if the user expects to move cover 13A or cover 13B to the closed position, if the operation is insufficient and the cover is not moved to the closed position (e.g., in the closed position), Figure 7A and Figure 7B If the state shown is not properly closed, inconvenience may occur. For example, the inlet 5a may not be closed by the cover 120, and ink leakage may occur. Alternatively, if the cover 3 cannot be fully moved to the closed position, and the user performs a forceful operation to force the cover 3 to the closed position, damage may occur. Furthermore, if the cover detection sensor 35a detects that the cover 3 has not moved to the closed position and indicates a closing error, the user may not know the reason.

[0072] In this embodiment, the covering portion 13A and the covering portion 13B include force-applying units 17A and 17B, which are configured to apply force to the covering portion 13A and the covering portion 13B respectively in the open position. Figure 5BForce is applied. Force-applying units 17A and 17B are provided independently of covers 12Bk to 12Y, and in the disengaged state of the joint 130 and joint 20, force is applied to the covers 13A and 13B, causing the covers 13A and 13B to remain in a position away from the closed position in the opening direction. When the covers 13A and 13B spring back, the user can easily visually perceive that the covers have not moved to the closed position.

[0073] Reference Figure 10 as well as Figures 11A to 11C Explain the structure and function of force application unit 17B. Note that force application unit 17A has the same structure.

[0074] The force-applying unit 17B is disposed on the side of the cover portion 13B in the X direction on the frame member 22. In this position, the force-applying unit 17B hardly interferes with the user's operation when refilling ink. The force-applying unit 17B includes a contact member 170 and an elastic member 171. The elastic member 171 is, for example, a coil spring, rubber, etc., and applies an upward force to the contact member 170. The contact member 170 is inserted into an opening formed in the frame member 22 and is supported to be movable in the Z direction. A stop member 170a is provided at the lower end of the contact member 170. The stop member 170a limits the upper limit position of the contact member 170. The cover portion 13B includes a contact member 131 that contacts the contact member 170. The contact member 131 is a plate-shaped member that protrudes to the side of the cover portion 13B in the X direction.

[0075] Figure 11A The diagram shows the cover 13B in the open position. The contact member 131 is spaced apart from the contact member 170, and the contact member 170 is in the upper limit position. Figure 11B The diagram shows the state of the cover 13B as it moves from the open position to the closed position. The contact member 131 contacts the contact member 170 and is subjected to force in the opening direction by the force application unit 17B. Figure 11C The diagram shows the cover 13B being further rocked and reaching the closed position, with the engagement portion 130 engaged with the engagement portion 20 (not shown). The contact member 170 is pressed downwards, and the elastic member 171 is compressed.

[0076] Suppose the user moves the cover 13B to the closed position, and the engagement between the joint 130 and the joint 20 is insufficient. In this case, when the user releases their hand, the cover 13B is forced and bounced up by the force application unit 17B, as... Figure 11B As shown. Therefore, the user visually recognizes that the cover 13B has not been moved to the closed position. As a result, the user moves the cover 13B to the closed position again and reliably engages the engagement portion 130 with the engagement portion 20. Therefore, in this embodiment, forgetting to close the cover 13B can be prevented and the user can be guided to operate the cover 13B to the closed position.

[0077] The position of the popped-up cover 13B can be the open position, except for the intermediate position between the open and closed positions. However, in the configuration for popping the cover to the open position, it is necessary to expand the force application range of the force application unit 17B and increase the force. If the device configuration is simplified, the popped-up position can be the intermediate position between the open and closed positions, specifically, it can be a position within 50% or 25% of the movement range from the closed position.

[0078] Figure 13A This is a view showing the balance of forces acting on the cover 13B. Let Lt be the distance from the rocking center 13a of the cover 13B to the force application position P3 of the force application unit 17B, T be the force applied by the force application unit 17B, Lf be the distance from the rocking center 13a to the joint 130, and F be the force required to disengage the joint 130 from the joint 20.

[0079] If the joint 130 and the joint 20 are as follows Figure 11B If there is no engagement, no force F is generated. Therefore, the cover 13B springs to a position where the torque of the force T applied to the cover 13B is balanced by the torque generated by the weight of the cover 13B. Compared to the distal end 13b, since the force application position P3 is closer to the base end 13c, the user's operating force required to operate the cover 13B to the closed position by pressing the distal end 13b is smaller. In addition, the force application unit 17B hardly interferes with the user's operation when refilling ink.

[0080] To make the joint 130 and the joint 20 as Figure 11C For the engagement to be maintained, Lf×F > Lt×T must be true. That is, the torque used to engage the joint 130 and the joint 20 is designed to be greater than the torque used to open the cover 13B by the force application unit 17B. Compared to the distal end 13b, since the force application position P3 is closer to the base end 13c, the engagement can be maintained even if the engagement force between the joint 130 and the joint 20 is relatively small.

[0081] Note that the position of the force application point P3, the force applied, the shape of the covering parts 13A and 13B, the position of the contact member 131, etc., may be the same for the covering parts 13A and 13B or may be different.

[0082] <Relaxation>

[0083] When the cover 13B is in the closed position Figure 11CIn the illustrated state, the force-applying unit 17B is always used to apply a force to shake the cover 13B in the opening direction. This force is received by the joint 130 and the joint 20. Figure 12A The engagement state between joint 130 and joint 20 is shown. In the opening direction of cover 13B, the protrusion 130a of joint 130 engages with joint 20 by contacting the lower surface 20a of joint 20 and receives force from force application unit 17B. If the liquid discharge device 1 is used for a long time, joint 130 or joint 20 may deform due to aging, and the engagement force may decrease. Although measures can be taken to increase the durability of joint 130 and joint 20, the operating force required for the user to move cover 13B to the closed position will increase, and usability may deteriorate.

[0084] In this embodiment, if the cover 3 is in the closed position, the covers 13A and 13B are pressed downwards, and the joint 130 is slightly separated from the joint 20 in the closing direction of the covers 13A and 13B. Figure 12B This is an explanatory diagram, which shows the positional relationship between the cover 3 and the cover 13B in the closed position.

[0085] A contact portion 3c is provided on the lower surface of the cover portion 3. The contact portion 3c is, for example, an elastic member such as rubber, or it can be formed by a contact member and an elastic member, as in the force-applying unit 17B. In the closed position of the cover portion 3, the contact portion 3c contacts the upper surface of the cover portion 13B to press the cover portion 13B to the rocking limit position in the closing direction. Therefore, as... Figure 8B As shown, the protrusion 130a and the lower surface 20a are separated from each other, and a gap G is formed between the protrusion 130a and the lower surface 20a. Therefore, when the cover 3 is in the closed position, the cover 3 bears the force applied by the force-applying unit 17B to prevent the joining force from acting on the joint 130 and the joint 20. As a result, it is possible to prevent the joining force between the joint 130 and the joint 20 from decreasing due to aging.

[0086] Figure 13B This is a view showing the balance of forces acting on cover 13B when cover 3 is in the closed position. Let La be the distance from the rocking center 13a of cover 13B to the pressing position P4 of contact 3c, and Fa be the pressing force. They are configured such that La × Fa > Lt × T. That is, the torque through contact 3c for closing cover 13B is greater than the torque through force application unit 17B for opening cover 13B.

[0087] If the user leaves the cover 3 in the open position, a warning can be issued to the user. For example, if the cover detection sensor 35a continuously detects that the cover 3 is not in the closed position within a predetermined time, a display is made on the operation unit 26 to prompt the user to move the cover 3 to the closed position.

[0088] <Second Implementation Method>

[0089] In the first embodiment, as examples of force-applying units 17A and 17B, a construction example including contact member 170 and elastic member 171 has been described. However, the invention is not limited thereto. Figure 14A and Figure 14B Other examples of force-applying units are shown. Figure 14A In the example shown, the force-applying unit 17C is formed solely of an elastic member such as rubber configured to contact the contact member 131. Figure 14B In the example shown, the force-applying unit 17D is a torsion coil spring disposed on the shaft portion 18 of the rocking center 13a of the defining cover portion 13B. The force-applying unit 17D provides a force for rocking the cover portion 13B in the opening direction.

[0090] <Third Implementation Method>

[0091] In the first embodiment, a construction example in which the covers 13A and 13B are popped up by force-applying units 17A and 17B has been described. However, another component to be opened or closed may be provided with a force-applying unit and popped up. Figures 15A to 15C An example is shown where the cover member is subjected to force by the force-applying unit.

[0092] In the example shown, the cover member 12M' corresponding to container 5M is springed up by the force-applying unit 17E. This also applies to the cover members corresponding to containers 5Bk, 5C, and 5Y. In this embodiment, the force-applying unit 17E is an elastic member such as rubber. The construction of the cover member 12M' is basically the same as that of the cover member 12M described above. The cover member 12M' includes a cover portion 120M capable of closing the inlet portion 5a, and is swayably supported on the shaft portion 122. A connecting portion 123 is provided at the distal end of the cover member 12M'. By engaging with the connecting portion 20' on the device side, the connecting portion 123 restricts the movement of the cover member 12M' from the closed position to the open position and holds the cover member 12M' in the closed position.

[0093] Figure 15A The diagram shows the cover member 12M' in the open position. The force application unit 17E is spaced apart from the cover member 12M'. Figure 15B The diagram shows the state of the cover member 12M' during its movement from the open position to the closed position. The force application unit 17E is in contact with the cover member 12M', and the cover member 12M' is subjected to force by the force application unit 17E in the opening direction. Figure 15C The illustration shows the state where the cover member 12M' is further rocked and reaches the closed position, and the engagement portion 123 engages with the engagement portion 20'. The force application unit 17E is in a compressed state.

[0094] Suppose the user moves the cover member 12M' to the closed position, and the engagement between the joint 123 and the joint 20' is insufficient. In this case, when the user releases their hand, the cover member 12M' is forced and bounced up by the force application unit 17E, as... Figure 15B As shown. Therefore, the user visually recognizes that the cover member 12M' has not been moved to the closed position. As a result, the user moves the cover member 12M' to the closed position again and reliably engages the engagement portion 123 with the engagement portion 20'. Therefore, in this embodiment, forgetting to close the cover member 12M' can be prevented and the user can be guided to operate the cover member 12M' to the closed position.

[0095] In this embodiment, the covering portions 13A and 13B can be omitted. (See reference...) Figure 12B As described above, when the cover part 3 moves to the closed position, the cover member can be pressed down by the cover part 3.

[0096] Other implementation methods

[0097] The embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by providing software (programs) that perform the functions of the above embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer or central processing unit (CPU) or microprocessor unit (MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program.

[0098] Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims should be given the broadest interpretation to cover all such variations and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A printing material application device, comprising: A container configured to store printing material to be supplied to an application device for applying the printing material onto a printing medium for printing. A cover is configured to be detachably attached to and capable of closing the inlet, the inlet being disposed in the container and through which the printing material is loaded into the container; A first cover portion includes a first engagement portion and is configured to be rock-supported between a first closed position covering the cover portion and a first open position exposing the cover portion; A second engagement portion is configured to engage with the first engagement portion in order to restrict the movement of the first cover portion from the first closed position to the first open position; A force-applying device, which is separate from the cover, is used to apply force to the first cover in the opening direction; and The second cover is configured to be rock-supported between a second closed position covering the first cover and a second open position exposing the first cover. The first engaging portion contacts the second engaging portion along the opening direction of the first covering portion, so as to engage with the second engaging portion. The first cover portion located in the first closed position is pressed by the second cover portion located in the second closed position, causing the first engagement portion to separate from the second engagement portion along the closing direction of the first cover portion.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a cover member, the cover member including the cover portion and configured to be rockably supported between a third closed position in which the cover portion closes the inlet and a third open position in which the cover portion opens the inlet. At the first closed position of the first cover portion, the first cover portion covers the cover member located at the third closed position, and, The first cover includes a pressing part configured to press the cover member to the third closed position as the first cover moves toward the first closed position.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The first covering portion includes a base-side end serving as the rocking center of the first covering portion and a distal end located on the opposite side of the base-side end, and, Compared to the distal end, the force-applying device applies force to the first cover portion at a position closer to the base end.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The second cover includes a contact portion configured to press the first cover in the closing direction by contacting it.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The printing material is ink, and, The printing material application device is a printing device configured to print by discharging ink onto the printing medium through the application device.

6. The device according to claim 1, comprising a first container as the 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 provided together with the first container and the second container.

7. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a device body, The second cover is configured to form the top of the printing material application device and is rock-supported by the device body.

8. The printing material application device according to claim 1, wherein a gap is formed between the first joint and the second joint when the second cover is in the second closed position.

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