JP2010221631A - Liquid supplying device and printing apparatus equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid supplying device which can prevent a malfunction caused by the wrong detection of a tank by detecting the tank while the tank is perfectly set, and to provide a printing apparatus equipped with the same. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid supplying device includes: a compression spring 142 which urges an ink cartridge 17 to the rear side of the attachment direction; a drawing mechanism 158 which draws in an attachment direction the ink cartridge 17 brought to a predetermined position in the attachment direction; a locking mechanism 101 which secures the ink cartridge 17 drawn by the drawing mechanism 158; and an ink cartridge detecting sensor 146 which detects the ink cartridge 17 attached to a cartridge attachment part 15. A detection position of the ink cartridge 17 at the ink cartridge detecting sensor 146 is set within a drawing region of the ink cartridge 17 by the drawing mechanism 158. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid supply apparatus that supplies liquid in a detachable tank and a printing apparatus including the liquid supply apparatus.

An example of the liquid supply device is a device that is incorporated in a printer connected to a personal computer or the like and supplies ink as a liquid to the recording head. The ink is supplied from a removable ink cartridge to the recording head. Some print on paper with a recording head.
Some of such printing apparatuses are detachably equipped with an ink cartridge that supplies ink to the recording head, and have a lock unit that fixes the recording head and the ink cartridge (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 3).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-341711 JP-A-5-162335 International Publication No. 01/05596 Pamphlet

By the way, a sensor such as a switch for detecting the presence / absence of an ink cartridge is provided on the printer side where the ink cartridge is mounted. The detection position of the sensor varies depending on its mounting state, usage environment, or individual differences. For this reason, when the ink cartridge is installed, the detection switch may detect the ink cartridge and the printer may operate even though the ink cartridge is not completely locked by the lock mechanism. .
In particular, when an urging unit that pushes out the ink cartridge is provided, if the user releases the ink cartridge that is not fully locked, the ink cartridge is pushed out even though the printer is operating due to detection of the ink cartridge. As a result, a malfunction such as a printing defect occurs.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid supply apparatus that can detect a tank in a state where the tank is completely mounted and prevent malfunction due to erroneous detection of the tank, and a printing apparatus including the liquid supply apparatus. is there.

The liquid supply apparatus according to the present invention that can solve the above problems includes a mounting portion to which a tank storing liquid is attached and detached, and a supply mechanism that supplies the liquid drawn from the tank attached to the mounting portion. A liquid supply apparatus comprising:
The mounting portion includes a biasing member that biases the tank rearward in the mounting direction, a pulling mechanism that pulls the tank that has reached a predetermined position in the mounting direction in the mounting direction, and the tank that is pulled in by the pulling mechanism. A locking mechanism for locking, and a detection unit for detecting the tank mounted on the mounting unit,
The detection position of the tank in the detection unit is arranged in a drawing area of the tank by the drawing mechanism.

According to the liquid supply device having this configuration, when the tank is mounted, when the tank reaches a predetermined position, the tank is pulled in the mounting direction by the pulling mechanism. Thereby, a tank can be attached reliably.
Further, since the detection position of the tank in the detection unit is disposed in the tank drawing region of the drawing mechanism, only the tank that is securely mounted and locked by the lock mechanism can be detected by the detection unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a malfunction in the supply mechanism due to detection of a tank that is incompletely mounted.

In the liquid supply apparatus according to the present invention, the supply mechanism includes a communication member that is liquid-tightly sealed and communicates with the inside of the tank that is mounted on the mounting portion.
When the tank is mounted, it is preferable that the communication member and the tank are sealed before the detection of the tank by the detection unit.

  According to the liquid supply device of this configuration, the communication member and the tank are sealed before the detection of the tank by the detection unit. Therefore, the detection of the tank by the detection unit in a state where the seal between the communication member and the tank is incomplete. It is possible to prevent the malfunction in the supply mechanism.

  In the liquid supply apparatus according to the present invention, the pull-in mechanism presses and urges the pull-in taper portion inclined along the mounting direction formed on the cam provided in the tank from a direction intersecting the mounting direction. Preferably, an urging member is provided, and the tank is pulled in the mounting direction by the pressing urging of the pulling taper portion by the pressing urging member.

  According to the liquid supply apparatus of this configuration, the tank can be reliably pulled in the mounting direction by the pressing biasing member pressing and biasing the pulling taper portion of the cam.

  In the liquid supply apparatus according to the present invention, the lock mechanism may be configured such that the pressing urging member of the retracting mechanism engages with an engaging portion formed at an end of the retracting taper portion of the cam. It is preferable to lock.

  According to the liquid supply apparatus having this configuration, the pressing urging member of the retracting mechanism engages with the engaging portion formed at the end of the retracting taper portion of the cam, so that the mounted tank is securely locked. To maintain the wearing state.

  In the liquid supply apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the liquid supply apparatus further includes a lock release mechanism that moves the pressing biasing member to a position that is out of a movement path of the cam to release the engagement with the engagement portion.

According to the liquid supply device of this configuration, the lock urging member moves the pressing urging member to a position away from the moving path of the cam, thereby releasing the engagement with the engaging portion by the pressing urging member, The mounting state of the tank to the mounting portion can be released.
Further, when the mounting state of the tank is released by the lock release mechanism, the tank is pushed out to the rear side in the mounting direction by the urging member, so that the tank can be easily taken out from the mounting portion.
According to this unlocking mechanism, the pressing biasing member is not moved in the direction opposite to the biasing direction, but is moved to a position deviated from the moving path of the cam. Even if the urging force of the pressing urging member to the cam is increased, the engagement of the pressing urging member with the engaging portion can be easily released without being affected by the urging force.

In the liquid supply apparatus according to the present invention, the pressing urging member is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis along the urging direction to the cam.
The lock release mechanism includes a rotation regulating member that holds the pressing urging member and restricts rotation, and moves the rotation regulating member to a position that is out of a holding position of the pressing urging member. It is preferable to have a drive unit that releases the restriction of the rotation of the urging member.

  According to the liquid supply device having this configuration, the rotation restricting member is moved by the drive unit to a position that is out of the holding position, and thus is supported so as to be rotatable about the axis line along the biasing direction to the cam. When the restriction of the rotation of the pressing biasing member is released, the pressing biasing member can be rotated, the engagement with the engaging portion by the pressing biasing member is released, and the mounting state of the tank to the mounting portion is Canceled. Thereby, since the tank is pushed out to the rear side in the mounting direction by the biasing member, the tank can be easily taken out from the mounting portion.

  In the liquid supply apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the drive unit of the lock release mechanism is a solenoid that pulls a plunger connected to the rotation restricting member by a magnetic force by power feeding.

  According to the liquid supply device of this configuration, the rotation restricting member is easily moved by the drive unit made of a solenoid capable of pulling the plunger, the engagement of the pressing biasing member to the engaging unit is released, The mounting state of the tank to the mounting portion can be released.

  A printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus that performs a printing process by ejecting ink from a head onto a conveyed medium, and includes any one of the liquid supply apparatuses according to the present invention. .

  According to the printing apparatus having this configuration, it is possible to mount the tank satisfactorily without problems such as erroneous detection. As a result, the ink can be smoothly drawn from the tank by the supply mechanism, and good printing processing can be performed.

1 is an external perspective view showing an ink jet printer which is an example of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. It is a perspective view of the state where a printer case was removed from an ink jet printer. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the ink supply mechanism of an inkjet printer. It is a perspective view from the mounting direction front side explaining the structure of a lock mechanism. It is a perspective view from the mounting direction rear side explaining the structure of a lock mechanism. It is a rear view explaining the structure of a lock mechanism. It is a partial top view explaining the structure of a locking mechanism. It is a figure explaining the structure of a locking mechanism, Comprising: (a) is a schematic front view, (b) is a schematic side view. It is a figure explaining the structure and operation | movement of an ink supply port and an ink supply needle, Comprising: (a)-(c) is sectional drawing, respectively. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of a cam and the engaging pin of a lock mechanism. It is a perspective view from the mounting direction front side explaining the movement of a locking mechanism. It is a perspective view from the mounting direction rear side explaining the movement of a locking mechanism. It is a perspective view from the mounting direction front side explaining the movement of a locking mechanism. It is a perspective view from the mounting direction rear side explaining the movement of a locking mechanism. It is a block diagram explaining the control system of an inkjet printer. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the structure of an ink cartridge. It is a graph which shows the relationship between a carriage movement amount and a carriage load. It is a flowchart explaining control by a control part.

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a liquid supply apparatus according to the present invention and a printing apparatus including the liquid supply apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 18 are diagrams for explaining an ink jet printer which is a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the ink jet printer, and FIG. 2 is a printer case removed from the ink jet printer. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the main part of the ink supply mechanism of the ink jet printer, FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the rear side in the mounting direction for explaining the structure of the lock mechanism, and FIG. 5 is for explaining the structure of the lock mechanism. FIG. 6 is a rear view for explaining the structure of the lock mechanism, FIG. 7 is a partial plan view for explaining the structure of the lock mechanism, and FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the structure of the lock mechanism. FIG. 9A is a schematic front view, FIG. 9B is a schematic side view, FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the structure and operation of the ink supply port and the ink supply needle, and FIGS. So FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the cam and the engaging pin of the locking mechanism, FIG. 11 is a perspective view from the front side in the mounting direction for explaining the movement of the locking mechanism, and FIG. 12 shows the movement of the locking mechanism. FIG. 13 is a perspective view from the front side in the mounting direction for explaining the movement of the locking mechanism. FIG. 14 is a perspective view from the rear side in the mounting direction for explaining the movement of the locking mechanism. 15 is a block diagram for explaining the control system of the ink jet printer, FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of the ink cartridge, FIG. 17 is a graph showing the relationship between the carriage movement amount and the carriage load, and FIG. It is a flowchart to explain.

First, the structure of an ink jet printer that is a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printer 1 performs color printing on a part of roll paper fed out using a plurality of types of color ink, and a roll is placed on the front surface of a printer case 2 that covers the printer body. A paper cover 5 is provided so as to be freely opened and closed. Further, on the front surface of the printer case 2, a power switch 3 and an indicator 4 including an LED for informing the presence / absence of ink and the like are also arranged.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the roll paper cover 5 is opened, the paper storage unit 13 that stores the roll paper (medium) 11 that is a medium to be printed is opened, and the roll paper 11 can be replaced. It becomes possible.
In addition, an ink cartridge (tank) 17 is detachably provided in the cartridge mounting portion (mounting portion) 15 inside.

  A carriage 23 on which an ink jet head (head) 21 is mounted is provided above the paper storage unit 13 in the printer case 2. The carriage 23 is supported by a guide member 25 extending along the width direction of the roll paper 11 so as to be movable in the paper width direction, and an endless belt (not shown) and endless extending in the width direction of the roll paper 11. The carriage motor 26 that drives the belt can reciprocate above the platen 28 in the width direction of the roll paper 11. The inkjet head 21 performs a printing process by discharging ink to a part of the roll paper 11 that has been fed.

  As shown in the figure, the opposite side of the cartridge mounting portion 15 via the roll paper 11 is a standby position (home position) of the carriage 23 that reciprocates. An ink suction mechanism 29 that sucks and discards ink in each ink nozzle of the inkjet head 21 exposed on the lower surface of the carriage 23 is provided below the standby position.

  The ink cartridge 17 is a cartridge case 18 in which a plurality of later-described color ink packs 17a are accommodated. Each ink pack 17a in the ink cartridge 17 is made of a flexible material and sealed in a state where ink is stored inside. When the ink cartridge 17 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 15, the cartridge mounting portion 15 side An ink supply needle (communication member) 161 (described later) provided on the ink cartridge 17 is plugged into the ink supply port 162 of the ink cartridge 17. An ink flow path 31 fixed in the printer case 2 is connected to the ink supply needle 161 of the cartridge mounting portion 15, and a flexible ink supply tube 33 divided into each color is connected to the ink flow path 31. One end is connected.

  The other end of the ink supply tube 33 is connected to an ink pump section (supply mechanism) 34 for each color provided on the carriage 23. Each ink pump unit 34 is provided above the inkjet head 21 and is connected to a self-sealing unit 36 connected to the inkjet head 21.

In addition to the inkjet head 21, an ink pump unit 34 and a self-sealing unit 36 are integrally mounted on the carriage 23.
Thereby, the ink of each ink pack 17a in the ink cartridge 17 is transferred from the ink supply needle 161 of the cartridge mounting portion 15 to the ink flow path 31, the ink supply tube 33, the ink pump portion 34 of each color, and the self-sealing unit of each color. Through 36, the ink is supplied to each ink nozzle of the inkjet head 21.

  The self-sealing unit 36 blocks the transmission of the pressure fluctuation to the inkjet head 21 even if ink pressure fluctuation on the supply side occurs due to acceleration / deceleration of the carriage 23, for example. Is provided on the upstream side of the ink jet head 21 to prevent problems such as unintentional ink ejection by the ink jet head 21 due to transmission of pressure fluctuations, ink dripping, or missing dots due to defective ejection.

  The ink sucked from the ink jet head 21 by the ink suction mechanism 29 when cleaning the ink jet head 21 is returned to the ink cartridge 17 as waste ink and is held in the ink cartridge 17.

The ink cartridge 17 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 15 of the ink jet printer 1 is formed in a box shape, and is printed on a part of the upper surface which is the outer surface of the ink cartridge 17 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 15. A possible portion 81 is provided. As the printable portion 81, for example, a printable label may be attached, or printing may be performed by forming an ink receiving layer.
The printable portion 81 of the ink cartridge 17 is disposed flush with the roll paper 11 on the platen 28 that is a printing surface by the inkjet head 21 in a state where the printable portion 81 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 15.

Further, the carriage 23 can be moved to the cartridge mounting portion 15 side beyond the platen 28 which is a printing area for the roll paper 11, and the ink cartridge 17 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 15 can be moved to the printable portion 81. Printing is possible.
An IC chip 82 is attached to the side surface of the ink cartridge 17. In the IC chip 82, for example, ink information such as remaining ink amount, waste ink amount, use start date, and used device information can be read and written.
The ink jet printer 1 includes a later-described reader / writer 91 that reads / writes ink information from / to the IC chip 82 of the ink cartridge 17.

  The ink pump unit 34 draws ink from the ink cartridge 17 by the moving force of the carriage 23, and the regulating plate 37 that operates the ink pump unit 34 by the moving force of the carriage 23 moves forward in the moving direction of the carriage 23 to the standby position. Is arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a check valve 41 is provided at the end of the ink flow path 31 on the ink cartridge 17 side, and the ink cartridge is interposed between the ink cartridge 17 and the ink pump unit 34 by the check valve 41. Ink flows only from the 17 side to the ink pump 34 side.

  The ink pump unit 34 includes a sub tank 45 that draws ink from the ink cartridge 17 through the ink supply tube 33. The sub-tank 45 includes an upper divided body 46 and a lower divided body 47, and a flexible membrane 49 made of a flexible diaphragm is interposed between the upper divided body 46 and the lower divided body 47. It has an ink chamber (liquid chamber) 50 whose upper portion is covered. The flexible membrane 49 is made of butyl rubber or the like having low moisture permeability and gas permeability.

  The ink chamber 50 communicates with the ink supply tube 33 and communicates with the flow path 42 on the self-sealing unit 36 side, and supplies ink from the ink cartridge 17 and supplies ink to the self-sealing unit 36 side. It is possible. A check valve 43 is provided at the end of the flow path 42 on the self-sealing unit 36 side, and the ink valve 50 side is provided between the ink chamber 50 and the self-sealing unit 36 side by the check valve 43. Ink flows only from the side to the self-sealing unit 36 side. The flexible film 49 is made of a flexible material that can be easily deformed. With the deformation of the flexible film 49, the capacity of the ink chamber 50 becomes variable, and is expanded and contracted. The ink pump unit 34 is provided with an expansion mechanism 52 that expands the ink chamber 50 by displacing the flexible film 49.

  The expansion mechanism 52 includes a cylindrical cylinder 53 that extends in the vertical direction, a piston (movable member) 54 that is slidably inserted in the cylinder 53, and a cylinder 53 in the upper divided body 46. A swing arm 56 is swingably supported by the swing shaft 55 disposed, and a tension coil spring (elastic portion) 57 is interposed between the swing arm 56 and the piston 54.

  The cylinder 53 is made of a resin material such as polypropylene having low moisture permeability and gas permeability. The cylinder 53 has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the piston 54, and a small-diameter inner peripheral surface 59 that slidably guides the outer peripheral surface of the piston 54 is formed at the upper portion, and the outer periphery of the piston 54 at the lower portion. A stepped shape is formed in which a large-diameter inner peripheral surface 60 that forms a gap with the surface is formed.

  The piston 54 is made of a resin material such as polypropylene having low moisture permeability and gas permeability. The piston 54 is formed in a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape, and its swing arm 56 side is notched from the upper end to an intermediate position in order to place the swing arm 56.

  A locking portion 67 that locks the lower end of the tension coil spring 57 is formed above the bottom of the piston 54.

  The swing arm 56 includes an arm portion 69 that extends from the swing shaft 55 into the cylinder 53, a vertical extension portion 70 that extends downward from the swing shaft 55, and an arm portion 69 of the vertical extension portion 70. Has an input portion 71 extending from the opposite end portion in the direction opposite to the arm portion 69. The tip of the arm 69 has a bowl shape, and the upper end of the tension coil spring 57 is locked to this portion.

  The flexible film 49 includes an annular thick base portion 74 sandwiched between the upper divided body 46 and the lower divided body 47 in a state of being fitted in the annular groove 73 of the upper divided body 46, and the base portion. The thin film part 75 which extends from the inner peripheral part of the cylinder 74 in a cylindrical shape and the thick substantially disk-shaped fixing part 76 which closes the opposite side of the film part 75 from the base part 74. It is a molded product.

A tapered projection 77 is integrally formed at the center of the fixed portion 76, and the projection 77 is press-fitted into and fitted into a slit 65 formed in the piston 54. In this state, the fixing portion 76 is integrated with the bottom portion of the piston 54, so that the fixing portion 76 and the membrane portion 75 of the flexible film 49 are displaced by the movement of the piston 54.
The ink flow path 31 is provided with a choke valve 39, and the ink flow path 31 is opened and closed by the choke valve 39.

In the ink pump section 34 having the above configuration, when the swing arm 35 comes into contact with the regulating plate 37 by the movement of the carriage 23 to the standby position, the swing arm 35 swings and the internal pump is driven. As a result, ink is drawn from the ink cartridge 17.
In the ink jet printer 1, the ink cartridge 17, the sub tank 45, the ink jet head 21, the carriage 23, and the ink pump unit 34 constitute an ink supply mechanism (liquid supply mechanism).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the cartridge mounting portion 15 of the inkjet printer 1 is provided with a lock mechanism 101 that locks the ink cartridge 17 in a locked state. The lock mechanism 101 is provided in a housing 102 disposed on the back side of the cartridge mounting portion 15.

The lock mechanism 101 includes a support shaft 111 supported by an upper plate 102 a and a bottom plate 102 b of the housing 102. A pin support member 112 is axially disposed on the support shaft 111 with respect to the support shaft 111. It is supported so as to be movable and rotatable.
The support shaft 111 is provided with a compression spring 114 between the upper plate 102a and the pin support member 112, and the pin support member 112 is urged toward the bottom plate 102b by the compression spring 114.

  The pin support member 112 extends to the side and protrudes outward from the end face plate 102 c of the housing 102, and on the opposite side of the extending direction of the engagement pin 115. And an engaging piece 116 provided.

The engaging piece 116 of the pin support member 112 has an engaging portion 117 formed on the upper portion thereof, and one end of a tension spring 118 is connected to the engaging portion 117. The other end of the tension spring 118 is connected to a locking portion 119 formed on the side plate 102 d of the housing 102. Accordingly, the pin support member 112 is pulled in a direction in which the engagement piece 116 is directed toward the side plate 102d by the biasing force of the tension spring 118.
Further, the engaging piece 116 has a curved surface 116a on the outer surface on the urging direction side by the tension spring 118 at the distal end side.

  The housing 102 is provided with a lock release mechanism 120 having a solenoid (driving unit) 121 at a side position of the pin support member 112. The solenoid 121 has a solenoid body 122 and a plunger 123 slidably provided on the solenoid body 122. When power is supplied to the solenoid body 122, the solenoid 121 generates a magnetic force, and the plunger 123 is pulled by the magnetic force.

  A lock member (rotation restricting member) 126 having a recess 125 is attached to the tip of the plunger 123 of the solenoid 121, and the engagement piece 116 of the pin support member 112 is attached to the recess 125 of the lock member 126. Can be fitted. The lock member 126 has a side wall portion 128 on the opposite side that is shorter than the side wall portion 127 on the side plate 102 d side that forms the recess 125. The side wall 128 has a tapered surface 128a whose outer surface on the front end side is gradually inclined outward toward the rear end side.

  Further, the lock member 126 has a protrusion 126a protruding from the bottom plate 102b of the housing 102 at the lower portion thereof, and one end of a tension spring 129 is connected to the protrusion 126a. The other end of the tension spring 129 is connected to the fixing portion 131 formed on the pin support member 112 side of the bottom plate 102 b of the housing 102, whereby the lock member 126 is connected to the pin support member 112 by the tension spring 129. It is pulled to the side.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, a slider 141 is provided in the mounting space 140 of the cartridge mounting portion 15 in which the ink cartridge 17 is mounted. The slider 141 extends along the insertion / extraction direction of the ink cartridge 17. It is supported movably. The slider 141 is configured to hold the rear side of the ink cartridge 17 mounted in the mounting space 140. A compression spring (biasing member) 142 is provided between the slider 141 and the rear surface 140 a constituting the mounting space 140, and the slider 141 is biased forward of the mounting space 140 by the compression spring 142. Yes. In addition, an ink cartridge detection sensor (detection unit) 146 including, for example, a push button switch is provided on the rear surface 140a of the mounting space 140. When the slider 141 moves to the rear side of the mounting space 140 against the urging force of the compression spring 142, the ink cartridge detection sensor 146 is pressed by the slider 141.

  In addition, a cam chamber 151 is formed in the ink cartridge 17. The cam chamber 151 includes a push-out tapered portion 152 that is gradually inclined downward toward the mounting direction front side in the mounting space 140, and a retractable taper portion 153 that is gradually inclined upward toward the mounting direction front side. 154 is formed. Further, on the back side of the cam 154, an engagement surface (engagement portion) 155 that is orthogonal to the mounting direction is formed at the end of the lead-in taper portion 153.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, an ink supply needle 161 is provided on the rear surface 140 a of the mounting space 140, and the ink cartridge 17 is mounted on the mounting space 140 in the ink supply needle 161. Then, it is inserted into the ink supply port 162 of the ink cartridge 17 so that ink can be supplied from the ink cartridge 17.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the ink supply needle 161 has a supply hole 163 formed in the vicinity of the tip thereof, and ink can be introduced from the supply hole 163.
The ink supply port 162 of the ink cartridge 17 is urged against the seal member 165 by a seal member 165 formed of rubber or the like having an insertion hole 164 having a smaller diameter than the ink supply needle 161 and an urging member (not shown). The valve member 166 closes the insertion hole 164 from the inside of the ink cartridge 17.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 10, when the ink cartridge 17 is inserted into the mounting space 140 of the cartridge mounting portion 15 and the ink cartridge 17 is pushed in the mounting direction α, the lock mechanism 101 causes the engagement pin to be engaged. 115 enters the cam chamber 151 of the ink cartridge 17 and abuts against the pushing taper portion 152 of the cam 154, and as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the engagement pin 115 extends along the pushing taper portion 152 of the compression spring 114. It is pushed up together with the pin support member 112 against the urging force (a state where it is arranged at the position X in FIG. 10). 11 and 12 show a state in which the engagement pin 115 is pushed up near the position T in FIG. 10 along the pushing taper portion 152. Thus, in a state where the engagement pin 115 is in contact with the pushing taper portion 152 of the cam 154, the slider 141 is biased by the compression spring 142, and the engagement pin 115 is pushed by the compression spring 114. Since the ink cartridge 17 is pressed and urged to 152, the ink cartridge 17 is urged rearward in the mounting direction, which is the take-out direction (in the direction of arrow β in FIG. 10). Therefore, when the push-in of the ink cartridge 17 is released in a state where the engagement pin 115 is in contact with the pushing taper portion 152 of the cam 154, the ink cartridge 17 is pushed out from the cartridge mounting portion 15.

Further, when the ink cartridge 17 is pushed in and the engaging pin 115 reaches the pulling taper portion 153 beyond the vertex T of the cam 154, the engaging pin 115 is pressed and urged toward the pulling taper portion 153 by the compression spring 114 ( FIG. 10 shows a state where it is arranged at position Y). Then, the ink cartridge 17 is biased in the mounting direction (in the direction of arrow α in FIG. 10) and pulled in the mounting direction against the biasing force of the compression spring 142.
Thereafter, the engagement pin 115 slides along the drawing taper portion 153 and engages with the engagement surface 155 (a state where the engagement pin 115 is disposed at the position Z in FIG. 10). As a result, the ink cartridge 17 is locked in a state where it is inserted into the mounting space 140.

  As described above, in the lock mechanism 101, the pulling mechanism 158 includes the engaging pin 115 that is pressed and biased by the pulling taper portion 153 of the cam 154 and the compression spring 114 that applies a biasing force to the engaging pin 115.

Between the cam 154 and the engagement pin 115, a region where the engagement pin 115 is in contact with the pushing taper portion 152 is a discharge region A, and the engagement pin 115 is retracted beyond the vertex T of the cam 154. A region in contact with the tapered portion 153 is defined as a drawing region B.
In the relationship between the cam 154 and the engagement pin 115, the installation range C is the pull-in area B at the detection position where the ink cartridge detection sensor 146 detects whether the ink cartridge 17 is turned on / off by the slider 101. Is placed inside.
Therefore, the ink cartridge detection sensor 146 is turned on until the engagement pin 115 slides along the drawing taper portion 153 and engages with the engagement surface 155.

  As described above, when the ink cartridge 17 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 15, the ink supply needle 161 provided on the rear surface 140a of the mounting space 140 causes the ink supply of the ink cartridge 17 as shown in FIG. The ink supply needle 161 and the seal member 165 of the ink supply port 162 are sealed by coming into contact with the seal member 165 provided at the port 162. When the ink cartridge 17 is inserted, the ink supply needle 161 enters the insertion hole 164 of the seal member 165 and the tip of the ink supply needle 161 contacts the valve member 166 as shown in FIG. 9C. The valve member 166 is pushed in contact. As a result, the supply hole 163 of the ink supply needle 161 is disposed in the ink pack 17a of the ink cartridge 17, and ink can be supplied from the ink cartridge 17.

Here, the position where the ink supply needle 161 is in close contact with the seal member 165 of the ink supply port 162 is sealed in front of the detection position where the ink cartridge detection sensor 146 is turned ON / OFF by the slider 101. ing.
Therefore, when the ink cartridge 17 is inserted, the ink supply needle 161 is in close contact with the seal member 165 of the ink supply port 162 and sealed before the ink cartridge detection sensor 146 is turned on.

  In addition, when power is supplied to the solenoid body 122 of the solenoid 121 of the lock release mechanism 120 in a state where the ink cartridge 17 is locked, the plunger 123 is pulled. As a result, the lock member 126 is moved away from the pin support member 112 against the urging force of the tension spring 129, and the engagement piece 116 of the pin support member 112 fitted in the recess 125 is removed from the recess 125. As a result, the pin support member 112 can rotate, and the lock state of the ink cartridge 17 by the lock mechanism 101 is released.

When the locked state is released, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the pin support member 112 is rotated by the ink cartridge 17 pushed forward together with the slider 101 by the urging force of the compression spring 142.
That is, the ink cartridge 17 that has been locked by the engagement pin 115 is pushed forward together with the slider 101 by the urging force of the compression spring 142 while rotating the pin support member 112 and moved to the take-out position.

At this time, the ink cartridge detection sensor 146 that has been pressed by the slider 101 and turned on is turned off.
In addition, the ink supply needle 161 inserted into the insertion hole 164 of the ink supply port 162 of the ink cartridge 17 is extracted, and the valve member 166 is brought into contact with the seal member 165 of the ink supply port 162, so that the ink supply port 162. Is sealed.

  When the ink cartridge 17 is pushed out and power supply to the solenoid main body 122 of the solenoid 121 of the lock release mechanism 120 is stopped, the lock member 126 is moved to the pin support member 112 side by the tension spring 129.

  Further, the pin support member 112 is rotated in a direction opposite to the unlocking direction by the tension spring 118, and the curved surface 116 a of the engagement piece 116 has a tapered surface 128 a formed on the side wall portion 128 of the lock member 126. To force. As a result, the locking member 126 is once moved in a direction away from the pin support member 112 by the engaging piece 116 that rotates. Thereafter, when the engagement piece 116 exceeds the side wall portion 128, the engagement piece 116 is disposed in the recess 125 of the lock member 126 and the lock member 126 is moved to the pin support member 112 side by the tension spring 129. As a result, the engagement piece 116 is fitted into the recess 125 of the lock member 126, and the rotation of the pin support member 112 is restricted.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 200 of the ink jet printer 1 controls the driving of the ink jet head 21 and the carriage motor 26 by transmitting control signals to the ink jet head 21 and the carriage motor 26, and supplies the roll paper 11. This print processing is executed. The control unit 200 is connected to an encoder 203 that transmits position information of the carriage 23, and the control unit 200 detects the position of the carriage 23 based on a signal from the encoder 203.

The control unit 200 includes a detection unit 211, a calculation unit 212, a determination unit 213, a storage unit 214, and a CPU 215. The detection unit 211, the calculation unit 212, and the determination unit 213 are controlled by the CPU 215.
The detection unit 211 detects the current value of the carriage motor 26. Based on the current value detected by the detection means 211, the calculation means 212 calculates and integrates a carriage load, which is a load required for the movement of the carriage 23, as a current value. The determination unit 213 compares and determines the threshold value stored in advance in the storage unit 214 and the integrated value of the carriage load composed of the current value obtained by the calculation unit 212. The CPU 215 determines whether the ink in the ink cartridge 17 is empty based on the comparison determination result from the determination unit 213.

As shown in FIG. 16, the four-color ink packs 17a in the ink cartridge 17 are made of a flexible material and have a variable capacity, and are sealed with ink stored therein.
Therefore, when the stored ink remaining amount is reduced to become nearly empty, the load required to expand the ink chamber 50 and draw ink is increased. That is, when the ink in the ink cartridge 17 becomes empty, the load of movement of the carriage 23 for expanding the ink chamber 50 is greatly increased, and the current value of the carriage motor 26 is greatly increased, so that the ink is empty. A threshold value stored in the storage unit 214 is set based on the current value at that time. Then, the control unit 200 configured as described above detects that the ink remaining in the ink cartridge 17 has run out and is empty.

Here, as shown in FIG. 17, when the ink in the ink chamber 50 is not consumed and the tank is full, the carriage load is constant up to the home position (HP) which is the standby position (two in FIG. 17). (See dotted line).
Further, in a state where the ink in the ink chamber 50 is consumed, the ink in the ink cartridge 17 is drawn into the ink chamber 50 from the time when the input portion 71 of the swing arm 56 comes into contact with the regulating plate 37, and the capacity is increased. By increasing the carriage load, the carriage load increases (see the one-dot chain line in FIG. 17).

At this time, if the ink in the ink cartridge 17 is empty, the ink is not drawn into the ink chamber 50. Therefore, in this state, the tension coil spring 57 is extended from the time when the input portion 71 of the swing arm 56 comes into contact with the restriction plate 37, and the carriage load greatly increases according to the elastic force (the solid line in FIG. 17). reference).
That is, the carriage load differs greatly between the case where the ink in the ink cartridge 17 is empty and the case where the ink remains. Therefore, it is possible to easily and quickly determine whether or not the ink cartridge 17 is empty (ink end) by comparing the integrated value of the carriage load with respect to the movement amount of the carriage 23 with the threshold value.

  In addition, when the carriage 23 exceeds the home position (HP) and reaches the limit point and the movement is restricted, the carriage load increases rapidly as shown in FIG. . Then, the origin of the carriage 23 can be set by detecting the sudden increase point of the carriage load.

  The control unit 200 is connected to a reader / writer 91 that reads and writes ink information with respect to an IC chip 82 provided in the ink cartridge 17.

  The control unit 200 reads the ink information stored in the IC chip 82 of the ink cartridge 17 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 15 by the reader / writer 91. If the mounted ink cartridge 17 is a new one, the use start date and the used device information are written in the IC chip 82.

  When the printing process or the cleaning process is performed, the calculation unit 212 obtains the dot count value of the ink droplets ejected from the inkjet head 21 by the printing process or the cleaning process, and already stores the dot count value in the IC chip 82. The total ink consumption is updated by adding the obtained dot count value to the ink consumption thus written, and written in the IC chip 82.

  Further, a solenoid 121 is connected to the control unit 200, and a drive signal is transmitted from the control unit 200 to the solenoid 121. Further, an ink cartridge detection sensor 146 is connected to the control unit 200, and a signal from the ink cartridge detection sensor 146 is transmitted to the control unit 200. The control unit 200 is also connected with an indicator 4 made of LEDs provided in the printer case 2.

Next, control of the ink cartridge 17 by the control unit 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, the determination unit 213 determines the presence or absence of the ink cartridge 17 in the cartridge mounting unit 15 based on the signal from the ink cartridge detection sensor 146 (step S01).
Here, when the ink cartridge 17 cannot be detected by the determination unit 213 (step S01: No), the fact that the ink cartridge 17 is not attached is notified by blinking the indicator 4 composed of the LED of the printer case 2 (step S01). S12) The user is prompted to load the ink cartridge 17.

When the determination unit 213 detects the ink cartridge 17 (step S01: No), the calculation unit 212 calculates the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge 17 based on the ink information of the IC chip 82, and printing is possible with the ink remaining amount. Is determined by the determination means 213 (step S02).
As a result of the determination, if it is determined that printing is possible with the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 17 (step S02: Yes), printing based on a print command is performed (step S03).

  Note that at every predetermined time or when it is time to update ink information when the ink suction mechanism 29 is cleaned by the ink suction mechanism 29, the control unit 200 uses the ink amount consumed in the printing process and the ink suction mechanism 29 to determine the ink jet head 21. The ink remaining amount and waste ink amount in the ink cartridge 17 are obtained based on the ink amount sucked from the ink cartridge 17 and the ink remaining amount and waste ink amount are written in the IC chip 82 as ink information.

Then, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the dot count value, which is the ink consumption amount of each color in the ink cartridge 17, has reached the near-end region and the ink remaining amount is the specified remaining amount (step S04).
Here, the near-end area is an area from a state where a small amount of ink in the ink pack 17a of the ink cartridge 17 remains to a state where the ink is completely emptied, and the dot count value of the ink consumption reaches the near-end area. In the case where the ink is present, the remaining amount of ink in the ink pack 17a is assumed to be a predetermined remaining amount.

If it is determined in the above determination that the dot count value reaches the near-end area and the remaining ink amount is the specified remaining amount (step S04: Yes), the number of ink colors that have reached the near-end area is set as a threshold value. It is determined whether or not the predetermined number is exceeded (step S05).
In the present embodiment, the predetermined number is 4, and it is determined whether all the colors in the ink cartridge 17 having the four-color ink packs 17a have reached the near-end region.

If it is determined in this determination that the number of colors in the near end area is less than the predetermined number of 4 (step S05: No), it is determined whether the load on the carriage 23 is in the real end area (step S06).
Specifically, when the carriage 23 performs the ink supply operation toward the standby position, it reaches the real end region where the integrated value of the carriage load is a threshold value, and the ink pack of at least one ink color of the ink cartridge 17 It is determined whether 17a is empty (real end).

If it is determined that one of the ink packs 17a of the ink color has reached the real end region (step S06: Yes), the ink cartridge 17 is replaced (steps S07 to S12).
If it is determined in this determination that none of the ink colors has reached the real end area (step S06: No), the process proceeds to step S05 to determine the number of ink colors that have reached the near end area.

  If it is determined in the above-described determination of the number of ink colors in the near-end area that the predetermined number of four colors is the near-end area (step S05: Yes), the ink cartridge 17 is replaced (steps S07 to S12).

  In the replacement process of the ink cartridge 17, first, ink end information (information indicating which ink pack 17a is real end or a predetermined number of ink packs 17a is near end) is written in the IC chip 52 (step S07).

Further, the control unit 200 prints a display indicating an ink end such as “INK EMPTY” on the printable unit 81 of the ink cartridge 17 (step S08).
Specifically, the control unit 200 controls the ink jet head 21 and the carriage motor 26 to move the ink jet head 21 beyond the printing area on the roll paper 11 to above the ink cartridge 17 so that the ink cartridge 17 can be printed. Print on the part 81.

  Further, the control unit 200 drives the choke valve 39 provided in the ink supply tube 33 to close the ink flow path 31 of the ink supply tube 33 to prevent ink backflow (step S09).

Thereafter, the control unit 200 supplies power to the solenoid 121 of the lock release mechanism 120 (step S10). As a result, the solenoid body 122 of the solenoid 121 is energized and the plunger 123 is pulled.
Then, the locked state of the ink cartridge 17 by the lock mechanism 101 is released, and the ink cartridge 17 is pushed forward together with the slider 101 by the urging force of the compression spring 102, and is moved to the take-out position (step S11).
Further, by blinking the indicator 4 consisting of LEDs of the printer case 2 (step S12), the user is prompted to load a new ink cartridge 17.

Note that the control unit 200 also determines that printing is not possible (step S02: No) when the determination unit 213 determines whether printing is possible with the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 17 (step S02). Then, power is supplied to the solenoid 121 of the lock release mechanism 120 (step S10). As a result, the solenoid body 122 of the solenoid 121 is energized and the plunger 123 is pulled. Then, the lock state of the ink cartridge 17 by the lock mechanism 101 is released, and the ink cartridge 17 is pushed out together with the slider 101 to the front removal position by the urging force of the compression spring 102 (step S11).
Further, by blinking the indicator 4 consisting of LEDs of the printer case 2 (step S12), the user is prompted to load a new ink cartridge 17.

  The above control (steps S01 to S12) allows the ink cartridge 17 to be smoothly removed from the cartridge mounting portion 15 and replaced only when the ink cartridge 17 needs to be replaced.

  According to the embodiment described above, when the ink cartridge 17 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 15, when the ink cartridge 17 reaches a predetermined position where the engagement pin 115 exceeds the vertex T of the cam 154, the engagement pin The ink cartridge 17 is pulled in the mounting direction by a pull-in mechanism 158 including 115 and a compression spring 114. Thereby, the ink cartridge 17 can be reliably mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 15.

Further, the detection position of the ink cartridge 17 in the ink cartridge detection sensor 146 is arranged in the drawing area B of the ink cartridge 17 by the drawing mechanism 154 including the engaging pin 115 and the compression spring 114 in the installation range C. Only the ink cartridge 17 that is securely mounted and locked by the lock mechanism 101 can be detected by the ink cartridge detection sensor 146. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a malfunction in the ink pump unit 34 due to detection of the ink cartridge 17 that is incompletely mounted.
Therefore, the ink cartridge 17 can be mounted well and problems such as ink supply failure can be eliminated. Accordingly, the ink can be smoothly drawn from the ink cartridge 17 by the ink pump unit 34 to perform a good printing process.

  In addition, the seal position at the ink supply port 162 when the ink supply needle 161 and the ink cartridge 17 communicate with each other is the rear side in the mounting direction of the ink cartridge 17 with respect to the detection position of the ink cartridge 17 by the ink cartridge detection sensor 146. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 17 is mounted, the ink supply needle 161 and the ink supply port 162 of the ink cartridge 17 are sealed before the ink cartridge detection sensor 146 detects the ink cartridge 17. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the ink cartridge 17 from being detected by the ink cartridge detection sensor 146 in a state where the seal between the ink supply needle 161 and the ink cartridge 17 is incomplete. Can be prevented.

In addition, the engagement pin 115 is pressed and urged against the drawing taper portion 153 of the cam 154 provided in the ink cartridge 17, so that the ink cartridge 17 can be reliably drawn in the mounting direction.
Also, the engaging pin 115 of the pulling mechanism 158 including the engaging pin 115 and the compression spring 114 is engaged with the engaging surface 155 formed at the end of the pulling taper portion 153 of the cam 154, so that the mounted ink. The cartridge 17 can be securely locked and the mounted state can be maintained.

Further, when the engagement pin 115 is moved to a position deviated from the movement path of the cam 154 by the lock release mechanism 120, the engagement with the engagement surface 155 by the engagement pin 115 is released, and the cartridge mounting portion 15 is moved. The mounted state of the ink cartridge 17 can be released.
Further, when the mounting state of the ink cartridge 17 is released by the lock release mechanism 120, the ink cartridge 17 is pushed out backward in the mounting direction by the compression spring 142, so that the ink cartridge 17 can be easily removed from the cartridge mounting portion 15. it can.

  According to the lock release mechanism 120, the engagement pin 115 is not moved in the direction opposite to the urging direction by the compression spring 114, but is moved to a position out of the movement path of the cam 154. Even if the urging force of the engagement pin 115 to the cam 154 is increased in order to smoothly retract the pin 17, the engagement of the engagement pin 115 to the engagement surface 155 can be easily performed without being affected by the urging force. It can be released.

  Further, when the lock member 126 is moved to a position disengaged from the holding position of the engagement piece 116 by the drive unit including the solenoid 121 that pulls the plunger 123 connected to the lock member 126 by magnetic force, the attachment to the cam 154 is performed. When the restriction of the rotation of the engagement pin 115 of the pin support member 112 supported so as to be rotatable about the support shaft 111 having the axis line along the urging direction is released, the engagement pin 115 rotates and the engagement pin 115 rotates. The engagement with the engaging surface 155 by the coupling pin 115 is released, and the mounting state of the ink cartridge 17 to the cartridge mounting portion 15 is released. Accordingly, the ink cartridge 17 is pushed out backward in the mounting direction by the compression spring 142, and thus the ink cartridge 17 can be easily taken out from the cartridge mounting portion 15.

  Note that the position of the seal between the ink supply port 162 and the ink supply needle 161 may be either the discharge area A or the pull-in area B as long as the ink cartridge 17 is not detected by the ink cartridge detection sensor 146.

  Here, at the seal position between the ink supply port 162 and the ink supply needle 161, a load is generated when the ink supply needle 161 is inserted into the ink supply port 162. Therefore, when the position of the seal between the ink supply port 162 and the ink supply needle 161 is arranged in the discharge area A, the biasing force of the compression spring 114 that presses and biases the engagement pin 115 in the pull-in area B to the cam 154 is reduced. Thus, the structure can be simplified. Further, when the position of the seal between the ink supply port 162 and the ink supply needle 161 is arranged in the drawing area B, the pushing force required for mounting the ink cartridge 17 in the discharge area A can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the lock member 126 is moved by the solenoid 121. However, the drive source for moving the lock member 126 is not limited to the solenoid 121, and for example, a drive motor may be used.

  The liquid supply apparatus according to the present invention includes a color material discharge head, an organic EL display, and an FED (surface emitting display) used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, including the ink jet printer exemplified in the above embodiment. ) Electrode material discharge head used for electrode formation, bioorganic discharge head used for biochip manufacturing, etc., liquid supply device for supplying liquid to the liquid discharge head, and sample discharge device as a precision pipette It can also be applied to a liquid supply device or the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inkjet printer (liquid supply apparatus, printing apparatus), 11 ... Roll paper (medium), 15 ... Cartridge mounting part (mounting part), 17 ... Ink cartridge (tank), 21 ... Inkjet head (head), 34 ... Ink Pump part (supply mechanism), 101 ... Lock mechanism, 115 ... Engagement pin (pressing biasing member), 120 ... Lock release mechanism, 121 ... Solenoid (drive part), 123 ... Plunger, 126 ... Lock member (turning) (Regulating member), 142... Compression spring (biasing member), 146... Ink cartridge detection sensor (detecting portion), 153... Pulling taper portion, 154 ... cam, 155 .. engaging surface (engaging portion), 158. 161 ... Ink supply needle (communication member), B ... Retraction area

Claims (8)

A liquid supply apparatus comprising: a mounting portion that attaches / detaches a tank storing liquid; and a supply mechanism that supplies liquid drawn from the tank mounted on the mounting portion,
The mounting portion includes a biasing member that biases the tank rearward in the mounting direction, a pulling mechanism that pulls the tank that has reached a predetermined position in the mounting direction in the mounting direction, and the tank that is pulled in by the pulling mechanism. A locking mechanism for locking, and a detection unit for detecting the tank mounted on the mounting unit,
The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a detection position of the tank in the detection unit is arranged in a drawing area of the tank by the drawing mechanism. The liquid supply device according to claim 1,
The supply mechanism includes a communication member that is fluid-tightly sealed and communicated with the inside of the tank that is mounted on the mounting portion,
When the tank is mounted, the communication member and the tank are sealed before the tank is detected by the detection unit. The liquid supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
The pulling mechanism includes a pressing biasing member that presses and biases a pulling taper portion that is inclined along a mounting direction formed on a cam provided in the tank from a direction that intersects the mounting direction. The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tank is pulled in the mounting direction by the pressing bias of the pull-in taper portion by a biasing member. The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 3,
The locking mechanism is configured to lock the tank by engaging the pressing urging member of the retracting mechanism with an engaging portion formed at an end of the retracting taper portion of the cam. Liquid supply device. The liquid supply device according to claim 4,
A liquid supply apparatus comprising: a lock release mechanism that moves the pressing urging member to a position off the movement path of the cam to release the engagement with the engagement portion. The liquid supply device according to claim 5,
The pressing biasing member is supported so as to be rotatable around an axis line along a biasing direction to the cam,
The lock release mechanism includes a rotation regulating member that holds the pressing urging member and restricts rotation, and moves the rotation regulating member to a position that is out of a holding position of the pressing urging member. A liquid supply apparatus comprising: a drive unit that releases restriction of rotation of the urging member. The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 6,
The liquid supply device according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit of the lock release mechanism includes a solenoid that pulls a plunger coupled to the rotation restricting member by a magnetic force by power feeding. A printing apparatus that performs printing processing by discharging ink from a head to a conveyed medium,
A printing apparatus comprising the liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1.

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