Printing device

Abstract

To provide a printing device that is configured so that a supply tube can be suppressed from bending.SOLUTION: A printing device is provided with: a head 15 that can discharge liquid; a plurality of supply tubes 16 that supplies liquid to the head 15; a connecting part 18 that connects the plurality of supply tubes 16 to the head 15 attachably and detachably; and a plurality of protecting parts 17 fixed to the connecting part 18 and a carriage 14 respectively. The protecting parts 17 have elasticity and the plurality of supply tubes 16 is provided between the plurality of protecting parts 17.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device such as a printer. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, there is an inkjet recording device that is an example of a printing device that prints by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, from an inkjet head, which is an example of a head, as described in Patent Document 1. The inkjet recording device includes an ink tube, which is an example of a supply tube that supplies ink to the inkjet head, and a cover member.

[0003] The cover member is rotatably mounted. The ink tubes are deformed as the cover member rotates. When the cover member is opened, the ink tubes are disconnected from the inkjet head. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-105883 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When the supply tube is deformed, the supply tube may be bent and narrowed, resulting in a so-called kinked state in which it becomes difficult for liquid to pass through. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A printing device that solves the above problem comprises a head capable of ejecting liquid, a plurality of supply tubes that supply the liquid to the head, a connection part that detachably connects the plurality of supply tubes to the head, and a plurality of protective parts that are fixed to the connection part and a base, respectively, wherein the protective part is elastic and the plurality of supply tubes are arranged between the plurality of protective parts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a printing device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the printing device in which the housing-side engaging portion is located in the storage position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the printing device in which the housing-side engaging portion is located at the engaging position. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a printing device in which the housing-side engaging portion and the connection-side engaging portion are engaged. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [Embodiment] An embodiment of a printing device will be described below with reference to the drawings. The printing device is an inkjet printer that prints by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper, fabric, vinyl, plastic parts, or metal parts.

[0009] In the drawings, the printing device 11 is assumed to be placed on a horizontal plane, with the direction of gravity indicated by the Z axis, and directions along the horizontal plane indicated by the X and Y axes. The X, Y, and Z axes are perpendicular to one another. In the following description, the direction parallel to the X axis is also referred to as the width direction X, the direction parallel to the Y axis is also referred to as the depth direction Y, and the direction parallel to the Z axis is also referred to as the vertical direction Z.

[0010] <Printing device> 1, the printing device 11 may include a housing 12, a guide shaft 13, a carriage 14, a head 15, a supply tube 16, a protective part 17, and a connection part 18. The printing device 11 may also include a connection part side engaging part 19 and a housing side engaging part 20.

[0011] <Case> The housing 12 houses various components of the printing device 11. The housing 12 houses the head 15. The housing 12 houses the connection portion 18. The housing 12 may have a cover 22, a first limiting portion 23, and a second limiting portion 24.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cover 22 is provided so as to be openable and closable. The cover 22 may be opened and closed by rotating about an axis (not shown). Rotation refers to rotation about an axis, and the rotation angle is less than 360 degrees. For example, the cover 22 is configured to take a closed position shown in Figure 1 and an open position shown in Figure 2. The cover 22 in the closed position covers the connection portion 18. The cover 22 in the open position exposes the connection portion 18.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 3, the cover 22 may have a stopper 26. The stopper 26 may be provided on an inner surface 27 of the cover 22. The inner surface 27 is the surface of the cover 22 that faces inside the housing 12 when the cover 22 is in the closed position. The inner surface 27 is the underside of the cover 22 when the cover 22 is in the closed position. The open position of the cover 22 may be a position where the inner surface 27 faces upward. The stopper 26 may be flush with the inner surface 27. The stopper 26 limits the movement of the housing side engagement part 20 that is in the engagement position P1. The stopper 26 limits the rotation of the housing side engagement part 20 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 3.

[0014] The first restricting portion 23 restricts movement of the housing side engaging portion 20 located at the engaging position P1. The first restricting portion 23 restricts rotation of the housing side engaging portion 20 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first limiting portion 23 may limit the movement of the housing-side engaging portion 20 by abutting against a protrusion 29 of the housing-side engaging portion 20. At least one of the first limiting portion 23 and the protrusion 29 may be elastic. The first limiting portion 23 is located on a movement path of the protrusion 29 when the housing-side engaging portion 20 moves between the engaging position P1 and the storage position P2. The protrusion 29 may move so as to climb over the first limiting portion 23. By the protrusion 29 climbing over the first limiting portion 23, the movement of the housing-side engaging portion 20 toward the storage position P2 is limited, and the housing-side engaging portion 20 remains at the engaging position P1.

[0015] 1, the second limiting portion 24 limits movement of the housing-side engaging portion 20 located in the storage position P2. The second limiting portion 24 may be provided on the cover 22. When part or all of the housing-side engaging portion 20 is made of a magnetic material, the second limiting portion 24 may be a magnet. Alternatively, part of the housing-side engaging portion 20 may be made of a magnet, and the second limiting portion 24 may be made of a magnetic material.

[0016] <Internal structure> As shown in FIG. 1, the guide shaft 13 extends in the width direction X. The guide shaft 13 guides the movement of the carriage 14. The carriage 14 may move back and forth along the guide shaft 13. The head 15 and the connection part 18 are mounted on the carriage 14. The head 15 is capable of ejecting liquid. The head 15 ejects the liquid from a plurality of nozzles (not shown). The head 15 performs printing by ejecting the liquid onto a medium.

[0017] <Protection unit and supply tube> 6, the printing device 11 may include a plurality of protective units 17 and a plurality of supply tubes 16. The printing device 11 of this embodiment includes two protective units 17 and twelve supply tubes 16.

[0018] The multiple protective portions 17 and the multiple supply tubes 16 may each extend in the depth direction Y. The multiple protective portions 17 and the multiple supply tubes 16 may be arranged parallel to each other. The multiple protective portions 17 and the multiple supply tubes 16 may be arranged in a row in the width direction X. The multiple protective portions 17 may be arranged on both sides of the multiple supply tubes 16 in the width direction X. The multiple supply tubes 16 are arranged between the multiple protective portions 17.

[0019] The protective portion 17 may be cylindrical. The protective portion 17 may be, for example, a hollow tube. The protective portion 17 may be thicker than the supply tube 16. The diameter of the protective portion 17 may be larger than the diameter of the supply tube 16. The center line of the protective portion 17 and the center line of the supply tube 16 may be located on the same plane. The center line of the protective portion 17 and the center line of the supply tube 16 may be located on a horizontal plane. In the vertical direction Z, the upper end of the protective portion 17 may be located above the upper end of the supply tube 16. In the vertical direction Z, the lower end of the protective portion 17 may be located below the lower end of the supply tube 16.

[0020] The protective portion 17 may be elastic. The protective portion 17 is made of, for example, polyurethane. The protective portion 17 deforms when subjected to an external force. A bent protective portion 17 generates an elastic force that causes it to return to a straight state. The elasticity of the protective portion 17 may be stronger than that of the supply tube 16. When the protective portion 17 and the supply tube 16 are bent the same amount, the protective portion 17 generates a greater elastic force than the supply tube 16. That is, the elastic force that causes the protective portion 17 to return to its original state after being bent a predetermined amount is greater than the elastic force that causes the supply tube 16 to return to its original state after being bent a predetermined amount. The supply tube 16 preferably has a smaller minimum bending radius than the protective portion 17. The minimum bending radius here refers to the radius at which a component can be bent without causing damage or narrowing of the flow path. Before the supply tube 16 is bent too far and the flow path of the supply tube 16 is narrowed, the protective portion 17 attempts to return to a straight state due to its elastic force. This reduces the possibility of narrowing the flow path of the supply tube 16.

[0021] The multiple protective parts 17 are each fixed to the connection part 18 and the carriage 14, which is an example of a base. One end of each protective part 17 is fixed to the connection part 18. The other end of each protective part 17 is fixed to the carriage 14. The protective parts 17 may be fixed by screws 31.

[0022] The supply tube 16 may be held by the connection portion 18 and the carriage 14. The positions where the plurality of supply tubes 16 are held and the positions where the protection portions 17 are fixed may be aligned in a line in the width direction X, for example.

[0023] The supply tube 16 may be elastic. The supply tube 16 may be made of fluororesin. The upstream ends of the multiple supply tubes 16 are connected to, for example, multiple liquid storage units (not shown), and the downstream ends are connected to the connection unit 18. The multiple supply tubes 16 may each supply a different type of liquid. The different types of liquid are, for example, inks of different colors. The multiple supply tubes 16 supply liquid to the head 15. The supply tubes 16 can supply the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit to the head 15 via the connection unit 18.

[0024] <Connection> 3, the connection unit 18 detachably connects the plurality of supply tubes 16 to the head 15. The connection unit 18 is connected to the head 15. The connection unit 18 is detachably fixed to the carriage 14 in a state in which the connection unit 18 can supply liquid to the head 15. The connection unit 18 may have a liquid flow adjustment unit 33.

[0025] The liquid flow adjustment unit 33 adjusts the flow of the liquid supplied through the supply tube 16. The liquid flow adjustment unit 33 is, for example, a differential pressure valve or a pressure reducing valve. When the liquid is consumed in the head 15, the liquid pressure between the liquid flow adjustment unit 33 and the head 15 decreases. When the liquid pressure between the liquid flow adjustment unit 33 and the head 15 falls below a predetermined negative pressure that is lower than atmospheric pressure, the liquid flow adjustment unit 33 opens. When the liquid flow adjustment unit 33 opens, it allows the liquid to flow from the connection unit 18 toward the head 15.

[0026] When liquid flows from the connection part 18 toward the head 15, the liquid pressure between the liquid flow adjustment part 33 and the head 15 increases. When the liquid pressure between the liquid flow adjustment part 33 and the head 15 returns to the above-mentioned predetermined negative pressure, the liquid flow adjustment part 33 closes. The closed liquid flow adjustment part 33 stops the flow of liquid from the connection part 18 toward the head 15. The liquid flow adjustment part 33 does not open even if the liquid pressure between the liquid flow adjustment part 33 and the head 15 increases. Therefore, the liquid flow adjustment part 33 functions as a one-way valve, a so-called check valve, that allows the flow of liquid from the connection part 18 to the head 15 and suppresses the flow of liquid from the head 15 to the connection part 18.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 7, the connection part 18, which is no longer fixed to the carriage 14, becomes movable relative to the head 15 and the carriage 14. When the connection part 18 moves away from the carriage 14, the connection between the head 15 and the connection part 18 is released. The connection part 18 is movable while the protective part 17 and the supply tube 16 remain connected. The connection part 18 moves together with the multiple supply tubes 16 and some of the multiple protective parts 17. The connection part 18 is movable between the printing position shown in FIG. 1 and the retracted position shown in FIG. 7.

[0028] The printing position is the position where the connection part 18 is located during printing. When the connection part 18 is located at the printing position, the carriage 14 can move along the guide shaft 13. The retracted position is a position where the connection part 18 is retracted from the printing position. The retracted position may be a position above the printing position. The position of the connection part 18 may change between the printing position and the retracted position. The retracted position of the connection part 18 at the retracted position may be reversed from the printing position.

[0029] <Connecting part side engagement part> As shown in Figures 1 and 7, the connection portion side engaging portion 19 is provided on the connection portion 18. The connection portion side engaging portion 19 moves to the printing position and the retracted position together with the connection portion 18. The connection portion side engaging portion 19 takes the printing position and the retracted position together with the connection portion 18. If the direction in which the protection portion 17 and the supply tube 16 extend from the connection portion 18 is defined as the rear, the connection portion side engaging portion 19 may be provided on the front surface of the connection portion 18.

[0030] 7, the connection portion-side engaging portion 19 can engage with the housing-side engaging portion 20 when the cover 22 is open. When the connection portion 18 is removed from the carriage 14, the head 15 is detached from the connection portion 18 and remains on the carriage 14. Therefore, the connection portion-side engaging portion 19 can engage with the housing-side engaging portion 20 when the connection portion 18 is detached from the head 15.

[0031] <Housing side engagement part> As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the housing-side engaging part 20 is provided on the housing 12. In this embodiment, the housing-side engaging part 20 is provided on the inner surface 27 of the cover 22. The housing-side engaging part 20 may be inflexible. Here, being inflexible means that even when the housing-side engaging part 20 is subjected to a force such as the elastic force of the protective part 17, the housing-side engaging part 20 itself does not bend and can maintain its shape. The housing-side engaging part 20 may be provided to be rotatable around a rotation axis 35.

[0032] The housing side engagement portion 20 may have a hook 37 , an arm portion 38 , and a tail portion 39 . The hook 37 may be provided at the tip of the arm 38. The hook 37 and the arm 38 are located on the same side with respect to the rotation shaft 35.

[0033] The tail portion 39 is located on the opposite side of the rotation shaft 35 from the hook 37 and the arm portion 38. When the housing-side engagement portion 20 is located at engagement position P1, the tail portion 39 abuts against the stopper 26. In other words, the stopper 26 is located on the opposite side of the rotation shaft 35 from the hook 37.

[0034] When the housing-side engaging portion 20 is positioned at the storage position P2, the arm portion 38 is aligned with the inner surface 27. When the housing-side engaging portion 20 is positioned at the storage position P2, the hook 37 rotates about the rotation axis 35 so that the hook 37 moves away from the inner surface 27, thereby moving to the engaging position P1. The engaging position P1 is a position where the hook 37 can engage with the connection-side engaging portion 19. The engaging position P1 is a position where the hook 37 is separated from the inner surface 27. In the direction perpendicular to the inner surface 27, the distance between the hook 37 positioned at the engaging position P1 and the inner surface 27 is greater than the distance between the hook 37 positioned at the storage position P2 and the inner surface 27.

[0035] <Operation of this embodiment> The operation of this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, when replacing the head 15, the user moves the cover 22, which is in the closed position, to the open position. At this time, the movement of the housing-side engaging part 20 is restricted by the second restricting part 24. Therefore, the housing-side engaging part 20 moves integrally with the cover 22 while maintaining the storage position P2 relative to the cover 22. When the cover 22 is opened, the user can access the connection part 18 and the housing-side engaging part 20.

[0036] 3, the user moves the housing-side engagement part 20, which is located at the storage position P2, to the engagement position P1. For example, the user may lift up the hook 37 to release the restriction on movement imposed by the second restriction part 24.

[0037] The rotation of the housing-side engaging part 20 that has moved to the engaging position P1 is restricted by the tail part 39 hitting the stopper 26. That is, the stopper 26 restricts the movement of the housing-side engaging part 20 at the engaging position P1 in the direction away from the storage position P2.

[0038] The movement of the housing-side engagement part 20, which is located at the engagement position P1, in the direction returning to the storage position P2 is restricted by the first restricting part 23. Therefore, even if the user releases the housing-side engagement part 20 that has been moved to the engagement position P1, the housing-side engagement part 20 remains at the engagement position P1.

[0039] Next, the user releases the connection portion 18 from the carriage 14. This allows the connection portion 18 to move. As shown in Figure 7, the user moves the connection part 18, which is located in the printing position, to the retracted position. The protection part 17 and the supply tube 16 bend as the connection part 18 moves to the retracted position. The user engages the connection part side engaging part 19, which has been moved to the retracted position, with the housing side engaging part 20, which has moved to the engaging position P1. Specifically, the user hooks the connection part side engaging part 19 onto the hook 37.

[0040] A force acts on connection part 18, which is in the retracted position, to return protective part 17 and supply tube 16 to a straight state. The force acting on connection part 18 by protective part 17 and supply tube 16 acts on housing-side engaging part 20. As a result, connection part 18 maintains its position where it is caught on hook 37. Because housing-side engaging part 20 is restricted by stopper 26 from moving in a direction away from storage position P2, it holds connection part 18 in a state where it remains at engaging position P1.

[0041] The user may replace the head 15 while the connection part 18 is in the retracted position. Once the replacement is complete, the user releases the connection part side engagement part 19 from the hook 37. The user then moves the connection part 18, which is in the retracted position, to the printing position, thereby connecting the connection part 18 and the head 15.

[0042] The user moves the housing side engagement part 20, which is located at the engagement position P1, to the storage position P2. For example, the user may press down the hook 37 to release the restriction on movement by the first restriction part 23.

[0043] 2, the movement of the housing-side engaging part 20 that has moved to the storage position P2 is restricted by the arm part 38 coming into contact with the second restricting part 24. Therefore, when the user moves the cover 22 to the closed position, the housing-side engaging part 20 moves integrally with the cover 22 while maintaining the storage position P2 relative to the cover 22.

[0044] <Effects of this embodiment> The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1-1) Protective portion 17 has elasticity. Multiple supply tubes 16 are provided between multiple protective portions 17. Therefore, even if connecting portion 18 moves and deforms supply tube 16, protective portion 17 limits bending of supply tube 16. Therefore, bending of supply tube 16 can be suppressed.

[0045] (1-2) For example, when fixing the rod-shaped protective part 17 with the screw 31, it is necessary to drill a pilot hole. In this respect, the protective part 17 is cylindrical. That is, since the protective part 17 is hollow, it can be easily fixed.

[0046] (1-3) When supply tube 16 is deformed, there is a risk that supply tube 16 may come into contact with surrounding components. In this regard, protective portion 17 is thicker than supply tube 16. That is, protective portion 17 is more likely to come into contact with surrounding components than supply tube 16. Therefore, supply tube 16 is less likely to come into contact with surrounding components.

[0047] (1-4) The center lines of the protective portion 17 and the supply tube 16 are located on the same plane, which makes it easier to align the bending rates of the protective portion 17 and the supply tube 16. (1-5) When protective part 17 and supply tube 16 are bent by the same amount, the elastic force of protective part 17 is greater than the elastic force of supply tube 16. Therefore, protective part 17 is less likely to bend than supply tube 16. Therefore, bending of supply tube 16 can be further suppressed.

[0048] (1-6) The connection part 18 has a liquid flow adjusting part 33. The liquid flow adjusting part 33 adjusts the flow of the liquid. Therefore, the liquid can be supplied to the head 15 stably. (1-7) The supply tube 16 is made of fluororesin. Fluororesin has excellent solvent resistance. Therefore, even if the liquid contains a solvent, the liquid can be supplied stably.

[0049] (1-8) The connection portion-side engaging portion 19 is provided on the connection portion 18. When the connection portion 18 is detached from the head 15, the supply tube 16 deforms following the connection portion 18. The connection portion-side engaging portion 19 can engage with the housing-side engaging portion 20 in a state in which the connection portion 18 is detached from the head 15. Therefore, the deformed posture of the supply tube 16 can be maintained.

[0050] (1-9) The housing-side engaging portion 20 is provided on the inner surface 27 of the cover 22. Therefore, the housing-side engaging portion 20 can be exposed by opening the cover 22. Therefore, by opening the cover 22, the connection portion-side engaging portion 19 can be easily engaged with the housing-side engaging portion 20.

[0051] (1-10) The housing-side engaging portion 20 can be moved between a storage position P2 and an engaging position P1 by rotating around the rotation shaft 35. The engaging position P1 is a position where the hook 37 is farther from the inner surface 27 than the storage position P2. Therefore, the housing-side engaging portion 20 can be easily moved to a position where it is easy to engage with the connection-side engaging portion 19.

[0052] (1-11) When the housing-side engaging portion 20 moves from the engaging position P1, there is a risk that the housing-side engaging portion 20 and the connection-side engaging portion 19 will become disengaged. To address this issue, the housing 12 has a stopper 26. The stopper 26 is located on the opposite side of the rotation shaft 35 from the hook 37. Therefore, the movement of the housing-side engaging portion 20 is restricted by hitting the stopper 26. This reduces the risk that the housing-side engaging portion 20 and the connection-side engaging portion 19 will become disengaged.

[0053] (1-12) The housing 12 has a first restricting portion 23. The first restricting portion 23 restricts movement of the housing-side engaging portion 20 located at the engaging position P1. This reduces the risk of the housing-side engaging portion 20 and the connection-side engaging portion 19 coming out of engagement with each other.

[0054] (1-13) The housing 12 has a second limiting portion 24. The second limiting portion 24 limits the movement of the housing side engaging portion 20 located in the storage position P2. Therefore, the housing side engaging portion 20 can be moved stably together with the cover 22.

[0055] (1-14) The housing-side engaging portion 20 is inflexible, so that the housing-side engaging portion 20 can stably maintain the state in which the connecting portion-side engaging portion 19 is engaged. [Example of change] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0056] The printing device 11 may not have a carriage 14. For example, the head 15 may be configured as a line type that is provided elongated in the width direction of the medium. In this case, the base may be a support portion that supports the head 15.

[0057] The base may be the frame of the printing device 11. At least a portion of the housing-side engaging portion 20 may be flexible. The housing-side engaging portion 20 may have, for example, a string, a chain, a wire, or the like. For example, the string may connect the hook 37 and the housing 12.

[0058] At least one of the first restricting portion 23 and the second restricting portion 24 may be provided on the housing side engaging portion 20. The housing 12 may be configured without at least one of the first limiting portion 23 and the second limiting portion 24.

[0059] At least one of the first limiting portion 23 and the second limiting portion 24 may be a clip that clamps the housing-side engaging portion 20. At least one of the first limiting portion 23 and the second limiting portion 24 may be a groove into which the housing-side engaging portion 20 fits. At least one of the first limiting portion 23 and the second limiting portion 24 may be a stretchable band. At least one of the first limiting portion 23 and the second limiting portion 24 may be an adhesive sheet to which the housing-side engaging portion 20 is attached. When the second limiting portion 24 is an adhesive sheet, the second limiting portion 24 may also serve as the stopper 26. In other words, the adhesive sheet may be provided at the position of the stopper 26. The movement of the housing-side engaging portion 20 may be restricted by contact with the adhesive sheet, and the housing-side engaging portion 20 may be maintained at the engaging position P1 by adhering to the adhesive sheet.

[0060] The housing-side engaging portion 20 may be provided so as to be immovable relative to the cover 22. In this case, the cover 22 may not have a stopper 26. The housing-side engaging portion 20 may be moved from the storage position P2 to the engaging position P1 by, for example, sliding.

[0061] The housing-side engaging portion 20 may be provided at a position different from that of the cover 22. The supply tube 16 may be made of polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, silicone, nylon, or the like.

[0062] The liquid flow adjusting section 33 may be provided separately from the connecting section 18 . When the protective part 17 and the supply tube 16 are bent by the same amount, the elastic force of the protective part 17 may be smaller than the elastic force of the supply tube 16. For example, the total elastic force of multiple protective parts 17 may be larger than the elastic force of one supply tube 16.

[0063] The centerline of the protective portion 17 and the centerline of the supply tube 16 may lie on different planes. The protective part 17 and the supply tube 16 may have the same thickness. Alternatively, the protective part 17 may be thinner than the supply tube 16.

[0064] The protective part 17 may be a solid rod. The protective portion 17 may be made of a square bar, a round bar, or the like made of an elastic material such as rubber. The protective portion 17 may also be made of a spring such as a leaf spring or a coil spring.

[0065] The printing device 11 may include three or more protective units 17. The protective units 17 may be provided between multiple supply tubes 16. For example, the multiple protective units 17 and the multiple supply tubes 16 may be arranged alternately.

[0066] The printing device 11 may be a liquid ejection device that performs recording by ejecting or discharging a liquid other than ink. The state of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection device as minute droplets includes granular, teardrop-like, and string-like tails. The liquid referred to here may be any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejection device. For example, the liquid may be in any state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, including fluids such as high or low viscosity liquids, sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals, and metal melts. The liquid includes not only liquids as a single state of matter, but also particles of functional materials, such as solid pigments and metal particles, dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Representative examples of liquids include inks and liquid crystals, as described in the above embodiments. Here, ink encompasses various liquid compositions, such as general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as gel inks and hot-melt inks. Specific examples of liquid ejection devices include devices that eject liquids containing dispersed or dissolved materials such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, electroluminescent displays, surface-emitting displays, and color filters. The liquid ejection device may be a device that ejects bioorganic materials used in biochip manufacture, a device used as a precision pipette to eject sample liquids, a textile printing device, a microdispenser, or the like. The liquid ejection device may be a device that injects lubricating oil with pinpoint accuracy onto precision machinery such as watches and cameras, or a device that ejects transparent resin liquids such as ultraviolet-curing resins onto substrates to form micro-hemispherical lenses, optical lenses, etc. used in optical communication elements, etc. The liquid ejection device may also be a device that ejects etching liquids such as acids or alkalis to etch substrates, etc.

[0067] [Definition] The phrase "at least one" as used herein means "one or more" of the desired options. As an example, the phrase "at least one" as used herein means "only one option" or "both of two options" when the number of options is two. As another example, the phrase "at least one" as used herein means "only one option," "any combination of two options," or "any combination of three or more options" when the number of options is three or more.

[0068] [Note] The technical concepts and effects that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below.

[0069] (A) A printing device includes a head capable of ejecting liquid, a plurality of supply tubes that supply the liquid to the head, a connection part that detachably connects the plurality of supply tubes to the head, and a plurality of protective parts that are fixed to the connection part and a base, respectively, wherein the protective parts are elastic, and the plurality of supply tubes are arranged between the plurality of protective parts.

[0070] According to this configuration, the protective portions have elasticity. The supply tubes are disposed between the protective portions. Therefore, even if the connection portion moves and deforms the supply tubes, the protective portions limit bending of the supply tubes. Therefore, bending of the supply tubes can be suppressed.

[0071] (B) In the printing device described in (A), the protection part may be cylindrical. For example, when fixing a rod-shaped protective part with a screw, it is necessary to drill a pilot hole. In this respect, with this configuration, the protective part is cylindrical. In other words, the protective part is hollow, so it can be fixed easily.

[0072] In the printing device described in (C) and (B), the diameter of the protection portion may be larger than the diameter of the supply tube. When the supply tube is deformed, there is a risk that the supply tube may come into contact with surrounding components. In this regard, with this configuration, the protective portion is thicker than the supply tube. In other words, the protective portion is more likely to come into contact with surrounding components than the supply tube. Therefore, it is possible to make it less likely that the supply tube will come into contact with surrounding components.

[0073] In the printing device described in (D) and (C), the center line of the protection portion and the center line of the supply tube may be located on the same plane. According to this configuration, the center lines of the protection portion and the supply tube are positioned on the same plane, which makes it easier to align the bending rates of the protection portion and the supply tube.

[0074] (E) In the printing device described in (A) to (D), the elastic force with which the protection portion returns to its original shape after being bent a predetermined amount may be greater than the elastic force with which the supply tube returns to its original shape after being bent a predetermined amount.

[0075] With this configuration, when the protective portion and the supply tube are bent by the same amount, the elastic force of the protective portion is greater than the elastic force of the supply tube. Therefore, the protective portion is less likely to bend than the supply tube. Therefore, bending of the supply tube can be further suppressed.

[0076] (F) In the printing device described in (A) to (E), the connection section may have a liquid flow adjustment section that adjusts the flow of the liquid supplied by the supply tube. According to this configuration, the connection portion has a liquid flow adjusting portion. The liquid flow adjusting portion adjusts the flow of the liquid. Therefore, the liquid can be stably supplied to the head.

[0077] (G) In the printing device described in (A) to (F), the supply tube may be made of fluororesin. According to this configuration, the supply tube is made of fluororesin, which has excellent solvent resistance, so that the liquid can be stably supplied even when the liquid contains a solvent, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 11...printing device, 12...casing, 13...guide shaft, 14...carriage as an example of a base, 15...head, 16...supply tube, 17...protective part, 18...connection part, 19...connection part side engagement part, 20...casing side engagement part, 22...cover, 23...first limiting part, 24...second limiting part, 26...stopper, 27...inner surface, 29...protrusion, 31...screw, 33...liquid flow adjustment part, 35...rotating shaft, 37...hook, 38...arm part, 39...tail part, P1...engagement position, P2...storage position, X...width direction, Y...depth direction, Z...vertical direction.

Claims

1. a head capable of ejecting liquid; a plurality of supply tubes for supplying the liquid to the head; a connection portion that detachably connects the plurality of supply tubes to the head; a plurality of protection parts fixed to the connection part and the base, respectively; Equipped with The protective portion has elasticity, A printing device, characterized in that the plurality of supply tubes are provided between the plurality of protective portions.

2. The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein the protection portion is cylindrical.

3. 3. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein the diameter of the protection portion is larger than the diameter of the supply tube.

4. 4. The printing device according to claim 3, wherein the center line of the protection portion and the center line of the supply tube are located on the same plane.

5. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic force with which the protection portion returns to its original shape after being bent by a predetermined amount is greater than the elastic force with which the supply tube returns to its original shape after being bent by the predetermined amount.

6. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion has a liquid flow adjusting portion that adjusts the flow of the liquid supplied by the supply tube.

7. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supply tube is made of fluororesin.

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