JP6737352B2 - Liquid supply system and liquid supply method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid supply system, related 及 Beauty liquid supply method.

As an example of the liquid ejecting apparatus, there is an inkjet printer that performs printing by ejecting ink from a nozzle provided in a printer head. Among such printers, in addition to a small ink cartridge, there is one that supplies ink to a printer head by driving a supply pump from an additional ink tank having a larger ink storage capacity than the ink cartridge (for example, , Patent Document 1).

JP, 2011-42127, A

By the way, in the printer as described above, when the additional ink tank is configured to be removable, the ink may be supplied to the printer head even if the supply pump is driven depending on the mounting state of the additional ink tank. There is a problem that you cannot do it.

It should be noted that such a problem is not limited to a printer that ejects ink to perform printing, and if a liquid container that stores a liquid for supply is detachably attached, the problem is generally common. Has become.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a liquid supply system, a liquid supply device, a liquid ejection device, and a liquid supply device that can appropriately supply liquid according to the mounting state of a liquid container. It is to provide a liquid supply method.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above problems will be described.
A liquid supply system that solves the above-mentioned problems detects a main tank mounting portion to which a main tank that stores liquid ejected by a liquid ejecting portion is detachably mounted, and whether or not the main tank is mounted to the main tank mounting portion. A possible main tank mounting detection unit, a sub tank mounting unit in which the sub tank capable of containing the liquid is removably mounted, and attachment/detachment of the sub tank mounted in the sub tank mounting unit can be restricted. A restriction position for restricting the attachment/detachment of the sub-tank attached to the sub-tank, and a restriction release position for permitting the attachment/detachment of the sub-tank attached to the sub-tank attachment part, and a restriction part provided on the sub-tank attachment part for movement. A regulation detection part capable of detecting that the regulation part is in the regulation position, and the liquid in the main tank mounted in the main tank mounting part are provided to be capable of being supplied toward the liquid ejecting part, A liquid supply channel provided so that the liquid in the sub-tank mounted in the sub-tank mounting part can be supplied toward the liquid ejecting part from the middle thereof, and a main tank mounted in the main tank mounting part and a control unit for supplied toward the supply mechanism and the liquid can be supplied toward the liquid ejecting portion, the liquid in the main tank by controlling the pre-Symbol supply mechanism to the liquid ejecting portion, The sub-tank is attached to the sub-tank mounting portion, and the sub-tank is attached to the sub-tank mounting portion such that the sub-tank is visibly protruded from the sub-tank mounting portion when the regulation portion is in the regulation position. The control unit is visibly provided with the mounting detection unit detecting that the main tank mounting unit mounts the main tank, and the restricting unit is in the restricting position. The regulation detection unit detects that the liquid in the main tank is controlled by controlling the supply mechanism while the sub-tank and the regulation unit are visible. Is supplied toward the liquid ejecting unit.
A liquid supply method for solving the above-mentioned problems is a main tank mounting portion in which a main tank that stores a liquid ejected by a liquid ejecting portion is detachably mounted, and a sub tank in which a sub tank that can store the liquid is detachably mounted. The mounting portion and the sub-tank mounted on the sub-tank mounting portion can restrict the mounting and demounting of the sub-tank, and the restricting position for restricting the mounting and demounting of the sub-tank mounted on the sub-tank mounting portion, and the mounting position on the sub-tank mounting portion. A restriction release position that allows the sub-tank to be attached and detached, a restriction part that is movably provided in the sub-tank mounting part, and the liquid in the main tank mounted in the main tank mounting part is directed to the liquid ejecting part. A liquid supply channel provided so that the liquid in the sub-tank mounted to the sub-tank mounting part can be supplied toward the liquid ejecting part from the middle, and the sub-tank, It is mounted on the sub-tank mounting part, and in a state where the restricting part is in the restricting position, the sub-tank mounting part is visibly protruding from the sub-tank mounting part. A liquid supply method of a liquid supply system visibly provided, wherein the main tank is mounted on the main tank mounting part, the sub-tank is mounted on the sub-tank mounting part, and the restricting part is the restricting position. In the case of, the supply of the liquid contained in the main tank to the liquid ejecting unit is started in a state in which the sub tank and the regulating unit are visible .
In the liquid supply system that solves the above problem, the first liquid container that can contain the liquid and the substitute mounting member that is connected to the second liquid container that can contain the liquid via the relay channel are replaceable. A common mounting part mounted on the common mounting part, a mounting target detection part capable of detecting whether or not the first liquid container and the substitute mounting body are mounted on the common mounting part, and the liquid stored in the second liquid container. A pressure supply unit that supplies pressure to the substitute mounting body, and a control unit that drives the pressure supply unit when a plurality of control conditions are satisfied. 2 The state in which the liquid contained in the two liquid containers can be pressurized and the mounting target detection unit detects mounting of the substitute mounting body to the shared mounting unit are included.

With this configuration, the liquid contained in the second liquid container can be pressurized, and when the mounting target detection unit detects the mounting of the substitute mounting body to the shared mounting unit, the pressure supply unit Since the pressure supply unit is driven, the liquid contained in the second liquid container can be appropriately supplied through the relay channel. On the other hand, when the liquid contained in the second liquid container is not in a pressurizable state or when the substitute mounting body is not mounted on the common mounting part, the pressure supply part is not driven, The pressurizing and supplying unit will not be driven wastefully. Therefore, the liquid can be appropriately supplied according to the mounting state of the liquid container.

The liquid supply system can detect a second liquid container mounting portion to which the second liquid container is removably mounted, and whether the second liquid container is mounted to the second liquid container mounting portion. A mounting detection unit, the liquid stored in the second liquid container is added when the mounting detection unit detects mounting of the second liquid container to the second liquid container mounting unit. The control unit determines that the pressure can be applied.

According to this configuration, when the second liquid container is attached to the second liquid container attachment portion, it is determined that the liquid contained in the second liquid container can be pressurized. Therefore, the liquid can be appropriately supplied according to the mounting state of the second liquid container with respect to the second liquid container mounting portion. On the other hand, when the second liquid container is not mounted in the second liquid container mounting part, the pressure supply part is not driven, so that the pressure supply part is not wastefully driven.

In the liquid supply system, the substitute mounting body and the relay flow channel include a first connecting portion provided at a downstream end of the relay flow channel and a second connecting portion provided in the substitute mounting body. And the common mounting portion is in a state in which the first connecting portion is detachably attached, and the first connecting portion is attached to the attaching portion. And a mounting detection unit capable of detecting whether or not the mounting condition is detected, and the control condition includes that the mounting detection unit detects mounting of the first connecting unit with respect to the mounting unit.

According to this configuration, after the attachment detection unit detects that the first connection unit provided at the downstream end of the relay channel is attached to the attachment unit included in the shared mounting unit, the pressure supply unit Since the driving is started, it is possible to reliably hold the relay passage in the common mounting portion when the liquid is supplied.

In the liquid supply system, in the process in which the substitute mounting body is mounted on the shared mounting portion in a state where the first connecting portion is mounted on the mounting portion, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion Are connected.

According to this configuration, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected in the process in which the substitute mounting body is mounted on the shared mounting portion in the state where the first connecting portion is mounted on the mounting portion, When the mounting target detection unit detects the mounting of the substitute mounting body on the common mounting unit, the connection between the substitute mounting body and the relay channel can be confirmed. In addition to this detection, by detecting the attachment of the first connecting portion to the attachment portion, it is confirmed that the common mounting portion, the substitute mounting body, and the relay channel are connected. By driving the pressurizing and supplying unit, the liquid contained in the second liquid container can be appropriately supplied toward the common mounting unit.

The liquid supply system is capable of restricting the attachment/detachment of the substitute mounting body mounted on the shared mounting portion, and the regulating position for regulating the mounting/dismounting of the substitute mounting body mounted on the shared mounting portion; A restriction releasing position that allows attachment/detachment of the substitute mounting body mounted on the mounting part, a restricting part movable to the restricting part, and a restricting detecting part capable of detecting whether or not the restricting part is at the restricting position. The control condition includes that the regulation detection unit detects that the regulation unit is in the regulation position.

According to this configuration, when the regulation detection unit detects that the regulation unit is in the regulation position, it is considered that the removal of the substitute mounting body mounted on the shared mounting unit is regulated, so the shared mounting unit is used as a substitute. The liquid can be appropriately supplied in a state where the mounting body is securely mounted.

The liquid supply system includes a plurality of common mounting parts, and the control condition includes that the mounting target detection part detects mounting of the first liquid container or the substitute mounting body to the common mounting part. Be done.

According to this configuration, when the first liquid container or the substitute mounting body is mounted on the plurality of common mounting sections, the driving of the pressure supply unit is started, and thus the first mounting unit mounted on the plurality of common mounting sections is started. The liquid in the liquid container or the second liquid container can be appropriately supplied.

In the liquid supply device that solves the above-mentioned problems, a substitute mounting body that is replaceably mounted on the common mounting section on which a first liquid container that can store liquid is removably mounted And a relay channel for communicating a second liquid container capable of containing a liquid and the substitute mounting body, and a liquid contained in the second liquid container is directed to the substitute mounting body through the relay channel. And a control unit that drives the pressure supply unit when a plurality of control conditions are satisfied, and the control condition is that the second liquid container is accommodated. It is included that the liquid can be pressurized, and that the substitute mounting body is mounted on the common mounting portion.

With this configuration, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as the liquid supply system.
A liquid ejecting apparatus that solves the above problems is connected to a liquid ejecting unit that can eject liquid, a first liquid container that can contain liquid, and a second liquid container that can contain liquid via a relay channel. A substitute mounting body that is exchangeably mounted, and a mounting target detection unit that can detect whether or not the first liquid container and the substitute mounting body are mounted to the shared mounting section, A pressurizing and supplying unit that pressurizes and supplies the liquid contained in the second liquid container toward the substitute mounting body; and a control unit that drives the pressurizing and supplying unit when a plurality of control conditions are satisfied. The control condition includes that the liquid contained in the second liquid container can be pressurized and that the mounting target detection unit detects mounting of the substitute mounting member to the shared mounting unit. And are included.

With this configuration, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as the liquid supply system.
In the liquid supply method for solving the above-mentioned problems, a substitute mounting body in which a first liquid container capable of containing a liquid is detachably mounted in a common mounting portion and the first liquid container is exchangeably mounted And a relay channel for communicating a second liquid container capable of containing a liquid and the substitute mounting body, and a liquid contained in the second liquid container is directed to the substitute mounting body through the relay channel. And a pressurizing and supplying section for supplying pressure by means of a liquid supplying apparatus, wherein the liquid contained in the second liquid container can be pressurized and the common mounting section On the other hand, when the substitute mounting body is mounted, the pressure supply unit starts driving.

With this configuration, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as the liquid supply system.

(A) is explanatory drawing which shows 1st Embodiment of a liquid injection apparatus typically, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a relay apparatus typically. An external perspective view of the main tank. The exploded top view of a main tank. The exploded perspective view of a main tank. (A) is a front view of the lid body viewed from the +Y direction side, (b) is a side view of the lid body viewed from the +Z direction side, and (c) is a side view of the lid body viewed from the +X direction side. Explanatory drawing which shows typically the fixing structure of a lid and a mounting member. The perspective view which shows the state which lifted the liquid container from the tray. (A) is a front view showing a state where a liquid container is placed on a tray, and (b) is a front view showing a state where the liquid container is lifted from the tray. (A), (c) is a perspective view of a connector unit and a board|substrate holding part, (b) is a side view of a connector unit and a board|substrate holding part. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a damper typically. Explanatory drawing which shows 2nd Embodiment of a liquid injection apparatus and a liquid supply apparatus, and a liquid supply system typically. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a shared mounting portion and a first liquid container included in the liquid ejecting apparatus of FIG. 11. The block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a liquid supply system.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a liquid supply system, a liquid supply device, a liquid ejection device, and a liquid supply method will be described with reference to the drawings. The liquid ejecting apparatus is, for example, an inkjet printer that performs recording (printing) by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper.

[First Embodiment]
(overall structure)
As shown in FIG. 1A, the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 includes a main body 10 and a containing unit 20. The main body unit 10 is provided with a liquid ejecting unit 11 capable of ejecting liquid, a medium supporting unit 12 capable of supporting the medium P, a medium transport mechanism (not shown), a head moving mechanism (not shown), and the like. The medium P is transported along the medium support portion 12 by a medium transport mechanism including a paper transport roller, a paper transport motor, and the like.

The liquid ejecting unit 11 reciprocates in a direction traversing the medium supporting unit 12 by the head moving mechanism. The head moving mechanism includes a carriage on which the liquid ejecting unit 11 is mounted, a carriage guide shaft extending in a direction crossing the medium supporting unit 12, a carriage moving mechanism that reciprocates the carriage along the carriage guide shaft, a carriage motor, and the like. Then, when the medium P passes through the medium support portion 12, the liquid ejecting portion 11 ejects the liquid onto the medium P to perform printing.

Further, the main body portion 10 includes a mounting portion 13. To the mounting unit 13, one relay device 14 that stores ink of each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black is mounted. The liquid ejecting unit 11 and the relay device 14 are connected by a flexible supply tube 15. In addition, the relay device 14, the supply tube 15, and the accommodation unit 20 configure a liquid supply device.

The accommodation unit 20 accommodates the same number of main tanks 21 as the relay device 14 (four in the present embodiment). The four main tanks 21 are supported by the support frame of the accommodation unit 20. The main tank 21 is pressurized by pressurized air sent from a pressurizing unit (not shown) provided in the main body 10. The relay device 14 and the main tank 21 are connected by a flexible supply tube 16. The number of the relay device 14 and the main tank 21 may be other than four, and the type of liquid to be stored may be different from the above four color inks.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the relay device 14 includes a cartridge type case 17, a filter 18 and a container 19 arranged inside the case 17. The storage container 19 is a flexible tube container, and for example, a resin blow bottle made by blow molding is used.

When the relay device 14 is mounted on the mounting portion 13, the supply needle is inserted into the connection port provided on the case 17. As a result, the storage container 19 and the supply tube 15 are connected via the filter 18, and the storage container 19 and the supply tube 16 are connected. When the main tank 21 is pressurized, the liquid stored in the main tank 21 is supplied to the relay device 14 and temporarily stored, and then supplied from the relay device 14 to the liquid ejecting unit 11.

(Main tank)
As shown in FIG. 3, the main tank 21 shown in FIG. 2 includes a container housing portion 22 which is a closed container, and a tray 24 on which a liquid container 23 is placed. The container accommodating portion 22 includes a circular lid 30, a resin blow tank 40 formed by blow molding, and a mounting member 50. The mounting member 50 is arranged inside the blow tank 40 on the back side of the lid body 30.

In the following description, three directions orthogonal to each other are referred to as a container width direction X, a container front-rear direction Y, and a container up-down direction Z. Further, one side and the other side of the container width direction X are +X direction and the X direction, one side and the other side of the container front-rear direction Y are +Y direction and the Y direction, and one side and the other side of the container vertical direction Z are +Z. Direction and Z direction.

(Opening and closing structure of the container housing)
As shown in FIG. 2, the blow tank 40 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped resin container that is long in the container front-rear direction Y. The blow tank 40 is formed with a circular opening 41 (see FIG. 3) that penetrates the container front surface portion 40a located at the end portion on the +Y direction side.

At the opening edge of the circular opening 41, a cylindrical portion 42 protruding in the +Y direction is formed. The lid 30 is attached to the tip of the cylindrical portion 42 and seals the circular opening 41 in an airtight state. The lid body 30 is provided with a substantially disc-shaped lid body portion 31, and a flange portion 31 a is annularly extended from an outer peripheral end surface of the lid body portion 31. An O-ring 27 (see FIG. 3) is arranged between the flange portion 31a and the tip end surface of the cylindrical portion 42.

An outer ring 28 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) is attached to the outer peripheral sides of the cylindrical portion 42 and the lid 30. The outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 42 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 28 are opposed to each other in the radial direction, and one of them has a male screw portion and the other has a female screw portion. The outer ring 28 is mounted so as to mesh these screw portions. At the end of the outer ring 28 on the +Y direction side, an annular portion 28a protruding toward the inner peripheral side is formed. When the outer ring 28 is tightened, the annular portion 28a presses the flange portion 31a from the +Y direction side. As a result, the gap between the flange portion 31a and the cylindrical portion 42 is sealed by the O-ring 27.

On the other hand, a rear opening (not shown) that opens in the −Y direction is formed at the end of the blow tank 40 opposite to the circular opening 41, and an opening/closing door 43 that opens and closes this rear opening is attached. .. The opening/closing door 43 is opened and closed by swinging around one end side in the container width direction X. The liquid container 23 and the tray 24 are put into and taken out of the blow tank 40 from the rear side opening by opening the opening/closing door 43. When the opening/closing door 43 is closed, the rear opening is closed in an airtight state.

(Liquid supply part)
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view (a view seen from the arrow F direction in FIG. 5A) schematically showing the fixing structure of the lid 30 and the mounting member 50. The separated state is shown in Y.

As shown in FIG. 5, the lid 30 is attached to the circular opening 41 of the blow tank 40 so as to be rotatable about the central axis of the cylindrical portion 42. The lid 30 is provided with a liquid supply part 32 at a position slightly deviated from the center of rotation A (see FIG. 5A).

The liquid supply unit 32 includes a connection port 32a that opens on the +Y direction side surface of the lid main body 31 and a protrusion 32b that protrudes in the −Y direction from the position of the lid main body 31 on the back side of the connection port 32a. The supply tube 16 forming a liquid flow path with the relay device 14 is connected to the connection port 32a. A supply needle (not shown) is provided at the tip of the protrusion 32b, and a liquid flow path that connects the connection port 32a and the supply needle is formed inside the protrusion 32b.

As shown in FIG. 4, the mounting member 50 includes a substantially rectangular mounting member main body portion 50A that is long in the container width direction X, and end plate portions 50B and 50C provided at both ends of the mounting member main body portion 50A in the container width direction X. Equipped with. A penetrating portion 51 is formed in the mounting member main body portion 50A in a region overlapping the liquid supply portion 32 in the container front-rear direction Y. The penetrating portion 51 penetrates the mounting member main body portion 50A in the container front-rear direction Y. The mounting member 50 and the lid 30 are arranged with the cylindrical portion 42 of the blow tank 40 sandwiched therebetween, and are fixed by a fixing structure described below. At this time, the supply needle of the liquid supply part 32 faces the penetrating part 51 and faces the liquid container 23 mounted on the back side of the mounting member body 50A.

(Fixed structure of lid and mounting member)
As shown in FIG. 5, the lid main body 31 is provided with positioning protrusions 33 and 34 that project in the −Y direction side at two symmetrical positions with the center of rotation A interposed therebetween. The base end portion of the positioning protrusion 33 is a cylindrical large diameter portion 33a, and the tip end portion is a cylindrical small diameter portion 33b having a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion 33a.

A taper portion is formed at the tip of the small diameter portion 33b, the diameter of which decreases toward the tip side. The positioning protrusion 34 has the same shape as the positioning protrusion 33, and includes a large diameter portion 34a and a small diameter portion 34b.

On the other hand, in the mounting member main body 50A, columnar protrusions 52 and 53 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) are formed at positions overlapping the positioning protrusions 33 and 34 in the container front-rear direction Y. The cylindrical protrusions 52 and 53 protrude from the mounting member main body 50A in the +Y direction. Positioning holes 52a and 53a are opened in the end faces of the cylindrical protrusions 52 and 53 on the +Y direction side. The positioning holes 52a and 53a are recesses that do not penetrate the mounting member main body 50A, and the depth thereof is deeper than the length of the small diameter portions 33b and 34b.

Further, boss portions 35 and 36 are formed on the lid main body portion 31 at positions deviated from the center of rotation A and at different positions in the circumferential direction from the positioning protrusions 33 and 34. The bosses 35 and 36 are arranged at two symmetrical positions with the center of rotation A therebetween, and project from the lid body 31 in the -Y direction. The lid body 30 is formed with fixing holes 35a and 36a penetrating the lid body 31 and the boss portions 35 and 36 in the container front-rear direction Y.

On the other hand, the mounting member main body portion 50A is provided with boss portions 54 and 55 at positions overlapping the fixing holes 35a and 36a in the container front-rear direction Y. Fixing holes 54a and 55a are opened at the end surfaces of the boss portions 54 and 55 on the +Y direction side. The fixing holes 54a and 55a are recesses that do not penetrate the mounting member main body 50A.

As described above, the lid body 30 and the mounting member 50 are fixed with screws by sandwiching the cylindrical portion 42 provided at the opening edge of the circular opening 41 of the blow tank 40 from both sides in the container front-rear direction Y.
As shown in FIG. 6, at the time of fixing, first, the small diameter portions 33b and 34b of the positioning protrusions 33 and 34 protruding from the lid body 30 and the positioning holes 52a and 53a of the cylindrical protrusion portions 52 and 53 protruding from the mounting member 50 are firstly provided. And are opposed to each other in the container front-rear direction Y. Then, the mounting member 50 and the lid 30 are brought close to each other in the container front-rear direction Y, the small diameter portion 33b is inserted into the positioning hole 52a, and the small diameter portion 34b is inserted into the positioning hole 53a. At this time, the tapered portion at the tip guides the insertion of the small diameter portions 33b and 34b. The mounting member 50 is positioned in the container front-rear direction Y with respect to the lid body 30 by bringing the tip surfaces of the boss portions 54 and 55 into contact with the tip surfaces of the boss portions 35 and 36. At this time, the mounting member 50 and the lid body 30 are positioned in the relative rotation direction about the rotation center A.

In this way, when the mounting member 50 is positioned with respect to the lid body 30, the fixing holes 35a and 36a on the lid body 30 side and the fixing holes 54a and 55a on the mounting member body 50A side overlap in the container front-rear direction Y. .. In this state, the fixing screws 37 are attached to the fixing holes 35a and 36a from the outside of the tank (+Y direction side), and are tightened until the tips of the fixing screws 37 are screwed into the fixing holes 54a and 55a. As a result, the mounting member 50 is screwed to the lid 30.

(Pressure hole)
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the lid body 30 is formed with a pressure tube connecting portion 38 projecting in the +Y direction on the outer side in the radial direction of the fixing hole 35a. A pressure hole 38a (see FIG. 5) is opened at the tip of the pressure tube connecting portion 38. The pressurizing hole 38a penetrates the pressurizing tube connecting portion 38 and the lid main body 31 in the container front-rear direction Y. The pressure tube connection part 38 is connected to the pressure part of the main body 10 by a pressure tube.

When the circular opening 41 and the rear side opening of the container accommodating portion 22 are closed, the inside thereof becomes a closed space. Pressurized air is sent into the closed space from the pressurizing hole 38a to pressurize the container accommodating portion 22. As described above, since the fixing holes 54a and 55a and the positioning holes 52a and 53a used for fixing the lid 30 and the mounting member 50 do not penetrate the mounting member 50, the container accommodating portion 22 includes the pressure hole 38a and the pressing hole 38a. Only two locations of the liquid supply section 32 serve as a communication section with the outside.

(Terminal placement part)
As shown in FIG. 5, the lid 30 is provided with a terminal placement portion 39 between the positioning protrusion 33 and the fixing hole 36a. The terminal placement portion 39 projects from the lid body 31 in the −Y direction. When the lid 30 and the mounting member 50 are fixed to each other, the terminal disposition portion 39 is disposed in the penetrating portion 51 of the mounting member main body portion 50A and projects into the space in which the liquid container 23 is disposed. The terminal placement portion 39 is formed with a penetrating portion 39a penetrating in the container front-rear direction Y.

One end of the penetrating portion 39a is opened to the tip surface (the end surface on the −Y direction side) of the terminal placement portion 39, and the other end is opened to the surface of the lid body 31 on the +Y direction side. A connector unit 60 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) is attached to the penetrating portion 39a. In addition, the substrate holding portion 82 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) provided at the front end of the liquid container 23 is inserted into the penetrating portion 39a in the +Y direction. Note that FIG. 5 shows a state in which the connector unit 60 is not attached to the terminal placement portion 39 of the lid body 30. Details of the connector unit 60 and the board holding portion 82 will be described later.

(Liquid container)
As shown in FIG. 7, the liquid container 23 includes a liquid storage bag 70 that is long in the container front-rear direction Y, and an adapter 80 attached to one end of the liquid storage bag 70 in the longitudinal direction. The liquid container 23 is put into and taken out of the container accommodating portion 22 while being placed on the tray 24.

(Liquid bag)
As shown in FIG. 7, the liquid containing bag 70 has flexibility and liquid is sealed inside. The planar shape of the liquid containing bag 70 is a substantially rectangular shape, and is a size that can be accommodated in the tray 24. A communication portion 71 that communicates the inside and the outside of the liquid storage bag 70 is formed at the end of the liquid storage bag 70 on the +Y direction side. The liquid containing bag 70 is in a hermetically sealed state except for the communication portion 71. The communication part 71 is configured by attaching tubular parts to the edge of a flexible bag body.

A gusset portion 72 is formed on the side surfaces of the liquid containing bag 70 on the +X direction side and the X direction side. The liquid storage bag 70 has a large volume because the gusset portion 72 extends in the vertical direction Z of the container when the filling amount of the liquid is large. When the liquid is delivered from the liquid containing bag 70 and the amount of the liquid is reduced, the gusset portion 72 is folded and the liquid containing bag 70 becomes thin and its volume becomes small.

(adapter)
As shown in FIG. 7, the liquid container 23 is inserted in the mounting direction B (+Y direction in the present embodiment) from the rear opening of the container accommodating portion 22 with the adapter 80 placed on the tray 24. It The adapter 80 includes a front plate portion 80A that is long in the container width direction X, end plate portions 80B and 80C provided at both ends of the front plate portion 80A in the container width direction X, and a rear surface side (-Y direction) of the front plate portion 80A. And a mounting portion 80D provided on the side). The attachment portion 80D is fixed by sandwiching the edge of the liquid containing bag 70 on the +Y direction side. The end plate portions 80B and 80C extend in the −Y direction from both ends of the front plate portion 80A.

(Ink outlet)
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the front plate portion 80A includes a substantially rectangular adapter front end surface that faces the +Y direction. A projecting portion 81a projecting in the +Y direction is formed in the center of the front plate portion 80A in the container width direction X. Further, on the back side (-Y direction side) of the protruding portion 81a, a raised portion 81b formed on the upper surface (surface in the +Z direction) of the mounting portion 80D extends in the container front-rear direction Y.

The adapter 80 is provided with a liquid flow path that penetrates the protruding portion 81a and the raised portion 81b in the container front-rear direction Y, and one end of the liquid passage opens to the tip surface of the protruding portion 81a. The communication portion 71 of the liquid containing bag 70 is connected to the other end of the liquid flow path. The protruding portion 81 a, the raised portion 81 b, and the communication portion 71 constitute a liquid lead-out portion 81 (liquid lead-out portion) that leads out the liquid from the liquid storage bag 70.

The liquid lead-out part 81 is connected to the liquid supply part 32 of the lid 30 when the liquid container 23 is mounted in the container housing part 22. Therefore, the liquid delivered from the liquid outlet 81 is supplied to the relay device 14 via the liquid supply part 32 and the supply tube 16. At this time, when the container containing portion 22 is pressurized, the liquid containing bag 70 is crushed by the air pressure, and the delivery of the liquid inside is promoted.

(Mating structure of liquid container and tray)
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the tray 24 on which the liquid container 23 is placed has a rectangular bottom plate portion 24a that is long in the container front-rear direction Y, and a +X direction side, a −Y direction side, and an X direction side of the bottom plate portion 24a. A side wall portion 24b protruding in the +Z direction is provided along the edges in the three directions. In the tray 24, a first fitting portion 25 and a second fitting portion 26 are provided on the edge of the bottom plate portion 24a on the +Y direction side. The first fitting portion 25 and the second fitting portion 26 are protruding portions that protrude in the +Z direction from the bottom plate portion 24a, and are arranged apart in the container width direction X.

The liquid container 23 is arranged such that the adapter 80 is placed on the edge of the tray 24 on the +Y direction side. As shown in FIG. 8, the front plate portion 80A of the adapter 80 has the first fitted portion 84 at a position overlapping the first fitting portion 25 in the container vertical direction Z when the first fitted portion 25 is arranged at the front end of the tray 24. The second fitted portion 85 is formed at a position overlapping the second fitting portion 26 in the vertical direction Z of the container. The first fitted portion 84 and the second fitted portion 85 are both recesses that open in the −Z direction.

When the liquid container 23 is placed on the tray 24, the first fitting part 25 and the first fitted part 84 are fitted in the container vertical direction Z, and the second fitting part 26 and the second fitted part 85 are placed in the container. Fits in the vertical direction Z. Thereby, the liquid container 23 is positioned with respect to the tray 24 in the container width direction X and the container front-back direction Y.

(Connection between circuit board and connection terminal)
As shown in FIG. 7, the front plate portion 80A is provided with a substrate holding portion 82 (projection portion) projecting in the +Y direction on the −X direction side of the projection portion 81a. The substrate holding portion 82 includes a substantially columnar base end portion 82a and a substrate mounting portion 82b that further projects in the +Y direction from the tip end surface of the base end portion 82a. An inclined surface 82c is formed at the tip of the board mounting portion 82b. The inclined surface 82c is a surface in which the XZ plane is inclined in the inclination direction in which the +Z direction moves in the −Z direction.

An O-ring (not shown) is attached to the outer periphery of the base of the base end portion 82a. The substrate holding portion 82 is inserted into the penetrating portion 39a (see FIG. 5A) of the terminal disposing portion 39 projecting to the back side of the lid body 30 when the liquid container 23 is mounted in the container accommodating portion 22. The substrate holding portion 82 faces the connector unit 60 (see FIGS. 4 and 9) mounted on the penetrating portion 39a from the +Y direction in the container front-rear direction Y.

As shown in FIG. 9, the substrate holding portion 82 is formed by mounting another component in the mounting hole formed in the front plate portion 80A of the adapter 80. The substrate holding portion 82 may be formed integrally with the front plate portion 80A. A circuit board 83 is attached to the inclined surface 82c of the board holding portion 82. The circuit board 83 is a circuit board provided with a storage element that stores the amount of liquid in the liquid container 23.

The connector unit 60 is provided with an inclined surface 61 facing the inclined surface 82c of the substrate holding portion 82. The inclined surface 61 is a surface parallel to the inclined surface 82c, and is arranged in the through portion 39a when the connector unit 60 is attached to the terminal arrangement portion 39 of the lid 30. A connection terminal 62 is arranged on the inclined surface 61. On the back side of the inclined surface 61, the wiring 63 that is electrically connected to the connection terminal 62 is routed. The wiring 63 is drawn from the connector unit 60 to the front surface side of the lid body 30 and is drawn around to the main body portion 10 side together with the supply tube 16 for liquid supply.

At the time of mounting the liquid container 23 in the container accommodating part 22, the substrate holding part 82 is inserted into the penetrating part 39 a of the lid body 30 as the liquid container 23 moves in the mounting direction B. When the mounting of the liquid container 23 into the container accommodating portion 22 is completed, as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, the connection terminal 62 arranged on the inclined surface 61 of the connector unit 60 side is connected to the adapter 80 side. The terminal portions on the circuit board 83 arranged on the inclined surface 82c of are contacted. Thereby, a contact point is formed between the circuit board 83 and the connection terminal 62.

(Positioning of liquid container and shock absorption by damper)
As shown in FIG. 8, the front plate portion 80A of the adapter 80 is formed with a first guide hole 86 and a second guide hole 87 (positioning portion on the liquid container side) that are open in the +Y direction. The first guide hole 86 and the second guide hole 87 have a container width based on the YZ plane (YZ plane including the CC line of FIG. 8B) passing through the tip center of the protrusion 81 a of the liquid lead-out portion 81. They are arranged symmetrically in the direction X.

The first guide hole 86 is arranged on the +X direction side with respect to the protruding portion 81a, and the second guide hole 87 is arranged on the −X direction side with respect to the protruding portion 81a. The first guide hole 86 and the second guide hole 87 penetrate the front plate portion 80A in the container front-rear direction Y. The first guide hole 86 is an elongated hole elongated in the container width direction X. On the other hand, the second guide hole 87 is a perfect circular hole.

Further, the front plate portion 80A of the adapter 80 is formed with a first recess 88 on the +X direction side of the first guide hole 86 and a second recess on the −X direction side of the second guide hole 87. 89 is formed. The first recess 88 and the second recess 89 are recesses in the -Y direction.

The first concave portion 88 and the second concave portion 89 are arranged symmetrically in the container width direction X with reference to the C-C line, and are arranged equidistant from the protruding portion 81 a of the liquid lead-out portion 81. The first recess 88, the first guide hole 86, the second guide hole 87, and the second recess 89 are arranged on a straight line parallel to the container width direction X on the adapter front end face. The liquid lead-out portion 81 is arranged on the container upper side (+Z direction side) with respect to the arrangement position thereof. Further, a straight line D passing through the center of the bottom surface 88a of the first recess 88 and the center of the bottom surface 89a of the second recess 89 is the first and second fitted portions 84 which are fitting portions of the adapter 80 with the tray 24. , 85 (see FIG. 8).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the mounting member 50 is provided with two guide pins 56 and 57 (mounting member side engaging portions) projecting in the −Y direction from the mounting member main body portion 50A. The guide pin 56 is arranged on the +X direction side of the penetrating portion 51, and the guide pin 57 is arranged on the −X direction side of the penetrating portion 51. Further, dampers 58 and 59 (buffer portions) are arranged outside the guide pins 56 and 57 in the container width direction X.

The damper 58 is arranged on the +X direction side of the guide pin 56, and the damper 59 is arranged on the −X direction side of the guide pin 57. The tip ends of the dampers 58 and 59 project in the -Y direction from the mounting member body 50A. The damper 58, the guide pin 56, the guide pin 57, and the damper 59 are arranged on a straight line parallel to the container width direction X.

The liquid container 23 is inserted into the container accommodating portion 22 with the adapter 80 arranged at the head thereof facing the mounting member 50 in the container front-rear direction Y. At this time, the guide pin 56 of the mounting member 50 faces the first guide hole 86 of the adapter 80, and the guide pin 57 of the mounting member 50 faces the second guide hole 87.

Further, the damper 58 of the mounting member 50 faces the first recess 88 of the adapter 80, and the damper 59 of the mounting member 50 faces the second recess 89 of the adapter 80. When the liquid container 23 is moved in the mounting direction B, the adapter 80 arranged at the head of the liquid container 23 approaches the mounting member 50. At this time, first, the insertion of the dampers 58, 59 into the first and second recesses 88, 89 is started. Subsequently, before the tips of the dampers 58 and 59 contact the bottom surfaces 88a and 89a of the first and second recesses 88 and 89, the guide pins 56 and 57 are inserted into the first and second guide holes 86 and 87. Insertion starts.

The guide pins 56 and 57 are inserted into the first and second guide holes 86 and 87 while being guided by the tapered portion formed at the tip. The guide pins 56 and 57 are cylindrical with a constant diameter except for the tapered portion. When the cylindrical portions of the guide pins 56 and 57 are inserted into the first and second guide holes 86 and 87, the adapter 80 is positioned with respect to the mounting member 50 on the XZ plane. At this time, since the second guide hole 87 is a perfect circle, it serves as a reference for positioning.

On the other hand, since the other first guide hole 86 is a long hole, it prevents the adapter 80 from rotating with respect to the mounting member 50. After the positioning on the XZ plane by the guide pins 56, 57 and the first and second guide holes 86, 87 is completed, the tips of the dampers 58, 59 are attached to the bottom surfaces 88a, 89a of the first and second recesses 88, 89. (Contact part: see FIG. 8 and FIG. 10).

The dampers 58 and 59 are air dampers that can expand and contract in the container front-rear direction Y. Detailed configurations of the dampers 58 and 59 will be described later. After contacting the bottom surfaces 88a and 89a of the first and second recesses 88 and 89, the dampers 58 and 59 are compressed in the +Y direction as the liquid container 23 further moves in the mounting direction B.

At this time, a damping force against the inertial force of the liquid container 23 moving in the mounting direction B is generated in the dampers 58, 59. Therefore, after the dampers 58 and 59 contact the bottom surfaces 88a and 89a of the first and second recesses 88 and 89, the shock absorbing force exerts an impact force acting on the collision portion between the container housing portion 22 and the liquid container 23. Will be reduced.

As described above, the liquid container 23 includes the liquid lead-out portion 81 that projects from the adapter 80 in the +Y direction. On the other hand, the container housing portion 22 is provided with a liquid supply portion 32 that projects from the penetrating portion 51 of the mounting member 50 toward the liquid container 23 side. When the adapter 80 is positioned on the XZ plane with respect to the mounting member 50 by the guide pins 56 and 57, the liquid lead-out portion 81 of the liquid container 23 faces the liquid supply portion 32 of the container housing portion 22.

The liquid lead-out portion 81 is connected to the liquid supply portion 32 after the compression of the dampers 58 and 59 is started and the damper action is brought into the activated state. A seal member (not shown) biased in the +Y direction by a spring seat is provided at the tip of the liquid outlet 81. When the liquid lead-out portion 81 is not connected to the liquid supply portion 32, the seal member blocks the liquid lead-out portion 81 to stop the outflow of the liquid.

When the liquid lead-out portion 81 is connected to the liquid supply portion 32, the supply needle presses and moves the seal member in the −Y direction, and as a result, the flow passage in the liquid lead-out portion 81 and the flow passage in the liquid supply portion 32. Communicate with each other.

After the liquid supply part 32 and the liquid lead-out part 81 are connected, the liquid container 23 further moves in the mounting direction B (+Y direction). At this stage, the connection terminal 62 held by the lid 30 of the container housing 22 and the circuit board 83 held by the adapter 80 of the liquid container 23 are connected. That is, when the liquid supply part 32 and the liquid lead-out part 81 are connected, the board holding part 82 holding the circuit board 83 is already inserted in the tip side of the penetrating part 39 a to which the connector unit 60 is attached.

When the liquid container 23 is further moved in the mounting direction B from this state, first, the O-ring (not shown) mounted on the base end portion 82a of the substrate holding portion 82 is crushed by the tip end surface of the terminal placement portion 39. .. As a result, the penetrating portion 39a does not communicate with the pressurizing space inside the container accommodating portion 22, and the circuit board 83 and the connection terminal 62 can be connected outside the pressurizing space.

Then, in the penetrating portion 39a, the connection terminal 62 attached to the inclined surface 61 of the connector unit 60 and the circuit board 83 attached to the inclined surface 82c of the board attaching portion 82b come into contact with each other. At the time of contact, the circuit board 83 and the connection terminal 62 are brought into sliding contact with each other along the inclination direction of the inclined surfaces 61 and 82c.

As described above, the liquid container 23 is attached to the container housing portion 22 through the following 5 steps (1) to (5).
(1) Positioning of the tray 24 and the liquid container 23 by two fitting portions.

(2) Positioning of the mounting member 50 and the liquid container 23 by the two guide pins 56 and 57.
(3) The dampers 58, 59 generate a cushioning action.
(4) Connection between the liquid supply unit 32 and the liquid lead-out unit 81.

(5) Contact between the connection terminal 62 on the container housing 22 side and the circuit board 83 on the liquid container 23 side.
(Structure for retaining liquid container)
When the liquid container 23 is mounted in the container housing portion 22, the end plate portion 80B of the adapter 80 is located inside the end plate portion 50B of the mounting member 50 in the container width direction X, and the end plate portion 80C of the mounting member 50. It is located inside the container width direction X of the end plate portion 50C. A leaf spring 90 is attached to the inner surface of the end plate portions 50B and 50C in the container width direction X.

On the other hand, the end plate portions 80B and 80C are provided with a locking portion 91 which is a protrusion protruding from the outer side surface in the container width direction X. When the liquid container 23 moves in the container accommodating portion 22 in the mounting direction B, the leaf spring 90 and the leaf spring 90 are formed at two positions between the end plate portion 50B and the end plate portion 80B and between the end plate portion 50C and the end plate portion 80C. The locking portion 91 is engaged.

When the above-mentioned 5 steps (1) to (5) are completed, the engagement between the leaf spring 90 and the locking portion 91 is also completed at both ends of the liquid container 23 in the container width direction X. The portion where the leaf spring 90 and the locking portion 91 are engaged is not disengaged with a weak vibration. Therefore, it functions as a retainer for the liquid container 23 during vibration. On the other hand, the engagement is easily disengaged with a force such that the user pulls the liquid container 23. Therefore, the replacement of the liquid container 23 is easy.

(Damper)
As shown in FIG. 10, the dampers 58 and 59 are air dampers that generate a buffering force by compressing air. The dampers 58 and 59 have the same structure. In the mounting member main body 50A, protrusions 100 that protrude in the −Y direction are formed at the positions where the dampers 58 and 59 are formed.

The dampers 58 and 59 are provided in a concave portion 101 that opens to the tip end surface of the protrusion 100, a linear piston 102 (moving portion) whose one end is inserted into a space (concave space 101a) in the concave portion 101, and a concave space 101a. The coil spring 103 (biasing portion) arranged is provided. The recess 101 is linearly recessed in the +Y direction. The end 102a of the piston 102 on the +Y direction side is inserted into the recess space 101a. The end portion 102a is inscribed in the inner peripheral surface of the recess 101, and seals the recess space 101a in an airtight state.

The piston 102 can reciprocate in the compression direction E in which the air in the recess space 101a is compressed, and in the opposite direction. The dampers 58 and 59 are formed such that the compression direction E and the mounting direction B of the liquid container 23 coincide with each other. In the present embodiment, both the compression direction E and the mounting direction B are +Y directions. The coil spring 103 has a free length when the piston 102 is not pressed.

The other end 102b of the piston 102 faces the bottom surface 88a (89a) of the first recess 88 (second recess 89) of the adapter 80. When the liquid container 23 moves in the mounting direction B (+Y direction), the piston 102 comes into contact with the bottom surface 88a (89a) and is pressed and moved in the compression direction E (+Y direction/mounting direction B) by the bottom surface 88a (89a). ..

At this time, the length of the damper 58 (59) shrinks, and the air enclosed in the recess 101 is compressed, so that a restoring force for returning the piston 102 in the direction opposite to the compression direction E is generated. Further, at this time, since the coil spring 103 is compressed, the coil spring 103 biases the piston 102 in the direction opposite to the compression direction E (−Y direction).

These restoring force and biasing force act on the liquid container 23 in the direction opposite to the mounting direction B, and increase as the piston 102 moves in the +Y direction. When the liquid container 23 presses the damper 58 (59), a buffering action by such a restoring force and an urging force works, and the impact when the liquid container 23 collides with the container accommodating portion 22 is reduced.

As a result, the impact applied to the places (particularly, the liquid supply unit 32 and the liquid lead-out unit 81) that come into contact when the liquid container 23 is mounted in the container housing unit 22 is reduced. Note that a fine communication portion that communicates with the outside of the mounting member main body 50A may be provided on any surface of the recess space 101a or on the opening side so that the compressed air gradually escapes. As a result, the behavior at the time of insertion becomes softer and the impact at the time of collision is reduced. Further, since the compressed air in the recessed space 101a escapes and the restoring force is weakened, the engagement between the leaf spring 90 and the locking portion 91 can be made more difficult to disengage.

Next, the operation of the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 configured as above will be described.
The liquid ejecting apparatus 1 includes a main tank 21 that stores the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting unit 11, and a liquid container 23 is detachably attached to a container accommodating unit 22 of the main tank 21. The container accommodating portion 22 includes a liquid supply portion 32 that supplies a liquid to the liquid ejecting portion 11 side and dampers 58 and 59. The dampers 58 and 59 arrange the piston 102 so as to seal one end of the recessed space 101a recessed in the mounting direction B of the liquid container 23, and move the piston 102 in the mounting direction B to remove air in the recessed space 101a. It is an air damper that compresses to produce a cushioning effect.

On the other hand, the liquid container 23 is provided with an adapter 80 arranged on the side portion on the mounting direction B side in the container accommodating portion 22, and the liquid accommodating bag 70 is positioned by this adapter 80. A liquid lead-out portion 81 connected to the liquid supply portion 32 is formed in the adapter 80, and further, a first recess 88 and a second recess 89 that are recessed in a direction opposite to the mounting direction B are formed on both sides of the liquid lead-out portion 81. There is. The bottom surface 88a of the first recess 88 and the bottom surface 89a of the second recess 89 face the dampers 58, 59 in the mounting direction B. Therefore, when the liquid container 23 moves in the mounting direction B, it abuts against the pistons 102 of the dampers 58 and 59 to move in the mounting direction B, and the air in the recess space 101a is compressed.

In this way, by disposing the dampers 58 and 59 in which the direction in which the cushioning action occurs (compression direction E) matches the mounting direction B of the liquid container 23, between the liquid container 23 and the container accommodating portion 22, the liquid container 23 is disposed. When the liquid container 23 is attached to the container housing portion 22, the shock when the liquid container 23 and the container housing portion 22 collide can be reduced by the buffering action of the dampers 58 and 59.

In addition, since the contact portions with the dampers 58 and 59 are recessed portions (the first recessed portion 88 and the second recessed portion 89), the expansion and contraction stroke (movement stroke of the piston 102) of the dampers 58 and 59 is equal to the depth of the recessed portion. It can be taken long. Therefore, the cushioning effect can be increased, and the impact applied when the liquid container 23 is attached can be further reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the dampers 58 and 59 act as a buffer before the liquid outlet 81 and the liquid supply portion 32 are connected, the shock received by the liquid outlet 81 and the liquid supply portion 32 is reduced. .. Further, the dampers 58 and 59 are arranged at equal distances with the liquid lead-out portion 81 interposed therebetween. For this reason, the buffer action works at positions symmetrical with respect to the liquid lead-out portion 81 and the liquid supply portion 32, and the liquid container 23 is less likely to tilt with respect to the container housing portion 22. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the displacement between the liquid lead-out portion 81 and the liquid supply portion 32.

Further, in the present embodiment, the liquid container 23 is placed on the tray 24 and put into and taken out of the container accommodating portion 22. At the front end of the liquid container 23 and the tray 24 in the mounting direction B, the first fitting portion 25 and the second fitting portion 26 provided on the tray 24 and the first fitting portion provided on the adapter 80 of the liquid container 23 are provided. The fitted portion 84 and the second fitted portion 85 are fitted in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction B (container vertical direction Z).

Then, these two fitting portions are fitted at a position overlapping the straight line D connecting the centers of the dampers 58 and 59 when viewed in the mounting direction B (+Y direction). With such an arrangement, when a reaction force from the dampers 58 and 59 acts when the liquid container 23 is mounted, the reaction force causes the liquid container 23 to be displaced in the counter mounting direction (−Y direction) with respect to the tray 24. Can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid lead-out portion 81 and the liquid supply portion 32 from being in a poor connection state.

In the present embodiment, two sets of air dampers (dampers 58, 59) and abutting portions (bottom surface 88a of the first recess 88, bottom surface 89a of the second recess 89) are provided, but three or more sets may be provided. Good. Even when three or more sets are provided, it is desirable to separately arrange them on both sides of the liquid outlet 81. Further, it is desirable that the liquid lead-out portions 81 are arranged symmetrically in the container width direction X.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus and the liquid supplying apparatus, and a liquid supplying system and a liquid supplying method for supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the following description of the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.
As shown in FIG. 11, a liquid is supplied by a liquid supply system 111 to the liquid ejecting apparatus 110 of this embodiment. The liquid supply system 111 is composed of a liquid supply device 112 in which the liquid container 23 is mounted.

The liquid supply device 112 is housed in the liquid container 23, the liquid container holding device 113, the substitute mounting member 114, the relay channel 115 for communicating the liquid container 23 capable of containing the liquid and the substitute mounting member 114. And a delivery mechanism 116 for delivering the liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus 110.

The liquid container holding device 113 includes a container housing part 22 as a second liquid container mounting part to which the liquid container 23 as a second liquid container is detachably mounted, and a tray 24 on which the liquid container 23 is placed. Prepare

The substitute mounting body 114 has a filter chamber 121 for housing the filter 18, a container 19, a first supply path 122 having a downstream end inserted into the container 19, and an upstream end inserted into the container 19. A second supply path 123 whose downstream end communicates with the filter chamber 121 and a third supply path 124 whose downstream end communicates with the filter chamber 121 are also provided.

The delivery mechanism 116 includes a pressurized supply unit 131 that delivers pressurized air, a pressurized tube 132 that introduces the pressurized air delivered from the pressurized supply unit 131 into the container accommodating unit 22, and a relay channel. An opening/closing valve 133 that can close the valve 115, a control unit 134 that controls the pressurizing supply unit 131 and the opening/closing valve 133, and a remaining amount detection unit 137 are provided. The pressure supply unit 131 supplies pressured air to the substitute mounting body 114 by supplying pressurized air into the container storage unit 22 through the pressure tube 132 so that the liquid is stored in the liquid container 23.

The remaining amount detection unit 137 is a sensor that detects that the remaining amount of the liquid contained in the liquid container 23 is less than a predetermined value. For example, the remaining amount detecting unit 137 includes an elastically deformable elastic body arranged in the relay channel 115, and a lever whose position changes according to the deformation of the elastic body, and The elastic body, which has been compressed and deformed by the pressure, is restored and deformed with the decrease of the pressure of the liquid, and the change in the lever position is detected.

Then, when the liquid stored in the liquid container 23 is exhausted and the liquid cannot be led out to the relay flow channel 115 even by pressurization, the pressure in the relay flow channel 115 is lowered and the position of the lever is changed. It is possible to detect that the remaining amount is less than the predetermined value. Further, when the amount of the liquid stored in the liquid container 23 is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, the remaining amount detection unit 137 detects the change in the lever position due to the pressurization, so that the liquid in the liquid container 23 is sufficiently filled. It can be confirmed that it is in a pressurized state.

A first connecting portion 135 having a connecting needle 136 is provided at the downstream end of the relay channel 115. In addition, a second connecting portion 125, which is connected to the connecting needle 136 of the first connecting portion 135 so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the connecting needle 136, is provided at the upstream end of the first supply path 122 of the substitute mounting body 114.

The delivery mechanism 116 also includes a mounting detection unit 117 that can detect whether or not the liquid container 23 is mounted in the container housing unit 22. In the present embodiment, the attachment detection unit 117 includes a connection terminal 62 (see FIG. 9B) provided in the container housing 22 and a circuit board 83 provided in the liquid container 23 (see FIG. 9B). It is detected that the liquid container 23 is attached to the container accommodating portion 22 by being electrically connected to the terminal portion of.

The liquid ejecting apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the first liquid container 95 (see FIG. 12) capable of containing a liquid and the substitute mounting member 114 are interchangeably mounted on the common mounting portion 141 and the common mounting portion 141. The first liquid container 95 and the mounting target detection unit 142 capable of detecting the mounting state of the substitute mounting body 114. The first liquid container 95 is, for example, an ink cartridge that contains ink.

Further, the liquid ejecting apparatus 110 displays a main control unit 143 that controls the liquid ejecting unit 11 and the like, an operation unit 156 for inputting an instruction and the like to the main control unit 143, and a control status and the like by the main control unit 143. And a display unit 157 that operates.

In the present embodiment, a circuit board 126 having a terminal portion is attached to the substitute mounting body 114 at the tip portion in the insertion direction C (the direction shown by the white arrow in FIG. 11) with respect to the shared mounting portion 141. Further, a connection terminal 155 that can be electrically connected to the terminal portion of the circuit board 83 is provided on the inner back side of the shared mounting portion 141. Then, as the substitute mounting body 114 is inserted into the common mounting portion 141, the terminal portion of the circuit board 126 mounted on the substitute mounting body 114 and the connection terminal 155 are electrically connected to each other. The mounting target detection unit 142 detects that the mounting body 114 is mounted on the common mounting unit 141.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, a circuit board 97 having a terminal portion at the tip end portion in the insertion direction C with respect to the common mounting portion 141 is attached to the first liquid container 95. Then, as the first liquid container 95 is inserted into the common mounting portion 141, the terminal portion of the circuit board 97 attached to the first liquid container 95 and the connection terminal 155 are electrically connected. As a result, the mounting target detection unit 142 detects that the first liquid container 95 has been mounted in the common mounting unit 141.

As shown in FIG. 11, the common mounting portion 141 is in a state in which the first connecting portion 135 is detachably attached to the mounting portion 144 and the first connecting portion 135 is attached to the mounting portion 144. And an attachment detection unit 145 capable of detecting whether or not it is present. When the first connecting portion 135 is properly attached to the attaching portion 144, the connecting needle 136 projects from the shared attaching portion 141 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction C.

In addition, in the substitute mounting body 114, when the portion where the second connecting portion 125 is provided is made to project beyond the outer shape of the first liquid container 95, the state where the first connecting portion 135 is attached to the attaching portion 144 is obtained. As it is, the first liquid container 95 can be mounted on the common mounting part 141.

Then, in a state where the substitute mounting body 114 is mounted on the mounting portion 13 in a state where the first connecting portion 135 is mounted on the mounting portion 144, the first connecting portion 135 and the second connecting portion 125 are connected. Thus, the substitute mounting body 114 and the relay channel 115 are connected.

The common mounting part 141 includes a restricting part 146 capable of restricting attachment/detachment of the substitute mounting body 114 and the first liquid container 95 mounted on the common mounting part 141. The restriction portion 146 is movable between a restriction position shown by a solid line in FIG. 11 and a restriction release position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The regulation position is a position that regulates the attachment/detachment (withdrawal) of the first liquid container 95 and the substitute mounting body 114 mounted on the shared mounting portion 141, and the regulation release position is the first liquid container mounted on the shared mounting portion 141. It is a position that allows the body 95 and the substitute mounting body 114 to be attached and detached. The shared mounting section 141 includes a regulation detection section 147 capable of detecting whether or not the regulation section 146 is in the regulation position.

As shown in FIG. 12, the restricting portion 146 can be, for example, a lock lever. In this case, the restricting portion 146 that is the lock lever can be inserted into and removed from the first liquid container 95 and the substitute mounting body 114. The fitting recess 96 is preferably provided in the vicinity of the opening of the shared mounting portion 141 when mounted on the shared mounting portion 141. Further, the liquid ejecting apparatus 110 preferably includes a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) common mounting portions 141.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the liquid ejecting apparatus 110 of the present embodiment, the supply needle 148 is provided at the downstream end and the upstream end is connected to the liquid ejecting unit 11, and the supply passage 149 and the middle of the supply passage 149. And a pressure adjusting mechanism 152, which communicates with the downstream end of the supply flow path 149. Further, the liquid ejecting unit 11 is provided with a plurality of nozzles 153 for ejecting liquid, and a liquid supply passage 154 for connecting the pressure adjusting mechanism 152 and the nozzle 153.

When the pressure of the liquid supply passage 154 becomes a negative pressure lower than a preset threshold Pm (Pm<0) due to the liquid being ejected from the nozzle 153, the pressure adjusting mechanism 152 supplies the supply passage. 149 and the liquid supply passage 154 are communicated with each other, and when the pressure of the liquid supply passage 154 is equal to or higher than the threshold value Pm, the communication between the supply passage 149 and the liquid supply passage 154 is restricted. Therefore, even if the pressure in the supply channel 149 is increased by the driving of the pressurizing unit 151, the pressure adjusting mechanism 152 regulates the communication between the supply channel 149 and the liquid supply channel 154, and thus the nozzle 153. No liquid is supplied to.

In addition, the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting unit 11 through the supply flow channel 149 is passed through a circulation flow channel (not shown) whose upstream end is connected to the liquid ejecting unit 11 and whose downstream end is inserted into the container 19. It may be configured such that it can be returned to the container 19. In this case, since the liquid can be circulated between the container 19 and the liquid ejecting unit 11 through the circulation channel and the supply channel 149, even if the liquid contains a sediment component such as a pigment, It becomes possible to suppress sedimentation.

Here, when the substitute mounting body 114 is mounted on the common mounting portion 141, it is preferable to fill the liquid in the storage container 19 and then mount the substitute mounting body 114 on the common mounting portion 141. With this configuration, when the third supply passage 124 is connected to the supply passage 149, it is possible to prevent bubbles from entering the supply passage 149.

Further, before the first connecting portion 135 is attached to the attaching portion 144, the liquid contained in the liquid container 23 is led to the relay channel 115 by driving the pressurizing and supplying portion 131, and the liquid reaches the tip of the connecting needle 136. It is preferable to satisfy the condition. By doing so, when connecting the relay flow path 115 to the first supply path 122 as the substitute mounting body 114 is mounted on the shared mounting section 141, it is possible to suppress the inclusion of bubbles in the first supply path 122. it can.

Furthermore, when the supply of the liquid from the liquid container 23 is started, the relay flow path 115 filled with the liquid is connected to the first supply path 122, and the storage container 19 filled with the liquid is connected to the supply flow path 149. In the above, it is preferable to fill the supply channel 149, the pressure adjusting mechanism 152, the liquid supply channel 154 and the nozzle 153 with the liquid by discharging the liquid from the nozzle 153. With this configuration, even if bubbles are mixed in the flow path due to the connection of the substitute mounting body 114 or the relay flow path 115, the bubbles can be discharged from the flow path by one filling operation.

Next, the electrical configuration of the liquid supply system 111 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 13, the liquid ejecting apparatus 110 includes a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) connectors 158 corresponding to the number of shared mounting portions 141. The connector 158 is, for example, a USB connector, and is for electrically connecting the delivery mechanism 116 to the liquid ejecting apparatus 110.

A cable 139 such as a USB cable connected to the connector 138 of the sending mechanism 116 is connected to the connector 158. Then, the main control unit 143 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 110 and the control unit 134 of the delivery mechanism 116 are communicably connected via the connectors 138, 158 and the cable 139.

Although power can be supplied to the delivery mechanism 116 from the liquid ejecting apparatus 110 through the cable 139, it is preferable that the delivery mechanism 116 includes a power plug and that the mechanism be driven by the power supplied through the power plug.

The main control unit 143 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 110 is electrically connected to the liquid ejecting unit 11, the operation unit 156, the display unit 157, the pressurizing unit 151, the attachment target detection unit 142, the attachment detection unit 145, and the regulation detection unit 147. ing. Then, the main control unit 143 transmits the detection results of the attachment target detection unit 142, the attachment detection unit 145, and the regulation detection unit 147 to the control unit 134.

The control unit 134 of the delivery mechanism 116 is electrically connected to the pressurization supply unit 131, the opening/closing valve 133, the mounting detection unit 117, and the remaining amount detection unit 137. Then, the control unit 134 transmits the detection results of the mounting detection unit 117 and the remaining amount detection unit 137 to the main control unit 143. In addition, the control unit 134 controls the pressure supply unit 131 and the opening/closing valve 133 based on the detection results of the mounting target detection unit 142, the mounting detection unit 145, the regulation detection unit 147, the mounting detection unit 117, and the remaining amount detection unit 137. Control.

Next, a liquid supply method by the liquid supply device 112 of this embodiment will be described.
When all of a plurality of control conditions (five control conditions (1) to (5) below) in the present embodiment are satisfied, the control unit 134 satisfies the following control condition (2) for the substitute mounting body 114. In the delivery mechanism 116 in which the mounting is detected, the opening/closing valve 133 is closed and the drive of the pressurizing and supplying unit 131 is started.

(1) A state in which the liquid contained in the liquid container 23 can be pressurized.
(2) The mounting target detection unit 142 detects the mounting of the substitute mounting body 114 on the shared mounting unit 141.

(3) The attachment detector 145 detects attachment of the first connecting portion 135 to the attachment portion 144.
(4) The regulation detection unit 147 detects that the regulation unit 146 is in the regulation position.

(5) The mounting target detection unit 142 detects the mounting of the first liquid container 95 or the substitute mounting body 114 on all the shared mounting portions 141.
In the present embodiment, when the mounting detection unit 117 detects the mounting of the liquid container 23 in the container storage unit 22, the control unit 134 adds the liquid stored in the liquid container 23 under the control condition (1). It is judged that the pressure is possible.

That is, in the liquid supply device 112, by mounting the liquid container 23 in the container housing portion 22, the liquid contained in the liquid container 23 can be pressurized, and the substitute mounting body 114 is mounted in the common mounting portion 141. When the liquid can be supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus 110, the pressurizing and supplying unit 131 starts driving.

When pressurized air is sent into the container housing 22 by driving the pressure supply unit 131, the pressure inside the container housing 22 rises and the liquid container bag 70 of the liquid container 23 is crushed by the air pressure. The liquid inside is pressurized.

Then, the pressurized liquid is led out from the liquid container 23 to the relay channel 115, and the pressure of the liquid in the relay channel 115 rises. Further, when the pressure of the liquid in the relay channel 115 rises, the elastic body arranged in the relay channel 115 is compressed and deformed. Therefore, based on the detection result of the remaining amount detector 137, the liquid in the liquid container 23 is Is confirmed to be under pressure. It should be noted that raising the pressure of the liquid in the liquid container 23 to a pressure at which the liquid in the liquid container 23 can be supplied by driving the pressurizing and supplying unit 131 is called prepressurization.

Then, when the preliminary pressurization is completed, the control unit 134 transmits a signal to that effect to the main control unit 143 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 110. Further, the main control unit 143 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 110 that receives the signal controls the pressurizing unit 151 to start the liquid supply to the liquid ejecting unit 11, and controls the liquid ejecting unit 11 to the medium P. Print. On the other hand, the control unit 134 opens the open/close valve 133 to supply the liquid contained in the liquid container 23 to the substitute mounting body 114 under pressure.

As a result, the liquid contained in the liquid container 23 is introduced into the container 19 by the pressurizing force of the pressure supply unit 131, and the liquid in the container 19 is injected by the pressurizing unit 151. Is supplied to. At this time, even if the drive timing of the pressurizing supply unit 131 and the drive timing of the pressurizing unit 151 are deviated, the pressure fluctuation of the supply flow path 149 communicating with the liquid ejecting unit 11 is caused by the bending change of the storage container 19. Suppressed. Further, due to the action of the pressure adjusting mechanism 152 connected to the supply passage 149, unnecessary pressure fluctuation in the liquid supply passage 154 communicating with the nozzle 153 is suppressed. Therefore, the liquid ejecting operation from the liquid ejecting unit 11 can be stably performed.

Next, the operations of the liquid ejecting apparatus 110, the liquid supply apparatus 112, the liquid supply method using the liquid supply apparatus 112, and the liquid supply system 111 configured as described above will be described.
In this embodiment, the liquid container 23 is connected to the liquid ejecting apparatus 110 through the following procedures (1) to (4).

(1) Attaching the liquid container 23 to the container accommodating portion 22.
(2) Attachment of the first connection portion 135 to the attachment portion 144.
(3) Mounting of the substitute mounting body 114 to the common mounting portion 141.

(4) Regulation of attachment/detachment of the substitute mounting body 114 by the regulation unit 146.
When the procedure (1) is performed, the mounting detection unit 117 detects the mounting of the liquid container 23 in the container housing unit 22, and thus the control condition (1) is satisfied.

Next, when the procedure (2) is performed, the attachment detection unit 145 detects the attachment of the first connection portion 135 to the attachment portion 144, and thus the control condition (3) is satisfied.
Further, when the procedure (3) is performed, the mounting target detection unit 142 detects the mounting of the substitute mounting body 114 on the common mounting unit 141, so that the control condition (2) is satisfied.

Subsequently, when the procedure (4) is carried out, the regulation detection unit 147 detects that the regulation unit 146 is in the regulation position, so that the control condition (4) is satisfied.
Further, the control condition (5) is satisfied by all of the attachment target detection units 142 detecting attachment of the first liquid container 95 or the substitute attachment body 114 to the corresponding shared attachment unit 141. Then, when the control conditions (1) to (5) are satisfied in this way, the preliminary pressurization by the pressurizing and supplying unit 131 is started.

In addition, when the procedure (3) is performed, the first connecting portion 135 and the second connecting portion 125 are connected, and the supply needle 148 and the third supply passage 124 are connected. The liquid container 23 and the liquid ejecting unit 11 can communicate with each other through the container 19, the first supply path 122, the second supply path 123, the third supply path 124, and the supply flow path 149.

That is, since the liquid container 23 and the liquid ejecting unit 11 can communicate with each other when the pre-pressurization by the pressurization supply unit 131 is started, the on-off valve 133 is opened after the pre-pressurization is completed. As a result, it is possible to quickly start the pressurized supply of the liquid to the liquid ejecting unit 11.

Therefore, the liquid container 23 and the liquid ejecting unit 11 can communicate with each other, for example, because the liquid container 23 is not in the container accommodating portion 22 or the first connecting portion 135 and the second connecting portion 125 are not connected. It is possible to suppress occurrence of a situation in which preliminary pressurization is performed even when the pressure supply unit 131 is not in the state, and the drive of the pressure supply unit 131 is wasted.

It should be noted that the control unit 134, if any of the control conditions (1) to (4) is not satisfied, stops the drive of the pressure supply unit 131 promptly or after a lapse of a predetermined time. Is preferred. By doing so, the liquid container 23 is detached from the container accommodating portion 22 or the substitute mounting body 114 is detached from the common mounting portion 141, so that the liquid container 23 and the liquid ejecting portion 11 cannot communicate with each other. In that case, the drive of the pressure supply unit 131 is stopped, so that unnecessary drive of the pressure supply unit 131 can be suppressed.

In addition, a sensor for detecting the opening/closing of the open/close door 43 (see FIG. 2) of the blow tank 40 (see FIG. 2) is provided, and even when the sensor detects that the open/close door 43 is opened, the pressure supply is performed. It is preferable to stop driving the portion 131.

In this case, even if the control condition (4) is not satisfied, the substitute mounting body 114 is not always removed from the shared mounting section 141 immediately. Therefore, until the driving of the pressure supply section 131 is stopped. You may extend the time. Further, since the substitute mounting body 114 includes the storage container 19, even if the liquid container 23 is detached from the container storage portion 22, the liquid ejecting portion 11 is not removed while the liquid stored in the storage container 19 remains. It is possible to continue the supply of liquid.

Further, even when the remaining amount detection unit 137 does not confirm that the liquid in the liquid container 23 is pressurized even after a lapse of a predetermined time after the driving of the pressurizing and supplying unit 131 is started, It is preferable to stop driving the pressure supply unit 131. In this case, there is a possible cause such as a malfunction of the pressurizing and supplying unit 131, a mounting failure of the liquid container 23, or a liquid leaking from the liquid container 23 causing the liquid in the liquid container 23 to run out. Is preferably notified to the user by a buzzer or an error display.

As described above, even when the liquid container 23 is detached, it is possible to continue supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting unit 11 while the liquid contained in the container 19 remains. When the detection unit 137 detects that the remaining amount of the liquid contained in the liquid container 23 is less than the predetermined value, the liquid container 23 may be replaced while continuing printing.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the liquid contained in the liquid container 23 can be pressurized and the mounting target detection unit 142 detects mounting of the substitute mounting body 114 to the common mounting unit 141, the pressure supply unit 131 Since it is driven, the liquid contained in the liquid container 23 can be appropriately supplied through the relay channel 115 by driving the pressure supply unit 131. On the other hand, when the liquid contained in the liquid container 23 is not in a pressurizable state or when the substitute mounting body 114 is not mounted on the common mounting part 141, the pressure supply part 131 is not driven. The pressurizing and supplying unit 131 is not driven wastefully. Therefore, the liquid can be appropriately supplied according to the mounting state of the liquid container.

(2) When the liquid container 23 is attached to the container housing portion 22, it is determined that the liquid contained in the liquid container 23 can be pressurized. The liquid can be appropriately supplied according to the mounting state of the. On the other hand, when the liquid container 23 is not attached to the container accommodating portion 22, the pressure supply unit 131 is not driven, so that the pressure supply unit 131 is not wastefully driven.

(3) After the attachment detection unit 145 detects that the first connection portion 135 provided at the downstream end of the relay channel 115 is attached to the attachment portion 144 of the common mounting portion 141, the pressurization is performed. Since the driving of the supply unit 131 is started, the relay passage 115 can be reliably held in the common mounting unit 141 when the liquid is supplied.

(4) The first connecting portion 135 and the second connecting portion 125 are connected while the substitute mounting body 114 is mounted on the common mounting portion 141 in a state where the first connecting portion 135 is mounted on the mounting portion 144. It Therefore, when the mounting target detection unit 142 detects the mounting of the substitute mounting body 114 to the common mounting portion 141, it is possible to confirm the connection between the substitute mounting body 114 and the relay channel 115. In addition to this detection, by detecting the attachment of the first connecting portion 135 to the attachment portion 144, it is confirmed that the common mounting portion 141, the substitute mounting body 114, and the relay channel 115 are connected. Therefore, by driving the pressure supply unit 131 after the confirmation, the liquid contained in the liquid container 23 can be appropriately supplied toward the common mounting unit 141.

(5) When the restriction detecting unit 147 detects that the restricting unit 146 is in the restricting position, it is considered that the replacement mounting body 114 mounted on the common mounting unit 141 is restricted from being attached or detached. With the substitute mounting body 114 securely mounted, the liquid can be appropriately supplied.

(6) When the first liquid container 95 or the substitute mounting body 114 is mounted on the plurality of common mounting portions 141, the driving of the pressure supply unit 131 is started, so that the plurality of common mounting portions 141 are mounted. The liquid in the first liquid container 95 or the liquid container 23 can be appropriately supplied.

Note that the second embodiment may be modified as in the modification example shown below.
The pressure supply unit 131 may be provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus 110, and the pressure supply unit 131 may be driven by the control of the main control unit 143 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 110.

The first connecting portion 135 may be attached to the attaching portion 144 in a non-removable state. In this case, the attachment detector 145 and the control condition (3) may be omitted.

The first connecting portion 135 may be directly connected to the substitute mounting body 114 without providing the mounting portion 144 on the liquid ejecting apparatus 110. In this case, the attachment detector 145 and the control condition (3) may be omitted.

-The number of shared mounting portions 141 provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus 110 can be arbitrarily changed. For example, the liquid ejecting apparatus 110 may include one or a plurality of first liquid container mounting portions that mount only the first liquid container 95 and one or a plurality of common mounting portions 141. Further, when the liquid ejecting apparatus 110 includes only one common mounting part 141, the control condition (5) does not have to be included in the control condition for starting the driving of the pressurizing and supplying part 131.

The regulation portion 146 may be a lid member that covers the opening of the shared mounting portion 141.
The configuration may be such that the regulation unit 146, the regulation detection unit 147, and the control condition (4) are not provided. Also in this case, the mounting target detection unit 142 can detect the mounting of the substitute mounting body 114 on the common mounting unit 141. However, if the restriction portion 146 is provided in the vicinity of the opening of the shared mounting portion 141, the substitute mounting body 114 and the first liquid container 95 are surely inserted to the back of the shared mounting portion 141, and then the substitute mounting body 114. Also, the mounting of the first liquid container 95 can be detected.

The pressurizing and supplying unit 131 that pressurizes and supplies the liquid contained in the liquid container 23 is not limited to the one that supplies pressurized air. For example, the pressurizing and supplying unit 131 may pressurize and supply the liquid by the change in the head difference caused by moving the liquid container 23 up and down, sucking the inside of the liquid container 23, or springing the liquid container 23. The liquid may be pressure-supplied by crushing with a liquid such as.

The substitute mounting body 114 and the first liquid container 95 are provided with protrusions having different shapes, and the mounting target detection unit 142 mechanically detects the protrusions having different shapes in this way, so that the substitute mounting body 114 is provided. Alternatively, the presence/absence of attachment of the first liquid container 95 may be detected.

The remaining amount detection unit 137 may be arranged on the substitute mounting body 114 side (downstream side) of the opening/closing valve 133 instead of being arranged on the liquid container 23 side (upstream side) of the opening/closing valve 133 as shown in FIG. 11. ..
The liquid ejecting apparatus may be changed to a so-called full line type, which includes a fixed liquid ejecting portion 11 that is long and corresponds to the entire width of the medium P. In this case, the liquid ejecting unit 11 may arrange a plurality of unit head units in which nozzles are formed in parallel so that the printing range extends over the entire width of the medium P, or a single long head is used as a medium. By arranging a large number of nozzles so as to extend over the entire width of P, the print range may extend over the entire width of the medium P.

The liquid ejected by the liquid ejecting unit 11 is not limited to ink, and may be, for example, a liquid material in which particles of a functional material are dispersed or mixed in the liquid. For example, a liquid material containing materials such as electrode materials and coloring materials (pixel materials) used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays and surface-emitting displays in a dispersed or dissolved state is jetted for recording. It may be configured.

The medium P is not limited to paper, and may be a plastic film, a thin plate material, or the like, or may be a cloth used in a textile printing device or the like.

1, 110... Liquid ejecting apparatus, 11... Liquid ejecting section, 22... Container accommodating section as second liquid container mounting section, 23... Liquid container as second liquid container, 95... First liquid container, 112 ... Liquid supply device, 114... Substitute mounting body, 115... Relay channel, 117... Mounting detection section, 125... Second connection section, 131... Pressurized supply section, 134... Control section, 135... First connection section, 141 ... common mounting part, 142... mounting target detecting part, 144... mounting part, 145... mounting detecting part, 146... restricting part, 147... restricting detecting part.

Claims (10)

A main tank mounting portion to which a main tank containing the liquid ejected by the liquid ejecting portion is detachably mounted,
A main tank mounting detection unit capable of detecting whether or not the main tank is mounted to the main tank mounting unit;
A sub-tank mounting portion to which the sub-tank capable of containing the liquid is detachably mounted,
A restriction position for restricting attachment/detachment of the sub-tank attached to the sub-tank attachment part, and an attachment/detachment position of the sub-tank attached to the sub-tank attachment part, for restricting attachment/detachment of the sub-tank attached to the sub-tank attachment part A restriction release position that allows, and a restriction section that is movably provided in the sub tank mounting section,
A regulation detection unit capable of detecting that the regulation unit is in the regulation position,
The liquid in the main tank mounted in the main tank mounting portion is provided so as to be able to be supplied toward the liquid ejecting unit, and the liquid in the sub tank mounted in the sub tank mounting unit is supplied from the middle of the liquid. A liquid supply channel provided so as to be capable of supplying toward the ejection unit,
A supply mechanism capable of supplying the liquid in the main tank mounted to the main tank mounting portion toward the liquid ejecting unit,
A control unit that controls the supply mechanism to supply the liquid in the main tank toward the liquid ejecting unit;
Equipped with
The sub-tank is attached to the sub-tank mounting portion, and in the state where the restricting portion is in the restricting position, the sub-tank is visibly protruding from the sub-tank mounting portion,
The restriction portion is provided so as to be visible in a state where the sub tank is attached to the sub tank attachment portion,
The control section includes that the mounting detection section detects mounting of the main tank with respect to the main tank mounting section, and that the regulation detection section detects that the regulation section is at the regulation position. When a plurality of control conditions are satisfied, the liquid supply mechanism is controlled to supply the liquid in the main tank toward the liquid ejecting unit in a state in which the sub tank and the regulating unit are visible. And liquid supply system. The supply mechanism is controlled, and the liquid supplied from the main tank attached to the main tank attachment portion toward the liquid ejecting unit is pressurized,
The liquid supply device according to claim 1, wherein the sub-tank includes a liquid storage portion that is formed of a flexible member and that can store the liquid, and a case that stores the liquid storage portion inside. system. Further comprising a sub-tank attachment detection unit capable of detecting whether or not the sub-tank is attached to the sub-tank attachment unit,
The liquid supply system according to claim 2, wherein the control condition includes that the sub-tank attachment detection unit detects attachment of the sub-tank to the sub-tank attachment unit. The sub tank includes a circuit board having a terminal portion,
The sub-tank mounting portion includes a connection terminal,
4. The liquid supply according to claim 3, wherein the sub-tank mounting detection section detects mounting of the sub-tank on the sub-tank mounting section by electrically connecting the terminal section and the connection terminal. system. Provided so that the downstream end of the supply channel and the liquid ejecting section can communicate with each other, when the pressure on the liquid ejecting section side becomes a negative pressure lower than a preset threshold value, the supply channel and While communicating with the liquid ejecting unit, when the pressure on the liquid ejecting unit side is equal to or higher than the threshold value, a pressure adjusting mechanism for restricting communication between the supply flow path and the liquid ejecting unit is further provided. The liquid supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The control unit, after the plurality of control conditions are satisfied, drives the supply mechanism to supply the liquid in the main tank toward the liquid ejecting unit, and then the restricting unit is in the restricting position. The liquid supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the drive of the supply mechanism is stopped after a lapse of a predetermined time when the regulation is not detected by the regulation detection unit. The control unit drives the supply mechanism to supply the liquid in the main tank toward the liquid ejecting unit and the main tank with respect to the main tank mounting unit, after the plurality of control conditions are satisfied. The supply of the liquid to the liquid ejecting unit is continued when the liquid is stored in the sub-tank even when the mounting detection is not detected by the mounting detection unit. The liquid supply system according to claim 6. A main tank mounting portion to which a main tank containing the liquid ejected by the liquid ejecting portion is detachably mounted,
A main tank mounting detection unit capable of detecting whether or not the main tank is mounted to the main tank mounting unit;
A sub-tank mounting portion to which the sub-tank capable of containing the liquid is detachably mounted,
A restriction position for restricting attachment/detachment of the sub-tank attached to the sub-tank attachment part, and an attachment/detachment position of the sub-tank attached to the sub-tank attachment part, for restricting attachment/detachment of the sub-tank attached to the sub-tank attachment part A restriction release position that allows, and a restriction section that is movably provided in the sub tank mounting section,
A regulation detection unit capable of detecting that the regulation unit is in the regulation position,
The liquid in the main tank mounted in the main tank mounting portion is provided so as to be able to be supplied toward the liquid ejecting unit, and the liquid in the sub tank mounted in the sub tank mounting unit is supplied from the middle of the liquid. A liquid supply channel provided so as to be capable of supplying toward the ejection unit,
Equipped with
The sub-tank is attached to the sub-tank mounting portion, and the sub-tank is attached to the sub-tank mounting portion such that the sub-tank is visibly protruded from the sub-tank mounting portion when the regulation portion is in the regulation position. A liquid supply method of a liquid supply system, which is visibly provided in a state of being
When the mounting detector detects the mounting of the main tank with respect to the main tank mounting portion and the regulation detector detects that the regulating portion is in the regulating position, the sub-tank and the regulating portion are visually recognized. A liquid supply method, characterized in that the supply of the liquid contained in the main tank to the liquid ejecting unit is started in a possible state. After starting the supply of the liquid stored in the main tank to the liquid ejecting unit, if the regulating unit is not in the regulating position, the liquid of The liquid supply method according to claim 8, wherein the supply is stopped. After starting the supply of the liquid stored in the main tank to the liquid ejecting unit, even when the main tank is pulled out from the main tank mounting unit, if the liquid is stored in the sub-tank, The liquid supply method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the supply of the liquid to the liquid ejecting unit is continued.