Liquid ejection device and empty ejection receiving device

Abstract

To prevent liquid from overflowing from an idle discharge receiver when a device is inclined.SOLUTION: A device for receiving liquid includes: a liquid discharge head for discharging liquid; a liquid receiving part 50 disposed in a non-printing area and receiving liquid discharged from the liquid discharge head; a support part 60 provided upward of the liquid receiving part; and a hanging member 70 for hanging the liquid receiving part 50 so as to be swingable using the support part 60 as a fulcrum.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In devices that eject liquid, such as inkjet image forming devices, a technique is already known in which ink that does not contribute to recording is ejected from the nozzles of the head into a waste liquid storage container (empty ejection receiver) in order to expel ink that has thickened inside the head during printing. However, conventional empty discharge receivers have had the problem that if the device is tilted during transportation, etc., the waste liquid will spill out and soil the inside and outside of the device. Regarding this problem, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which an outflow prevention member is arranged on the inner wall surface of the empty discharge receiver. However, when the amount of waste liquid is nearly full, it is difficult for the outflow prevention member to absorb all of the waste liquid, and arranging an absorber in an amount that can absorb all of the waste liquid would result in a significant increase in costs. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to prevent liquid from spilling from the empty discharge receiver when the device is tilted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the liquid ejection device of the present invention comprises: A device for discharging liquid, comprising: A liquid ejection head that ejects liquid; a liquid receiving portion disposed in a non-printing area and receiving the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection head; A support portion provided above the liquid receiving portion; a hanging member that swingably hangs the liquid receiving portion with the support portion as a fulcrum, 、 The liquid receiving portion is suspended so as to remain horizontal by its own weight when the liquid ejecting device is tilted. Effect of the Invention

[0005] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent liquid from spilling out of the empty discharge receiver when the device is tilted. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating idle discharge of a liquid discharge device. [Diagram 2] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating the state of a liquid receiving portion provided in a liquid ejecting device of a comparative example. [Diagram 3] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of a blank discharge receiving mechanism provided in the device for discharging liquid of the present embodiment, in which (A) is a perspective view of the blank discharge receiving mechanism, and (B) is a view seen from the direction of the arrow A. [Figure 4] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating examples of states of a liquid receiving portion provided in the device for discharging liquid according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5 is a diagram for explaining another example of the swing space, and is a view taken in the direction of the arrow B shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining another example of the blank discharge receiving mechanism, in which (A) is a perspective view of the blank discharge receiving mechanism, and (B) is a view seen from the direction of an arrow C. FIG. [Figure 7] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating still another example of the blank discharge receiving mechanism. [Figure 8] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example in which a sliding member is provided on a support portion of the empty discharge receiving mechanism. [Figure 9] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a function of fixing a liquid receiving portion. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for manually shifting a lock lever to a locked state when power is turned on. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for automatically shifting a lock lever to a locked state when power is turned on. [Figure 12] 1 is a plan view illustrating a main portion of an example of a device for discharging liquid according to the present invention; [Figure 13] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown below, and can be modified within the scope of what a person skilled in the art can imagine, such as other embodiments, additions, modifications, deletions, etc., and as long as the functions and effects of the present invention are achieved in any aspect, it is within the scope of the present invention. In addition, in each drawing, components and corresponding parts having the same configuration or function are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining idle discharge of a liquid discharge device, with the left side showing a schematic diagram illustrating a state during printing and the right side showing a state during idle discharge. Figure 1 shows the components of a liquid ejection device 1, including a liquid ejection head 10 that ejects liquid from a nozzle, a carriage 20 that mounts the liquid ejection head, a transport device 30 that transports the recording medium, a maintenance and recovery mechanism 40 that maintains and restores the state of the nozzle, and a liquid receiving section 50 as an empty ejection receiver. The liquid receiving portion 50 is disposed in a non-printing area outside the printing range, and receives the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection head 10. The liquid receiving portion 50 also has a slit 51 formed therein in order to receive the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection head 10.

[0009] In the printing state, when paper as a recording medium is transported on the transport device 30, the liquid ejecting device 1 causes the carriage 20 to scan over the paper in the carriage scanning range 21, ejecting liquid from the mounted liquid ejection head 10, and performing printing. In order to refresh the liquid that has thickened near the nozzles during printing, the liquid ejecting device moves the carriage 20 onto the liquid receiving section 50 at a set timing, transitions to a state during idling ejection, and performs idling ejection. In the following description, the movement direction of the carriage 20 is referred to as the main scanning direction, and the direction that intersects with the main scanning direction and in which the transport device 30 transports the recording medium is referred to as the sub-scanning direction.

[0010] Here, the state of the liquid receiving portion when the liquid ejecting device of the comparative example is tilted will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the state of a liquid receiving portion provided in a liquid ejecting device of a comparative example. In the comparative example of liquid ejection device 1p, liquid receiving portion 50p is fixed inside the liquid ejection device. Therefore, if liquid ejection device 1p is tilted during transportation, liquid receiving portion 50p also tilts, and waste liquid may spill out.

[0011] Therefore, in the liquid ejecting device 1 of this embodiment, the liquid receiving portion 50 is configured to be suspended from above, so that even when the liquid ejecting device tilts, the liquid receiving portion 50 can maintain horizontality by its own weight, independent of the liquid ejecting device 1. Below, we will explain the blank ejection receiving mechanism (blank ejection receiving device) that is provided in the liquid ejecting device 1 of this embodiment and that contains the ejected liquid.

[0012] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of a blank discharge receiving mechanism provided in the device for discharging liquid of this embodiment, in which (A) is a perspective view of the blank discharge receiving mechanism, and (B) is a view seen from the direction of the arrow A. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the state of a liquid receiving portion provided in the device for discharging liquid according to this embodiment. The liquid discharging device 1 of this embodiment has at least the above-mentioned liquid receiving portion 50, the support portion 60, and the hanging member 70 as the blank discharge receiving mechanism 101.

[0013] The support portion 60 is provided above the liquid receiving portion 50 and supports the liquid receiving portion 50 via a hanging member 70 . The hanging member 70 suspends the liquid receiving portion 50 so that the liquid receiving portion 50 can swing about the support portion 60 as a fulcrum.

[0014] The liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment is configured such that the liquid receiving portion 50 is hung from the support portion 60 by a hanging member 70 such as a wire (made of metal, for example). For example, the hanging member 70 is hooked onto the support portion 60, and the position of the hanging member 70 hooked onto the support portion 60 changes as the liquid receiving portion 50 swings. In this way, even when the liquid ejection device 1 is tilted, the liquid receiving portion 50 independently maintains horizontality by its own weight, so that spillage of waste liquid can be prevented. This allows the liquid receiving portion 50 to maintain a constant attitude regardless of the attitude of the liquid ejection device 1. In addition, a low-cost configuration can be achieved without using an actuator or the like.

[0015] 4, it is preferable to provide a swinging space S1 around the liquid receptacle 50, in which the liquid receptacle 50 swings. In this way, the tilt angle of the device at which spillage can be prevented can be increased. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 5, by providing a swinging space S2 in the direction intersecting the swinging space S1 shown in Fig. 4 for the liquid receiving portion 50, it is possible to produce the same effect with respect to the inclination in the direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining another example of the swinging space, and is a view seen in the direction of the arrow B shown in Fig. 4.

[0016] Next, the support portion 60 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining another example of the blank discharge receiving mechanism, where (A) is a perspective view of the blank discharge receiving mechanism, and (B) is a view seen from the direction of the arrow C. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining still another example of the blank discharge receiving mechanism. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a sliding member is provided on the support portion of the blank discharge receiving mechanism.

[0017] The blank discharge receiving mechanism 101 shown in FIG. 3 is an example of a configuration having two support parts 60, and the blank discharge receiving mechanism 102 shown in FIG. In the blank discharge receiving mechanism shown in FIG. 3(A) and FIG. 6(A), the transport device 30 is disposed on the right side in the drawing.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3(B), the empty discharge receiving mechanism 101 has two support parts 60, which are arranged above the two side surfaces of the liquid receiving part 50 that are parallel to the main scanning direction, thereby ensuring a passage space PS for the carriage 20. 6, the vacant discharge receiving mechanism 102 has one support part 60, which is disposed above the center of gravity of the liquid receiving part 50, making it difficult to ensure the passage space PS for the carriage 20. For example, the passage space PS for the carriage 20 can be ensured by adjusting the length of the hanging member 80, which increases the installation space for the vacant discharge receiving mechanism 102.

[0019] It is preferable to provide two or more support portions 60. In this way, it becomes easier to ensure the passage space PS for the carriage 20. As shown in FIG. 7, the blank discharge receiving mechanism 103 may have three or more support portions 60.

[0020] 8, the blank discharge receiving mechanism 104 may use a sliding member 61 such as a roller for the support 60. In this way, by connecting the hanging member 70 via the sliding member 61, it is possible to make the liquid receiving part 50 swing more smoothly.

[0021] In the blank discharge receiving mechanisms 101 to 104 described above, the liquid receiving portion 50 is replaced when it becomes full or exceeds a predetermined amount. For this reason, the hanging member 70 may be removably attached to the support portion 60 by hooking or fitting it thereto. If the liquid receiving part 50 and the hanging member 70 are fixed, the user can easily replace the liquid receiving part 50 by attaching and detaching the hanging member 70 from the support part 60. Furthermore, if the liquid receiving part 50 and the hanging member 70 are detachable with a fitting member, the user can replace the liquid receiving part 50 and reuse the hanging member 70, thereby reducing costs.

[0022] Next, the function of fixing the liquid receiving portion 50 so that it does not swing during printing will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the function of fixing the liquid receiving portion, and shows an example of the configuration of the liquid ejecting device of this embodiment as viewed from above. It is desirable that the liquid receiving portion 50 be positioned correctly because it receives liquid from the slit 51 during idle ejection performed during printing. For this reason, it is preferable that the position of the liquid receiving portion 50 be fixed by a locking mechanism such as that shown in FIG. 9 except when the machine is moving.

[0023] The lock mechanism includes at least a lock lever 91 as a lock member and a detection sensor 93, for example. The lock lever 91 is formed so that a user can select between a locked state in which the liquid receiving portion 50 is fixed and an unlocked state in which the lock is released. In Fig. 9, the lock lever 91 protrudes to the outside of the liquid ejecting device 1, and the user can select between the locked state and the unlocked state by operating it. The lock mechanism may be configured to automatically operate the lock lever 91 using an actuator or the like. 9 is a locked state in which the detection sensor 93 locks the lock lever 91, and in the released state, the position of the detection sensor 93 moves upward in FIG.

[0024] The lock levers 91 are provided, for example, on both sides of the side surface of the liquid receiving portion 50 that is parallel to the main scanning direction, and are formed so as to fix both sides of the liquid receiving portion 50. The lock levers 91 operate in conjunction with each other on both sides of the liquid receiving portion 50 based on the user's operation. The lock levers 91 may also have a guide portion 95 that guides the liquid receiving portion 50 to a position where it is to be fixed. The guide portion 95 has a tapered tip and is configured to guide the liquid receiving portion 50 to the correct position while fixing it.

[0025] The detection sensor 93 detects whether the liquid receiving portion 50 is in a locked state. The liquid ejecting device 1 may be controlled so as not to start processing if the detection sensor 93 cannot detect the locked state of the lock lever 91. For example, when the lock lever 91 is in the released state and the user is about to start printing, the liquid ejecting device 1 may execute processing such as outputting a message on the operation panel to prompt the user to perform an operation to transition to a locked state.

[0026] The liquid ejection device 1 may be controlled so that, for example, when the power is turned on, the lock lever 91 is manually or automatically shifted to the locked state. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for manually shifting the lock lever to the locked state when the power is turned on. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for automatically shifting the lock lever to the locked state when the power is turned on. After the power is turned on (S11), the liquid ejection device checks the lock state of the liquid receptacle 50 (S12). If the lock lever 91 is in the locked state (YES in S12), the device transitions to a standby state (S13). On the other hand, if the lock lever is in the unlocked state (NO in S12), a message such as "Please lock the empty receptacle" is displayed on the operation panel, and the user is prompted to operate the lock lever 91 (S14). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, in the case of automatically transitioning to the locked state, an operation of transitioning the lock lever 91 to the locked state is carried out (S15).

[0027] The lock lever 91 may be shifted to the released state by manual operation of the user, for example, when the user moves the device 1 that ejects liquid. Alternatively, the lock lever 91 may be configured to be released when the power of the liquid ejection device 1 is turned off, for example. In general, the power is turned off when the liquid ejection device 1 is moved, so that it is possible to avoid moving the device with the lock lever 91 in the locked state.

[0028] In addition, the liquid ejecting device 1 may have a detection means for detecting the position of the liquid receiving portion 50. In this way, the idle ejection during printing can be performed in the correct position. When the detection means detects an abnormality in the position of the liquid receiving portion 50, it may output a message to the operation panel, for example, to prompt the user to check whether the lock lever 91 is in the locked state.

[0029] As an example of the detection means, the detection sensor 93 in Fig. 9 can be used. The detection sensor 93 may, for example, detect the locked state of the lock lever 91 and detect the attitude of the liquid receiving part 50. The above-mentioned locking mechanism can guide the liquid receiving part 50 to the correct position and fix it based on the detection result of the detection sensor 93. The detection sensor 93 may be, for example, a means for detecting whether or not the lock lever 91 blocks light from a photointerrupter.

[0030] The liquid ejecting device 1 includes, for example, a control unit that controls the entire device, and the control unit controls, for example, message output to an operation panel and the processes shown in Figures 10 and 11. The control unit may include, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and may be configured such that the CPU controls each part of the liquid ejecting device to execute each process while using the RAM as a work memory based on a program stored in the ROM.

[0031] Next, an example of a liquid ejecting device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. Figure 11 is a plan view of the main part of the device, and Figure 12 is a side view of the main part of the device.

[0032] This device is a serial type device, and a carriage 403 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction by a main scanning movement mechanism 493. The main scanning movement mechanism 493 includes a guide member 401, a main scanning motor 405, a timing belt 408, etc. The guide member 401 is hung between left and right side plates 491A and 491B to movably hold the carriage 403. The carriage 403 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction by the main scanning motor 405 via a timing belt 408 hung between a drive pulley 406 and a driven pulley 407.

[0033] A liquid ejection unit 440, which integrates a liquid ejection head 404 according to the present invention and a head tank 441, is mounted on this carriage 403. The liquid ejection head 404 of the liquid ejection unit 440 ejects liquid of each color, for example, yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K). The liquid ejection head 404 is mounted with a nozzle row made up of a plurality of nozzles arranged in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, and the ejection direction facing downward.

[0034] A supply mechanism 494 for supplying liquid stored outside the liquid ejection head 404 to the liquid ejection head 404 supplies the liquid stored in the liquid cartridge 450 to the head tank 441 .

[0035] The supply mechanism 494 is composed of a cartridge holder 451 which is a filling section to which a liquid cartridge 450 is attached, a tube 456, a liquid delivery unit 452 including a liquid delivery pump, and the like. The liquid cartridge 450 is detachably attached to the cartridge holder 451. The liquid is delivered from the liquid cartridge 450 to the head tank 441 by the liquid delivery unit 452 via the tube 456.

[0036] This device is equipped with a transport mechanism 495 for transporting paper 410. The transport mechanism 495 includes a transport belt 412, which is a transport means, and a sub-scanning motor 416 for driving the transport belt 412.

[0037] The conveyor belt 412 attracts the paper 410 and conveys it to a position facing the liquid ejection head 404. The conveyor belt 412 is an endless belt, and is stretched between a conveyor roller 413 and a tension roller 414. The paper can be attracted by electrostatic attraction or air suction.

[0038] The conveyor belt 412 moves in a circular motion in the sub-scanning direction as the conveyor rollers 413 are rotated by a sub-scanning motor 416 via a timing belt 417 and a timing pulley 418 .

[0039] Furthermore, a maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 for performing maintenance and recovery of the liquid ejection head 404 is disposed on one side of the conveyor belt 412 on one side of the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction.

[0040] The maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 is composed of, for example, a cap member 421 that caps the nozzle surface (surface on which nozzles are formed) of the liquid ejection head 404, a wiper member 422 that wipes the nozzle surface, and the like.

[0041] An empty discharge receiving mechanism is disposed on the other side in the main scanning direction of the carriage 403. In Fig. 12, the liquid receiver 50 is shown, and other components of the empty discharge receiving mechanism are omitted.

[0042] The main scanning movement mechanism 493, the supply mechanism 494, the maintenance and recovery mechanism 420, and the transport mechanism 495 are attached to a housing including side plates 491A and 491B and a back plate 491C.

[0043] In the device thus configured, a sheet of paper 410 is fed onto and adsorbed to the conveyor belt 412, and the sheet of paper 410 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the circular movement of the conveyor belt 412.

[0044] In this application, a "liquid ejection device" is a device that includes a liquid ejection head or a liquid ejection unit and ejects liquid by driving the liquid ejection head. A liquid ejection device includes not only a device that can eject liquid onto an object onto which the liquid can adhere, but also a device that ejects liquid into air or liquid.

[0045] This "liquid ejecting device" can also include means for feeding, transporting, and discharging items onto which liquid can be attached, as well as pre-processing devices and post-processing devices.

[0046] For example, examples of "devices that eject liquid" include image forming devices that eject ink to form an image on paper, and three-dimensional modeling devices that eject modeling liquid onto a powder layer formed by layering powder in order to create a three-dimensional object (a three-dimensional model).

[0047] In addition, the term "liquid ejection device" is not limited to devices that use ejected liquid to visualize meaningful images such as letters and figures. For example, it also includes devices that form patterns that have no meaning in themselves and devices that create three-dimensional images.

[0048] The above-mentioned "object to which liquid can adhere" means an object to which liquid can adhere at least temporarily, and to which the liquid adheres and sticks, or to which the liquid adheres and penetrates, etc. Specific examples include media such as paper, recording paper, film, cloth, and other recording media, electronic boards, electronic components such as piezoelectric elements, powder layers, organ models, and test cells, and unless otherwise specified, includes all objects to which liquid can adhere.

[0049] The material of the above-mentioned "object to which liquid can adhere" may be any material to which liquid can adhere even temporarily, such as paper, thread, fiber, cloth, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, building materials such as wallpaper and flooring, and textiles for clothing.

[0050] The term "liquid" also includes ink, processing liquid, DNA sample, resist, pattern material, binder, modeling liquid, or solutions and dispersions containing amino acids, proteins, or calcium.

[0051] Furthermore, the "liquid ejection device" may be a device in which a liquid ejection head and an object to which liquid can be attached move relatively, but is not limited to this. Specific examples include a serial type device in which a liquid ejection head moves, a line type device in which a liquid ejection head does not move, etc.

[0052] Other examples of "liquid ejecting devices" include a treatment liquid application device that ejects a treatment liquid onto paper to apply the treatment liquid to the surface of the paper for purposes such as modifying the surface of the paper, and an injection granulation device that ejects a composition liquid in which raw materials are dispersed through a nozzle to granulate fine particles of the raw materials.

[0053] The main scanning movement mechanism includes the guide member alone, and the supply mechanism includes the tube alone and the loading unit alone.

[0054] Furthermore, the pressure generating means used in the "liquid ejection head" is not limited. For example, in addition to the piezoelectric actuator (which may use a laminated piezoelectric element) as described in the above embodiment, a thermal actuator using an electrothermal conversion element such as a heating resistor, or an electrostatic actuator consisting of a vibration plate and an opposing electrode may be used.

[0055] In addition, in the present application, the terms image formation, recording, printing, imprinting, printing, modeling, and the like are all synonymous. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1. Liquid discharging device 10 Liquid ejection head 20 Carriage 30 Transport device 40 Maintenance and Recovery Mechanism 50 Liquid receiver 51 Slit 60 Support part 70 Hanging material 91 Lock lever 93 Detection Sensor 95 Guide part 101~104 Empty discharge receiving mechanism S1, S2 Swing Space PS Passing space [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0057] [Patent Document 1] Publication No. 2010-253834

Claims

1. A device for discharging a liquid, comprising: A liquid ejection head that ejects liquid; a liquid receiving portion disposed in a non-printing area and receiving the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection head; A support portion provided above the liquid receiving portion; a hanging member that swingably hangs the liquid receiving portion around the support portion, 13. A liquid ejection device, comprising: a liquid receiving portion that is suspended so as to remain horizontal by its own weight when the liquid ejection device is tilted.

2. The liquid ejection device described in Claim 1, characterized in that the hanging member is provided outside the passage space of the liquid ejection head.

3. 3. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the hanging member is connected to the support portion via a sliding member.

4. A conveying device that conveys the recording medium to the printing area is further provided.

4. The liquid ejecting device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid receiving portion is disposed adjacent to the transporting device with a swinging space provided therebetween.

5. 5. The liquid ejecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit that detects the attitude of the liquid receiving portion.

6. 6. The liquid ejecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism for fixing the liquid receiving portion.

7. A blank discharge receiving device provided in a liquid discharge device having a liquid discharge head for discharging liquid, comprising: a liquid receiving portion disposed in a non-printing area and receiving the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection head; A support part installed in an apparatus for discharging the liquid; a hanging member that swingably hangs the liquid receiving portion around the support portion, The empty discharge receiving device is characterized in that, when the device for discharging the liquid is tilted, the liquid receiving portion is suspended so as to remain horizontal by its own weight.

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