Ink supply device and printing device

Abstract

To properly agitate a cartridge of ink.SOLUTION: An ink supply device comprises: an attachment part which is attached with a cartridge that stores ink to be supplied to an ink jet head of a printer and formed with an internal channel in which the ink stored in the cartridge flows; an external tube which is connected to the internal channel of the attachment part and allows circulation of the ink; and a base part which supports the attachment part and a portion of the external tube. The attachment part is supported by the base part so as to be rotatable in a direction around a prescribed center axis. The external tube is arranged in a curved state to a supported part supported by the base part from a connection part connected to the internal channel and is provided such that the curved state changes according to the rotation of the attachment part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ink supply device and a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Inkjet printing devices use an ink supply device in which, for example, a cartridge that contains ink is mounted in a mounting portion and ink is supplied from the cartridge to a head (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-314304 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the ink supply device as described above, the ink components may settle inside the cartridge, causing the ink concentration inside the cartridge to become non-uniform, so it is necessary to appropriately agitate the ink in the cartridge.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide an ink supply device and a printing device that are capable of appropriately stirring ink in a cartridge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The ink supply device of the present invention comprises an attachment section into which a cartridge containing ink to be supplied to an inkjet head of a printing device is attached, the attachment section having an internal flow path through which the ink contained in the cartridge flows, an external tube connected to the internal flow path of the attachment section and allowing the ink to flow, and a base section supporting the attachment section and a part of the external tube, the attachment section being supported by the base section so as to be rotatable in a direction around a predetermined central axis, the external tube being flexible, the external tube being fixed by a connection section connected to the internal flow path and a supported section provided on the base section, and being arranged in a curved state between the connection section and the supported section.

[0007] In the ink supply device described above, the central axis and the connection portion are disposed at different positions in the horizontal direction, and the external tube is disposed so as to extend toward the central axis.

[0008] In the ink supply device described above, the supported portion is provided below the connecting portion in the vertical direction and is provided on the connecting portion side of the central axis in the horizontal direction.

[0009] In the ink supply device, the external tube is disposed in a curved state at a position corresponding to the central axis.

[0010] In the ink supply device, the external tube is provided with a length that allows the mounting portion to maintain a curved state during rotation within a range in which the mounting portion can rotate about the central axis.

[0011] A printing device according to the present invention includes a main body having an inkjet head that ejects ink onto a medium, and an ink supply unit that supplies the ink to the inkjet head, and the ink supply device described above is used as the ink supply unit.

[0012] In the above printing device, the ink supply unit is provided separately from the main body unit.

[0013] In the above printing device, the ink supply unit is disposed at a position lower in height than the main body unit. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, the ink cartridge can be appropriately stirred. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ink supply unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ink supply unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another example of a printing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an ink supply device and a printing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In addition, the components in the following embodiments include those that are replaceable and easy for a person skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0017] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a printing device 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the printing device 100 is an inkjet type printing device, and includes a main body 10, an ink supply unit (ink supply device) 20, and a control device CONT. Such a printing device 100 may be of various types, such as a vertical type or a flatbed type.

[0018] The main body unit 10 has a media support unit 11 and a media drive unit 12. The media support unit 11 supports the media M on the placement surface 11a. The media drive unit 12 moves the media M in a direction (media transport direction) D2 perpendicular to the main scanning direction D1.

[0019] The main body 10 has a carriage 60. The carriage 60 carries the head 30 and the light irradiation device 50. The carriage 60 is provided so as to be movable along the main scanning direction D1 under the control of the control device CONT with the head 30 and the light irradiation device 50 mounted thereon.

[0020] The head 30 has a nozzle surface 31 facing the placement surface 11a. The nozzle surface 31 is, for example, planar. The nozzle surface 31 is provided with a plurality of nozzles (not shown) that eject ink. For example, ultraviolet curable ink can be used. For example, the type of ultraviolet curable ink can be white ink, colored ink such as cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (K), transparent ink, etc., depending on the color of the image to be formed on the medium M. In addition, the colored ink may be an occlusive ink, or a pigment ink such as silver or orange. The head 30 is electrically connected to the control unit CONT, and its drive is controlled by the control unit CONT. The head 30 ejects ink toward the placement surface 11a while moving back and forth along the main scanning direction D1 by the movement of the carriage 60.

[0021] The light irradiation device 50 irradiates ultraviolet rays onto the ultraviolet curable ink discharged onto the placement surface 11a. The light irradiation device 50 is configured, for example, by an LED module capable of irradiating ultraviolet rays. The light irradiation device 50 is mounted on a carriage 60, and can move back and forth in the main scanning direction D1 as the carriage 60 moves along the main scanning direction D1. The light irradiation device 50 is electrically connected to the control unit CONT, and its drive is controlled by the control unit CONT.

[0022] The ink supply unit 20 supplies ink to the head 30. In this embodiment, the ink supply unit 20 is provided separately from the main body unit 10. By providing the ink supply unit 20 separately from the main body unit 10, the location of the ink supply unit 20 can be flexibly set. The ink supply unit 20 can be provided at a position lower than the main body unit 10, such as the floor F. By providing the ink supply unit 20 at a position lower than the main body unit 10 (for example, the floor F), the user can easily perform operations such as replacing the cartridge 21 and stirring.

[0023] 2 and 3 are diagrams showing an example of the ink supply unit 20. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show the ink supply unit 20 as viewed from the main scanning direction D1. In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the left side is the front side, and the right side is the rear side. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the ink supply unit 20 includes a cartridge 21, an attachment portion 22, a base portion 23, and an external tube 24. The cartridge 21 contains ink therein. A plurality of cartridges 21 are provided according to the type of ink. The cartridge 21 has a handle portion 21a. The handle portion 21a is formed to have a size and shape that allows the user to hold it. The cartridge 21 is attached to the attachment portion 22 so that the handle portion 21a is located on the front side.

[0024] The mounting portion 22 is provided with a replaceable cartridge 21. The mounting portion 22 allows the cartridge 21 to be attached and detached along the vertical direction D3. A plurality of mounting portions 22 are provided according to the type of the cartridge 21. One cartridge 21 is attached to one mounting portion 22. The mounting portion 22 is supported by the base portion 23 so as to be rotatable around a predetermined central axis AX. The central axis AX is set, for example, in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction D3, which is the mounting direction of the cartridge 21, for example, in a horizontal direction or a direction along the floor portion F. In this embodiment, the multiple mounting portions 22 are arranged in a line along the axial direction of the central axis AX. The multiple mounting portions 22 are provided so as to be individually rotatable. Each mounting portion 22 is rotatable with the cartridge 21 attached. The mounting portion 22 is rotatable between, for example, a holding position P1 (see FIG. 2) held by the base portion 23 and an inclined position P2 (see FIG. 3) inclined toward the front side.

[0025] The mounting part 22 is provided with a protrusion 22a. The protrusion 22a is inserted into a guide groove 23a of the base part 23, which will be described later. When the mounting part 22 rotates around the central axis AX, the protrusion 22a moves along the guide groove 23a. In this case, the protrusion 22a comes into contact with an end of the guide groove 23a, thereby restricting the rotation of the mounting part 22 to be between the holding position P1 and the inclined position P2.

[0026] The mounting portion 22 has an engaged portion 22r. The engaged portion 22r engages with the engaging portion 21r of the mounted cartridge 21. The engaging portion 21r is disposed so as to elastically deform and enter the inside of the mounting portion 22 when the cartridge 21 is inserted into the mounting portion 22, and protrudes outward from the engaged portion 22r due to an elastic force when the cartridge 21 is mounted in the mounting portion 22.

[0027] The mounting section 22 has an ink inlet 22b, an internal flow path 22c, and an ink outlet 22d. When the cartridge 21 is mounted, the ink inlet 22b is disposed at a position corresponding to the ink supply port 21b of the cartridge 21. Ink supplied from the ink supply port 21b of the cartridge 21 flows into the ink inlet 22b. In the internal flow path 22c, ink that has flowed in from the ink inlet 22b flows. The internal flow path 22c extends toward the rear surface side of the ink supply section 20. The ink outlet 22d is disposed on the rear surface side of the ink supply section 20, and ink flowing through the flow path 22c flows out.

[0028] The base 23 supports the mounting parts 22. The base 23 supports a plurality of mounting parts 22 collectively. The base 23 has a magnet part 23m. The magnet part 23m attracts the mounting parts 22 arranged at the holding position P1 by magnetic force. The mounting parts 22 are provided with a magnetic body part 22m that generates a magnetic force between the magnet part 23m and the mounting parts 22. This configuration allows the base 23 to stably hold the mounting parts 22.

[0029] The external tube 24 is formed to be deformable using, for example, resin or the like. The external tube 24 is flexible. The connection portion 24a, which is one end of the external tube 24, is connected to the ink outlet 22d of the mounting portion 22. Ink flowing out from the ink outlet 22d flows through the external tube 24. The external tube 24 extends downward from the connection portion 24a and bends to the front side, extends to the front side along the bottom portion 22e of the mounting portion 22, bends downward at a position corresponding to the central axis AX to form a curved portion 24c, and is disposed so as to extend from the curved portion 24c to the rear side along the base portion 23. The external tube 24 is disposed so that the supported portion 24b is supported by the base portion 23 and extends from the base portion 23 toward the rear side. The external tube 24 is disposed in a curved state between the connection portion 24a and the supported portion 24b. In this embodiment, the central axis AX and the connection portion 24a are disposed at different positions in the horizontal direction. The external tube 24 is disposed so as to extend toward the central axis AX. The supported portion 24b is connected to the head 30 via an ink drive unit having a pump or the like (not shown) and other tubes or the like. The supported portion 24b is disposed below the connecting portion 24a in the vertical direction. The supported portion 24b is disposed on the connecting portion 24a side of the central axis AX in the horizontal direction. The external tube 24 is disposed at a length such that the curved state is maintained during rotation within a range in which the mounting portion 22 can rotate around the central axis AX. The external tube 24 is disposed in the above-mentioned manner so that the curved state changes in response to the rotation of the mounting portion 22.

[0030] An example of the operation of the printing device 100 configured as described above will be described. A user of the printing device 100 places the medium M on the placement surface 11a of the media support unit 11 in advance. In this state, when an instruction to perform a printing operation is given from, for example, an external device, the control unit CONT moves the carriage 60 in the main scanning direction D1. The control unit CONT ejects ink from the head 30 in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 60. This operation causes ink to adhere to the media M. The control unit CONT repeats the above operation while moving the media M in the media movement direction D2. An image is formed on the media M by this control.

[0031] For example, in the case of pigment ink in which colorant components are dispersed in a solvent, if the cartridge 21 is left in a fixed position, the colorant components may settle, causing a distribution in the ink concentration within the cartridge 21. For this reason, it is necessary to appropriately agitate the cartridge 21.

[0032] In the ink supply unit 20 according to this embodiment, when a user grasps the handle portion 21a of the cartridge 21 and pulls it toward the front side, the mounting portion 22 moves away from the holding position P1 held by the base portion 23 and rotates around the central axis AX. As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting portion 22 moves from the holding position P1 to the inclined position P2. When a user grasps the handle portion 21a of the cartridge 21 and pushes it toward the rear side, the mounting portion 22 rotates around the central axis AX and returns to the holding position P1 held by the base portion 23 as shown in FIG. 2. In this way, when a user grasps the handle portion 21a of the cartridge 21 and pushes it toward the front side and the rear side, the mounting portion 22 and the cartridge 21 swing together in the direction around the central axis AX. This swinging stirs the ink inside the cartridge 21.

[0033] Also, when the mounting part 22 swings in the direction around the central axis AX, the curved state of the external tube 24 changes in response to the swing of the mounting part 22. That is, when the mounting part 22 is tilted toward the front side from the state in which the mounting part 22 is waiting at the holding position P1, the external tube 24 deforms so that the curved part 24c between the connecting part 24a and the supported part 24b opens in the vertical direction D3, as shown in FIG. 3. Also, when the mounting part 22 is returned to the holding position P1 side from the state inclined toward the front side, the external tube 24 deforms so that the part between the connecting part 24a and the supported part 24b closes in the vertical direction D3. In this way, since the external tube 24 deforms in response to the swing of the mounting part 22, for example, it is possible to prevent the external tube 24 from coming off or bending due to tension being applied thereto, and it is possible to suppress the flow of ink from being obstructed. Therefore, it is possible to stir the inside of the cartridge 21 in a state in which the cartridge 21 is mounted in the mounting part 22.

[0034] As described above, the ink supply unit 20 according to this embodiment includes an attachment section 22 in which a cartridge 21 that contains ink to be supplied to the head 30 of the printing device 100 is attached and in which an internal flow path 22c through which the ink contained in the cartridge 21 flows is formed, an external tube 24 that is connected to the internal flow path 22c of the attachment section 22 and allows the ink to flow, and a base 23 that supports the attachment section 22 and a part of the external tube 24, the attachment section 22 is supported by the base 23 so as to be rotatable in a direction around a predetermined central axis AX, the external tube 24 is flexible, and the external tube 24 is fixed by a connection section 24a connected to the internal flow path 22c and a supported section 24b provided on the base 24, and is arranged in a curved state between the connection section 24a and the supported section 24b.

[0035] According to this configuration, since the mounting part 22 rotates around the central axis AX, the mounting part 22 and the cartridge 21 can be swung together around the central axis AX. This swinging can stir the ink inside the cartridge 21. Furthermore, when the mounting part 22 swings around the central axis AX, the curved state of the external tube 24 changes in response to the swinging of the mounting part 22. This can prevent the external tube 24 from being pulled out or bent due to tension being applied to it, and can suppress the flow of ink from being obstructed. Therefore, the inside of the cartridge 21 can be stirred while the cartridge 21 is mounted in the mounting part 22. This can appropriately stir the ink in the cartridge 21.

[0036] In the ink supply unit 20, the central axis AX and the connection portion 24a are disposed at different positions in the horizontal direction, and the external tube 24 is disposed so as to extend toward the central axis AX. With this configuration, the external tube 24 can be deformed in a manner that is less likely to cause tension, bending, or the like.

[0037] In the ink supply unit 20, the supported portion 24b is provided below the connecting portion 24a in the vertical direction and is provided on the connecting portion 24a side of the central axis AX in the horizontal direction. With this configuration, the external tube 24 can be deformed while maintaining a curved state from the connecting portion 24a to the supported portion 24b so as to protrude toward the central axis AX.

[0038] In the ink supply unit 20, the external tube 24 is disposed in a curved state at a position corresponding to the central axis. With this configuration, the external tube 24 can be deformed in a manner that is less likely to cause tension, bending, or the like.

[0039] In the ink supply unit 20, the external tube 24 is provided with a length that allows the mounting unit 22 to maintain a curved state during rotation within a range in which the mounting unit 22 can rotate about the central axis AX. This configuration allows the mounting unit 22 to swing within an appropriate range while preventing tension, bending, and the like from occurring in the external tube 24.

[0040] The printing device 100 according to the present invention includes a main body unit 10 having a head 30 that ejects ink onto a medium, and an ink supply unit 20 that supplies ink to the head 30. With this configuration, a high-quality image can be formed on the medium M by appropriately stirring the cartridge 21.

[0041] In the above-described printing device 100, the ink supply unit 20 is provided separately from the main body unit 10. According to this configuration, since the ink supply unit 20 is provided separately from the main body unit 10, the arrangement of the ink supply unit 20 can be flexibly set.

[0042] In the above-described printing device 100, the ink supply unit 20 is disposed at a position lower in height than the main body unit 10. According to this configuration, since the ink supply unit 20 is disposed at a position lower than the main body unit 10, the user can easily perform operations such as replacing the cartridge 21 and stirring the ink.

[0043] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the ink supply unit 20 is provided separately from the main body unit 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the ink supply unit 20 may be provided integrally with the main body unit 10.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the external tube 24 is arranged in a curved state at a position corresponding to the central axis AX, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the curved state changes in response to the rotation of the mounting part 22, the external tube 24 may be arranged in a curved state at a position not corresponding to the central axis AX.

[0045] In the above embodiment, when a plurality of mounting parts 22 are provided, all of them are individually rotatable, but the present invention is not limited to this. At least two mounting parts 22 may be configured to rotate together. In a configuration in which a plurality of mounting parts 22 are provided, at least one mounting part 22 may not rotate.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the mounting part 22 rotates when the operator manually swings the cartridge 21 to the front side and the back side, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a drive unit (not shown) may be provided, and the mounting part 22 may rotate around the central axis AX based on the control of the control unit CONT by driving the drive unit (not shown).

[0047] In the above embodiment, the ink supply unit 20 is disposed on the floor F separately from the main body unit 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing another example of the printing device 100. As shown in Fig. 4, the ink supply unit 20 may be provided integrally with the main body unit 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] AX...center axis, CONT...control section, D1...main scanning direction, D2...media movement direction, F...floor section, M...media, P1...holding position, P2...inclined position, 10...main body section, 11...media support section, 11a...mounting surface, 12...media drive section, 20...ink supply section, 21...cartridge, 21a...handle section, 21b...ink supply port, 21r...locking section, 22...mounting section, 22a...projection section, 22b...ink inlet, 22c...internal flow path, flow path, 22d...ink outlet, 22e...bottom section, 22m...magnetic section, 22r...locked section, 23...base section, 23a...guide groove, 23m...magnet section, 24...external tube, 24a...connecting section, 24b...supported section, 30...head, 31...nozzle surface, 60...carriage, 100...printing device

Claims

1. a mounting portion in which a cartridge that contains ink to be supplied to an inkjet head of a printing device is mounted and in which an internal flow path through which the ink contained in the cartridge flows is formed; an external tube connected to the internal flow path of the mounting portion and allowing the ink to flow; a base portion supporting the mounting portion and a portion of the outer tube; Equipped with The mounting portion is supported by the base portion so as to be rotatable in a direction around a predetermined central axis, The outer tube is flexible, the external tube is fixed by a connection part connected to the internal flow path and a supported part provided on the base, and is disposed in a curved state between the connection part and the supported part, The central axis is disposed at an end portion on the front side in a front-to-back direction along a horizontal plane perpendicular to the central axis, The connection portion is disposed at an end portion on a rear side in the front-to-rear direction of the mounting portion, the external tube extends downward from the connection portion and is curved toward the front side, is arranged so as to extend toward the front side along the bottom of the mounting portion toward the central axis, is curved downward at a position corresponding to the central axis to form a curved portion, is arranged so as to extend from the curved portion toward the rear side, and is fixed by the non-supported portion arranged below the connection portion, The external tube is not held between the connection portion and the supported portion. Ink supply device.

2. The external tube is provided with a length such that the curved state is maintained during rotation within a range in which the mounting portion can rotate about the central axis. The ink supply device according to claim 1 .

3. a main body having an inkjet head for ejecting ink onto a medium; an ink supply unit that supplies the ink to the inkjet head; Equipped with The ink supply unit is an ink supply device according to claim 1 or 2. Printing device.

4. The ink supply unit is provided separately from the main body unit. The printing device according to claim 3 .

5. The ink supply unit is disposed on the floor surface.

5. The printing device according to claim 3 or 4.

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