Liquid discharge apparatus

Abstract

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

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an application with the filing date of February 10, 2022, the national application number of 202210125794.9, and the invention title of "Liquid discharge apparatus". TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to a liquid discharge apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] As an example of a liquid discharge apparatus, a printing apparatus that prints an image by discharging ink to a print medium such as paper is known. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-79910 discloses a printing apparatus that includes an ink tank including an inlet configured to replenish ink, a print head configured to discharge ink supplied from the ink tank, and a valve that can open and close a passage between the print head and the ink tank. The valve is closed when the ink is replenished.

[0004] In the apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-79910, a user manually performs the valve opening and closing operation. If the user erroneously performs the opening and closing operation, for example, if printing is performed in a state in which the valve is closed, discharging failure can occur due to the fact that ink is not supplied from the ink tank to the print head. In addition, for example, if ink is replenished to the ink tank in a state in which the valve is open, ink can leak from the print head. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a technology capable of preventing erroneous opening and closing of a valve.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including: a container configured to store a liquid that is supplied to a discharge device for discharging the liquid; a first cover portion that is movable between a closed position in which an inlet portion is covered and an open position in which the inlet portion is allowed to be accessed, the inlet portion being provided in the container and the liquid being injected into the container through the inlet portion; a second cover portion that is movable between a closed position in which the first cover portion is covered and an open position in which the first cover portion is exposed so as to open and close; and a valve configured to open and close a passage that communicates with an inside of the container, wherein the valve is configured to close the passage in conjunction with movement of the first cover portion to the open position and to open the passage in conjunction with movement of the second cover portion to the closed position.

[0007] Other features of the present application will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to the accompanying drawings). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

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

[0009] Figure 2 is a view showing Figure 1 a explanatory view of the internal mechanism of the liquid discharge apparatus shown in

[0010] Figure 3 is a explanatory view of the container and its peripheral structure;

[0011] Figure 4 is Figure 1 a block diagram of the control unit of the liquid discharge apparatus shown in

[0012] Figure 5A and Figure 5B is a explanatory view showing the ink replenishment process;

[0013] Figure 6A is a explanatory view showing the ink replenishment process;

[0014] Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view showing the open mode of the inlet portion;

[0015] Figure 7A is a view showing the midway state of the movement of the cover member and the cover portion to the closed position;

[0016] Figure 7B is Figure 7A an enlarged view of the portion P1 in

[0017] Figure 8A is a view showing the state of the movement of the cover member and the cover portion to the closed position;

[0018] Figure 8B is Figure 8A an enlarged view of the portion P2 in

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

[0020] Figure 10A and Figure 10B is a explanatory view of the cover portion and the valve;

[0021] Figures 11A to 11C is a explanatory view of the operation of the valve;

[0022] Figures 12A to 12C is a explanatory view of the operation of the valve;

[0023] Figures 13A to 13B is a explanatory view of the operation of the valve;

[0024] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing a control example.

[0025] Figure 15A is a side view of the cover portion;

[0026] Figure 15B A perspective view and a close-up view of the cover are shown;

[0027] Figure 16A This is a view showing an example of an ink leak; and

[0028] Figure 16B and Figure 16C This is a view showing another example of a trench construction. Detailed Implementation

[0029] In the following description, embodiments will be detailed with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. Several features are illustrated in the embodiments, but this does not limit the invention to requiring all such features, and multiple such features can be suitably combined. Furthermore, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar structures, and repeated descriptions of said structures are omitted.

[0030] <Overview of Liquid Discharge Equipment>

[0031] Figure 1 This is a view showing the appearance of the liquid dispensing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front. The liquid dispensing device 1 according to this embodiment is an inkjet printing device configured to print on a printing medium by dispensing ink as a liquid. The present invention can be applied to various liquid dispensing devices other than inkjet printing devices. Figure 1 In the diagram, arrows X and Y indicate the horizontal direction, which is orthogonal to each other, and arrow Z indicates the vertical direction (direction of gravity). The X direction is the width direction (left-right direction) of the liquid discharge device 1. The Y direction is the depth direction of the liquid discharge device 1.

[0032] Note that "printing" includes not only the formation of important information such as characters or graphic patterns, but also the formation of images, designs, or patterns on a printing medium in a broader sense, as well as the processing of the printing medium, regardless of whether the information is important or has become explicit enough to allow human visual perception. Furthermore, in this embodiment, "printing medium" is assumed to be sheet paper, but it could also be fabric, plastic film, etc.

[0033] The liquid discharge device 1 is generally flat and rectangular in shape, and includes a main body 2 and a cover 3. The cover 3 covers the main body 2 and forms the top of the liquid discharge device 1. According to this embodiment, the cover 3 is provided with a reading unit (scanner unit) 3a for reading original images. A discharge section 10 for discharging printing media is formed in the front of the liquid discharge device 1. Furthermore, an operation unit 36 ​​for receiving user input is provided in the front of the liquid discharge device 1. The operation unit 36 ​​includes a touch panel-type display unit and receives user input and displays information to the user.

[0034] Multiple windows 2a to 2d are formed in the outer casing forming the outer wall of the device body 2. Users can visually identify components inside the device body 2 via the windows 2a to 2d. In this embodiment, users can visually identify the remaining amount of liquid stored in containers 5Bk, 5C, 5M, and 5Y (hereinafter collectively referred to as containers 5 or without distinction) via the windows 2a to 2d. Containers 5 are ink containers that store liquid ink, and the four containers 5 store different types of ink. In this embodiment, black ink is stored in container 5Bk, cyan ink is stored in container 5C, magenta ink is stored in container 5M, and yellow ink is stored in container 5Y. Note that the type of ink is not limited to the four types shown in this embodiment. One type of ink can be used, or multiple types of ink other than the four types can be used. The number of containers 5 is only required to be equal to or greater than the number of types of liquid ink.

[0035] Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram showing the internal mechanism of the liquid discharge device 1. The liquid discharge device 1 includes a discharge head 4 for discharging liquid. According to this embodiment, the discharge head 4 is a print head that performs printing by discharging ink supplied from the container 5 into the printing medium. The discharge head 4 includes a discharge surface 4a (see reference). Figure 3 Multiple nozzles configured to discharge ink are formed in the discharge surface 4a. Each nozzle is equipped with, for example, an electrothermal transducer (heater). The electrothermal transducer heats the ink by passing electricity, causing the ink to foam, and the ink is discharged by the foaming energy.

[0036] The discharge head 4 is mounted on the carriage 6. The carriage 6 reciprocates in the X direction (main scanning direction) via the drive unit 7. The drive unit 7 includes a drive wheel and a driven wheel separately arranged in the X direction. Figure 2 Only the driven wheel 7b, the annular belt 7c wound around the wheel, and the carriage motor 7a, which serves as the drive source for rotating the drive wheel, are shown. The carriage 6 is connected to the annular belt 7c. When the annular belt 7c is moved, the carriage 6 moves in the X direction. During the movement of the carriage 6, ink is discharged from the discharge head 4 onto the printing medium, thereby printing an image. This operation is sometimes referred to as print scanning.

[0037] As described above, the liquid discharge device 1 according to this embodiment is a tandem inkjet printing device in which a discharge head 4 is mounted on a reciprocating carriage 6. However, the present invention can also be applied to other printing devices, such as inkjet printing devices including a so-called full-line discharge head (printhead), which is provided with a plurality of nozzles configured to discharge liquid into an area corresponding to the width of the printing medium.

[0038] The liquid discharge device 1 includes a feeding unit 8 and a conveying unit 9 for conveying printing media. The feeding unit 8 includes a tray 8a for stacking sheet-like printing media and a feeding mechanism (not shown) for the printing media. The feeding mechanism includes, for example, a feeding roller for feeding the printing media on the tray 8a and a feeding motor 8b serving as a drive source for rotating the feeding roller. Figure 4 ).

[0039] The transport unit 9 is a mechanism for transporting the printing media fed from the feed unit 8 in the Y direction (sub-scanning direction). The transport unit 9 includes a transport roller 9a and a transport motor 9b, which serves as the drive source for rotating the transport roller 9a. Figure 4 A pinch roller (not shown) presses against the conveyor roller 9a, and the printing medium is held by the gap between the conveyor roller and the pinch roller. As the conveyor roller 9a rotates, the printing medium is intermittently conveyed to the discharge head 4. The printing operation is performed by alternately repeating the conveying operation of the printing medium through the conveyor unit 9 and the printing scan.

[0040] In this embodiment, container 5 is a fixed container that is fixed in the liquid discharge device 1. If the remaining ink level decreases, the user can replenish the ink in container 5 without removing it from the liquid discharge device 1.

[0041] Containers 5C, 5M, and 5Y are containers with the same structure, while container 5Bk has a larger capacity than containers 5C, 5M, and 5Y. Therefore, container 5Bk is wider in the X direction than containers 5C, 5M, and 5Y. Container 5Bk is positioned at the left end of the front portion of the liquid discharge device 1. Containers 5C to 5Y are arranged side-by-side in the X direction at the right end of the front portion of the liquid discharge device 1. That is, containers 5C to 5Y are configured such that the discharge section 10 is located between containers 5Bk and containers 5C to 5Y. The upper part of container 5Bk is covered by a cover portion 13A, and the upper parts of containers 5C to 5Y are covered by a shared cover portion 13B.

[0042] <Container Structure>

[0043] Figure 3 The container 5 and its surrounding structure are schematically shown. As mentioned above, despite their different capacities, containers 5Bk and 5C to 5Y essentially have... Figure 3 The structure shown is as follows. Container 5 includes a storage section 54 for storing ink, a gas-liquid exchange section 52, and a buffer chamber 53. The gas-liquid exchange section 52 is the section that introduces the same amount of air as the ink discharged from the discharge head 4, and the ink is typically held by the meniscus of the ink container. Figure 3The location is shown. When the air in the storage section 54 expands due to changes in atmospheric pressure, temperature, etc., the buffer chamber 53 can store the ink ejected as the meniscus of the ink in the gas-liquid exchange section 52 breaks. The upper part of the container 5 is provided with an inlet 5a for replenishing liquid (replenishing ink). The inlet 5a is closed by a cover 120. When replenishing ink, the user performs the ink replenishment operation with the cover 120 removed from the inlet 5a to open the inlet 5a. Covers 120 are provided for each container 5 (as described later, covers 120Bk, 120C, 120M, and 120Y).

[0044] Channels 14a and 15a are connected within container 5. Channel 14a is a liquid supply path (ink supply path) connected to storage section 54, and is configured to supply ink from container 5 to discharge head 4, and is formed by supply pipe 14 as a flexible tube. Channel 15a is an atmospheric communication path connected to buffer chamber 53, and is configured to allow the interior of container 5 to communicate with the atmosphere, and is formed by atmospheric communication pipe 15 as a flexible tube. Valve 16 simultaneously opens and closes channels 14a and 15a. In this embodiment, as... Figure 2 As shown, valve 16 is provided for container 5Bk and valve 16B shared by containers 5C to 5Y.

[0045] The gas-liquid exchange section 52 is positioned at a height H lower than the discharge surface 4a of the discharge head 4. That is, the gas-liquid exchange section 52 is configured to apply negative pressure through a head difference corresponding to the height H of the discharge surface 4a. This prevents ink leakage from the discharge surface 4a. Furthermore, the buffer chamber 53 is located at the bottom of the container 5. This prevents ink leakage from the atmospheric communication path 15a.

[0046] The recovery unit 11 is a mechanism configured to maintain the ink ejection performance of the ejector head 4 and is disposed at one end of the travel range of the carriage 6. The recovery unit 11 includes a cover 11a covering the ejection surface 4a of the ejector head 4 and a pump 11b configured to draw ink from the ejector head 4 via the cover 11a. The cover 11a can be moved between a position where the cover 11a covers the ejection surface 4a and a position where the cover 11a is separated from the ejection surface 4a by a mechanism (not shown). When the cover 11a covers the ejection surface 4a (covered), drying of the ink on the ejection surface 4a can be suppressed. Furthermore, when the pump 11b operates with the cover 11a covering the ejection surface 4a, it can remove highly viscous ink adhering to the ejector head 4 or fill the channel 14a or ejector head 4 with ink. If a printing operation is performed with the channel 14a or ejector head 4 filled with ink, an amount of ink equal to the amount of ink reduced from the ejector head 4 (ejection volume) is supplied from the container 5.

[0047] <Control Unit>

[0048] Figure 4This is a block diagram of the control unit 30 of the liquid discharge device 1. The MPU 31 is a processor that controls every operation, data processing, etc., of the liquid discharge device 1. The MPU 31 executes programs stored in the storage device 32, thereby controlling the entire liquid discharge device 1. The storage device 32 is formed, for example, by ROM or RAM. The storage device 32 stores not only the programs to be executed by the MPU 31, but also various data that need to be processed, such as data received from the host computer 100.

[0049] MPU 31 controls the discharge head 4 via driver 34a. MPU 31 controls the carriage motor 7a via driver 34b. MPU 31 also controls the conveyor motor 9b and the feed motor 8b via drivers 34c and 34d.

[0050] MPU 31 also acquires and controls the detection results of various types of sensors 35 installed in the liquid discharge device 1. The sensors 35 include a coverage detection sensor 35a. MPU 31 also controls the display of the display unit of the operation unit 36 ​​and accepts user input to the operation unit 36.

[0051] The host computer 100 is, for example, a personal computer or portable terminal used by a user (e.g., a smartphone or tablet). A printer driver 101 is installed in the host computer 100 to communicate between the host computer 100 and the liquid dispensing device 1. The liquid dispensing device 1 includes an interface unit 33, and communication between the host computer 100 and the MPU 31 is performed via the interface unit 33. For example, if a user inputs a print operation to the host computer 100, the printer driver 101 collects data on the image to be printed and information about printing settings (such as the quality of the printed image), and instructs the liquid dispensing device 1 to perform the print operation.

[0052] <Procedures for fluid replenishment>

[0053] Reference Figures 5A to 6B The procedure for replenishing ink in container 5 is explained. To replenish ink in container 5, the inlet 5a needs to be exposed. In the liquid discharge device 1 according to this embodiment, the cover 3 is configured to be closed inside the device body 2 by manual operation of the user (…). Figure 1 It moves between the position shown and the open position where the interior of the device body 2 is exposed. Figure 5A The diagram shows the cover 3 in the open position. In this embodiment, the cover 3 is supported by the device body 2 and is able to swing between the open and closed positions. The swing center 3b of the cover 3 is parallel to the X direction and is located at the rear of the cover 3 (and the device body 2). In other words, the front of the liquid discharge device 1 is opened through the cover 3.

[0054] When the cover 3 is moved to the open position, the covers 13A and 13B, which were covered by the cover 3 in the closed position, are exposed. In the liquid discharge device 1 according to this embodiment, both covers 13A and 13B are configured to be in the closed position, which can be covered by the user's manual operation on the upper part of the container 5. Figure 5A The location shown in the figure) and the open position where the upper part of container 5 is exposed ( Figure 5B Move between the positions shown in the diagram. Figure 5A The diagram shows the state where both covers 13A and 13B have been moved to the closed position. In this embodiment, covers 13A and 13B are supported by the device body 2 so that they can swing between the open and closed positions. The swing center 13a of covers 13A and 13B is parallel to the X direction and is located at the rear of covers 13A and 13B. Cover 13A covers the inlet 5a of container 5Bk in the closed position and exposes the inlet 5a in the open position (typically, the inlet 5a is covered by the cap 120Bk, such as...). Figure 5B (As shown). In other words, with the cover 13A in the open position, the user is allowed to access the entrance 5a. The cover 13B covers the entrances 5a of containers 5C to 5Y in the closed position and exposes the entrances 5a in the open position (typically, each entrance 5a is covered by one of the corresponding covers 120C to 120Y, such as...). Figure 5B (As shown). In other words, with the cover 13B in the open position, the user is allowed to access the entrance 5a.

[0055] When the cap 120 is removed from the container 5, which is the target for replenishing ink, the inlet 5a is exposed and can be replenished with ink. Figure 6A The diagram shows the state in which the lids 120 of all containers 5 have been removed from the inlet 5a. Figure 6B The diagram shows the state where cover 13A is in the open position and cover 120Bk is removed from container 5Bk. Containers 5C to 5Y, cover 13B, and covers 120C to 120Y are also in the same configuration. In this state, the user can refill ink into container 5 through inlet 5a. After refilling, inlet 5a is closed by cover 120, covers 13A and 13B move to the closed position, and cover 3 also moves to the closed position. Through this process, the ink refilling operation is completed, and printing can proceed.

[0056] Construction of Cover Components and Covering Parts

[0057] Cover portions 120Bk to 120Y are respectively provided in cover members 12Bk to 12Y. (Refer to...) Figures 6A to 10B The construction of cover members 12Bk to 12Y and the construction of cover parts 13A and 13B are described. Figure 7AThis is a view showing the state of the cover member 12Bk and the cover portion 13A as they move toward the closed position. Figure 7B yes Figure 7A A magnified view of part P1. Figure 8A This is a view showing the cover member 12Bk and the cover portion 13A in the closed position. Figure 8B yes Figure 8A A magnified view of part P2. Figure 9 This is a perspective view showing the peripheral structure of container 5, valves 16A and 16B, and discharge head 4. Figure 10A and Figure 10B This is an explanatory diagram of the cover part 13A and the valve 16A.

[0058] Note that the construction of cover member 12Bk and cover portion 13A will be mainly described here. Cover members 12C to 12Y and cover portion 13B also have the same construction.

[0059] First, the cover member 12Bk will be described. The cover member 12Bk includes an arm 121. The cover portion 12Bk is replaceably supported at one end of the arm 121, and a shaft portion 122 is formed at the other end. The arm 121 branches into two parts from its longitudinal middle toward the other end, and a gap 121a is formed therein. The cover member 12Bk is supported by the device body 2 so that it can rock at the shaft portion 122, with the rocking center 12a (… Figure 6A () is parallel to the X direction.

[0060] The cap 120Bk is a cylindrical member that is open at the end and closed at the base. A sealing portion 123 is formed in the middle portion in the axial direction, and the end portion 124 defines a circular opening. The inlet portion 5a includes a cylindrical inlet hole 5b and a tube portion 5c that stands upright in the inlet hole 5b. When an ink refill bottle is inserted into the inlet hole 5b, the ink in the bottle is injected into the container 5Bk via the tube portion 5c. Note that in the insertion direction into the inlet hole 5b, the end portion 124 is located at the end side of the cap 120Bk relative to the sealing portion 123.

[0061] The cover 12Bk can be Figure 6B The opening position shown and Figure 8A The cover 120Bk moves between the shown closed positions. In the closed position, the cover 120Bk is inserted into the inlet hole 5b to close the inlet 5a. In the open position, the cover 120Bk separates from the inlet hole 5b to open the inlet 5a.

[0062] The user can lift the cover member 12Bk, which is in the closed position, to manually move the cover member 12Bk to the open position. Alternatively, the user can press the cover member 12Bk, which is in the open position, to manually move the cover member 12Bk to the closed position.

[0063] In this embodiment, the cover member 12Bk is disposed in the rocking space of the cover portion 13A, and the rocking center 12a is located between the rocking center 13a and the inlet portion 5a in the Y direction. Therefore, if the cover portion 13A is in the closed position, the cover member 12Bk is covered by the cover portion 13A. Thus, unless the cover portion 13A moves to the open position, the cover member 12Bk is prohibited from moving to the open position. When the cover member 12Bk is covered by the cover portion 13A, it is possible to prevent the cover member 12Bk from accidentally moving to the open position to open the inlet portion 5a and causing ink to leak from the inlet portion 5a.

[0064] The cover member 12Bk can be moved independently from the open position to the closed position. When the cover portion 13A is allowed to move from the open position to the closed position, the cover member 12Bk can move from the open position to the closed position. A pressing portion 134 is formed on the inner wall surface of the cover portion 13A, which contacts the cover member 12Bk during movement from the open position to the closed position. Figure 7A As shown, during the movement of the cover portion 13A from the open position to the closed position, the pressing portion 134 contacts the cover member 12Bk to move the cover member 12Bk to the closed position. When the user moves the cover portion 13A to the closed position after refilling ink, the cover member 12Bk can also move to the closed position simultaneously to close the inlet portion 5a. Furthermore, this configuration prevents the user from forgetting to move the cover member 12Bk to the closed position (forgetting to close the inlet portion 5a).

[0065] The cover portion 13A will now be described. The cover portion 13A includes a connecting portion 130 at one end and a pair of bearing portions 132 at the other end. The shaft portion of the cam member 162 of the valve 16A (described later) is inserted into the bearing portion 132, and the cover portion 13A is rotatably supported around this shaft portion. The connecting portion 130 engages with a connecting portion 20 on the side of the device body 2. The connecting portion 20 is formed on a member located on the inner side of the outer wall of the device body 2, and its position is fixed. By engaging with the connecting portion 130, the connecting portion 20 restricts the movement of the cover portion 13A from the closed position to the open position and maintains the cover portion 13A in the closed position.

[0066] According to this embodiment, the connecting portion 130 is hook-shaped and has a protrusion 130a at its end, which protrudes towards the rocking center 13a in the Y direction. On the other hand, the connecting portion 20 is a protrusion that protrudes towards the opposite side of the rocking center 13a in the Y direction, and is formed by forming a recess on its lower side. When the protrusion 130a contacts the lower surface 20a of the connecting portion 20, it restricts the movement of the cover portion 13A from the closed position to the open position. Figures 7A to 8B The engagement pattern between the engagement portion 130 and the engagement portion 20 is shown when the cover portion 13A moves from the open position to the closed position.

[0067] When the user moves the cover 13A from the open position to the closed position, the protrusion 130a contacts the engagement portion 20, such as Figure 7A and Figure 7B As shown, the joint 130 elastically deforms in the direction of arrow D1 (opposite to the rocking center 13a in the Y direction). When the protrusion 130a passes downward past the joint 20, the joint 130 elastically recovers in the direction of arrow D2 (on the side of the rocking center 13a in the Y direction), as... Figure 8A and Figure 8B As shown. Therefore, the joint 130 and the joint 20 engage with each other. When the user operates the cover 13A from the closed position to the open position, the joint 130 and the joint 20 disengage through a reversal phenomenon. In this embodiment, the joint 130 side is elastically deformed, but conversely, the joint 20 side can be elastically deformed. Alternatively, both can be elastically deformed. The joint 130 and the joint 20 can be displaced by elastically deforming one or both of the joint 130 and the joint 20 within the cover 13A and a part of the device body 2.

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

[0069] Here, to ensure a good click feel for the user, the amount of interference (the amount of overlap in the Y direction under natural conditions) generated when the protrusion 130a crosses the joint 20 needs to be properly managed. If the interference is large, the elastic deformation of the joint 130 when the protrusion 130a crosses the joint 20 will be large, requiring a large operating force from the user. If the operating force is large, the user may mistakenly believe that the cover 13A has moved to the closed position. Conversely, if the interference is small, the elastic deformation of the joint 130 will be small, and it may not produce a sufficient click feel.

[0070] In terms of design, the amount of interference can be adjusted by the distance L0 from the rocking center 13a of the cover 13A to the protrusion 130a and the joint 20, such as... Figure 8A As shown. However, in this embodiment, the cover 13A is supported movably by the component (cam member 162) of the valve 16A. Due to dimensional tolerances or assembly errors of the components, the amount of interference may vary.

[0071] In this embodiment, the middle position of the cover portion 13A in the Y direction is determined at the closed position. More specifically, a plate-shaped contact portion 131 protruding from the inner wall surface of the cover portion 13A is integrally provided with the cover portion 13A. At the position between the rocking center 13a and the connecting portion 130, the contact portion 131 protrudes in a direction intersecting the direction connecting the rocking center 13a and the connecting portion 130. At the closed position of the cover portion 13A, the contact portion 131 protrudes downward in the Z direction. A contact portion 21 that contacts the contact portion 131 is provided on the device body 2 side.

[0072] Reference Figure 7A and Figure 8A Explain the contact operation between contact part 131 and contact part 21. Figure 7A The diagram shows the state of the cover 13A during its movement from the open position to the closed position. The contact surface 131a of the contact portion 131 includes a curved surface at the end and a flat surface for the remainder. Figure 7A In the stage shown, the end side of the contact surface 131a begins to contact the contact portion 21. Note that the contact surface 21a of the contact portion 21 is a vertical surface. Figure 8A At the stage shown (when the cover 13A reaches the closed position), the planar portion of the contact surface 131a and the contact surface 21a of the contact portion 21 come into contact with each other. In this embodiment, the contact surface 131a and the contact surface 21a come into contact with each other in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the cover 13A (the axis of the cam member 162).

[0073] In this configuration, such as Figure 8A As shown, the amount of interference can be adjusted by the distance L1 from the contact surface between the contact portion 131 and the contact portion 21 to the protrusion 130a and the joint portion 20. This minimizes the variation in the amount of interference caused by dimensional tolerances or assembly errors of the components. Users can thus experience a better click feel.

[0074] <valve>

[0075] The following will refer to Figures 9 to 13B Explain valves 16A and 16B. Figures 11A to 11C , Figures 12A to 12C as well as Figure 13A and Figure 13B This is an explanatory diagram of the operation of valve 16A. Valve 16A simultaneously opens and closes channels 14a and 15a (two channels in total) of container 5Bk. Valve 16B simultaneously opens and closes channels 14a and 15a (six channels in total) of containers 5C to 5Y.

[0076] During printing, from the viewpoint of supplying ink to the discharge head 4, both the ink supply path 14a and the atmospheric connection path 15a need to be open. On the other hand, when replenishing ink in the container 5, both the ink supply path 14a and the atmospheric connection path 15a need to be closed. When replenishing ink, the inlet 5a is opened, and the liquid level of the ink in the container 5 acts as a gas-liquid exchange section. Therefore, the gas-liquid exchange section can be higher than the height of the discharge surface 4a of the discharge head 4. Figure 3 If the ink supply path 14a is open, the pressure generated by the head difference corresponding to the height Hm may be applied to the discharge surface 4a, and ink may leak from the discharge surface 4a. The design can prevent the ink level in the container 5 from becoming higher than the height of the discharge surface 4a of the discharge head 4. However, this would limit the ink storage capacity of the container 5 or the design freedom of the liquid discharge device 1 in the Z direction. Furthermore, if the atmospheric communication path 15a is not closed, the injected ink can flow into the buffer chamber 53. In this case, if atmospheric pressure or temperature changes occur, the buffer chamber 53 may not be able to fully perform its function of storing ink ejected from the storage section 54.

[0077] Based on these points, it is necessary to avoid erroneous opening and closing of channels 14a and 15a by valves 16A and 16B. In this embodiment, valve 16A opens and closes in conjunction with the movement of cover 3 and cover 13A, and valve 16B opens and closes in conjunction with the movement of cover 3 and cover 13B. That is, cover 3 and cover 13A, 13B also serve as operating parts for receiving user operations on valves 16A, 16B. This eliminates the need for sensors and actuators, allowing valves 16A and 16B to be opened and closed manually by the user, and preventing erroneous opening and closing of valves 16A and 16B.

[0078] Valve 16A will be described below. The construction of valve 16A will be the primary focus here. Valve 16B has the same construction.

[0079] Reference Figure 10A and Figure 10BValve 16A includes a base member 160, a displacement member 161, a cam member 162, and a housing 166. The base member 160 includes: a groove-shaped support portion 160a in the Y direction, on which the middle portion of the supply pipe 14 is placed; and a groove-shaped support portion 160b in the Y direction, on which the middle portion of the atmospheric communication pipe 15 is placed. Furthermore, the base member 160 includes a groove 160c extending in a direction intersecting the support portions 160a and 160b (i.e., intersecting the pipes 14 and 15), and the displacement member 161 is inserted therein to freely displace in the Z direction (radial of the pipes 14 and 15). The cam member 162 is an integrally shaft-shaped member. The cam member 162 is disposed on the displacement member 161 and supported by the housing 166 to be rotatable about an axis in the X direction. The housing 166 stores the central portion of the displacement member 161 and the cam member 162 in the axial direction and is fixed to the base member 160.

[0080] The cam member 162 includes a cam surface 163 at its center in the axial direction, which contacts the displacement member 161. The cam surface 163 is formed to press the displacement member 161 along the direction of the flattened tubes 14 and 15 when the cam member 162 rotates in direction D3. This closes the channels 14a and 15a. The cam surface 163 is also formed to eliminate the pressing on the tubes 14 and 15 when the cam member 162 rotates in direction D4 (opposite to direction D3), thereby opening the channels 14a and 15a.

[0081] At one axial end of the cam member 162, a rod-shaped contact portion 164 is formed that contacts the contact portion 133 of the cover portion 13A. When the cover portion 13A is rocked in the opening direction, the contact portion 133 contacts the contact portion 164, causing the cam member 162 to rotate in direction D3. At the other axial end of the cam member 162, a contact portion 3c ( ) is formed that contacts the cover portion 3. Figure 13B The rod-shaped contact portion 165 contacts the cam member 162. When the cover portion 3 is rocked in the closing direction, the contact portion 3c contacts the contact portion 165 to cause the cam member 162 to rotate in the direction D4.

[0082] Figures 11A to 11C The mode in which channel 14a is closed is shown step by step. Figure 11A This shows the state where valve 16A opens channel 14a. When cam member 162 rotates in direction D3, as... Figure 11B As shown, the cam surface 163 presses the shifting member 161 against the supply pipe 14, and the supply pipe 14 begins to be flattened. Then, as... Figure 11C As shown, supply pipe 14 is flattened and channel 14a is closed. Although not shown, this also applies to channel 15a and atmospheric connection pipe 15.

[0083] Figures 12A to 12C The rotation mode of the cam member 162, which is linked to the movement of the cover 13A, is shown. Figure 12A The diagram shows the cover 13A in the closed position. Valve 16A opens channels 14a and 15a. Figure 12B The diagram shows the cover 13A moved from the closed position to the open position. Through the contact between the contact portion 133 and the contact portion 164, the cam member 162 rotates in direction D3 as the cover 13A moves. As a result, according to reference... Figures 11A to 11C The principle explained is that channels 14a and 15a are closed. When ink is replenished, channels 14a and 15a can be reliably closed via valve 16A.

[0084] The contact between contact portion 133 and contact portion 164 occurs only when the cover portion 13A is rocked in the opening direction. Even when the cover portion 13A moves from... Figure 12B The status shown returns to the closed position, as indicated. Figure 12C As shown, contact portion 133 and contact portion 164 do not make contact. Therefore, cam member 162 does not rotate in direction D4, and valve 16A is not linked to the movement of cover portion 13A.

[0085] As described above, in this embodiment, the movement of the cover portion 13A does not cause the valve 16A to open. Assuming that the valve 16A is set to the open state by moving the cover portion 13A to the closed position, if the movement is insufficient, the user may begin printing without noticing that channels 14a and 15a are closed. This embodiment prevents this. Furthermore, even if the cover portion 13A is mistakenly moved to the closed position before the cover portion 120 fully closes the inlet portion 5a, ink leakage from the discharge head 4 or ink flow into the buffer chamber 53 is prevented because the valve 16A is not open.

[0086] Figure 13A and Figure 13B The rotation mode of the cam member 162, which is linked to the movement of the cover 3, is shown. Figure 13A It shows the relationship with Figure 12C In the same state, valve 16A closes channels 14a and 15a, but cover 13A is in the closed position. When cover 3 moves from this state to the closed position, contact portion 3c protruding downward from the lower surface of cover 3 contacts contact portion 165, causing cam member 162 to rotate in direction D4, as... Figure 13B As shown, channels 14a and 15a open. When the opening operation of valve 16A is linked to the movement of cover 3 to the closed position, channels 14a and 15a can be opened more reliably before the printing operation. Note that both valves 16A and 16B are provided with contact portions 3c, and when cover 3 moves to the closed position, both valves 16A and 16B are simultaneously in the open state.

[0087] The contact between contact portion 3c and contact portion 165 occurs only when the cover portion 3 is rocked in the closing direction. Even if the cover portion 3 moves from... Figure 13B When the state shown returns to the open position, contact parts 3c and 165 will not come into contact with each other. Therefore, cam member 162 does not rotate in direction D3, and valve 16A or valve 16B is not linked to the movement of cover part 3. That is, the movement of cover part 3 will not cause valve 16A and valve 16B to close. The purpose of moving cover part 3 to the open position is not limited to replenishing ink; this operation is related to general maintenance inside the device body 2.

[0088] Note that in this embodiment, if the covering member 13A or 13B is in the open position, the covering part 13A (or covering part 13B) is not in a vertical position but in a rearward tilted upright position, such as... Figure 5B , Figure 6B and Figure 12B As shown. Therefore, in this state, when the user wants to move the cover 3 from the open position to the closed position, the cover 3 is prevented from moving to the closed position due to interference with the cover members 13A or 13B. That is, the movement of the cover 3 to the closed position is restricted by the open cover members 13A or 13B. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cover 3 from being mistakenly closed during ink replenishment and to prevent valves 16A and 16B from being set to the open state.

[0089] <Example of Coverage Opening / Closing Detection and Control>

[0090] Figure 4 The cover detection sensor 35a shown detects the position of the cover portion 3. For example, the cover detection sensor 35a can be a mechanical switch that is pressed when the cover portion 3 is in the closed position, or an optical sensor that optically detects that the cover portion 3 is in the closed position. As described above, if the cover portion 3 is in the closed position, valves 16A and 16B are in the open state, and ink can be supplied to the discharge head 4. To prevent printing operations from being performed in an ink-disabled state, printing operations can be performed with reference to the detection result of the cover detection sensor 35a. Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing performed by the MPU 31. This processing involves settings related to allowing and disabling printing operations, and it is performed periodically.

[0091] In step S1, the detection result of the coverage detection sensor 35a is obtained. In step S2, based on the detection result obtained in step S1, it is determined whether the covering part 3 is in the closed position. If it is determined that the covering part 3 is in the closed position, the process proceeds to step S3. If it is determined that the covering part 3 is not in the closed position, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0092] In step S3, printing is enabled. If a new print job is requested from the host computer 100, printing begins. In step S4, printing is disabled. Even if a new print job is requested from the host computer 100, printing will not begin. Furthermore, if printing is disabled during printing, printing is interrupted. A notification can be sent to the user to move the cover 3 to the closed position.

[0093] <Maintaining a tight seal through the cover>

[0094] If the inlet 5a is closed by the cover 120, and a foreign object such as a hair becomes trapped between the cover 120 and the inlet 5a, ink may leak. To prevent such leakage, it is conventionally known to apply a sealant to the seal 123. Even if a foreign object is trapped between the cover 120 and the inlet 5a, the sealant will fill the gap and prevent ink leakage.

[0095] However, when refilling ink, the sealant may be accidentally wiped off by the user. If a foreign object is subsequently trapped, ink may leak. To prevent this, a groove can be formed in the distal end 124 of the cap 120, and the sealant can be applied to the groove. Since the sealant is held in the groove, it can be prevented from being accidentally wiped off by the user.

[0096] Figure 15A and Figure 15B This is the view that shows the example. Figure 15A This is a side view of the cover 120. Figure 15B A perspective view and a partial enlarged view of the cover 120 are shown. A plurality of grooves 125 are formed circumferentially on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion 124. In this embodiment, the plurality of grooves 125 are evenly spaced circumferentially.

[0097] Each groove 125 has a depth D in the radial direction of the opening defined by the distal end 124, a width W in the circumferential direction, and a length in a direction inclined relative to the axial direction. For example, during the stage of shipping from the factory, a sealing fluid is pre-applied to the sealing portion 123 and the distal end 124, and each groove 125 retains the sealing fluid.

[0098] According to this method, even if the user attempts to wipe off the sealant on the cap 120, the sealant in the multiple grooves 125 remains deep and is never completely wiped away. Therefore, even if a foreign object is subsequently inserted between the cap 120 and the inlet 5a, the sealant in the grooves 125 will be guided to the gap around the foreign object through capillary action, thereby preventing ink leakage. For example, even if... Figure 16AThe circularly enclosed portion P3 (the portion between the inner wall of the sealing part 123 and the inlet hole 5b) contains foreign objects such as hair and forms a small gap. The sealing fluid in the groove 125 can also fill the gap and prevent ink leakage.

[0099] When the depth D of the groove 125 is equal to or greater than its width (D ≥ W), the specific surface area can be increased, and the sealing fluid retention performance of the groove 125 can be improved. The sealing fluid may contain hygroscopic components such as glycerin. This causes the sealing fluid to absorb moisture from the air in the container 5, making it easier to fill the groove 125 with the sealing fluid.

[0100] The form of groove 125 is not limited to Figure 15A and Figure 15B The form shown. For example, as... Figure 16B and Figure 16C As shown, the longitudinal direction of each groove 125 can be inclined circumferentially relative to an imaginary surface passing through the central axis of the opening defined by the distal end 124. Furthermore, in the form according to this embodiment, the cover portion 120 is inserted into the inlet portion 5a to close the inlet portion 5a. However, it is also possible for the inlet portion 5a to be inserted into the cover portion 120. In this case, the groove 125 can be formed on the inner wall surface of the opening into which the inlet portion 5a is inserted.

[0101] <Other Implementation Methods>

[0102] In the above embodiments, a construction example of the cover 3 including a reading unit (scanner unit) 3a has been shown. However, the cover 3 may not have this reading function, as exemplified by the access cover of an SFP (single-function printer). In the above embodiments, a construction in which all covers 3, 13A, and 13B move by rocking has been shown. However, these can be moved by translation between an open position and a closed position. In the above embodiments, a construction example of valve 16 opening and closing both channels 14a and 15a has been shown. However, the valve can open and close only one channel. In the above embodiments, a cover 13B shared by containers 5C to 5Y is used. However, each container may be provided with a separate cover.

[0103] Other embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by the following method: providing software (programs) that perform the functions of the above embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer or central processing unit (CPU) or microprocessor unit (MPU) of the system or device reading out and executing the program.

[0104] Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims should be given the broadest interpretation to cover all such variations and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A printing device, comprising: A container includes a chamber and an inlet orifice, the chamber being configured to store ink to be supplied to a printhead, the printhead being configured to discharge the ink, and the inlet orifice being used to inject the ink into the chamber; as well as A cover member, comprising a sealing portion configured to removably seal the inlet hole by being inserted into it. The sealing part includes a side face and an end face. With the sealing part inserted into the inlet hole, the end face is in the inlet hole. When the sealing part is inserted into the inlet hole, at least a portion of the side surface contacts the inner wall surface of the inlet hole, and It has multiple recesses formed on the end face.

2. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover member is configured to be supported by a shaft in a rocking manner.

3. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of recesses are exposed when the sealing portion is removed from the inlet hole.

4. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the end face has an annular shape and each recess extends in a radial direction.

5. The printing apparatus of claim 4, wherein each recess extends from the end face to the side face.

6. The printing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the plurality of recesses includes a recess having a depth in the radial direction from the side surface and a width in the circumferential direction on the end face, and The depth is equal to or greater than the width.

7. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of recesses are formed to retain the sealing fluid applied to the sealing portion.

8. The printing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sealing fluid comprises a hygroscopic component.

9. The printing apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a top cover configured to cover the top of the printing apparatus. The rotation direction for opening the top cover is the same as the rotation direction for opening the cover member.

10. The printing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a can cover configured to cover the container and the lid member.

11. The printing apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a second container, the second container including a second chamber configured to store ink to be supplied to the printhead. The can cover is configured to cover the second container.

12. The printing apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a conveyor roller configured to convey printing media along a first direction. The container and the second container are arranged along a second direction that intersects the first direction.

13. The printing apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a carriage configured to arrange the printheads along the second direction. The container and the second container are arranged along the second direction.

14. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remaining amount of ink stored in the chamber is visible in front of the printing apparatus.

15. The printing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an operation unit configured to accept user operations.

16. The printing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a valve configured to open and close a passage from the chamber to the printhead.

17. The printing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tube for supplying the ink in the chamber to the printhead.

18. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottle is inserted into the inlet hole for injecting the ink into the chamber.

19. The printing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a recovery unit configured to restore the printhead.

20. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the printhead.

21. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inlet orifice is cylindrical.

22. The printing apparatus of claim 18, wherein the ink in the bottle is injected into the container via a tube erected in the inlet orifice, and When the sealing part is inserted into the inlet hole, the sealing part is located between the inner wall surface of the tube and the inlet hole.

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