Liquid discharge device

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge device which can smoothly supply a liquid while suppressing an occurrence of clogging with bubbles.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device includes a discharge head configured to discharge a liquid, a first housing container 3 for housing the liquid supplied to the discharge head, and a second housing container 2 which is attachable to and detachable from the liquid discharge device, is connected to the first housing container 3, and has a housing space 112 for housing the liquid supplied to the first housing container 3. The first housing container 3 has a contact part 31 making contact with the second housing container 2 while being connected to the second housing container 2. The contact part 31 deforms the second housing container 2 such that the volume of the housing space 112 of the second housing container 2 is reduced in a process of connecting the second housing container 2 to the first housing container 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device. [Background technology]

[0002] In the past, inkjet recording devices that have ink tanks mounted on their main bodies have been known as liquid ejection devices that perform recording operations on recording media using ejection heads that eject liquid such as ink toward the recording media. In such devices, ink stored in the ink tanks is supplied to the ejection heads, causing the ink to be ejected from the ejection heads.

[0003] In the above-mentioned device, a container such as an ink cartridge that holds ink inside may be used to fill the ink tank with ink. When the ink cartridge is connected to the ink tank, the ink in the cartridge is appropriately supplied to the ink tank. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which, when filling the ink tank with ink, the ink tank is connected to a joint portion and both the ink tank and the ink cartridge are open to the atmosphere. In this configuration, ink is filled from the ink cartridge to the ink tank by utilizing the so-called water head difference. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-177550 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the ink filling method that utilizes the water head difference, there is a risk of bubbles getting into the joint needle that connects the inside of the ink tank with the inside of the ink cartridge, hindering the ink supply (hereinafter, this phenomenon will be referred to as bubble clogging).

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejection device capable of suppressing the occurrence of bubble clogging and smoothly supplying liquid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a liquid ejection device according to the present invention comprises: a discharge head configured to discharge a liquid; a first container for containing a liquid to be supplied to the ejection head; a second container that is detachable from the liquid ejection device and connectable to the first container, and has a storage space for storing liquid to be supplied to the first container; In a liquid ejection device comprising: the first storage container has an abutment portion that abuts against the second storage container in a state in which the first storage container is connected to the second storage container, The abutment portion is characterized in that, in the process of connecting the second storage container to the first storage container, the abutment portion deforms the second storage container so as to reduce the volume of the storage space of the second storage container. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid ejection device capable of suppressing the occurrence of bubble clogging and smoothly supplying liquid. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main configuration of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a tank according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing a mounting method of the cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 13 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge and a cartridge mounting portion according to a modified example. [Figure 6]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge and a cartridge mounting portion according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cartridge mounting portion and a cartridge according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiment may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration and various conditions of the device to which the invention is applied. In other words, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0011] A liquid ejection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an inkjet printer equipped with an ejection head that ejects ink as an example of liquid will be described below. However, the present invention is not limited to this specific configuration. In addition, since the embodiment described below is one embodiment in which the present invention is applied, various technically preferable limitations are attached. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment in this specification or other specific methods as long as they are in line with the technical idea of ​​the present invention. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to configurations having the same functions, and descriptions of overlapping parts are omitted.

[0012] First Embodiment (Recording device 10) First, a description will be given of the configuration of a recording device 10, which is an inkjet printer according to the first embodiment. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the main configuration of the recording device 10. The recording device 10 is a liquid ejection device that includes an ejection head (recording head) 1, a cartridge 2, and a tank 3, and is capable of ejecting ink as a liquid.

[0013] The recording device 10 repeatedly moves the ejection head 1 back and forth (main scanning) and transports the recording medium at a predetermined pitch (sub-scanning). The recording device 10 is a serial inkjet printer that selectively ejects liquid such as ink from the ejection head 1 in synchronization with these movements, and deposits the liquid on a recording sheet Sh to form characters, symbols, images, and the like. The recording device 10 can use, as the recording sheet Sh, recording sheets Sh such as, for example, general recording paper, special paper, and OHP film.

[0014] The ejection head 1 is slidably supported on two guide rails 4, and is configured to be movable back and forth along the guide rails 4 in a direction (main scanning direction) perpendicular to the conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording sheet Sh by a driving means such as a motor. The recording sheet Sh is conveyed by a conveying roller 5 in a state where it faces the liquid ejection surface of the ejection head 1 and the distance from the liquid ejection surface is maintained constant.

[0015] The ejection head 1 has a plurality of ejection port rows, each of which ejects liquid of a different color. The ejection head 1 is equipped with a recording element section, which will be described later. The recording element section has a plurality of electrothermal conversion elements (heaters) or piezoelectric elements arranged as ejection energy generating elements that eject the liquid. The liquid is supplied to the ejection head 1 from a tank 3 via a tube 6, which is a liquid supply path. The ejection energy generating elements then eject the liquid from the ejection ports of the ejection head 1. For example, when an electrothermal conversion element is used as the ejection energy generating element, the liquid is bubbled by heat generation from a heater, and the liquid is ejected from the ejection port by utilizing the bubble-forming energy.

[0016] The recording device 10 is provided with four tanks 3, and four cartridges 2 are configured to be detachable from the recording device 10. The cartridges 2 are attached to the recording device 10 and connected to the tanks 3, and are removed from the recording device 10 and disconnected from the tanks 3. That is, the cartridges 2 are configured to be connectable and disconnectable from the tanks 3. The four tanks 3 each contain a different color liquid and supply the liquid to the ejection head 1. The four cartridges 2 also each contain a different color liquid and are connected to the tanks 3 that contain the corresponding color liquid. That is, the recording device 10 has a plurality of tanks (first storage containers) 3 and cartridges (second storage containers) 2 as storage containers for storing liquid such as ink.

[0017] For the purpose of explaining the present invention, only the minimum necessary components are shown in each drawing, but structures may be added as necessary. For example, elements for recording tank information, marks for improving the visibility of the contents, and other structures such as springs and protrusions for mounting and removing the tank may be provided on the recording device 10.

[0018] (Cartridge 2) Next, the cartridge 2 according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view of the narrow cartridge 2. Fig. 2(b) is a perspective view of the narrow cartridge 2. The cartridge 2 has a liquid holding portion 101, a ceiling portion 102, a joint portion 103 for supplying liquid, and a damper portion 104. The cartridge 2 increases the pressure inside the cartridge 2 by reducing the volume of the storage space that stores the liquid due to deformation of the damper portion 104, and supplies the liquid to the tank 3. The mechanism for supplying the liquid from the cartridge 2 to the tank 3 will be described in detail later.

[0019] The cartridge 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a ceiling portion 102 is provided adjacent to and above the liquid holding portion 101. The joint portion 103 is provided at one end of the liquid holding portion 101 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 2. In addition, the damper portion 104 is provided on the ceiling portion 102, and is located at one end of the ceiling portion 102 on the same side as the joint portion 103 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 2. The damper portion 104 is configured to protrude from the ceiling portion 102 in the longitudinal direction.

[0020] The joint portion 103 is an elastic member having a slit formed therein. In applying the present invention, the joint portion 103 is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, and may be any type that is generally used widely in liquid storage containers and maintains airtightness.

[0021] The damper section 104 in the first embodiment is an elastically deformable section made of an elastic body, and constitutes a part of the exterior section of the cartridge 2. The damper section 104 can be made of any material as long as it is a material that is easily deformed to a certain extent, but it is preferable that the damper section 104 is made of a material that returns to its original shape without the application of an external force after deformation, such as rubber or other elastic bodies. This is because the damper section 104 returns to its original shape even if it is unintentionally deformed between the manufacture and use of the cartridge.

[0022] In the cartridge 2 of the first embodiment, the liquid holding portion 101 and the ceiling portion 102 are configured as separate members, but the cartridge 2 may be manufactured by integral molding so that there is no boundary between the liquid holding portion 101 and the ceiling portion 102. In addition, the recording device 10 of the first embodiment is configured to be able to mount cartridges 2 of different widths as shown in Figures 2(a) and (b), but the widths of the multiple cartridges 2 may all be the same.

[0023] (Cartridge mounting section 200) Next, the cartridge mounting section 200 into which the cartridge 2 is mounted will be described. Fig. 3(a) is a perspective view of the cartridge mounting section 200, and Fig. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 3(a). The cartridge 2 is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 200 while connected to the tank 3, and supplies liquid to the tank 3. The liquid to be supplied to the ejection head 1 is stored inside the tank 3.

[0024] The cartridge mounting section 200 has a holding section 202, a fixing member 203 as a fixing section that fixes the position of the cartridge 2, a base 204 that supports the cartridge 2 and the tank 3, and a joint needle 205 that extends protruding from the tank 3. The holding section 202 extends so as to protrude upward from the base 204, and surrounds all four sides of the cartridge 2 to hold the cartridge 2 when the cartridge 2 is placed on the base 204.

[0025] The fixed member 203 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and moves between a position where it protrudes from the base 204 and a position where it is fitted inside the base 204. The fixed member 203 is constantly biased upward (in the direction where it protrudes from the base 204) by a biasing member 206 from below. That is, in a state where no external force is acting on the fixed member 203, the fixed member 203 is positioned so as to protrude from the base 204. Note that, in application of the present invention, the movement mechanism of the fixed member 203 is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, and the present invention is also applicable to a configuration in which a structure such as the fixed member 203 is moved by electronic control, for example.

[0026] The base 204 is a support member that supports the cartridge 2 and the tank 3 from below. The joint needle 205 is a hollow member that connects to the joint part 103 of the cartridge 2, and is a supply path forming part that forms a supply path for supplying liquid from the cartridge 2 to the tank 3. The joint needle 205 is connected to the tank 3, and is provided so as to protrude from the tank 3 towards the holding part 202.

[0027] In the first embodiment, the tank 3 is installed in the cartridge mounting section 200 in the same manner as the cartridge 2, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention is also applicable to a configuration in which the tank 3 is mounted inside or outside the main body of the ejection head 1 or the recording device 10.

[0028] (How to install the cartridge) Next, the internal structure and mounting method of the cartridge 2 will be described. Figures 4(a) to (e) are diagrams showing a method of mounting the cartridge 2 to the cartridge mounting portion 200 and connecting it to the tank 3. Each of Figures 4(a) to (e) shows a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 2 and the cartridge mounting portion 200, and an enlarged view of the vicinity of the damper portion 104 of the cartridge 2.

[0029] The damper section 104 is configured by sandwiching a damper member in a groove section 111 provided in the cartridge 2. The inside of the damper section 104 is hollow and communicates with a storage space 112 for the liquid Li formed inside the cartridge 2. The storage space 112 of the cartridge 2 is formed by the liquid holding section 101, the ceiling section 102, and the damper section 104. In other words, the liquid holding section 101, the ceiling section 102, and the damper section 104 constitute the exterior section of the cartridge 2 and form the storage space 112. The damper section 104 may be fixed to the cartridge 2 with an adhesive or may be welded by heat. In applying the present invention, it is sufficient that the inside of the damper section 104 constitutes a part of the storage space 112 of the cartridge 2 and that the storage space 112 can be kept airtight.

[0030] The cartridge 2 has an air vent 105 that connects the accommodation space 112 to the outside, and an air vent A shutter 106 configured to be able to open and close the atmosphere communication port 105 is provided. The atmosphere communication port 105 is provided at the other end opposite to the one end where the damper portion 104 of the ceiling portion 102 is located in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 2. The shutter 106 is provided at the other end of the cartridge 2. The shutter 106 is provided so as to be able to slide in the vertical direction relative to the liquid holding portion 101 and the ceiling portion 102, and the atmosphere communication port 105 is opened and closed by the vertical movement of the shutter 106.

[0031] A series of steps in which the cartridge 2 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 200 and connected to the tank 3 will be described. FIG. 4(a) shows the cartridge 2 placed on the base 204. The cartridge 2 is placed on the base 204 with the joint portion 103 facing the joint needle 205 and the tank 3 so as not to interfere with the joint needle 205. That is, the cartridge 2 is placed so that one end where the damper portion 104 and the joint portion 103 are provided faces the tank 3. At this time, the fixing member 203 is pushed from above by the cartridge 2 and moves to a position where it is accommodated inside the base 204. In addition, when the cartridge 2 is placed on the base 204, the atmosphere communication port 105 is closed by the shutter 106, and the inside of the cartridge 2 is in a sealed state.

[0032] Next, the cartridge 2 is pushed toward the tank 3 so as to slide on the base 204. FIG. 4(b) shows a state in which the cartridge 2 moves from the state shown in FIG. 4(a) in a direction approaching the tank 3 and the damper portion 104 is about to come into contact with the contact portion 31 of the tank 3. In the first embodiment, the contact portion 31 is a surface of the exterior of the tank 3. By pushing the cartridge 2 toward the tank 3, the joint needle 205 connected to the tank 3 is inserted into the joint portion 103 of the cartridge 2. Then, the storage space 112 inside the cartridge 2 and the storage space 32 inside the tank 3 are connected to each other.

[0033] FIG. 4(c) shows a state in which the cartridge 2 further moves from the state of FIG. 4(b) in a direction approaching the tank 3, and the damper portion 104 comes into contact with the contact portion 31 of the tank 3 and is crushed. As described above, the damper portion 104 is made of an elastic body, and is deformed so as to come into contact with the contact portion 31 and be crushed as the cartridge 2 moves toward the tank 3. That is, the contact portion 31 deforms the damper portion 104 of the cartridge 2 so as to reduce the volume of the storage space 112 of the cartridge 2 in the process of connecting the cartridge 2 to the tank 3. In this way, by using the exterior of the tank 3 as the contact portion 31 that comes into contact with the cartridge 2 and deforms the cartridge 2, there is no need to provide a new structure, and an increase in manufacturing costs can be suppressed.

[0034] At this time, as shown in Fig. 4(c), the air in the space inside the damper part 104 is pushed out in the direction of the arrow toward the space inside the ceiling part 102 and the liquid holding part 101. Then, the volume of the storage space 112 of the cartridge 2 decreases, and the pressure inside the storage space 112 increases. Then, pressure acts so as to push the liquid Li into the joint needle 205, and the liquid Li is supplied from the cartridge 2 to the tank 3 through the joint needle 205. Then, a part of the liquid Li that was stored in the storage space 112 of the cartridge 2 moves to the storage space 32 of the tank 3.

[0035] With this configuration, the liquid Li is forced into the joint needle 205 with a stronger force than with a configuration that uses a head difference to supply liquid. In a configuration that uses a head difference, the pressure on the liquid surface in the accommodation space 112 of the cartridge 2 is atmospheric pressure, but in this configuration, the pressure on the liquid surface in the accommodation space 112 of the cartridge 2 becomes greater than atmospheric pressure due to the deformation of the damper part 104. Therefore, with the above-mentioned configuration, there is less room for bubbles to get inside the joint needle 205, and bubble clogging can be suppressed.

[0036] In the above-mentioned configuration, the amount by which the joint needle 205 protrudes from the tank 3 is greater than the amount by which the damper portion 104 protrudes from the ceiling portion 102. Therefore, when the cartridge 2 is mounted, the joint needle 205 is connected to the joint portion 103 before the damper portion 104 abuts against the tank 3 and deforms. This configuration prevents the damper portion 104 from deforming before the accommodation space 112 of the cartridge 2 and the accommodation space 32 of the tank 3 communicate with each other. Furthermore, after the joint needle 205 is securely connected to the joint portion 103, the pressure inside the accommodation space 112 increases, so that the liquid is stably supplied to the tank 3 without leaking from the cartridge 2.

[0037] When the cartridge 2 moves to a predetermined position and the shutter 106 is located directly above the fixed member 203, the fixed member 203 moves upward to protrude from the base 204, and the shutter 106 is pushed up. FIG. 4(d) shows a state in which the shutter 106 has been moved upward by the fixed member 203. At this time, the cartridge 2 is surrounded on all four sides by the holding portion 202 and the fixed member 203 and fixed to the cartridge mounting portion 200. The restoring force of the damper portion 104 acts in a direction to move the cartridge 2 away from the tank 3, but the movement of the cartridge 2 is restricted by the fixed member 203, so that the position of the cartridge 2 is stably fixed.

[0038] Furthermore, when the cartridge 2 moves and the fixed member 203 rises upward, the shutter 106 is pushed by the fixed member 203 and moves to a position where it opens the atmosphere vent port 105. That is, when the cartridge 2 moves to a position where it is fixed by the fixed member 203, the storage space 112 of the cartridge 2 communicates with the outside via the atmosphere vent port 105, and the pressure inside the storage space 112 becomes equal to atmospheric pressure.

[0039] After the atmosphere communication port 105 is opened, liquid Li is supplied from the tank 3 to the discharge head 1 as appropriate, and the liquid Li contained in the storage space 32 of the tank 3 decreases. Then, as the pressure in the storage space 32 of the tank 3 decreases, liquid Li moves from the cartridge 2 to the tank 3 so as to eliminate the pressure difference between the storage space 32 and the storage space 112 of the cartridge 2. That is, every time liquid Li is supplied from the tank 3 to the discharge head 1, liquid Li is supplied from the cartridge 2 to the tank 3. As described above, after the pressure inside the cartridge 2 increases and a portion of liquid Li is supplied from the cartridge 2 to the tank 3, the inside of the cartridge 2 is opened to the atmosphere, and liquid Li continues to be supplied from the cartridge 2 to the tank 3 thereafter.

[0040] In the first embodiment, the cartridge 2 is provided with the shutter 106 to open and close the atmosphere communication port 105, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention is also applicable to a configuration in which the atmosphere communication port 105 is blocked with a seal, and the seal is peeled off after the cartridge 2 is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 200. In such a configuration, if the seal is peeled off before the cartridge 2 is mounted, the effect of suppressing bubble clogging cannot be obtained, so it is preferable to take some kind of measure.

[0041] When the liquid Li contained in the cartridge 2 is used up, the cartridge 2 is removed from the cartridge mounting part 200, and a new cartridge 2 containing liquid Li is mounted in the cartridge mounting part 200. Fig. 4(e) shows the state in which the cartridge 2 moves in a direction away from the tank 3 and is removed from the cartridge mounting part 200. When the cartridge 2 is separated from the tank 3, the fixing member 203 is moved to a position where it is accommodated inside the base 204, the shutter 106 moves downward to close the atmosphere communication port 105, and the storage space 112 of the cartridge 2 is sealed.

[0042] When the cartridge 2 moves away from the tank 3 while the air vent 105 is blocked, When the cartridge 2 is removed, the damper portion 104 is restored from the crushed state, the volume of the storage space 112 of the cartridge 2 increases, and the pressure inside the storage space 112 decreases. Then, inside the storage space 112, air moves in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 4(e). With this configuration, even if liquid Li remains in the joint needle 205 or the joint portion 103 when the cartridge 2 is removed, the liquid Li is drawn into the storage space 112 of the cartridge 2, so dripping can be reduced. That is, with the above-mentioned configuration, when the cartridge 2 is removed, it is possible to prevent liquid Li from leaking from the outside of the cartridge 2, etc., and contaminating the cartridge mounting portion 200 with liquid Li.

[0043] As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the cartridge 2 is attached to or detached from the cartridge mounting portion 200, the damper portion 104 deforms, the volume of the storage space 112 of the cartridge 2 changes, and the internal pressure changes. This pressure change suppresses the occurrence of bubble clogging when the cartridge 2 is attached, and reduces dripping when the cartridge 2 is removed.

[0044] One possible measure to prevent the occurrence of bubble clogging is to increase the flow path diameter of the joint needle 205, but increasing the flow path diameter makes it easier for liquid to leak from the joint needle 205 and the cartridge 2 when the cartridge 2 is removed. On the other hand, according to the first embodiment, since there is no need to increase the flow path diameter, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of bubble clogging and reduce dripping at the same time.

[0045] In the first embodiment, the cartridge 2 is fixed to the cartridge mounting portion 200 by providing the fixing member 203, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Figures 5(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views of a cartridge 7 and a cartridge mounting portion 210 according to a modified example of the first embodiment. The cartridge 7 is provided with a shutter 141 configured to be able to open and close the atmosphere communication port 105. Also, a groove 211 opening upward is formed in the base 204 of the cartridge mounting portion 210.

[0046] FIG. 5(a) shows the cartridge 7 immediately before being mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 210, and FIG. 5(b) shows the cartridge 7 mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 210. The shutter 141 is provided so as to be slidable in the vertical direction with respect to the liquid holding portion 101 and the ceiling portion 102, and the atmosphere communication port 105 is opened and closed by the vertical movement of the shutter 141. In the modified example, when the cartridge 7 moves to a predetermined position, the shutter 141 moves downward to enter the groove 211 of the base 204, and the atmosphere communication port 105 is opened. Then, the shutter 141 is inserted into the groove 211, and the cartridge 7 is fixed to the cartridge mounting portion 210. In this way, a configuration in which the shutter 141 and the groove 211 fix the cartridge 7 to the cartridge mounting portion 200 while opening the atmosphere communication port 105 is also preferable for application of the present invention. In addition, in the first embodiment and its modified examples, the same structure was used for the opening / closing mechanism of the atmosphere communication port 105 and the fixing mechanism of the cartridge, but the present invention is also applicable to a configuration in which the opening / closing mechanism and the fixing mechanism are independent of each other.

[0047] In the first embodiment, the contact portion 31, which is the exterior of the tank 3, is brought into contact with the damper portion 104 of the cartridge 2 to deform the damper portion 104, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention is also applicable to a configuration in which a new structure is provided for deforming the cartridge 2 so that the volume of the housing space 112 of the cartridge 2 is reduced by contacting the cartridge 2 when the cartridge 2 is mounted on the recording device 10.

[0048] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the mechanism for changing the pressure inside the cartridge storage space 112. In the description of the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and only the characteristic components of the second embodiment will be described.

[0049] 6(a) to 6(c) are cross-sectional views of the cartridge 8 and the cartridge mounting portion 200 according to the second embodiment. The cartridge 8 is provided with a syringe portion 107 and an elastic body 108 instead of the damper portion 104. The syringe portion 107 is a cylindrical member and is provided so as to close an opening formed in the ceiling portion 102 of the cartridge 8. A part of the syringe portion 107 protrudes outward from the ceiling portion 102 from an end portion opposite to the end portion where the air communication port 105 is provided in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 8. Furthermore, the syringe portion 107 is configured to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 8 inside the ceiling portion 102. In the second embodiment, the syringe portion 107 slides inside the ceiling portion 102, thereby changing the volume of the storage space 112 and changing the pressure inside the storage space 112.

[0050] A cover portion is provided at the tip of syringe portion 107 located inside ceiling portion 102. The cover portion fills the gap between syringe portion 107 and ceiling portion 102 in order to improve the airtightness of storage space 112 when atmosphere communication port 105 is closed. In other words, when atmosphere communication port 105 is closed by shutter 106, storage space 112 of cartridge 8 is in an airtight state.

[0051] Elastic body 108 is connected to a tip of syringe portion 107 located inside ceiling portion 102, and biases syringe portion 107 in a direction to push it outward from cartridge 8. By providing elastic body 108, syringe portion 107 returns to a predetermined position even if syringe portion 107 is unintentionally moved by an external force.

[0052] Next, a method of mounting the cartridge 8 will be described. FIG. 8(a) shows a state in which the cartridge 8 is placed on the base 204. The cartridge 8 is placed on the base 204 with the joint part 103 facing the joint needle 205 so as not to interfere with the joint needle 205. That is, the cartridge 2 is placed so that one end where the syringe part 107 and the joint part 103 are provided faces the tank 3. At this time, the fixing member 203 is pushed by the cartridge 8 from above and moves to a position where it is accommodated inside the base 204. In addition, when the cartridge 8 is placed on the base 204, the atmosphere communication port 105 is closed by the shutter 106, and the inside of the cartridge 2 is in a sealed state.

[0053] Next, the cartridge 8 is pushed toward the tank 3 so as to slide on the base 204. FIG. 8(b) shows the state in which the cartridge 8 moves from the state in FIG. 8(a) in a direction approaching the tank 3 and the syringe portion 107 is about to come into contact with the contact portion 31 of the tank 3. The contact portion 31 is a surface of the exterior of the tank 3, as in the first embodiment. By pushing the cartridge 2 toward the tank 3, the joint needle 205 connected to the tank 3 is inserted into the joint portion 103 of the cartridge 2. Then, the liquid storage space 112 inside the cartridge 2 and the liquid storage space 32 inside the tank 3 are connected to each other.

[0054] 8(c) shows a state in which the cartridge 2 has further moved from the state in FIG. 8(b) in a direction approaching the tank 3, and the syringe portion 107 has come into contact with the contact portion 31 of the tank 3 and penetrated further inside the ceiling portion 102. As described above, the syringe portion 107 is configured to be slidable inside the ceiling portion 102, and as the cartridge 2 is moved toward the tank 3, it comes into contact with the contact portion 31 and moves in a direction in which it enters the inside of the ceiling portion 102. That is, in the process of connecting the cartridge 2 to the tank 3, the contact portion 31 moves the syringe portion 107 so as to reduce the volume of the storage space 112 of the cartridge 2, thereby deforming the cartridge 2.

[0055] At this time, the syringe part 107 moves, so that the volume of the accommodation space 112 of the cartridge 8 is increased. The volume of the storage space 112 decreases, and the pressure inside the storage space 112 increases. Then, pressure acts so as to push the liquid Li into the joint needle 205, and the liquid Li is supplied from the cartridge 2 to the tank 3 through the joint needle 205. Then, a part of the liquid Li stored in the storage space 112 of the cartridge 2 moves to the storage space 32 of the tank 3. That is, also in the second embodiment, when the cartridge 8 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 200, the volume of the storage space 112 of the cartridge 2 decreases and the internal pressure increases, thereby suppressing the occurrence of bubble clogging.

[0056] Furthermore, when cartridge 8 is removed from cartridge mounting portion 200, syringe portion 107 is biased by elastic body 108 to move toward the outside of ceiling portion 102, increasing the volume of storage space 112 of cartridge 8 and decreasing the pressure inside storage space 112. That is, also in the second embodiment, when cartridge 8 is removed from cartridge mounting portion 200, the volume of storage space 112 of cartridge 2 increases and the internal pressure decreases, thereby reducing dripping.

[0057] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a mechanism for preventing erroneous cartridge installation is provided. In the following description of the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and description is omitted, and only the characteristic components of the third embodiment will be described.

[0058] Fig. 7(a) is a perspective view of a cartridge mounting section 220 according to the third embodiment. Fig. 7(b) is a perspective view of a plurality of cartridges 9a-9d according to the third embodiment. The cartridge mounting section 220 is configured so that the four cartridges 9a-9d can be detachably mounted therein, and is provided with four tanks 3a-3d.

[0059] Each cartridge 9a-9d contains a different color liquid, and is connected to a tank that contains the same color liquid among the tanks 3a-3d. Specifically, the first cartridge 9a is connected to the first tank 3a, the second cartridge 9b is connected to the second tank 3b, the third cartridge 9c is connected to the third tank 3c, and the fourth cartridge 9d is connected to the fourth tank 3d.

[0060] Each of the four tanks 3a to 3d is provided with a protrusion that protrudes from the exterior of the tank in the same direction as the joint needle 205 as an engagement portion. The first tank 3a is provided with one protrusion 208a, and the second tank 3b is provided with one protrusion 208b at a position different from that of the first tank 3a. The third tank 3c is provided with a protrusion 208c having a different shape from the protrusion 208a provided on the first tank 3a, and the fourth tank 3d is provided with two protrusions 208d. Each of the protrusions 208a to 208d also functions as a contact portion that contacts the damper portion 104 to deform the damper portion 104.

[0061] In each of the four cartridges 9a to 9d, a notch is formed as an engaged portion that engages with the protrusion at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge where a joint portion 103 is provided. The notch is formed in the ceiling portion 102, and a damper portion 104 is provided in each of the cartridges 9a to 9d so as to protrude from the end face of the notch in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge.

[0062] The first cartridge 9a has a notch 109a formed at a position corresponding to the protrusion 208a of the first tank 3a. In other words, the notch 109a is configured so that when the first cartridge (second storage container) 9a is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 220 and connected to the first tank (first storage container) 3a, the first cartridge 9a does not interfere with the protrusion 208a. Similarly, the second cartridge 9b has a notch 109a formed at a position corresponding to the protrusion 208b of the second tank 3b. A notch 109b is formed at a position corresponding to the protrusion 208b of the third cartridge 9c, so that the second cartridge 9b can be connected to the second tank 3b without interfering with the protrusion 208b. Also, a notch 109c is formed in the third cartridge 9c at a position corresponding to the protrusion 208c of the third tank 3c, so that the third cartridge 9c can be connected to the third tank 3c without interfering with the protrusion 208c. Also, two notches 109d are formed in the fourth cartridge 9d at positions corresponding to the two protrusions 208d of the fourth tank 3d, so that the fourth cartridge 9d can be connected to the fourth tank 3d without interfering with the protrusions 208d.

[0063] On the other hand, when the first cartridge (second storage container) 9a is to be connected to, for example, the second tank (third storage container) 3b, the protrusion 208b of the second tank 3b interferes with the first cartridge 9a, and the first cartridge 9a cannot be mounted in the cartridge mounting section 220. Similarly, when the second cartridge (fourth storage container) 9b is to be connected to the first tank (first storage container) 3a, the protrusion 208a of the first tank 3a interferes with the second cartridge 9b, and the second cartridge 9b cannot be mounted in the cartridge mounting section 220. That is, in the third embodiment, each of the cartridges 9a to 9d can be connected only to one of the corresponding tanks 3a to 3d. With this configuration, erroneous mounting of the cartridges is prevented, and mixing of different color liquids inside the tank or the ejection head can be prevented. As described above, according to the configuration of the third embodiment, it is possible to obtain an effect of suppressing the occurrence of bubble clogging and dripping, and to prevent erroneous mounting of the cartridges.

[0064] In addition, when applying the present invention, the shape, arrangement position, and arrangement number of the protrusions are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, the present invention can be applied to a configuration in which four cartridges are provided with engaged parts of different shapes, and four tanks are provided with engaging parts of different shapes to prevent erroneous installation. The present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which a notch is provided at the bottom of the cartridge, and a protrusion is provided on the base of the cartridge installation part.

[0065] In the configuration of the third embodiment, the fourth cartridge 9d is wider than the other cartridges and is configured to accommodate a larger amount of liquid. If the same number of damper sections are provided in all cartridges with different capacities, the deformation of the damper section in the large-capacity cartridge will contribute less to the pressure rise in the storage space than in the small-capacity cartridge. Therefore, in the third embodiment, two damper sections 104 are provided in the large-capacity fourth cartridge 9d.

[0066] Since the fourth cartridge 9d is provided with many damper portions 104, the volume of the storage space 112 of the fourth cartridge 9d changes more significantly when the damper portions 104 are deformed than in other cartridges. In addition, the pressure inside the storage space 112 changes more significantly when the fourth cartridge 9d is attached or detached, so that the fourth cartridge 9d can obtain the effects of suppressing the occurrence of clogging with bubbles and the effects of suppressing dripping, just like other cartridges. In other words, the effects of suppressing the occurrence of clogging with bubbles and the effects of suppressing dripping can be appropriately obtained by changing the configuration and number of the damper portions according to the volume of the storage space of the cartridge and controlling the amount of pressure change inside the storage space.

[0067] Although three embodiments to which the present invention can be applied have been described above, these embodiments are not mutually exclusive and can be combined. In addition, other configurations not listed here can be added to each embodiment as long as they are in line with the technical idea of ​​the present invention. For example, a cartridge having a syringe portion as listed in the second embodiment and a tank as listed in the third embodiment can be combined, and the syringe portion can be pushed in by a protrusion provided on the tank.

[0068] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) a discharge head configured to discharge a liquid; a first container for containing a liquid to be supplied to the ejection head; a second container that is detachable from the liquid ejection device and connectable to the first container, and has a storage space for storing liquid to be supplied to the first container; In a liquid ejection device comprising: the first storage container has an abutment portion that abuts against the second storage container in a state in which the first storage container is connected to the second storage container, A liquid ejection device characterized in that the abutment portion deforms the second storage container so as to reduce the volume of the storage space of the second storage container during the process of connecting the second storage container to the first storage container. (Configuration 2) The second storage container includes an exterior part that forms the storage space therein, 2. The liquid ejection device according to configuration 1, wherein the contact portion contacts the exterior portion and deforms the exterior portion so as to crush a part of the exterior portion. (Configuration 3) The liquid ejection device described in configuration 2, characterized in that the exterior portion includes an elastic deformation portion configured to be crushed when it abuts against the abutment portion and to restore its original shape when the second storage container is removed from the liquid ejection device. (Configuration 4) a supply path forming portion that forms a liquid supply path that communicates from the first storage container to the second storage container; The liquid ejection device described in configuration 2 or 3, characterized in that the abutment portion is configured to abut against the second storage container after the supply path forming portion is connected to the second storage container when the second storage container is attached to the liquid ejection device. (Configuration 5) The second storage container includes an exterior part that forms the storage space and an opening of the storage space, and a syringe part that is configured to be movable relative to the exterior part in a state where the opening is closed, A part of the syringe portion is located outside the accommodation space, 2. The liquid ejection device according to configuration 1, wherein the contact portion contacts the syringe portion and moves the syringe portion so as to enter inside the storage space. (Configuration 6) 6. The liquid ejection device according to configuration 5, wherein the second storage container further includes a biasing member that biases the syringe portion in a direction to push the syringe portion outward from the exterior portion. (Configuration 7) a supply path forming portion that forms a liquid supply path that communicates from the first storage container to the second storage container; The liquid ejection device described in configuration 5 or 6, characterized in that the abutment portion is configured to abut against the syringe portion after the supply path forming portion is connected to the second storage container when the second storage container is attached to the liquid ejection device. (Configuration 8) a third container that contains a liquid to be supplied to the ejection head; a fourth storage container configured to be connectable and disconnectable to the third storage container and configured to store a liquid to be supplied to the third storage container; Further comprising: the second storage container includes an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion of the first storage container when the second storage container is connected to the first storage container, The engaging portion of the first storage container is configured to interfere with the first storage container when the fourth storage container is to be connected to the first storage container. 8. A liquid ejection device according to any one of the above aspects. (Configuration 9) The liquid ejection device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the contact portion is an exterior portion of the first storage container. (Configuration 10) A liquid ejection device described in any one of configurations 1 to 9, further comprising a fixing portion that fixes the second storage container to the liquid ejection device when the second storage container is attached to the liquid ejection device. (Configuration 11) the first container is a tank for containing a liquid, 11. The liquid ejection device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein the second storage container is a cartridge configured to be detachable from the liquid ejection device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1...ejection head, 2...cartridge (second storage container), 3...tank (first storage container), 10...recording device (liquid ejection device), 31...contact portion, 112...storage space, Li...liquid

Claims

1. a discharge head configured to discharge a liquid; a first container for containing a liquid to be supplied to the ejection head; a second container that is detachable from the liquid ejection device and connectable to the first container, and that has a storage space for storing liquid to be supplied to the first container; In a liquid ejection device comprising: the first storage container has an abutment portion that abuts against the second storage container when the first storage container is connected to the second storage container, the abutment portion deforms the second storage container so as to reduce the volume of the storage space of the second storage container during the process of connecting the second storage container to the first storage container, the second storage container includes an exterior portion that forms the storage space therein, The liquid ejection device, wherein the contact portion contacts the exterior portion and deforms the exterior portion so as to crush a part of the exterior portion.

2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the exterior portion includes an elastic deformation portion configured to be crushed when it abuts against the abutment portion and to restore its original shape when the second storage container is removed from the liquid ejection device.

3. a supply path forming portion that forms a liquid supply path that communicates from the first storage container to the second storage container; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the abutment portion is configured to abut against the second storage container after the supply path forming portion is connected to the second storage container when the second storage container is attached to the liquid ejection device.

4. the second storage container includes an exterior part that forms the storage space and an opening of the storage space, and a syringe part that is configured to be movable relative to the exterior part in a state where the opening is closed, a part of the syringe portion is located outside the accommodation space, The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , wherein the contact portion contacts the syringe portion and moves the syringe portion so as to enter the storage space.

5. 5. The liquid ejection device according to claim 4, wherein the second container further includes a biasing member that biases the syringe portion in a direction that pushes the syringe portion outward from the exterior portion.

6. a supply path forming portion that forms a liquid supply path that communicates from the first storage container to the second storage container; The liquid ejection device according to claim 4, characterized in that the abutment portion is configured to abut against the syringe portion after the supply path forming portion is connected to the second storage container when the second storage container is attached to the liquid ejection device.

7. a third container that contains a liquid to be supplied to the ejection head; a fourth storage container configured to be connectable to and disconnectable from the third storage container and configured to store liquid to be supplied to the third storage container; Further provided with the second storage container includes an engaged portion that engages with an engaging portion of the first storage container when the second storage container is connected to the first storage container; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , wherein the engaging portion of the first storage container is configured to interfere with the fourth storage container when the fourth storage container is to be connected to the first storage container.

8. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , wherein the contact portion is an exterior portion of the first container.

9. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , further comprising a fixing portion that fixes the second container to the liquid ejection device when the second container is attached to the liquid ejection device.

10. the first storage container is a tank that stores a liquid, 10. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the second storage container is a cartridge that is configured to be detachable from the liquid ejection device.

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