Liquid discharge device, waste liquid tube

Abstract

To provide an apparatus in which remaining of waste liquid in a waste liquid tube can be suppressed.SOLUTION: A liquid ejection apparatus comprises a head 10 ejecting liquid and a waste liquid tube 103 discharging waste liquid to outside an apparatus body 101. The waste liquid tube 103 connects a waste liquid tube connection port 111 provided in the apparatus body 101 of a printing apparatus 1 and a waste liquid bottle 102 storing the waste liquid, the waste liquid tube 103 is made of a flexible member and has a portion 103a with helical structure. The waste liquid tube 103 is disposed along a gravity direction or continuously tilting in the gravity direction from a connection portion of the waste liquid tube 103 on the side of the apparatus body 101 to the waste liquid bottle 102 storing the waste liquid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for discharging a liquid and a waste liquid tube. [Background technology]

[0002] In a device that ejects liquid, waste liquid is generated during maintenance and recovery operations of the liquid ejection means, cleaning operations using cleaning liquid, etc., and the waste liquid is discharged into a waste liquid storage container (waste liquid tank, waste liquid bottle) via a waste liquid tube or the like.

[0003] Conventionally, it is known to use a waste liquid pipe that is deformed by expansion and contraction, such as a bellows structure (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-203065 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in a structure in which the waste liquid tube itself is expandable and contractible, such as the expandable bellows tube disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that waste liquid accumulates in the recessed portion of the bellows. Also, if a drainage tube that is too long is used, a U-shaped portion occurs in the waste liquid discharge path, causing a problem that waste liquid accumulates.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to suppress the retention of waste liquid in the waste liquid tube. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a liquid ejection device according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises: a liquid ejection means for ejecting a liquid; a waste liquid tube for discharging the waste liquid from the device body, The waste liquid tube is a flexible member and has a spiral structure at least in part. The composition was as follows. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the retention of waste liquid in the waste liquid tube, and by using a flexible member to appropriately adjust the length to the waste liquid storage means and suppress the occurrence of U-shaped portions in the waste liquid discharge path, it is possible to prevent the retention of waste liquid. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective explanatory view illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective explanatory view for explaining Comparative Example 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory plan view for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory plan view for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory plan view for explaining a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A printing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is an explanatory perspective view of the printing device, Figure 2 is an explanatory plan view of the same, and Figure 3 is an explanatory front view of the same.

[0011] The printing device 1 is equipped with a carriage 11 that mounts a head 10, which is a liquid ejection means that ejects liquid. Guide members 12 and 13 hold the carriage 11 so that it can move back and forth in a main scanning direction X. The carriage 11 is connected to a timing belt 17 that is wound around a drive pulley 15 and a driven pulley 16 that are rotated by a main scanning motor 14, and the carriage 11 moves back and forth in the main scanning direction X by driving the main scanning motor 14.

[0012] The encoder sheet 18 is arranged along the main scanning direction X. Periodic slits are provided in the encoder sheet 18. The carriage 11 has a reading sensor that reads the slits in the encoder sheet 18, and the position of the carriage 11 in the main scanning direction X can be detected from the reading result of the reading sensor.

[0013] The controller board 50 controls the ejection of ink, which is liquid, from the head 10 by adjusting the timing from the carriage position obtained from the reading result of the reading sensor of the carriage 11 to the ejection position.

[0014] Four heads 10 are mounted on a carriage 11. Each head 10 has two rows of nozzles in which nozzles that eject liquid are arranged. The carriage 11 also has a sub-tank that temporarily stores the liquid to be supplied to the heads 10. Liquid of the required color is sent from the main tank 21 to the sub-tank by a liquid supply pump via a supply tube.

[0015] The printing apparatus 1 includes a platen member 40, which is a holding member that holds fabric 400 as an application target (printing target) onto which a liquid is applied.

[0016] The platen member 40 is detachably held by a receiving member 49. The receiving member 49 is attached to a lifting mechanism 41. This allows the height of the platen member 40 in the up-down direction Z to be adjusted by the lifting mechanism 41. The lifting mechanism 41 for the platen member 40 is mounted on a slider 42. The slider 42 is movably placed on a slide rail 43 that extends in a sub-scanning direction Y that is perpendicular to the main scanning direction X.

[0017] The slider 42 is reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction Y by a sub-scanning drive mechanism via a timing belt 45. When the slider 42 is reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction Y, the platen member 40 is also reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction Y.

[0018] At one end in the main scanning direction, a maintenance unit 60 is arranged to maintain and recover the head 10. The maintenance unit 60 is equipped with a suction cap 61 that caps the nozzle surface of the head 10, a moisture retention cap 62 that caps the nozzle surface of the head 10 to retain moisture, and a wiping member 63 that wipes the nozzle surface of the head 10. A suction pump is connected to the suction cap 61.

[0019] At the other end in the main scanning direction, a discharge receiver 66 is disposed. The controller board 50 performs maintenance and recovery of the head 10 by causing the head 10 to discharge liquid into the discharge receiver 66 during printing.

[0020] Furthermore, a light emitting section 80A and a light receiving section 80B of height detecting means 80 that detects the fabric 400 on the platen member 40 are disposed on one end side and the other end side in the main scanning direction. The height detecting means 80 is attached to the frame 2.

[0021] The printing device 1 also includes a power button 70, an operation unit 71, a power supply unit 72, and the like.

[0022] In this printing device 1, when printing on a fabric (printing target) such as a T-shirt, the fabric 400 is set on the platen member 40. After that, by operating the operation unit 71, the platen member 40 is completely retracted to the rear of the device via the slider 42.

[0023] When the platen member 40 is retracted, the height detection means 80 detects whether or not the fabric 400 on the platen member 40 interferes with the head 10. If the head 10 collides with the fabric 400 at this time, the retraction of the platen member 40 is stopped, or the platen member 40 is returned to the position where the fabric 400 is set.

[0024] When the retraction of the platen member 40 is completed, the printer 1 enters a print data standby state. At this point, the printing operation begins when the printer 1 receives print data from an external information processing device. Alternatively, if print data has been stored in the controller board 50 in advance, the printing operation begins by selecting the print data on the operation unit 71.

[0025] When the printing operation starts, the platen member 40 is moved to the print start position via the slider 42. Then, the carriage 11 is moved and liquid is ejected from the head 10 to print one line. After one line has been printed, the platen member 40 is moved one line via the slider 42. By repeating one scan of the carriage 11 and intermittent movement of the slider 42, printing is performed on the desired area of ​​the fabric 400. After printing is complete, the platen member 40 is returned to the front of the device, and printing is completed.

[0026] Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a perspective explanatory view for explaining the embodiment.

[0027] In this embodiment, a waste liquid tube 103 connects a waste liquid tube connection port 111 provided on the device body 101 of the printing device 1 to a waste liquid bottle 102, which is a waste liquid storage means for storing waste liquid.

[0028] The waste liquid tube 103 is a curled tube made of a flexible material and has a spiral structure portion 103a. The spiral structure portion 103a of this waste liquid tube 103 is spiral-shaped in a downward direction in the direction of gravity. The spiral shape (spiral structure) means a curved shape (structure) that moves (up or down) in a direction perpendicular to the plane of rotation while rotating.

[0029] With this configuration, when the waste liquid 300 in the printing device 1 is discharged to the external waste liquid bottle 102, one end of the waste liquid tube 103 is connected to the waste liquid tube connection port 111 of the printing device 1 placed on the table 90, for example, and the other end of the waste liquid tube 103 is connected to the waste liquid bottle 102. At this time, the waste liquid tube 103 is positioned so that the spiral structure portion 103a is spiraled downward in the direction of gravity.

[0030] As a result, the waste liquid tube 103 is arranged along the direction of gravity or continuously tilted in the direction of gravity from the connection portion of the waste liquid tube (waste liquid tube connection port 111) on the device main body 101 side to the waste liquid storage means (waste liquid bottle 102) that stores the waste liquid.

[0031] In this case, if the waste liquid tube connection port 111 of the printer 1 and the waste liquid bottle 102 are positioned close to each other, the waste liquid tube 103 stretches very little, allowing the printer 1 to connect to the waste liquid bottle 102. In this case, the waste liquid tube 103 will not be turned upside down (U-shaped) midway, and the accumulation of waste liquid in the waste liquid tube 103 will be suppressed.

[0032] On the other hand, if the waste liquid tube connection port 111 of the printing device 1 and the waste liquid bottle 102 are located far apart, the spiral structure portion 103a of the waste liquid tube 103 stretches like a cylindrical spring, thereby connecting the printing device 1 and the waste liquid bottle 102. Even in this case, there will be no point in the middle of the waste liquid tube 103 that is turned upside down, and the accumulation of waste liquid in the waste liquid tube 103 will be suppressed.

[0033] In this way, by using a flexible member to appropriately adjust the length to the waste liquid storage means and suppressing the occurrence of U-shaped portions in the waste liquid discharge path, it is possible to prevent waste liquid from accumulating.

[0034] Comparative Example 1 will now be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a perspective explanatory view for explaining Comparative Example 1.

[0035] In Comparative Example 1, a straight waste liquid tube 1003 is used.

[0036] In this comparative example 1, if the length of the waste liquid tube 1003 is too long compared to the distance between the printing device 1 and the waste liquid bottle 102, an upward U-shaped bend 1003a may occur in the middle of the waste liquid tube 1003.

[0037] In this way, if an upward U-shaped bent portion 1003a occurs in the waste liquid tube 1003, the waste liquid 300 will accumulate in this portion 1003, causing clogging due to the waste liquid 300 drying and solidifying, or the flow of the waste liquid 300 will be obstructed and cause it to flow backward.

[0038] In contrast to this, according to this embodiment, there is no part in the waste liquid tube 103 that is bent upward in a U-shape, so that it is possible to prevent waste liquid from accumulating.

[0039] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is an explanatory plan view for explaining this embodiment, and Figure 7 is an explanatory side view of the same. Note that each figure (a) shows the link mechanism in an extended state, and (b) shows the link mechanism in a retracted state. In Figure 6, the waste liquid tube is shown in phantom lines for ease of viewing.

[0040] In this embodiment, an expandable link mechanism 122 is disposed inside the device body 101, and can be bent and unfolded along a guide member 121. The link mechanism 122 holds a waste liquid tube 103 made of a flexible member.

[0041] The link mechanism 122 is gently inclined downwards toward the outlet side of the device main body 101 of the waste liquid tube 103. The link mechanism 122 is extendable so that the waste liquid tube 103 is continuously inclined in the direction of gravity.

[0042] As a result, when discharging waste liquid, the waste liquid tube 103 is positioned along the direction of gravity or continuously tilted toward the direction of gravity from the connection part of the waste liquid tube 103 on the device main body 101 side to the waste liquid storage means (waste liquid bottle 102) that stores the waste liquid.

[0043] Therefore, backflow and retention of waste liquid is suppressed.

[0044] Unlike the first embodiment, the waste liquid tube 103 also serves as a waste liquid path outside the device body 101, or is not fixed to the exterior of the device body 101 but extends directly outside the device body 101.

[0045] 6(a) and 7(a) show a state in which the waste liquid bottle 102 is placed on, for example, floor surface B, and in the state in Figures 6(b) and 7(b) show a state in which the waste liquid bottle 102 is placed, for example, raised by a height h from floor surface B. Therefore, in the states in Figures 6(b) and 7(b), the waste liquid tube outlet 112 of the printing device 1 and the waste liquid bottle 102 are located closer to each other than in the states in Figures 6(a) and 7(b).

[0046] With this configuration, when the waste liquid tube outlet 112 of the printing device 1 and the waste liquid bottle 102 are placed close to each other, the link mechanism 122 is contracted to retract the waste liquid tube 103 into the device body 101, as shown in Figures 6(b) and 7(b). This makes it possible to shorten the length of the waste liquid tube 103 extending outside the device body 101.

[0047] On the other hand, when the printing device 1 and the waste liquid bottle 102 are placed far apart, as shown in Figures 6(a) and 7(a), the link mechanism 122 is extended to send the waste liquid tube 103 out of the device main body 101. This makes it possible to lengthen the length of the waste liquid tube 103 that extends out of the device main body 101.

[0048] In this way, the length of the waste liquid tube 103 outside the device main body 101 can be adjusted, thereby preventing the accumulation of waste liquid in the waste liquid tube 103. In addition, by using a flexible member to appropriately adjust the length to the waste liquid storage means and preventing the occurrence of U-shaped portions in the waste liquid discharge path, the accumulation of waste liquid can be prevented.

[0049] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8 is an explanatory plan view for explaining the third embodiment, and Figure 9 is an explanatory side view of the same.

[0050] In this embodiment, a winding means 131 for winding and unwinding the waste liquid tube 10 is disposed inside the device body 101 .

[0051] The winding means 131 includes a reel 132, which is a rotating member for winding the flexible waste liquid tube 103, and the reel 132 is fitted so as to be freely rotatable on a fixed shaft portion 133. At this time, the waste liquid tube 103 is wound with the waste liquid inlet side facing up and the waste liquid outlet side facing down.

[0052] As a result, the waste liquid tube 103 is arranged along the direction of gravity or continuously tilted toward the direction of gravity from the connection part of the waste liquid tube 103 on the device main body 101 side to the waste liquid storage means (waste liquid bottle 102) that stores the waste liquid.

[0053] The waste liquid tube 103 is unwound from the reel 132 and wound up using a guide means or the like to prevent it from being turned upside down.

[0054] A spiral spring 134 is disposed between the reel 132 and the shaft portion 133. The spiral spring 134 is wound up when the reel 132 rotates in the direction of arrow A.

[0055] A stopper 136 is disposed between the outer circumferential surface of the reel 132 and the fixed wall 135. The stopper 136 can be moved away from between the outer circumferential surface of the reel 132 and the fixed wall 135 by an advancing / retracting means or the like.

[0056] With this configuration, when waste liquid tube 103 is unwound (pulled) in the direction of arrow A, reel 132 rotates in the direction of arrow A, and spiral spring 134 is wound up. At this time, stopper 136 is in a direction that causes it to come out of the position sandwiched between fixed wall 135 and reel 132 as reel 132 rotates, so reel 132 can continue to rotate without being locked.

[0057] After the waste liquid tube 103 is pulled out to the required position, the tension on the waste liquid tube 103 is released, and the spiral spring 134 causes the reel 132 to rotate in the direction of arrow B. At this time, the stopper 136 bites into the gap between the fixed wall 135 and the reel 132, stopping the rotation of the reel 132.

[0058] On the other hand, when winding up the waste liquid tube 103, by moving the stopper 136 away from between the reel 132 and the fixed wall 135, the restoring force of the spiral spring 134 causes the reel 132 to rotate in the direction of arrow B, and the waste liquid tube 103 is rewound onto the reel 132.

[0059] In this way, the length of the waste liquid tube 103 outside the device main body 101 can be adjusted, thereby preventing the accumulation of waste liquid in the waste liquid tube 103. In addition, by using a flexible member to appropriately adjust the length to the waste liquid storage means and suppressing the occurrence of U-shaped portions in the waste liquid discharge path, the accumulation of waste liquid can be prevented.

[0060] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a plan view illustrating the fourth embodiment, where (a) shows the link mechanism in an extended state and (b) shows the link mechanism in a retracted state. In Fig. 10, the waste liquid tube is shown in phantom lines for ease of viewing.

[0061] In this embodiment, the extendable link mechanism 122 in the second embodiment is provided outside the device body 101. Note that other configurations are the same as those in the second embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the printing device has been described as a device that ejects liquid onto a member to which the liquid is applied, which is fabric, but the device that ejects liquid is not limited to this.

[0063] The liquid ejection device of the present invention includes devices that are installed with the waste liquid tube positioned as specified in the present invention when connecting the waste liquid tube connection on the device main body to the waste liquid storage means that stores the waste liquid with a tube, and devices that recommend installing the waste liquid tube in the position specified in the present invention.

[0064] In the present application, the liquid to be ejected may have a viscosity and surface tension that allows it to be ejected from the head, and is not particularly limited, but preferably has a viscosity of 30 mPa·s or less at room temperature and normal pressure, or upon heating or cooling. More specifically, the liquid may be a solution, suspension, emulsion, or the like containing a solvent such as water or an organic solvent, a colorant such as a dye or pigment, a polymerizable compound, a resin, a surfactant, or the like, a biocompatible material such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, or calcium, or an edible material such as a natural colorant, and the like. These liquids can be used, for example, as inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, liquids for forming components of electronic devices or light-emitting elements, or electronic circuit resist patterns, and material liquids for 3D modeling.

[0065] Energy sources for ejecting liquid include piezoelectric actuators (laminated piezoelectric elements and thin-film piezoelectric elements), thermal actuators that use electrothermal conversion elements such as heating resistors, and electrostatic actuators consisting of a vibration plate and an opposing electrode.

[0066] The "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.

[0067] For example, "liquid ejecting devices" include image forming devices that eject ink to form an image on paper, three-dimensional modeling devices (3D modeling devices) that eject modeling liquid onto a powder layer formed from layers of powder in order to create a three-dimensional object (a three-dimensional model), and three-dimensional modeling devices that eject model material and support material onto a stage to perform additive manufacturing.

[0068] Furthermore, 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.

[0069] The above-mentioned "object onto which a liquid can adhere" means an object onto which a liquid can adhere at least temporarily, an object onto which the liquid can adhere and stick, an object onto which the liquid can penetrate, etc. Specific examples include media such as paper, recording paper, film, and cloth, electronic circuit boards, electronic components such as piezoelectric elements, powder layers, organ models, and test cells, and unless otherwise specified, includes all objects onto which a liquid can adhere.

[0070] Furthermore, the "liquid ejection device" may be a device in which a liquid ejection head and an object onto 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, and a line type device in which a liquid ejection head does not move. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1. Printing device (device that ejects liquid) 10 head (liquid ejection means) 11 Carriage 40 Platen member 101 Device body 102 Waste liquid bottle (waste liquid storage container) 103 Waste liquid tube 111 Waste liquid tube connection port 112 Waste liquid tube outlet 131 Winding means 400 Fabric (Granted)

Claims

1. a liquid ejection means for ejecting a liquid; a waste liquid tube for discharging the waste liquid from the device body, The waste liquid tube is a flexible member and has a spiral structure at least in part. A liquid ejection device comprising:

2. a liquid ejection means for ejecting a liquid; a waste liquid tube for discharging the waste liquid from the device body, the waste liquid tube is a flexible member, The waste liquid tube is held by an expandable link mechanism. A liquid ejection device comprising:

3. a liquid ejection means for ejecting a liquid; a waste liquid tube for discharging the waste liquid from the device body, the waste liquid tube is a flexible member, The waste liquid tube is wound around a rotatable rotating member. A liquid ejection device comprising:

4. The waste liquid tube is aligned along the direction of gravity or is continuously inclined in the direction of gravity from the connection portion of the waste liquid tube on the device body side to the waste liquid storage means that stores the waste liquid.

4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejection device is a liquid ejection device.

5. The waste liquid tube is connected to a waste liquid storage means that is disposed outside the apparatus body and that stores the waste liquid.

4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejection device is a liquid ejection device.

6. a waste liquid tube that connects a device body having a liquid discharge means that discharges a liquid to a waste liquid storage means that stores waste liquid of the liquid, and that discharges the waste liquid to the outside of the device body, The waste liquid tube is a flexible member having a spiral structure at least in part. A waste liquid tube characterized by:

7. a waste liquid tube that is held by a link mechanism of an apparatus body including a liquid discharge means that discharges a liquid and an expandable link mechanism, that connects the apparatus body to a waste liquid storage means that stores waste liquid of the liquid, and that discharges the waste liquid to the outside of the apparatus body, The waste liquid tube is a flexible member. A waste liquid tube characterized by:

8. a waste liquid tube wound around a rotating member of an apparatus body, the waste liquid tube connecting the apparatus body to a waste liquid storage means for storing waste liquid of the liquid, and discharging the waste liquid to the outside of the apparatus body, The waste liquid tube is a flexible member. A waste liquid tube characterized by:

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