Printer device

Abstract

A printer device (10, 10A) comprises: a base unit (23); an ink discharged unit (30) which is provided on the base unit (23) and to which ink is discharged; and a lid body (40, 40A) which is put on the ink discharged unit (30). The ink discharged unit (30) includes an ink absorbing member (32) capable of absorbing discharged ink. The lid body (40, 40A) has an opening (41a) formed to make it possible to expose at least a part of the ink absorbing member (32), and is provided to be swingable with respect to the ink absorbing member (32). The base unit (23) preferably has a magnet (27) capable of closely adhering to the lid body (40, 40A) so that the lid body (40, 40A) is maintained in a closed state.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer device having an ink discharge section through which ink is discharged. [Background technology]

[0002] A printer device has an ejection section that ejects ink, and prints on the media by ejecting ink from this ejection section toward the media. Ink that adheres to the ejection section dries and can cause clogging. For this reason, some printer devices have an ink ejection section that ejects ink. Clogging of the ejection section is suppressed by ejecting ink from the ejection section to the ink ejection section in a specified case. An example of prior art related to such printer devices is the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The printer device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has an ejection section (head unit) that ejects ink, and an ink ejection section (empty ejection receiver) into which ink is ejected from the ejection section.

[0004] An ink absorbing member is provided inside the ink discharge portion to absorb the ink discharged from the discharge portion. The ink absorbing member is generally fixed to the cover by using a screw or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-44826 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the printer device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a certain amount of ink is discharged from the ink discharge section, the ink absorbing member needs to be replaced. At this time, if the cover body is fixed with a screw or the like, the maintenance work becomes complicated.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a printer apparatus that is easy to maintain. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided a printer having a base portion, an ink discharge portion provided on the base portion through which ink is discharged, and a lid body that covers the ink discharge portion, the ink discharge portion includes an ink absorbing member capable of absorbing the discharged ink, The printer device is provided in which the cover has an opening formed to be able to expose at least a part of the ink absorbing member, and is provided so as to be swingable relative to the ink absorbing member. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The present invention can provide a printer device that is easy to maintain. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a printer device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view of an ink discharge unit and a cover body mounted on the printer device shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is a perspective view of the ink discharge portion when the cover shown in FIG. 2 is in an open state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a detection unit shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a printer device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lid shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the printer device shown in FIG. 5. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] <Example 1> Configuration of the printer device 10 Please refer to Fig. 1. The printer device 10 is, for example, a printer called a UV printer that uses ultraviolet-curable ink. A UV printer can cure the ink in a short time by irradiating ultraviolet rays while ejecting ink onto a medium, which is a printing target.

[0013] The printer device 10 mainly comprises movable legs 11 having casters 11a at the bottom, and a printing unit 20 supported by the legs 11 and capable of printing on media.

[0014] Printing section 20 configuration 2 and 3, the printing unit 20 has a plate-shaped plate portion 21 having a plurality of openings, an ejection portion 22 that is movable left and right above the plate portion 21 and capable of ejecting ink, a base portion 23 provided below the plate portion 21, an ink ejection portion 30 that is supported by the base portion 23 and ejects ink ejected from the ejection portion 22, a lid body 40 that is swingably supported by the ink ejection portion 30, a detection portion 26 that can detect that the lid body 40 is in a closed state, a magnet 27 that is fixed to the base portion 23 and can come into close contact with the lid body 40 in the closed state, and a wiper portion 28 that is supported by the base portion 23 and can wipe off ink adhering to the ejection portion 22.

[0015] Regarding the discharge section 22 The ejection unit 22 can eject ink onto a medium, which is a printing target, while moving left and right, and irradiate the medium with ultraviolet light.

[0016] Regarding the ink discharge unit 30 The ink discharge portion 30 has a discharge portion main body 31 that is fixed to the base portion 23 and supports the cover body 40, and an ink absorbing member 32 that is housed in the discharge portion main body 31 and is capable of absorbing ink.

[0017] A sponge or a nonwoven fabric sheet can be used for the ink absorbing member 32. A combination of these materials can also be used.

[0018] About the lid 40 The lid 40 is formed, for example, from a single metal plate. Ferrite or martensitic stainless steel may be used as the material for the lid 40. As will be described in detail later, the material for the lid 40 is preferably a material that can be attracted to the magnet 27.

[0019] The lid body 40 has a lid body main body 41, a hinge portion 42 formed by bending a portion of the lid body main body 41 and supported by the discharge section main body 31, a detectable portion 43 bent from the lid body main body 41 towards the detection portion 26 and detected by the detection portion 26, and an operating portion 44 formed by bending from the lid body main body 41 and used by an operator to perform a swing operation.

[0020] When the lid 40 is made of a material that is not attracted to a magnet, an attraction portion that can be attracted to the magnet 27 may be provided on the back surface of the lid main body 41 at a portion corresponding to the magnet 27. In this case, the lid can be made of austenitic stainless steel or resin.

[0021] The cover body 41 is formed long in one direction, and has an opening 41a at one end where a part of the ink absorbing member 32 is exposed. A hinge portion 42 is formed so as to sandwich the opening 41a.

[0022] 2, the edge of the opening 41a is located inside the edge 32a (shown by a dashed line) of the ink absorbing member 32. In other words, the edge of the opening 41a overlaps with the ink absorbing member 32 in the closed state.

[0023] The operating part 44 is raised in a substantially L-shape from the other end of the lid body 41. That is, the hinge part 42 and the opening 41a are formed at one end of the elongated lid body 41, and the operating part 44 is formed at the other end.

[0024] The operating portion 44 has a rising portion 44a rising from the lid body 41, and a gripping portion 44b extending from the upper end of the rising portion 44a away from the lid body 41 and capable of being gripped by an operator.

[0025] Regarding detection unit 26 Please refer to Fig. 4. A photointerrupter can be used for the detection unit 26. The detection unit 26 has a light-emitting unit 26a capable of emitting light L and a light-receiving unit 26b that receives light L. The detection unit 26 can detect that the lid body 40 is closed when the detectable portion 43 of the lid body 40 blocks the light L emitted by the light-emitting unit 26a. When the detectable portion 43 does not block the light L, the light-receiving unit 26b detects the light L emitted by the light-emitting unit 26a, and therefore detects that the lid body 40 is open.

[0026] For example, the detection unit 26 is connected to a control unit (not shown). When a printing start signal is sent with the lid 40 open, the control unit prohibits the discharge unit 22 (see FIG. 2) from operating until the lid 40 is closed. Furthermore, when the control unit detects that the lid 40 has been opened during printing, it stops the discharge unit 22.

[0027] The detection unit 26 may be a non-contact sensor other than a photointerrupter, or a contact sensor that detects the closed state by contact with the detected portion 43.

[0028] About Magnet 27 Please refer to Fig. 3. A permanent magnet that can be attracted to the lid body 41 in the closed state can be used as the magnet 27. The attraction force of the magnet 27 can be set, for example, by the number of permanent magnets. The force required to open the lid body 40 is appropriate, and is set to a force that does not cause the lid body 40 to open due to vibration or the like in the closed state.

[0029] Regarding wiper part 28 Please refer to Fig. 2. The wiper portion 28 is a member for wiping off ink adhering to the ejection surface (lower surface) of the ejection portion 22. The portion of the wiper portion 28 that comes into contact with the ejection portion 22 is made of, for example, rubber.

[0030] The wiper portion 28 is displaceable in the up-down and front-rear directions. When the upper end of the wiper portion 28 is raised, it can come into contact with the ink ejection surface of the ejection portion 22. When the upper end of the wiper portion 28 is raised to the same height as the ink ejection surface and the ejection portion 22 is displaced in the left-right direction, the wiper portion 28 comes into contact with the ejection portion 22 and the ink adhering to the ejection surface is wiped away by the wiper portion 28.

[0031] In addition, the upper end of the wiper portion 28 can be lowered to a position lower than the lower surface of the lid body 40. By moving the wiper portion 28 forward in the lowered state, it can be moved to a position covered by the lid body 40.

[0032] Function of the printer device 10 Also refer to Figure 3. If ink adhering to the ejection section 22 hardens, it may hinder the ejection of ink. For this reason, when the printer device 10 is in use, ink is ejected from the ejection section 22 to the ink ejection section 30 under specified conditions. When ink is ejected a specified number of times, a large amount of ink adheres to the ink absorbing member 32 and hardens. For this reason, it becomes necessary to replace the ink absorbing member 32.

[0033] The operator pinches the operating portion 44 and lifts it up to rotate the lid 40. By rotating the lid 40, the upper part of the ink absorbing member 32 is opened, and the ink absorbing member 32 can be replaced.

[0034] After replacing the ink absorbing member 32, the operator closes the cover 40. When the detection unit 26 detects the detected portion 43 and detects that the cover is closed, printing can be performed again.

[0035] <Example 2> Next, a printer device 10A according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0036] Please refer to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 shows the printing unit 20A of the printer device 10A according to the second embodiment as viewed from above. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the cover body 40A used in the printer device 10A as viewed from diagonally below. The same reference numerals are used for the parts common to the first embodiment, and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0037] The lid 40A has a rising portion 44Aa rising from the lid body 41, and a gripping portion 44b that extends from the upper end of the rising portion 44Aa away from the lid body 41 and can be gripped by an operator. The rising portion 44Aa and the gripping portion 44b are collectively referred to as the operating portion 44A. A part of the rising portion 44Aa is located on an extension line EL of the movement direction of the wiper portion 28 in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction).

[0038] The rising portion 44Aa has a substantially rectangular rising portion opening 44Ac at a position overlapping the extension line EL.

[0039] 7A, the upper end of the wiper portion 28 in the raised state is visible from the rising portion opening 44Ac. The upper end of the rising portion opening 44Ac is located higher than the lower end of the discharge portion 22.

[0040] As the wiper section 28 repeatedly wipes the discharge section 22, even when the wiper section 28 is at the upper end, the upper end of the wiper section 28 may not reach the wiping surface of the discharge section 22. In such a case, it is necessary to adjust the vertical position of the wiper section 28. Well-known means and mechanisms for making the adjustment can be used.

[0041] Also see Fig. 7B. The position of wiper portion 28 is adjusted by moving discharge portion 22 to above wiper portion 28 and raising the position of the upper end of wiper portion 28 to a position where it abuts against the discharge surface of discharge portion 22. At this time, whether or not the height of wiper portion 28 is appropriate is determined by visually checking through rising portion opening 44Ac.

[0042] The printer devices 10 and 10A described above will now be summarized.

[0043] Please refer to Figures 3 and 5. First, the printer device 10, 10A has a base portion 23, an ink discharge portion 30 provided on the base portion 23 and from which ink is discharged, and a cover body 40, 40A that covers the ink discharge portion 30. The ink discharge portion 30 includes an ink absorbing member 32 that can absorb the discharged ink. The cover body 40, 40A has an opening 41a formed so as to be able to expose at least a part of the ink absorbing member 32, and is provided so as to be able to swing relative to the ink absorbing member 32.

[0044] The cover 40, 40A that covers the ink discharge section 30 is provided so as to be swingable relative to the ink absorbing member 32. By swinging the cover 40, 40A, the ink absorbing member 32 can be made replaceable. The ink absorbing member 32 can be replaced more easily than when the cover is fixed using a fastening member such as a screw. In other words, it is possible to provide the printer device 10, 10A that is easy to maintain.

[0045] Secondly, in the first printer device 10, 10A, the base part 23 is provided with a magnet 27 that can be attached to the lid body 40, 40A to keep the lid body 40, 40A in a closed state. This can prevent the lid body 40, 40A from swinging due to vibration or the like while the printer device 10, 10A is in use.

[0046] 2 and 6. Thirdly, in the first or second printer device 10, 10A, the edge of the opening 41a overlaps with the ink absorbing member 32 in the closed state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink absorbing member 32 from floating up.

[0047] Fourthly, in any of the first to third printer devices 10, 10A, the cover 40, 40A includes an operation unit 44, 44A that allows an operator to perform a swing operation. This improves the operability of the cover 40, and provides a printer device 10 that is easier to maintain.

[0048] See Figures 4 and 6. Fifthly, in any of the first to fourth printer devices 10, 10A, the base part 23 is provided with a detection part 26 capable of detecting that the lid body 40, 40A is in a closed state. The lid body 40, 40A also includes a detected part 43 that is detected by the detection part 26 in the closed state. This makes it possible to prevent the discharge part 22 from operating when the lid body 40, 40A is open.

[0049] See Figures 2 and 5. Sixth, in any of the first to fifth printer devices 10, 10A, the printer device 10, 10A has an ejection unit 22 capable of ejecting ink, and the base unit 23 is provided with a wiper unit 28 capable of wiping off ink adhering to the ejection unit 22. The lid body 40, 40A can also cover the wiper unit 28.

[0050] The cover 40, 40A can cover the wiper portion 28 as well as the ink absorbing member 32. A single member can cover multiple members, which reduces the number of parts. This allows the printer device 10, 10A to be manufactured at low cost.

[0051] See Figs. 5, 6 and 7A. Seventh, the printer device 10A is any one of the first to sixth printer devices 10A, and the printer device 10A further has an ejection unit 22 capable of ejecting ink. The base unit 23 (see Fig. 3) is provided with a wiper unit 28 capable of wiping off ink adhering to the ejection unit 22. The wiper unit 28 is movable up and down and is movable in the horizontal direction. The cover body 40A has a raised portion 44Aa extending in the up-down direction on an extension line EL of the horizontal movement direction of the wiper unit 28. The raised portion 44Aa has a raised portion opening 44Ac through which the wiper unit 28 in the raised state can be seen.

[0052] The printer device 10A has a wiper unit 28 for wiping off ink adhering to the ejection unit 22. As the wiper unit 28 repeatedly wipes the ejection unit 22, it becomes necessary to adjust the position of the wiper unit 28 in the vertical direction. A riser unit opening 44Ac is formed in a riser unit 44Aa located on an extension line of the horizontal movement direction of the wiper unit 28. The tip of the wiper unit 28 can be visually confirmed from the riser unit opening 44Ac, and the position of the wiper unit 28 in the vertical direction can be adjusted with the cover 40A closed. This improves the maintainability of the printer device 10A.

[0053] See Fig. 7A. Eighth, in the seventh printer device 10A, the upper end of the rising portion opening 44Ac is located higher than the lower end of the discharge portion 22. The lower end of the discharge portion 22 can be visually recognized horizontally, and the tip of the wiper portion 28 can be positioned in a more appropriate position.

[0054] Although the present invention has been described taking a UV printer as an example, the present invention is also applicable to printer devices other than UV printers, and also to printer devices consisting of only the printing unit 20.

[0055] As long as the functions and effects of the present invention are exhibited, the present invention is not limited to the examples. [Industrial Applicability]

[0056] The printer device of the present invention is suitable for a UV printer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10, 10A...Printer device 22...Discharge part 23…Base section 26…Detection unit 27…Magnet 28…Wiper section 30…Ink discharge section 32...Ink absorbing member 40, 40A…Cover body 41a...Opening 43...Detected part 44, 44A...operation section, 44Aa...rise section, 44Ac...rise section opening EL…Extension line

Claims

1. The ink ejection device has a base portion, an ink ejection portion provided on the base portion through which ink is ejected, and a lid body that covers the ink ejection portion, the ink discharge portion includes an ink absorbing member capable of absorbing the discharged ink, The cover has an opening formed to be able to expose at least a part of the ink absorbing member, and is provided so as to be swingable relative to the ink absorbing member.

2. 2. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein the base portion is provided with a magnet that can be brought into close contact with the lid body so as to keep the lid body in a closed state.

3. 2. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein an edge of the opening overlaps with the ink absorbing member in a closed state.

4. 2. The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover includes an operating portion that is swung by an operator.

5. The base portion is provided with a detection portion capable of detecting that the lid body is in a closed state, The printer device according to claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a detection target portion that is detected by the detection unit when the cover is in a closed state.

6. The ink jet recording medium further includes an ejection unit capable of ejecting the ink, a wiper portion capable of wiping off ink adhering to the ejection portion is provided on the base portion, The printer device according to claim 1 , wherein the cover is capable of covering the wiper portion as well.

7. The ink jet recording medium further includes an ejection unit capable of ejecting the ink, a wiper portion capable of wiping off ink adhering to the ejection portion is provided on the base portion, The wiper unit is movable up and down and horizontally; the cover body has a rising portion extending in a vertical direction on an extension line of the horizontal movement direction of the wiper portion, 2. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein the riser portion has an opening through which the wiper portion in a raised state can be seen.

8. The printer device according to claim 7 , wherein an upper end of the opening of the rising portion is positioned higher than a lower end of the ejection portion.

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