Printing apparatus and cartridge

Abstract

A printing apparatus includes a plurality of cartridges arranged in a first direction and storing a liquid, in which a first cartridge, which is one of the plurality of cartridges, includes a first regulating portion that regulates a movement of a second cartridge that is not adjacent to the first cartridge among the other cartridges. The invention further provides a box for storing liquid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus and a cartridge, and particularly to a technique for fixing a plurality of cartridges to a printing apparatus. Background Art

[0002] As a technique for integrally fixing a plurality of ink cartridges to an inkjet printing apparatus, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-51306 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) discloses previously integrally coupling a plurality of ink cartridges to each other and then installing and fixing the coupled ink cartridges to the printing apparatus.

[0003] However, in Patent Document 1, the number of operations for connecting ink cartridges for manufacturing is a number corresponding to the number of ink cartridges. That is, when the number of ink cartridges is N, it is necessary to perform N-1 connection operations. Therefore, as the number of ink cartridges increases, the number of connection operations increases, and an operation of fixing the ink cartridge unit obtained by completing the connection to the mounting portion of the device is additionally required. Summary of the invention

[0004] The printing device of the present disclosure includes a plurality of boxes arranged in a first direction and storing liquid, wherein a first box as one of the plurality of boxes includes a first regulating portion regulating movement of a second box among the other boxes that is not adjacent to the first box.

[0005] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an inkjet printing device according to the present disclosure;

[0007] Figure 2A is a top view of the ink cartridge unit according to the first embodiment;

[0008] Figure 2B 1 is a schematic three-view diagram of an ink cartridge unit according to a first embodiment;

[0009] Figure 3A is a perspective view of an ink cartridge of black ink according to the first embodiment before thermal welding of films;

[0010] Figure 3B is a perspective view of an ink cartridge of black ink according to the first embodiment before thermal welding of films;

[0011] Figure 4A is a perspective view of an ink cartridge of color ink according to the first embodiment before thermal welding of films;

[0012] Figure 4B is a perspective view of an ink cartridge of color ink according to the first embodiment before thermal welding of films;

[0013] Figure 5A is a perspective view of an ink cartridge of black ink according to the first embodiment before thermal welding of films;

[0014] Figure 5B is a perspective view of the ink cartridge before thermal welding of the films of the color ink according to the first embodiment;

[0015] Fig. 6A is a perspective view of a main body casing according to the first embodiment and a perspective view of an ink cartridge unit arranged in the main body casing;

[0016] Figure 6B is a perspective view of a main body casing according to the first embodiment and a perspective view of an ink cartridge unit arranged in the main body casing;

[0017] Fig. 7A is a perspective view of arranging an ink cartridge unit in a main body housing according to the first embodiment;

[0018] Figure 7B is a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge unit arranged in a main body housing according to a first embodiment;

[0019] Fig. 8A is a schematic diagram of an ink cartridge unit according to a second embodiment and a third embodiment;

[0020] Figure 8B is a schematic diagram of an ink cartridge unit according to a second embodiment and a third embodiment;

[0021] Figure 8C is a schematic diagram of an ink cartridge unit according to the second embodiment and the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] <First Embodiment>

[0024] (Inkjet Printing Device Overview)

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an inkjet printing apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as a printing apparatus) according to a first embodiment is shown. The inkjet printing apparatus 100 includes a conveying roller 1, a nip roller 2, a platen 3, a print head 4, guide rails 5 and 6, a carriage 7, ink cartridges 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, and 8Y), a tube 10, a recovery unit 11, and a main body housing 12 (support member).

[0026] During printing, the print medium is supplied by a feed roller (not shown). The print medium is pinched by the conveying roller 1 and the pinch roller 2, and is conveyed in the Y direction by the rotation of the conveying roller 1 while being guided and supported by the platen 3. The surface of the conveying roller 1 has fine irregularities in order to increase friction. The pinch roller 2 is elastically biased to the conveying roller 1 by a pressing unit such as a spring. The platen 3 supports the print medium and maintains the distance between the surface of the print medium and the inkjet surface of the print head 4 at a predetermined distance.

[0027] The carriage 7 reciprocates in the X direction by a driving unit such as a motor along guide rails 5 and 6 arranged above and below the carriage 7. The X direction in which the carriage 7 moves is called a main scanning direction, and the Y direction in which the printing medium is conveyed is called a sub-scanning direction.

[0028] The print head 4 is detachably mounted on the carriage 7 and arranged to face the print medium. The print head 4 includes a plurality of nozzle columns to eject inks (liquids) of different colors, respectively. As an energy system for ejecting ink, the print head 4 may use a thermal energy system or a vibration energy system, the thermal energy system including a unit (e.g., a heat generating resistor element) that generates thermal energy to change the state of ink (film boiling).

[0029] A plurality of ink cartridges 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, and 8Y) are arranged and fixed to the main body housing 12. In the present embodiment, the plurality of ink cartridges 8 are arranged in the main scanning direction (X direction). The plurality of ink cartridges 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, and 8Y) correspond to the ink colors (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow) that can be ejected by the print head 4. The ink cartridge 8K stores black ink, the ink cartridge 8C stores cyan ink, the ink cartridge 8M stores magenta ink, and the ink cartridge 8Y stores yellow ink.

[0030] Each ink cartridge 8 and the print head 4 are connected to each other by a tube 10 for each ink color. The ink in each ink cartridge 8 is supplied to the corresponding nozzle column in the print head 4 via the tube 10. Note that the arrangement direction of the plurality of ink cartridges 8 is not limited to the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the print medium. In the present embodiment, the ink cartridges 8C, 8M, and 8Y are formed by using common components; however, the ink cartridges 8C, 8M, and 8Y may be formed by different components.

[0031] The recovery unit 11 includes a cap portion for covering the inkjet surface of the print head 4, a suction mechanism for sucking ink from the print head 4 when the inkjet surface is covered, a cleaning blade for wiping dirt on the inkjet surface, etc. The recovery unit 11 is arranged in a non-printing area, which is an area within the reciprocating movement range of the print head 4 but outside the passing range of the transported print medium. The recovery unit 11 is arranged at a position where the recovery unit 11 can face the inkjet surface of the print head 4.

[0032] A plurality of ink cartridges 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, and 8Y) are arranged in the main body housing 12. In the present embodiment, one ink cartridge (e.g., 8K) is directly fixed to the main body housing 12, while the other ink cartridges 8C, 8M, and 8Y are not directly fixed to the main body housing 12. Details on the fixing structure will be described later with reference to FIGS. 5 , 6 , and the like.

[0033] After printing is performed on the print medium by the print head 4, the print medium is clamped by a discharge roller and a gear (not shown) as a rotating body, and is discharged from the printing device 100 by the rotation of the discharge roller. The discharge roller is a rubber roller having a friction coefficient. The gear is elastically biased to the discharge roller by a pressing unit such as a spring.

[0034] Figure 2A The ink cartridges 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, and 8Y) according to the present embodiment are shown, and Figure 2B Schematic three views of the ink cartridge 8K are shown. The ink cartridge 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, and 8Y) includes an ink filling port 23 for injecting ink into the inside and a pipe joint 24 coupled to the tube 10. The ink filling port 23 is arranged at the upper part of the ink cartridge 8, and the plug member 22 is attached to the corresponding ink filling port 23 so that the corresponding ink filling port can be opened and closed.

[0035] like Figure 2A and 2B As shown, the ink cartridge 8K includes an enlarged portion 27a. Figure 2B As shown, the expanded portion 27a extends in the X direction, and the ink cartridges 8K, 8C, 8M, and 8Y are arranged along the X direction. In the present embodiment, the ink cartridge 8K is arranged at the end of the ink cartridge unit.

[0036] The expanded portion 27a of the ink cartridge 8K and the ink storage chambers 127 (see FIG. 4 ) of the respective ink cartridges 8C, 8M and 8Y overlap each other along the X direction. That is, when viewed from the Y direction, the expanded portion 27a and all or part of the ink cartridges 8C, 8M and 8Y overlap each other.

[0037] Figure 3A and 3B 8K according to the present embodiment is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 8K before thermal welding of the film. Figure 3A and 3B As shown, ink is injected from the ink filling port 23 and stored in the ink storage chamber 27 through the flow channel 41 and the opening 42. The expanded portion 27a as a part of the ink storage chamber 27 extends in the X direction, and the ink storage capacity of the ink cartridge 8K is larger than the ink storage capacity of the ink cartridges 8C, 8M and 8Y. The pipe joint 24 and the opening 26 arranged in the bottom surface of the ink storage chamber 27 are communicated with each other through the communication path 25.

[0038] Next, the buffer chamber configuration as an air communication flow channel is described. The ink storage chamber 27 and the buffer chamber 29 are connected to each other through the opening 28. The buffer chamber 29 and the buffer chamber 31 are connected to each other through the flow channel 30. The buffer chamber 31 and the buffer chamber 33 are connected to each other through the flow channel 32. The buffer chamber 33 and the buffer chamber 35 are connected to each other through the flow channel 34. The buffer chamber 35 and the buffer chamber 37 are connected to each other through the flow channel 36. The buffer chamber 37 and the buffer chamber 39 are connected to each other through the flow channel 38. In addition, the buffer chamber 39 is connected to the outside air via the air communication port 40. With the above configuration, in the case where the printing device 100 is laid down and the orientation of the ink cartridge 8K is changed, the respective buffer chambers can store the ink leaked from the ink storage chamber 27. Therefore, the ink is suppressed from leaking to the outside from the ink cartridge 8K. Note that a film not shown is heat-welded on each of the two surfaces of the ink cartridge 8K, and the ink storage chamber 27, the respective buffer chambers and the respective flow channels are sealed.

[0039] Figure 4A 4 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge 8C according to the present embodiment before thermal welding of the film. Since the ink cartridges 8C, 8M, and 8Y have a common configuration, the ink cartridge 8C is described in FIG. Figure 4A and 4B As shown, ink is injected from the ink filling port 23 and stored in the ink storage chamber 127 through the flow passage 141 and the opening 142. The tube joint 24 and the opening 126 arranged in the bottom surface of the ink storage chamber 127 communicate with each other through the communication path 125.

[0040] Next, the buffer chamber configuration as an air communication flow channel is described. The ink storage chamber 127 and the buffer chamber 131 are connected to each other through the opening 128. The buffer chamber 131 and the buffer chamber 133 are connected to each other through the flow channel 132. The buffer chamber 133 and the buffer chamber 135 are connected to each other through the flow channel 134. The buffer chamber 135 and the buffer chamber 137 are connected to each other through the flow channel 136. The buffer chamber 137 and the buffer chamber 139 are connected to each other through the flow channel 138. In addition, the buffer chamber 139 is connected to the outside air through the air communication port 140. With the above configuration, when the printing device 100 is laid down and the orientation of the ink cartridge 8C is changed, the respective buffer chambers can store the ink leaked from the ink storage chamber 127. Therefore, the ink is suppressed from leaking to the outside from the ink cartridge 8C. Note that the film not shown is heat welded on each of the two surfaces of the ink cartridge 8C, and the ink storage chamber, the respective buffer chambers and the respective flow channels are sealed.

[0041] In the present embodiment, ink cartridge 8K can store about 70 ml of ink, and ink cartridges 8C, 8M and 8Y can store about 40 ml of ink. The capacity of ink cartridge 8K is designed to be larger than the capacity of ink cartridges 8C, 8M and 8Y because a large amount of black ink is used for printing. The ratio of the ink capacity of the ink cartridges can be changed as needed. The width of ink cartridge 8K in the Y direction and the width of ink cartridges 8C, 8M and 8Y in the Y direction can be any width.

[0042] Next, fixing and mounting each ink cartridge 8 to the printing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 . Figure 5A Ink cartridge 8K is shown, and Figure 5B Ink cartridge 8C is shown. Since ink cartridges 8C, 8M, and 8Y have a common structure, Figure 5B Ink cartridge 8C is described in FIG. Fig. 6A The main body housing 12 is shown before each ink cartridge 8 is installed, and Figure 6B A state in which the respective ink cartridges 8 are arranged in the main body casing 12 is shown.

[0043] like Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown in FIG. 8 , the protrusion 8a, the protrusion 8b and the boss 8c are arranged on the bottom surface of each ink cartridge 8 as the third regulated portion. Fig. 6A As shown, the contact surface 12a, the contact surface 12b and the hole 12c are arranged as a third control portion corresponding to the third controlled portion on the main body shell 12 (support member). The protrusion 8a is engaged with the contact surface 12a, the protrusion 8b is engaged with the contact surface 12b, and the boss 8c is engaged with the hole 12c. Through the engagement, the movement of each ink cartridge 8 in the XY direction (horizontal direction) and the Z direction (gravity direction) is controlled. With the above-mentioned configuration, temporary fixation to the printing device 100 can be performed only by mounting each ink cartridge 8 on the main body shell 12 from above, and assembly work is facilitated.

[0044] In addition, if Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown in FIG. 8 , the protrusion 8 d is arranged on the front surface (side surface) of each ink cartridge 8 as the fourth regulated portion. Fig. 6A and Figure 6B As shown, a hole 12d is provided as a fourth regulating portion in the main body case 12. The protrusion 8d and the hole 12d engage with each other and regulate the movement of the ink cartridge 8.

[0045] Next, if Figure 5AAs shown, the rib 8e is provided as a first regulating portion to the portion corresponding to the enlarged portion 27a of the ink cartridge 8K. In addition, correspondingly, the rib 8f corresponding to the rib 8e is provided to the ink cartridge 8C as a first regulated portion. In the case where the ink cartridges 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, and 8Y) are mounted on the main body housing 12, the ink cartridges (8C, 8M, and 8Y) are mounted before the ink cartridge 8K. In addition, the ink cartridge 8K is arranged and fixed to the main body housing 12 last.

[0046] As described above, in the case where the ink cartridges (8C, 8M, and 8Y) are installed first and the ink cartridge 8K is installed last, the ribs 8e of the enlarged portion 27a are arranged above the plurality of ribs 8f along the Z direction. Therefore, the movement of the ribs 8f of each of the ink cartridges 8C, 8M, and 8Y in the Z direction is regulated by the ribs 8e of the ink cartridge 8K. With this configuration, the first regulating portion 8e of the ink cartridge 8K contacts the first regulated portion 8f of the adjacent ink cartridge 8C and the first regulated portions 8f of the non-adjacent ink cartridges 8M and 8Y. Therefore, the first regulating portion 8e of the ink cartridge 8K regulates the upward movement of the ink cartridges 8C, 8M, and 8Y in the Z direction (the direction opposite to the direction of gravity).

[0047] Fig. 7A The ink cartridge 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, and 8Y) fixed to the main body housing 12 according to the present embodiment is shown. The ink cartridge 8K includes a fixed portion 8g (a second controlled portion). The main body housing 12 includes a fixing portion 12g (a second controlled portion) corresponding to the fixed portion 8g. The fixing portion 12g and the fixed portion 8g are fixed to each other with a screw 50; however, the fixing portion 12g and the fixed portion 8g may be fixed to each other by snap-fitting. The fixing of the screw 50 securely fixes the main body housing 12 and the ink cartridge 8K, and the fixing by snap-fitting facilitates assembly work.

[0048] Figure 7B yes Fig. 7A A perspective view of section YY in . Figure 7B , the protrusion 8b of each ink cartridge 8 engages with the contact surface 12b of the main body case 12. In addition, as described above, the protrusion 8a of each ink cartridge 8 engages with the contact surface 12a of the main body case 12, and the boss 8c of each ink cartridge 8 engages with the hole 12c of the main body case 12. The rib 8e (first regulating portion) of the ink cartridge 8K contacts with the rib 8f (first regulated portion) of the other ink cartridge and regulates the movement of the other ink cartridge in the Z direction.

[0049] With this configuration, when the ink cartridge 8K is fixed to the main body housing 12, the ink cartridges (8C, 8M, and 8Y) are also fixed to the main body housing 12. Therefore, the ink cartridge 8K regulates the movement of each of the adjacent ink cartridge 8C and the non-adjacent ink cartridges (8M and 8Y). In addition, the ink cartridges (8C, 8M, and 8Y) can be separated by removing the ink cartridge 8K from the main body housing 12, and replacement of the ink cartridge 8 is facilitated.

[0050] In addition, the second regulating portion can regulate the movement of the ink cartridge 8K in a specific direction. For example, in the case of a configuration that only regulates movement in the Z direction and does not regulate movement in other directions, twisting between the ink cartridge 8 and the main body housing 12 can be prevented.

[0051] <Second Embodiment>

[0052] Fig. 8A The ink cartridges 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, and 8Y) according to the present embodiment are shown. In the second embodiment, the respective ink cartridges 8 are arranged along the X direction. In the present embodiment, the ink cartridge 8K is arranged at the end of the ink cartridge unit. Fig. 8A , the ink cartridge 8K does not include the enlarged portion 27a and includes only the first regulating portion 8e. The first regulating portion 8e is a portion extending in the X direction. The first regulating portion 8e contacts the first regulated portion 8f of another ink cartridge and regulates the movement of the adjacent ink cartridge 8C and the non-adjacent ink cartridges 8M and 8Y in the Z direction.

[0053] Figure 8B Another mode of ink cartridges 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, and 8Y) according to the present embodiment is shown. Figure 8B In the embodiment, the ink cartridge 8Y includes a first control portion 8e, and the ink cartridge 8Y is arranged at the end of the ink cartridge unit. The ink cartridges 8K, 8C, and 8M each include a first controlled portion 8f, and the first control portion 8e controls the movement of the adjacent ink cartridge 8M and the non-adjacent ink cartridges 8K and 8C in the Z direction. With this configuration, a compact ink cartridge unit can be formed.

[0054] <Third Embodiment>

[0055] Figure 8C The ink cartridges 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, and 8Y) according to the present embodiment are shown. Figure 8C In the embodiment, the ink cartridge 8M includes a first control portion 8e, and the ink cartridge 8M is arranged in a portion other than the end portion of the ink cartridge unit. Figure 8C As shown, the ink cartridge 8M includes a first regulating portion 8e, the ink cartridges 8K, 8C and 8Y each include a first regulated portion 8f, and the first regulating portion 8e regulates movement of adjacent ink cartridges 8C and 8Y and non-adjacent ink cartridge 8K in the Z direction.

[0056] In the present embodiment, the first regulating portion 8e is formed to extend in two directions, the ±X directions, along the direction in which the ink cartridges (8K, 8C, 8M, and 8Y) are arranged. Each regulating portion extending in a corresponding one of the two directions is shorter than the first regulating portion 8e in the second embodiment; therefore, deformation of the member is suppressed, and this further ensures regulation of movement of another ink cartridge in the Z direction.

[0057] Note that the first regulating portion 8e in all of the above-described embodiments may be detachable.

[0058] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A printing device, comprising: A plurality of boxes arranged in a first direction and storing liquids, wherein A first cassette as one of the plurality of cassettes includes a first regulating portion that regulates movement of a second cassette that is not adjacent to the first cassette among the other cassettes.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The first boxes are arranged at ends of the plurality of boxes in the first direction.

3. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The first boxes are arranged in portions other than ends of the plurality of boxes in the first direction.

4. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The first case includes a storage portion extending in the first direction, and the first regulating portion is provided to the storage portion.

5. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The second box includes a first controlled portion, and The first regulating portion regulates movement of the first regulated portion at least in a direction opposite to a direction of gravity.

6. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The printing device also includes a second control part, The first box also includes a second controlled portion, and The movement of the second controlled part is controlled by the second controlling part.

7. The printing device according to claim 6, wherein The second regulated portion is fixed to the second regulating portion with a screw.

8. The printing device according to claim 6, wherein The second regulated portion is fixed to the second regulating portion by snap-fitting.

9. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The box also includes a third controlled portion, and The printing device further includes a third regulating portion configured to regulate movement of the third regulated portion.

10. The printing device according to claim 9, wherein The third regulating portion regulates movement of the third regulated portion in a horizontal direction and a gravity direction.

11. The printing device according to claim 9, wherein The box also includes a fourth controlled portion, and The printing device further includes a fourth regulating portion configured to regulate movement of the fourth regulated portion.

12. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The first managing portion is detachable from the first box.

13. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The first cartridge stores black ink.

14. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The first regulating portion regulates movement of a plurality of boxes including adjacent boxes.

15. A box for storing liquid, comprising: A first regulated portion, the movement of which is regulated by a first regulating portion included in another cassette arranged along the first direction together with the cassette.

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