Liquid discharge apparatus

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge device capable of suppressing a supply flow path from being in a transient state.SOLUTION: The printer includes a liquid storage part for storing a liquid, a liquid ejection part for ejecting the liquid to a medium to perform printing, a supply flow path for communicating the liquid storage part with the liquid ejection part, an opening / closing mechanism having an opening / closing part for bringing the supply flow path into an open state or a closed state and a lever 62 for operating the opening / closing part, and a scanner 5 movable between a first position as a normal position when performing printing and a second position different from the first position, wherein a range of a movable range of the lever 62 for bringing the supply flow path into a transient state between the open state and the closed state includes a position of the lever 62 interfering with the scanner 5 in the first position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid ejection device that prints by ejecting ink from a liquid ejection unit. An ink supply device included in the liquid ejection device supplies ink stored in a tank to the liquid ejection unit via a supply flow path. An opening / closing mechanism included in the ink supply device switches the supply flow path between an open state and a closed state by manually turning an operating knob. A supply flow path in an open state enables processing that requires liquid supply. A supply flow path in a closed state enables processing that requires liquid supply to be stopped. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-134485 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] On the other hand, if the control knob is stopped in a transitional state between the open and closed states, liquid may be supplied at a lower flow rate than in the open state. As a result, it becomes difficult to obtain the intended processing results in both processes that required liquid supply and processes that required liquid supply to be stopped. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A liquid ejection device that solves the above problem comprises a liquid storage section that stores liquid, a liquid ejection section that ejects the liquid onto a medium to perform printing, a supply flow path that connects the liquid storage section and the liquid ejection section, an opening / closing section that opens or closes the supply flow path, an opening / closing mechanism that has an operating section that operates the opening / closing section, and a moving section that is movable between a first position that is the normal position when printing, and a second position that is different from the first position, and the movable range of the operating section, the range that puts the supply flow path into a transitional state between the open state and the closed state, includes the position of the operating section where the operating section interferes with the moving section that is in the first position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the liquid ejection device according to the embodiment, with the scanner removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an opening / closing mechanism included in the liquid ejection device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the opening and closing mechanism when the supply flow path is in an open state in the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the opening and closing mechanism when the supply flow path is in a closed state in the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a side view of a liquid ejection device illustrating a transition of a lever in a transient state in one embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view of a liquid ejection device illustrating a transition of a lever in a transient state in one embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the liquid ejection device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a liquid ejection device according to an embodiment, as viewed from above. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a displacement portion is located in an allowable range in the embodiment; [Figure 12]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the displacement portion is positioned in a restriction area in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An embodiment of a liquid ejection device will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 12. Below, the configuration of the liquid ejection device, the configuration of the opening / closing mechanism, interference between the operation unit and the moving unit, the configuration of the control unit and first contact unit, a method for detecting the open / closed state of the supply flow path, and the configuration of the regulating unit will be described in order. The liquid ejection device in this embodiment is, for example, an inkjet printer that prints by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper. Note that in the following figures, the scale of each component is different from the actual scale so that each component is large enough to be recognizable.

[0008] In the following description, the liquid ejection device is assumed to be placed on a horizontal plane, and the vertical direction is indicated by the Z axis, and the directions along a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical direction are indicated by the X axis and the Y axis. The X axis, Y axis, and Z axis are perpendicular to one another. In the following description, the direction along the X axis is also referred to as the width direction X, the direction along the Y axis is also referred to as the depth direction Y, and the direction along the Z axis is also referred to as the vertical direction Z. The width direction X, depth direction Y, and vertical direction Z are perpendicular to one another. One end of the liquid ejection device in the width direction X is also referred to as the right side or right side, and the other end opposite to the one end is also referred to as the left side or left side. One end of the liquid ejection device in the depth direction Y is also referred to as the front side or front side, and the other end opposite to the one end is also referred to as the back side or rear side. One end of the liquid ejection device in the vertical direction Z is also referred to as the top side or upper side, and the other end opposite to the one end is also referred to as the bottom side or lower side.

[0009] [Configuration of liquid ejection device] The schematic configuration of the liquid ejection device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the liquid ejection device 1 with the device body 2 closed, as seen from above the front. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the liquid ejection device 1 with the device body 2 open, as seen from above the front.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejection device 1 includes a device main body 2 and a scanner 5. The device main body 2 includes a housing 3 which is an exterior frame, an operation panel 6, and a liquid storage unit 10. The housing 3 includes a frame 4 which frames an opening OA. The opening OA allows a user to access the inside of the device main body 2.

[0011] The operation panel 6 constitutes a part of the front surface of the device main body 2. The operation panel 6 includes a display unit 7 such as a liquid crystal panel, and operation buttons 8 including input buttons, a power switch, etc. The operation panel 6 is connected to the housing 3 so as to be rotatable around the upper end of the operation panel 6 as a fulcrum. The operation panel 6 is an example of a notification unit.

[0012] The device main body 2 stores a media discharge tray (not shown). The media discharge tray is stored in the device main body 2 so that it can move in the depth direction Y. The media discharge tray moves back and forth between a position stored in the device main body 2 and a position pulled out to the front from the device main body 2. The media discharge tray is exposed at the front of the device main body 2 by rotating the operation panel 6.

[0013] The scanner 5 is located at the top of the device main body 2 so as to be able to cover the opening OA from above. The scanner 5 is an example of a moving unit. The scanner 5 is connected to the device main body 2 so as to be able to rotate around the rear end of the scanner 5 as a fulcrum. The range in which the scanner 5 rotates is between a first position and a second position. The range in which the scanner 5 rotates includes the first position and the second position. In FIG. 1, the scanner 5 is positioned at the first position. In FIG. 2, the scanner 5 is positioned at the second position.

[0014] The first position is a position where the scanner 5 covers the opening OA. The second position is a position where the scanner 5 opens the inside of the device main body 2. In other words, the scanner 5 closes the opening OA in the first position and opens the opening OA in the second position. The first position is the normal position of the scanner 5 when the liquid ejection device 1 performs printing. The second position is the normal position of the scanner 5 when the inside of the device main body 2 is being repaired.

[0015] The liquid ejection device 1 may not necessarily include the scanner 5. In a configuration without the scanner 5, the liquid ejection device 1 includes, for example, a cover that moves between a position that covers the opening OA and a position that opens the inside of the device body 2. The cover is an example of a moving part.

[0016] The liquid storage unit 10 is located below the scanner 5, relative to the front right end of the scanner 5 in the first position. The liquid storage unit 10 includes a liquid storage section 13 that stores ink, a storage case 12 that stores the liquid storage section 13, and a unit cover 11 that is rotatably attached to the storage case 12.

[0017] The liquid storage unit 10 includes a plurality of liquid storage sections 13. Each liquid storage section 13 stores one of the following inks: black, magenta, yellow, cyan, and photo black. The ink volume that each liquid storage section 13 can store may be the same as the ink volume that the other liquid storage sections 13 can store, or may be different from the ink volume that the other liquid storage sections 13 can store. Each liquid storage section 13 includes a display section 14. The display section 14 allows the remaining amount of ink in the liquid storage section 13 to be checked from outside.

[0018] The liquid ejection device 1 includes a medium storage unit 22 that can store a medium. The medium storage unit 22 is located below the operation panel 6. The medium storage unit 22 can be inserted and removed in front of the device main body 2 to replenish or remove the medium.

[0019] The internal configuration of the liquid ejection device will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the liquid ejection device 1 from which the scanner 5 has been removed, viewed from above on the rear side. As shown in FIG. 3, the device main body 2 includes a carriage 30, a supply flow path 40, a liquid discharge unit 50, and an opening / closing mechanism 60.

[0020] The carriage 30 is housed inside the housing 3. The carriage 30 moves back and forth along the width direction X. One of the directions in which the carriage 30 moves back and forth is a first direction, and the direction opposite to the first direction is a second direction. The first direction is also called the main scanning direction.

[0021] The carriage 30 is a hollow container. The carriage 30 has a carriage cover 32 on the upper side in the vertical direction Z. The carriage 30 is equipped with a liquid discharge unit 50 and an opening / closing mechanism 60. The liquid discharge unit 50 is attached to the lower part of the carriage 30. The opening / closing mechanism 60 is attached to the upper part of the carriage 30.

[0022] The supply flow path 40 allows communication between the liquid storage unit 13 and the liquid ejection unit 50. Ink stored in the liquid storage unit 13 is supplied to the liquid ejection unit 50 through the supply flow path 40. The supply flow path 40 transitions between an open state and a closed state by an opening / closing mechanism 60. The supply flow path 40 includes a transitional state between the open state and the closed state.

[0023] The open state is a state of the supply flow path 40 in which ink can be supplied at a flow rate required for printing to the liquid ejection unit 50. The state in which ink can be supplied at a flow rate required for printing to the liquid ejection unit 50 is, for example, a state in which a portion of the supply flow path 40 is compressed to an extent that the flow rate required for printing can flow, or a state in which the supply flow path 40 is not compressed.

[0024] The closed state is a state of the supply flow path 40 in which ink cannot be supplied to the liquid ejection unit 50. The state in which ink cannot be supplied to the liquid ejection unit 50 is a state in which a portion of the supply flow path 40 is crushed and blocked. The state in which ink cannot be supplied to the liquid ejection unit 50 also includes a state in which a portion of the supply flow path 40 is crushed to the extent that ink does not leak from the liquid ejection unit 50 or the like even if the liquid ejection device 1 is subjected to vibrations during transportation, etc.

[0025] The transient state is any state of the supply flow path 40 excluding the open state and the closed state, and is a state between the open state and the closed state. For example, the transient state may include a state in which the supply flow path 40 can supply ink at a flow rate lower than in the open state. The transient state may also include a state in which the supply flow path 40 can supply ink at a flow rate higher than in the closed state. The transient state may also include a state in which the ink flow rate is less stable than in the open state or the closed state.

[0026] The liquid ejection unit 50 includes a pressure generating chamber (not shown), a piezoelectric element (not shown), and a plurality of nozzles 51. The pressure generating chamber includes a vibration plate (not shown). The piezoelectric element vibrates the vibration plate to generate pressure fluctuations in the pressure generating chamber.

[0027] The plurality of nozzles 51 are located on the lower surface of the liquid ejection unit 50. The lower surface of the liquid ejection unit 50 is a nozzle surface on which the plurality of nozzles 51 are located. The plurality of nozzles 51 are arranged, for example, along the depth direction Y to form a nozzle row.

[0028] Each nozzle 51 is connected to a relay adapter (not shown) via a pressure generating chamber and a flow path (not shown) provided in the liquid ejection unit 50. The relay adapter is a container that temporarily stores ink. Multiple relay adapters are mounted inside the carriage 30 and covered by the carriage cover 32. The multiple relay adapters can be connected to the liquid storage unit 13 through the supply flow path 40. The ink stored in the liquid storage unit 13 is supplied to the liquid ejection unit 50 through the supply flow path 40 and the relay adapter.

[0029] When the liquid ejection device 1 performs printing, the multiple nozzles 51 are arranged to face the medium. The piezoelectric elements generate pressure fluctuations in the pressure generating chambers, causing ink supplied from the supply flow paths 40 to be ejected from the nozzles 51 toward the medium. In this embodiment, the direction in which the liquid ejection unit 50 ejects ink is along the vertical direction Z.

[0030] [Opening and closing mechanism configuration] The opening and closing mechanism will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the opening and closing mechanism 60 included in the liquid discharger 1.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the opening / closing mechanism 60 includes an opening / closing unit 60A that switches the supply flow path 40 between an open state and a closed state, an operating unit 60B that operates the opening / closing unit 60A, and a biasing member 60C that biases the operating unit 60B.

[0032] The opening / closing unit 60A includes a shaft 64, a cam 65, a pressing member 66, a supply flow path support 68, and a case 69. The supply flow path support 68 and the case 69 form an exterior frame of the opening / closing mechanism 60. Between the supply flow path support 68 and the case 69, the pressing member 66, the cam 65, and the shaft 64 are arranged in this order from the supply flow path support 68 side along the vertical direction Z. Each supply flow path 40 is located between the pressing member 66 and the supply flow path support 68. When the opening / closing mechanism 60 is mounted on the carriage 30, the case 69 is located above the supply flow path support 68.

[0033] The supply flow path support portion 68 is provided with a plurality of grooves 68G. The plurality of grooves 68G extend along the depth direction Y and are aligned along the width direction X. One supply flow path 40 is inserted into each groove 68G. The supply flow paths 40 are aligned along the width direction X.

[0034] A recess 68H is provided in the supply flow path support portion 68. The recess 68H is a depression along the vertical direction Z. The recess 68H extends along the width direction X so as to penetrate the plurality of grooves 68G over the entire width direction X.

[0035] The pressing member 66 crosses the upper sides of all of the supply flow paths 40 aligned in the width direction X. The pressing member 66 is inserted into the recess 68H. The pressing member 66 and the bottom of the recess 68H sandwich the supply flow paths 40 inserted into each groove 68G in the vertical direction Z.

[0036] The pressing member 66 is housed in the supply flow path support portion 68 so as to be movable along the vertical direction Z. The walls that define the recess 68H guide the movement of the pressing member 66 along the vertical direction Z. The pressing member 66 is capable of moving toward the bottom of the recess 68H and toward the opening of the recess 68H.

[0037] The pressing member 66 increases the pressure on the supply flow path 40 by moving toward the bottom of the recess 68H. The pressing member 66 decreases the pressure on the supply flow path 40 by moving toward the opening of the recess 68H. When the pressure on the supply flow path 40 increases, the supply flow path 40 transitions from an open state toward a closed state. When the pressure on the supply flow path 40 decreases, the supply flow path 40 transitions from a closed state toward an open state.

[0038] The shaft 64 extends along the width direction X. The shaft 64 is located above the pressing member 66 across the entire width direction X of the pressing member 66. The shaft 64 is mounted on the carriage 30 so as to be rotatable in a first rotation direction about a rotation axis A as a rotation center, and in a second rotation direction that is opposite to the first rotation direction. When the opening / closing mechanism 60 is mounted on the carriage 30, the rotation axis A of the shaft 64 is disposed along the width direction X and is supported by the case 69 so as not to move in the vertical direction Z. One end of the shaft 64 in the width direction X is integral with the operating unit 60B.

[0039] The cam portion 65 extends along the width direction X. The cam portion 65 has a length along the width direction X that covers the entire length of the plurality of supply flow paths 40. The cam portion 65 is integral with the shaft portion 64, and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft portion 64. When the opening / closing mechanism 60 is mounted on the carriage 30, the cam portion 65 is located above the pressing member 66.

[0040] The cam surface 65S of the cam portion 65 is the outer peripheral surface of the cam portion 65 and is a cylindrical surface extending along the width direction X. The rotation center of the cam portion 65 is the rotation axis A of the shaft portion 64, while the center of the cam surface 65S is different from the rotation axis A of the shaft portion 64. The center of the cam surface 65S is located radially outward from the rotation axis A. In other words, the center of the cam surface 65S of the cam portion 65 is eccentric with respect to the rotation axis A of the shaft portion 64. When the opening / closing mechanism 60 is mounted on the carriage 30, a portion of the cam surface 65S comes into contact with the pressing member 66 so as to press the pressing member 66 downward.

[0041] In this embodiment, the opening / closing mechanism 60 has two cam portions 65 aligned along the width direction X, but the number of cam portions 65 may be one or more as long as the cam portion 65 has a length that covers all of the supply flow paths 40. The cam surface 65S of the cam portion 65 is a cylindrical surface extending along the width direction X, but as long as the cam surface changes the position of the pressing member 66 in the vertical direction Z in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft portion 64, the cam surface may be an elliptical cylindrical surface extending along the width direction X, or an irregular shape other than a cylindrical surface or an elliptical cylindrical surface.

[0042] The operating unit 60B includes a lever 62. The lever 62 includes a base portion 62A and a tip portion 62B. The base portion 62A is integral with an end portion 64E1 of the shaft portion 64, and extends radially of the shaft portion 64 from the end portion 64E1 of the shaft portion 64 toward the tip portion 62B. The lever 62 is bent at the boundary between the base portion 62A and the tip portion 62B.

[0043] The lever 62 is located in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis A. The lever 62 is mounted on the carriage 30 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis A. The lever 62 is rotated in a first rotation direction or a second rotation direction, for example, by the user's hand. The rotational force acting on the lever 62 rotates the shaft portion 64, thereby rotating the cam portion 65. The rotation of the cam portion 65 transitions the supply flow path 40 from an open state to a closed state, or transitions the supply flow path 40 from a closed state to an open state.

[0044] The rotation of the lever 62 includes a closing movement in which the tip portion 62B is tilted forward with the end portion 64E1 of the shaft portion 64 as a fulcrum, and an opening movement in which the tip portion 62B is tilted backward. The movable range of the lever 62 is the range of relative positions of the lever 62 with respect to the opening / closing part 60A. The movable range of the lever 62 is sandwiched between an end position reached by the lever 62 when it is opened and an end position reached by the lever 62 when it is closed. The movable range of the lever 62 includes an open position where the supply flow path 40 is opened and a closed position where the supply flow path 40 is closed. The movable range of the lever 62 includes a transitional position between the open position and the closed position. The movable range of the lever 62 is an example of the movable range of the operating part.

[0045] The biasing member 60C is an elastic body such as a coil spring or a rubber member extending in one direction. In this embodiment, one end 64E1 of the shaft 64 in the width direction X is integral with the lever 62, and the other end 64E2 of the shaft 64 in the width direction X is connected to one end of the biasing member 60C. The other end of the biasing member 60C is hooked onto a hook portion 68E of the supply flow path support portion 68.

[0046] The biasing force output by the biasing member 60C is transmitted to the end 64E2 of the shaft 64 and acts to pull the tip 62B of the lever 62 downward. For example, when the tip 62B of the lever 62 is positioned forward of the shaft 64, the biasing force output by the biasing member 60C biases the lever 62 toward the closed position. On the other hand, when the tip 62B of the lever 62 is positioned rearward of the shaft 64, the biasing force output by the biasing member 60C biases the lever 62 toward the open position.

[0047] The case 69 is configured to be able to engage with the supply flow path support portion 68. The case 69 covers the shaft portion 64, the pressing member 66, and the cam portion 65 from above in the vertical direction Z. The shaft portion 64, the pressing member 66, and the cam portion 65 are protected by the case 69 and the supply flow path support portion 68. The lever 62 and the biasing member 60C are exposed to the outside of the case 69 and the supply flow path support portion 68.

[0048] [Operation range] 5 and 6 are diagrams that schematically show a cross section of the opening / closing mechanism 60 as viewed from the width direction X. FIG. 5 and 6, the case 69 is not shown, the structure of the opening / closing unit 60A at the back of the pages in FIGS. 5 and 6 is shown by a solid line, and the lever 62 at the front of the pages in FIGS. 5 and 6 is shown by a two-dot chain line. In FIG. 5, the lever 62 is in the open position, and the supply flow path 40 is in an open state. In FIG. 6, the lever 62 is in the closed position, and the supply flow path 40 is in a closed state. Note that, for convenience of explaining the operation angle θ, FIG. 5 shows an open position that is different from the end position reached by the lever 62's opening movement, and FIG. 6 shows an open position that is different from the end position reached by the lever 62's closing movement.

[0049] Cam surface 65S of cam portion 65 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of shaft portion 64. The distance between the position on cam surface 65S that contacts pressing member 66 and the rotation axis A of shaft portion 64 changes in conjunction with the rotation of shaft portion 64 because the center of cam surface 65S is eccentric from the rotation axis A. In other words, the position of pressing member 66 in the vertical direction Z changes in conjunction with the rotation of shaft portion 64 because the center of cam surface 65S is eccentric from the rotation axis A.

[0050] At the end position reached by the lever 62 in the opening movement, the operating angle θ of the lever 62 is the minimum operating angle, which is the smallest value. At the end position reached by the lever 62 in the closing movement, the operating angle θ of the lever 62 is the maximum operating angle, which is the largest value. The maximum operating angle is, for example, 180°.

[0051] 5, the operation angle θ of the lever 62 is a central angle determined by the rotation axis A and a straight line connecting the base end and tip end of the lever 62, with the rotation axis A as the center, and is an angle with the minimum operation angle being 0°. Note that a straight line that passes through the rotation axis A of the shaft portion 64 and extends along the depth direction Y may be defined as a reference line L, and the angle formed by the straight line connecting the base end and tip end of the lever 62 and the reference line L may be defined as the operation angle θ.

[0052] The movable range of the lever 62 is sandwiched between an end position reached by the opening movement of the lever 62 and an end position reached by the closing movement of the lever 62. The end position reached by the opening movement of the lever 62 is included in the open position. The end position reached by the closing movement of the lever 62 is included in the closed position.

[0053] The open position is a position of the lever 62 that opens the supply flow path 40. Because the open state is a state in which ink can be supplied to the liquid ejection unit 50 at a flow rate required for printing, the open position may be only the end position reached by the opening movement of the lever 62, or may be a certain range including the end position reached by the opening movement of the lever 62. In other words, the operation angle θ at the open position may be the minimum operation angle, or may be a range including the minimum operation angle and angles other than the minimum operation angle. The range including the minimum operation angle and angles other than the minimum operation angle is, for example, between 0° and 10°.

[0054] The closed position is a position of the lever 62 that closes the supply flow path 40. Because the closed state is a state in which ink cannot be supplied to the liquid ejection unit 50, the closed position may be only the end position reached by the closing movement of the lever 62, or may be a certain range including the end position reached by the closing movement of the lever 62. In other words, the operation angle θ at the closed position may be the maximum operation angle, or may be a range including both the maximum operation angle and an angle other than the maximum operation angle. The range including both the maximum operation angle and an angle other than the maximum operation angle is, for example, between 140° and 180°.

[0055] The transitional position is a position of the lever 62 at which the lever 62 places the supply flow path 40 in a transitional state. The transitional position is a range of the movable range of the lever 62 excluding the open position and the closed position. That is, the operation angle θ at the transitional position is a range of all operation angles excluding the operation angle θ at the open position and the operation angle θ at the closed position. The operation angle θ at the transitional position is, for example, greater than 10° and less than 140°.

[0056] The pressing member 66 fully opens the supply passage 40 when the lever 62 is in the open position. The pressing member 66 presses the supply passage 40 to fully close the supply passage 40 when the lever 62 is in the closed position. The pressing member 66 presses the supply passage 40 to partially open or partially close the supply passage 40 when the lever 62 is in the transition position.

[0057] 5, when the lever 62 is in the open position and the supply flow path 40 is in an open state, the tip 62B is rotated upward and forward. That is, the lever 62, which is in the open position, is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure. This moves the lever 62 to the transitional position, and the pressing member 66 approaches the lower part of the supply flow path support part 68, and the pressing member 66 begins to compress the supply flow path 40.

[0058] Next, when the tip 62B is rotated downward toward the front, the position of the pressing member 66 moves further downward. As a result, as shown in Figure 6, the lever 62 reaches the closed position, and the supply flow path 40 is crushed by the pressure of the pressing member 66 and the lower part of the supply flow path support part 68. Then, communication between the liquid storage part 13 and the liquid discharge part 50 is cut off, and the supply flow path 40 transitions to the closed state.

[0059] In contrast to this, when the lever 62 is in the closed position and the supply flow path 40 is in a closed state, the tip 62B is rotated upward and rearward. That is, the lever 62 in the closed position is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 6. This returns the lever 62 to the transitional position, moves the pressing member 66 away from the lower part of the supply flow path support part 68, and alleviates the collapse of the supply flow path 40.

[0060] Subsequently, when the tip end 62B is rotated downward and rearward, the position of the pressing member 66 further moves upward, causing the lever 62 to return to the open position, as shown in Figure 5, and the supply flow path 40 transitions to the open state.

[0061] The biasing member 60C biases the tip 62B of the lever 62 downward. That is, when the lever 62 is in a transitional position closer to the open position, the biasing member 60C biases the lever 62 toward the open position. Also, when the lever 62 is in a transitional position closer to the closed position, the biasing member 60C biases the lever 62 toward the closed position.

[0062] The pressing member 66 is subjected to a frictional force between itself and the supply flow channel 40, as well as a reaction force of the supply flow channel 40 that resists the pressing force of the pressing member 66. The frictional force and reaction force that the pressing member 66 receives also act as a suppressing force that stops the rotation of the lever 62. The biasing force output by the biasing member 60C is smaller than the suppressing force acting on the lever 62, but is a force that resists the suppressing force. Therefore, the lever 62 closer to the open position is biased toward the open position, thereby preventing the lever 62 from stopping at the transitional position. Furthermore, the lever 62 closer to the closed position is biased toward the closed position, thereby preventing the lever 62 from stopping at the transitional position. This prevents the supply of ink that would otherwise be caused by the lever 62 stopping at the transitional position, and the liquid ejection device 1 can prevent unintended consumption of ink by the user.

[0063] [Interference between the control unit and the moving unit] 7 and 8 are side views of the liquid ejection device 1 as seen from the left side. Figures 7 and 8 are diagrams showing the transition of the scanner 5 moving from the second position to the first position, with the lever 62 being in a different position. Note that in Figures 7 and 8, the scanner 5, lever 62, and carriage 30 included in the device main body 2 are shown schematically, with other components not shown.

[0064] 7, the scanner 5 has a rib 5A on the bottom surface thereof. The rib 5A has a shape that protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the scanner 5 and extends along the depth direction Y. The rib 5A is located directly above the lever 62 when the scanner 5 is located in the first position. The rib 5A may be located above the lever 62 when the liquid discharger 50 is not facing the medium, or may be located above the lever 62 when the liquid discharger 50 is facing the medium. The rib 5A may also be located above the lever 62 over the entire range in the width direction X over which the carriage 30 moves. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the rib 5A is located directly above the lever 62 when the carriage 30 is located at the home position HP, that is, when the liquid discharger 50 is located at a position not facing the medium.

[0065] Rib 5A has a shape that can interfere with lever 62 in a transitional position located below rib 5A when scanner 5 is in the closed state of device body 2. Rib 5A has a shape that does not interfere with lever 62 in the closed or open position located below rib 5A when scanner 5 is in the closed state of device body 2. For example, rib 5A has a height that does not interfere with lever 62 in the closed or open position when scanner 5 is in the closed state of device body 2, and does not cause scanner 5 to lift up. The lower surface of rib 5A may be flat or curved.

[0066] Within the movable range of the lever 62, the range that puts the supply flow path 40 into a transient state is the transient position. The transient position of the lever 62 includes a position where the lever 62 interferes with the rib 5A of the scanner 5 that is in the first position. The position of the lever 62 that interferes with the rib 5A may be the entire transient position, or may be a portion of the transient position, or may include at least one of a portion of the open position and a portion of the closed position in addition to the transient position. The operating angle θ at the position of the lever 62 that interferes with the rib 5A is, for example, 40° to 80°, or 100° to 170°.

[0067] Here, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 7, the lever 62 is positioned closer to the closed position than halfway between the open position and the closed position. When the scanner 5 moves from this state from the second position to the first position, the rib 5A interferes with the lever 62 located below the rib 5A. The lever 62, which is closer to the closed position and interferes with the rib 5A, is pushed by the scanner 5 moving to the first position and moves closer to the closed position. As a result, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 7, the lever 62, which was located in the transitional position and closer to the closed position, moves toward the closed position. The lever 62 moving toward the closed position is biased by the biasing member 60C and is therefore more likely to move to the end position reached by the closing movement.

[0068] If the supply flow path 40 is closed when the liquid ejection device 1 is transported, ink is less likely to leak from the nozzles 51 of the liquid ejection unit 50. More specifically, when the liquid ejection device 1 is transported, vibrations and impacts act on the ink in the liquid storage unit 13 and the supply flow path 40. If vibrations and impacts act on the ink in the liquid storage unit 13 and the supply flow path 40, pressure acts on the ink in the nozzles 51 of the liquid ejection unit 50, which may cause ink to leak from the nozzles 51 of the liquid ejection unit 50. In this regard, if the scanner 5 is moved to the first position and the supply flow path 40 is closed with the lever 62 before transporting the liquid ejection device 1, pressure fluctuations acting on the ink in the liquid ejection unit 50 while the liquid ejection device 1 is being transported can be kept low, and the risk of ink leaking from the nozzles 51 of the liquid ejection unit 50 can be reduced.

[0069] Furthermore, as shown by the solid line in Figure 8, when the scanner 5 moves from the second position to the first position while the lever 62 is positioned closer to the open position than the midpoint between the open and closed positions, the rib 5A interferes with the lever 62 located below the rib 5A. The lever 62 closer to the open position and interfering with the rib 5A is pushed by the scanner 5 moving to the first position and moves closer to the open position. As a result, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 8, the lever 62 closer to the open position that was in the transitional position moves toward the open position. The lever 62 that has moved toward the open position is biased by the biasing member 60C and is more likely to move to the position that will be reached by the opening movement.

[0070] As described above, when the lever 62 is manually operated, the lever 62 tends to stop in the transient position. When the lever 62 is in the transient position, the pressing member 66 puts the supply flow path 40 in a transient state. When the supply flow path 40 is in a transient state, liquid tends to be supplied at a lower flow rate than when it is in an open state. Therefore, when the supply flow path 40 is in a transient state during a process that requires liquid supply, a sufficient amount of liquid is not supplied. Furthermore, when the supply flow path 40 is in a transient state during a process that requires liquid supply to be stopped, the supply flow path 40 is not in a closed state, which can result in liquid leaking during transportation of the liquid ejection device 1, for example.

[0071] In this embodiment, interference between the scanner 5 in the first position, which is the normal position, and the lever 62 can be an opportunity to prompt the liquid ejection device 1 or the user to perform processing to avoid a transient state. As a result, it is possible to prevent the supply flow path 40 from continuing to be in a transient state. Furthermore, interference between the lever 62 and the scanner 5 moves the lever 62 toward the closer of the closed position and the open position. Therefore, it is possible to move the lever 62 that is likely to be in the closed position closer to the closed position, and to move the lever 62 that is likely to be in the open position closer to the open position.

[0072] For example, if the supply flow path 40 is not completely closed by the user's operation of the lever 62, the supply flow path 40 can be closed by the user's operation of moving the scanner 5 to the first position. Also, if the supply flow path 40 is not completely opened by the user's operation of the lever 62, the supply flow path 40 can be opened by the user's operation of moving the scanner 5 to the first position.

[0073] Note that the transitional position closer to the open position and the transitional position closer to the closed position are in different ranges. The transitional position closer to the open position is a position closer to the open position than the midpoint between the open position and the closed position. The transitional position closer to the closed position is a position closer to the closed position than the midpoint between the open position and the closed position. In this embodiment, the midpoint between the closed position and the open position is a position where the operation angle θ at the midpoint is half the sum of the maximum operation angle and the minimum operation angle.

[0074] Furthermore, the intermediate position between the closed position and the open position may be a position other than the position where the operation angle θ in the transitional position is 90°. The intermediate position between the closed position and the open position may be located closer to the open position than the closed position. The intermediate position between the closed position and the open position may be, for example, a position where the distance between the pressing member 66 and the bottom of the recess 68H is half the distance at the open position. The transitional position closer to the open position and the transitional position closer to the closed position can be changed by changing the shape and size of the lever 62 and the shape and size of the cam portion 65.

[0075] Furthermore, the transitional position closer to the closed position where movement to the closed position can be achieved due to interference with the rib 5A and the transitional position closer to the closed position where movement can be assisted by the biasing force of the biasing member 60C can be in the same range or in different ranges. The transitional position closer to the closed position where movement can be assisted by the biasing force of the biasing member 60C can be changed by changing the direction of the biasing force of the biasing member 60C.

[0076] For example, the operation angle θ at a transitional position closer to the closed position, where the scanner 5 can move to the closed position due to interference between the rib 5A and the lever 62, is greater than or equal to 100° and less than 140°. On the other hand, the operation angle θ at a transitional position closer to the closed position, where the movement toward the closed position can be assisted by the biasing force of the biasing member 60C, may be greater than or equal to 85° and less than or equal to 120°. In this example, when the operation angle θ is 100° and the scanner 5 moves from the second position to the first position, the interference between the rib 5A and the lever 62 causes the lever 62 to rotate toward the closed position. Furthermore, the rotation of the lever 62 is assisted by the biasing force until the operation angle θ reaches 120°. Then, when the scanner 5 is located in the first position, the lever 62 passes through the transitional position and moves until the operation angle θ reaches, for example, 170°. This closes the supply flow path 40, preventing the lever 62 from being positioned in the transitional state.

[0077] Furthermore, the transitional position closer to the open position where the movement to the open position can be assisted by the biasing force of the biasing member 60C may be in the same range or in different ranges. The transitional position closer to the open position where the movement can be assisted by the biasing force of the biasing member 60C can be changed by changing the direction of the biasing force of the biasing member 60C.

[0078] For example, the operation angle θ at a transitional position closer to the open position where the lever 62 can move to the open position due to interference between the rib 5A and the lever 62 is greater than 40° and less than 80°. On the other hand, the operation angle θ at a transitional position closer to the open position where the movement can be assisted by the biasing force of the biasing member 60C may be greater than 60° and less than 85°.

[0079] [First contact part and control part] The configurations of the first contact portion and the control portion will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the liquid ejection device 1. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the liquid ejection device 1 as seen from above in the vertical direction Z.

[0080] 10, the carriage 30, the opening / closing mechanism 60, the housing 3, and the frame 4 are illustrated schematically, and other components are not illustrated. Also, in Fig. 10, the front side of the housing 3 in the depth direction Y is illustrated, and the rear side of the housing 3 in the depth direction Y is not illustrated. In Fig. 10, the frame 4 that forms part of the housing 3 is hatched.

[0081] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the carriage 30 can move back and forth in the width direction X by a driving force applied from the carriage motor 31. A drive pulley (not shown) is provided on a guide shaft (not shown) of the carriage motor 31. A driven pulley (not shown) is provided in the device body 2 at a distance from the drive pulley in the width direction X. An endless belt (not shown) is looped around the drive pulley and the driven pulley. At least a portion of the endless belt grips the carriage 30 at a gripping portion (not shown) provided at the end of the rear side of the carriage 30. When the carriage motor 31 is driven to rotate, the endless belt rotates in the same direction as the rotation of the carriage motor 31, causing the carriage 30 to move back and forth in the width direction X.

[0082] A linear encoder 75 for detecting the position and speed in the width direction X of the reciprocating carriage 30 is provided within the housing 3. The linear encoder 75 is composed of a linear code plate (not shown) that is provided in the housing 3 and parallel to the width direction X, and a photosensor 76 that is provided on the carriage 30, and a predetermined electric signal that corresponds to the movement state of the carriage 30 is output from the photosensor 76.

[0083] As shown in Figure 10, when the carriage 30 is moved back and forth along a guide shaft extending in the width direction X, the area in which the carriage 30 moves includes a printing area PA in which the liquid ejection unit 50 performs printing, and a non-printing area RA in which the liquid ejection unit 50 does not perform printing.

[0084] The non-printing area RA includes a non-printing area RA1 located to the right of the printing area PA in the width direction X, and a non-printing area RA2 located to the left of the printing area PA in the width direction X. The printing area PA is disposed between the two non-printing areas RA1 and RA2 in the width direction X.

[0085] In the non-printing area RA1, a home position HP where the carriage 30 waits when not printing is located. In Figure 10, the carriage 30 is located at the home position HP.

[0086] The carriage 30 is movable between a predetermined position and a position other than the predetermined position. The predetermined position is, for example, the home position HP. For example, when the carriage 30 is located at the predetermined position, it is when it is located at the home position HP. When the carriage 30 is located at a position other than the predetermined position, it is when it is located in a printing area PA other than the home position.

[0087] In this embodiment, a maintenance unit 55 that performs maintenance on the liquid ejection unit 50, including cleaning the nozzles 51, is disposed directly below the carriage 30 that is positioned at the home position HP. The maintenance unit 55 includes, for example, a cap (not shown) that can come into contact with the liquid ejection unit 50 so as to surround the nozzles 51, and cleans the nozzles 51 by reducing the pressure inside the space formed when the cap comes into contact and discharging unnecessary ink and air bubbles inside the nozzles 51.

[0088] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a liquid receiving portion (not shown) is provided directly below the carriage 30 when it has moved to the non-printing area RA2. The liquid receiving portion receives ink that has been discharged from the nozzles 51 by blank discharge, which is a type of maintenance. Blank discharge is a process in which the piezoelectric element is driven to discharge ink that is not used for printing from the nozzles 51, thereby eliminating thickening of the ink in the nozzles 51.

[0089] [Electrical configuration of the liquid ejection device] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the liquid ejection device 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 80 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 81, a memory 82, an interface unit (I / F) 83, a detection unit 84, and the like, which are provided on a control board.

[0090] The I / F 83 transmits and receives data to and from an external personal computer (PC) 110. The connection between the PC 110 and the I / F 83 may be disconnected from the network or may be connected to the network. The connection between the PC 110 and the I / F 83 may be wired or wireless.

[0091] The CPU 81 is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling each driving unit included in the liquid ejection device 1. The memory 82 is a storage element such as RAM or EPROM that has an area for storing the program executed by the CPU 81 and a working area for executing the program.

[0092] The control unit 80 drives the piezoelectric elements included in the liquid ejection unit 50 to eject ink from the plurality of nozzles 51. The control unit 80 supplies a drive signal to the carriage motor 31 to drive the carriage motor 31.

[0093] The photosensor 76 included in the linear encoder 75 detects the position and speed of the carriage 30, which moves as a result of being driven by the carriage motor 31. The control unit 80 receives the detection signal transmitted by the linear encoder 75. The control unit 80 uses the detection signal received from the linear encoder 75 to calculate the position and movement speed of the carriage 30 in the first direction.

[0094] The control unit 80 controls the driving of the maintenance unit 55 to perform maintenance operations on the liquid ejection unit 50. The control unit 80 receives commands from the operation buttons 8 operated by the user and performs various controls. The control unit 80 drives the transport mechanism 25 to move the medium in a transport direction that intersects with the first direction.

[0095] The control unit 80 creates print data from image data input by the PC 110. The control unit 80 uses the print data to control the driving of the liquid ejection unit 50, the transport mechanism 25, the carriage motor 31, etc., thereby recording an image on the medium. The control unit 80 may create print data based on operation commands input from the operation panel 6. Note that the PC 110 may also be configured to create print data from image data. In this case, the control unit 80 uses the print data received from the PC 110 to control the driving of the liquid ejection unit 50, the transport mechanism 25, the carriage motor 31, etc.

[0096] The open / close detection unit 85 includes an optical sensor or the like, and detects whether the scanner 5 is in the first position. The control unit 80 receives a detection signal from the open / close detection unit 85. The control unit 80 uses the detection signal received from the open / close detection unit 85 to determine the open / close state of the scanner 5.

[0097] The detection unit 84 detects the rotational torque of the carriage motor 31 and constantly monitors whether the carriage motor 31 is in an overload state. The control unit 80 moves the carriage 30, on which the opening / closing mechanism 60 is mounted, from the home position HP in a first direction. At this time, the detection unit 84 determines that the carriage motor 31 is in an overload state if the driving load of the carriage motor 31 exceeds a predetermined threshold value stored in the memory 82.

[0098] The threshold value stored in memory 82 is set between the driving load of the carriage motor 31 when the carriage 30 moves smoothly in the width direction X and the driving load of the carriage motor 31 when the movement of the carriage 30 is obstructed.

[0099] Furthermore, the detection unit 84 may determine that the carriage motor 31 is in an overload state when the drive load of the carriage motor 31 exceeds a threshold value for a certain period of time. The certain period of time is, for example, one second or more. The drive load of the carriage motor 31 may suddenly increase and exceed the threshold value. If the detection unit 84 is configured to determine that the carriage motor 31 is in an overload state when the drive load of the carriage motor 31 exceeds the threshold value for a certain period of time, then a sudden increase in the drive load can be excluded from cases in which the carriage motor 31 is in an overload state.

[0100] In the process of setting each area, the control unit 80 moves the carriage 30 in the second direction to contact the side wall of the housing 3. When the carriage 30 contacts the side wall of the housing 3, movement of the carriage 30 in the second direction is hindered. When movement of the carriage 30 in the second direction is hindered, the driving load of the carriage motor 31 increases. The control unit 80 sets the position of the carriage 30 when the detection unit 84 detects an overload state as the reference position. The control unit 80 uses the reference position to set the range of the home position HP, non-printing area RA1, non-printing area RA2, and printing area PA in the width direction X.

[0101] The home position HP may be set to the position of the carriage 30 when it stops by contacting the side wall of the housing 3, or may be set to another position to which the carriage 30 has moved in the first direction from the position where it stopped.

[0102] In the printing process on the medium, the control unit 80 drives the transport mechanism 25 to transport the medium contained in the medium container 22 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction that intersects with the main scanning direction. The transport mechanism 25 transports the medium to a platen (not shown) below the liquid ejection unit 50 . The control unit 80 uses the print data to cause the liquid ejection unit 50 to eject ink. This causes an image to be recorded on a portion of the medium facing the liquid ejection unit 50. The control unit 80 drives the transport mechanism 25 to eject the medium on which printing has been performed toward the medium ejection tray.

[0103] [Method for detecting the open / closed state of the supply flow path] In Figure 10, the lever 62 in the open position is shown by a solid line, and the lever 62 in the closed position is shown by a two-dot chain line. When the lever 62 is in the position shown by the solid line in Figure 10, the supply flow path 40 is in an open state, and when the lever 62 is in the position shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 10, the supply flow path 40 is in a closed state.

[0104] In FIG. 10, a movement area TA, which is an area through which the lever 62 in the open position moves when the carriage 30 moves from the home position HP to the left in the width direction X, is surrounded by a dashed line. Furthermore, when the carriage 30 moves from the home position HP to the left in the width direction X, a movement area TB, which is an area through which the lever 62 moves when in the closed position, is surrounded by a dashed line.

[0105] 10, when the lever 62 in the open position indicated by the solid line in the figure is rotated 180 degrees toward the front side of the paper, the lever 62 moves to a closed position displaced forward in the depth direction Y from the open position as indicated by the two-dot chain line in the figure. In contrast, when the lever 62 in the closed position indicated by the two-dot chain line in the figure is rotated 180 degrees toward the front side of the paper, the lever 62 moves to an open position displaced rearward in the depth direction Y from the closed position as indicated by the solid line in the figure. In this way, the positions in the depth direction Y of the lever 62 in the open position and the lever 62 in the closed position are different from each other.

[0106] The rear end of the frame 4 in the depth direction Y is located at the rear side of the opening OA in the depth direction Y. The front end of the frame 4 in the depth direction Y is located at the front side of the opening OA in the depth direction Y. The range of the opening OA in the depth direction Y is defined by the rear end of the frame 4 in the depth direction Y and the front end of the frame 4 in the depth direction Y.

[0107] The first contact portion 100 is located at the front end of the frame 4 in the depth direction Y. The first contact portion 100 is provided on the housing 3. In top view seen from above in the vertical direction Z, the first contact portion 100 is located further forward in the depth direction Y than the movement area TA. In contrast, in top view seen from above in the vertical direction Z, the first contact portion 100 overlaps with the movement area TB in the depth direction Y.

[0108] Here, when the lever 62 in the open position moves together with the carriage 30 in the first direction from the home position HP, the lever 62 in the open position does not overlap the first contact portion 100 in a top view. Note that, even in a side view seen from the width direction X, the lever 62 in the open position and the first contact portion 100 are arranged so as not to overlap each other.

[0109] As a result, when the lever 62 in the open position moves together with the carriage 30 in the first direction from the home position HP, the lever 62 in the open position and the first contact portion 100 do not interfere with each other in the width direction X. In other words, when the lever 62 in the open position moves together with the carriage 30 in the first direction from the home position HP, the lever 62 in the open position does not hinder the movement of the carriage 30. In other words, when the carriage 30 moves with the supply flow path 40 in an open state, the lever 62 in the open position does not come into contact with the first contact portion 100.

[0110] On the other hand, when the lever 62 in the closed position moves together with the carriage 30 in the first direction from the home position HP, the lever 62 in the closed position overlaps the first contact portion 100 in a top view. Note that the lever 62 in the closed position and the first contact portion 100 are also arranged to overlap each other in a side view seen from the width direction X.

[0111] As a result, when the lever 62 in the closed position moves together with the carriage 30 in the first direction from the home position HP, the lever 62 in the closed position and the first contact portion 100 interfere with each other in the width direction X. In other words, when the lever 62 in the closed position moves together with the carriage 30 in the first direction from the home position HP, the lever 62 in the closed position obstructs the movement of the carriage 30. In other words, when the carriage 30 moves with the supply flow path 40 in a closed state, the lever 62 in the closed position comes into contact with the first contact portion 100.

[0112] Even when the supply flow path 40 is in the closed state, it is preferable that the lever 62 and the first contact portion 100 come into contact when the operating angle θ is 160° or more, for example. As a result, even when the supply flow path 40 is in the closed state, the movement of the carriage 30 is hindered on the condition that the supply flow path 40 is in a more blocked state.

[0113] In this embodiment, the user, for example, stops power supply to the liquid ejection device 1, moves the lever 62 from the open position to the closed position, and transports the liquid ejection device 1. When power supply to the liquid ejection device 1 is stopped, the carriage 30 moves to the home position HP and waits there. When transportation of the liquid ejection device 1 is completed, the user changes the lever 62 from the closed position to the open position and starts power supply to the liquid ejection device 1. When power supply to the liquid ejection device 1 is started, the control unit 80 moves the carriage 30 from the home position HP in the first direction.

[0114] If the user forgets to change the lever 62 from the closed position to the open position, or if the operation to the open position is insufficient, when the carriage 30 at the home position HP moves in the first direction, the lever 62 in the closed position comes into contact with the first contact portion 100. As a result, the movement of the carriage 30 is hindered, and the drive load of the carriage motor 31 increases. The detection unit 84 then detects that the carriage motor 31 is in an overload state, that is, the movement of the carriage 30 is hindered and the first contact portion 100 and the lever 62 are in contact. When the detection unit 84 detects the contact between the lever 62 and the first contact portion 100, the control unit 80 determines that the supply flow path 40 is in a closed state.

[0115] When the control unit 80 determines that the supply flow path 40 is in a closed state, it moves the carriage 30 in the second direction. That is, when the control unit 80 detects that the supply flow path 40 is in a closed state by the movement of the carriage 30 in the first direction, it moves the carriage 30 in the second direction, which is the opposite direction to the first direction, and returns the carriage 30 to the home position HP. When the carriage 30 is returned to the home position HP, the contact between the lever 62 and the first contact portion 100 is released, and the carriage 30 and the opening / closing mechanism 60 are no longer subjected to external force due to the contact between the lever 62 and the first contact portion 100. As a result, the operational load of changing the lever 62 from the closed position to the open position is reduced.

[0116] When the control unit 80 determines that the supply flow path 40 is in the closed state, it may temporarily stop driving the carriage motor 31 so that excessive external force caused by contact between the lever 62 and the first contact portion 100 is not applied to the carriage 30 or the opening / closing mechanism 60. The control unit 80 may also input a signal to the operation panel 6 to notify the outside that the supply flow path 40 is in the closed state. At this time, the control unit 80 displays information based on the signal for notifying the outside, for example, an alarm indicating that the supply flow path 40 is in the closed state, on the operation panel 6. The operation panel 6 functions as a notifying unit that notifies the outside that the supply flow path 40 is in the closed state.

[0117] The notification unit that notifies the outside that the supply flow path 40 is in the closed state may be a flashing lamp such as a Patlite (registered trademark) that issues an alarm by light that the supply flow path 40 is in the closed state. The notification unit that notifies the outside that the supply flow path 40 is in the closed state may be, for example, a buzzer that issues an alarm by sound that the supply flow path 40 is in the closed state.

[0118] Furthermore, when the control unit 80 moves the carriage 30 from the home position HP in the first direction and the carriage motor 31 does not become overloaded, it determines that the lever 62 and the first contact portion 100 are not in contact and the supply flow path 40 is in an open state.

[0119] In this way, when the liquid ejection device 1 starts to be energized, the control unit 80 moves the carriage 30 and determines whether the supply flow path 40 is in an open state or a closed state.

[0120] The first contact portion 100 is provided at a position close to the home position HP in the width direction X in which the carriage 30 moves, and towards the right side in the width direction X of the frame 4. Furthermore, the opening / closing mechanism 60 is provided on the left side of the carriage 30 in the width direction X. Therefore, when the supply flow path 40 is in a closed state, contact between the first contact portion 100 and the lever 62 can be detected quickly. This improves the throughput of the operation for detecting the open / closed state of the supply flow path 40.

[0121] Furthermore, the movement speed of the carriage 30 when detecting the open / closed state of the supply flow path 40 may be set slower than the movement speed of the carriage 30 when printing. This prevents the lever 62 and the first contact portion 100 from receiving a large impact when the first contact portion 100 and the lever 62 come into contact with each other, thereby preventing the first contact portion 100 from being deformed.

[0122] The timing at which the control unit 80 detects the open / closed state of the supply flow path 40 will be described. The timing at which the control unit 80 detects the open / closed state of the supply flow path 40 may be any time between when the liquid ejection device 1 is energized and when ink is first discharged from the nozzle 51.

[0123] Specifically, the detection may be performed during any of the following periods: from when the liquid ejector 1 is energized until the liquid ejector 50 performs the first idle ejection, from when the liquid ejector 1 is energized until the first cleaning is performed, or from when the liquid ejector 1 is energized until ink is ejected for the first printing. Furthermore, at any of the above-mentioned times, the open / closed state of the supply flow path 40 may be detected when the carriage 30 moves in the first direction for the first time after the liquid ejector 1 is energized.

[0124] Another timing for detecting the open / closed state of the supply flow path 40 will be described. When the liquid ejection device 1 is energized, the open / close detector 85 detects the opening / closing operation of the scanner 5. When the scanner 5 is in the second position, the lever 62 is easily operated by the user. This creates the risk that the scanner 5 will be placed in the first position with the supply flow path 40 in a closed state.

[0125] Therefore, it is desirable that the timing for the control unit 80 to detect the open / closed state of the supply flow path 40 is between the time when the liquid ejection device 1 is powered and the time when the scanner 5 is opened and closed once, and the time when ink is first discharged from the nozzle 51 after the opening / closing operation.

[0126] Specifically, while the liquid ejection device 1 is energized, the detection period may be any of the following: from the opening and closing operation of the scanner 5 until the first idle ejection after the opening and closing operation, from the opening and closing operation of the scanner 5 until ink is discharged by the first cleaning after the opening and closing operation, or from the opening and closing operation of the scanner 5 until ink is ejected for the first print after the opening and closing operation. By detecting the open / closed state of the supply flow path 40 at these times, it is possible to prevent the user from starting printing with the supply flow path 40 closed.

[0127] As described above, the control unit 80 can detect the open / closed state of the supply flow path 40 based on the contact between the opening / closing mechanism 60 and the first contact portion 100. This detection triggers a process to stop the movement of the carriage 30 or a process to notify the user to open the supply flow path 40. This reduces the possibility that the user will forget to open the supply flow path 40, and prevents printing from being performed with the supply flow path 40 closed.

[0128] The components that detect the open / closed state of the supply flow path 40, namely the opening / closing mechanism 60, the housing 3, the carriage 30, the control unit 80, and the operation panel 6, are components that the liquid ejection device 1 uses to print on a medium. The components that the liquid ejection device 1 uses to print on a medium are used to detect the open / closed state of the supply flow path 40. Therefore, no new components are required to detect the open / closed state of the supply flow path 40, and the cost of the liquid ejection device 1 can be reduced compared to when new components are required to detect the open / closed state of the supply flow path 40.

[0129] [Configuration of the regulation section] The restricting portion will be described with reference to Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the restricting portion 90 when the displacement portion 91 is located in the allowable range. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the restricting portion 90 when the displacement portion 91 is located in the restricted range.

[0130] 11 and 12, the liquid ejection device 1 includes a restricting portion 90 that restricts movement of the lever 62. The restricting portion 90 includes a displacement portion 91 that is displaced in conjunction with the lever 62, and a second contact portion 200 that is provided on the housing 3.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 11 , the displacement portion 91 is integral with the end portion 64E2 of the shaft portion 64. The displacement portion 91 has a protruding piece shape extending radially from the end portion 64E2 of the shaft portion 64. The displacement portion 91 is rotatable about the rotation axis A. The displacement portion 91 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the lever 62 through the rotation of the shaft portion 64. In this embodiment, when the lever 62 is in the open position, the tip of the displacement portion 91 faces forward. Then, when the lever 62 moves from the open position to the closed position, the displacement portion 91 rotates so that the tip of the displacement portion 91 faces downward.

[0132] The second contact portion 200 is a part of the housing 3 and has a plate shape extending along the width direction X. The second contact portion 200 is located at a part of the housing 3 in the width direction X. When viewed from the width direction X, the second contact portion 200 overlaps with the trajectory of rotation of the displacement portion 91.

[0133] Within the movable range of the carriage 30, the range where the displacement portion 91 and the second contact portion 200 face each other in the vertical direction Z is the restricted area. Within the movable range of the carriage 30, the range where the displacement portion 91 and the second contact portion 200 do not face each other in the vertical direction Z is the allowed area. The displacement portion 91 moves between the allowed area and the restricted area as the carriage 30 moves. In this embodiment, the allowed area is the home position HP, and the restricted area is the non-printing area RA2 and the printing area PA other than the home position HP.

[0134] 11, the lever 62 is in the open position and the carriage 30 is in the permitted area, and in FIG. 12, the lever 62 is in the open position and the carriage 30 is in the restricted area.

[0135] Here, when the lever 62 rotates while the carriage 30 is positioned in the allowable range, the displacement portion 91 and the second contact portion 200 do not come into contact with each other, and the displacement portion 91 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the lever 62. In other words, the second contact portion 200 allows the lever 62 to move between the open position and the closed position.

[0136] 12, when the lever 62 rotates while the carriage 30 is located in the regulated area, the tip of the displacement portion 91 abuts against the second contact portion 200 from above, and the rotation of the lever 62 stops as the rotation of the displacement portion 91 stops. In other words, the second contact portion 200 regulates the movement of the lever 62 from the open position to the closed position.

[0137] Note that in order to move the lever 62 to the closed position, the carriage 30 must be moved to the home position HP. This prevents the supply flow path 40 from being closed by moving the lever 62 to the closed position when the carriage 30 is in a position where printing is possible. Therefore, it is possible to avoid printing being performed even when, for example, ink is not being supplied to the head because the supply flow path 40 is blocked.

[0138] Furthermore, the user is prompted to move the carriage 30 to the home position HP on the premise that the supply flow path 40 is to be closed. For example, in a process that involves placing the carriage 30 at the home position HP, such as inspection, repair, or shipping of the liquid ejection device 1, an operation to close the supply flow path 40 is performed. If the carriage 30 is positioned at a position other than the home position HP, the operation to close the supply flow path 40 is restricted, and therefore, in a process that involves an operation to close the supply flow path 40, the user is prompted to move the carriage 30 to the home position HP that is appropriate for the process.

[0139] The effects achieved by the liquid ejection device 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. (1) Interference between the scanner 5 at the first position and the operation unit 60B causes the supply flow path 40 to retreat from the transient state. The interference between the scanner 5 at the first position and the operation unit 60B can be an opportunity to prompt the liquid ejection device 1 or the user to take action to avoid the transient state. As a result, the supply flow path 40 can be prevented from remaining in the transient state.

[0140] (2) Interference between the scanner 5 at the first position and the operation unit 60B moves the operation unit 60B to the closer of the closed position and the open position. Therefore, it is possible to move the operation unit 60B that is likely to be in the closed position closer to the closed position, and to move the operation unit 60B that is likely to be in the open position closer to the open position. In other words, it is possible to move the position of the operation unit 60B that is putting the supply flow path 40 in a transient state toward the position where it is likely to be located.

[0141] (3) The biasing can prevent the operation unit 60B from stopping at the transitional position in the first place. In addition, the supply of ink caused by the operation unit 60B, which should be in the closed position, stopping at the transitional position, i.e., the consumption of ink unintended by the user, can be prevented.

[0142] (4) The detection of contact between the opening / closing mechanism 60 and the first contact portion 100 can be, for example, a trigger to stop the movement of the carriage 30 or a trigger to open the supply flow path 40. As a result, it is possible to prevent inconsistencies between the state of the supply flow path 40 and the state of the carriage 30.

[0143] (5) When the carriage 30 is positioned other than the home position HP, the operation of closing the supply flow path 40 is restricted, and therefore, the carriage 30 is prompted to move to the home position HP as a prerequisite for closing the supply flow path 40. In other words, in a process that involves the operation of closing the supply flow path 40, the carriage 30 is prompted to move to the home position HP that is appropriate for the process.

[0144] (6) The displacement portion 91 displaces in conjunction with the operation portion 60B, and restricts the movement of the operation portion 60B in the direction to close the supply flow path 40. Therefore, compared to a case where a separate displacement portion 91 that is not interlocked with the operation portion 60B is provided, the user's operation can be made less complicated.

[0145] (7) Since the housing 3 has the first contact portion 100 and the second contact portion 200, the number of parts can be reduced compared to when the first contact portion 100 and the second contact portion 200 are provided separately from the housing 3.

[0146] (8) Even if the lever 62 is in a position that puts the supply flow path 40 in a transient state, the supply flow path 40 can be put into either a closed state or an open state by a normal operation of moving the scanner 5 to the first position.

[0147] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility. The carriage 30 may be configured to include the first contact portion 100, and the opening / closing mechanism 60 may be fixed to the housing 3. In this configuration, the first contact portion 100 moves together with the carriage 30. The operation part 60B provided in the opening / closing mechanism 60 remains stationary together with the housing 3. Then, the operation part 60B that closes the supply flow path 40 comes into contact with the first contact part 100 that moves together with the carriage 30.

[0148] The first contact portion 100 can be changed to a shock absorbing material that can absorb the impact when it comes into contact with the lever 62. The displacement portion 91 may be integral with the end portion 64E1 of the shaft portion 64, or may be a member separate from the shaft portion 64.

[0149] The moving part may be a printer cover, a carriage cover, an operation panel 6, an ink inlet cover, etc. The liquid ejection device 1 may be either a cartridge type or an ink injection type, as long as it is an off-carriage type.

[0150] The moving unit may be configured to be able to drive a transmission mechanism different from that of the operating unit 60B, and the operating unit 60B may be moved by the driving force transmitted by the transmission mechanism. The opening / closing mechanism 60 may be provided in, for example, an ink tank, a cartridge holder, the housing 3, the frame 4, or the like.

[0151] The displacement portion 91 may be configured integrally with the operation portion 60B, or may be configured separately. The first contact portion 100 and the second contact portion 200 may be made of a member different from the housing 3. The member different from the housing 3 is, for example, a member attached to the housing 3, the frame 4, etc.

[0152] The lever 62 may be configured with only the base 62A without including the tip 62B. In a configuration in which the lever 62 does not include the tip 62B, the rib 5A of the scanner 5 and the base 62A of the lever 62 interfere with each other.

[0153] The first contact portion 100 and the second contact portion 200 do not have to be provided on the housing 3. Furthermore, when the first contact portion 100 and the second contact portion 200 are provided on the housing 3, the number of parts can be reduced compared to when the first contact portion 100 and the second contact portion 200 are provided separately from the housing 3, and the cost of the liquid ejection device 1 can be reduced.

[0154] The technical concepts and effects that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below. [Idea 1] A liquid ejection device comprises a liquid storage section that stores liquid, a liquid ejection section that ejects the liquid onto a medium to perform printing, a supply flow path that connects the liquid storage section and the liquid ejection section, an opening / closing section that opens or closes the supply flow path, an opening / closing mechanism that has an operating section that operates the opening / closing section, and a moving section that is movable between a first position that is the normal position when printing, and a second position that is different from the first position, and the movable range of the operating section includes the position of the operating section where the operating section interferes with the moving section that is in the first position.

[0155] According to Concept 1, when the operating unit interferes with the moving unit in the first position, the operating unit puts the supply flow path into a transient state. Interference between the moving unit and the operating unit in the normal position can trigger the liquid ejection device or the user to take action to avoid the transient state. As a result, the supply flow path can be prevented from remaining in the transient state.

[0156] [Idea 2] In the liquid ejection device, the operating unit is movable between an open position in which the supply flow path is in the open state and a closed position in which the supply flow path is in the closed state, and the moving unit may move the operating unit closer to the closed position by interference with the operating unit when the operating unit is located closer to the closed position than halfway between the open position and the closed position, and may move the operating unit closer to the open position by interference with the operating unit when the operating unit is located closer to the open position than halfway between the open position and the closed position.

[0157] According to Concept 2, the operating unit interferes with the moving unit, causing the operating unit to move to the closer of the closed and open positions. Therefore, it is possible to move an operating unit that is likely to be in the closed position closer to the closed position, and an operating unit that is likely to be in the open position closer to the open position. In other words, it is possible to move the position of the operating unit that is putting the supply flow path into a transient state toward the position that is most likely to be in its original position.

[0158] [Idea 3] In the liquid ejection device, the opening and closing mechanism may further include a biasing member that biases the operating portion in a direction to close the supply flow path. According to Concept 3, the biasing can prevent the operating part from stopping at a transitional position between the open position and the closed position in the first place. Also, it is possible to prevent the supply of liquid caused by the operating part, which should be in the closed position, stopping at the transitional position, i.e., the consumption of liquid unintended by the user.

[0159] [Idea 4] The liquid ejection device may further include a carriage that carries the liquid ejection unit and the opening / closing mechanism and is capable of reciprocating movement in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, a first contact unit that comes into contact with the opening / closing mechanism when the carriage is moved while the supply flow path is in the closed state, and a detection unit that detects contact between the opening / closing mechanism and the first contact unit.

[0160] According to Concept 4, when the carriage is moved while the supply flow path is closed, it is possible to detect that the opening / closing mechanism has come into contact with the first contact portion. Detecting contact between the opening / closing mechanism and the first contact portion can be a trigger to stop the carriage from moving or to open the supply flow path, for example. As a result, it is possible to prevent inconsistencies between the state of the supply flow path and the state of the carriage.

[0161] [Idea 5] The liquid ejection device may further include a regulating unit that regulates movement of the operating unit in a direction that changes the supply flow path from the open state to the closed state when the carriage is positioned other than at a predetermined position.

[0162] The operation of closing the supply flow path is performed during a process that involves placing the carriage in a predetermined position, such as inspection, repair, or shipping of the liquid ejection device. According to Concept 5 above, the operation of closing the supply flow path is restricted when the carriage is positioned other than the predetermined position, so the carriage is prompted to move to the predetermined position as a prerequisite for closing the supply flow path. In other words, during a process that involves the operation of closing the supply flow path, the carriage is prompted to move to a predetermined position appropriate for the process.

[0163] [Idea 6] In the liquid ejection device, the regulating portion may include a displacement portion that displaces in conjunction with the operating portion, and a second contact portion that is provided on the movement trajectory of the displacement portion when the carriage is positioned other than at a predetermined position, and that comes into contact with the displacement portion to regulate the movement of the operating portion when the operating portion moves in the direction to close the supply flow path.

[0164] According to Concept 6, when the carriage is positioned other than the predetermined position, the displacement unit displaces in conjunction with the operation unit, and the displacement unit restricts movement of the operation unit in the direction to close the supply flow path. Therefore, compared to when a separate restriction unit that is not linked to the operation unit is provided, the user's operation can be made less complicated.

[0165] [Idea 7] In the liquid ejection device, the first contact portion and the second contact portion may be provided on a housing that houses the liquid ejection portion and the carriage. According to Concept 7, the number of parts can be reduced compared to when the first contact portion and the second contact portion are provided separately from the housing, and the cost of the liquid ejection device can be reduced.

[0166] [Idea 8] In the liquid ejection device, the operating unit includes a lever that can rotate between an open position that puts the supply flow path in the open state and a closed position that puts the supply flow path in the closed state, the opening / closing unit has a pressing member that puts the supply flow path in the closed state when the lever is in the closed position and puts the supply flow path in the open state when the lever is in the open position, and the moving unit may move the lever closer to the closed position when the lever is in a position closer to the closed position than halfway between the open position and the closed position, and move the lever closer to the open position when the lever is in a position closer to the open position than halfway between the open position and the closed position.

[0167] According to Concept 8, even if the lever is in a position that puts the supply flow path in a transient state, the moving part can move it closer to either the closed position or the open position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0168] 1...liquid ejection device, 2...device main body, 3...casing, 4...frame, 5...scanner, 5A...rib, 6...operation panel, 7...display section, 8...operation button, 10...liquid storage unit, 11...unit cover, 12...storage case, 13...liquid storage section, 14...display section, 22...medium storage section, 25...transport mechanism, 30...carriage, 31...carriage motor, 32...carriage cover, 40...supply flow path, 50...liquid ejection section, 51...nozzle, 55...maintenance unit, 60...opening / closing mechanism, 60A...opening / closing section, 60B...operation section, 60C...biasing member, 62...lever, 62A...base section, 62B...tip section, 64...shaft section, 64E1...end section, 64E2...end section, 65...cam portion, 65S...cam surface, 66...pressure member, 68...supply flow path support portion, 68E...hook portion, 68G...groove, 68H...recess, 69...case, 75...linear encoder, 76...photosensor, 80...control portion, 81...CPU, 82...memory, 83...interface portion (I / F), 84...detection portion, 85...open / close detection portion, 90...regulation portion, 91...displacement portion, 100...first contact portion, 110...personal computer (PC), 200...second contact portion, A...rotation axis, HP...home position, L...reference line, OA...opening, PA...printing area, RA...non-printing area, RA1...non-printing area, RA2...non-printing area, TA...movement area, TB...movement area, θ...operation angle.

Claims

1. a liquid storage section that stores a liquid; a liquid ejection unit that ejects the liquid onto a medium to perform printing; a supply flow path that connects the liquid storage unit and the liquid discharge unit; an opening / closing mechanism having an opening / closing unit that opens or closes the supply flow path and an operating unit that operates the opening / closing unit; a moving unit that is movable between a first position that is a normal position when printing is performed and a second position that is different from the first position; A liquid ejection device characterized in that the range of movement of the operating unit, in which the supply flow path is in a transitional state between the open state and the closed state, includes a position of the operating unit where the operating unit interferes with the moving unit in the first position.

2. the operating unit is movable between an open position where the supply flow path is in the open state and a closed position where the supply flow path is in the closed state, The liquid ejection device described in claim 1, characterized in that when the operating unit is located closer to the closed position than halfway between the open position and the closed position, the moving unit moves the operating unit closer to the closed position by interfering with the operating unit, and when the operating unit is located closer to the open position than halfway between the open position and the closed position, the moving unit moves the operating unit closer to the open position by interfering with the operating unit.

3. 3. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing mechanism further comprises a biasing member that biases the operation portion in a direction to close the supply flow path.

4. a carriage that carries the liquid discharge unit and the opening / closing mechanism and is capable of reciprocating in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction; a first contact portion that comes into contact with the opening / closing mechanism when the carriage is moved while the supply flow path is in the closed state; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , further comprising a detection unit that detects contact between the opening / closing mechanism and the first contact unit.

5. The liquid ejection device according to claim 4 , further comprising a restricting portion that restricts movement of the operating portion in a direction that changes the supply flow path from the open state to the closed state when the carriage is positioned other than a predetermined position.

6. The liquid ejection device described in claim 5, characterized in that the regulating portion includes a displacement portion that displaces in conjunction with the operating portion, and a second contact portion that is provided on the movement trajectory of the displacement portion when the carriage is positioned other than a predetermined position, and that contacts the displacement portion when the operating portion moves in a direction to close the supply flow path, thereby regulating the movement of the operating portion.

7. 7. The liquid ejection device according to claim 6, wherein the first contact portion and the second contact portion are provided on a housing that houses the liquid ejection portion and the carriage.

8. the operating unit includes a lever that is rotatable between an open position that opens the supply flow path and a closed position that closes the supply flow path, the opening / closing unit has a pressing member that closes the supply flow path when the lever is located at the closed position and opens the supply flow path when the lever is located at the open position, A liquid ejection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the moving unit moves the lever closer to the closed position when the lever is positioned closer to the closed position than halfway between the open position and the closed position, and moves the lever closer to the open position when the lever is positioned closer to the open position than halfway between the open position and the closed position.

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