Ink supply device and printing device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ink supply device and a printing device. The ink cartridge of the ink is stirred appropriately. The ink supply device includes: a mounting portion, on which an ink cartridge is mounted, the ink cartridge contains ink to be supplied to an inkjet head of the printing device, the mounting portion forming an internal flow path for the ink contained in the ink cartridge to flow; an external tube connected to the internal flow path of the mounting portion for the ink to flow; and a base portion supporting a part of the external tube and the mounting portion, the mounting portion being supported on the base portion in a manner that allows rotation in a direction around a predetermined central axis, the external tube being configured to be arranged in a bent state from a connecting portion connected to the internal flow path to a supported portion supported on the base portion, and its bent state changes according to the rotation of the mounting portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ink supply device and a printing device. Background Art

[0002] Inkjet printing apparatuses use, for example, an ink supply device that mounts an ink cartridge containing ink on a mounting portion and supplies ink from the ink cartridge to a head (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-314304 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In the above-mentioned ink supply device, ink components may precipitate in the ink cartridge, causing the concentration of the ink in the ink cartridge to become uneven. Therefore, it is required to stir the ink cartridge appropriately.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ink supply device and a printing device capable of appropriately stirring the ink in an ink cartridge.

[0009] Solutions for solving problems

[0010] The ink supply device of the present invention includes: a mounting portion, on which an ink cartridge is mounted, the ink cartridge containing ink to be supplied to an inkjet head of a printing device, the mounting portion forming an internal flow path for the ink contained in the ink cartridge to flow; an external tube, which is connected to the internal flow path of the mounting portion and through which the ink flows; and a base, which supports a portion of the external tube and the mounting portion, the mounting portion being supported on the base in a manner that allows rotation in a direction around a predetermined center axis, the external tube being flexible, and being fixed by a connecting portion connected to the internal flow path and a supported portion provided on the base, and being arranged in a bent state between the connecting portion and the supported portion.

[0011] In the above-mentioned ink supply device, the central axis and the connecting portion are arranged at different positions in the horizontal direction, and the external tube is arranged to extend toward the central axis.

[0012] In the above-mentioned ink supply device, the supported portion is provided at a position below the connecting portion in the vertical direction, and is provided at a position closer to the connecting portion than the central axis in the horizontal direction.

[0013] In the above-mentioned ink supply device, the external tube is arranged in a state of being bent at a position corresponding to the central axis.

[0014] In the above-mentioned ink supply device, the external tube is set to a length such that the external tube maintains a bent state during the rotation within a range in which the mounting portion can rotate in a direction around the central axis.

[0015] The printing device of the present invention includes: a main body having an inkjet head for ejecting ink onto a medium; and an ink supply unit for supplying the ink to the inkjet head, and the above-mentioned ink supply device is used as the ink supply unit.

[0016] In the above-mentioned printing device, the ink supply portion is provided in a state of being separated from the main body portion.

[0017] In the above-mentioned printing device, the ink supply unit is arranged at a position lower in height than the main body unit.

[0018] Effects of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, the ink in the ink cartridge can be stirred appropriately. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing an example of the printing device according to this embodiment.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of an ink supply unit.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of an ink supply unit.

[0023] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing another example of the printing device.

[0024] Description of Reference Numerals

[0025] AX, center axis; CONT, control part; D1, main scanning direction; D2, medium moving direction; F, ground part; M, medium; P1, holding position; P2, inclined position; 10, main body; 11, medium supporting part; 11a, loading surface; 12, medium driving part; 20, ink supply part; 21, ink cartridge; 21a, handle part; 21b, ink supply port; 21r, locking part; 22, mounting part; 22a, protrusion; 22b, ink flow inlet; 22c, internal flow path, flow path; 22d, ink flow outlet; 22e, bottom; 22m, magnetic body; 22r, locked part; 23, base; 23a, guide groove; 23m, magnet part; 24, external tube; 24a, connecting part; 24b, supported part; 30, nozzle; 31, nozzle surface; 60, carriage; 100, printing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the ink supply device and the printing device of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In addition, the constituent elements in the following embodiments include elements that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art, or substantially the same elements.

[0027] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a printing device 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 1 As shown, the printing device 100 is an inkjet printing device, and includes a main body 10, an ink supply unit (ink supply device) 20, and a control device CONT. Such a printing device 100 may be of various types, such as a vertical type and a flatbed type.

[0028] The main body 10 includes a medium supporting portion 11 and a medium driving portion 12. The medium supporting portion 11 supports the medium M on a mounting surface 11a. The medium driving portion 12 moves the medium M in a direction (medium conveying direction) D2 orthogonal to the main scanning direction D1.

[0029] The main body 10 includes a carriage 60. The carriage 60 carries the ejection head 30 and the light irradiation device 50. The carriage 60 is provided to be movable in the main scanning direction D1 with the ejection head 30 and the light irradiation device 50 carried thereon, under the control of the control device CONT.

[0030] The nozzle head 30 has a nozzle face 31 opposite to the mounting surface 11a. The nozzle face 31 is, for example, flat. A plurality of nozzles (not shown) for ejecting ink are provided on the nozzle face 31. As the ink, for example, ultraviolet curing ink is cited. As the type of ultraviolet curing ink, for example, it is possible to appropriately use white ink, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), black (K) and other colored inks, transparent inks, etc. according to the color of the image formed on the medium M. In addition, the colored ink can use either dye ink or pigment ink such as silver or orange. The nozzle head 30 is electrically connected to the control unit CONT, and its driving is controlled by the control unit CONT. The nozzle head 30 ejects ink toward the mounting surface 11a while reciprocating along the main scanning direction D1 by the movement of the carriage 60.

[0031] The light irradiation device 50 irradiates ultraviolet rays to the ultraviolet curing ink ejected onto the mounting surface 11a. The light irradiation device 50 includes, for example, an LED module capable of irradiating ultraviolet rays. The light irradiation device 50 is mounted on the carriage 60 and can reciprocate along the main scanning direction D1 as the carriage 60 moves along the main scanning direction D1. The light irradiation device 50 is electrically connected to the control unit CONT, and its driving is controlled by the control unit CONT.

[0032] The ink supply unit 20 supplies ink to the nozzle 30. In the present embodiment, the ink supply unit 20 is provided separately from the main body 10. By providing the ink supply unit 20 separately from the main body 10, the configuration of the ink supply unit 20 can be flexibly set. The ink supply unit 20 can be arranged at a position lower than the main body 10, such as the ground portion F. By arranging the ink supply unit 20 at a position lower than the main body 10 (for example, the ground portion F), the user can easily perform operations such as replacement and stirring of the ink cartridge 21.

[0033] Figure 2 and Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of the ink supply unit 20 . Figure 2 and Figure 3 FIG. 2 shows a state where the ink supply unit 20 is viewed from the main scanning direction D1. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the figure, the left side is the front side, and the right side is the back side. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the ink supply unit 20 includes an ink cartridge 21, a mounting portion 22, a base 23, and an external tube 24. The ink cartridge 21 contains ink inside. The ink cartridge 21 is provided with a plurality of ink cartridges according to the type of ink. The ink cartridge 21 has a handle portion 21a. The handle portion 21a is formed in a size and shape that can be held by a user. The ink cartridge 21 is mounted on the mounting portion 22 in a manner that the handle portion 21a is arranged on the front side.

[0034] The mounting portion 22 mounts the ink cartridge 21 in a replaceable manner. The mounting portion 22 is used to install and remove the ink cartridge 21 along the up-down direction D3. A plurality of mounting portions 22 are provided depending on the type of the ink cartridge 21. One ink cartridge 21 is mounted on one mounting portion 22. The mounting portion 22 is supported on the base 23 in a manner that allows rotation around an axis of a predetermined center axis AX. The center axis AX is set, for example, in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction of the ink cartridge 21, i.e., the up-down direction D3, in a direction such as along a horizontal direction or a direction of the ground surface F. In the present embodiment, a plurality of mounting portions 22 are arranged in a state of being arranged in an axial direction of the center axis AX. The plurality of mounting portions 22 are configured to be individually rotatable. Each mounting portion 22 can rotate in a state in which the ink cartridge 21 is mounted. The mounting portion 22 can, for example, be held at a holding position P1 (refer to Figure 2 ) and the inclined position P2 inclined toward the front side (refer to Figure 3 ) between.

[0035] The mounting portion 22 is provided with a protrusion 22a. The protrusion 22a is inserted into a guide groove 23a of the base 23 described later. When the mounting portion 22 rotates around the central axis AX, the protrusion 22a moves along the guide groove 23a. In this case, the rotation of the mounting portion 22 is restricted between the holding position P1 and the tilted position P2 by making the protrusion 22a abut against the end of the guide groove 23a.

[0036] The mounting portion 22 has a locked portion 22r. The locked portion 22r locks the locking portion 21r of the mounted ink cartridge 21. The locking portion 21r is configured to elastically deform and enter the inner side of the mounting portion 22 when the ink cartridge 21 is inserted into the mounting portion 22, and the locking portion 21r protrudes from the locked portion 22r to the outside under the action of elastic force when the ink cartridge 21 is mounted on the mounting portion 22.

[0037] The mounting portion 22 has an ink inlet 22b, an internal flow path 22c, and an ink outlet 22d. The ink inlet 22b is arranged at a position corresponding to the ink supply port 21b of the ink cartridge 21 when the ink cartridge 21 is installed. The ink supplied from the ink supply port 21b of the ink cartridge 21 flows into the ink inlet 22b. The internal flow path 22c allows the ink flowing in from the ink inlet 22b to flow. The internal flow path 22c extends toward the back side of the ink supply portion 20. The ink outlet 22d is arranged on the back side of the ink supply portion 20, and allows the ink flowing in the flow path 22c to flow out.

[0038] The base 23 supports the mounting portion 22. The base 23 supports a plurality of mounting portions 22 at a time. The base 23 has a magnet portion 23m. The magnet portion 23m attracts the mounting portion 22 arranged at the holding position P1 under the action of magnetic force. In addition, the mounting portion 22 is provided with a magnetic body portion 22m that generates magnetic force with the magnet portion 23m. According to this structure, the base 23 can stably hold the mounting portion 22.

[0039] The external tube 24 is formed to be deformable, for example, using resin or the like. The external tube 24 has flexibility. The end of one side of the external tube 24, namely the connecting portion 24a, is connected to the ink outlet 22d of the mounting portion 22. The external tube 24 is provided for the ink flowing out of the ink outlet 22d to circulate. The external tube 24 is configured to extend downward from the connecting portion 24a and bend toward the front side, then extend toward the front side along the bottom 22e of the mounting portion 22, bend downward at a position corresponding to the central axis AX to form a curved portion 24c, and extend from the curved portion 24c to the back side along the base 23. The external tube 24 is configured such that the supported portion 24b is supported by the base 23 and extends from the base 23 toward the back direction. The external tube 24 is configured in a bent state between the connecting portion 24a and the supported portion 24b. In the present embodiment, the central axis AX and the connecting portion 24a are configured at different positions in the horizontal direction. The external tube 24 is configured to extend toward the central axis AX. The supported portion 24b is connected to the nozzle 30 via an ink drive portion having a pump, etc., not shown, and other tubes. The supported portion 24b is arranged at a position below the connecting portion 24a in the vertical direction. In addition, the supported portion 24b is arranged at a position closer to the connecting portion 24a side than the central axis AX in the horizontal direction. The external tube 24 is set to the following length: within the range in which the mounting portion 22 can rotate in the direction around the central axis AX, the external tube 24 maintains a bent state during rotation. Through the above configuration, the external tube 24 is arranged in a manner in which the bent state changes according to the rotation of the mounting portion 22.

[0040] An example of the operation of the printing device 100 configured as described above will be described. The user of the printing device 100 sets the medium M to a state in advance where it is placed on the placement surface 11a of the medium support portion 11. In this state, for example, when an instruction to perform a printing operation is issued from an external device, the control unit CONT moves the carriage 60 in the main scanning direction D1. The control unit CONT ejects ink from the nozzle 30 in a manner linked to the movement of the carriage 60. With this operation, the ink adheres to the medium M. The control unit CONT repeats the above operation while moving the medium M in the medium moving direction D2. An image is formed on the medium M with this control.

[0041] For example, in pigment ink in which a pigment component is dispersed in a solvent, if the ink cartridge 21 is left in a certain posture, the pigment component may precipitate and cause a concentration distribution of the ink in the ink cartridge 21. Therefore, the ink cartridge 21 needs to be stirred appropriately.

[0042] In the ink supply unit 20 of this embodiment, the user grasps the handle 21a of the ink cartridge 21 and pulls it out to the front side, so that the mounting portion 22 is moved away from the holding position P1 held by the base 23 and rotated in the direction around the central axis AX. Figure 3As shown, the mounting portion 22 moves from the holding position P1 to the inclined position P2. Furthermore, the user grasps the handle portion 21a of the ink cartridge 21 and pushes it toward the back side, so that the mounting portion 22 rotates in the direction around the central axis AX and returns to the position as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the ink cartridge 21 is held at the holding position P1 of the base 23. In this way, the user grasps the handle 21a of the ink cartridge 21 and pushes and pulls it toward the front and back sides, so that the mounting portion 22 and the ink cartridge 21 are integrally swung in the direction around the central axis AX. The ink inside the ink cartridge 21 is stirred by this swinging.

[0043] When the mounting portion 22 swings in the direction around the central axis AX, the bending state of the outer tube 24 changes according to the swing of the mounting portion 22. That is, when the mounting portion 22 is tilted toward the front side from the state where the mounting portion 22 is waiting at the holding position P1, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the outer tube 24 is deformed in such a manner that the curved portion 24c between the connecting portion 24a and the supported portion 24b is opened in the vertical direction D3. Furthermore, when the mounting portion 22 returns from the state of being inclined toward the front side to the holding position P1 side, the outer tube 24 is deformed in such a manner that the connection portion 24a and the supported portion 24b are closed in the vertical direction D3. In this way, since the outer tube 24 is deformed according to the swing of the mounting portion 22, for example, it is possible to prevent the outer tube 24 from falling off or bending due to tension acting on the outer tube 24, and it is possible to suppress the flow of ink from being obstructed. Therefore, it is possible to stir the inside of the ink cartridge 21 while it is mounted on the mounting portion 22.

[0044] As described above, the ink supply unit 20 of the present embodiment includes: a mounting portion 22, on which an ink cartridge 21 is mounted, the ink cartridge 21 contains ink to be supplied to the nozzle 30 of the printing device 100, the mounting portion 22 forming an internal flow path 22c for the ink contained in the ink cartridge 21 to flow; an external tube 24, which is connected to the internal flow path 22c of the mounting portion 22 and through which ink flows; and a base 23, which supports a portion of the external tube 24 and the mounting portion 22, the mounting portion 22 being supported on the base 23 in a manner that allows rotation in a direction around a predetermined center axis AX, the external tube 24 being flexible, and being fixed by a connecting portion 24a connected to the internal flow path 22c and a supported portion 24b provided on the base 23, and being configured in a bent state between the connecting portion 24a and the supported portion 24b.

[0045] According to this structure, since the mounting portion 22 rotates in the direction around the central axis AX, the mounting portion 22 and the ink cartridge 21 can be swung integrally in the direction around the central axis AX. The ink inside the ink cartridge 21 can be stirred by this swinging. In addition, when the mounting portion 22 swings in the direction around the central axis AX, the bending state of the external tube 24 changes according to the swinging of the mounting portion 22, so that, for example, tension can be prevented from acting on the external tube 24 and causing the external tube 24 to fall off or bend, and the flow of ink can be suppressed from being obstructed. Therefore, the internal stirring can be performed when the ink cartridge 21 is mounted on the mounting portion 22. Thus, the ink cartridge 21 of the ink can be properly stirred.

[0046] In the ink supply unit 20, the central axis AX and the connection portion 24a are arranged at different positions in the horizontal direction, and the external tube 24 is arranged to extend toward the central axis AX. According to this structure, the external tube 24 can be deformed so that tension, bending, etc. are not easily generated.

[0047] In the above-mentioned ink supply unit 20, the supported portion 24b is arranged at a position below the connecting portion 24a in the vertical direction and at a position closer to the connecting portion 24a than the central axis AX in the horizontal direction. According to this structure, the outer tube 24 can be deformed while maintaining the state of being bent so as to protrude toward the central axis AX side from the connecting portion 24a to the supported portion 24b.

[0048] In the above-mentioned ink supply unit 20, the outer tube 24 is arranged in a state of being bent at a position corresponding to the central axis. According to this structure, the outer tube 24 can be deformed so that tension, bending, etc. are not easily generated.

[0049] In the ink supply unit 20, the outer tube 24 is set to a length such that the outer tube 24 maintains a bent state during rotation within a range in which the mounting unit 22 can rotate in a direction around the central axis AX. According to this structure, it is possible to suppress the generation of tension and bending in the outer tube 24 and allow the mounting unit 22 to swing within an appropriate range.

[0050] The printing device 100 of the present invention includes a main body 10 having a nozzle 30 for ejecting ink onto a medium and an ink supply unit 20 for supplying ink to the nozzle 30. According to this structure, a high-quality image can be formed on the medium M by appropriately stirring the ink cartridge 21.

[0051] In the above-described printing apparatus 100, the ink supply unit 20 is provided in a state separated from the main body 10. According to this configuration, by providing the ink supply unit 20 separately from the main body 10, the arrangement of the ink supply unit 20 can be flexibly set.

[0052] In the above-described printing device 100, the ink supply unit 20 is disposed at a position lower than the main body 10. According to this configuration, by disposing the ink supply unit 20 at a position lower than the main body 10, the user can easily perform operations such as replacement and stirring of the ink cartridge 21.

[0053] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and appropriate changes can be made within the scope of the main purpose of the present invention. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the structure in which the ink supply unit 20 is separated from the main body 10 is cited as an example for description, but it is not limited to this. For example, the following structure can also be used: the ink supply unit 20 is provided integrally with the main body 10.

[0054] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the structure in which the outer tube 24 is arranged in a bent state at a position corresponding to the central axis AX is taken as an example for explanation, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the bent state is changed according to the rotation of the mounting portion 22, the following structure may be adopted: the outer tube 24 is arranged in a bent state at a position not corresponding to the central axis AX.

[0055] In addition, in the above embodiment, when there are multiple mounting parts 22, the structure in which each of them can rotate independently is cited as an example for description, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to have a structure in which at least two mounting parts 22 rotate as a whole. It is also possible to have a structure in which, in a structure in which multiple mounting parts 22 are provided, at least one mounting part 22 does not rotate.

[0056] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the structure in which the operator manually swings the ink cartridge 21 to the front side and the back side to rotate the mounting portion 22 is cited as an example for explanation, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the following structure may be adopted: a driving portion not shown is provided, and the mounting portion 22 is rotated in the direction around the central axis AX by driving the driving portion not shown based on the control of the control portion CONT.

[0057] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the ink supply portion 20 is disposed on the floor portion F in a state of being separated from the main body portion 10 is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. Figure 4 2 is a perspective view showing another example of the printing device 100. Figure 4 As shown, the ink supply portion 20 may be provided integrally with the main body 10 .

Claims

1. An ink supply device, wherein: The ink supply device comprises: A mounting portion, in which an ink cartridge is mounted, the ink cartridge containing ink supplied to an inkjet head of a printing device, the mounting portion forming an internal flow path through which the ink contained in the ink cartridge flows; an external tube connected to the internal flow path of the mounting portion and allowing the ink to flow; and a base portion supporting a portion of the outer tube and the mounting portion, The mounting portion is supported on the base portion so as to be rotatable in a direction around a predetermined central axis. The predetermined central axis is provided at one end side of the mounting portion in the horizontal direction. The other end of the mounting portion in the horizontal direction is away from the base and rotates in the direction around the central axis. The outer tube is flexible. The external tube is fixed by a connection portion connected to the internal flow path and a supported portion provided on the base portion, and is arranged in a state of being bent between the connection portion and the supported portion.

2. The ink supply device according to claim 1, wherein: The central axis and the connecting portion are arranged at different positions in the horizontal direction. The outer tube is configured to extend toward the central axis.

3. The ink supply device according to claim 2, wherein: The supported portion is disposed at a position below the connecting portion in the vertical direction. The supported portion is provided at a position closer to the connecting portion than the central axis in the horizontal direction.

4. The ink supply device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The outer tube is disposed in a state of being bent at a position corresponding to the central axis.

5. The ink supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The outer tube is provided with a length such that, within a range in which the mounting portion can rotate in a direction around the central axis, the outer tube maintains a bent state during the rotation.

6. A printing device, wherein: The printing device comprises: a main body having an inkjet head for ejecting ink toward a medium; and an ink supply unit that supplies the ink to the inkjet head, As the ink supply unit, the ink supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is used.

7. The printing device according to claim 6, wherein: The ink supply portion is provided in a state of being separated from the main body portion.

8. The printing device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: The ink supply portion is arranged at a position lower in height than the main body portion.

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