Supply unit and liquid ejection device

Abstract

To provide a supply unit and a liquid discharge device that are able to reduce a force required to connect a liquid container to a liquid introduction part.SOLUTION: A supply unit 25 to which a liquid container 24 having an elastic connection part is detachably attached includes: a liquid introduction part 60 connected to the connection part of the liquid container 24; a first urging member 83 that, if a direction in which the liquid container 24 is connected to the liquid introduction part 60 is assumed to be a connecting direction, urges the liquid container 24 in a separating direction that is opposite to the connecting direction; and an engaging lever 92 having an engaging part 96 that is engaged with the liquid container 24 when the liquid container 24 is connected to the liquid introduction part 60. The engagement lever 92 has an operation part 98 that is operated by a user, and a pressing part 97 capable of pressing the liquid container 24. By operating the operation part 98, the engaging part 96 is disengaged from the liquid container 24, and the liquid container 24 is pressed in the separating direction by the pressing part 97.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a liquid ejection device is known which is equipped with a liquid storage container and ejects the liquid stored in the liquid storage container. Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid container having a tube insertion passage formed on one side thereof into which an ink receiving tube of a liquid ejection device is inserted, and a sealing member made of an elastic material is provided in the tube insertion passage. When the liquid container is attached to the liquid ejection device, the ink receiving tube of the liquid ejection device is connected to the liquid container while abutting against the sealing member. The liquid ejection device is also provided with an ejection spring that presses the liquid container in a direction to remove it, and when the liquid container is released from a state in which it is locked to the liquid ejection device, the ejection spring moves the liquid container in the direction to remove it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-10888 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the pressure of the eject spring is used to both remove the ink receiving tube from the tube insertion path and push out the liquid container, so the pressure of the eject spring needs to be large.When attaching the liquid container to the liquid discharge device, it is necessary to push the liquid container in with a force that exceeds the pressure of the eject spring, so there is a problem in that if the pressure of the eject spring is large, the force required for attachment also increases. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The supply unit is a supply unit to which a liquid container having an elastic connection portion is detachably attached, and comprises: a liquid introduction portion connected to the connection portion of the liquid container; a biasing member that biases the liquid container in a removal direction that is the opposite direction to the connection direction when the direction in which the liquid container is connected to the liquid introduction portion is defined as the connection direction; and an engagement lever having an engagement portion that engages with the liquid container when the liquid container is connected to the liquid introduction portion, wherein the engagement lever has an operating portion that is operated by a user and a pressing portion that can press the liquid container, and when the operating portion is operated, the engagement portion disengages from the liquid container, and the pressing portion presses the liquid container in the removal direction.

[0006] The liquid ejection device includes the supply unit described above and a liquid ejection head that ejects the liquid supplied from the supply unit onto a medium. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection device. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a supply unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a supply unit and a liquid container. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the supply unit when the support member is located at the guide position. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the supply unit when the support member is located at the connection position. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the supply unit immediately after the engagement lever is operated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of the supply unit 25 and the liquid ejection device 11 will be described. The liquid ejection device 11 is, for example, an inkjet printer that prints by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium 12 such as paper.

[0009] In the drawings, the liquid ejection device 11 is placed on a horizontal plane, with the direction of gravity indicated by the Z axis, and directions along the horizontal plane indicated by the X and Y axes. The X, Y, and Z axes are perpendicular to one another. When a user faces the front of the liquid ejection device 11, the Y axis indicates the depth direction of the liquid ejection device 11. Of the directions along the Y axis, the direction from the front to the back is the +Y direction, and the opposite direction is the -Y direction. The X axis indicates the width direction of the liquid ejection device 11. Of the directions along the X axis, when a user faces the front of the liquid ejection device 11, the left direction is the +X direction, and the right direction is the -X direction. Of the directions along the Z axis, the downward direction is the +Z direction, and the upward direction is the -Z direction.

[0010] A. Overall configuration of the liquid ejection device As shown in FIG. 1 , the liquid ejection device 11 may include one or more medium storage units 13, a stacker 14, and an operation unit 15. Each medium storage unit 13 is, for example, a cassette that can store one or more media 12. The stacker 14 is positioned to receive printed media 12. The operation unit 15 is, for example, a touch panel for operating the liquid ejection device 11. The touch panel may be positioned to face the front of the liquid ejection device 11.

[0011] The liquid ejection device 11 may include an image reading unit 16 that reads an image of a document, and an automatic feeding unit 17 that feeds the document to the image reading unit 16. The image reading unit 16 and the automatic feeding unit 17 are disposed above the stacker 14, for example.

[0012] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a control unit 19 that controls various operations performed by the liquid ejection device 11. The control unit 19 may be configured as a circuit including: 1) one or more processors that operate according to a computer program; 2) one or more dedicated hardware circuits, such as an ASIC, that perform at least some of the various processes; or 3) a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memory, such as RAM and ROM, that stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to perform processes. The memory, i.e., computer-readable medium, includes any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0013] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a supply unit 25. The supply unit 25 may include a mounting portion 28 to which one or more liquid containers 24 are detachably attached. The mounting portion 28 may have a plurality of slots corresponding to the plurality of liquid containers 24, respectively. The mounting portion 28 is formed with an insertion opening 28o for inserting the liquid container 24. The insertion opening 28o opens, for example, toward the front of the liquid ejection device 11. The liquid ejection device 11 may include a cover (not shown) that covers the insertion opening 28o. This cover may be movable between a position that covers the insertion opening 28o and a position that opens the insertion opening 28o.

[0014] The insertion opening 28o is disposed so as to open, for example, in the front face, i.e., in the -Y direction, of the liquid ejection device 11. In this case, the liquid container 24 is inserted through the insertion opening 28o from the front face of the liquid ejection device 11 in the +Y direction, for example.

[0015] The plurality of liquid containers 24 (24C, 24M, 24Y, 24K) may each contain a plurality of different types of liquid, for example, inks of different colors. For example, the liquid containers 24C, 24M, 24Y, 24K may contain cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks, respectively. The plurality of liquid containers 24 may each contain a different amount of liquid. For example, the liquid container 24K containing black ink may have a larger amount of liquid than the other liquid containers 24C, 24M, and 24Y. The liquid container 24K may have a width, i.e., a length along the X-axis, greater than the other liquid containers 24C, 24M, and 24Y.

[0016] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a liquid ejection head 18 having a large number of nozzles (not shown). The liquid ejection head 18 is configured to eject liquid supplied from a liquid container 24 attached to a supply unit 25 onto the medium 12 from the nozzles.

[0017] B. Liquid Container Configuration 2 and 3, the liquid container 24 is, for example, a cartridge having a first end wall 142, an upper wall 143, a bottom wall 144, a first side wall 145, a second side wall 146, and a second end wall 147. When the liquid container 24 is attached to the liquid ejection device 11, the first end wall 142 is inserted first.

[0018] 2, the liquid container 24 may have an identification portion 430 on the bottom wall 144 for identifying the type of the liquid container 24. The identification portion 430 may be, for example, a plurality of protrusions aligned in the width direction.

[0019] The liquid container 24 may have a positioning hole 448 in the bottom wall 144. The positioning hole 448 may be a recess that opens into the bottom wall 144. The liquid container 24 may have an outlet portion 30 that opens into the bottom wall 144. The liquid contained in the liquid container 24 is discharged from the liquid container 24 through the outlet portion 30.

[0020] The liquid container 24 may have a circuit board 150 in a cutout portion of the corner where the bottom wall 144 and the first end wall 142 intersect. The circuit board 150 may have a connection terminal 521 and a storage medium 525. The storage medium 525 may store information about the liquid container 24, for example, information about the liquid contained in the liquid container 24.

[0021] The liquid container 24 may have two receiving portions 447 extending along the Y-axis on the first side wall 145 and the second side wall 146, respectively. On each of the first side wall 145 and the second side wall 146, the receiving portion 447 may include a first receiving portion 447a and a second receiving portion 447b that are at different heights. The first receiving portion 447a may be a groove extending along the bottom wall 144. The second receiving portion 447b is located at a higher position than the first receiving portion 447a, i.e., on the -Z side, and has a shorter length along the Y-axis than the first receiving portion 447a. The second receiving portion 447b may be disposed near the circuit board 150.

[0022] 3, the liquid container 24 has an engagement recess 497 in the second end wall 147. The engagement recess 497 is a recess that opens in the second end wall 147 and is disposed, for example, on the +Z side of the second end wall 147, i.e., at a position close to the bottom wall 144. The engagement recess 497 may be disposed at the center of the second end wall 147 in the width direction. A step is formed in the second end wall 147, and the -Z side end wall 147b is positioned on the -Y side relative to the +Z side end wall 147a on which the engagement recess 497 is disposed. A portion of the liquid container 24 that is positioned further in the -Y direction than the end wall 147a constitutes the protrusion 148.

[0023] C. Configuration of the mounting part 4, the mounting portion 28 includes a box-shaped frame 80, a support member 90, a pivot shaft 91, and a liquid introduction portion 60. The support member 90, the pivot shaft 91, and the liquid introduction portion 60 are disposed within the frame 80. The liquid container 24 is inserted into the frame 80 through the insertion opening 28o and moves toward the back of the frame 80. At this time, the movement direction of the liquid container 24, i.e., the insertion direction into the mounting portion 28, is the +Y direction.

[0024] The support member 90 is a member that supports the liquid container 24 and extends along a linear guide path 82 that intersects both a vertical line along the Z axis and a rotation axis 91 along the X axis. In other words, the guide path 82 extends in the movement direction of the liquid container 24, i.e., along the Y axis. The support member 90 has a distal region where the starting end of the guide path 82 is located and a proximal region where the terminal end of the guide path 82 is located. The proximal region and the rotation axis 91 of the support member 90 are located deep inside the frame 80, i.e., at a position away from the insertion opening 28o in the +Y direction. The support member 90 may have a bottom plate 90a and two side ribs 90b. The two side ribs 90b are located at both ends of the bottom plate 90a in the width direction.

[0025] The support member 90 may have one or more guide portions 247 that guide the movement of the liquid container 24. The guide portion 247 may be, for example, a pair of guide rails arranged on the pair of side ribs 90b, or may be a single guide rail arranged on the bottom plate 90a.

[0026] The guide portion 247 may have a first guide portion 247a and a second guide portion 247b arranged to engage with the first receiving portion 447a and the second receiving portion 447b, respectively. The first guide portion 247a and the second guide portion 247b may be, for example, protrusions extending in the longitudinal direction of the support member 90. The second guide portion 247b is located at a higher position than the first guide portion 247a, i.e., on the -Z side, and has a shorter length along the longitudinal direction than the first guide portion 247a. The second guide portion 247b may be arranged closer to the pivot shaft 91 than the first guide portion 247a. The first guide portion 247a may be arranged at a position corresponding to the liquid introduction portion 60 in the movement direction of the liquid container 24.

[0027] The pivot shaft 91 is disposed in the base end region of the support member 90 and has an axis that intersects both a vertical line along the Z axis and the guide path 82 along the Y axis. In other words, the axis of the pivot shaft 91 extends along the X axis. The support member 90 is configured to pivot about the pivot shaft 91 between a guide position where the liquid container 24 is guided along the guide path 82 and a connection position where the liquid container 24 is connected to the liquid introduction portion 60. The connection position is located in the +Z direction from the guide position. In FIG. 4, the support member 90 in the guide position is indicated by a solid line, and the liquid container 24 attached to the attachment portion 28 at the guide position is indicated by a dashed line. The support member 90 in the connection position and the liquid container 24 at that position are indicated by a dashed line. The pivot shaft 91 corresponds to the second pivot shaft. The guide position corresponds to the first position, and the connection position corresponds to the second position.

[0028] The liquid introduction part 60 is a cylindrical member that is inserted into the outlet part 30 of the liquid container 24, and is disposed below the support member 90. When the support member 90 is disposed in the connected position, the liquid introduction part 60 connects to the liquid container 24. The liquid introduction part 60 may be disposed in an inclined position with respect to the guide path 82. More specifically, the liquid introduction part 60 may be inclined so that its tip is disposed closer to the insertion opening 28o than its base end. For example, the center line of the liquid introduction part 60 may form an angle with the vertical line in the range of more than 0° and not more than 15°.

[0029] The mounting portion 28 may include a first biasing member 83 as a biasing member that biases the support member 90 in the -Z direction from the connection position toward the guide position. The first biasing member 83 is, for example, a coil spring. When the liquid container 24 is mounted to the mounting portion 28, the first biasing member 83 biases the liquid container 24 in the -Z direction via the support member 90. Furthermore, when the liquid container 24 is not mounted within the mounting portion 28, the support member 90 is biased by the first biasing member 83 to be positioned at the guide position.

[0030] When attaching the liquid container 24 to the attachment portion 28 while the support member 90 is in the guide position and not yet attached, the user inserts the liquid container 24 into the insertion opening 28o in an appropriate orientation and pushes it in the +Y direction. The liquid container 24 is guided in the +Y direction along the guide path 82 with the receiving portion 447 engaging with the guide portion 247, and reaches a predetermined position on the support member 90 at the end of the guide path 82. In this state, the protruding portion 148 of the liquid container 24 protrudes from the insertion opening 28o on the -Y side. When the user then pushes this protruding portion 148 in the +Z direction, the support member 90 rotates about the rotation shaft 91 to the connection position, and the outlet portion 30 of the liquid container 24 and the liquid introduction portion 60 are connected. The direction from the guiding position toward the connecting position, i.e., the +Z direction in which the liquid container 24 is connected to the liquid introduction part 60, corresponds to the connecting direction, and the opposite direction, i.e., the -Z direction from the connecting position toward the guiding position, corresponds to the detaching direction. In other words, the first urging member 83 urges the support member 90 in the detaching direction.

[0031] The supply unit 25 may include a first storage section 33, a communication passage 34, and a second storage section 35 below the support member 90. The liquid introduction section 60 protrudes upward from the first storage section 33. When the liquid introduction section 60 is connected to the liquid container 24, the liquid in the liquid container 24 is introduced into the first storage section 33 through the liquid introduction section 60 and is temporarily stored in the first storage section 33. The second storage section 35 is in communication with the first storage section 33 through the communication passage 34. The liquid in the first storage section 33 flows into the second storage section 35 through the communication passage 34. The supply unit 25 is configured to supply the liquid from the second storage section 35 to the liquid ejection head 18 (see FIG. 1).

[0032] 5, the mounting portion 28 may have a positioning protrusion 248 that protrudes upward near the liquid introduction portion 60. The liquid container 24 is positioned by engaging a positioning hole 448 with the positioning protrusion 248. The positioning protrusion 248 may be inclined at the same angle as the liquid introduction portion 60. The bottom plate 90a of the support member 90 has portions cut out that are above the positioning protrusion 248 and the liquid introduction portion 60.

[0033] Furthermore, an annular connecting portion 31 connected to the liquid introduction portion 60 is disposed on the inner wall of the outlet portion 30 of the liquid container 24. The connecting portion 31 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber, and when the liquid introduction portion 60 is inserted into the outlet portion 30 of the liquid container 24, the connecting portion 31 comes into close contact with the outer surface of the liquid introduction portion 60, thereby enhancing the airtightness of the outlet portion 30. When returning the support member 90 from the connection position to the guiding position to release the connection between the liquid container 24 and the liquid introduction portion 60, it is necessary to release the close contact of the connecting portion 31, and therefore a greater force is required than when simply lifting the liquid container 24 and the support member 90.

[0034] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the mounting portion 28 may include an engagement lever 92 arranged to face the tip region of the support member 90. The engagement lever 92, the positioning protrusion 248, and the liquid introduction portion 60 may be aligned in this order in the +Y direction. The engagement lever 92 may have a base 93 fixed to the frame 80 and a movable portion 94 that is rotatable relative to the base 93. The movable portion 94 rotates relative to the base 93 around a rotation axis 94a that extends along the X axis. The rotation axis 94a corresponds to the first rotation axis.

[0035] The movable portion 94 has an engaging portion 96, a pressing portion 97, and an operating portion 98, which are integrally configured. The engaging portion 96 extends upward from the pivot shaft 94a, i.e., in the −Z direction, and a protrusion 96a is formed near its upper end, protruding toward the support member 90. The protrusion 96a includes a bottom surface 96b facing the +Z direction and an inclined surface 96c facing a direction that is a combination of the +Y direction and the −Z direction. The engaging lever 92 is also provided with a second biasing member 95 that biases the engaging portion 96 in the +Y direction, i.e., toward the support member 90. The engaging portion 96 is biased by the second biasing member 95 to maintain a position approximately parallel to the vertical line. The second biasing member 95 is, for example, a coil spring.

[0036] As the support member 90 rotates from the guiding position (see FIG. 6) to the connecting position (see FIG. 7), the liquid container 24 comes into contact with the inclined surface 96c of the protrusion 96a, and the engaging portion 96 rotates such that the protrusion 96a moves in the −Y direction against the biasing force of the second biasing member 95. Thereafter, when the support member 90 reaches the connecting position and the liquid container 24 connects to the liquid introduction portion 60, the protrusion 96a faces the engaging recess 497 of the liquid container 24 and enters the engaging recess 497 due to the biasing force of the second biasing member 95. As a result, the engaging portion 96 engages with the engaging recess 497 of the liquid container 24. In this state, the biasing force of the first biasing member 83 prevents the support member 90 from returning to the guiding position, and the liquid container 24 is fixed.

[0037] The pressing portion 97 is configured to be able to press the liquid container 24 in the −Z direction via the support member 90. The pressing portion 97 extends in the +Y direction, and is disposed directly below the bottom plate 90a of the support member 90 when the support member 90 is in the connected position.

[0038] The operating part 98 extends from the rotation shaft 94a in the -Y direction. The engagement lever 92 is disposed in the mounting part 28 so that at least the operating part 98 is located outside the insertion opening 28o, i.e., on the -Y side. The operating part 98 is operated by the user when removing the mounted liquid container 24. When the operating part 98 is pressed downward, i.e., in the +Z direction, the movable part 94 rotates clockwise in FIGS. 5 to 8 about the rotation shaft 94a, i.e., in a direction against the biasing force of the second biasing member 95.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 7 , when the support member 90 is in the connected position, i.e., when the liquid container 24 is connected to the liquid introduction portion 60, the operating portion 98 is pushed in and the movable portion 94 rotates. As shown in FIG. 8 , the protrusion 96 a of the engagement portion 96 disengages from the engagement recess 497, disengaging the engagement portion 96 from the liquid container 24. In conjunction with this movement, the pressing portion 97 contacts the underside of the bottom plate 90 a of the support member 90 and presses the support member 90 in the −Z direction. This causes the support member 90 to rise slightly, releasing the tight contact between the connection portion 31 of the liquid container 24 and the liquid introduction portion 60, and disengaging the liquid container 24 from the liquid introduction portion 60. Thereafter, the liquid container 24 and the support member 90 are further pushed up in the −Z direction by the biasing force of the first biasing member 83, and the support member 90 returns to the guide position. In this state, the user can easily remove the liquid container 24.

[0040] The distance from the rotation shaft 94a to the operation unit 98 may be longer than the distance from the rotation shaft 94a to the pressing portion 97. Specifically, if the pressing position is the position where the pressing portion 97 contacts the bottom plate 90a when the operation unit 98 is pressed downward, the distance from the rotation shaft 94a to the tip of the operation unit 98 may be longer than the distance from the rotation shaft 94a to the pressing position of the pressing portion 97. This reduces the force with which the user presses the operation unit 98 to push up the support member 90 with the pressing portion 97. However, if it is expected that the user will press a position inside the tip of the operation unit 98, the distance from the rotation shaft 94a to this position may be longer than the distance from the rotation shaft 94a to the pressing position. Furthermore, the distance from the rotation shaft 94a to the pressing position is longer than the distance from the rotation shaft 94a to the connection position between the liquid introduction portion 60 and the liquid container 24. Therefore, the force required for the pressing portion 97 to press up the support member 90 can be reduced.

[0041] D. Effects of this embodiment As described above, according to this embodiment, when the operating portion 98 is operated, the engaging lever 92 disengages the engaging portion 96 from the liquid container 24, and presses the liquid container 24 in the −Z direction with the pressing portion 97. This makes it possible to weaken the biasing force of the first biasing member 83 compared to a configuration in which the liquid container 24 is released by relying solely on the biasing force of the first biasing member 83. As a result, it is possible to reduce the force required to connect the liquid container 24 to the liquid introduction portion 60.

[0042] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, after the support member 90 is pressed in the -Z direction by the pressing portion 97 and the tight contact between the connection portion 31 of the liquid container 24 and the liquid introduction portion 60 is released, the support member 90 moves to the guide position due to the biasing force of the first biasing member 83. In other words, the distance over which the liquid container 24 on the support member 90 moves in the -Z direction due to the pressing of the pressing portion 97 is shorter than the distance over which the liquid container 24 moves in the -Z direction due to the biasing force of the first biasing member 83. This means that the operating portion 98 does not need to be pressed by much, and it is possible to prevent the engagement lever 92 from becoming larger.

[0043] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the engagement lever 92 is disposed so that the operating portion 98 is located outside the insertion opening 28o of the mounting portion 28, and therefore the operating portion 98 can be easily operated.

[0044] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the liquid container 24 is supported by the support member 90, and is configured to receive the biasing force of the first biasing member 83 and the pressing force of the pressing portion 97 via the support member 90. This makes it easy to attach the liquid container 24 to the mounting portion 28 and detach it from the mounting portion 28.

[0045] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the support member 90 moves between the guiding position and the connecting position by rotating around the rotation axis 91, so that the liquid container 24 can be easily connected and disconnected.

[0046] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the liquid introduction portion 60 is disposed in an inclined position relative to the guide path 82, so that the liquid container 24 can be smoothly connected in the process of rotating the support member 90.

[0047] E. Other Embodiments This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0048] The connecting and disconnecting directions of the liquid container 24 do not have to be along the Z axis, but may be, for example, along the horizontal direction.

[0049] The pressing portion 97 of the engagement lever 92 may be configured not to come into contact with the bottom plate 90a of the support member 90 when the operating portion 98 is not pressed.

[0050] The first biasing member 83 may be configured to directly bias the liquid container 24 in the −Z direction without using the support member 90. Similarly, the pressing portion 97 may be configured to directly press the liquid container 24 in the −Z direction without using the support member 90.

[0051] The liquid ejection device 11 may be a liquid ejection device that ejects or discharges liquids other than ink. The state of the liquid ejected as minute droplets from the liquid ejection device includes granular, teardrop-like, and string-like tails. The liquid referred to here may be any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejection device. For example, the liquid may be any state in which a substance is in its liquid phase, including fluids such as high or low viscosity liquids, sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals, and metal melts. The liquid includes not only liquids as a single state of matter, but also particles of functional materials made of solids such as pigments and metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Representative examples of liquids include inks and liquid crystals, as described in the above embodiments. Here, ink encompasses various liquid compositions, such as general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as gel inks and hot-melt inks. Specific examples of liquid ejection devices include devices that eject liquids containing dispersed or dissolved materials such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, electroluminescent displays, surface-emitting displays, and color filters. The liquid ejection device may be a device that ejects bioorganic materials used in biochip manufacture, a device used as a precision pipette to eject sample liquids, a textile printing device, a microdispenser, or the like. The liquid ejection device may be a device that ejects lubricating oil at protruding points onto precision machinery such as watches and cameras, or a device that ejects transparent resin liquids such as ultraviolet-curing resins onto substrates to form micro-hemispherical lenses, optical lenses, etc. used in optical communication elements, etc. The liquid ejection device may also be a device that ejects etching liquids such as acids or alkalis to etch substrates, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 11...liquid ejection device, 12...medium, 13...medium storage section, 14...stacker, 15...operation section, 16...image reading section, 17...automatic feeding section, 18...liquid ejection head, 19...control section, 24, 24C, 24M, 24Y, 24K...liquid storage body, 25...supply unit, 28...mounting section, 28o...insertion port, 30...outlet section, 31...connection section, 33...first storage section, 34...communication path, 35...second storage section, 60...liquid introduction section, 80...frame, 82...guide path, 83...first biasing member, 90...support member, 90a...bottom plate, 90b...side rib, 91...rotating shaft, 92...engagement lever, 93...base, 94...movable section, 9 4a...rotating shaft, 95...second urging member, 96...engaging portion, 96a...protrusion, 96b...bottom surface, 96c...inclined surface, 97...pressing portion, 98...operating portion, 142...first end wall, 143...upper wall, 144...bottom wall, 145...first side wall, 146...second side wall, 147...second end wall, 147a, 147b...end walls, 148...protruding portion, 150...circuit board, 247...guide portion, 247a...first guide portion, 247b...second guide portion, 248...positioning protrusion, 430...identification portion, 447...receiving portion, 447a...first receiving portion, 447b...second receiving portion, 448...positioning hole, 497...engaging recess, 521...connection terminal, 525...storage medium.

Claims

1. A supply unit to which a liquid container having an elastic connecting portion is detachably attached. 、 a liquid introduction portion connected to the connection portion of the liquid container; When the direction in which the liquid container is connected to the liquid introduction portion is defined as a connection direction, a biasing member that biases the liquid container in a removal direction that is opposite to the insertion direction; an engaging portion that engages with the liquid container when the liquid container is connected to the liquid introduction portion; an engagement lever having a support member for supporting the liquid container, The engagement lever has an operating portion that is operated by a user and a pressing portion that can press the liquid container. a pressing portion, and the operating portion is operated to press the engaging portion against the liquid container. and the pressing portion presses the liquid container in the removal direction. death, the biasing member biases the liquid container via the support member, the pressing portion presses the liquid container via the support member. unit.

2. the engaging portion, the operating portion, and the pressing portion are rotatable about a first rotation axis; The distance from the first rotation shaft to the operation portion is the distance from the first rotation shaft to the pressing portion.

2. The supply unit according to claim 1, wherein the distance is longer than the distance between the first and second electrodes.

3. The distance that the liquid container is moved in the removal direction by the pressing of the pressing portion is determined by the biasing portion. the distance that the liquid container moves in the detaching direction when biased by the member is applied.

3. A supply unit according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a mounting portion to which the liquid container is mounted, an insertion port for inserting the liquid container into the mounting portion; The engaging lever is arranged so that the operating portion is positioned outside the insertion opening. A supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The support member is configured to rotate around a second rotation axis that intersects with the connection direction and to have a first position and a second position. a first position located further in the connection direction than the first position, The liquid container is configured to be in the connecting direction and the supporting member is in the first position. and the second pivot axis, and the second pivot axis is guided to a predetermined position on the support member along a guide path that intersects with both the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis. And, The liquid introduction section is configured such that the support member is in a state where the liquid container is positioned at the predetermined position. By rotating from the first position to the second position, the liquid container is connected to the liquid container. A supply unit according to claim 1 .

6. The liquid introduction section is disposed in an inclined position with respect to the guide path. A supply unit according to claim 5.

7. A supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6; a liquid ejection head that ejects the liquid supplied from the supply unit onto a medium. A liquid ejection device characterized by:

8. A supply unit to which a liquid container having an elastic connecting portion is detachably attached. 、 a liquid introduction portion connected to the connection portion of the liquid container; When the direction in which the liquid container is connected to the liquid introduction portion is defined as a connection direction, a biasing member that biases the liquid container in a removal direction that is opposite to the insertion direction; an engaging portion that engages with the liquid container when the liquid container is connected to the liquid introduction portion; and an engagement lever having The engagement lever has an operating portion that is operated by a user and a pressing portion that can press the liquid container. a pressing portion, and the operating portion is operated to press the engaging portion against the liquid container. and the pressing portion presses the liquid container in the removal direction. death, When the liquid container is connected to the liquid introduction portion, the biasing member and the pressing portion a supply unit located in the connecting direction relative to the liquid container.

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