Printing device and printhead

Abstract

A printing device and a print head are disclosed. The printing device includes a support member configured to support a print head that performs printing by discharging ink to a print medium; a connection member including a connection portion connected to an ink introduction portion of the print head, and the ink introduction portion communicates with an ink supply passage via the connection portion; a rotation member configured to hold the connection member so that a posture of the connection member can be changed, and configured to be supported by the support member so as to be rotatable between a connection position in which the ink introduction portion and the connection portion are connected, and a connection release position in which the ink introduction portion and the connection portion are not connected; and a biasing portion configured to bias the connection member to a first posture with respect to the rotation member.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on April 21, 2023, with application number 202310431523.0 and the invention title "Printing Apparatus and Printhead". Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printhead. Background Technology

[0003] A printing apparatus comprising a component connecting a printhead and an ink supply tube has been proposed. Japanese Patent No. 3948959 discloses a printing apparatus in which a connector component is rotatably attached to a carriage cover. A tube is connected to the connector component. When the carriage cover is closed, the printhead and the connector component are connected, and ink is supplied to the printhead from the tube. The connector component is loosely fitted into a groove formed in the carriage. When the carriage cover is closed, the connector component is guided by the groove, and its posture relative to the printhead is controlled.

[0004] In the construction of Japanese Patent No. 3948959, the connector component moves in an arc pattern as the carriage cover rotates, but the groove has a straight shape. If the fit between the connector component and the groove is too tight, the connector component may have difficulty moving smoothly. If the fit between the connector component and the groove is loosened, the connector component can move smoothly. However, the posture of the connector component is easily changed, and the connection accuracy between the printhead and the connector component may be reduced due to unexpected changes in posture. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a technique for improving connection accuracy when connecting connecting components to a printhead.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a printing apparatus is provided, comprising: a support member configured to support a printhead that performs printing by discharging ink into a printing medium; a connecting member including a connecting portion connected to an ink inlet portion of the printhead, the ink inlet portion communicating with an ink supply channel via the connecting portion; a rotating member configured to hold the connecting member such that the orientation of the connecting member can be changed, and configured to be supported by the support member so as to be rotatable between a connection position where the ink inlet portion and the connecting portion are connected and a disconnection position where the ink inlet portion and the connecting portion are not connected; and a biasing portion configured to bias the connecting member relative to the rotating member to a first orientation.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, a printing apparatus is provided, comprising: a printhead configured to perform printing by discharging ink into a printing medium; a support member configured to support the printhead; a connecting member including a connecting portion connected to an ink inlet portion of the printhead, the ink inlet portion communicating with an ink supply channel via the connecting portion; a rotating member configured to hold the connecting member such that the orientation of the connecting member can be changed, and configured to be supported by the support member so as to be rotatable between a connection position where the ink inlet portion and the connecting portion are connected and a disconnection position where the ink inlet portion and the connecting portion are not connected; and a biasing portion configured to bias the connecting member relative to the rotating member to a first orientation.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, a printhead replaceably mounted in a printing apparatus is provided, wherein the printhead includes an ink inlet, and the printing apparatus includes: a support member configured to support the printhead; a connecting member including a connecting portion connected to the ink inlet of the printhead, and the ink inlet communicating with an ink supply channel via the connecting portion; a rotating member configured to hold the connecting member such that the orientation of the connecting member can be changed, and configured to be supported by the support member so as to be rotatable between a connection position where the ink inlet and the connecting portion are connected and a disconnection position where the ink inlet and the connecting portion are not connected; and a biasing portion configured to bias the connecting member relative to the rotating member to a first orientation.

[0009] Further features of the invention will become clear from the following description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to the accompanying drawings). Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the appearance of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional view showing the structure around the carriage.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a front view of the structure surrounding the carriage.

[0013] Figure 4 It is a 3D view of the print head.

[0014] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional view of the connecting components.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a bottom view of the connecting components.

[0016] Figure 7 It is along Figure 3 The sectional view taken by line AA in the figure.

[0017] Figure 8This is a cross-sectional view showing the headphone cover in the closed position.

[0018] Figures 9A to 9C This is an explanatory diagram of the offset section.

[0019] Figure 10 This is an instruction diagram showing the operation of the headphone cover and connecting components.

[0020] Figure 11 This is an instruction diagram showing the operation of the headphone cover and connecting components.

[0021] Figure 12 This is an instruction diagram showing the operation of the headphone cover and connecting components.

[0022] Figure 13 This is an instruction diagram showing the operation of the headphone cover and connecting components.

[0023] Figure 14A and Figure 14B This is a diagram illustrating the principle.

[0024] Figure 15 This is a diagram showing a pattern in which a tube is used as a biasing element.

[0025] Figure 16A and Figure 16B The diagram shows other examples of openings and claws.

[0026] Figure 17 This is a diagram illustrating another example of a construction used to restrict the orientation of connecting members. Detailed Implementation

[0027] In the following description, embodiments will be presented in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. Multiple features are described in the embodiments, but this does not limit the invention to claim all of these features; rather, multiple such features may be suitably combined. Furthermore, in the drawings, the same or similar constructions are given the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0028] <First Embodiment> 1. Overview of the Printing Device Figure 1This is a perspective view of a printing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is an inkjet printing apparatus that performs printing on a printing medium by ejecting ink. However, the present invention can also be applied to various printing apparatuses other than inkjet printing apparatuses. In the figure, arrows X and Y indicate directions that intersect each other, and in this embodiment, arrows X and Y are orthogonal to each other. Arrow Z indicates the vertical direction (direction of gravity). The X direction is the width direction of the printing apparatus 1 (left-right direction, or the width direction of the printing medium). The Y direction is the depth direction of the printing apparatus 1 (front-back direction).

[0029] It should be noted that "printing" includes not only the formation of meaningful information such as text and graphics, but also the formation of images, patterns, designs, etc., on a broadly defined printing medium, or the processing of the printing medium, regardless of whether the information formed is meaningful or meaningless, or whether the information is visualized so that people can perceive it visually. Furthermore, although sheet paper is used as the "printing medium" in this embodiment, cloth, plastic film, etc., can also be used.

[0030] The printing apparatus 1 includes a feeding unit 2, a conveying unit 3, and an ejection unit 4, which are configured to convey printing media. The feeding unit 2 includes a tray 2a on which sheet-like printing media are stacked and a feeding mechanism (not shown) for the printing media. The feeding mechanism includes, for example, a feeding roller for the printing media on the feeding tray 2a and a feeding motor as a drive source for rotating the feeding roller.

[0031] The transport unit 3 is a mechanism for transporting the printing media fed from the feed unit 2 in the Y direction (sub-scanning direction). The transport unit 3 includes a transport roller 3a and a transport motor (not shown) that serves as the drive source for rotating the transport roller 3a. A clamping roller 3b is pressed against the transport roller 3a, and the printing media is held in the clamping portion between them. As the transport roller 3a rotates, the printing media is transported on the platform PT.

[0032] The discharge unit 4 is a mechanism for further conveying the printing media conveyed from the transport unit 3 in the Y direction (sub-scanning direction). The discharge unit 4 includes a discharge roller, a transport motor that serves as a drive source for rotating the discharge roller, and spurs (all not shown) that contact the discharge roller, and discharges the printing media toward the front side of the printing device 1.

[0033] Containers 7Bk, 7C, 7M, and 7Y (hereinafter collectively or indistinguishably referred to as container 7) are ink containers that hold liquid ink. In this embodiment, container 7 is a fixed container attached to the printing unit 1. If the remaining ink level decreases, the user replenishes the ink in container 7 without removing container 7 from the printing unit 1. Different types of ink are contained in the four containers 7. In this embodiment, black ink is contained in container 7Bk, cyan ink is contained in container 7C, magenta ink is contained in container 7M, and yellow ink is contained in container 7Y. Note that the types of ink are not limited to the four types shown in this embodiment; one type of ink may be used, or multiple types other than these four may be used. The number of containers 7 only needs to be equal to or greater than the number of ink types.

[0034] The printing device 1 includes a carriage 5. The carriage 5 supports the print head 10Cr ( Figure 1 (Not shown in the image) and a support member for the printhead 10Bk (hereinafter generally or without distinction referred to as printhead 10). The carriage 5 is covered from above by a headphone cover 8. The printhead 10 according to this embodiment is a printhead that performs printing by discharging ink supplied from the container 7 to the printing medium. The printhead 10 includes a discharge surface 101 having a plurality of nozzles for discharging ink (see image 8). Figure 3 and Figure 4 The discharge surface 101 is arranged to face the platform PT. Each nozzle is equipped with, for example, an electrothermal transducer (heater). When the electrothermal transducer is energized, the ink is heated and foamed. The ink is discharged by the foaming energy. A structure that uses piezoelectric elements instead of electrothermal transducers to discharge ink can be used.

[0035] The carriage 5 reciprocates in the X direction (main scanning direction) via the drive unit 6. The drive unit 6 includes a drive pulley and a driven pulley arranged separately in the X direction. Figure 1 Only the driven pulley 6b, the annular belt 6c wound around the pulley, and the carriage motor 6a, which serves as the drive source for rotating the drive pulley, are shown. The carriage 5 is connected to the annular belt 6c. When the annular belt 6c is moved, the carriage 5 moves in the X direction.

[0036] As the carriage 5 moves, ink is expelled from the printhead 10 onto the printing media on the platform PT, thereby printing an image. This operation is sometimes referred to as print scanning. The printing operation is performed by alternately repeating the printing media delivery operation and print scanning of the delivery unit 3. That is, the delivery unit 3 delivers the printing media intermittently and performs print scanning when the printing media delivery stops, thereby printing an image on the printing media.

[0037] As described above, the printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is a serial inkjet printing apparatus, wherein the printhead 10 is mounted on a carriage 5 that reciprocates in the X direction. However, the present invention can also be applied to other printing apparatuses, such as inkjet printing apparatuses including so-called full-line head printheads (printheads) having a plurality of nozzles configured to discharge liquid into an area corresponding to the width of the printing medium.

[0038] 2. Structure around the carriage Apart from Figure 1 In addition, it also refers to Figure 2 Figure 9 describes the structure surrounding carriage 5. Main references are provided. Figure 2 and Figure 3 . Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the structure around the carriage 5. Figure 3 This is a front view showing the structure surrounding the carriage 5. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The image shows the headphone cover 8 in the open position.

[0039] <Print head> In this embodiment, a plurality of printheads 10 are supported by a carriage 5. More specifically, two types of printheads 10, including printhead 10Cr and printhead 10Bk, are supported. Printhead 10Cr is a printhead that discharges cyan, magenta, and yellow ink. Printhead 10Bk is a printhead that discharges black ink. In this embodiment, the printheads 10 are replaceably supported by the carriage 5. Since the printheads 10 are replaceable, formally, the printheads 10 and the main body of the device excluding the printheads 10 are referred to as printing device 1; however, the main body of the device is sometimes referred to as printing device 1.

[0040] Also refer to Figure 4 . Figure 4 This is a perspective view of printheads 10Cr and 10Bk. Printhead 10 is generally rectangular in shape and includes an exhaust surface 101 at the bottom. The upper surface 102 of printhead 10 is provided with the following components.

[0041] The upper surface 102 of the printhead 10Bk is provided with a connecting portion 106, an ink inlet portion 103Bk, and posture control portions 104 and 105 protruding upward from the upper surface 102. The connecting portion 106 is used for positioning when the printhead 10Bk is attached to the carriage 5. The ink inlet portion 103Bk is a tube member that extends vertically and serves as the inlet for introducing black ink contained in the container 7Bk into the printhead 10Bk. A circular recess is formed around the ink inlet portion 103Bk. The posture control portions 104 and 105 are members that change the posture of the connecting member 9Bk. The posture control portion 104 includes a shaft portion 104a with a cylindrical shape (circular cross-section) and a recess portion 104b with a cylindrical shape. The diameter of the front end of the shaft portion 104a gradually decreases. The posture control unit 105 includes a shaft portion 105a with an elliptical cylinder shape (elliptical cross section) and a recess portion 105b with an elliptical cylinder shape. The diameter of the front end of the shaft portion 105a gradually decreases.

[0042] The upper surface 102 of the printhead 10Cr is provided with an engagement portion 106 protruding upward from the upper surface 102, ink inlet portions 103Y, 103M, and 103C, and posture control portions 104 and 105. The engagement portion 106 is used for positioning when the printhead 10Cr is attached to the carriage 5. The ink inlet portions 103Y, 103M, and 103C are tubular members extending vertically, used for introducing yellow, magenta, and cyan inks contained in containers 7Y, 7M, and 7C into the inlet of the printhead 10Cr. A circular recess is formed around each of the ink inlet portions 103Y, 103M, and 103C. The posture control portions 104 and 105 are members that change the posture of the connecting member 9Cr. The posture control portion 104 includes a cylindrical shaft portion 104a and a cylindrical recess portion 104b. The diameter of the front end of the shaft portion 104a gradually decreases. The posture control unit 105 includes a shaft portion 105a with an elliptical cylinder shape and a recess 105b with an elliptical cylinder shape. The diameter of the front end of the shaft portion 105a gradually decreases.

[0043] refer to Figure 4 Arrow D1 indicates the extending direction (axial direction) of the ink inlet portions 103Bk, 103Y, 103M, and 103C (hereinafter collectively or indistinguishably referred to as ink inlet portion 103). Arrow D1 also indicates the connection direction between the ink inlet portions 103Bk, 103Y, 103M, and 103C and the connecting portions 95Bk, 95Y, 95M, and 95C, which will be described later. Arrow D2 indicates the extending direction (axial direction) of the shaft portion 104a of the posture control portions 104 and 105, and also indicates the connection direction between the posture control portions 104 and 105 and the joining portions 96 and 97, which will be described later. In this embodiment, directions D1 and D2 are parallel.

[0044] <Slide and Headphone Cover> Main reference Figures 1 to 3 The carriage 5 includes a head receiving portion 50Cr for accommodating a printhead 10Cr and a head receiving portion 50Bk for accommodating a printhead 10Bk. The head receiving portions 50Cr and 50Bk are arranged in the X direction. For this reason, the printheads 10Cr and 10Bk are also arranged in the X direction. The carriage 5 includes an opening in its bottom, and the discharge surfaces 101 of the printheads 10Cr and 10Bk are exposed to the outside (lower side) of the carriage 5. At the front of the carriage 5, a plurality of locking portions 52 are provided separately in the X direction to hold the headphone cover 8 in a closed position.

[0045] The headphone cover 8 is rotatably supported by the slide 5 and is a rotating component that allows for the replacement of the printhead 10. The headphone cover 8 includes an upper wall 8a, left and right side walls 8b and a front wall 8c, and is generally box-shaped with openings to the lower and rear sides.

[0046] The carriage 5 is provided with a rotation axis 51 that is separated to the left and right. The left and right side walls 8b of the headphone cover 8 are provided with bearings 80 that support the rotation axis 51, and the headphone cover 8 can rotate relative to the carriage 5 about a rotation center line 5a that serves as the center of the rotation axis 51. In this embodiment, the direction of the rotation center line 5a is the X direction.

[0047] An elastic member 12 biasing the headphone cover 8 to the open position is provided near each rotation axis 51. In this embodiment, the elastic member 12 is a torsion coil spring through which the rotation axis 51 is inserted. The front wall portion 8c of the headphone cover 8 is provided with a plurality of locking portions 82 corresponding to the locking portions 52 of the slide 5. Figure 7 It is along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view is taken from line AA and shows the state in which the headphone cover 8 is in the open position. Figure 8 Is with Figure 3 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view corresponding to line AA, illustrating the headphone cover 8 in the closed position. Locking parts 52 and 82 each have a wedge shape, and the headphone cover 8 is held in the closed position by locking locking part 82 onto locking part 52. When the lock between locking parts 52 and 82 is released, the headphone cover 8 is automatically rotated to the open position by the bias of the elastic member 12.

[0048] <Connecting Components> Main reference Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 7 and Figure 8The connecting members 9Cr and 9Bk (hereinafter collectively or indistinguishably referred to as connecting member 9) are held by the headphone cover 8. The connecting member 9 is arranged inside the upper wall portion 8a. If the headphone cover 8 is in the closed position ( Figure 8 At the location where the headphone cover 8 is located, the upper wall portion 8a covers the printhead 10 from above. In this respect, the upper wall portion 8a can be referred to as the cover portion. If the headphone cover 8 is in the closed position ( Figure 8 If the connecting member 9 is located at the position of the upper wall 8a and the print head 10, then the connecting member 9 is located between the upper wall 8a and the print head 10.

[0049] The connecting member 9 is held by a plurality of retaining portions 81 of the headphone cover 8, allowing the orientation of the connecting member 9 to be changed. Each retaining portion 81 is formed to protrude inward from the upper wall portion 8a, and each connecting member 9 is held by a pair of retaining portions 81 separated to the left and right. In this embodiment, a total of four retaining portions 81 are provided on the headphone cover 8 to hold two connecting members 9.

[0050] The connecting member 9 is the component that relays the printhead 10 and the tubes 11. A total of four tubes 11 are provided, corresponding to the ink type, and each tube 11 is connected to a corresponding one of the containers 7Bk, 7C, 7M, and 7Y. Each tube 11 is a flexible, elongated member and forms an ink supply channel. The four tubes are held and secured at their intermediate portions by a slotted retainer 84 provided in the headphone cover 8.

[0051] We will refer to them together. Figure 5 and Figure 6 . Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional view of the connecting components 9Cr and 9Bk. Figure 6 This is a bottom view of the connecting components 9Cr and 9Bk.

[0052] The connecting member 9Bk includes a body 90 and a sealing member 91. The body 90 integrally includes an inlet portion 93Bk provided at the front end, a pair of claw portions 92 provided on the left and right sides, and a connecting portion 95Bk and engaging portions 96 and 97 provided on the bottom surface. A tube 11 forming an ink supply channel for black ink is connected to the inlet portion 93Bk. The connecting portion 95Bk is a member connected to the ink inlet portion 103Bk of the printhead 10Bk. According to this embodiment, the connecting portion 95Bk is a tube member, and a connection port 95a is formed in the connecting portion in which the ink inlet portion 103Bk is inserted / removed. An elastic member 95b is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the connecting portion 95Bk. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The elastic member 95b is a sealing elastomer that seals the connection port 95a and the ink inlet portion 103Bk, and is integrally formed with the connection portion 95Bk, for example.

[0053] A groove-shaped relay passage 94Bk that communicates the inflow portion 93Bk and the connection portion 95Bk is formed on the upper surface of the main body 90. The sealing member 91 is, for example, a sheet-like film welded to the upper surface of the main body 90, and the relay passage 94Bk is sealed by the sealing member 91. When the connection portion 95Bk is connected to the ink introduction portion 103Bk, the ink supply passage of the tube 11 communicates with the ink introduction portion 103Bk, and black ink is supplied from the container 7Bk to the print head 10Bk via the tube 11 and the relay passage 94Bk.

[0054] The pair of claw portions 92 are plate-shaped members and protrude from the main body 90 in the left-right direction (the direction of the rotation axis 5a) in a plan view of the connection member 9Bk. Each holding portion 81 includes an opening portion OP ( Figure 2 ). The area of the opening portion OP is larger than the cross-sectional area of the claw portion 92. When the claw portion 92 is inserted into the opening portion OP, the connection member 9Bk is held by the headphone cover 8 such that its posture can be changed. The engagement portions 96 and 97 correspond to the posture control portions 104 and 105 of the print head 10Bk, respectively. The engagement portion 96 is arranged to engage with the posture control portion 104, and the engagement portion 97 is arranged to engage with the posture control portion 105. The engagement portions 96 and 97 are tubular members having holes 96a and 97a. The engagement portion 96 has a cylindrical shape corresponding to the shape of the posture control portion 104, and the engagement portion 97 has an elliptical cylindrical shape corresponding to the shape of the posture control portion 105.

[0055] As Figure 6 shown therein, a distance R1 from the rotation center line 5a to the connection portion 95Bk and a distance R2 from the rotation center line 5a to the engagement portions 96 and 97 maintain a relationship given by R1<R2, and the distance R1 and the distance R2 are different distances. The distance R1 and the distance R2 are distances from the rotation center line 5a to the connection portion 95Bk and the engagement portions 96 and 97 in a direction orthogonal to the rotation center line 5a, and are substantially rotation radii when the headphone cover 8 rotates. The rotation radii of the engagement portions 96 and 97 are longer than the rotation radius of the connection portion 95Bk.

[0056] The connection member 9Cr will be described. The basic structure of the connection member 9Cr is the same as that of the connection member 9Bk. The connection member 9Cr includes a main body 90 and a sealing member 91. The main body 90 of the connection member 9Cr integrally includes inflow portions 93C, 93M, and 93Y provided at the front end portion, a pair of claw portions 92 provided on the left and right side portions, and connection portions 95C, 95M, and 95Y and engagement portions 96 and 97 provided on the bottom surface. The tube 11 forming the ink supply passage for cyan ink, the tube 11 forming the ink supply passage for magenta ink, and the tube 11 forming the ink supply passage for yellow ink are connected to the inflow portions 93C, 93M, and 93Y, respectively.

[0057] Connecting portions 95C, 95M, and 95Y are components that are respectively connected to the ink inlet portions 103C, 103M, and 103Y of the printhead 10Cr. According to this embodiment, connecting portions 95C, 95M, and 95Y are tubular components, and connecting ports 95a are formed in these connecting portions for insertion / removal of the ink inlet portions 103C, 103M, and 103Y. An elastic member 95b is provided on the inner circumferential surface of each of the connecting portions 95C, 95M, and 95Y. The elastic member 95b is a sealing elastomer that seals the connecting port 95a and the ink inlet portions 103C, 103M, and 103Y, and is integrally formed with, for example, the connecting portions 95C, 95M, and 95Y.

[0058] A groove-shaped relay channel 94C, 94M, and 94Y communicating with the connecting parts 95C, 95M, and 95Y is formed on the upper surface of the main body 90 of the connecting member 9Cr. The sealing member 91 is, for example, a sheet-like membrane welded to the upper surface of the main body 90, and the relay channels 94C, 94M, and 94Y are sealed by the sealing member 91. When the connecting part 95C is connected to the ink inlet part 103C, the ink supply channel of the tube 11 communicates with the ink inlet part 103C, and cyan ink is supplied from the container 7C to the printhead 10Cr via the tube 11 and the relay channel 94C. When the connecting part 95M is connected to the ink inlet part 103M, the ink supply channel of the tube 11 communicates with the ink inlet part 103M, and magenta ink is supplied from the container 7M to the printhead 10Cr via the tube 11 and the relay channel 94M. When the connecting part 95Y is connected to the ink inlet part 103Y, the ink supply channel of the tube 11 is connected to the ink inlet part 103Y, and yellow ink is supplied from the container 7Y to the print head 10Cr via the tube 11 and the relay channel 94Y.

[0059] The pair of claws 92 of the connecting member 9Cr are plate-like members and protrude from the body 90 in the left-right direction (direction of the rotation axis 5a) in the plan view of the connecting member 9Cr. Similar to the connecting member 9Bk, when the claws 92 are inserted into the opening OP, the connecting member 9Cr is held by the headphone cover 8 so that its posture can be changed. The engagement portions 96 and 97 correspond to the posture control portions 104 and 105 of the printhead 10Cr, respectively. The engagement portion 96 is arranged to engage with the posture control portion 104, and the engagement portion 97 is arranged to engage with the posture control portion 105. The engagement portions 96 and 97 are tubular members. The engagement portion 96 has a cylindrical shape corresponding to the shape of the posture control portion 104, and the engagement portion 97 has an elliptical cylindrical shape corresponding to the shape of the posture control portion 105.

[0060] like Figure 6As shown in the figure, the distances R3 and R5 from the rotation center line 5a to the connecting portion 95M and the connecting portions 95C and 95Y, as well as the distance R4 from the rotation center line 5a to the engaging portions 96 and 97, maintain the relationship given by R3<R4<R5, and the distances R3 to R5 are different distances. The distances R3 to R5 are the distances from the rotation center line 5a to the connecting portion 95M, the connecting portions 95C and 95Y, and the engaging portions 96 and 97 in the direction orthogonal to the rotation center line 5a, and are substantially the rotation radii when the head cover 8 rotates. The rotation radii of the engaging portions 96 and 97 are longer than the rotation radius of the connecting portion 95M. The rotation radii of the engaging portions 96 and 97 are shorter than the rotation radii of the connecting portions 95C and 95Y.

[0061] refer to Figure 5 , the dashed line D3 indicates the extending direction (axial direction) of the connecting portions 95Bk, 95Y, 95M and 95C (hereinafter collectively or indistinctly referred to as the connecting portions 95). The dashed line D3 also indicates the connecting direction of the connecting portions 95Bk, 95Y, 95M and 95C with the ink introducing portions 103Bk, 103Y, 103M and 103C. The dashed line D4 indicates the extending direction (axial direction) of the engaging portions 96 and 97, and also indicates the connecting direction of the engaging portions 96 and 97 with the posture control portions 104 and 105. In this embodiment, the direction D3 and the direction D4 are parallel.

[0062] <Positioning portion> The following will mainly refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 . The positioning portion 14 is provided on the head cover 8. The positioning portion 14 is an engaging member that is biased by the elastic member 15 in the direction of pressing the print head 10. In this embodiment, the elastic member 15 is a coil spring. Two sets of the positioning portion 14 and the elastic member 15 are provided, and these sets correspond to the print heads 10Bk and 10Cr respectively. When the head cover 8 rotates from the open position to the closed position, the positioning portion 14 engages with the engaging portion 106 of the print head 10, and the print head 10 is positioned at a predetermined position of the carriage 5.

[0063] <Biasing portion> The printing apparatus 1 includes a biasing portion 13 that biases the connecting member 9 to a predetermined posture. In this embodiment, the biasing portion 13 is an elastic member provided for each of the connecting members 9Bk and 9Cr, and specifically is a coil spring. The biasing portion 13 is arranged between the upper wall portion 8a of the head cover 8 and the connecting member 9. The head cover 8 is provided with a shaft-shaped guide portion 83 that supports the biasing portion 13 ( Figure 7 and Figure 8 ). The biasing portion 13 is in contact with the sealing member 91 of the connecting member 9. Figure 9A is a perspective view of the biasing portion 13, Figure 9B is a plan view of the biasing portion 13, and Figure 9C It is along Figure 9B The sectional view taken from line BB in the middle.

[0064] In this embodiment, the biasing portion 13 is configured to directly contact the sealing member 91. The wire ends 13a and 13b of the biasing portion 13 are bent inward in the axial direction. The wire ends 13a and 13b are machined so that the sealing member 91 will not be damaged regardless of which end of the biasing portion 13 contacts the sealing member 91.

[0065] The biasing point of the biasing portion 13 to the connecting member 9 is set to a point away from the claw portion 92 in a direction orthogonal to the rotation center line 5a, and in this embodiment, it is set to a point further away from the rotation center line 5a than the claw portion 92 (the point on the inflow portion 93 side).

[0066] Figure 7 The initial orientation of connecting member 9Bk is shown, and Figure 8 The connection posture of the connecting member 9Bk is shown. The biasing part 13 biases the connecting member 9Bk to the initial posture. The initial posture is the posture of the connecting member 9Bk when the connecting part 95Bk is not connected to the ink inlet part 103Bk, and the posture control parts 104 and 105 are separated from the connecting parts 96 and 97. The connection posture is the posture when the connecting part 95Bk is connected to the ink inlet part 103Bk. In the connection posture, direction D1 matches direction D3, and direction D2 matches direction D4. The connection posture can be described as the posture in which the connecting part 95Bk is more oriented towards the connection direction with the ink inlet part 103Bk compared to the initial posture.

[0067] Line L1 indicates a direction orthogonal to direction D3 (and direction D4) in the initial posture, and line L2 indicates a direction orthogonal to direction D3 (and direction D4) in the connecting posture. Lines L1 and L2 can be considered as reference lines for the posture of the connecting member 9Bk and correspond to the front-rear direction of the main body 90. Regarding the posture of the connecting member 9Bk relative to the headphone cover 8, when line L2 is aligned with the front-rear direction of the headphone cover 8, the posture changes angle between the initial posture and the connecting posture. The biasing part 13 only needs to bias the connecting member 9Bk so that it is tilted relative to the headphone cover 8 at an angle. That is, and its elasticity can be relatively small. The above description applies to connecting member 9Bk, but also to connecting member 9Cr.

[0068] 3. Operation Reference Figures 10 to 13 Describe the behavior of the connecting member 9 when the headphone cover 8 is rotated from the open position to the closed position. Figure 10 It is along Figure 3The diagram shows a cross-sectional view taken by line CC, and is an instructional diagram illustrating the rotation mode of the headphone cover 8. Figure 11 yes Figure 10 A magnified view of part P1 in the image. Figure 12 It is along Figure 3 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view taken from line DD, and is an instructional diagram illustrating the rotation mode of the headphone cover 8. Figure 13 yes Figure 12 A magnified view of part P2 in the image. Figures 10 to 13 The states ST1 to ST4 in the table represent the same operation timing.

[0069] State ST1 shows the headphone cover 8 in the open position, and state ST4 shows the headphone cover 8 in the closed position. In the open position, the connecting member 9 is in its initial posture. In the closed position, the connecting member 9 is in a connected posture. Regarding the relationship between the ink inlet 103 and the connecting part 95, the closed position can be referred to as the connected position, and the open position can be referred to as the disconnected position. States ST2 and ST3 are intermediate states between states ST1 and ST4.

[0070] Figures 10 to 13 Transformations such as changes in the orientation of connecting member 9Cr are shown. Note that this also applies to transformations such as changes in the orientation of connecting member 9Bk.

[0071] In state ST1, the connecting member 9Cr is in its initial position. For example... Figure 11 As indicated by state ST1, the opening OP of the retaining part 81 is a pentagonal opening with straight edges 81a to 81e. Edge 81a is parallel to edge 81b, and edge 81c is parallel to edge 81d. Edge 81e is an inclined edge between edges 81a and edge 81d.

[0072] In the initial posture, the claw 92 of the connecting member 9Cr contacts the edges 81a to 81e of the opening OP at multiple points. More specifically, the claw 92 contacts the edge of the opening OP at three of the edges 81a, 81b, and 81e. Because the opening OP is formed as a pentagon rather than a rectangle, the positioning accuracy of the connecting member 9Cr can be improved while smoothly performing posture changes.

[0073] The operation of rotating the headphone cover 8 from the open position to the closed position is performed, for example, by the user. When the headphone cover 8 begins to rotate... Figures 10 to 13 When rotating counterclockwise, state ST2 is obtained. In this stage, as... Figure 11 and Figure 13As indicated by state ST2, the posture control unit 105 and its corresponding engagement portion 97 begin to engage. More specifically, the shaft portion 105a begins to enter the hole 97a. This also applies to the shaft portion 104a of the posture control unit 104 and its corresponding engagement portion 96. On the other hand, at this stage, the ink inlet portion 103 and the connecting portion 95 separate. That is, during the rotation of the headphone cover 8 from the open position to the closed position, the posture control units 104 and 105 begin to contact (or engage) with the engagement portions 96 and 97 before the ink inlet portion 103 and the connecting portion 95. Moreover, although not shown, at the stage of state ST2, the positioning portion 14 engages with the engagement portion 106 of the print head 10, and the print head 10 begins to be positioned toward the predetermined position of the carriage 5.

[0074] As the rotation of the headphone cover 8 continues, state ST3 is reached. In this stage, as... Figure 11 and Figure 13 As indicated by state ST3, the engagement between the posture control unit 105 and the corresponding engagement 97 continues. This also applies to the posture control unit 104 and the corresponding engagement 96. When the shaft 105a enters the hole 97a, the axis adjustment for positioning both on the same axis takes effect. That is, the axis adjustment for aligning direction D2 with direction D4 takes effect. Consequently, the connecting member 9Cr changes its posture against the bias of the biasing part 13, and the claw part 92 begins to separate from the edges 81a and 81e. The posture of the connecting member 9Cr approaches the connecting posture, direction D1 begins to align with direction D3, and in this state, the ink inlet part 103 begins to connect with the connecting part 95. Moreover, through the engagement of the positioning part 14 of the printhead 10 with the engagement part 106, the printhead 10 begins to be positioned at the predetermined position of the carriage 5.

[0075] As the rotation of the headphone cover 8 continues, state ST4 is reached. In this stage, the connecting member 9Cr reaches its connection position. Therefore, the position of the connecting member 9Cr can automatically change during the rotation of the headphone cover 8. Figure 11 and Figure 13 As indicated by state ST4, engagement between the posture control unit 105 and the corresponding engagement part 97 is completed, and connection between the ink inlet part 103 and the connecting part 95 is completed. The claw part 92 contacts the edge 81b with a surface. The locking part 82 locks with the locking part 52, and the headphone cover 8 is held in the closed position. The printhead 10 is fixed to the carriage 5.

[0076] As described above, in this embodiment, by rotating the headphone cover 8 from the open position to the closed position, the fixing of the printhead 10 and the connection between the ink inlet 103 and the connecting part 95 can be performed simultaneously, and ink can be immediately supplied from the container 7 to the printhead 10. When the lock between the locking part 82 and the locking part 52 is released, the headphone cover 8 automatically rotates to the open position by the bias of the elastic member 12. At this time, the connecting member 9 returns to the initial posture by the opposite operation to states ST1 to ST4, and the connection between the ink inlet 103 and the connecting part 95 is released. By releasing only the lock between the locking part 82 and the locking part 52, the user can remove the printhead 10 from the carriage 5 and replace it.

[0077] In this embodiment, by providing the biasing portion 13 and the holding portion 81 as mechanisms for changing the posture of the connecting member 9, the following advantages can be obtained. Specifically, immediately before the ink inlet portion 103 connects to the connecting portion 95, the connecting member 9 can be changed to a posture suitable for their connection as the headphone cover 8 rotates, thus improving connection accuracy. In particular, the possibility of the ink inlet portion 103 and the connecting portion 95 initially tilting together and causing a connection failure can be reduced.

[0078] Since the connecting member 9 is always biased by the biasing part 13 and pressed against the edge of the opening part OP, the posture of the connecting member 9 is stable. During the rotation of the headphone cover 8, it is possible to prevent the posture of the connecting member 9 from changing to an unintended posture. From this point of view, it is also possible to reduce the possibility of connection failure between the ink inlet part 103 and the connecting part 95 and improve the connection accuracy.

[0079] The change in posture of the connecting member 9 does not restrict the rotation of the headphone cover 8, and the headphone cover 8 and the connecting member 9 can move smoothly relative to each other.

[0080] Furthermore, the construction according to this embodiment can improve the connection accuracy between the ink inlet 103 and the connecting part 95, while reducing the size of the headphone cover 8. (Refer to...) Figure 14A and Figure 14B Describe this. Figure 14A As a comparative example, an example of a construction without a mechanism for changing the posture of the connecting member 9 is shown. As the headphone cover 8 rotates, the connecting part 95 moves on an arc with a rotation radius R from the rotation center line 5a.

[0081] If the connection direction D0 between the ink inlet 103 and the connecting part 95 is substantially orthogonal to line Dr, and line Dr is orthogonal to the rotation center line 5a, then the connection between the ink inlet 103 and the connecting part 95 is smoothly completed when the rotation radius R is long. This is because the movement direction of the connecting part 95 is close to the connection direction D0 near the ink inlet 103. However, if the rotation radius R is short, the angle between the movement direction of the connecting part 95 and the connection direction D0 near the ink inlet 103 becomes larger. Therefore, connection failures are prone to occur. To improve connection accuracy, the rotation radius R needs to be long, which makes the device bulky.

[0082] On the other hand, in this embodiment, such as Figure 14B As shown, the posture of the connecting member 9 changes during the rotation of the headphone cover 8, and the connecting part 95 can connect to the ink inlet 103 in a near-linear motion rather than a circular motion. Therefore, even if the rotation radius R of the connecting part 95 is short, the connection accuracy can be improved, and the size of the device can be reduced.

[0083] <Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the biasing portion 13 is arranged between the headphone cover 8 and the connecting member 9. However, the deployment point of the biasing portion 13 is not limited to this. For example, the biasing portion 13 may be arranged between the connecting member 9 and the print head 10.

[0084] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, a helical spring is used as the biasing part 13. However, other components can be used as the biasing part 13. For example, rubber or resin can be used.

[0085] Furthermore, a flexible tube 11 can be used as the biasing part 13. Figure 15 An example is shown. In Figure 15 In the example shown, the tube 11 forming the ink supply channel is used as the biasing portion 13', and the biasing portion 13 formed by the coil spring in the first embodiment is not provided. In the retaining portion 84, the tube 11 is fixed to the headphone cover 8 at its middle portion. Utilizing the flexibility of the tube 11, the connecting member 9 can be biased to an initial position, as indicated by arrow D11. Note that three tubes 11 are used as biasing portions 13' for the connecting member 9Cr, and one tube 11 is used as biasing portion 13' for the connecting member 9Bk. The material, diameter, thickness, hardness, and length (remaining length) of the retaining portion 84 can be varied between the three tubes 11 connected to the connecting member 9Cr and the one tube 11 connected to the connecting member 9Bk. For example, if the biasing force of the connecting member 9Bk is insufficient, a tube with a greater thickness (stronger elasticity) or a larger diameter can be used as the tube 11 for black ink than the tube 11 used for other inks. According to this embodiment, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0086] Furthermore, the offset portion 13 can utilize gravity instead of elasticity. For example, a hammer fixed to the connecting member 9 can be used. The hammer can be a component different from the connecting member 9, or it can be an integral part of the connecting member 9, with its weight increased by making this part thicker than other parts.

[0087] <Third Embodiment> The claw portion 92 and the opening portion OP can adopt various structures.

[0088] Figure 16A An example is shown. In Figure 16A In the example shown, the claw 92 is a component with a semi-circular cross-section. The opening OP has a quadrilateral shape. Figure 16A In the diagram, state ST11 indicates that the connecting member 9 is in its initial position, state ST13 indicates that the connecting member 9 is in its connected position, and state ST12 indicates that the connecting member 9 is in a position between the initial and connected positions. In the initial position indicated by state ST11, the planar portion of the claw 92 contacts the edge of the opening OP with its surface. Because the claw 92 is in surface contact with the edge of the opening OP, the position of the connecting member 9 is stable. In state ST12, the claw 92 does not contact the edge of the opening OP. In state ST13, the arcuate circumferential surface portion of the claw 92 contacts the edge of the opening OP at a single point.

[0089] Figure 16B Here is another example. Figure 16B In the example shown, the claw 92 is a component with a circular cross-section. The opening OP has an elliptical shape. Figure 16B In the above, state ST21 indicates that the connecting member 9 is in the initial position, state ST23 indicates that the connecting member 9 is in the connected position, and state ST22 indicates that the connecting member 9 is in a position between the initial position and the connected position. In the initial position indicated by state ST21, the circumferential surface portion of the claw 92 contacts the edge of the opening OP at a point. In state ST22, the claw 92 does not contact the edge of the opening OP. In state ST23, the circumferential surface portion of the claw 92 contacts the edge of the opening OP at a point.

[0090] exist Figure 16B In the configuration shown, the restriction on the orientation of the connecting member 9 may be weak. Therefore, they can be used together. Figure 17 An example of the construction shown. In Figure 17In the example of the structure shown, the headphone cover 8 has a contact portion 85, and the connecting member 9Bk has a contact portion 98 that contacts the contact portion 85. The contact surface of the contact portion 85 is formed as an inclined surface, and the contact portion 98 contacts the inclined surface. Note that the headphone cover 8 has a contact portion 85 for the connecting member 9Cr, and the connecting member 9Cr has a corresponding contact portion 98.

[0091] Figure 17 The image shows the headphone cover 8 in the open position and the connecting member 9Bk in its initial posture. The posture of the connecting member 9Bk can be limited by the angle of the inclined surface of the contact portion 85 and the shape of the contact portion 98.

[0092] <Fourth Embodiment> In the above embodiments, examples of configurations with various types of posture control units 104 and 105 and corresponding joints 96 and 97 having different cross-sectional shapes have been described. However, only one type of posture control unit and corresponding joint may be provided. Furthermore, in the above embodiments, multiple sets of posture control units and corresponding joints are provided for a set of printheads 10 and connecting members 9. However, only one set may be provided.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the posture control units 104 and 105 are provided on the print head 10. However, these can be provided at other points. For example, the posture control units can be provided on the carriage 5, and the positions of the joints 96 and 97 can be designed according to the deployment points of the posture control units.

[0094] In the above embodiments, the posture control units 104 and 105 have been described as having a shaft portion 104a with a cylindrical shape (circular cross-section) and a shaft portion 105a with an elliptical cylindrical shape (elliptical cross-section). However, the structure of the posture control unit is not limited to these and can take various shapes.

[0095] The number of ink inlet sections 103, the distance between each ink inlet section 103 and the rotation center line 5a, the type and number of posture control sections 104 and 105, and the distance between each of the posture control sections 104 and 105 and the rotation center line 5a can be appropriately designed. The initial posture and connection posture of the connecting member 9 are also appropriately designed according to the structure of the device.

[0096] Other embodiments One or more embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by a computer of a system or apparatus, wherein the computer reads and executes computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more fully referred to as a "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium") to perform the functions of the above-described embodiments (one or more), and / or the computer includes one or more circuits (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) for performing the functions of the above-described embodiments (one or more), and is implemented by a computer of a system or apparatus through methods performed, for example, reading and executing computer-executable instructions from a storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiments (one or more) and / or controlling one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiments (one or more). The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor unit (MPU)) and may include a network of individual computers or individual processors to read and execute the computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer from, for example, a network or a storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), storage devices for distributed computing systems, optical discs (such as compact discs (CDs), digital variety discs (DVDs), or Blu-ray discs (BDs)). TM One or more of the following: flash memory devices, memory cards, etc.

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

[0098] While 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 modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A printing apparatus, comprising: A support member is configured to support a printhead that performs printing by discharging ink into a printing medium. A connecting member includes a connecting portion that is connected to an ink inlet portion of a printhead, and the ink inlet portion is in communication with an ink supply channel via the connecting portion; The rotating member is configured to hold the connecting member so that the posture of the connecting member can be changed, and is configured to be supported by the support member so that it can rotate between the connection position where the ink inlet and the connecting part are connected and the connection release position where the ink inlet and the connecting part are not connected. as well as The offset portion is configured to offset the connecting member relative to the rotating member in a first posture. The print head includes an upper surface. The upper surface includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The first end is closer to the center of rotation of the rotating member than the second end, and The ink inlet is located on one side of the first end.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The connecting member includes a joint in addition to the connecting portion, which is configured to engage with a posture control portion located at a predetermined point.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The rotating member includes a locking portion configured to engage with a support member to hold the rotating member in the connected position. in, The distance between the locking part and the connecting member is longer than the distance between the rotation centers of the connecting part and the rotating member.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein during the process of the rotating member rotating from the disconnected position to the connected position, the engagement portion engages with the posture control portion, and the connecting member changes from the first posture to the second posture against the bias of the bias portion.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein During the process of rotating the rotating member from the disconnected position to the connected position, after the engagement part engages with the posture control part, the connecting member connects to the ink guide of the printhead.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein The attitude control unit is located on the print head.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein The rotating member includes at least one opening configured to retain the connecting member. The connecting member includes a claw portion configured to be inserted into an opening, and By biasing the biasing part, the claw contacts the edge of the opening, and the connecting member is held in the first position.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein In the first posture, the claws contact the edge of the opening at multiple points.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein In the first posture, the claws contact the edge of the opening with their faces.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The rotating component includes: The opening is configured to retain the connecting member; as well as The contact portion, the connecting member contacts the contact portion, The connecting member includes a claw that is to be inserted into the opening, and By biasing the biasing part, the connecting member comes into contact with the contacting part, and the connecting member is maintained in the first posture.

11. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein In the second position, the claws contact the edge of the opening.

12. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein The at least one opening is located in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating member, and includes two openings separately disposed in the direction of the rotation axis. The claw protrudes in the direction of the rotation axis, and one claw is provided corresponding to each opening.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The rotating component includes a cover configured to cover the printhead, and At the connection point, the connecting component is located between the cover and the printhead.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein The offset part is an elastic member arranged between the cover and the connecting member.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein The bias section is a flexible tube that is connected to the connecting member and forms an ink supply channel.

16. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein The second posture is one in which the connecting part is more oriented towards the connection direction with the ink inlet compared to the first posture.

17. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein One of the posture control section and the engagement section includes a shaft section, and the other includes a tube section in which the shaft section is inserted / removed.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein The axial direction of the shaft and tube is parallel to the connection direction between the connecting part and the ink inlet part.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein The distance between the joint and the rotation center of the rotating component, and the distance between the connecting part and the rotation center of the rotating component are different, and The distance between the posture control unit and the rotation center of the rotating component, and the distance between the ink inlet unit and the rotation center of the rotating component are different.

20. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-19, wherein The support member is a carriage that is configured to move in the width direction of the printing medium.

21. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-19, wherein The print head is detachably supported by the support components, and The rotating component includes a positioning part configured to position the printhead relative to the support member at a connection position.

22. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-19, wherein The support member includes a locking part configured to hold the rotating member in the connected position.

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