JP7634972B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a recording device that records images.

In some conventional inkjet recording devices, an ink cartridge that stores ink is connected to a head that ejects the ink by an ink tube, and the ink supply port of the head is connected to the ink tube via an attachment. In such a configuration, the attachment may be removed during maintenance such as head replacement or adjustment, and ink may drip from the attachment when removing the attachment. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration that prevents liquid from flowing into the wiring connection part of the head by providing a guide wall to guide dripping ink.

JP 2010-30121 A

However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, if multiple ink supply ports are provided to use a recording head capable of ejecting ink of multiple colors, there is a risk that ink that drips when attaching or detaching the attachment may drip into an ink supply port of another color. As a result, different types of ink may mix together, causing, for example, ink color mixing.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to prevent different types of liquids from mixing together.

In order to solve the above problem, a recording device according to the present invention includes a recording unit having a recording head capable of ejecting a first ink and a second ink , and a head joint, and a tube joint to which a first tube for supplying the first ink from a first tank that stores the first ink to the recording head and a second tube for supplying the second ink from a second tank that stores the second ink to the recording head are connected and which is connectable to the head joint, wherein the head joint has a first side wall provided with a first supply port for supplying the first ink to the first tube and a second supply port arranged below the first supply port for supplying the second ink to the second tube, a second side wall adjacent to the first side wall, a first guide wall provided between the first supply port and the second supply port, protruding from the first side wall and guiding the first ink dripping from the first supply port, and a second guide wall protruding from the second side wall, connected to the first guide wall, and guiding the first ink .

The present invention makes it possible to prevent different types of liquids from mixing.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a standby state of the inkjet recording apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system in the inkjet printing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a printing state of the inkjet printing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a maintenance state of the inkjet recording apparatus. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an ink supply unit. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the connection between the head joint and the tube joint according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a configuration around an ink supply port according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the configuration around an ink supply port according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a configuration around an ink supply port according to the first embodiment. 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams illustrating the connection between a head joint and a tube joint according to a second embodiment. 13 is an enlarged schematic diagram showing the peripheral configuration of a connection portion between a head joint and a tube joint according to a second embodiment. FIG.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the following embodiment does not limit the present invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the present embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention. Furthermore, the relative arrangements and shapes of the components described in the embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to only those.

First Embodiment
1 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus 1 (hereinafter, recording apparatus 1) used in this embodiment. In the figure, the x direction indicates the horizontal direction, the y direction (perpendicular to the paper surface) indicates the direction in which ejection openings are arranged in a recording head 8 (described later), and the z direction indicates the vertical direction.

The recording device 1 is a multifunction device equipped with a print unit 2 and a scanner unit 3, and various processes related to recording and reading operations can be performed by the print unit 2 and the scanner unit 3 individually or in conjunction with each other. The scanner unit 3 is equipped with an ADF (automatic document feeder) and an FBS (flatbed scanner), and can read documents automatically fed by the ADF, and read (scan) documents placed on the platen of the FBS by the user. Note that although this embodiment is a multifunction device equipped with both the print unit 2 and the scanner unit 3, it may be in a form that does not include the scanner unit 3. Figure 1 shows the recording device 1 in a standby state in which neither recording nor reading operations are being performed.

In the printing section 2, a first cassette 5A and a second cassette 5B for storing recording media (cut sheets) S are removably installed at the bottom vertically below the housing 4. The first cassette 5A stores relatively small recording media up to A4 size, while the second cassette 5B stores relatively large recording media up to A3 size, stacked flat. A first feeding unit 6A is provided near the first cassette 5A for separating and feeding the stored recording media one by one. Similarly, a second feeding unit 6B is provided near the second cassette 5B. When a recording operation is performed, the recording media S is selectively fed from one of the cassettes.

The transport roller 7, discharge roller 12, pinch roller 7a, spur 7b, guide 18, inner guide 19 and flapper 11 are a transport mechanism for guiding the recording medium S in a predetermined direction. The transport roller 7 is disposed upstream and downstream of the recording head 8 and is a drive roller driven by a transport motor (not shown). The pinch roller 7a is a driven roller that nips the recording medium S together with the transport roller 7 and rotates. The discharge roller 12 is disposed downstream of the transport roller 7 and is a drive roller driven by a transport motor (not shown). The spur 7b, together with the transport roller 7 and discharge roller 12 disposed downstream of the recording head 8, pinches and transports the recording medium S.

The guide 18 is provided on the transport path of the recording medium S and guides the recording medium S in a predetermined direction. The inner guide 19 is a member that extends in the y direction and has a curved side, and guides the recording medium S along the side. The flapper 11 is a member that switches the direction in which the recording medium S is transported during double-sided recording operation. The discharge tray 13 is a tray that holds and stacks the recording medium S that has been discharged by the discharge roller 12 after the recording operation is completed.

The recording head 8 of this embodiment is a full-line type color inkjet recording head (line head), and multiple ejection ports that eject ink according to recording data are arranged in the y direction in FIG. 1 in a width corresponding to the recording medium S. That is, the recording head 8 is configured to be able to eject ink of multiple colors. When the recording head 8 is in the standby position, the ejection port surface 8a of the recording head 8 faces vertically downward as shown in FIG. 1 and is capped (covered) by the cap unit 10. When performing a recording operation, the print controller 202 described later changes the orientation of the recording head 8 so that the ejection port surface 8a faces the platen 9. The platen 9 is composed of a flat plate extending in the y direction, and supports the recording medium S on which the recording operation is performed by the recording head 8 from the back. The movement of the recording head 8 from the standby position to the recording position will be described in detail later.

The ink tank unit 14 stores each of the four colors of ink to be supplied to the recording head 8. The ink supply unit 15 is provided in the middle of the flow path connecting the ink tank unit 14 and the recording head 8, and adjusts the pressure and flow rate of the ink in the recording head 8 to an appropriate range. In this embodiment, a circulation type ink supply system is used, and the ink supply unit 15 adjusts the pressure of the ink supplied to the recording head 8 and the flow rate of the ink collected from the recording head 8 to an appropriate range.

The maintenance unit 16 includes a cap unit 10 and a wiping unit 17, which are operated at a predetermined timing to perform maintenance operations on the recording head 8. The maintenance operations will be explained in detail later.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the recording device 1. The control configuration is mainly composed of a print engine unit 200 that controls the print section 2, a scanner engine unit 300 that controls the scanner section 3, and a controller unit 100 that controls the entire recording device 1. The print controller 202 controls various mechanisms of the print engine unit 200 according to instructions from the main controller 101 of the controller unit 100. The various mechanisms of the scanner engine unit 300 are controlled by the main controller 101 of the controller unit 100. The control configuration is described in detail below.

In the controller unit 100, the main controller 101, which is configured by a CPU, controls the entire recording device 1 using the RAM 106 as a work area in accordance with the programs and various parameters stored in the ROM 107. For example, when a print job is input from the host device 400 via the host I/F 102 or the wireless I/F 103, the image processing unit 108 performs a predetermined image processing on the received image data in accordance with instructions from the main controller 101. The main controller 101 then transmits the processed image data to the print engine unit 200 via the print engine I/F 105.

The recording device 1 may obtain image data from the host device 400 via wireless or wired communication, or may obtain image data from an external storage device (such as a USB memory) connected to the recording device 1. There are no limitations on the communication method used for wireless or wired communication. For example, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used as a communication method used for wireless communication. Also, USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like can be used as a communication method used for wired communication. Also, for example, when a read command is input from the host device 400, the main controller 101 transmits this command to the scanner unit 3 via the scanner engine I/F 109.

The operation panel 104 is a mechanism that allows the user to perform input and output to the recording device 1. The user can use the operation panel 104 to instruct operations such as copying and scanning, set the print mode, and view information about the recording device 1.

In the print engine unit 200, a print controller 202 constituted by a CPU controls various mechanisms of the print section 2 according to the programs and various parameters stored in a ROM 203, using a RAM 204 as a work area. When various commands and image data are received via the controller I/F 201, the print controller 202 temporarily stores them in the RAM 204. The print controller 202 has the image processing controller 205 convert the stored image data into print data so that the print head 8 can use it for printing operations.

When the recording data is generated, the print controller 202 causes the recording head 8 to execute a recording operation based on the recording data via the head I/F 206. At this time, the print controller 202 drives the feeding units 6A and 6B, the conveying roller 7, the discharge roller 12, and the flapper 11 shown in FIG. 1 via the conveying control unit 207 to convey the recording medium S. In accordance with the instructions of the print controller 202, the recording head 8 executes a recording operation in conjunction with the conveying operation of the recording medium S, and the printing process is performed.

The head carriage control unit 208 changes the orientation and position of the recording head 8 depending on the operating state of the recording device 1, such as the maintenance state and recording state. The recording head 8 is mounted on a carriage, and the recording head 8 and the carriage together constitute a recording unit (recording unit). The ink supply control unit 209 controls the ink supply unit 15 so that the pressure of the ink supplied to the recording head 8 falls within an appropriate range. The maintenance control unit 210 controls the operation of the cap unit 10 and wiping unit 17 in the maintenance unit 16 when performing maintenance operations on the recording head 8.

In the scanner engine unit 300, the main controller 101 controls the hardware resources of the scanner controller 302 in accordance with the programs and various parameters stored in the ROM 107, using the RAM 106 as a work area. This controls the various mechanisms of the scanner unit 3.

For example, the main controller 101 controls the hardware resources in the scanner controller 302 via the controller I/F 301, so that the document loaded by the user on the ADF is transported via the transport control unit 304 and read by the sensor 305. The scanner controller 302 then stores the read image data in the RAM 303. The print controller 202 can convert the image data acquired as described above into recording data, thereby causing the recording head 8 to perform a recording operation based on the image data read by the scanner controller 302.

Figure 3 shows the recording device 1 in a recording state. Compared to the standby state shown in Figure 1, the cap unit 10 is separated from the nozzle surface 8a of the recording head 8, and the nozzle surface 8a faces the platen 9. In this embodiment, the plane of the platen 9 is inclined at about 45 degrees to the horizontal, and the nozzle surface 8a of the recording head 8 in the recording position is also inclined at about 45 degrees to the horizontal so that the distance from the platen 9 is maintained constant.

When the recording head 8 moves from the standby position shown in FIG. 1 to the recording position shown in FIG. 3, the print controller 202 uses the maintenance control unit 210 to lower the cap unit 10 to the retracted position shown in FIG. 3. This separates the ejection port surface 8a of the recording head 8 from the cap member 10a. The print controller 202 then uses the head carriage control unit 208 to rotate the recording head 8 45 degrees while adjusting the vertical height of the recording head 8, so that the ejection port surface 8a faces the platen 9. When the recording operation is completed and the recording head 8 moves from the recording position to the standby position, the print controller 202 performs the above steps in reverse.

Next, the transport path of the recording medium S in the print section 2 will be described. When a recording command is input, the print controller 202 first uses the maintenance control section 210 and the head carriage control section 208 to move the recording head 8 to the recording position shown in FIG. 3. Then, the print controller 202 uses the transport control section 207 to drive either the first feeding unit 6A or the second feeding unit 6B in accordance with the recording command to feed the recording medium S.

Next, the maintenance operation for the recording head 8 will be described. As described in FIG. 1, the maintenance unit 16 of this embodiment includes a cap unit 10 and a wiping unit 17, which are operated at a predetermined timing to perform the maintenance operation.

Figure 4 is a diagram of the recording device 1 in a maintenance state. When moving the recording head 8 from the standby position shown in Figure 1 to the maintenance position shown in Figure 4, the print controller 202 moves the recording head 8 vertically upward and moves the cap unit 10 vertically downward. Then, the print controller 202 moves the wiping unit 17 from the retracted position to the right in Figure 4. After that, the print controller 202 moves the recording head 8 vertically downward to a maintenance position where maintenance operations can be performed.

On the other hand, when the recording head 8 moves from the recording position shown in FIG. 3 to the maintenance position shown in FIG. 4, the print controller 202 moves the recording head 8 vertically upward while rotating it 45 degrees. Then, the print controller 202 moves the wiping unit 17 from the retracted position to the right. After that, the print controller 202 moves the recording head 8 vertically downward to the maintenance position where the maintenance operation by the maintenance unit 16 can be performed.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the ink supply unit 15. The ink supply unit 15 is configured to supply ink from the ink tank unit 14 to the recording head 8. Here, the configuration for one color of ink is shown, but the recording device 1 has a similar configuration for each color of ink.

In the recording device 1, ink circulates between the recording head 8 and the ink tank 502, which constitutes the ink supply unit 15 and serves as a storage section for storing ink. Ink is supplied from the ink tank 502 to the recording head 8 via a supply flow path 507, and ink not ejected from the recording head 8 is recovered to the ink tank 502 via a recovery flow path 508. In other words, the ink tank 502, the supply flow path 507, the recording head 8, and the recovery flow path 508 form a circulation path through which the ink circulates. The pressure reduction pump 503 is a negative pressure generating source for reducing the pressure inside the ink tank 502.

The ink cartridge 501 is a storage member that stores ink to be supplied to the ink tank 502. The ink cartridge 501 is configured to store ink in a flexible member, and ink is filled into the ink tank 502 by changes in the volume of the flexible member. The ink cartridge 501 is detachable from the recording device 1. The ink cartridge 501 and the ink tank 502 are connected by a tank connection flow path 506.

When maintenance such as replacement or adjustment of the recording head 8 is required, the connection portion connecting the recording head 8 to the ink supply unit 15 may be removed. FIG. 6A is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the head joint 111 of the recording head 8 is connected to the tube joint (joint portion) 115 to which the tube 116 constituting the supply flow path 507 is connected. FIG. 6B is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the head joint 111 and the tube joint 115 are disconnected. Although FIG. 6 shows only the tube joint 115 of the tube 116 constituting the supply flow path 507, the tube constituting the recovery flow path 508 has a similar configuration. In this embodiment, the head joint 111 and the tube joint 115 are connected along the horizontal direction.

The tube joint 115 is connected to the ink supply unit 15 (ink tank 502) via a tube 116. The recording head 8 is capable of ejecting ink of four colors: cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk), and the multiple tubes 116 provided for each ink color are held together by the tube joint 115. Note that the tube joint 115 may be configured to be provided separately for each color.

When disconnecting the head joint 111 and the tube joint 115 for maintenance of the recording device 1, ink may drip from the ink supply port 112 of the head joint 111 and the joint connection port 119 of the tube joint 115. If the dripping ink flows into the ink supply port 112 of another color, ink mixing may occur in the recording head 8, causing a decrease in print quality.

Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration around the ink supply port 112 in this embodiment. Figure 7 shows the case where ink drips from the ink supply port 112. The ink supply ports 112 in this embodiment are arranged in the following order from top to bottom: cyan ink supply port 112C, magenta ink supply port 112M, yellow ink supply port 112Y, and black ink supply port 112Bk.

When the head joint 111 and the tube joint 115 are disconnected, ink 113 (cyan ink 113C, magenta ink 113M, yellow ink 113Y, black ink 113Bk) drips from each ink supply port 112. The dripping ink 113 travels along a flow path formed by a guide wall 114 provided on the head joint 111 and is absorbed by an ink absorber 117 provided at the bottom of the head joint 111. The ink absorber 117 functions as an ink retention member capable of absorbing ink.

The guide wall 114 includes a guide wall 114a that is provided to protrude from the side wall 111a of the head joint 111 where the ink supply port 112 is provided. The guide wall 114 also includes a guide wall 114b that is provided to protrude from a side wall 111b that is adjacent to the side wall 111a and extends in the opening direction of the ink supply port 112. The guide walls 114a and 114b are connected to form a continuous ink flow path. The ink 113 that drips from the ink supply port 112 is guided along the side wall 111a by the guide wall 114a, and then guided along the side wall 111b by the guide wall 114b to reach the ink absorber 117. In other words, the guide wall 114 provides independent flow paths from the ink supply port 112 to the ink absorber 117 for each ink color.

These guide walls 114 form independent flow paths for each ink color, preventing ink dripping from the ink supply port 112 from flowing into the ink supply port 112 of another color. This makes it possible to prevent ink mixing. Even if the ink is the same color, pigment ink and dye ink may mix and cause the ink to stick, but by providing the guide wall 114, it is possible to prevent different types of ink from mixing. That is, even if the cyan ink 113C, magenta ink 113M, and yellow ink 113Y are dye-based inks and the black ink 113Bk is a pigment-based ink, for example, it is possible to prevent the inks from mixing with each other.

Figure 8 is a schematic side view of the state shown in Figure 7 when more ink has dripped. Figure 8 is a side view seen from the side wall 111b of the head joint 111. If a large amount of ink 113 has dripped, the ink 113 may fall from the edge of the guide wall 114a as shown in Figure 8. In contrast, in this embodiment, the length of the guide wall 114a protruding from the side wall 111a is formed to become shorter from top to bottom.

Cyan ink 113C dripping from cyan ink supply port 112C is received by guide wall 114aC, which protrudes a length LC from side wall 111a. Magenta ink 113M dripping from magenta ink supply port 112M is received by guide wall 114aM, which protrudes a length LM from side wall 111a. Yellow ink 113Y dripping from yellow ink supply port 112Y is received by guide wall 114aY, which protrudes a length LY from side wall 111a. The length relationship between the two is LC>LM>LY.

In this way, by configuring the guide walls 114a so that they protrude longer the higher they are, even if ink drips off the edge of the guide walls 114a, it is prevented from flowing into the ink supply port 112 located below. This makes it possible to further prevent different types of ink from mixing.

Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration around the ink supply port 112. Figure 9(a) shows the state in which the ink 113M has solidified, and Figure 9(b) shows the state in which the solidified ink 113M is released.

Some inks 113 will harden (set) when they dry, depending on the composition of their components. When using such inks 113 in this embodiment, they may set and accumulate partway through the flow path formed by the guide wall 114, and overflow from the guide wall 114. As shown in FIG. 9(a), if the magenta ink 113M is an ink that tends to set, the ink may set partway through the flow path formed by the guide wall 114, and remain as set ink 118.

In contrast, if the cyan ink 113C is an ink that does not easily solidify (stick), then the ink supply port 112C for the cyan ink 113C is disposed above the ink supply port 112M for the magenta ink 113M, as shown in FIG. 9(b). Ink that is prone to sticking may be more easily prevented from sticking by mixing with ink that is less likely to stick.

Taking advantage of this characteristic, guide wall 114b is formed so that cyan ink 113C and magenta ink 113M merge midway through the flow path formed by guide wall 114b. This allows cyan ink 113C dripping down from above to mix with the solidified ink 118 of magenta ink 113M, dissolving the solidified ink 118. The magenta ink 113M that has been unstuck flows straight down and is absorbed by the ink absorber 117. This makes it possible to prevent ink that is prone to solidification from solidifying and accumulating midway through the flow path.

The above describes a configuration that prevents different types of ink (liquid) from mixing at the head joint 111, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by making the peripheral configuration of the tube joint 115 and the joint connection port 119 similar, it is possible to prevent different types of ink (liquid) from mixing at the tube joint 115.

Second Embodiment
In the second embodiment, a configuration in which the head joint 111 and the tube joint 115 are connected in the gravity direction (Z direction) will be described. Fig. 10A is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the head joint 111 and the tube joint 115 are connected, and Fig. 10B is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the head joint 111 and the tube joint 115 are disconnected.

When maintenance of the recording device 1 is required, such as replacing the recording head 8, the tube joint 115 may be removed from the head joint 111 as shown in FIG. 10(b). At that time, ink may drip from the joint connection port 119 of the tube joint 115. If the dripping ink flows into the ink supply port 112 of another color, ink mixing may occur in the recording head 8, which may result in a decrease in print quality.

Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged view of the surrounding structure of the connection between the head joint 111 and the tube joint 115. Figure 11(a) shows the state in which the head joint 111 and the tube joint 115 are connected, and Figures 11(b) to 11(d) sequentially show how the head joint 111 and the tube joint 115 are detached.

As in the first embodiment, ink dripping from the ink supply port 112 is guided independently toward the ink absorber 117 by a flow path formed by the guide wall 114. The guide wall 114 in the second embodiment further has a guide rail 120 at its upper portion that can engage with a guide portion 121 provided on the tube joint 115. In the second embodiment, the ink supply ports 112 are arranged in the Y direction that intersects (is perpendicular to) the direction of gravity (Z direction).

That is, when the user removes the tube joint 115 from the head joint 111, the user first moves the tube joint 115 upward in the direction of gravity (Z direction) as shown in FIG. 11(b). Then, the guide rail 120 as a restricting part and the guide part 121 butt against each other, and the guide part 121 and the guide rail 120 engage with each other.

This engagement restricts the movement of the tube joint 115 in the Y direction. In other words, the guide rail 120 restricts the movement of the tube joint 115 in the arrangement direction (Y direction) of the ink supply ports 112. Therefore, even if ink drips from the joint connection port 119, it is prevented from flowing into the adjacent ink supply ports 112 of other colors.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11(c), the user moves the tube joint 115 in the X direction along the guide rail 120. As the user moves, the ink 113 drips from the joint connection port 119 and the ink supply port 112 and flows through the flow path formed by the guide wall 114, and is absorbed by the ink absorber 117.

As explained in the first embodiment, when pigment-based ink and dye-based ink are mixed, the ink may solidify. In contrast, even when the cyan ink 113C, magenta ink 113M, and yellow ink 113Y are dye-based and the black ink 113Bk is pigment-based, the mixing of the inks can be suppressed by engaging the guide portion 121 with the guide rail 120.

11( d ), the user can remove the tube joint 115 from the head joint 111 by moving the tube joint 115 in the X direction along the guide rail 120. With this configuration, even if the head joint 111 and the tube joint 115 are connected in the gravity direction, it is possible to prevent dripping ink from flowing into the ink supply ports 112 of other colors. In other words, it is possible to prevent different types of liquid from mixing with each other.

1 Recording device 8 Recording head 112 Ink supply port 113 Ink 114 Guide wall 502 Ink tank (storage section)
507 Supply channel

Claims (4)

a recording unit having a recording head capable of ejecting a first ink and a second ink and a head joint;
a tube joint to which a first tube for supplying the first ink from a first tank that stores the first ink to the recording head and a second tube for supplying the second ink from a second tank that stores the second ink to the recording head are connected, and which is connectable to the head joint;
The head joint is
a first side wall provided with a first supply port for supplying the first ink to the first tube and a second supply port disposed below the first supply port for supplying the second ink to the second tube;
a second side wall adjacent to the first side wall;
a first guide wall provided between the first supply port and the second supply port, protruding from the first side wall and guiding the first ink dripping from the first supply port;
a second guide wall protruding from the second side wall and connected to the first guide wall for guiding the first ink. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has an absorbent that absorbs the first ink guided by the second guide wall. a third tube for supplying a third ink from a third tank storing the third ink to the recording head is connected to the tube joint;
The head joint is
a third supply port provided in the first side wall below the second supply port for supplying the third ink to the third tube;
a third guide wall that is provided between the second supply port and the third supply port, protruding from the first side wall, and that guides the second ink dripping from the second supply port;
3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a length by which the third guide wall protrudes from the first side wall is shorter than a length by which the first guide wall protrudes from the first side wall. The recording device according to claim 3, characterized in that the absorber absorbs the first ink that drips from the first guide wall.

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