Liquid spraying device

Abstract

The present invention provides a liquid ejection device capable of suppressing a situation where a supply channel is in a transition state. The liquid ejection device comprises: a liquid storage portion for storing liquid; a liquid ejection portion for ejecting liquid onto a medium to implement printing; a supply channel for connecting the liquid storage portion with the liquid ejection portion; an opening and closing mechanism having an opening and closing portion for setting the supply channel to an open state or a closed state, and a lever (62) for operating the opening and closing portion; and a scanner (5) capable of moving between a first position as a normal position when implementing printing and a second position different from the first position, wherein the range of the movable range of the lever (62) for setting the supply channel to a transition state between an open state and a closed state includes a position of the lever (62) where the lever (62) interferes with the scanner (5) located at the first position.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application number 202010104316.0, application date February 20, 2020, and invention name “Liquid Spraying Device”. Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to a liquid ejecting device. Background Art

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a liquid ejection device that ejects ink from a liquid ejection unit to perform printing. The ink supply device provided in the liquid ejection device supplies the ink stored in a tank to the liquid ejection unit via a supply flow channel. The opening and closing mechanism provided in the ink supply device switches the supply flow channel between an open state and a closed state by rotating an operation knob by hand. The supply flow channel in the open state can perform processing that requires liquid supply. The supply flow channel in the closed state can perform processing that requires stopping the liquid supply.

[0004] On the other hand, when the operation knob is stopped in the transition state between the open state and the closed state, the liquid can be supplied at a smaller flow rate than in the open state. As a result, it is difficult to obtain the original processing results in both the processing requiring liquid supply and the processing requiring the stop of liquid supply.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-134485 Summary of the invention

[0006] A liquid ejection device for solving the above-mentioned problems comprises: a liquid storage portion for storing liquid; a liquid ejection portion for ejecting the liquid onto a medium to implement printing; a supply channel for connecting the liquid storage portion with the liquid ejection portion; an opening and closing mechanism having an opening and closing portion for setting the supply channel to an open state or a closed state, and an operating portion for operating the opening and closing portion; a moving portion capable of moving between a first position and a second position different from the first position, the first position being a normal position when implementing the printing, and a range of the movable range of the operating portion that sets the supply channel to a transition state between the open state and the closed state includes a position of the operating portion where the operating portion interferes with the moving portion in the first position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of a liquid ejection device in one embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 It is a perspective view of a liquid ejection device in one embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a liquid ejecting device in one embodiment with a scanner removed.

[0010] Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view of an opening and closing mechanism provided in a liquid ejecting device according to one embodiment.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the opening and closing mechanism when the supply channel is in an open state in one embodiment.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the opening and closing mechanism when the supply flow path is in a closed state in one embodiment.

[0013] Figure 7 A side view of the liquid ejection device showing the transition of the rod in a transition state in one embodiment.

[0014] Figure 8 A side view of the liquid ejection device showing the transition of the rod in a transition state in one embodiment.

[0015] Fig. 9 It is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the liquid ejection device in one embodiment.

[0016] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram when the liquid ejection device in one embodiment is viewed from above.

[0017] Fig.11 This is a perspective view showing a state where a displacement portion is located within an allowable region in one embodiment.

[0018] Fig.12 This is a perspective view showing a state where a displacement portion is located in a restricted area in one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Reference Figures 1 to 12 An embodiment of a liquid ejection device is described below. Hereinafter, the structure of the liquid ejection device, the structure of the opening and closing mechanism, the interference between the operating portion and the moving portion, the structure of the control portion and the first contact portion, the detection method of the opening and closing state of the supply channel, and the structure of the limiting portion are described in sequence. The liquid ejection device in this embodiment is, for example, an inkjet printer that prints by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper. In addition, in the following drawings, in order to set each component to a size that can be recognized, the size of each component is different from the actual size.

[0020] In the following description, it is assumed that the liquid ejection device is placed on a horizontal plane, and the Z axis is used to represent the vertical direction, and the X axis and the Y axis are used to represent the direction along the horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The X axis, the Y axis and the Z axis are orthogonal to each other. In the following description, the direction along the X axis is also referred to as the width direction X, the direction along the Y axis is also referred to as the depth direction Y, and the direction along the Z axis is also referred to as the vertical direction Z, and the width direction X, the depth direction Y and the vertical direction Z are orthogonal to each other. Sometimes, one end side on the width direction X of the liquid ejection device is also referred to as the right side or the right side, and the other end side opposite to the one end side is referred to as the left side or the left side. Sometimes, one end side of the depth direction Y in the liquid ejection device is also referred to as the front surface side or the front side, and the other end side opposite to the one end side is referred to as the back side or the rear side. Sometimes, one end side of the vertical direction Z in the liquid ejection device is also referred to as the upper surface side or the upper side, and the other end side opposite to the one end side is referred to as the lower surface side or the lower side.

[0021] Structure of liquid ejection device

[0022] Reference Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 The schematic structure of the liquid ejection device in this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of the liquid ejecting device 1 with the device main body 2 closed, as viewed from the upper front side. Figure 2 1 is a perspective view of the liquid ejecting device 1 with the device main body 2 opened, as viewed from above the front side of the device.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the liquid ejecting device 1 includes a device body 2 and a scanner 5 .

[0024] The device body 2 includes a housing 3 as an exterior frame, an operation panel 6, and a liquid storage unit 10. The housing 3 includes a frame 4 framing an opening OA. The opening OA is provided to allow a user to access the inside of the device body 2.

[0025] The operation panel 6 constitutes a part of the front surface of the device body 2. The operation panel 6 includes a display unit 7 such as a liquid crystal panel and operation buttons 8 including input buttons and a power switch. The operation panel 6 is connected to the housing 3 in a manner that allows rotation with the end portion at the upper side of the operation panel 6 as a fulcrum. The operation panel 6 is an example of a notification unit.

[0026] The device body 2 stores a medium discharge tray (not shown). The medium discharge tray is stored in the device body 2 so as to be movable in the depth direction Y. The medium discharge tray moves forward and backward between a position stored in the device body 2 and a position pulled out from the device body 2 toward the front side. The medium discharge tray is rotated by the operation panel 6 so as to be exposed in front of the device body 2.

[0027] The scanner 5 is located at the upper part of the device body 2 in a manner that can cover the opening OA from above. The scanner 5 is an example of a movable part. The scanner 5 is connected to the device body 2 in a manner that can rotate with the end at the rear side of the scanner 5 as a fulcrum. The range in which the scanner 5 rotates is between the first position and the second position. The range in which the scanner 5 rotates includes the first position and the second position. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the scanner 5 is arranged in the first position. Figure 2 , the scanner 5 is arranged in the second position.

[0028] The first position is a position where the scanner 5 covers the opening OA. The second position is a position where the scanner 5 opens the inside of the device body 2. In other words, the scanner 5 closes the opening OA at the first position and opens the opening OA at the second position. The first position is a normal position of the scanner 5 when the liquid ejection device 1 performs printing. The second position is a normal position of the scanner 5 when the inside of the device body 2 is being repaired.

[0029] The liquid ejecting device 1 may not include the scanner 5. In the configuration not including the scanner 5, the liquid ejecting device 1 includes, for example, a cover that moves to a position covering the opening OA and a position opening the inside of the device body 2. The cover is an example of a moving part.

[0030] The liquid storage unit 10 is located below the scanner 5 with respect to the right end of the front side of the scanner 5 in the first position. The liquid storage unit 10 includes a liquid storage portion 13 for storing ink, a storage case 12 for storing the liquid storage portion 13, and a unit cover 11 rotatably mounted on the storage case 12.

[0031] The liquid storage unit 10 includes a plurality of liquid storage sections 13. Each liquid storage section 13 stores any one of black, magenta, yellow, cyan, and photo black inks. The volume of ink that can be stored in each liquid storage section 13 may be equal to or different from the volume of ink that can be stored in other liquid storage sections 13. The liquid storage section 13 includes a display section 14. The display section 14 is configured to allow confirmation of the remaining amount of ink in the liquid storage section 13 from the outside.

[0032] The liquid ejection device 1 includes a medium storage unit 22 capable of storing a medium. The medium storage unit 22 is located below the operation panel 6. The medium storage unit 22 is inserted and removed from the front side of the device body 2 to replenish or remove the medium.

[0033] Reference Figure 3 The internal structure of the liquid ejecting device will be described. Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the liquid ejecting device 1 from which the scanner 5 is removed, as viewed from above on the rear side.

[0034] like Figure 3 As shown, the device body 2 includes a carriage 30 , a supply channel 40 , a liquid ejection unit 50 , and an opening and closing mechanism 60 .

[0035] The carriage 30 is accommodated inside the housing 3. The carriage 30 reciprocates along the width direction X. One direction in which the carriage 30 reciprocates is a first direction, and a direction opposite to the first direction is a second direction. The first direction is also called a main scanning direction.

[0036] The carriage 30 is a hollow container. The carriage 30 includes a carriage cover 32 on the upper side in the vertical direction Z. The carriage 30 carries a liquid ejection unit 50 and an opening and closing mechanism 60. The liquid ejection unit 50 is mounted on the lower part of the carriage 30. The opening and closing mechanism 60 is mounted on the upper part of the carriage 30.

[0037] The supply flow path 40 can connect the liquid storage portion 13 with the liquid ejection portion 50. The ink stored in the liquid storage portion 13 is supplied to the liquid ejection portion 50 through the supply flow path 40. The supply flow path 40 is switched between an open state and a closed state by the opening and closing mechanism 60. The supply flow path 40 includes a transition state between the open state and the closed state.

[0038] The open state is a state in which the ink at the flow rate required for printing can be supplied to the liquid ejection unit 50 among the states of the supply flow channel 40. The state in which the ink at the flow rate required for printing can be supplied to the liquid ejection unit 50 is, for example, a state in which a part of the supply flow channel 40 is crushed to such an extent that the flow rate required for printing flows, or a state in which the supply flow channel 40 is not crushed.

[0039] The closed state is a state in which ink cannot be supplied to the liquid ejection unit 50 among the states of the supply flow channel 40. The state in which ink cannot be supplied to the liquid ejection unit 50 is a state in which a part of the supply flow channel 40 is crushed and blocked. The state in which ink cannot be supplied to the liquid ejection unit 50 includes a state in which a part of the supply flow channel 40 is crushed to such an extent that ink leakage does not occur at the liquid ejection unit 50 or the like even if the liquid ejection device 1 is vibrated during transportation or the like.

[0040] The transition state is all states except the open state and the closed state among the states of the supply channel 40, and is a state between the open state and the closed state. For example, the transition state may also include a state in which the supply channel 40 can supply ink at a smaller flow rate than in the open state. The transition state may also include a state in which the supply channel 40 can supply ink at a larger flow rate than in the closed state. The transition state may also include a state in which the flow rate of the ink is unstable compared to the open state or the closed state.

[0041] The liquid ejection unit 50 includes a pressure generating chamber (not shown), a piezoelectric element (not shown), and a plurality of nozzles 51. The pressure generating chamber includes a vibration plate (not shown). The piezoelectric element vibrates the vibration plate to generate pressure fluctuations in the pressure generating chamber.

[0042] The plurality of nozzles 51 are located on the lower surface of the liquid ejection portion 50. The lower surface of the liquid ejection portion 50 is a nozzle surface where the plurality of nozzles 51 are located. The plurality of nozzles 51 are arranged, for example, along the depth direction Y to form a nozzle row.

[0043] Each nozzle 51 is connected to a relay adapter (not shown) via a pressure generating chamber and a flow path (not shown) provided in the liquid ejection unit 50. The relay adapter is a container for temporarily storing ink. A plurality of relay adapters are mounted inside the carriage 30 and covered by the carriage cover 32. A plurality of relay adapters can be connected to the liquid storage unit 13 via the supply flow path 40. The ink stored in the liquid storage unit 13 is supplied to the liquid ejection unit 50 via the supply flow path 40 and the relay adapter.

[0044] When the liquid ejection device 1 performs printing, the plurality of nozzles 51 are arranged to face the medium. The piezoelectric element causes the pressure in the pressure generating chamber to change, so that the ink supplied from the supply flow path 40 is ejected from the nozzles 51 toward the medium. In this embodiment, the direction in which the liquid ejection unit 50 ejects ink is along the vertical direction Z.

[0045] Opening and closing mechanism structure

[0046] Reference Figure 4 The opening and closing mechanism will be described. Figure 4 2 is an exploded perspective view of the opening and closing mechanism 60 included in the liquid ejecting device 1 .

[0047] like Figure 4 As shown, the opening and closing mechanism 60 includes an opening and closing portion 60A that switches the supply flow path 40 between an open state and a closed state, an operating portion 60B that operates the opening and closing portion 60A, and an urging member 60C that urges the operating portion 60B.

[0048] The opening and closing portion 60A includes a shaft portion 64, a cam portion 65, a pressing member 66, a supply flow channel support portion 68, and a housing 69. The supply flow channel support portion 68 and the housing 69 are an outer frame of the opening and closing mechanism 60. Between the supply flow channel support portion 68 and the housing 69, the pressing member 66, the cam portion 65, and the shaft portion 64 are arranged in order from the supply flow channel support portion 68 side along the vertical direction Z. Each supply flow channel 40 is located between the pressing member 66 and the supply flow channel support portion 68. In a state where the opening and closing mechanism 60 is mounted on the carriage 30, the housing 69 is located above the supply flow channel support portion 68.

[0049] The supply flow channel support portion 68 is provided with a plurality of grooves 68G. The plurality of grooves 68G extend along the depth direction Y and are arranged in parallel along the width direction X. One supply flow channel 40 is inserted into each groove 68G. The supply flow channels 40 are arranged in parallel along the width direction X.

[0050] The supply flow path support portion 68 is provided with a recessed portion 68H. The recessed portion 68H is a depression along the vertical direction Z. The recessed portion 68H extends along the width direction X so that the plurality of grooves 68G penetrate the entire width direction X.

[0051] The pressing member 66 crosses the upper side of all the supply flow paths 40 arranged in parallel along the width direction X. The pressing member 66 is inserted into the recess 68H. The pressing member 66 and the bottom of the recess 68H clamp the supply flow paths 40 inserted into the respective grooves 68G in the vertical direction Z.

[0052] The pressing member 66 is accommodated in the supply flow path support portion 68 so as to be movable along the vertical direction Z. The wall that partitions the recess 68H guides the pressing member 66 to move along the vertical direction Z. The pressing member 66 can move toward the bottom of the recess 68H and toward the opening of the recess 68H.

[0053] The pressing member 66 moves toward the bottom of the recess 68H, thereby increasing the pressure on the supply channel 40. The pressing member 66 moves toward the opening of the recess 68H, thereby decreasing the pressure on the supply channel 40. When the pressure on the supply channel 40 increases, the supply channel 40 changes from the open state to the closed state. When the pressure on the supply channel 40 decreases, the supply channel 40 changes from the closed state to the open state.

[0054] The shaft portion 64 extends along the width direction X. The shaft portion 64 spans the entire width direction X of the pressing member 66 and is located on the upper side of the pressing member 66. The shaft portion 64 is mounted on the carriage 30 in such a manner that the shaft portion 64 can rotate in a first rotation direction with the rotation axis A as the rotation center and in a second rotation direction which is a direction opposite to the first rotation direction. When the opening and closing mechanism 60 is mounted on the carriage 30, the rotation axis A of the shaft portion 64 is arranged along the width direction X and is supported on the housing 69 in a manner that does not move in the vertical direction Z. The end portion of the shaft portion 64 on one side in the width direction X is integrated with the operating portion 60B.

[0055] The cam portion 65 extends along the width direction X. The cam portion 65 has a length that spans the entirety of the plurality of supply flow paths 40 along the width direction X. The cam portion 65 is integral with the shaft portion 64 and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft portion 64. When the opening and closing mechanism 60 is mounted on the carriage 30, the cam portion 65 is located above the pressing member 66.

[0056] The cam surface 65S of the cam portion 65 is the outer peripheral surface of the cam portion 65 and is a cylindrical surface extending along the width direction X. The rotation center of the cam portion 65 is the rotation axis A of the shaft portion 64, and on the other hand, the center of the cam surface 65S is different from the rotation axis A of the shaft portion 64. The center of the cam surface 65S is located outside the rotation axis A in the diameter direction. That is, the center of the cam surface 65S of the cam portion 65 is eccentric with respect to the rotation axis A of the shaft portion 64. In a state where the opening and closing mechanism 60 is mounted on the carriage 30, a part of the cam surface 65S contacts the pressing member 66 in a manner of pressing the pressing member 66 toward the lower side.

[0057] Although the opening and closing mechanism 60 has two cam portions 65 arranged side by side along the width direction X in the present embodiment, the cam portion 65 may be one or two as long as it has a length that spans the entirety of the plurality of supply flow paths 40. Although the cam surface 65S of the cam portion 65 is a cylindrical surface extending along the width direction X, it may be an elliptical cylindrical surface extending along the width direction X, or may be an irregular shape other than a cylindrical surface or an elliptical cylindrical surface, as long as it has a cam surface that changes the position of the pressing member 66 in the vertical direction Z in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft portion 64.

[0058] The operation portion 60B includes a rod 62. The rod 62 includes a base portion 62A and a tip portion 62B. The base portion 62A is integrated with the end portion 64E1 of the shaft portion 64 and extends from the end portion 64E1 of the shaft portion 64 toward the tip portion 62B in the radial direction of the shaft portion 64. The rod 62 is bent at the boundary between the base portion 62A and the tip portion 62B.

[0059] The rod 62 is located in a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis A. The rod 62 is mounted on the carriage 30 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis A. The rod 62 is rotated in the first rotation direction or the second rotation direction, for example, by a user's manual operation. The rotational force acting on the rod 62 rotates the shaft 64, thereby rotating the cam portion 65. The rotation of the cam portion 65 causes the supply flow channel 40 to change from an open state to a closed state, or causes the supply flow channel 40 to change from a closed state to an open state.

[0060] The rotation of the lever 62 includes a closing operation in which the tip portion 62B falls forward with the end portion 64E1 of the shaft portion 64 as a fulcrum, and an opening operation in which the tip portion 62B falls backward.

[0061] The movable range of the rod 62 is the range of the relative position of the rod 62 with respect to the opening and closing portion 60A. The movable range of the rod 62 is sandwiched by the end position reached by the rod 62 through the opening action and the end position reached by the rod 62 through the closing action. The movable range of the rod 62 includes an open position in which the supply flow channel 40 is set to an open state, and a closed position in which the supply flow channel 40 is set to a closed state. The movable range of the rod 62 includes a transition position between the open position and the closed position. The movable range of the rod 62 is an example of the movable range of the operating portion.

[0062] The urging member 60C is an elastic body such as a coil spring or a rubber member extending in one direction. In the present embodiment, an end 64E1 on one side of the shaft portion 64 in the width direction X is integrated with the rod 62, and an end 64E2 on the other side of the shaft portion 64 in the width direction X is connected to an end of one side of the urging member 60C. The end of the other side of the urging member 60C is hooked on the hooking portion 68E of the supply flow channel support portion 68.

[0063] The force output by the force-applying member 60C is transmitted to the end 64E2 of the shaft portion 64, and acts in a manner of pulling the top end portion 62B of the rod 62 downward. For example, when the top end portion 62B of the rod 62 is located on the front side compared to the shaft portion 64, the force output by the force-applying member 60C will urge the rod 62 toward the closed position. In addition, when the top end portion 62B of the rod 62 is located on the rear side compared to the shaft portion 64, the force output by the force-applying member 60C will urge the rod 62 toward the open position.

[0064] The housing 69 is configured to be engageable with the supply flow channel support portion 68. The housing 69 covers the shaft portion 64, the pressing member 66, and the cam portion 65 from the upper side in the vertical direction Z. The shaft portion 64, the pressing member 66, and the cam portion 65 are protected by the housing 69 and the supply flow channel support portion 68. The rod 62 and the urging member 60C are exposed outside the housing 69 and the supply flow channel support portion 68.

[0065] Movable range of the operating part

[0066] Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 2 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of the opening and closing mechanism 60 viewed from the width direction X. Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 In the figure, the housing 69 is omitted, and Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 The structure of the opening and closing portion 60A on the paper depth side is indicated by a solid line. Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 The rod 62 near the front side of the paper in FIG. is indicated by a double-dotted line. Figure 5 In the embodiment, the position of the rod 62 is the open position, and the supply channel 40 is in the open state. Figure 6 In the embodiment, the position of the rod 62 is the closed position, and the supply channel 40 is in a closed state. Figure 5 In FIG. 1 , an open position different from the end position reached by the lever 62 through the opening action is shown. Figure 6 In FIG. 1 , a closed position is shown which is different from the end position reached by the rod 62 during the closing movement.

[0067] The cam surface 65S of the cam portion 65 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft portion 64. The distance between the position on the cam surface 65S that contacts the pressing member 66 and the rotation axis A of the shaft portion 64 changes in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft portion 64 because the center of the cam surface 65S is eccentric from the rotation axis A. In other words, the position of the pressing member 66 in the vertical direction Z changes in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft portion 64 because the center of the cam surface 65S is eccentric from the rotation axis A.

[0068] At the end position reached by the lever 62 through the opening action, the operation angle θ of the lever 62 becomes the minimum value, that is, the minimum operation angle. At the end position reached by the lever 62 through the closing action, the operation angle θ of the lever 62 becomes the maximum value, that is, the maximum operation angle. The maximum operation angle is, for example, 180°.

[0069] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the operating angle θ of the rod 62 is a central angle defined by a straight line connecting the base end and the top end of the rod 62 and the rotation axis A, with the rotation axis A as the center, and is an angle at which the minimum operating angle is set to 0°. Alternatively, a straight line passing through the rotation axis A of the shaft portion 64 and along the depth direction Y may be set as a reference line L, and an angle formed by a straight line connecting the base end and the top end of the rod 62 and the reference line L may be set as the operating angle θ.

[0070] The movable range of the rod 62 is sandwiched by the end position reached by the rod 62 through the opening action and the end position reached by the rod 62 through the closing action. The end position reached by the rod 62 through the opening action is included in the open position. The end position reached by the rod 62 through the closing action is included in the closed position.

[0071] The open position is the position of the rod 62 that sets the supply flow channel 40 to the open state. Since the open state is a state in which the ink of the flow rate required for printing can be supplied to the liquid ejection unit 50, the open position can be only the end position reached by the rod 62 through the opening action, or a certain range including the end position reached by the rod 62 through the opening action. That is, the operation angle θ at the open position can be either the minimum operation angle or a range including the minimum operation angle and angles other than the minimum operation angle. The range including the minimum operation angle and angles other than the minimum operation angle is, for example, greater than 0° and less than 10°.

[0072] The closed position is the position of the rod 62 that sets the supply flow channel 40 to the closed state. Since the closed state is a state in which ink cannot be supplied to the liquid ejection unit 50, the closed position may be only the end position reached by the rod 62 through the closing action, or may be a certain range including the end position reached by the rod 62 through the closing action. That is, the operation angle θ at the closed position may be the maximum operation angle, or may be a range including the maximum operation angle and angles other than the maximum operation angle. The range including the maximum operation angle and angles other than the maximum operation angle is, for example, greater than 140° and less than 180°.

[0073] The transition position is the position of the rod 62 at which the rod 62 sets the supply flow path 40 to the transition state. The transition position is a range of the movable range of the rod 62 excluding the open position and the closed position. That is, the operation angle θ at the transition position is a range of all operation angles excluding the operation angle θ at the open position and the operation angle θ at the closed position. The operation angle θ at the transition position is, for example, greater than 10° and less than 140°.

[0074] When the rod 62 is in the open position, the pressing member 66 fully opens the supply flow channel 40. When the rod 62 is in the closed position, the pressing member 66 presses the supply flow channel 40 to fully close the supply flow channel 40. When the rod 62 is in the transition position, the pressing member 66 presses the supply flow channel 40 in a manner that does not fully open the supply flow channel 40 or does not fully close the supply flow channel 40.

[0075] Here, if Figure 5As shown in the figure, when the rod 62 is in the open position and the supply channel 40 is in the open state, the top end 62B is rotated toward the upper front side. That is, the rod 62 in the open position is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow mark in the figure. As a result, the rod 62 is transferred to the transition position, and the pressing member 66 approaches the lower part of the supply channel support portion 68, so that the pressing member 66 begins to crush the supply channel 40.

[0076] Next, when the top end portion 62B is rotated downward toward the front side, the position of the pressing member 66 is further changed downward. Figure 6 As shown, the rod 62 reaches the closed position, and the supply channel 40 is compressed by the pressing member 66 and the lower part of the supply channel support 68. In addition, the communication between the liquid storage part 13 and the liquid ejection part 50 is cut off, and the supply channel 40 is turned into the closed state.

[0077] On the other hand, when the rod 62 is in the closed position and the supply channel 40 is in the closed state, the tip portion 62B is rotated upward toward the rear side. Figure 6 Thus, the rod 62 returns to the transition position, and the pressing member 66 is away from the lower part of the supply channel support portion 68, thereby easing the crushing of the supply channel 40.

[0078] Next, when the top end portion 62B is rotated downward toward the rear side, the position of the pressing member 66 is further changed upward. Figure 5 As shown, the rod 62 returns to the open position, so that the supply flow channel 40 is converted into the open state.

[0079] The urging member 60C urges the tip 62B of the rod 62 downward. That is, the urging member 60C urges the rod 62 toward the open position when the rod 62 is in the transition position close to the open position. In addition, the urging member 60C urges the rod 62 toward the closed position when the rod 62 is in the transition position close to the closed position.

[0080] The pressing member 66 is subjected to the friction force between the pressing member 66 and the supply channel 40, and the reaction force of the supply channel 40 that resists the pressing of the pressing member 66. The friction force or reaction force to which the pressing member 66 is subjected also serves as a restraining force that stops the rotation of the rod 62. Although the force output by the force-applying member 60C is smaller than the restraining force acting on the rod 62, it is a resisting force with respect to the restraining force. Therefore, the situation where the rod 62 stops at the transition position can be suppressed in accordance with the amount of force applied to the rod 62 near the open position toward the open position. In addition, the situation where the rod 62 stops at the transition position can be suppressed in accordance with the amount of force applied to the rod 62 near the closed position toward the closed position. Thus, the supply of ink implemented by the rod 62 stopping at the transition position is suppressed, so that the liquid ejection device 1 can suppress the consumption of ink without the user's intention.

[0081] Interference between the operating part and the moving part

[0082] Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a side view of the liquid ejecting device 1 as viewed from the left side. Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 , which is a diagram showing a change in the movement of the scanner 5 from the second position to the first position, and in which the positions of the rod 62 are different from each other. Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 , the scanner 5, the rod 62, and the carriage 30 included in the apparatus main body 2 are schematically illustrated, and illustration of other components is omitted.

[0083] like Figure 7 As shown, the lower surface of the scanner 5 is provided with a rib 5A. The rib 5A has a shape protruding downward from the lower surface of the scanner 5, and extends along the depth direction Y. The rib 5A is located directly above the rod 62 when the scanner 5 is located in the first position. In addition, the rib 5A may be located on the upper side of the rod 62 at a position where the liquid ejection portion 50 is not opposed to the medium, or may be located on the upper side of the rod 62 at a position where the liquid ejection portion 50 is opposed to the medium. In addition, the rib 5A may be located on the upper side of the rod 62 across the entire width direction X within the range in which the carriage 30 moves. In addition, in the present embodiment, an example is described in which the rib 5A is located directly above the rod 62 when the carriage 30 is located in the initial position HP, that is, when the liquid ejection portion 50 is located in a position not opposed to the medium.

[0084] The rib 5A has a shape that can interfere with the rod 62 at the transition position located on the lower side of the rib 5A when the scanner 5 closes the device main body 2. The rib 5A has a shape that does not interfere with the rod 62 at the closed position or the open position located on the lower side of the rib 5A when the scanner 5 closes the device main body 2. For example, the rib 5A has a height that does not interfere with the rod 62 at the closed position or the open position and does not float the scanner 5 when the scanner 5 closes the device main body 2. The lower surface of the rib 5A may be a flat surface or a curved surface.

[0085] The range in which the supply channel 40 is set to the transition state in the movable range of the rod 62 is the transition position. The transition position of the rod 62 includes the position where the rod 62 interferes with the rib 5A of the scanner 5 in the first position. In addition, the position of the rod 62 that interferes with the rib 5A may be the entire transition position or a part of the transition position, and may include at least one of a part of the open position and a part of the closed position in addition to the transition position. The operating angle θ at the position of the rod 62 that interferes with the rib 5A is, for example, greater than 40° and less than 80°, or greater than 100° and less than 170°.

[0086] Here, if Figure 7 As shown by the solid line of , the rod 62 is located closer to the closed position than the middle of the open position and the closed position. When the scanner 5 moves from the second position to the first position from this state, the rib 5A and the rod 62 located below the rib 5A interfere with each other. The rod 62 near the closed position interfering with the rib 5A is pressed by the scanner 5 moving to the first position, and moves closer to the closed position. As a result, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown by the double-dotted line, the rod 62 near the closed position at the transition position moves toward the closed position. The rod 62 moving toward the closed position is urged by the urging member 60C, so that it is easy to move to the end position reached by the closing action.

[0087] When the liquid ejection device 1 is transported, if the supply flow path 40 is closed in advance, the ink is unlikely to leak from the nozzle 51 of the liquid ejection unit 50. To be specific, when the liquid ejection device 1 is transported, vibration or impact acts on the ink in the liquid storage portion 13 or the supply flow path 40. When the vibration or impact acts on the ink in the liquid storage portion 13 or the supply flow path 40, pressure acts on the ink in the nozzle 51 of the liquid ejection unit 50, and there is a possibility that the ink leaks from the nozzle 51 of the liquid ejection unit 50. In this regard, before the liquid ejection device 1 is transported, if the scanner 5 is moved to the first position and the supply flow path 40 is set to the closed state by the rod 62, the pressure change acting on the ink in the liquid ejection unit 50 can be suppressed to a low level during the transport of the liquid ejection device 1, and the possibility of ink leaking from the nozzle 51 of the liquid ejection unit 50 can be suppressed.

[0088] In addition, if Figure 8 As shown by the solid line of , since the rod 62 is located closer to the open position than the middle of the open position and the closed position, when the scanner 5 moves from the second position to the first position, the rib 5A interferes with the rod 62 located below the rib 5A. The rod 62 near the open position interfering with the rib 5A is pressed by the scanner 5 moving to the first position, and moves closer to the open position. As a result, Figure 8 As shown by the double-dotted line, the rod 62 near the open position at the transition position moves toward the open position. The rod 62 moving toward the open position is biased by the biasing member 60C, so that it is easy to move to the position reached by the opening action.

[0089] As described above, for the rod 62 that is manually operated, the rod 62 is easy to stop at the transition position. When the rod 62 is at the transition position, the pressing component 66 will put the supply channel 40 in a transition state. When the supply channel 40 is in the transition state, the liquid is easy to be supplied at a smaller flow rate than in the open state. Therefore, when the supply channel 40 is in the transition state in a process that requires liquid supply, it will become that a sufficient amount of liquid is not supplied. In addition, when the supply channel 40 is in the transition state in a process that requires stopping the liquid supply, since the supply channel 40 is not in the closed state, the liquid will leak during the transportation of the liquid ejection device 1, etc.

[0090] In the present embodiment, the interference between the scanner 5 and the rod 62 in the first position as the normal position can also serve as an opportunity for the liquid ejection device 1 or the user to implement a process for avoiding the transition state. As a result, it is possible to suppress the situation where the supply channel 40 is continuously in the transition state. In addition, the interference between the rod 62 and the scanner 5 causes the rod 62 to move toward the closer position between the closed position and the open position. Therefore, it is also possible to make the rod 62, which is more likely to be in the closed position, approach the closed position, and to make the rod 62, which is more likely to be in the open position, approach the open position.

[0091] For example, when the supply channel 40 is not completely closed by the operation of the lever 62 by the user, the supply channel 40 can be set to the closed state by the operation of the user to move the scanner 5 to the first position. In addition, when the supply channel 40 is not completely opened by the operation of the lever 62 by the user, the supply channel 40 can be set to the open state by the operation of the user to move the scanner 5 to the first position.

[0092] In addition, the transition position close to the open position and the transition position close to the closed position are different ranges. The transition position close to the open position is a position closer to the open position than the middle of the open position and the closed position. The transition position close to the closed position is a position closer to the closed position than the middle of the open position and the closed position. In this embodiment, the middle of the closed position and the open position is located at a position where the operation angle θ at the middle becomes half of the sum of the maximum operation angle and the minimum operation angle.

[0093] In addition, the middle of the closed position and the open position may be a position other than the position where the operation angle θ at the transition position becomes 90°. The middle of the closed position and the open position may be located closer to the open position than the closed position. The middle of the closed position and the open position may be, for example, a position where the distance between the pressing member 66 and the bottom of the recess 68H becomes half of the distance at the open position. The transition position close to the open position and the transition position close to the closed position can be changed by the shape or size of the rod 62 and the shape or size of the cam portion 65.

[0094] In addition, the transition position close to the closed position that can be moved to the closed position due to interference with the rib 5A and the transition position close to the closed position that can be assisted in movement by the force of the force applying member 60C can be in the same range or in different ranges. The transition position close to the closed position that can be assisted in movement by the force applying member 60C can be changed by changing the direction of the force applied by the force applying member 60C.

[0095] For example, the operating angle θ at the transition position close to the closed position that can be moved to the closed position by the interference between the rib 5A and the rod 62 is greater than 100° and less than 140°. On the other hand, the operating angle θ at the transition position close to the closed position that can assist the movement toward the closed position by the force of the force applying member 60C can be greater than 85° and less than 120°. In this example, when the operating angle θ is 100° and the scanner 5 moves from the second position to the first position, the interference between the rib 5A and the rod 62 causes the rod 62 to rotate toward the closed position. In addition, the rotation of the rod 62 is assisted by the force until the operating angle θ reaches 120°. Moreover, when the scanner 5 is in the first position, the rod 62 passes through the transition position and moves, for example, until the operating angle θ reaches 170°. As a result, the supply flow channel 40 is in a closed state, thereby suppressing the situation where the rod 62 is in a transition state.

[0096] In addition, the transition position close to the open position that can be moved to the open position by interference with the rib 5A and the transition position close to the open position that can be assisted in movement by the force of the force applying member 60C can be in the same range or in different ranges. The transition position close to the open position that can be assisted in movement by the force applying member 60C can be changed by changing the direction of the force applied by the force applying member 60C.

[0097] For example, the operating angle θ at the transition position close to the open position that can be moved to the open position by the interference between the rib 5A and the rod 62 is greater than 40° and less than 80°. On the other hand, the operating angle θ at the transition position close to the open position that can be assisted by the force of the force applying member 60C can be greater than 60° and less than 85°.

[0098] First contact part and control part

[0099] Reference Fig. 9 as well as Fig.10 The structures of the first contact portion and the control portion will be described. Fig. 9 It is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the liquid ejecting device 1. Fig.10 This is a schematic diagram when the liquid ejecting device 1 is viewed from the upper surface in the vertical direction Z.

[0100] exist Fig.10 In FIG. 1 , the carriage 30, the opening and closing mechanism 60, the housing 3, and the frame 4 are schematically illustrated, and other components are omitted. Fig.10 In FIG. 1 , the front surface side of the housing 3 in the depth direction Y is shown, and the back surface side of the housing 3 in the depth direction Y is omitted. Fig.10In FIG. 1 , the frame 4 constituting a part of the housing 3 is hatched.

[0101] like Fig. 9 as well as Fig.10 As shown, the carriage 30 can reciprocate in the width direction X by the driving force given from the carriage motor 31. A driving pulley (not shown) is provided on a guide shaft (not shown) of the carriage motor 31. A driven pulley (not shown) is provided in the device body 2 in a manner spaced apart in the width direction X relative to the driving pulley. An endless belt (not shown) is wound around the driving pulley and the driven pulley. At least a portion of the endless belt holds the carriage 30 at a holding portion (not shown) provided at the end portion on the back side of the carriage 30. When the carriage motor 31 is driven to rotate, the endless belt rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the carriage motor 31, thereby causing the carriage 30 to reciprocate in the width direction X.

[0102] A linear encoder 75 is provided in the housing 3 for detecting the position and speed of the reciprocating carriage 30 in the width direction X. The linear encoder 75 is composed of a linear sign plate (not shown) provided on the housing 3 and parallel to the width direction X, and a photoelectric sensor 76 provided on the carriage 30, and a predetermined electrical signal corresponding to the movement state of the carriage 30 is output from the photoelectric sensor 76.

[0103] like Fig.10 As shown, when the carriage 30 is reciprocated along the guide shaft extending in the width direction X, the area where the carriage 30 moves includes a printing area PA where the liquid ejecting unit 50 performs printing and a non-printing area RA where the liquid ejecting unit 50 does not perform printing.

[0104] The non-printing area RA includes a non-printing area RA1 located on the right side of the printing area PA in the width direction X and a non-printing area RA2 located on the left side of the printing area PA in the width direction X. The printing area PA is arranged in the width direction X between the two non-printing areas RA1 and RA2.

[0105] In the non-printing area RA1, an initial position HP is arranged as a position where the carriage 30 waits when not printing. Fig.10 In the embodiment, the carriage 30 is located at the initial position HP.

[0106] The carriage 30 can move between a predetermined position and a position other than the predetermined position. The predetermined position refers to, for example, the initial position HP. For example, the carriage 30 is located at the predetermined position when it is located at the initial position HP. The carriage 30 is located at a position other than the predetermined position when it is located in the printing area PA, etc., other than the initial position.

[0107] In the present embodiment, a maintenance unit 55 for performing maintenance of the liquid ejection unit 50 including cleaning of the nozzle 51 is arranged just below the carriage 30 located at the initial position HP. The maintenance unit 55 includes, for example, a cap (not shown) that can abut against the liquid ejection unit 50 in a manner surrounding the nozzle 51, and can perform cleaning of the nozzle 51 by depressurizing the space formed by the abutment of the cap to discharge unnecessary ink or bubbles in the nozzle 51.

[0108] In addition, in the present embodiment, a liquid receiving portion (not shown) is provided directly below the carriage 30 when the carriage 30 moves to the non-printing area RA2. The liquid receiving portion receives the ink discharged from the nozzle 51 by the empty ejection as a kind of maintenance. The so-called empty ejection refers to the action of discharging the ink not used in printing from the nozzle 51 by driving the piezoelectric element, thereby eliminating the increase in viscosity of the ink in the nozzle 51.

[0109] Electrical structure of liquid ejection device

[0110] Fig. 9 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the liquid ejection device 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0111] like Fig. 9 As shown, the control unit 80 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 81 and a memory 82 , an interface unit (I / F) 83 , a detection unit 84 , and the like which are provided on a control substrate.

[0112] The I / F 83 transmits and receives data with an external personal computer (PC) 110. The connection between the PC 110 and the I / F 83 can be disconnected from or connected to the network. The connection between the PC 110 and the I / F 83 can be wired or wireless.

[0113] The CPU 81 is a processing unit for controlling each driving unit of the liquid ejection device 1. The memory 82 is a storage element such as a RAM or EPROM having an area for storing programs executed by the CPU 81 and a work area for executing the programs.

[0114] The control unit 80 drives the piezoelectric element included in the liquid ejection unit 50 to eject ink from the plurality of nozzles 51. The control unit 80 supplies a drive signal to the carriage motor 31 to drive the carriage motor 31.

[0115] The photoelectric sensor 76 included in the linear encoder 75 detects the position and speed of the carriage 30 that is moved by the drive of the carriage motor 31. The control unit 80 receives the detection signal sent from the linear encoder 75. The control unit 80 calculates the position and movement speed of the carriage 30 in the first direction using the detection signal received from the linear encoder 75.

[0116] The control unit 80 controls the driving of the maintenance unit 55 to perform maintenance operations on the liquid ejection unit 50. The control unit 80 receives commands from the operation button 8 operated by the user and performs various controls. The control unit 80 drives the conveying mechanism 25 to move the medium in the conveying direction intersecting the first direction.

[0117] The control unit 80 creates print data based on the image data input from the PC 110. The control unit 80 controls the driving of the liquid ejection unit 50, the conveying mechanism 25, the carriage motor 31, etc. using the print data, thereby recording an image on the medium. The control unit 80 may also create print data based on an operation command input from the operation panel 6. In addition, the PC 110 may also be configured to create print data based on the image data. In this case, the control unit 80 controls the driving of the liquid ejection unit 50, the conveying mechanism 25, the carriage motor 31, etc. using the print data received from the PC 110.

[0118] The opening / closing detection unit 85 includes an optical sensor and the like, and detects whether the scanner 5 is in the first position. The control unit 80 receives a detection signal from the opening / closing detection unit 85. The control unit 80 uses the detection signal received from the opening / closing detection unit 85 to understand the opening / closing state of the scanner 5.

[0119] The detection unit 84 detects the torque of the carriage motor 31, thereby always monitoring whether the carriage motor 31 is in an overload state. The control unit 80 moves the carriage 30 equipped with the opening and closing mechanism 60 from the initial position HP to the first direction. At this time, when the driving load of the carriage motor 31 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, that is, a threshold value stored in the memory 82, the detection unit 84 determines that the carriage motor 31 is in an overload state.

[0120] The threshold value stored in the memory 82 is set between the drive load of the carriage motor 31 when the carriage 30 moves smoothly in the width direction X and the drive load of the carriage motor 31 when the movement of the carriage 30 is blocked.

[0121] In addition, when the driving load of the carriage motor 31 exceeds the threshold value for a certain period of time, the detection unit 84 may also determine that the carriage motor 31 is in an overload state. The certain period of time is, for example, more than 1 second. There is a possibility that the driving load of the carriage motor 31 suddenly increases and exceeds the threshold value. If the structure is such that the driving load of the carriage motor 31 exceeds the threshold value for a certain period of time and is determined as an overload state, the situation where the driving load suddenly increases can be excluded from the situation where the carriage motor 31 is in an overload state.

[0122] In the setting process of each area, the control unit 80 moves the carriage 30 in the second direction so that it contacts the side wall of the housing 3. When the carriage 30 contacts the side wall of the housing 3, the movement of the carriage 30 in the second direction is blocked. When the movement of the carriage 30 in the second direction is blocked, the driving load of the carriage motor 31 increases. The control unit 80 sets the position of the carriage 30 when the detection unit 84 detects the overload state as the reference position. The control unit 80 sets the range of the initial position HP, the non-printing area RA1, the non-printing area RA2, and the printing area PA in the width direction X using the reference position.

[0123] The initial position HP may be set to the position of the carriage 30 when the carriage 30 stops by contacting the side wall of the housing 3 , or may be set to another position where the carriage 30 moves in the first direction from the stopped position.

[0124] In the printing process of the medium, the control unit 80 drives the conveying mechanism 25 to convey the medium stored in the medium storage unit 22 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction intersecting the main scanning direction. The conveying mechanism 25 conveys the medium on the platen (not shown) below the liquid ejection unit 50. The control unit 80 uses the printing data to cause the liquid ejection unit 50 to eject ink. As a result, an image is recorded on a portion of the medium facing the liquid ejection unit 50. The control unit 80 drives the conveying mechanism 25 to discharge the printed medium to the medium discharge tray.

[0125] Method for detecting the open and closed state of the supply flow channel

[0126] exist Fig.10 In the figure, the rod 62 in the open position is illustrated by a solid line, and the rod 62 in the closed position is illustrated by a double-dotted line. Fig.10 When the solid line in FIG. 1 is in the position, the supply channel 40 is in the open state. When the rod 62 is in the Fig.10 When the double-dotted line is in the position, the supply flow channel 40 is in a closed state.

[0127] exist Fig.10In the figure, when the carriage 30 moves from the initial position HP to the left in the width direction X, the moving area TA, which is the area where the rod 62 moves to the open position, is surrounded by a dotted line. In addition, when the carriage 30 moves from the initial position HP to the left in the width direction X, the moving area TB, which is the area where the rod 62 moves to the closed position, is surrounded by a single-point chain line.

[0128] like Fig.10 As shown, when the rod 62 in the open position indicated by the solid line in the figure is rotated 180° toward the front side of the paper, as indicated by the double-dashed line in the figure, the rod 62 moves to the closed position displaced to the front side of the depth direction Y compared with the open position. On the other hand, when the rod 62 in the closed position indicated by the double-dashed line in the figure is rotated 180° toward the front side of the paper, as indicated by the solid line in the figure, the rod 62 moves to the open position displaced to the rear side of the depth direction Y compared with the closed position. In this way, the positions in the depth direction Y are different between the rod 62 in the open position and the rod 62 in the closed position.

[0129] The end of the rear side of the frame 4 in the depth direction Y is located at the rear side of the opening OA in the depth direction Y. The end of the front side of the frame 4 in the depth direction Y is located at the front side of the opening OA in the depth direction Y. The range of the opening OA in the depth direction Y is divided by the end of the rear side of the frame 4 in the depth direction Y and the end of the front side of the frame 4 in the depth direction Y.

[0130] The first contact portion 100 is located at the front end of the frame 4 in the depth direction Y. The first contact portion 100 is provided on the housing 3. In the top view observed from the upper side in the vertical direction Z, the first contact portion 100 is located on the front side of the moving area TA in the depth direction Y. On the other hand, in the top view observed from the upper side in the vertical direction Z, the first contact portion 100 overlaps with the moving area TB in the depth direction Y.

[0131] Here, when the rod 62 in the open position moves from the initial position HP to the first direction together with the carriage 30, the rod 62 in the open position does not overlap with the first contact portion 100 when viewed from the top. In addition, even when viewed from the side as viewed in the width direction X, the rod 62 in the open position and the first contact portion 100 are arranged so as not to overlap each other.

[0132] As a result, when the rod 62 at the open position moves from the initial position HP to the first direction together with the carriage 30, the rod 62 at the open position does not interfere with the first contact portion 100 in the width direction X. That is, when the rod 62 at the open position moves from the initial position HP to the first direction together with the carriage 30, the rod 62 at the open position does not hinder the movement of the carriage 30. In other words, when the carriage 30 moves while the supply flow path 40 is in the open state, the rod 62 at the open position does not contact the first contact portion 100.

[0133] On the other hand, when the rod 62 at the closed position moves from the initial position HP to the first direction together with the carriage 30, the rod 62 at the closed position overlaps with the first contact portion 100 in a top view. In addition, even in a side view as viewed in the width direction X, the rod 62 at the closed position and the first contact portion 100 are arranged to overlap with each other.

[0134] As a result, when the rod 62 at the closed position moves from the initial position HP to the first direction together with the carriage 30, the rod 62 at the closed position interferes with the first contact portion 100 in the width direction X. That is, when the rod 62 at the closed position moves from the initial position HP to the first direction together with the carriage 30, the rod 62 at the closed position hinders the movement of the carriage 30. In other words, when the carriage 30 moves when the supply flow path 40 is in the closed state, the rod 62 at the closed position contacts the first contact portion 100.

[0135] Furthermore, even when the supply flow path 40 is in the closed state, for example, when the operation angle θ is 160° or more, the rod 62 preferably contacts the first contact portion 100. Thus, even when the supply flow path 40 is in the closed state, the movement of the carriage 30 is hindered on the condition that the supply flow path 40 is in a more closed state.

[0136] In the present embodiment, the user, for example, stops the energization of the liquid ejection device 1 and changes the lever 62 from the open position to the closed position, thereby transporting the liquid ejection device 1. When the energization of the liquid ejection device 1 is stopped, the carriage 30 moves to the initial position HP and stands by. When the transport of the liquid ejection device 1 is completed, the user changes the lever 62 from the closed position to the open position and starts energizing the liquid ejection device 1. When the energization of the liquid ejection device 1 starts, the control unit 80 moves the carriage 30 at the initial position HP in the first direction.

[0137] Here, when the user forgets to change the lever 62 from the closed position to the open position, or when the operation to the open position is insufficient, if the carriage 30 at the initial position HP moves in the first direction, the lever 62 at the closed position contacts the first contact portion 100. As a result, the movement of the carriage 30 is blocked, and the driving load of the carriage motor 31 increases. In addition, the detection unit 84 detects that the carriage motor 31 is in an overload state, that is, the movement of the carriage 30 is blocked and the first contact portion 100 contacts the lever 62. When the detection unit 84 detects the contact between the lever 62 and the first contact portion 100, the control unit 80 determines that the supply flow path 40 is in the closed state.

[0138] When it is determined that the supply channel 40 is in the closed state, the control unit 80 moves the carriage 30 in the second direction. That is, when the control unit 80 detects that the supply channel 40 is in the closed state by the movement of the carriage 30 in the first direction, the carriage 30 is moved in the second direction which is the opposite direction to the first direction, thereby returning the carriage 30 to the initial position HP. For the carriage 30 returned to the initial position HP, the contact between the rod 62 and the first contact part 100 is released, so that the carriage 30 and the opening and closing mechanism 60 are not subjected to the external force generated by the contact between the rod 62 and the first contact part 100. As a result, the load of the operation of changing the rod 62 from the closed position to the open position is reduced.

[0139] In addition, when it is determined that the supply flow path 40 is in the closed state, the control unit 80 may temporarily stop the driving of the carriage motor 31 so as to prevent the external force generated by the contact between the rod 62 and the first contact part 100 from being excessively applied to the carriage 30 and the opening and closing mechanism 60. In addition, the control unit 80 may input a signal for notifying the outside that the supply flow path 40 is in the closed state to the operation panel 6. In this case, the control unit 80 causes the operation panel 6 to display information based on the signal for notification, for example, an alarm indicating that the supply flow path 40 is in the closed state. The operation panel 6 functions as a notification unit for notifying the outside that the supply flow path 40 is in the closed state.

[0140] In addition, the notification unit that notifies the outside that the supply flow channel 40 is in the closed state may be a flashing lamp such as PATLITE (registered trademark), which notifies the outside that the supply flow channel 40 is in the closed state by light. In addition, the notification unit that notifies the outside that the supply flow channel 40 is in the closed state may be, for example, a buzzer, which notifies the outside that the supply flow channel 40 is in the closed state by sound.

[0141] Furthermore, the control unit 80 moves the carriage 30 at the initial position HP in the first direction and determines that the rod 62 is not in contact with the first contact portion 100 and the supply flow path 40 is in the open state when the carriage motor 31 is not in the overload state.

[0142] In this manner, when the liquid ejection device 1 starts to be powered on, the control unit 80 moves the carriage 30 and determines whether the supply flow path 40 is in the open state or the supply flow path 40 is in the closed state.

[0143] In addition, the first contact portion 100 is provided at a position close to the initial position HP in the width direction X in which the carriage 30 moves and at the right side of the frame 4 in the width direction X. In addition, the opening and closing mechanism 60 is provided on the left side in the width direction X in the carriage 30. Therefore, when the supply flow path 40 is in the closed state, the contact between the first contact portion 100 and the rod 62 can be detected at an early stage. Therefore, the throughput of the detection operation of the open and closed state of the supply flow path 40 can be improved.

[0144] In addition, the moving speed of the carriage 30 when detecting the open / closed state of the supply flow path 40 may be set to be slower than the moving speed of the carriage 30 when printing is performed. This can prevent the lever 62 and the first contact portion 100 from receiving a large impact when the first contact portion 100 contacts the lever 62, thereby preventing the first contact portion 100 from being deformed.

[0145] The timing at which the control unit 80 detects the open / closed state of the supply flow path 40 will be described.

[0146] The timing at which the control unit 80 detects the open / closed state of the supply flow path 40 may be a period from when the liquid ejection device 1 is powered on to when the ink is first ejected from the nozzle 51 .

[0147] Specifically, it may be any one of the following periods, that is, the period from when the liquid ejection device 1 is powered on to when the liquid ejection unit 50 performs the initial idle ejection, the period from when the liquid ejection device 1 is powered on to when the initial cleaning is performed, and the period from when the liquid ejection device 1 is powered on to when ink is ejected for the initial printing. Furthermore, in any of the above timings, it may be set as follows, that is, after the liquid ejection device 1 is powered on, when the carriage 30 initially moves in the first direction, the open and closed state of the supply flow path 40 is detected.

[0148] Other timings for detecting the open / closed state of the supply flow path 40 will be described.

[0149] When the liquid ejection device 1 is powered on, the opening and closing detection unit 85 detects the opening and closing action of the scanner 5. When the scanner 5 is in the second position, the lever 62 is easy to be operated by the user. In addition, when the supply channel 40 is set to the closed state, there is a possibility that the scanner 5 is arranged in the first position.

[0150] Therefore, preferably, the timing for the control unit 80 to detect the opening and closing state of the supply channel 40 is the period from the opening and closing action of the scanner 5 being opened once and closed when the liquid ejection device 1 is powered on to the time when the ink is initially discharged from the nozzle 51 after the opening and closing action.

[0151] Specifically, any of the following periods may be sufficient, that is, in the state where the liquid ejection device 1 is powered on, the period from the opening and closing action of the scanner 5 to the first empty ejection after the opening and closing action, the period from the opening and closing action of the scanner 5 to the discharge of ink by the first cleaning after the opening and closing action, and the period from the opening and closing action of the scanner 5 to the ejection of ink for the first printing after the opening and closing action. By performing the detection operation of the opening and closing state of the supply flow channel 40 at such a timing, it is possible to prevent the user from starting printing directly with the supply flow channel 40 closed.

[0152] As described above, the control unit 80 can detect the open / closed state of the supply flow path 40 by the contact between the opening / closing mechanism 60 and the first contact portion 100. Such detection becomes an opportunity to stop the movement of the carriage 30 or to notify the user to open the supply flow path 40. Therefore, the possibility of the user forgetting to open the supply flow path 40 is suppressed, and printing can be suppressed in the closed state of the supply flow path 40.

[0153] The opening and closing mechanism 60, the housing 3, the carriage 30, the control unit 80, and the operation panel 6, which are components for detecting the opening and closing state of the supply flow path 40, are components for the liquid ejection device 1 to print on a medium. By making use of the components for the liquid ejection device 1 to print on a medium, the opening and closing state of the supply flow path 40 is detected. Therefore, there is no need to provide a new component for detecting the opening and closing state of the supply flow path 40, and compared with the case where a new component is required for detecting the opening and closing state of the supply flow path 40, the cost of the liquid ejection device 1 can be reduced.

[0154] Structure of the restriction section

[0155] Reference Fig.11 as well as Fig.12 The restriction portion will be described. Fig.112 is a perspective view showing a state in which the displacement portion 91 provided in the restriction portion 90 is located within the allowable region. Fig.12 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the displacement portion 91 included in the restriction portion 90 is located within the restriction region.

[0156] like Fig.11 as well as Fig.12 As shown, the liquid ejection device 1 includes a restriction portion 90 that restricts the movement of the rod 62. The restriction portion 90 includes a displacement portion 91 that is displaced in conjunction with the rod 62, and a second contact portion 200 provided on the housing 3.

[0157] like Fig.11 As shown, the displacement portion 91 is integral with the end portion 64E2 of the shaft portion 64. The displacement portion 91 has a protruding piece shape extending from the end portion 64E2 in the radial direction of the shaft portion 64. The displacement portion 91 can rotate around the rotation axis A. The displacement portion 91 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rod 62 through the rotation of the shaft portion 64. In the present embodiment, when the rod 62 is in the open position, the top end of the displacement portion 91 faces the front side. Moreover, when the rod 62 moves from the open position to the closed position, the displacement portion 91 rotates in a manner such that the top end of the displacement portion 91 faces the lower side.

[0158] The second contact portion 200 is a part of the housing 3 and has a plate shape extending in the width direction X. The second contact portion 200 is located at a part of the housing 3 in the width direction X. When viewed from the width direction X, the second contact portion 200 overlaps with the trajectory of rotation of the displacement portion 91 .

[0159] The range in which the displacement portion 91 and the second contact portion 200 are opposed to each other in the vertical direction Z in the movable range of the carriage 30 is the restricted area. The range in which the displacement portion 91 and the second contact portion 200 are not opposed to each other in the vertical direction Z in the movable range of the carriage 30 is the permitted area. The displacement portion 91 moves in the permitted area and the restricted area as the carriage 30 moves. The permitted area in this embodiment is the initial position HP, and the restricted area is the non-printing area RA2 and the printing area PA except the initial position HP.

[0160] In addition, Fig.11 In the embodiment, the rod 62 is in the open position and the carriage 30 is in the permissible region. Fig.12 , the lever 62 is in the open position and the carriage 30 is in the restricted area.

[0161] Here, when the carriage 30 is in the permissible region, when the lever 62 rotates, the displacement portion 91 and the second contact portion 200 do not contact each other, and the displacement portion 91 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the lever 62. That is, the second contact portion 200 allows the lever 62 to move between the open position and the closed position.

[0162] On the other hand, Fig.12 As shown, when the carriage 30 is located in the restricted area, when the lever 62 rotates, the top end of the displacement portion 91 contacts the second contact portion 200 from the upper side, and the rotation of the lever 62 stops along with the stop of the rotation of the displacement portion 91. That is, the second contact portion 200 restricts the movement of the lever 62 from the open position to the closed position.

[0163] In addition, in order to move the lever 62 to the closed position, the carriage 30 needs to be moved to the initial position HP. Thus, when the carriage 30 is in a position where printing can be performed, the supply flow path 40 is prevented from being closed by moving the lever 62 to the closed position. Therefore, for example, it is possible to avoid a situation where printing is performed even though ink is not supplied to the head due to the closure of the supply flow path 40.

[0164] Furthermore, the supply flow path 40 is set to the closed state as a prerequisite, thereby facilitating the movement of the carriage 30 to the initial position HP. For example, in the process of inspection, repair, shipment, etc. of the liquid ejection device 1, in which the carriage 30 is arranged at the initial position HP, the operation of setting the supply flow path 40 to the closed state is performed. Furthermore, when the carriage 30 is located at a position other than the initial position HP, since the operation of setting the supply flow path 40 to the closed state is restricted, it is facilitated to move the carriage 30 to the initial position HP suitable for the process in the process in which the supply flow path 40 is set to the closed state.

[0165] Hereinafter, effects achieved by the liquid ejection device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0166] (1) The interference between the scanner 5 and the operating unit 60B at the first position causes the supply channel 40 to avoid the transition state. Furthermore, the interference between the scanner 5 and the operating unit 60B at the first position can serve as an opportunity for the liquid ejection device 1 or the user to perform a process for avoiding the transition state. As a result, it is possible to prevent the supply channel 40 from being continuously in the transition state.

[0167] (2) The interference between the scanner 5 and the operating part 60B in the first position causes the operating part 60B to move to a position closer to the closed position and the open position. Therefore, the operating part 60B that is more likely to be in the closed position can be brought closer to the closed position, and the operating part 60B that is more likely to be in the open position can be brought closer to the open position. That is, the position of the operating part 60B that sets the supply flow channel 40 to the transition state can be moved toward the position that is more likely to be in the original position.

[0168] (3) The operation portion 60B can be prevented from stopping at the transition position by applying force. In addition, the supply of ink, that is, the consumption of ink without the user's intention, caused by the operation portion 60B that should be in the closed position stopping at the transition position can be prevented.

[0169] (4) The detection of the contact between the opening and closing mechanism 60 and the first contact portion 100 can be used as a trigger to stop the movement of the carriage 30 or to open the supply flow path 40. As a result, it is possible to suppress the mismatch between the state of the supply flow path 40 and the state of the carriage 30.

[0170] (5) When the carriage 30 is located at a position other than the initial position HP, the operation of closing the supply flow path 40 is restricted, so that the carriage 30 is promoted to move to the initial position HP as a prerequisite for closing the supply flow path 40. That is, during a process accompanied by the operation of closing the supply flow path 40, the carriage 30 is promoted to move to the initial position HP suitable for the process.

[0171] (6) The displacement portion 91 is displaced in conjunction with the operating portion 60B, so that the displacement portion 91 restricts the movement of the operating portion 60B in the direction of closing the supply flow path 40. Therefore, compared with the case where the displacement portion 91 is separately provided and does not cooperate with the operating portion 60B, the user's operation can be less complicated.

[0172] (7) Since the housing 3 includes the first contact portion 100 and the second contact portion 200 , the number of components can be reduced compared to a case where the first contact portion 100 and the second contact portion 200 are provided separately from the housing 3 .

[0173] (8) Even when the lever 62 is located at the position to set the supply flow path 40 to the transition state, the supply flow path 40 can be set to either the closed state or the open state by the normal operation of moving the scanner 5 to the first position.

[0174] The present embodiment can be implemented by being modified as follows. The present embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within the scope of no technical contradiction.

[0175] The carriage 30 may include the first contact portion 100, and the opening and closing mechanism 60 may be fixed to the housing 3. In this structure, the first contact portion 100 moves together with the carriage 30. The operating portion 60B included in the opening and closing mechanism 60 remains stationary together with the housing 3. The operating portion 60B that closes the supply flow path 40 contacts the first contact portion 100 that moves together with the carriage 30.

[0176] The first contact portion 100 can be changed to a buffer material that can alleviate the impact when the first contact portion 100 comes into contact with the rod 62 .

[0177] The displacement portion 91 may be integral with the end portion 64E1 of the shaft portion 64 , or may be a member separate from the shaft portion 64 .

[0178] The movable part may also be a printer cover, a carriage cover, an operation panel 6, an ink injection mask, etc.

[0179] The liquid ejecting device 1 may be a cartridge type or an ink injection type as long as it is a non-carriage mounted type.

[0180] The moving portion may be configured to be capable of driving a transmission mechanism different from the operation portion 60B, and to move the operation portion 60B by the driving force transmitted by the transmission mechanism.

[0181] The opening and closing mechanism 60 may be provided on, for example, the ink tank, the cartridge holder, the housing 3, the frame 4, or the like.

[0182] The displacement portion 91 may be formed integrally with the operation portion 60B or may be formed separately.

[0183] The first contact portion 100 and the second contact portion 200 may be formed of a member different from the housing 3. The member different from the housing 3 may be, for example, a member mounted on the housing 3 and the frame 4.

[0184] The rod 62 may not include the tip portion 62B and may be composed only of the base portion 62A. In a configuration in which the rod 62 does not include the tip portion 62B, the rib 5A of the scanner 5 interferes with the base portion 62A of the rod 62 .

[0185] The first contact part 100 and the second contact part 200 may not be provided on the housing 3. In addition, when the first contact part 100 and the second contact part 200 are provided on the housing 3, the number of parts can be reduced compared to the case where the first contact part 100 and the second contact part 200 are provided independently of the housing 3, so that the cost of the liquid ejection device 1 can be suppressed.

[0186] Hereinafter, the technical ideas and the effects understood from the above-mentioned embodiment and modification examples will be described.

[0187] Thought 1

[0188] The liquid ejection device comprises: a liquid storage portion for storing liquid; a liquid ejection portion for ejecting the liquid onto a medium to implement printing; a supply flow path for connecting the liquid storage portion and the liquid ejection portion; an opening and closing mechanism having an opening and closing portion for setting the supply flow path to an open state or a closed state, and an operating portion for operating the opening and closing portion; a moving portion capable of moving between a first position and a second position different from the first position, the first position being a normal position when implementing the printing, and a range of the movable range of the operating portion that sets the supply flow path to a transition state between the open state and the closed state includes a position of the operating portion where the operating portion interferes with the moving portion in the first position.

[0189] According to concept 1, when the operating part interferes with the moving part in the first position, the operating part sets the supply flow path to a transition state. The interference between the moving part in the normal position and the operating part can become an opportunity for the liquid ejection device or the user to implement a process for avoiding the transition state. As a result, it is possible to prevent the supply flow path from being continuously in the transition state.

[0190] Thought 2

[0191] In the liquid ejection device, the following method may also be adopted, that is, the operating part is capable of moving between an open position in which the supply flow channel is set to the open state, and a closed position in which the supply flow channel is set to the closed state, and the moving part moves the operating part in a manner close to the closed position by interfering with the operating part when the operating part is located closer to the closed position than halfway between the open position and the closed position, and moves the operating part in a manner close to the open position by interfering with the operating part when the operating part is located closer to the open position than halfway between the open position and the closed position.

[0192] According to concept 2, the operating part and the moving part interfere with each other, so that the operating part moves to a position closer to the closed position and the open position. Therefore, the operating part that is more likely to be in the closed position can be brought closer to the closed position, and the operating part that is more likely to be in the open position can be brought closer to the open position. That is, the position of the operating part that sets the supply flow channel to the transition state can be moved to the position that is more likely to be in the original position.

[0193] Thought 3

[0194] In the liquid ejection device, the opening and closing mechanism may further include a biasing member configured to bias the operating portion in a direction for placing the supply flow path in the closed state.

[0195] According to concept 3, the operation part can be prevented from stopping at the transition position between the open position and the closed position by applying force. In addition, the liquid supply caused by the operation part that should be in the closed position stopping at the transition position, that is, the consumption of liquid without the user's intention, can be suppressed.

[0196] Thought 4

[0197] In the liquid ejection device, the following method can also be adopted, that is, it also comprises: a slide, which carries the liquid ejection part and the opening and closing mechanism, and can reciprocate in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction; a first contact part, which contacts the opening and closing mechanism when the slide is moved when the supply channel is in the closed state; and a detection part, which detects the contact between the opening and closing mechanism and the first contact part.

[0198] According to idea 4, it is possible to detect that the opening and closing mechanism contacts the first contact portion when the carriage is moved while the supply flow channel is in a closed state. The detection of the contact between the opening and closing mechanism and the first contact portion can be used as an opportunity to stop the movement of the carriage or to open the supply flow channel. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a mismatch between the state of the supply flow channel and the state of the carriage.

[0199] Thought 5

[0200] The liquid ejection device may further include a restricting portion that restricts movement of the operating portion in a direction for changing the supply flow path from the open state to the closed state when the carriage is located at a position other than a predetermined position.

[0201] The operation of setting the supply channel to the closed state is performed, for example, in a process that accompanies the arrangement of the carriage at a predetermined position, such as inspection of finished products, repair, and shipment of the liquid ejection device. According to the above-mentioned concept 5, since the operation of setting the supply channel to the closed state is restricted when the carriage is located at a position other than the predetermined position, the situation in which the carriage is moved to the predetermined position as a prerequisite for setting the supply channel to the closed state is promoted. That is, in a process that accompanies the operation of setting the supply channel to the closed state, the situation in which the carriage is moved to the predetermined position suitable for the process is promoted.

[0202] Thought 6

[0203] In the liquid ejection device, the following method can also be adopted, that is, the limiting part includes a displacement part and a second contact part, the displacement part is displaced in a manner linked with the operating part, the second contact part is arranged on the movement trajectory of the displacement part when the slide is located at a position other than the predetermined position, and contacts the displacement part when the operating part moves in the direction of setting the supply flow channel to the closed state, thereby limiting the movement of the operating part.

[0204] According to idea 6, when the carriage is located at a position other than the predetermined position, the displacement portion displaces in conjunction with the operating portion, and the displacement portion restricts movement of the operating portion in a direction to close the supply flow path. Therefore, compared with a case where a restriction portion that is not linked to the operating portion is separately provided, it is possible to reduce the complexity of the user's operation.

[0205] Thought 7

[0206] In the liquid ejection device, the first contact portion and the second contact portion may be provided on a housing that accommodates the liquid ejection portion and the carriage.

[0207] According to idea 7, compared with a case where the first contact portion and the second contact portion are provided separately from the housing, the number of components can be reduced, and the cost of the liquid ejecting device can be suppressed.

[0208] Thought 8

[0209] In the liquid ejection device, the following method can also be adopted, that is, the operating part includes a rod, and the rod is capable of rotating between an open position in which the supply flow channel is set to the open state, and a closed position in which the supply flow channel is set to the closed state; the opening and closing part has a pressing component, and the pressing component sets the supply flow channel to the closed state when the rod is in the closed position, and sets the supply flow channel to the open state when the rod is in the open position; the moving part moves the rod in a manner close to the closed position when the rod is located closer to the closed position than the middle of the open position and the closed position, and moves the rod in a manner close to the open position when the rod is located closer to the open position than the middle of the open position and the closed position.

[0210] According to the eighth concept, even if the rod is located at a position where the supply flow path is in a transitional state, the rod can be brought close to either the closed position or the open position by the moving portion.

[0211] Explanation of symbols

[0212] 1…Liquid ejection device; 2…Device body; 3…Casing; 4…Frame; 5…Scanner; 5A…Rib; 6…Operation panel; 7…Display; 8…Operation button; 10…Liquid storage unit; 11…Unit cover; 12…Storage housing; 13…Liquid storage; 14…Display; 22…Medium storage; 25…Conveying mechanism; 30…Slide; 31…Slide motor; 32…Slide cover; 40…Supply channel; 50…Liquid ejection; 51…Nozzle; 55…Maintenance unit; 60…Opening and closing mechanism; 60A…Opening and closing; 60B…Operation unit; 60C…Force member; 62…Rod; 62A…Base; 62B…Top end; 64…Shaft; 64E1…End; 64E2…End; 65…Cam; 65… S…cam surface; 66…pressing member; 68…supply channel support portion; 68E…hooking portion; 68G…groove; 68H…recess; 69…housing; 75…linear encoder; 76…photoelectric sensor; 80…control portion; 81…CPU; 82…memory; 83…interface portion (I / F); 84…detection portion; 85…opening and closing detection portion; 90…limiting portion; 91…displacement portion; 100…first contact portion; 110…personal computer (PC); 200…second contact portion; A…rotation axis; HP…initial position; L…reference line; OA…opening; PA…printing area; RA…non-printing area; RA1…non-printing area; RA2…non-printing area; TA…moving area; TB…moving area; θ…operating angle.

Claims

1. A liquid ejection device, characterized in that: have: A liquid storage part for storing liquid; A liquid ejecting unit ejects the liquid onto a medium to perform printing; a supply flow channel connecting the liquid storage portion and the liquid ejection portion; an opening and closing mechanism having a pressing portion for setting the supply flow channel to an open state or a closed state, and a rod portion for moving the pressing portion; a moving portion capable of moving between a first position and a second position different from the first position, wherein the first position is a normal position when the printing is performed; The rod portion is movable between an open position in which the supply channel is in the open state and a closed position in which the supply channel is in the closed state. The lever portion is moved to the open position by the moving portion moving from the second position to the first position contacting the lever portion stopped at a position close to the open position.

2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein: The opening and closing mechanism includes a shaft portion, the shaft portion having the rod portion provided at an end thereof, and a cam portion that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft portion and contacts the pressing portion.

3. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that: The moving portion has a protruding portion that can come into contact with the rod portion.

4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The protrusion is provided on a lower surface of the moving part.

5. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein: The rod can be operated by a user. The lever is moved from the open position to the closed position by a user operation, so that the supply flow path is changed from the open state to the closed state.

6. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein: The device further comprises a housing for housing the liquid ejection unit and the liquid storage unit. The housing has an opening at the top. The moving portion is a cover that covers the opening at the first position.

7. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4 and 5, characterized in that: The device further comprises a housing for housing the liquid ejection unit and the liquid storage unit. The housing has an opening at the top. The moving part is a scanner that covers the opening at the first position.

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