Recording device and tank

Abstract

To provide a technology that can fix a plurality of tanks to a recording device with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A recording device includes a plurality of tanks storing liquid and arrayed in a first direction. A first tank of the tanks includes a first regulation part for regulating movement of a second tank that is not adjacent to at least the first tank of the other tanks.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recording device and a tank, and more particularly to a technique for fixing a plurality of tanks to a recording device. [Background technology]

[0002] As a technique for fixing multiple ink tanks together to an inkjet recording device, Patent Document 1 describes a method in which multiple ink tanks are connected together in advance, and then the connected ink tanks are attached and fixed to the recording device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-51306 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, the number of times that the ink tanks need to be connected together during manufacturing corresponds to the number of ink tanks, i.e., when the number of ink tanks is N, the connection work needs to be done N-1 times. Therefore, the more ink tanks there are, the more connection work needs to be done, and furthermore, a separate work is required to fix the ink tank unit, which has completed connection, to the mounting part of the device.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a recording device that is simply configured and capable of fixing a plurality of tanks to the recording device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The recording device disclosed herein is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of tanks which contain liquid and are arranged in a first direction, and one of the plurality of tanks, a first tank, has a first regulating portion which regulates the movement of at least a second tank which is not adjacent to the first tank among the other tanks. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to fix multiple tanks to a recording device with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1A and 1B are a top view and a schematic three-sided view of an ink tank unit according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 3(a) and 3(b) are perspective views of an ink tank for black ink according to the first embodiment before a film is thermally welded. FIG. [Figure 4] 3(a) and 3(b) are perspective views of the ink tank for color ink according to the first embodiment before the film is thermally welded. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are perspective views of an ink tank for black ink according to the first embodiment before a film is thermally welded thereto, and a perspective view of an ink tank for color inks before a film is thermally welded thereto. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are perspective views of a main body case according to a first embodiment and an ink tank unit disposed in the main body case. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an ink tank unit disposed in a main body case according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] 13(a) to 13(c) are schematic diagrams of an ink tank unit according to a second embodiment and a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] <First embodiment> (Inkjet recording device overview) 1 is a schematic diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as a recording apparatus) according to a first embodiment. The inkjet recording apparatus 100 includes a transport roller 1, a pinch roller 2, a platen 3, a recording head 4, guide rails 5 and 6, a carriage 7, ink tanks 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, and 8Y), tubes 10, a recovery unit 11, and a main body case 12 (support).

[0011] During printing, the printing medium is supplied by a paper feed roller (not shown). The printing medium is sandwiched between a transport roller 1 and a pinch roller 2, and is transported in the Y direction by the rotation of the transport roller 1 while being guided and supported by a platen 3. The surface of the transport roller 1 has minute irregularities to increase frictional force. The pinch roller 2 is elastically biased against the transport roller 1 by a pressing means such as a spring. The platen 3 supports the printing medium, and maintains a predetermined distance between the surface of the printing medium and the ink ejection surface of the printing head 4.

[0012] The carriage 7 is driven by a driving means such as a motor to move back and forth in the X direction along guide rails 5 and 6 arranged above and below. The X direction in which the carriage 7 moves is called the main scanning direction, and the Y direction in which the recording medium is transported is called the sub-scanning direction.

[0013] The recording head 4 is removably mounted on a carriage 7 and is disposed facing a recording medium. The recording head 4 has a plurality of nozzle rows for ejecting ink (liquid) of different colors. As an energy method for ejecting ink, the recording head 4 may use a thermal energy method that includes a means for generating thermal energy (e.g., a heat generating resistor element) and changes the state of the ink (film boiling), or a vibration energy method.

[0014] Multiple ink tanks 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, 8Y) are arranged and fixed in the main case 12. In this embodiment, the multiple ink tanks 8 are arranged in the main scanning direction (X direction). The multiple ink tanks 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, 8Y) correspond to the ink colors (black, cyan, magenta, yellow) that can be ejected by the recording head 4. Ink tank 8K contains black ink, ink tank 8C contains cyan ink, 8M contains magenta ink, and 8Y contains yellow ink.

[0015] The ink tanks 8 and the recording heads 4 are connected by tubes 10 for each ink color. The ink in each ink tank 8 is supplied to the nozzle row of the corresponding recording head 4 via the tubes 10. The arrangement direction of the multiple ink tanks 8 is not limited to a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium. In this embodiment, the ink tanks 8C, 8M, and 8Y are constructed using common parts, but they may be constructed using different parts.

[0016] The recovery unit 11 has a cap portion for capping the ink ejection surface of the recording head 4, a suction mechanism for sucking ink from the recording head 4 while the ink ejection surface is capped, a cleaning blade for wiping dirt off the ink ejection surface, etc. The recovery unit 11 is disposed in a non-printing area that is within the reciprocating movement range of the recording head 4 and outside the passing range of the conveyed recording medium. The recovery unit 11 is disposed in a position where it can face the ink ejection surface of the recording head 4.

[0017] A plurality of ink tanks 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, 8Y) are disposed in the main body case 12. In this embodiment, one ink tank (for example, 8K) is directly fixed to the main body case 12, but the other ink tanks 8C, 8M, 8Y are not directly fixed to the main body case 12. A detailed structure relating to this fixing will be described later with reference to Figures 5, 6, etc.

[0018] After printing on the recording medium by the recording head 4, the recording medium is sandwiched between the discharge roller and a spur (not shown) which is a rotating body, and is discharged from the recording device 100 by the rotation of the discharge roller. The discharge roller is a rubber roller having a friction coefficient. The spur is elastically biased against the discharge roller by a pressing means such as a spring.

[0019] Fig. 2(a) shows ink tanks 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, 8Y) according to this embodiment, and Fig. 2(b) shows a schematic three-sided view of ink tank 8K. Ink tanks 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, 8Y) have ink inlets 23 for injecting ink into the interior, and tube joints 24 connected to tubes 10. Ink inlets 23 are located at the top of ink tanks 8, and plug members 22 are attached to each of them in an openable and closable manner.

[0020] As shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the ink tank 8K includes an enlarged portion 27a. As shown in Figure 2(b), the enlarged portion 27a extends in the X direction, and the ink tanks 8K, 8C, 8M, and 8Y are arranged along this X direction. In this embodiment, the ink tank 8K is arranged at the end of the ink tank unit.

[0021] The enlarged portion 27a of the ink tank 8K and the ink containing portions 127 (see FIG. 4) of the ink tanks 8C, 8M, and 8Y overlap along the X direction. That is, when viewed from the Y direction, the enlarged portion 27a and the ink tanks 8C, 8M, and 8Y overlap in whole or in part.

[0022] 3(a) and 3(b) are perspective views of the ink tank 8K according to this embodiment before the film is heat-sealed. As shown in Figs. 3(a) and 3(b), ink is injected from the ink inlet 23 and is accommodated in the ink chamber 27 through the flow path 41 and the opening 42. An enlarged portion 27a, which is a part of the ink chamber 27, extends in the X direction, and the ink tank 8K accommodates a larger volume of ink than the ink tanks 8C, 8M, and 8Y. The tube joint 24 and the opening 26 arranged on the bottom surface of the ink chamber 27 communicate with each other via a communication passage 25.

[0023] Next, the configuration of the buffer chamber, which is an air-communicating flow path, will be described. The ink storage chamber 27 and the buffer chamber 29 communicate with each other through an opening 28. The buffer chamber 29 and the buffer chamber 31 communicate with each other through a flow path 30. The buffer chamber 31 and the buffer chamber 33 communicate with each other through a flow path 32. The buffer chamber 33 and the buffer chamber 35 communicate with each other through a flow path 34. The buffer chamber 35 and the buffer chamber 37 communicate with each other through a flow path 36. The buffer chamber 37 and the buffer chamber 39 communicate with each other through a flow path 38. The buffer chamber 39 communicates with the outside air through the air-communicating port 40. With the above configuration, when the recording device 100 is tilted and the position of the ink tank 8K changes, each buffer chamber can accommodate the ink leaked from the ink storage chamber 27. Therefore, the ink is prevented from flowing out from the ink tank 8K. In addition, a film (not shown) is heat-sealed on both sides of the ink tank 8K, and the ink storage chamber 27, each buffer chamber, and each flow path are sealed.

[0024] Fig. 4(a) is a perspective view of ink tank 8C according to this embodiment before the film is heat-sealed. Since ink tanks 8C, 8M, and 8Y have a common configuration, Fig. 4 will explain ink tank 8C. As shown in Figs. 4(a) and 4(b), ink is injected from ink inlet 23 and passes through flow path 141 and opening 142 to be contained in ink containing chamber 127. Tube joint 24 and opening 126 arranged on the bottom surface of ink containing chamber 127 communicate with each other via communication passage 125.

[0025] Next, the configuration of the buffer chamber, which is an air-communicating flow path, will be described. The ink storage chamber 127 and the buffer chamber 131 communicate with each other through an opening 128. The buffer chamber 131 and the buffer chamber 133 communicate with each other through a flow path 132. The buffer chamber 133 and the buffer chamber 135 communicate with each other through a flow path 134. The buffer chamber 135 and the buffer chamber 137 communicate with each other through a flow path 136. The buffer chamber 137 and the buffer chamber 139 communicate with each other through a flow path 138. The buffer chamber 139 communicates with the outside air through the air-communicating port 140. With the above configuration, when the recording device 100 is tilted and the position of the ink tank 8C changes, each buffer chamber can accommodate the ink leaking from the ink storage chamber 127. Therefore, the ink is prevented from flowing out from the ink tank 8C. Films (not shown) are heat-sealed on both sides of the ink tank 8C, and the ink storage chamber, each buffer chamber, and each flow path are sealed.

[0026] In this embodiment, the ink tank 8K can hold approximately 70 ml of ink, and the ink tanks 8C, 8M, and 8Y can hold approximately 40 ml of ink. Because black ink is often used in printing, the capacity of the ink tank 8K is designed to be greater than the capacities of the ink tanks 8C, 8M, and 8Y. The ratio of the ink volumes contained in each ink tank can be changed as appropriate. The width in the Y direction of the ink tank 8K and the width in the Y direction of the ink tanks 8C, 8M, and 8Y may be any width.

[0027] Next, the fixing and mounting of each ink tank 8 to the recording device 100 will be explained using Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5(a) shows ink tank 8K, and Figure 5(b) shows ink tank 8C. Since ink tanks 8C, 8M, and 8Y have a common configuration, Figure 5(b) will explain ink tank 8C. Figure 6(a) shows the main body case 12 before each ink tank 8 is mounted, and Figure 6(b) shows the state in which each ink tank 8 is arranged in the main body case 12.

[0028] As shown in Figs. 5(a) and 5(b), the bottom surface of each ink tank 8 is provided with a protrusion 8a, a protrusion 8b, and a boss 8c as a third regulated portion. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 6(a), the main body case 12 (support) is provided with a contact surface 12a, a contact surface 12b, and a hole 12c as a third regulated portion corresponding to the third regulated portion. The protrusion 8a engages with the contact surface 12a, the protrusion 8b engages with the contact surface 12b, and the boss 8c engages with the hole 12c. These engagements regulate the movement of each ink tank 8 in the XY direction (horizontal direction) and the Z direction (gravity direction). With the above-mentioned configuration, each ink tank 8 can be provisionally fixed to the recording device 100 simply by attaching it to the main body case 12 from above, making the assembly work easier.

[0029] 5(a) and (b), a protrusion 8d serving as a fourth regulated portion is disposed on the front (side) of each ink tank 8. Correspondingly, as shown in FIGS. 6(a) and (b), a hole 12d serving as a fourth regulating portion is disposed in the main body case 12. The protrusion 8d and the hole 12d engage with each other to regulate the movement of the ink tank 8.

[0030] 5(a), a rib 8e is provided as a first regulating portion at a location corresponding to the expanded portion 27a of the ink tank 8K. Correspondingly, a rib 8f is provided as a first regulated portion at the ink tank 8C, corresponding to the rib 8e. When the ink tanks 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, 8Y) are attached to the main body case 12, the ink tanks (8C, 8M, 8Y) are attached before the ink tank 8K. The ink tank 8K is then positioned last and fixed to the main body case 12.

[0031] As described above, by mounting the ink tanks (8C, 8M, 8Y) first and the ink tank 8K last, the rib 8e of the expanding portion 27a is disposed above the multiple ribs 8f in the Z direction. As a result, the movement of the ribs 8f of each of the ink tanks 8C, 8M, 8Y in the Z direction is restricted by the rib 8e of the ink tank 8K. With this configuration, the first restricting portion 8e of the ink tank 8K abuts against the first restricted portion 8f of the adjacent ink tank 8C and the first restricted portions 8f of the non-adjacent ink tanks 8M and 8Y. Therefore, the first restricting portion 8e of the ink tank 8K restricts the upward movement of the ink tanks 8C, 8M, 8Y in the Z direction (the direction opposite to the direction of gravity).

[0032] FIG. 7(a) shows ink tanks 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, 8Y) fixed to a main body case 12 according to this embodiment. The ink tank 8K has a fixed portion 8g (second regulated portion). The main body case 12 has a fixing portion 12g (second regulated portion) corresponding to the fixed portion 8g. The fixing portion 12g and the fixed portion 8g are fixed to each other by a screw 50, but may also be fixed by a snap fit. Fixation by the screw 50 firmly fixes the main body case 12 and the ink tank 8K, while fixation by a snap fit simplifies the assembly work.

[0033] Figure 7(b) is a perspective view of the YY cross section in Figure 7(a). In Figure 7(b), the rib 8b of each ink tank 8 engages with the abutment surface 12b of the main body case 12. As described above, the rib 8a of each ink tank 8 engages with the abutment surface 12a of the main body case 12, and the boss 8c of each ink tank 8 engages with the hole 12c of the main body case 12. The rib 8e (first restricting portion) of the ink tank 8K abuts against the rib 8f (first restricted portion) of the other ink tank, restricting the movement of the other ink tank in the Z direction.

[0034] With this configuration, by fixing the ink tank 8K to the main body case 12, the ink tanks (8C, 8M, 8Y) are also fixed to the main body case 12. Therefore, the ink tank 8K restricts the movement of the adjacent ink tank 8C and the non-adjacent ink tanks (8M, 8Y). In addition, by removing the ink tank 8K from the main body case 12, the ink tanks (8C, 8M, 8Y) can be separated, making it easy to replace the ink tanks 8.

[0035] Furthermore, the second restricting portion can restrict movement of the ink tank 8K in a specific direction. For example, in a configuration in which movement is restricted only in the Z direction and not restricted in other directions, it is possible to prevent twisting from occurring between the ink tank 8 and the main body case 12.

[0036] <Second embodiment> FIG. 8(a) shows ink tanks 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, 8Y) according to this embodiment. In the second embodiment, each ink tank 8 is arranged along the X direction. In this embodiment, ink tank 8K is arranged at the end of the ink tank unit. In FIG. 8(a), ink tank 8K does not include an expansion portion 27a, and only has a first regulating portion 8e. The first regulating portion 8e is a component that extends in the X direction. The first regulating portion 8e abuts against a first regulated portion 8f of another ink tank, and regulates movement in the Z direction of the adjacent ink tank 8C and the non-adjacent ink tanks 8M and 8Y, respectively.

[0037] FIG. 8(b) shows ink tanks 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, 8Y) according to another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8(b), the ink tank 8Y has a first restricting portion 8e, and the ink tank 8Y is disposed at an end of the ink tank unit. The ink tanks 8K, 8C, 8M each have a first restricted portion 8f, and the first restricting portion 8e restricts the movement of the adjacent ink tank 8M and the non-adjacent ink tanks 8K, 8C in the Z direction, respectively. With this configuration, a small ink tank unit can be constructed.

[0038] <Third embodiment> Fig. 8(c) shows the ink tanks 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, 8Y) according to this embodiment. In Fig. 8(c), the ink tank 8M has a first restricting portion 8e, and the ink tank 8M is disposed at a location other than the end of the ink tank unit. As shown in Fig. 8(c), the ink tank 8M has a first restricting portion 8e, and the ink tanks 8K, 8C, 8Y have first restricted portions 8f, and the first restricting portion 8e restricts movement in the Z direction of the adjacent ink tanks 8C, 8Y and the non-adjacent ink tank 8K.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first restricting portion 8e is formed to extend in both directions (two directions) of the ±X direction along the direction in which the ink tanks (8K, 8C, 8M, 8Y) are arranged. Since each restricting portion extending in both directions is shorter than the first restricting portion 8e of the second embodiment, deformation of the member is suppressed, and the restriction of movement of the other ink tanks in the Z direction is more reliably achieved.

[0040] In addition, the first restriction portion 8e in all the above-described embodiments may be removable. The removable configuration facilitates replacement of the part when the first restriction portion 8e has a defect.

[0041] <<Other embodiments>> The present disclosure includes configurations typified by the following recording apparatus example and recording apparatus control method example.

[0042] <Configuration 1> A plurality of tanks each containing a liquid and arranged in a first direction; A recording device, wherein a first tank among the plurality of tanks has a first regulating portion that regulates movement of at least a second tank among the other tanks that is not adjacent to the first tank. <Configuration 2> 2. The recording device of claim 1, wherein the first tank is arranged at an end of the plurality of tanks in the first direction. <Configuration 3> 2. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the first tank is arranged at a position other than an end of the plurality of tanks in the first direction. <Configuration 4> 2. The recording apparatus according to configuration 1, wherein the first tank includes a container portion extending along the first direction, and the first restricting portion is provided in the container portion. <Component 5> The second tank has a first regulated portion, 5. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the first regulating portion regulates movement of the first regulated portion at least in a direction opposite to a direction of gravity. <Component 6> the recording device further includes a second restricting portion, The first tank further includes a second regulated portion, 6. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein movement of the second regulated portion is regulated by the second regulating portion. <Component 7> 7. The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the second regulated portion is fixed to the second regulating portion by a screw. <Component 8> 7. The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the second regulated portion is fixed to the second regulating portion by a snap fit. <Component 9> The tank further includes a third regulated portion, The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, further comprising a third regulating portion that regulates movement of the third regulated portion. <Component 10> 10. The recording device according to configuration 9, wherein the third regulating portion regulates movement of the third regulated portion in a horizontal direction and in a gravitational direction. <Component 11> The tank further includes a fourth regulated portion, 11. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, further comprising a fourth regulating portion that regulates movement of the fourth regulated portion. <Component 12> 12. The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the first regulating portion is removable from the first tank. <Component 13> 13. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, wherein the first tank contains black ink. <Component 14> 14. The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein the first regulating unit regulates movement of a plurality of tanks including adjacent tanks. <Component 15> A tank for containing a liquid, The tank has a first regulated portion whose movement is regulated by a first regulating portion of another tank arranged in the first direction together with the tank. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 100 Inkjet recording device 8 (8K, 8C, 8M, 8Y) ink tanks 12 Main body case (support) 8e First Regulatory Section

Claims

1. a plurality of tanks each containing a liquid and arranged in a first direction; A recording device, wherein a first tank among the plurality of tanks has a first regulating portion that regulates movement of at least a second tank among the other tanks that is not adjacent to the first tank.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first tank is arranged at an end of the plurality of tanks in the first direction.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first tank is arranged at a position other than an end of the plurality of tanks in the first direction.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first tank includes a container portion extending along the first direction, and the first restricting portion is provided in the container portion.

5. The second tank has a first regulated portion, The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first restricting portion restricts movement of the first restricted portion at least in a direction opposite to a direction of gravity.

6. the recording device further includes a second restricting portion, The first tank further includes a second regulated portion, The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second regulated portion is regulated in movement by the second regulating portion.

7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the second regulated portion is fixed to the second regulating portion by a screw.

8. The recording apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the second regulated portion is fixed to the second regulating portion by a snap fit.

9. The tank further includes a third regulated portion, The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a third restricting portion that restricts movement of the third restricted portion.

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

11. The tank further includes a fourth regulated portion, The recording apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising a fourth regulating portion that regulates movement of the fourth regulated portion.

12. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first regulating portion is detachable from the first tank.

13. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first tank contains black ink.

14. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first regulating portion regulates movement of a plurality of tanks including adjacent tanks.

15. A tank for containing a liquid, A tank having a first regulated portion whose movement is regulated by a first regulating portion of another tank arranged in the first direction together with the tank.

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