JP2004249651A - Recorder and liquid jet device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recorder wherein a cartridge containing a liquid such as an ink may not be improperly pulled out and the cartridge can be surely and readily attached thereto or detached therefrom. <P>SOLUTION: This recorder comprises a cartridge loading section 130 for detachably loading the ink cartridge 132, a cover member 138 which is opened when the ink cartridge is attached or detached, a recording head 10 for ejecting the ink to a recording medium P, an ink supply passage having an ink tube for supplying the ink to the recording head 10 from the ink cartridge 132 attached to the cartridge loading section 130, an auxiliary device 100 for aiding the flow of the ink by applying a negative pressure to the ink tube, and a control section for controlling the operation of the auxiliary device 100 by receiving a control command signal. The opening operation of the cover member 138 is controlled to be driven independently to the auxiliary operation of the auxiliary device 100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a liquid ejecting apparatus.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a recording apparatus (a liquid ejecting apparatus) such as an ink jet printer that discharges (ejects) a liquid such as ink from its head to execute recording on a recording medium (an ejecting medium) (adheres the liquid) ).
[0002]
Note that the liquid ejecting apparatus is not limited to a recording apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile that uses an ink jet recording head and discharges ink from the recording head to perform recording on a recording medium. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a device for ejecting a liquid corresponding to the application from a liquid ejecting head corresponding to the recording head to a medium to be ejected corresponding to a recording medium, and attaching the liquid to the medium to be ejected.
[0003]
As a liquid ejecting head, in addition to the recording head, a color material ejecting head used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, and an electrode material (conductive paste) used for forming an electrode such as an organic EL display and a surface emitting display (FED) are ejected. A head, a biological organic substance ejection head used for manufacturing a biochip, a sample ejection head as a precision pipette, and the like can be given.
[0004]
[Prior art]
An ink jet printer as an example of a recording apparatus and a liquid ejecting apparatus is mounted on a carriage that moves in a width direction (main scanning direction) of a sheet as an example of a recording medium (liquid ejecting medium), and ink droplets as an example of a liquid. A recording head, which is an example of a liquid ejecting head for discharging liquid, and a paper transport unit for precisely feeding the paper in a direction (sub-scanning direction) orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and performs recording (printing) on the paper. is there.
[0005]
The recording head is supplied with inks of, for example, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow to enable color printing. By the way, in an inkjet printer for business use or the like, it is necessary to provide a large-capacity ink cartridge in order to cope with a relatively large amount of recording (printing). For this reason, the ink cartridge is mounted on a cartridge mounting portion configured on the apparatus main body side, and ink is supplied from the ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting portion to the recording head via the ink tube. . The ink cartridge is configured so that it can be attached to and detached from the cartridge mounting portion by opening a cover member on the apparatus main body side (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0006]
In such an ink-jet printer, when the ink cartridge is replaced, the ink-jet printer is not in a state where the ink cartridge can be replaced, and when the user pulls out the ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting portion in a dark manner, a problem may occur. There is.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-212971 A
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a problem thereof is that a recording apparatus capable of securely and easily attaching / detaching a cartridge without inadvertently pulling out a cartridge filled with a liquid such as ink. And a liquid ejecting apparatus.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention is directed to a cartridge mounting portion for detachably mounting an ink cartridge, a cover member that is opened when the ink cartridge is mounted and demounted, and a recording medium. A recording head for discharging ink, an ink supply path including an ink tube for supplying ink from the ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting section to the recording head, and an ink supply path arranged in the ink supply path, and a negative An auxiliary device that applies pressure to assist the flow of ink, and a control unit that controls the operation of the auxiliary device in response to a control command signal, wherein the opening operation of the cover member is performed by the auxiliary device. It is characterized in that it is configured to be performed by drive control independent of the operation.
[0010]
According to the present invention, since the cover opening operation of the cover member is configured to be performed by a drive control that is independent and independent of the auxiliary operation of the auxiliary device, the user cannot open the cover member without permission. The ink cartridge is not inadvertently attached or detached. In addition, since the cover opening operation is performed by drive control independent of the auxiliary operation of the auxiliary device, there is no need to provide a new mechanism for opening the cover member, and the configuration of the recording apparatus can be simplified. And cost can be reduced.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device mounted on an ink cartridge for communicating information with a storage device storing information on the ink cartridge, and a cartridge mounting portion for detachably mounting the ink cartridge. A cover member that is opened when an ink cartridge is attached and detached, a recording head that ejects ink toward a recording medium, and an ink that supplies ink to the recording head from an ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting portion. An ink supply path having a tube, an auxiliary device disposed in the ink supply path, for applying a negative pressure to the ink tube to assist the flow of ink, and controlling an operation of the auxiliary device in response to a control command signal And a control unit for controlling the opening operation of the cover member independently of the auxiliary operation of the auxiliary device. Characterized by being configured to be performed by.
[0012]
According to the present invention, since the cover opening operation of the cover member is configured to be performed by a drive control that is independent and independent of the auxiliary operation of the auxiliary device, the user cannot open the cover member without permission. The ink cartridge is not inadvertently attached or detached. In addition, since the cover opening operation is performed by drive control independent of the auxiliary operation of the auxiliary device, there is no need to provide a new mechanism for opening the cover member, and the configuration of the recording apparatus can be simplified. And cost can be reduced.
[0013]
Further, if the ink cartridge is replaced without being able to write information on the use state of the ink into the storage device mounted on the ink cartridge, for example, the information on the remaining amount of ink contained in the storage device will not be accurate. Therefore, when an ink cartridge storing incorrect information that is different from the actual one is used again, the actual remaining amount of ink differs from the remaining amount of ink stored in the storage device. Sometimes. In other words, even though it is displayed that there is an ink remaining amount based on the information stored in the storage device, the ink droplet cannot be ejected because it does not actually remain, and the recording cannot be executed in an empty state (empty state). Also, even though there is actually a large amount of ink remaining, it is displayed based on the information stored in the storage device that there is no ink remaining, and the ink cartridge is wastefully replaced. is there. However, according to the present invention, since the cover opening operation of the cover member is configured to be performed by a drive control that is independent of the auxiliary operation of the auxiliary device, accurate ink information is stored in the storage device. The cover member can be opened after the accompanying “pre-processing” is performed, and the above-described inconvenience does not occur.
[0014]
Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the auxiliary device includes a driving motor, a cam member, and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting a driving force of the driving motor to the cam member. And an engagement portion capable of engaging with an engaged portion of the cover member, and an engagement position capable of closing the cover member in conjunction with the cam member and an engagement capable of opening the cover member. A cover member is provided that has a lever member that can reciprocate between a release position and a cover member, and detects that the cover member is open, and the lever member is engaged with the operation of the cover member detection device. It is configured to move to a position.
[0015]
According to the present invention, the cover opening detecting means for detecting the opening of the cover member is provided, and the lever member is moved to the engagement position with the operation of the cover opening detecting means. When the cover member is closed, the lever member is located at the engagement position, and by closing the cover member, the engaged portion of the cover member engages with the engagement portion on the cover member side to close the cover member. The lid can be maintained in the lid state, and the lid closing operation of the cover member is simple.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cartridge mounting portion for detachably mounting a liquid cartridge, a cover member that is opened when the liquid cartridge is mounted and demounted, and a liquid for ejecting liquid toward a medium to be ejected. An ejection head, a liquid supply path including a liquid tube that supplies a liquid from the liquid cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting section to the liquid ejection head, and a liquid supply path that is disposed in the liquid supply path and applies a negative pressure to the liquid tube. An auxiliary device for assisting the flow of liquid, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the auxiliary device in response to a control command signal, wherein the opening operation of the cover member is separate from the auxiliary operation of the auxiliary device. It is characterized in that it is configured to be performed by independent drive control.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an ink jet printer which is an example of the “recording device” and the “liquid ejecting device” of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
<Schematic configuration of inkjet printer>
Hereinafter, a schematic configuration of an inkjet printer (hereinafter, referred to as a “printer”) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. Here, FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the printer, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the state where the cartridge cover is opened from a different angle from FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 constitutes the external appearance of the printer. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view in a state where a cover body is removed, FIG. 4 is a schematic side sectional view for explaining a sheet conveying path of the printer, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are partially enlarged views of FIG.
[0019]
In FIG. 1, a printer 1 that performs recording (printing) by discharging ink droplets on a printing paper (hereinafter, referred to as “paper”) P as an example of a “recording medium” and an “ejection medium” is an apparatus. The main body 2 and an optional paper feed unit (hereinafter, referred to as an “OPT unit”) 3 can be connected below the main body 2. The apparatus main body 2 has a paper feeding section, a recording section, a paper discharge section, and the like (details will be described later). On the other hand, the OPT unit 3 sends one set of sheets P toward the upper apparatus main body 2. A paper feed unit (not shown) for feeding paper by paper is provided.
[0020]
The printer 1 has a paper feed tray 200 in the apparatus main body 2 and a paper feed tray 300 in the OPT unit 3, and a plurality of papers (500 plain papers in this embodiment) are provided in both paper feed trays. P can be set in a laminated state. On the side of the apparatus main body 2, a manual paper feed port 210 for manually feeding paper P is provided above the paper feed tray 200. Further, on the OPT unit 3 side, the paper feed tray 300 is provided so as to be detachable from the OPT unit 3, and the sheets P can be set in a state where the paper P is detached from the OPT unit 3.
[0021]
Next, the printer 1 has a face-down (hereinafter, referred to as a discharge unit) that discharges the paper P toward the front of the apparatus with the print surface facing down, as an output unit that discharges the paper P on which recording has been performed. A paper discharge port 400 (hereinafter abbreviated as “Fd”) and a face-up (hereinafter abbreviated as “Fu”) paper discharge port 500 that discharges toward the rear side of the apparatus with the printing surface facing upward. Have.
[0022]
On the side of the Fd paper discharge port 400, a cover 450 is provided that can be opened toward the front side of the apparatus by rotating about a rotation shaft provided on the front side of the apparatus. FIG. 1 shows a state where the cover 450 is opened, and FIG. 2 shows a state where the cover 450 is closed. In the open state as shown in FIG. 1, the cover 450 functions as a paper discharge stacker for stacking the paper P discharged from the Fd paper discharge port 400. Further, in the closed state as shown in FIG. 2, it functions to configure the appearance of the upper part of the apparatus and to prevent dust and the like from entering the inside of the apparatus. Further, on the side of the Fu paper discharge port 500, the paper discharge stacker 550 is provided in an inclined posture, and the papers P discharged from the Fu paper discharge port 500 are sequentially stacked on the discharge paper stacker 550 in an inclined posture. You.
[0023]
In addition, an opening / closing lid 410 for opening the paper transport path is provided at an upper portion of the apparatus main body 2. This enables processing when a problem such as a paper jam occurs in the paper transport path.
[0024]
2 and 3 show a state where the ink cartridge 132 is exposed. A cartridge mounting frame 130 for setting a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) ink cartridges 132 in the width direction of the printer 1 (main scanning direction of the recording head 10 to be described later) in the upper front side of the apparatus main body 2. Is provided. In the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, a total of four ink cartridges 132 of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow are arranged in the width direction of the printer 1. As will be described later, the ink cartridge 132 is configured so that the cartridge cover 138 constituting the external appearance of the printer 1 is automatically opened as shown in FIG. In a state where the cartridge cover 138 is opened (FIG. 2), the cartridge cover 138 can be mounted by being inserted from the front side to the rear side, and can be removed by pulling out to the front side of the apparatus.
[0025]
The ink in each of the ink cartridges 132 is supplied via an ink tube (not shown) as an ink supply path, reaches the recording head 10 via a choke valve unit 100 which is an example of an auxiliary device described later, and performs recording on the recording head 10. The ink is ejected from the head 10 as ink droplets. The choke valve unit 100 sequentially crushes the ink tubes by driving a pump (not shown) in a state where the valves (not shown) are closed at the time of initial filling of the ink, thereby applying a negative pressure to the ink tubes. By opening the valve in the negative pressure application state, it functions as an auxiliary mechanism of an ink supply system that performs an auxiliary operation to flow the ink to the recording head 10 at a stretch.
[0026]
Next, the paper transport path of the printer 1 will be outlined with reference to FIG. The printer 1 has a paper transport path for transporting the paper P diagonally from the front of the lower part of the apparatus to the rear of the upper part of the apparatus. The printer 1 records on the paper P on the inclined transport path. Is discharged obliquely upward (front of the apparatus or rear of the apparatus). In addition, the printer 1 reverses the paper P on which the ink jet recording has been performed on the front surface so as to perform the ink jet recording on both the front surface and the rear surface of the paper P, and then performs a double-sided recording reversing path for conveying the paper P to the recording unit. have.
[0027]
More specifically, the paper transport path of the printer 1 includes a paper feed unit 7, a recording unit 8, a face-down (Fd) discharge unit 5, a face-up (Fu) discharge unit 6, and a paper reversing unit 4. It is roughly composed. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the above-mentioned OPT unit 3 is mounted below the paper feeding unit 7, so that a paper feeding unit for feeding paper to the recording unit 8 is further added.
[0028]
Hereinafter, each component of the printer according to the present embodiment will be described. The description of the sheet reversing unit 4 is omitted here. Further, hereinafter, the upstream side of the paper transport path is simply referred to as “upstream side”, and the downstream side of the paper transport path is simply referred to as “downstream side”.
[0029]
[Paper feed unit]
The paper feed unit 7 includes a manual feed tray 210, a hopper 203, a pickup roller 25, a paper feed roller 21, and a reverse roller 23. The hopper 203 supports a plurality of sheets P set on the sheet feed tray 200 in a stacked state, and swings around a rotation shaft 203a, so that a pickup roller is driven by hopper driving means (not shown). 25 is configured to be able to be pressed against and separated from. The outer peripheral surface of the pickup roller 25 is made of a high friction material (for example, a rubber material), and comes into contact with the uppermost one of the sheets P set on the hopper 203 when the hopper 203 swings. Then, by rotating in this contact state, the uppermost sheet P is sent out to the sheet feed roller 21 and the reverse roller 23 on the downstream side.
[0030]
The outer peripheral surfaces of the feed roller 21 and the reverse roller 23 are made of a high friction material, similarly to the pickup roller 25. The paper feed roller 21 is driven to rotate in the rotation direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 4) for feeding the paper P to the downstream side, and the reverse roller 23 is rotated in the rotation direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 4) to return the paper P to the upstream side. Clockwise). The paper P sent from the hopper 203 by the pickup roller 25 is directed to the downstream transport drive roller 28 by the paper feed roller 21 rotating forward while being sandwiched between the paper feed roller 21 and the reverse roller 23. Is fed.
[0031]
The reverse roller 23 is configured to be in a state of being pressed against the paper feed roller 21 (the state of FIG. 4) and a state of being separated from the paper feed roller 21. Then, the sheet P is rotated in a direction of returning the sheet P to the upstream side while being pressed against the sheet feeding roller 21, so that the next and subsequent sheets P to be multi-fed are nipped between the sheet feeding roller 21 and the reverse roller 23. Stop surely at the point. On the other hand, after the leading end of the paper P is nipped between the transport driving roller 28 and the transport driven roller 29, the reverse roller 23 does not hinder the transport operation of the paper P by the transport driving roller 28, that is, the transport load (back load). (Tension) so as not to apply tension.
[Recording unit]
The recording unit 8 provided downstream of the paper supply unit 7 includes a transport driving roller 28, a transport driven roller 29, a recording head 10 as an example of a “liquid ejecting head”, a platen 20, and a paper ejection driving roller. 32, a paper discharge driven roller 33, and paper discharge auxiliary rollers 35a and 35b. The transport drive roller 28 is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown), and the transport driven roller 29 is driven to rotate in contact with the transport drive roller 28.
[0032]
Further, a guide roller 30 is rotatably supported near the downstream side of the transport driven roller 29 in the transport driven roller holder 26. The guide roller 30 has a function of preventing the paper P from rising from the platen 20, thereby stabilizing the distance between the paper P and the recording head 10 and obtaining appropriate recording quality. Become.
[0033]
On the downstream side of the transport drive roller 28, the recording head 10 and the platen 20 are provided so as to face up and down. Here, the paper transport path in the recording unit 8 has an inclination angle as illustrated, and in the present embodiment, the paper transport path is configured to have an inclination angle of about 60 ° with respect to a horizontal plane. Therefore, the platen 20 and the recording head 10 are provided in an inclined posture as illustrated. The recording head 10 is provided below the carriage 11, and the carriage 11 is provided on a carriage guide shaft 13 extending in the main scanning direction (the direction of the front and back of FIG. 4). Reciprocate to.
[0034]
On the platen 20, ribs (not shown) extending in the sub-scanning direction (paper transport direction) are formed at predetermined intervals in the main scanning direction. Distance is regulated. Further, the platen 20 is provided with a sheet size detecting unit for detecting the size (width dimension) of the sheet P (not shown).
[0035]
In the present embodiment, the ink cartridge is not mounted on the carriage 11, and ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 132 mounted on the ink cartridge mounting frame 130 to the recording head 10 via an ink tube (not shown). It is configured as follows. Further, the ink cartridge 132 of each color is mounted with a chip 135 storing variable information such as the remaining amount of ink in addition to fixed information such as the color of ink. A receiving antenna (not shown) is connected to each chip 135, while a transmitting antenna (not shown) for transmitting a radio signal to the receiving antenna on the chip 135 side is attached to the carriage 11 that reciprocates in the main scanning direction. (Not shown).
[0036]
When the carriage 11 moves in the main scanning direction, the antenna substrate 19 faces the chip 135 mounted on one of the ink cartridges 132 arranged in the main scanning direction. I do. By communicating with the chip 135, various kinds of information stored in the chip can be transmitted to a control unit (not shown) of the printer 1.
[0037]
Next, on the downstream side of the recording head 10, there are provided a paper ejection driving roller 32 that is driven to rotate, and a paper ejection driven roller 33 that is driven to rotate in contact with the paper ejection driving roller 32. The paper P on which recording has been performed is discharged downstream by rotation of the paper discharge drive roller 32. Further, on the upstream side of the paper discharge driven roller 33, paper discharge auxiliary rollers 35a and 35b are provided, so that the floating of the paper P from the platen 20 can be further prevented. The paper discharge driven roller 33 and the paper discharge auxiliary rollers 35a and 35b are formed by toothed rollers that come into point contact with the recording surface of the paper P from which the ink droplets have been ejected.
[0038]
[Face-down (Fd) discharge unit]
The Fd discharge unit 5 provided on the downstream side of the recording unit 8 includes a bending roller 37, an Fd discharge drive roller 41, and an Fd discharge driven roller 43. On the downstream side of the paper discharge drive roller 32, the paper P discharged from the recording unit 8 by the paper discharge drive roller 32 is switched to a face-down (Fd) path or a face-up (Fu) path. A Fu switching member 90 is provided. The Fd path is a paper transport path for discharging the paper P from the Fd paper discharge port 400, while the Fu path is a paper transport path for discharging the paper P from the Fu paper discharge port 500.
[0039]
The Fd / Fu switching member 90 is provided so as to be swingable (clockwise and counterclockwise in FIG. 4) around the swing shaft 90a as viewed from the side of the paper transport path. The traveling direction of the sheet P discharged from the unit 8 is switched.
[0040]
FIG. 5 shows a state in which the Fd / Fu switching member 90 switches the traveling direction of the sheet P discharged from the recording unit 8 to the Fd path. The leading end of the sheet P discharged from the recording unit 8 contacts a smooth curved surface 90 b formed on the Fd / Fu switching member 90. The leading end of the paper P advances while being in contact with the curved surface 90b and the guide member 91 provided on the downstream side of the curved surface 90b, and is eventually nipped between the Fd discharge driving roller 41 and the Fd discharge driven roller 43. The Fd discharge drive roller 41 is formed of a rubber roller and is rotationally driven by a driving unit (not shown). One Fd discharge driven roller 43 is formed of a toothed roller, and rotates in contact with the Fd discharge drive roller 41. Then, by rotating the Fd discharge drive roller 41, the paper P on which recording has been performed is discharged from the Fd discharge port 400 (FIG. 1) toward the front of the apparatus (in the direction indicated by the arrow "Fd").
[0041]
When the paper P is discharged while traveling along the Fd path, the paper P is discharged while being curved into a substantially U-shape with the recording surface inside. Therefore, when the paper P is discharged while traveling along the Fd path, the papers P stacked on the paper discharge stacker 450 (FIG. 1) are stacked in order in the recording (printing) order.
[0042]
[Face-up (Fu) discharge unit]
Further, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes the Fu discharge unit 6 as described above. The Fu discharge unit 6 is provided on the downstream side of the recording unit 8 and at the rear part (the right side in FIG. 4) of the apparatus main body 2, and includes a Fu discharge drive roller 45 and a Fu discharge driven roller 47. ing. When the sheet P is discharged while traveling along the Fu path, the Fd / Fu switching member 90 swings clockwise from the state shown in FIG. A paper transport path is formed in which the discharged paper P travels straight obliquely upward (upper right in FIG. 6). The leading end of the sheet P discharged from the recording unit 8 is nipped by the Fu discharge driving roller 45 and the Fu discharge driven roller 47.
[0043]
Then, as the Fu discharge drive roller 45 is driven to rotate, it is discharged from the Fu paper discharge port 500 (see FIG. 1) toward the rear of the apparatus (in the direction indicated by the arrow “Fu”). Note that the Fu discharge driven roller 47 is a toothed roller, and is configured to rotate in contact with the Fu discharge drive roller 45 formed by a rubber roller. Further, a Fu discharge auxiliary roller 49 composed of a toothed roller is provided near the downstream side of the Fu discharge driven roller 47, and assists the discharge operation of the sheet P by the Fu discharge driving roller 45. At this time, the bending roller 37 functions to prevent the recording surface of the sheet P from contacting the Fd / Fu switching member 90.
[0044]
When the sheet P is ejected while traveling along the Fu path, the sheet P is ejected almost straight from the recording unit 8 with the recording surface facing upward without forming a curved state. Therefore, by using the above-mentioned Fu path, it is possible to easily record a thick sheet or a sheet with a strong stiffness and to discharge the sheet appropriately.
[0045]
<Opening operation of the cartridge cover>
Hereinafter, the opening mechanism of the cartridge cover 138 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 7 is a side view of the choke valve unit showing a state where the cartridge cover can be maintained in the closed state, FIG. 8 is a plan view of the choke valve unit in the same state as FIG. 7, and FIG. FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part showing an engagement portion with the cartridge cover in the same state, FIG. 10 is a side view of the choke valve unit in a state where the cartridge cover is opened, and FIG. 11 is in the same state as FIG. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the choke valve unit, FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part showing an engagement portion with the cartridge cover in the same state as FIG. 10, and FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part when FIG. FIG. 14 is an enlarged side view of a main part showing an engagement portion with the cartridge cover, and FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the ink cartridge replacement procedure.
[0046]
As described above, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the ink cartridge 132 can be mounted on the cartridge mounting frame 130 provided on the front side of the apparatus. Are not exposed by the cartridge cover 138.
[0047]
The opening operation of the cartridge cover 138 is configured to be performed by drive control independent of the auxiliary operation of the choke valve unit 100 described above. The choke valve unit 100 includes a drive motor 101, a cam member 103 that is rotatable in association with the drive motor 101 by a power transmission mechanism (not shown), and swings along the outer peripheral surface of the cam member 103. Accordingly, the L-shaped transmission lever 105 for reciprocating the lock lever 109 on the same straight line between the locked position (the position shown in FIG. 7) and the unlocked position (the position shown in FIG. 10) is provided. I have.
[0048]
At the free end of the lock lever 109, an engaging portion 110 configured to be able to engage with the engaged portion 120 formed on the cartridge cover 138 side is provided, and an urging spring (not shown) is provided. It is configured to be able to expand and contract to some extent in its extending direction. That is, the lock lever 109 is configured to be able to reciprocate between the engagement position shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and the engagement release position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 in conjunction with the drive motor 101. On the other hand, the cartridge cover 138 has an engaged portion 120 which can be engaged with the engaging portion 110 on the lock lever 109 side, and the engaged portion 120 has an engaging portion provided on the lock lever 109. A hole 120a to which the hook 110 can be hooked is formed.
[0049]
With such a configuration, the choke valve unit 100 is configured such that the lock lever 109 is located at the engagement position as shown in FIG. 7 and the engagement portion 110 is engaged with the hole 120a so that the cartridge cover 138 and the lock lever 109 Are in the engaged state, the cartridge cover 138 is closed as shown in FIG. 1 so that the cartridge cover 138 is not opened unnecessarily.
[0050]
Next, the replacement procedure of the ink cartridge 132 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, when the ink cartridge 132 is to be attached / detached, a signal is transmitted to a printer control unit (not shown) by operating the cartridge exchange button 139 when the printer 1 is in a printable state, and the printer control unit transmits the signal. A pre-process for bringing the cartridge into a replaceable state is performed according to the output signal. In this preprocessing, information on the chip 135 provided in the ink cartridge 132 is updated, for example. After this preprocessing is completed, the choke valve unit 100 operates in response to the control command signal.
[0051]
More specifically, the drive motor 101 of the choke valve unit 100 rotates in a direction to release the lock lever 109, and in conjunction with the rotation of the drive motor 101, the cam member 103 moves clockwise from the state shown in FIG. To the state shown in FIG. The rotation of the cam member 103 causes the transmission lever 105 that swings along its outer peripheral surface to swing about its swing shaft 105a, and the lock lever 109 is pushed out in the left-hand direction in FIG. Move to Thereby, as shown in FIG. 12, the latching projection 110 is pulled out from the hole 120a. Thus, the lock by the lock lever 109 is released, and the cartridge cover 138 is opened (the state shown in FIG. 2). Then, the opening of the cartridge cover 138 is detected by an open sensor (not shown), the choke valve unit 100 is restored to the state shown in FIG. 7, and the lock lever 109 is shifted to the engagement position.
[0052]
Then, after the ink cartridge 132 is attached and detached (for example, the old ink cartridge 132 is removed and a new ink cartridge 132 is mounted) with the cartridge cover 138 opened (the state shown in FIG. 2), the cartridge cover 138 is closed. When the cartridge cover 138 is closed, the lock lever 109 is in the engaged position, and when the cover is closed, the lock lever 109 is extended against the urging force of the above-described expansion spring, and the locking projection 110 is opened. The cartridge cover 138 is closed by being hooked on the portion 120a. That is, when closing the cartridge cover 138, the user only has to push the cartridge cover 138 toward the rear side of the apparatus, and the operation is easy.
[0053]
Then, the closed cover of the cartridge cover 138 is detected by the open sensor, and a predetermined sequence such as information update with the chip 135 provided in the new ink cartridge 132 is activated to put the printer 1 into a printable state.
[0054]
As described above, in the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the operation of opening the cartridge cover 138 is automatically performed by the user operating the cartridge replacement button 139, and the operation of closing the lid is manually performed by the user. This can be performed, and the user cannot open the cartridge cover 138 without permission, so that the ink cartridge 132 is not inadvertently attached or detached.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an inkjet printer according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the printer.
FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the printer with a part omitted.
FIG. 4 is a schematic side sectional view of the printer.
FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged side sectional view of the printer.
FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged side sectional view of the printer.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the choke valve unit with the cartridge cover closed.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the choke valve unit in the same state as in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the choke valve unit in the same state as in FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is a side view of the choke valve unit with the cartridge cover opened.
FIG. 11 is a plan view of the choke valve unit in the same state as in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the choke valve unit in the same state as in FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part when FIG. 12 is viewed from another angle.
FIG. 14 is an enlarged side view of a main part showing an engagement part with the cartridge cover.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining an ink cartridge replacement procedure.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Inkjet printer, 2. Device main body,
3 optional paper feed unit, 4 paper reversing section,
5 face-down discharge section, 6 face-up discharge section, 7 paper feed section,
8 recording unit, 10 recording head, 11 carriage,
13 carriage guide shaft, 19 antenna board, 20 platen,
21 paper feed roller, 23 reverse roller, 25 pickup roller,
26 transport driven roller holder, 28 transport drive roller,
29 transport driven rollers, 30 guide rollers, 32 paper discharge drive rollers,
33, a discharge driven roller, 35a, 35b a discharge auxiliary roller,
37 bending roller, 41 Fd discharge drive roller,
43 Fd discharge driven roller, 45 Fu discharge drive roller,
47 Fu discharge driven roller, 49 Fu discharge auxiliary roller,
90 Fd / Fu switching member, 91 guide member,
100 choke valve unit, 101 drive motor, 103 cam member,
105 transmission lever, 109 lock lever, 110 engagement part,
120 engaged portion, 130 cartridge mounting frame,
132 ink cartridges, 135 chips,
138 cartridge cover, 139 cartridge exchange button,
200 paper feed tray, 203 hopper, 210 manual paper feed slot,
300 paper tray, 400 Fd paper outlet, 410 open / close lid,
450 cover, 500 Fu paper outlet, 550 paper output stacker,
P paper

Claims (4)

A cartridge mounting section for detachably mounting an ink cartridge,
A cover member that is opened when the ink cartridge is attached / detached,
A recording head that ejects ink toward a recording medium,
An ink supply path including an ink tube configured to supply ink to the recording head from an ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting unit;
An auxiliary device that is disposed in the ink supply path and applies a negative pressure to the ink tube to assist the flow of ink;
A control unit that receives a control command signal and controls the operation of the auxiliary device,
A recording apparatus, wherein the cover opening operation of the cover member is performed by drive control independent of the auxiliary operation of the auxiliary device. A communication device mounted on the ink cartridge and communicating information with a storage device storing information on the ink cartridge;
A cartridge mounting section for detachably mounting an ink cartridge,
A cover member that is opened when the ink cartridge is attached / detached,
A recording head that ejects ink toward a recording medium,
An ink supply path including an ink tube configured to supply ink to the recording head from an ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting unit;
An auxiliary device that is disposed in the ink supply path and applies a negative pressure to the ink tube to assist the flow of ink;
A control unit that receives a control command signal and controls the operation of the auxiliary device,
A recording apparatus, wherein the cover opening operation of the cover member is performed by drive control independent of the auxiliary operation of the auxiliary device. The auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary device includes a driving motor, a cam member, a power transmission mechanism that transmits a driving force of the driving motor to the cam member, and an engaged portion of the cover member. A lever member having an engaging portion engageable with the cam member and reciprocally movable between an engagement position at which the cover member can be closed and an engagement release position at which the cover member can be opened in conjunction with the cam member. Has,
A recording apparatus, comprising: a cover opening detecting means for detecting opening of the cover member, wherein the lever member is moved to an engagement position in accordance with the operation of the cover opening detecting means. . A cartridge mounting section for detachably mounting a liquid cartridge,
A cover member that is opened when attaching and detaching the liquid cartridge,
A liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid toward the medium to be ejected,
A liquid supply path including a liquid tube that supplies liquid to the liquid ejecting head from a liquid cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting portion;
An auxiliary device that is disposed in the liquid supply path and applies a negative pressure to the liquid tube to assist the flow of the liquid;
A control unit that receives a control command signal and controls the operation of the auxiliary device,
The liquid ejecting apparatus is characterized in that the cover opening operation of the cover member is performed by drive control independent of the auxiliary operation of the auxiliary device.

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