Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

There is a risk that the range in which the liquid in the supply channel can be agitated will be narrowed. [Solution] The liquid dispensing device 1 comprises a liquid storage section 21 for storing ink, a dispensing section 15 capable of dispensing ink, a supply channel 24 for supplying ink from the liquid storage section 21 to the dispensing section 15, and a magnet section 71. The supply channel 24 has an agitator 72 inside, and the magnet section 71 is movable along a movement path that includes a position where a magnetic force is applied to the agitator 72 to displace the position of the agitator 72.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid ejection device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid ejection device including a head that ejects liquid into a medium, a liquid supply unit for supplying liquid to the head, a liquid supply tube, a coiled heating wire, and a magnet. The liquid supply tube is provided between the liquid supply unit and the head. The coiled heating wire is provided inside the liquid supply tube, generates heat when energized, and warms the liquid. The magnet is outside the liquid supply tube and is attached to a non-movable part of the liquid ejection device. As the position of the heating wire in the liquid supply tube that moves in the moving direction changes as the head moves in the moving direction, the magnetic force acting between the magnet and the heating wire changes. Thereby, the heating wire vibrates inside the liquid supply tube and stirs the liquid.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, since the magnet of Patent Document 1 is provided in a non-movable part of the liquid ejection device, there is a risk that the range in which the liquid in the liquid supply tube can be stirred by vibrating the heating wire becomes narrow.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The liquid dispensing device comprises a liquid storage section for storing liquid, a dispensing section capable of dispensing the liquid, a supply channel for supplying the liquid from the liquid storage section to the dispensing section, and a magnet section. The supply channel has an agitator inside, and the magnet section is movable along a path that includes a position where a magnetic force is applied to the agitator to displace its position. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A schematic plan view showing the general configuration of a liquid dispensing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] A cross-sectional view showing the S2-S2 section shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] A cross-sectional view showing the S3-S3 section shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] A schematic plan view showing the general configuration of a liquid dispensing device according to another embodiment. [Figure 5] A schematic plan view showing the general configuration of a liquid dispensing device according to another embodiment. [Figure 6] A schematic plan view showing the general configuration of a liquid dispensing device according to another embodiment. [Figure 7] A cross-sectional view showing the S7-S7 section shown in Figure 6. [Figure 8] A schematic plan view showing the general configuration of a liquid dispensing device according to another embodiment. [Figure 9] A perspective view showing a stirring body according to an embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The present disclosure will be described below based on embodiments. In each figure, the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and redundant descriptions may be omitted. As used herein, "same," "identical," and "simultaneous" do not mean exactly the same.

[0008] For example, in this specification, when "same," "identical," or "simultaneous" is used, it includes cases where measurement errors are taken into consideration. Also, for example, when "same," "identical," or "simultaneous" is used, it includes cases where manufacturing variations of the components are taken into consideration.

[0009] In this specification, the terms "same," "identical," and "simultaneous" include cases where they are the same to the extent that their function is not impaired. Therefore, for example, "the dimensions of both are the same" means that, taking into account measurement errors and manufacturing variations of the components, the difference between the two dimensions is within ±5 percent of the dimension of one, and particularly preferably within ±3 percent.

[0010] In each figure, X, Y, and Z represent three mutually orthogonal spatial axes. In this specification, the directions along these axes are referred to as the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction. When specifying directions, a positive direction is denoted as "+" and a negative direction as "-", and positive and negative signs are used in the direction notation. In each figure, the direction pointed to by the arrow is described as the + direction, and the opposite direction of the arrow is described as the - direction.

[0011] The Z-axis direction indicates the vertical direction, the +Z direction indicates vertically upward, and the -Z direction indicates vertically downward. A plane containing the X and Y axes is described as the XY plane, a plane containing the X and Z axes is described as the XZ plane, and a plane containing the Y and Z axes is described as the YZ plane. The XY plane is the horizontal plane. The three spatial axes of X, Y, and Z, which are not limited to positive or negative directions, are described as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis.

[0012] The X-axis direction is horizontal along the installation surface, which is the horizontal plane on which the liquid dispensing device 1 is installed. The Y-axis direction is horizontal along the installation surface on which the liquid dispensing device 1 is installed. The Z-axis direction is normal to the installation surface on which the liquid dispensing device 1 is installed, and is the height direction of the liquid dispensing device 1.

[0013] In the following explanation, the +Z direction may be referred to as "vertically upward," and the -Z direction as "vertically downward." For illustrative purposes, the dimensions of each component may differ from the actual dimensions.

[0014] <Embodiment> The schematic configuration of the liquid ejection device 1 according to the embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the liquid ejection device 1 is configured as an inkjet printer, and ejects ink onto printing paper, which is an example of the medium P, to form an image.

[0015] The ink is an example of a liquid. Examples of the medium P include single-sheet printing paper. Note that the liquid ejection device 1 may eject ink onto a resin film, label paper attached to a long base paper, fabric, etc. instead of the printing paper. In this case, the resin film, label paper, and fabric are examples of the medium P.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejection device 1 includes a device main body 2, a ejection unit 15, an ink supply unit 20, a conveyance mechanism 30, a moving mechanism 40, a maintenance unit 50, a stirring unit 70, and a control unit 90. The ejection unit 15, the ink supply unit 20, the conveyance mechanism 30, the moving mechanism 40, the maintenance unit 50, the stirring unit 70, and the control unit 90 are provided in the device main body 2.

[0017] The ejection unit 15 has a head 10 and a carriage 13 on which the head 10 is mounted. The head 10 has a nozzle surface 11 provided with a plurality of nozzle rows 12 for ejecting ink. The nozzle row 12 is formed by arranging a plurality of nozzles N in the Y-axis direction.

[0018] The head 10 ejects ink in the -Z direction from a plurality of nozzles N constituting the nozzle row 12 to form an image on the medium P. In the present embodiment, the plurality of nozzle rows 12 include nozzle rows 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d.

[0019] The ink ejected by the head 10 is, for example, a total of four colors of ink: black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. The head 10 ejects each ink from the nozzle row 12a, the nozzle row 12b, the nozzle row 12c, and the nozzle row 12d. The head 10 may eject ink of any color, not limited to the above four colors, such as light cyan, light magenta, white, etc.

[0020] The ink ejected by the head 10 may be a so-called pigment ink containing a pigment as a dye component. Alternatively, among the four colors of ink ejected by the head 10, the black ink is a pigment ink containing a pigment as a dye component, and the cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink may be so-called dye inks whose dye components are dyes.

[0021] The head 10 is mounted on a carriage 13 attached to a moving mechanism 40, and reciprocates in the main scanning direction as the carriage 13 moves. In the present embodiment, the main scanning direction is the +X direction and the -X direction.

[0022] The ink supply unit 20 supplies ink to the head 10. The ink supply unit 20 includes a liquid storage unit 21, a supply flow path 24, and a pressure adjustment mechanism 25.

[0023] The liquid storage unit 21 of the present embodiment includes an injection unit 22 into which ink can be injected and a storage chamber 23 that stores the ink injected from the injection unit 22. The liquid storage unit 21 of the present embodiment is a refill type tank, but may be a replaceable cartridge type tank.

[0024] The ink supply unit 20 includes a plurality of liquid storage units 21. In the present embodiment, the plurality of liquid storage units 21 include liquid storage units 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d. Each of the liquid storage units 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d stores black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink, respectively.

[0025] The ink stored in the liquid storage unit 21 is supplied to the head 10 via the supply flow path 24 and the pressure adjustment mechanism 25 to which the supply flow path 24 is connected. A plurality of supply flow paths 24 and pressure adjustment mechanisms 25 are provided so that the ink stored in each of the liquid storage units 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d can be supplied to each nozzle row 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d.

[0026] The supply channel 24 includes supply channels 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d. The supply channel 24 in this embodiment is composed of a second section, a bent section, a first section, a curved section, and a connecting section. The second section is the part that extends in the +Y direction from the connected liquid reservoir 21. The bent section follows the second section and changes the direction in which the supply channel 24 extends from the +Y direction to the +X direction.

[0027] The first section is a portion that follows the bent section and extends in the +X direction along the X-axis. The curved section is a curved portion that follows the first section and changes the direction in which the supply channel 24 extends in the +Z direction and the -X direction. The connecting section includes a portion that follows the curved section and extends in the -X direction, and is connected to the head 10 via the pressure adjustment mechanism 25.

[0028] The first part is positioned in the Y-axis direction at a location that overlaps with the carriage 13 and is adjacent to the head 10 in the +Y direction. The first part is positioned in the Z-axis direction between the support portion 37 and the medium P supported by the support portion 37 and the portion of the carriage 13 located in the +Y direction of the head 10.

[0029] In other words, the first part is provided aligned with the carriage 13 of the discharge section 15 in the Z-axis direction, which is perpendicular to it. The first parts of each supply channel 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d are arranged along the Y-axis in the order of supply channels 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, from the +Y direction to the -Y direction.

[0030] The connection portion is positioned in the Y-axis direction, overlapping with the carriage 13, and adjacent to the head 10 in the +Y direction. The portion of the connection portion that extends in the -X direction following the curved portion is located on the +Z side of the portion of the carriage 13 that is located in the +Y direction of the head 10. The connection portions of each supply channel 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d are arranged along the Y-axis direction in the order of supply channels 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d, from the +Y direction to the -Y direction.

[0031] The pressure adjustment mechanism 25 connects the supply channel 24 and the head 10. The pressure adjustment mechanism 25 adjusts the pressure of the ink supplied to the head 10 to a predetermined negative pressure. In this embodiment, the pressure adjustment mechanism 25 is provided on the carriage 13. For this reason, the supply channel 24 in this embodiment is composed of, for example, a flexible tube.

[0032] The transport mechanism 30 transports the medium P in the sub-scanning direction. The sub-scanning direction is perpendicular to the X-axis direction, which is the main scanning direction, and in this embodiment, it is the +Y direction and the -Y direction. The transport mechanism 30 comprises a transport rod 34 having three transport rollers 32, a transport mechanism drive unit 36 ​​that rotates the transport rod 34, and a support unit 37 that supports the medium P.

[0033] When the transport mechanism drive unit 36 ​​is driven, the transport rod 34 and the multiple transport rollers 32 rotate, and the medium P is transported in the -Y direction. The transported medium P moves in the -Y direction on the support surface of the support unit 37. The number of transport rollers 32 is not limited to three; any number is acceptable. The liquid dispensing device 1 may be equipped with multiple transport mechanisms 30.

[0034] The moving mechanism 40 comprises a transfer belt 44, a pulley 46, a pulley 47, and a moving mechanism drive unit 48. A carriage 13 is attached to the transfer belt 44. The carriage 13 is equipped with a print head 10 and a pressure adjustment mechanism 25 in a state where ink can be ejected.

[0035] The transfer belt 44 is wrapped between pulley 46 and pulley 47. When the moving mechanism drive unit 48 is driven, pulley 47 rotates. When the moving mechanism drive unit 48 is controlled, pulley 47 rotates, causing the transfer belt 44 to reciprocate in the main scanning direction. As a result, the carriage 13 attached to the transfer belt 44 also reciprocates in the main scanning direction.

[0036] The maintenance unit 50 performs maintenance on the head 10. The maintenance unit 50 includes a wiper 51, a wiper drive unit 52, a cap 53, a waste liquid tube 56, a pump 58, a pump drive unit 59, and a waste liquid storage unit 60.

[0037] The wiper 51 performs maintenance on the head 10 by wiping the nozzle surface 11 of the head 10. When the wiper drive unit 52 is driven, the wiper 51 moves in the Z-axis direction between a standby position where it does not contact the nozzle surface 11 and a wiping position where it can contact the nozzle surface 11.

[0038] With the wiper 51 in the wiping position, the head 10 moves vertically above the wiper 51 in the X-axis direction as the carriage 13 moves, thereby wiping the nozzle surface 11.

[0039] The liquid ejection device 1 performs maintenance on the print head 10 by ejecting ink from the nozzle N of the print head 10. The cap 53 contacts the nozzle surface 11 of the print head 10, forming a cap space through which the nozzle N opens.

[0040] The cap 53 moves in the Z-axis direction when the cap drive unit (not shown) is driven. At a position facing the nozzle surface 11 (see Figures 6 and 8), the cap 53 moves in the Z-axis direction between a non-capping position where it does not contact the nozzle surface 11 and a capping position where it contacts the nozzle surface 11.

[0041] At the capping position, the cap 53 forms a cap space through which the nozzles N constituting the nozzle rows 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d open.

[0042] The cap 53 is connected to the waste liquid storage section 60 via a waste liquid tube 56. The waste liquid tube 56 is equipped with a pump 58 that applies negative pressure to the cap space formed by the cap 53.

[0043] When the pump drive unit 59 is driven, negative pressure is applied by the pump 58 to the cap space formed by the cap 53. As a result, ink is discharged from the nozzles N that make up the nozzle rows 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d of the head 10 to the cap 53.

[0044] When negative pressure is applied to the cap space for a predetermined period, the cap drive unit is activated, causing the cap 53 to move from the capped position to the uncapped position. Subsequently, the pump drive unit 59 is activated, and the pump 58 continues to operate.

[0045] As a result, the ink discharged as waste liquid into the cap 53 is collected in the waste liquid storage section 60 via the waste liquid tube 56.

[0046] The stirring unit 70 comprises a stirring body 72 and a magnet unit 71. The stirring unit 70 displaces the stirring body 72 by applying the magnetic force of the magnet unit 71 to the stirring body 72 which is placed in the flow path of the supply channel 24. As a result, the ink in the supply channel 24 is stirred, which suppresses the settling of precipitated components such as pigment components contained in the ink.

[0047] The agitator 72 has an external shape and size that does not obstruct the flow path of the supply channel 24. Therefore, the agitator 72 is displaceable within the flow path of the supply channel 24. The agitator 72 is composed of magnetic material in whole or in part.

[0048] When the entire stirring body 72 is made of magnetic material, ferritic stainless steel such as SUS430, which has magnetic properties, can be used as the magnetic material. When iron, nickel, or the like is used as the magnetic material, the stirring body 72 may be constructed by coating the magnetic material with a resin material such as polypropylene. In this case, a portion of the stirring body 72 is made of magnetic material.

[0049] The stirring body 72 in this embodiment is a coil made by winding a wire of magnetic material in a spiral shape (see Figure 9). The outer diameter of the coil is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the supply channel 24. The length of the coil is set to be shorter than the length of the first portion of the supply channel 24 in which the coil as the stirring body 72 is placed.

[0050] The shape of the agitator 72 does not have to be coiled, as long as it includes at least a magnetic material and does not obstruct the flow of ink in the supply channel 24. The agitator 72 may be a sphere with a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the supply channel 24, a rod, a cylinder, or a thin plate.

[0051] The first portion of the supply channel 24 is the part of the supply channel 24 that extends along the X-axis direction in which the discharge section 15 moves. As a result, the agitator 72 can be displaced in the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction within the flow path of the supply channel 24.

[0052] The agitator 72 includes agitators 72a, 72b, 72c, and 72d. Agitator 72a is located in the first portion of the supply channel 24a. Agitator 72b is located in the first portion of the supply channel 24b. Agitator 72c is located in the first portion of the supply channel 24c. Agitator 72d is located in the first portion of the supply channel 24d.

[0053] In this embodiment, the magnet section 71 is provided on the carriage 13 of the discharge section 15 and moves along with the movement of the discharge section 15. Therefore, the movement path of the magnet section 71 when the discharge section 15 moves is along the X-axis direction. The X-axis direction is just one example of the movement direction of the magnet section 71.

[0054] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the movement path of the magnet unit 71 is adjacent to the first portion of the supply channel 24 in the +Z direction, vertically upward, with a gap between them. That is, the movement path of the magnet unit 71 extends along the first portion of the supply channel 24. The gap between the magnet unit 71 and the first portion is set to a size that allows the magnet unit 71 to exert magnetic force on the opposing agitator 72.

[0055] The magnet portion 71 in this embodiment is a rectangular permanent magnet including a bottom surface which is the -Z direction side. The bottom surface of the magnet portion 71 faces the first portions of the supply channels 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d. The magnet portion 71 does not have to be rectangular, as long as it can apply magnetic force to the agitator 72; for example, it may be disc-shaped. Alternatively, the magnet portion 71 may be an electromagnet having a core of magnetic material, a wire wound around the core, and an energizing part that conducts current through the wire.

[0056] When the magnetic force of the magnet unit 71 is not acting on the agitator 72, it is located at the lowest position in the flow path of the supply channel 24 (the position shown by the dashed line in Figures 2 and 3). On the other hand, when the magnet unit 71 moves along the movement path and faces the agitator 72, the magnetic force of the magnet unit 71 acts on the agitator 72.

[0057] In this case, at least the portion of the agitator 72 facing the magnet portion 71 is displaced from the lowest position in the flow path of the supply channel 24 to the highest position in the +Z direction (the position shown by the solid line in Figures 2 and 3). The highest position in the flow path of the supply channel 24 is the position closest to the magnet portion 71.

[0058] As the magnet section 71 moves along its path, and the magnetic force of the magnet section 71 ceases to act, the agitator 72 is displaced from its uppermost position in the flow path of the supply channel 24 to its lowest position in the -Z direction (the position shown by the dashed line in Figures 2 and 3).

[0059] In other words, the magnet unit 71 is mounted on the carriage 13 of the discharge unit 15 so as to be movable along a movement path that includes a position that displaces the position of the agitator 72 within the supply channel 24 by applying a magnetic force to the agitator 72.

[0060] For example, suppose the stirring body 72 is positioned in the first part of the supply channel 24 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction. In this case, by setting the magnetic force of the acting magnet part 71 to be strong, it is also possible to move the stirring body 72 in the X-axis direction in the first part of the supply channel 24 as the magnet part 71 moves.

[0061] Furthermore, even when the first portion of the supply channel 24 is arranged in the Y-axis direction alongside the discharge section 15, the ink in the supply channel 24 can be stirred by displacing the agitator 72 with the magnet section 71. The Y-axis direction is an example of an intersecting direction that intersects with the X-axis direction, which is an example of a direction of movement.

[0062] For example, as shown in Figure 4, a first portion extending in the +X direction along the X-axis direction, following the bent portion, is provided alongside the carriage 13 on the -Y direction side. In this case, the curved portion, following the first portion, changes the direction in which the supply channel 24 extends to the +Y and -X directions.

[0063] The first part is positioned so as to overlap with the carriage 13 when viewed from the +Y direction. The first parts of each supply channel 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d are arranged along the Z-axis in the order of supply channels 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, from the -Z direction to the +Z direction.

[0064] In this case, the magnet section 71 is positioned such that the side surface of the magnet section 71 in the -Y direction faces the first portion of the supply channels 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d, on the side wall of the carriage 13 in the -Y direction. The movement path of the magnet section 71 is adjacent to the first portion of the supply channel 24 in the +Y direction, with a gap between them.

[0065] The agitator 72, positioned in the first section, is located at the lowest position in the flow path of the supply channel 24 when the magnetic force of the magnet section 71 is not acting on it. For example, the magnetic force of the magnet section 71 acts on the agitator 72 when the magnet section 71 moves along the movement path and faces the agitator 72.

[0066] In this case, at least the portion of the agitator 72 facing the magnet portion 71 is displaced along the inner surface of the supply channel 24 in the +Y and +Z directions, starting from the lowest position in the flow path of the supply channel 24.

[0067] As the magnet section 71 moves along its path, and the magnetic force of the magnet section 71 ceases to act, the agitator 72 is displaced along the inner surface of the supply channel 24 to the lowest position in the flow path of the supply channel 24. Alternatively, when the magnetic force of the magnet section 71 acting on the agitator 72 ceases to act, the agitator 72 oscillates along the inner surface of the supply channel 24, including the lowest position.

[0068] The control unit 90, although not shown in the diagram, includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 90 also includes a storage unit containing RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. Various programs for controlling the liquid dispensing device 1 are stored in the storage unit.

[0069] The control unit 90 may include one or more processors that perform various processes according to a program, one or more dedicated hardware circuits such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or a combination thereof. The Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) performs at least some of the various processes.

[0070] A processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM. Memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to perform processing. Memory, or computer-readable media, includes everything accessible by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0071] The control unit 90 in Figure 1 is shown conceptually; in reality, it is composed of a circuit board installed at a predetermined location on the liquid dispensing device 1. The control unit 90 is electrically connected to each part of the liquid dispensing device 1 and comprehensively controls the operation of each part.

[0072] For example, the control unit 90 controls the transport mechanism 30 to transport the medium P toward the head 10. The control unit 90 controls the moving mechanism 40 and the head 10 to move the carriage 13 of the ejection unit 15 and the head 10 in the X-axis direction, while ejecting ink onto the medium P supported by the support unit 37. This forms an image on the medium P.

[0073] For example, the control unit 90 controls the wiper drive unit 52 of the maintenance unit 50 and the moving mechanism drive unit 48 of the moving mechanism 40 to wipe the nozzle surface 11 with the wiper 51. This allows the head 10 to be maintained by wiping the nozzle surface 11.

[0074] For example, the control unit 90 controls the cap drive unit of the moving mechanism 40 and the maintenance unit 50, thereby forming the cap space with the cap 53.

[0075] The control unit 90 drives the pump drive unit 59, thereby applying negative pressure to the cap space formed by the cap 53 using the pump 58. The application of negative pressure to the cap space causes ink to be discharged from the head 10 into the cap 53.

[0076] The ink discharged from the cap 53 is collected in the waste liquid container 60 via the waste liquid tube 56. This allows for maintenance of the print head 10 by discharging the ink.

[0077] During image formation on the medium P, maintenance operations of the head 10, etc., the ejection unit 15 moves in the X-axis direction. As the ejection unit 15 moves in the X-axis direction, the magnet unit 71 provided on the ejection unit 15 moves in the X-axis direction along a movement path that follows the first portion of the supply channel 24.

[0078] As a result, the agitator 72 located in the first section is displaced within the flow path of the supply channel 24, thereby agitating the ink in the first section. In addition, for the purpose of agitating the ink in the supply channel 24, the control unit 90 controls the movement mechanism 40 to move the discharge unit 15 in the X-axis direction at timings such as the start operation, stop operation, and standby operation of the liquid discharge device 1.

[0079] As described above, the liquid dispensing device 1 according to the embodiment provides the following effects.

[0080] The liquid dispensing device 1 includes a liquid storage section 21 for storing ink. The liquid dispensing device 1 includes a dispensing section 15 capable of dispensing ink. The liquid dispensing device 1 includes a supply channel 24 for supplying ink from the liquid storage section 21 to the dispensing section 15, and a magnet section 71. The supply channel 24 has an agitator 72 inside. The magnet section 71 is movable along a movement path that includes a position where a magnetic force is applied to the agitator 72 to displace the position of the agitator 72.

[0081] According to this, the movement of the magnet unit 71 allows for agitation of the ink over a wide area within the supply channel 24.

[0082] The discharge unit 15 is movable in the X-axis direction, and the magnet unit 71 moves along with the movement of the discharge unit 15. This eliminates the need to provide a new mechanism for moving the magnet unit 71.

[0083] The magnet section 71 is provided on the discharge section 15. This eliminates the need to provide a new mechanism for moving the magnet section 71 by providing the magnet section 71 on the moving discharge section 15, making it easier to miniaturize the liquid discharge device 1.

[0084] In the supply channel 24, the first portion in which the agitator 72 is positioned is arranged along the X-axis direction, and the first portion is provided alongside the discharge section 15 in the Z-axis direction. With this arrangement, the agitator 72 is displaced when the discharge section 15 moves in the X-axis direction, eliminating the need to provide a new mechanism for moving the magnet section 71, and further reducing the required space.

[0085] In the supply channel 24, the first portion in which the agitator 72 is positioned is arranged along the X-axis direction, and the first portion is provided alongside the discharge section 15 in the Y-axis direction, which intersects the X-axis direction. With this arrangement, the agitator 72 is displaced when the discharge section 15 moves in the X-axis direction, eliminating the need to provide a new mechanism for moving the magnet section 71, and further reducing space.

[0086] The liquid dispensing device 1 according to the above embodiment of this disclosure is based on having the configuration described above, but it is of course possible to make partial changes or omissions to the configuration without departing from the gist of this disclosure. The above embodiment and the other embodiments described below can be implemented in combination with each other to the extent that they do not contradict the technical context. Other embodiments are described below.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the magnet portion 71 does not have to be provided on the discharge portion 15. For example, the magnet portion 71 may be provided on the support portion 37 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction. In this case, as shown in Figure 5, the magnet portion 71 is provided on the support portion 37 at a position vertically below the first portion of the supply channel 24.

[0088] The path along which the magnet section 71 moves is along the X-axis direction in which the first portion of the supply channel 24 extends. In this embodiment, the discharge section 15 includes a carriage 13 with guide sections 14 that guide the position of the magnet section 71 in the X-axis direction by contacting both ends of the magnet section 71 in the X-axis direction.

[0089] As a result, when the discharge unit 15 moves in the X-axis direction, the magnet unit 71 moves along the discharge unit 15 in the X-axis direction along a movement path that includes a position where a magnetic force is applied to the agitator 72, causing the agitator 72 to be displaced.

[0090] In this embodiment, for example, the medium P has a long, rolled shape. The medium P is conveyed by the conveying mechanism 30 along the X-axis direction, from the +X direction side to the -X direction on the support surface of the support portion 37. In this embodiment, for example, the width dimension of the medium P, which is the dimension in the Y-axis direction on the support surface of the support portion 37, is smaller than the dimension in the Y-axis direction of the nozzle row 12 of the head 10.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the magnet portion 71 does not have to be provided on the discharge portion 15. For example, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, the magnet portion 71 may be provided on the support portion 37. The support portion 37 has a support surface that supports the medium P. The support portion 37 transports the medium P in the Y-axis direction by moving the support surface that supports the medium P in the Y-axis direction, which is the transport direction of the medium P.

[0092] In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the support portion 37 is an endless conveyor belt wrapped around a pair of rollers 38 spaced apart in the Y-axis direction. As the rollers 38 are rotated, the conveyor belt rotates, and the outer surface of the conveyor belt, which is the support surface of the support portion 37, moves in the -Y direction along the Y-axis direction on the side facing the discharge portion 15.

[0093] As a result, the medium P supported on the outer surface of the conveyor belt is conveyed from the +Y direction side to the -Y direction side of the discharge section 15. In this embodiment, the Y-axis direction is an example of the conveying direction in which the medium P is conveyed.

[0094] In this embodiment, the conveyor belt is provided with a plurality of magnetic portions 71 spaced apart along the X-axis direction, which is the width direction of the conveyor belt. As a result, when the conveyor belt rotates, the plurality of magnetic portions 71 move vertically below the first portion of the supply channel 24, which extends along the X-axis direction, from the +Y direction to the -Y direction on the side facing the first portion of the first portion.

[0095] Assume that the magnet unit 71 provided on the conveyor belt moves vertically downward from the +Y direction to the -Y direction in the first portion of each supply channel 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d. In this case, the magnetic force of the magnet unit 71 acts on the agitators 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d arranged in each first portion.

[0096] When the magnet portion 71 is located on the +Y side of the agitator 72, the magnetic force of the magnet portion 71 acts on the agitator 72 from the +Y side. As a result, as shown in Figure 7, at least the portion of the agitator 72 facing the magnet portion 71 is displaced in the flow path of the supply channel 24 from the position shown by the solid line to the position shown by the dashed line along the inner surface of the supply channel 24.

[0097] The position of the agitator 72 indicated by the solid line is the lowest point in the flow path of the supply channel 24. The positions of the agitator 72 indicated by the dashed line are the positions in the +Y and +Z directions relative to the lowest point in the flow path of the supply channel 24.

[0098] When the magnet portion 71 is positioned vertically below the agitator 72 on the -Z direction side, the magnetic force of the magnet portion 71 acts on the agitator 72 from vertically below. As a result, at least the portion of the agitator 72 facing the magnet portion 71 is displaced in the flow path of the supply channel 24 from the position shown by the dashed line to the position shown by the solid line along the inner surface of the supply channel 24.

[0099] When the magnet portion 71 is located on the -Y side of the agitator 72, the magnetic force of the magnet portion 71 acts on the agitator 72 from the -Y side. As a result, at least the portion of the agitator 72 facing the magnet portion 71 is displaced in the flow path of the supply channel 24 from the position shown by the solid line to the position shown by the dashed line along the inner surface of the supply channel 24. The position of the agitator 72 shown by the dashed line is in the -Y and +Z directions relative to the lowest position in the flow path of the supply channel 24.

[0100] When the magnet portion 71 moves further away from the agitator 72 in the -Y direction, the magnetic force of the magnet portion 71 ceases to act on the agitator 72. As a result, at least the portion of the agitator 72 facing the magnet portion 71 is displaced in the flow path of the supply channel 24 from the position indicated by the dashed line to the position indicated by the dashed line along the inner surface of the supply channel 24. Subsequently, the agitator 72 oscillates along the inner surface of the supply channel 24, including the lowest position.

[0101] In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the support portion 37 is a support base that is guided to move in the Y-axis direction by a pair of guide rails 39 that are spaced apart in the X-axis direction. When a support portion movement mechanism (not shown) is driven, the upper surface of the support base, which is the support surface of the support portion 37 and is the surface in the +Z direction, reciprocates along the Y-axis direction between the recording start position and the discharge position.

[0102] The recording start position is the position where recording to the medium P by the discharge unit 15 begins. At the recording start position, the -Y end of the support stand is located in the +Y direction relative to the head 10. The discharge position is the position where the medium P is set on the support stand, and where the recorded medium P can be removed from the support stand. At the discharge position, at least the +Y end of the support stand is located in the -Y direction relative to the head 10, and the -Y end of the support stand is located in the -Y direction relative to the front surface of the device body 2, which is the -Y direction surface.

[0103] At the discharge position, the medium P set on the support stand is transported from the -Y direction side to the +Y direction side of the discharge unit 15 toward the recording start position. The medium P set on the support stand is recorded by the discharge unit 15 during the process of transporting from the +Y direction side to the -Y direction side of the discharge unit 15 toward the discharge position from the recording start position. In this embodiment, the Y-axis direction is an example of the transport direction in which the medium P is transported.

[0104] In this embodiment, the support base is provided with a plurality of magnet portions 71 spaced apart along the X-axis direction, which is the width direction of the support base. The plurality of magnet portions 71 are positioned so as to pass vertically below the first portion of the supply channel 24 when the support base moves in the Y-axis direction between the recording start position and the discharge position. In this embodiment, the plurality of magnet portions 71 are positioned at the +Y end of the support base in the Y-axis direction.

[0105] As the support base moves in the Y-axis direction between the recording start position and the discharge position, the multiple magnet units 71 move vertically downward along the Y-axis direction to the first portion of the supply channels 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d that extend along the X-axis direction. In this embodiment, the X-axis direction is an example of an intersecting direction that intersects with the Y-axis direction, which is an example of a transport direction.

[0106] As a result, in this embodiment as well, the magnetic force of the magnet section 71 acts to displace the agitators 72a, 72b, 72c, and 72d, which are arranged in each of the first sections, similar to the case where the support section 37 is a conveyor belt. The following effects can be obtained with the liquid discharge device 1 according to these embodiments.

[0107] The liquid dispensing device 1 further comprises a support section 37 having a support surface for supporting the medium P, and the support surface is movable in the Y-axis direction from which the medium P is conveyed. The magnet section 71 is provided on the support section 37 so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction together with the support surface.

[0108] According to this, the agitator 72 is displaced as the support surface of the support part 37 moves in the Y-axis direction, which makes it easier to reduce the space required to move the magnet part 71. Furthermore, since the movement of the discharge part 15 is not used to move the magnet part 71, the thickening of the ink inside the head 10 due to the discharge part 15 moving from the capping position can be suppressed.

[0109] In the supply channel 24, the first portion in which the agitator 72 is positioned is located above the support portion 37, along the X-axis direction which intersects the Y-axis direction. Multiple magnet portions 71 are provided along the X-axis direction. This allows the agitator 72 to be moved over a wide area, thereby effectively agitating the ink.

[0110] The support section 37 is a conveyor belt. With this configuration, by applying the conveyor belt to the support section 37, it is easy to realize a configuration in which the magnet section 71 is movable together with the support surface of the support section 37.

[0111] The support portion 37 is a support base. With this configuration, by applying the support base to the support portion 37, it is easy to realize a configuration in which the magnet portion 71 is provided so as to be movable together with the support surface of the support portion 37.

[0112] In the embodiment shown in Figure 5 above, the transport mechanism 30 does not necessarily transport the medium P in the X-axis direction by the rotation of the transport roller 32 caused by the drive of the transport mechanism drive unit 36. For example, the transport mechanism 30 may transport the medium P in the X-axis direction by the movement of the support unit 37 along the X-axis direction caused by the drive of the transport mechanism drive unit 36. In this embodiment, the X-axis direction is just one example of a transport direction in which the medium P is transported.

[0113] In this embodiment, similar to the embodiments shown in Figures 6 and 8, the magnet portion 71 is immovably mounted on the support portion 37. In this case, the magnet portion 71 is positioned on the support portion 37 vertically below the first portion of the supply channel 24.

[0114] As a result, when the support portion 37 moves in the X-axis direction, the magnet portion 71 moves along the support portion 37 in the X-axis direction along a movement path that includes a position where a magnetic force is applied to the agitator 72, causing the agitator 72 to be displaced. Due to the magnetic force of the magnet portion 71, the agitator 72, which is located in the first portion of the supply channel 24, is displaced in the X-axis direction by the movement of the magnet portion 71 in the X-axis direction.

[0115] The movement path of the magnet unit 71 is located vertically downward along the X-axis direction in which the first portion of the supply channel 24 extends. In other words, the movement path of the magnet unit 71 overlaps with the first portion of the supply channel 24 when viewed from the vertical direction. The liquid discharge device 1 according to this embodiment provides the following effects.

[0116] In the supply channel 24, the first portion where the agitator 72 is positioned is located above the support portion 37, along the X-axis direction, and the movement path of the magnet portion 71 overlaps with the first portion when viewed from the vertical direction. This allows the agitator 72 to be moved over a wide area, thereby effectively agitating the ink.

[0117] In the embodiments shown in Figures 6 and 8 above, the magnet portion 71 may be a single magnet extending along the X-axis direction, which is the width direction of the support portion 37. Alternatively, if multiple magnet portions 71 pass vertically below the first portion of the supply channel 24, the positions of the multiple magnet portions 71 arranged on the support portion 37 in the Y-axis direction may be different. For example, the multiple magnet portions 71 arranged on the support portion 37 may be spaced apart and arranged in a direction that is oblique when viewed from the vertical direction of the support portion 37. Alternatively, the multiple magnet portions 71 arranged on the support portion 37 may be arranged in a zigzag pattern when viewed from the vertical direction of the support portion 37.

[0118] In the above embodiment, if the medium P is elongated, the liquid dispensing device 1 may move the magnet section 71 by utilizing the operation of a mechanism for dispensing the medium P or a mechanism for winding up the medium P.

[0119] In the above embodiment, if the wiper 51 moves in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction to wipe the nozzle surface 11, for example, in the case of a cloth wiper mechanism, the magnetic part 71 may be provided on the moving cloth wiper mechanism. In this case, the liquid dispensing device 1 may move the magnetic part 71 together with the cloth wiper mechanism.

[0120] In the above embodiment, if the agitator 72 is a coil or the like made of wire, the liquid dispensing device 1 may heat the wire by passing an electric current through it to heat the wire, thereby heating the ink in the supply channel 24. In this case, the wire making up the agitator 72 can be a magnetic iron-chromium heating wire or the like. In this case, the wire making up the agitator 72 may be provided along the entire length of the supply channel 24.

[0121] In the above embodiment, the magnet portion 71 provided on the carriage 13 of the discharge portion 15 may consist of multiple magnets. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 1...Liquid dispensing device, 2...Device body, 10...Head, 11...Nozzle surface, 12,12a,12b,12c,12d...Nozzle row, 13...Carriage, 14...Guide section, 15...Dispensing section, 20...Ink supply section, 21,21a,21b,21c,21d...Liquid storage section, 22...Injection section, 23...Storage chamber, 24,24a,24b,24c,24d...Supply channel, 25...Pressure adjustment mechanism, 30...Conveying mechanism, 32...Conveying roller, 34...Conveying rod, 36...Conveying 37...Transfer mechanism drive unit, 38...Support unit, 39...Roller, 40...Moving mechanism, 44...Transfer belt, 46, 47...Pulley, 48...Moving mechanism drive unit, 50...Maintenance unit, 51...Wiper, 52...Wiper drive unit, 53...Cap, 56...Waste liquid tube, 58...Pump, 59...Pump drive unit, 60...Waste liquid storage unit, 70...Agitation unit, 71...Magnet unit, 72, 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d...Agitator, 90...Control unit, P...Medium.

Claims

1. A liquid storage section for storing liquid, A dispensing unit capable of dispensing the aforementioned liquid, A supply channel for supplying the liquid from the liquid storage section to the discharge section, The magnetic part, Equipped with, The supply channel has an agitator inside, The magnetic part is movable along a movement path that includes a position where a magnetic force is applied to the agitator to displace the position of the agitator. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

2. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, The discharge unit is movable in the direction of movement. The magnet part moves along with the movement of the discharge part. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

3. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 2, The magnet portion is provided in the discharge portion, A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

4. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 2, The first portion of the supply channel in which the agitator is arranged is arranged to be aligned with the direction of movement. The first part is provided in a vertical direction adjacent to the discharge section, A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

5. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 2, The first portion of the supply channel in which the agitator is arranged is arranged to be aligned with the direction of movement. The first part is provided in a direction that intersects the discharge section and the direction of movement, A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

6. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, The support part further comprises a support surface that supports the medium, The support surface is movable in the transport direction in which the medium is transported. The magnet portion is provided on the support portion so as to be movable in the transport direction together with the support surface. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

7. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 6, The first portion in the supply channel where the agitator is arranged is positioned above the support portion so as to be aligned with the direction of intersecting the conveying direction, Multiple magnets are provided in the aforementioned intersecting directions. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

8. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 6, In the supply channel, the first portion in which the agitator is arranged is positioned above the support portion so as to be aligned with the conveying direction. The movement path of the magnet part overlaps with the first part when viewed from the vertical direction. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

9. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 6, The support part is a conveyor belt. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

10. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 6, The aforementioned support part is a support base. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

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