DESCRIPTION
Technical Field
[OOOl]
The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting
apparatus which ejects liquid supplied using a liquid supply
tube.
Background Art
[0002]
In the related art, as a type of a liquid ejecting
apparatus which ejects liquid toward a target, an ink jet
printer is widely known. As such a printer, there is a socalled
on-carry type printer in which a plurality of ink
cartridges which accommodate ink, and a liquid ejecting head
which ejects ink supplied from each ink cartridge onto a
sheet are installed on a carriage which can perform
reciprocating movement.
[0003]
On the other hand, in recent years, a printer which can
perform mass printing by being provided with an ink tank
with a large capacity at the outside of a main body of the
printer, and continuously providing ink to a liquid ejecting
head in the main body of the printer through an ink
supplying tube from the ink tank, not supplying ink from an
ink cartridge which is installed on such a carriage has been
developed (for example, PTL 1) .
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0004]
PTL 1: JP-A-2012-61624
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0005]
Meanwhile, in such a printer, a plurality of ink
supplying tubes which deform along with a movement of a
carriage on which a liquid ejecting head is installed are
pulled around so as to be horizontally aligned in a
direction which intersects a movement direction of the
carriage. For this reason, a space for pulling around an
ink supplying tube in which the plurality of ink supplying
tubes can be arranged in a horizontally aligned state should
be secured, and accordingly, it is difficult to make the
main body of the printer compact. On the other hand, in a
case of a use situation of solely printing documents in
which only ink of a specific color such as black ink is
intensively used, for example, it is not necessary for an
ink supplying tube corresponding to each color with a low
frequency of use, except for the specific color, to be
pulled around at all.
[0006]
In addition, in a liquid ejecting apparatus in which a
liquid ejecting head ejects liquid which is supplied from a
liquid tank through a liquid supply tube which performs
follow-up deformation along with a movement of a carriage on
which the liquid ejecting head is installed, such a
situation becomes almost common without being limited to the
above-described ink jet printer.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the
above described situation, and an object thereof is to
provide a liquid ejecting apparatus which can stably and
continuously supply liquid through a liquid supply tube
which performs follow-up deformation along with a movement
of a carriage on which a liquid ejecting head is installed
while making an apparatus main body compact.
Solution to Problem
[0008]
Hereinafter, means for solving the above described
problem, and an operational effect thereof will be
described.
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting
head which can eject liquid onto a target; a carriage which
can perform a reciprocating movement in an apparatus main
body in a state of having the liquid ejecting head installed
thereon, and an adaptor which can supply the liquid to the
liquid ejecting head; and one liquid supply tube which
performs follow-up deformation in the apparatus main body
along with the reciprocating movement of the carriage in a
state of being pulled around so as to supply the liquid from
a l~quid tank which becomes an upstream side arranged at an
outside of a movement range of the carriage to the adaptor
which becomes a downstream side.
[0009]
According to the configuration, since it is sufficient
to provide a space for pulling only one liquid ejecting tube
around in the main body of the liquid ejecting apparatus, it
is possible to make the apparatus main body compact compared
to a case in which a plurality of ink supplying tubes are
pulled around in a state of being horizontally aligned.
Accordingly, it is possible to stably and continuously
supply liquid through the liquid supply tube which performs
follow-up deformation along with a movement of the carrlage
on which the liquid ejecting head is installed while making
the apparatus main body compact.
[ OOlO]
In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the liquid supply
tube may be configured by including a first extending
portion which is in a state of extending along a movement
direction of the carriage in the apparatus main body from
the liquid tank side; a curved portion which is in a curved
state which is reversed in a vertical direction by being
stretched out to the downstream side from the first
extending portion; a second extending portion which is in a
state of extending along the movement direction of the
carriage in the apparatus main body by being stretched out
to the downstream side from the curved portion; and a
connection unit which is connected to the adaptor by being
stretched out to the downstream side from the second
extending portion, in which the first extending portion and
the second extending portion may be pulled around so that at
least partial portions thereof overlap with each other in
the vertical direction.
[OOll]
According to the configuration, since the liquid supply
tube is configured so that at least a part of the second
extending portion overlaps with the first extending portion
in the vertical direction along with a movement of the
carriage, it is possible to further reliably make the
apparatus main body compact in the movement direction of the
carriage, and in a forward-backward direction which
intersects the vertical direction.
[0012]
In the liquid ejecting apparatus, a connection portion
of the adaptor to the liquid supply tube may be installed at
a position which is separated from an end portion of the
carriage which is a side opposite to a side on which the
liquid tank is arranged, in the movement direction of the
carriage.
[0013]
According to the configuration, when the carriage is
located at a position at which the carriage is separated
farthest from the liquid tank in a reciprocating movement
range of the carriage, it is possible to make a protruding
amount of the liquid supply tube (when there is a curved
portion, the curved portion) which protrudes from an end
portion of the carriage in the movement direction of the
carriage small. In this manner, it is possible to make the
apparatus main body in the movement direction of the
carriage compact by making a space for securing the
protruding amount of the liquid supply tube small.
[0014]
In the liquid ejecting apparatus, a protective plate
which is additionally provided on the outer side of the
liquid supply tube which performs follow-up deformation, and
performs follow-up deformation along with the reciprocating
movement of the carriage together with the liquid supply
tube may be further provided.
[0015]
According to the configuration, it is possible to
prevent the liquid supply tube which performs follow-up
deformation along with the reciprocating movement of the
carriage from coming into contact with other components in
the apparatus main body by providing the protective plate.
[0016]
In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the protective plate
may include a regulation unit which regulates a movement of
the liquid supply tube in a direction intersecting an
extending direction of the liquid supply tube.
[0017]
According to the configuration, the regulation unit of
the protective plate regulates a movement of the liquid
supply tube in the direction intersecting the extending
direction of the liquid supply tube when the liquid supply
tube performs follow-up deformation along with the
reciprocating movement of the carriage. In this manner, it
is possible to prevent the liquid supply tube from coming
into contact with other components in the apparatus main
body by moving in the direction intersecting the extending
direction.
[0018]
In the liquid ejecting apparatus, a plurality of liquid
supply tubes are connected with each other through a joint
which connects tubes therebetween.
According to the configuration, it is possible to
individually exchange the liquid supply tubes on the
upstream side and the downstream side which are connected
through the joint. In this manner, it is possible to
improve maintainability related to an exchange of the liquid
supply tube.
[00191
In the 1iqui.d ejecting apparatus, a cover which is
mounted on the carriage from a direction intersecting a
vertical direction may be further provided in order to cover
the adaptor which is installed on the carriage from above.
[0020]
According to the configuration, it is possible to make
a mounting failure of the cover be easily recognized by a
user who views the liquid ejecting apparatus from above in
general, when the cover is mounted in a direction
intersecting the vertical direction, compared to a case in
which the cover is mounted in the vertical direction.
[0021]
In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the cover may include
a pressing unit which presses a connection unit so that a
movement of the connection unit is regulated when the cover
is mounted on the carriage.
According to the configuration, the pressing unit
presses the connection unit of the liquid supply tube when
the cover is mounted on the carriage, and regulates a
movement thereof. Accordingly, for example, even when the
liquid supply tube receives a force generated in the
extending direction of the liquid supply tube due to followup
deformation of the liquid supply tube which is performed
along with the reciprocating movement of the carriage, it is
possible to prevent the liquid supply tube from being pulled
out from the adaptor.
Brief Description of Drawings
[00221
[Fig. 11 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a
multifunction peripheral according to one embodiment.
[Fig. 21 Fig. 2 is a perspective view which illustrates
an internal structure of a recording apparatus.
[Fig. 31 Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a carriage
when a cover is not mounted.
[Fig. 41 Fig. 4(a) is a perspective view when the cover
is viewed obliquely from above, and Fig. 4(b) is a
perspective view when the cover is viewed obliquely from
below.
[Fig. 51 Fig. 5 is a diagram which illustrates an
internal configuration of the recording apparatus, Fig. 5 (a)
is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 2, and Fig. 5(b) is a
perspective view of a regulation unit.
[Fig. 61 Fig. 6 is a diagram which illustrates a state
in which the cover is mounted on the carriage, Fig. 6(a) is
a perspective view in the middle of mounting, and Fig. 6(b)
is a perspective view when the mounting is completed.
[Fig. 71 Fig. 7 is a diagram which illustrates a
carriage which is reciprocating, Fig. 7 ( a ) is a perspective
view when the carriage is located at one end side of a
movement region, and Fig. 7 ( b ) is a perspective view when
the carriage is located at the other end side of the
movement region.
Description of Embodiments
[0023]
Hereinafter, one embodiment of a multifunction
peripheral which includes a recording apparatus as an
example of a liquid ejecting apparatus will be described
with reference to drawings.
As illustrated in Fig. 1, a multifunction peripheral 11
includes a recording apparatus 12, a scanner unit 14 which
is installed on a main body case 13 of the recording
apparatus 12, and an ink tank 15 as an example of a liquid
tank which is detachably mounted on one side face of the
recording apparatus 12. In addition, in the specification,
an antigravity direction is referred to as a higher
direction, and a gravity direction is referred to as a lower
direction. In addition, a direction which extends in the
higher direction and lower direction is illustrated as a
vertical direction Z.
[0024]
The recording apparatus 12 can perform recording with
respect to a sheet P which is an example of a target, and
meanwhile, the scanner unit 14 can read an image, or the
like, which is recorded on an original document. The
scanner unit 14 includes a scanner main body unit 16 of
which a part is rotatably connected to the main body case 13
of the recording apparatus 12, and a transport unit 17 which
is arranged above the scanner main body unit 16. The
scanner main body unit 16 is attached so as to be able to be
displaced between a closed position at which the higher part
of the main body case 13 is covered and an open position at
which the higher part of the main body case 13 is open with
respect to the recording apparatus 12, through a rotating
mechanism 18 such as a hinge which is provided on one end
side thereof. In addition, the transport unit 17 is
attached so as to be displaced between a covered position
and an open position of the higher part of the scanner main
body unit 16 with respect to the scanner main body unit 16
through a rotation mechanism 19 such as a hinge which is
provided on one end side thereof.
[0025]
In addition, in the following description, in the
multifunction peripheral 11, a side on which the rotating
mechanisms 18 and 19 are provided is referred to as a rear
side or a rear surface side, and a side opposite thereto is
referred to as a front side. In addition, a direction of
moving back and forth is illustrated as a forward-backward
direction Y direction.
roo261
An operation panel 20 is arranged on the front face
side of the multifunction peripheral 11. The operation
panel 20 includes a display unit (for example, liquid
crystal display) 21 for displaying a menu screen, or the
like, and various operation buttons 22 which are provided
around the display unit 21.
[ 0 0 2 7 ]
In the recording apparatus 12, a sheet discharging port
23 for discharging a sheet P from the main body case 13 is
open at a position which is the lower part of the operation
panel 20. In addition, a sheet discharging stand 24 which
can be drawn out is accommodated on the lower part of the
sheet discharging port 23 in the recording apparatus 12. In
addition, a medium support body 25 which can be drawn out,
and is in a shape of an approximately rectangular plate on
which a plurality of sheets P can be loaded is attached to
the rear surface side of the recording apparatus 12.
[ 0 0 2 8 ]
In addition, a transport mechanism which is not
illustrated is accommodated in the main body case 13. In
addition, when a sheet p is guided into the main body case
13 through a sheet feeding port 26, the sheet p is
transported to the front side using the transport mechanism
in the main body case 13, and is discharged to the outside
of the main body case 13 through the sheet discharging post
23. That is, the forward direction in the forward-backward
direction Y is also a direction in which the sheet p is
transported in the main body case 13. In addition, a
direction which intersects (according to the embodiment, is
orthogonal to) both the vertical direction Z and the
forward-backward direction Y is set to the main scanning
direction X.
[0029]
As illustrated inFig. 2, a strip plate-shaped guide
frame 31 in which the main scanning direction X is the
longitudinal direction, and the vertical direction Z is the
transverse direction is provided in the main body case 13.
A guide rail 32 which extends in the main scanning direction
X is formed in the higher end portion and the lower end
portion of the guide frame 31, when an edge portion of the
higher side and an edge portion of the lower side of the
guide frame 31 with a regular width which extends in the
longitudinal direction are bent toward the front direction,
respectively. In addition, in the guide rail 32, a carriage
50 is supported so as to reciprocate in a direction which
extends in the longitudinal direction.
[0030]
A l i q u i d e j e c t i n g head 34 which can e j e c t ink t o a
sheet P is held on t h e lower f a c e s i d e of t h e c a r r i a g e 50.
A p l u r a l i t y of l i q u i d e j e c t i n g nozzles (not i l l u s t r a t e d )
open on the lower f a c e s i d e of t h e l i q u i d e j e c t i n g head 34.
Meanwhile, an adaptor 35 which can supply ink t o the l i q u i d
e j e c t i n g head 34 i s mounted on t h e c a r r i a g e 50. The adaptor
35 is formed i n approximately t h e same shape as an ink
c a r t r i d g e which is mounted on a s o - c a l l e d on carry-type
p r i n t e r which e j e c t s i n k s u p p l i e d from an ink housing body
which is mounted on t h e c a r r i a g e 50. In a d d i t i o n , a
connection tube p o r t i o n 35a i n a c i r c u l a r t.ube shape which
p r o t r u d e s t o the f r o n t s i d e is provided a t a p o r t i o n which
i s exposed t o a s p a t i a l region on the upper p a r t of t h e
adaptor 35 i n a s t a t e i n which t h e c a r r i a g e 50 is mounted,
and an ink supplying tube 70 which can supply ink from t h e
ink tank 15 t o t h e connection tube p o r t i o n 35a is connected
t o the p o r t i o n . In a d d i t i o n , a support member 37 f o r
supporting t h e s h e e t P on t h e lower p a r t of t h e l i q u i d
e j e c t i n g head 34 i s arranged a t a base p o r t i o n i n t h e main
body case 13 by s e t t i n g t h e main scanning d i r e c t i o n X a s t h e
l o n g i t u d i n a l d i r e c t i o n .
[0031]
Pulleys 38 which form a p a i r so a s t o be a l i g n e d i n t h e
main scanning d i r e c t i o n X (one p u l l e y is not i l l u s t r a t e d ) ,
and an endless timing b e l t 39 which i s wound around both
pulleys are arranged on the rear side of the carriage 50. A
driving axis of a carriage motor 40 is attached to one
pulley. In addition, when the carriage motor 40 is driven
by switching between both normal and reverse directions, and
when the timing belt 39 is normally and reversely rotated,
the carriage 50 performs a reciprocating movement in the
main scanning direction X. In addition, recording is
performed when the liquid ejecting head 34 which moves along
with the carriage 50 ejects ink droplets to the sheet P
which is supported by the support member 37. In addition, a
linear encoder 41 for detecting a position of the carriage
50 in the main scanning direction X is provided so as to
extend on a movement path of the carriage 50 on the rear
side of the carriage 50. In addition, a position which
becomes the lower part of the carriage 50 in Fig. 2 is a
home position at which maintenance of the liquid ejecting
head 34 is performed.
[0032]
Subsequently, a specific configuration of the carriage
50 will be described.
As illustrated in Fig. 3, the carriage 50 has a box
shape with an opening 51 in the higher direction in the
vertical direction Z, includes a first side wall 52 in the
forward-backward direction Y, and a second side wall 53 on
the rear side in the forward-backward direction Y. In
addition, the carriage 50 includes a third side wall 54
which becomes a side wall on the ink tank 15 side, and a
fourth side wall 55 which becomes an end portion (side wall)
on the opposite side to the side on which the ink tank 15 is
arranged in the main scanning direction X.
[0033]
As illustrated in Fig. 3, at the higher end portion of
the first side wall 52, a first guide unit 56 which has a
horizontal band shape, and can support the ink supplying
tube 70 of which a downstream end is connected to the
connection tube portion 35a of the adaptor 35 is formed so
as to describe an arc toward the fourth side wall 55 in the
main scanning direction X from the front side in the
forward-backward direction Y. In addition, in the first
guide unit 56, a pair of guide walls 57 which can interpose
the ink supplying tube 70 between both sides in the
horizontal direction is formed so as to face each other
along the extending direction of the first guide unit 56.
[00341
In addition, in a higher end of each guide wall 57, a
hook-shaped tube locking unit 57a which protrudes to a
higher end of the guide wall 57 on the other side which
faces thereto is formed. In addition, in a higher end of
the guide wall 57 on the outer side which forms a larger arc
shape than that of the guide wall 57 on the other side, in
both guide walls 57, a hook-shaped cover locking unit 57b
which protrudes to the outer side thereof is formed. In
addition, at a portion extending in the main scanning
direction X of the first guide unit 56, a plurality of
protective plate locking units 56a (two in embodiment) which
form a hook shape in the rear direction are formed on the
higher end thereof.
[ 0 0 3 5 ]
In addition, the height of the first side wall 52 in
the vertical direction Z is formed so as to be low compared
to other side walls 53 to 55. For this reason, the first
guide unit 56 which extends from the higher end portion of
the first side wall 52 is also provided at a position which
is lower than other side walls 53 to 55. In addition, the
cover locking unit 52a which has a right-angled triangle
shape when planarly viewed is formed in a protruding manner
in the front direction in the position adjacent to the
fourth side wall 55 which is an higher end portion of the
first side wall 52.
LO0361
A cover locking unit 54a which protrudes in the
rightward direction which becomes the ink tank 15 side is
formed in the third side wall 54 in a higher end portion at
an approximately center position in the forward-backward
direction Y thereof. In addition, a screw hole 58 is formed
in a direction which goes along the vertical direction Z in
a higher end portion at a corner portion of the carriage 50
which is formed by the third side wall 54 and the first side
wall 52.
[ 0 0 3 7 ]
A plurality of (two in embodiment) positioning holes
55a are formed in the fourth side wall 55 in a higher end
portion thereof in a direction which goes along the main
scanning direction X in a penetrating manner. Each of the
positioning holes 55a is formed at a position which is close
to the first side wall 52, and the second side wall 53, in
the higher end portion on the fourth side wall 55.
[0038]
In addition, a plurality of (four in embodiment)
mounting units 59 on which the adaptor 35 can be mounted are
arranged in line in the main scanning direction X in a
region of the carriage 50 in which the carriage is
surrounded by each of the side walls 52 to 54. In addition,
each of the mounting units 59 is divided by 'an upright rib
53a which is erected toward the front side in the forwardbackward
direction Y from the second side wall 53 of the
carriage 50. In addition, according to the embodiment, the
adaptor 35 is mounted on the mounting unit 59 which is
closest to the ink tank 15 side (right side in Fig. 3) among
each of mounting units 59 which are divided by the upright
ribs 53a. Accordingly, in Fig. 3, the mounting unit 59
which is located on the rightmost side among four mounting
units 59 is in a hidden state when the adaptor 35 is mounted.
[0039]
Subsequently, a cover 60 which covers the opening 51 of
the carriage 50 will be described.
In addition, each direction such as the forwardbackward
direction, the horizontal direction, and the
vertical direction of the cover 60 in the following
description is set to a direction in a posture of the cover
when being mounted on the carriage 50 as illustrated in Figs.
6 (a) and 6 (b) .
[0040]
As illustrated in Fig. 4(a), the cover 60 forms a shape
corresponding to the opening 51 of the carriage 50 when
planarly viewed, and a rectangular notch 60a is formed at a
corner portion on the right rear side thereof. The notch
60a is formed at a position corresponding to the corner
portion on the right rear side which is formed by the second
side wall 53 and the third side wall 54 of the carriage 50
when the cover 60 is mounted on the opening 51 of the
carriage 50. In addition, a side wall 61 which is in a
pendulous state when being mounted on the carriage 50, and a
covering lid unit 62 which has in an approximate fan-shape
when planarly viewed are formed at a side portion on the
front side which is the opposite side to the side in the
forward-backward direction Y on which the notch 60a is
formed in the cover 60. The covering lid unit 62 is
provided so that the first guide unit 56 is covered from the
higher side at a position corresponding to the first guide
unit 56 of the carriage 50, when the cover 60 is mounted on
the carriage 50.
[0041]
In the covering lid unit 62 of the cover 60, a hole
portion 62a is formed in a direction which goes along the
vertical direction Z, and a hook-shaped unit for locking 62b
is provided on the lower side of the hole portion 62a so as
to close a part of the hole portion 62a. In addition, the
unit for locking 62b can be engaged with the hook-shaped
cover locking unit 57b of the carriage 50. In addition, a
unit for locking 61a is formed in an end portion on the side
opposite to the side on which the covering lid unit 62 is
formed in the main scanning direction X in the side wall 61
on the front side of the cover 60 by providing two grooves
on the side wall 61. The unit for locking 61a can be
engaged with the cover locking unit 52a of the carriage 50
using own elastic deformation.
[0042]
In addition, a side wall 63 which is in an approximate
triangular shape when viewed from the side is formed on the
right side portion of the cover 60. In addition, a notchshaped
unit for locking 63a is formed in a higher end
portion of the side wall 63. The unit for locking 63a can
be engaged with the cover locking unit 54a of the carriage
50. In addition, a plate portion 64 which extends in a
direction intersecting the side wall 63 is formed in a lower
end portion of the right side wall 63 of the cover 60, and a
through hole 64a is formed on the plate portion 64 in a
direction which goes along the vertical direction Z. The
through hole 64a is formed so as to correspond to the screw
hole 58 of the carriage when the cover 60 is mounted on the
carriage 50 in the vertical direction 2.
LO0431
As illustrated in Pig. 4 (b), a plurality of (two in
embodiment) positioning convex portions 65a which protrude
toward a direction which goes along the main scanning
direction X are formed on a side wall 65 which is formed on
a side portion which becomes the left side (right side in
Fig. 4(b)), when the cover is mounted on the carriage 50 in
a perspective view from the rear surface of the cover 60.
The positioning convex portion 65a is provided so as to
correspond to the positioning hole 55a which is formed in
the carriage 50.
[0044]
In addition, on the rear surface side of the cover 60,
a pressing unit 62c which protrudes to the lower part in the
vertical direction Z is formed in the covering lid unit 62
so as to extend in the forward-backward direction Y. The
pressing unit 62c presses a portion at which the cover 60 is
arranged on the first guide unit 56 in the ink supplying
tube 70, when being mounted on the carriage 50, that is, a
connection unit 15 (refer to Fig. 3) which is arranged in a
state of being bent by a predetermined length from the
downstream end which is connected to the connection tube
portion 35a of the adaptor 35, and regulates a movement
thereof.
[0045]
Subsequently, a configuration related to an ink supply
system in which ink is supplied from the ink tank 15 which
is arranged on the outer side of the main body case 13 to
the liquid ejecting head 34 will be described in detail.
As illustrated in Fig. 5(a), the ink tank 15 which is
the furthest upstream side in the ink supply system is
detachably mounted on one side surface (right side in Fig.
2) in the main scanning direction X of the main body case 13.
A slide cover 15a is provided on the higher face of the ink
tank 15, and it is possible to supply ink into the ink tank
15 through an ink inlet (not illustrated) which appears when
the slide cover 15a is in an open state.
100461
In addition, the ink supplying tube 70 which supplies
ink from the ink tank 15 on the upstream side to the adaptor
35 on the downstream side is arranged in the main body case
13. First, a portion of the ink supplying tube 70 on the
furthest upstream side becomes an introduction unit 71 which
is introduced into the main body case 13 from the ink tank
15. The introduction unit 71 is mounted on a second guide
unit 42 which extends in the main scanning direction X on
the higher side of the sheet discharging port 23 (refer to
Fig. 1) in the main body case 13, and is fixed so as not to
move and be deformed. In addition, an end portion of the
introduction unit 71 on the upstream side is connected to
the ink tank 15; however, in contrast to this, an end
portion of the introduction unit 71 on the downstream side
is connected to a joint unit 43 as an example of a joint
which is arranged on the second guide unit 42 by being fixed.
[0047]
The joint unit 43 includes a unit for fixing 43a which
extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal
direction of the second guide unit 42, and is fixed to the
second guide unit 42 through both end portions of the unit
for fixing 43a. In addition, connection ports 43b and 43c
which can connect the ink supplying tube 70 are formed in a
protruding manner toward both directions in the main
scanning direction X in the unit for fixing 43a of the joint
unit 43. That is, the connection port 43b which faces the
upstream side is connected to a downstream end of the
introduction unit 71 of the ink supplying tube 70, and on
the other hand, the connection port 43c which faces the
downstream side is connected to an upstream side end of a
first extending portion 72 which extends to the downstream
side in the main body case 13. In this way, the joint unit
43 connects the introduction unit 71 and the first extending
portion 72 to each other in such a manner that the ink can
flow therethrough. In addition, since the introduction unit
71 and the first extending portion 72 are detachably
connected to the joint unit 43, the ink supplying tube 70 on
the upstream side and downstream side which are formed
through the joint unit 43 can be individually exchanged,
respectively.
[00481
The first extending portion 72 is mounted on the second
guide unit 42 in a state of extending along the main
scanning direction X on the downstream side of the joint
unit 43 (left side in figure). In addition, the first
extending portion 72 is fixed so as not to move using a rib
44 and an interposing member 45 at a position which is.
slightly closer to the ink tank 15 than a center position in
the main scanning direction X of the second guide unit 42.
The ribs 44 form a pair in the forward-backward direction Y
intersecting the longitudinal direction of the second guide
unit 42, and are formed toward a higher direction in a
protruding manner. In addition, the pair of ribs 44
interposes the first extending portion 72 therebetween in a
direction which goes along the forward-backward direction Y.
Meanwhile, the interposing member 45 fixes the second guide
unit 42 using a screw in a state in which the first
extending portion 72 is interposed in a direction which goes
along the vertical direction Z along with the second guide
unit 42. In this manner, the first extending portion 72 is
fixed so as not to move with respect to the second guide
unit 42 using the rib 44 and the interposing member 45.
[0049]
A curved portion 73 at which the extending direction of
the first extending portion 72 is reversed while being bent
in the vertical direction Z is provided on the downstream
side of the first extending portion 72. The curved portion
73 is maintained in a state of being curved using elasticity
of the ink supplying tube 70.
[0050]
A second extending portion in a state of extending in
the main scanning direction X is provided on the downstream
side of the curved portion 73. Here, the first extending
portion 72 and the second extending portion 74 are provided
so that at least a part (all in the embodiment) thereof
overlaps with each other in the vertical direction 2.
[0051]
The connection unit 75 which bends the extending
direction of the second extending portion 74 to the rear
side, and connects an. end portion on the downstream side to
the adaptor 35 which is mounted on the carriage 50 is
provided on the downstream side of the second extending
portion 74. That is, the connection unit 75 which is also
the furthest downstream portion of the ink supplying tube 70
is connected to the connection tube portion 35a of which the
downstream end protrudes to the front side from the adaptor
35, while being guided by the first guide unit 56. In
addition, the connection unit 75 is fixed to the first guide
unit 56 when being locked to a tube locking unit 57a of the
first guide unit 56. At this time, the connection unit 75
is in a simple arrangement state in which the extending
direction is simply curved by a predetermined angle (90" in
embodiment). In addition, the adaptor 35 according to the
embodiment is mounted on the mounting unit 59 which is
closest to the ink tank 15 side. For this reason, the
connection tube portion 35a of the adaptor 35 which is
connected to the ink supplying tube 70 is located at a
position which is separated from the fourth side wall 55
which is an end portion which becomes the side opposite to
the side on which the ink tank 15 is arranged in the
movement direction of the carriage 50 (main scanning
direction X).
[0052]
In addition, all of the above-described introduction
unit 71, the first extending portion 72, the curved portion
73, the second extending portion 74, and the connection unit
75 are flow path portions which configure the ink supplying
tube 70. In addition, through the ink supplying tube 70
which is configured in this manner, it is possible to stably
and continuously supply ink from the ink tank 15 which is
mounted on the outer side of the main body case 13 to the
adaptor 35 which is mounted on the carriage 50. In addition,
since the ink supplying tube 70 is configured of a material
which elastically deforms, the ink supplying tube 70 can
perform follow-up deformation according to a reciprocating
movement of the carriage 50.
[0053]
In addition, a twist prevention line (not illustrated)
is formed on the circumferential surface.of the ink
supplying tube 70 along the extending direction. The twist
prevention line is formed in order to prevent an occurrence
of twisting in the ink supplying tube 70 when arranging the
ink supplying tube 70 in the main body case 13.
[0054]
As illustrated in Fig. 5(a), the protective plate 46
which performs follow-up deformation along with the ink
supplying tube 70 is additionally provided on the outer side
of the first extending portion 72, the curved portion 73,
and the second extending portion 74 in the ink supplying
tube 70 which performs follow-up deformation according to
the reciprocating movement of the carriage 50. A plurality
of units for locking 46a (two in embodiment), and a
plurality of escape holes 46b (two in embodiment) are formed
in the protective plate 46 at an end portion on the
downstream side. The unit for locking 46a is provided
corresponding to the protective plate locking unit 56a of
the first guide unit 56 of the carriage 50, and the escape
hole 46b is provided corresponding to a tube locking unit
57a and a cover locking unit 57b. In addition, the end
portion on the downstream side of the protective plate 46 is
fixed to the carriage 50 when the tube locking unit 57a and
the cover locking unit 57b are inserted into the escape hole
46b, and the unit for locking 46a is locked to the
protective plate locking unit 56a. Meanwhile, the end
portion on the downstream side of the protective plate 46 is
fixed to the second guide unit 42 and the interposing member
45 in a state of being interposed therebetween along with
the first extending portion 72.
[00551
In addition, as illustrated in Fig. 5(b), a regulation
unit 47 which regulates a movement of the ink supplying tube
70 in a direction intersecting the. extending direction of
the ink supplying tube 70 is provided on the protective
plate 46. The regulation unit 47 has the illustrated form
when being inserted into two slits 46c which are formed on
the protective plate 46, and when a part thereof is folded
thereafter. In addition, Fig. 5(b) is a diagram in which a
region surrounded by a two-dot chained line circle in Fig.
5(a) is viewed from the rear side.
LO0561
In Fig. 5(b), four faces which form an acute angle with
respect to the extending direction of the ink supplying tube
70 become a fall out prevention unit 47a which suppresses
falling out of the regulation unit 47 from the slit 46c of
the protective plate 46. In addition, in Fig. 5(b), the
regulation unit 47 is arranged so as to surround the
circumference of the ink supplying tube 70 when an engaging
male unit 47b and an engaging female unit 47c which are
folded back from the near side and the far side toward the
ink supplying tube 70 are engaged with each other. In
addition, similarly to the protective plate 46, the
regulation unit 47 is also configured of an elastic material,
and the regulation unit 47 can be inserted into the slit 46c,
or cause the engaging male unit 47b and the engaging female
unit 47c to be engaged by deforming a part of the regulation
unit 47. In addition, in Fig. 5 (a), the regulation unit 47
regulates the second extending portion 74 in the ink
supplying tube 70; however, since the regulation unit
performs follow-up deformation (movement) along with the ink
supplying tube 70 with respect to the carriage 50 which
performs reciprocating movement, the regulation unit
regulates the curved portion 73 or the first extending
portion 72 according to a position of the carriage 50.
[0057]
Subsequently, operations of the multifunction
peripheral 11 will be described.
Meanwhile, the adaptor 35 is mounted on the mounting
unit of the carriage 50, and then the cover 60 is mounted in
order to cover the opening 51 of the carriage 50. First, a
case in which the cover 60 is mounted on the carriage 50
will be described.
[0058]
As illustrated in Fig. 6(a), when mounting the cover 60,
first, the cover 60 is mounted from above at a position
which is slightly shifted to the right side with respect to
the carriage 50. In addition, the positioning convex
portion 65a (refer to Fig. 3) is inserted into the
positioning hole 55a when the cover 60 is moved to the left
side with respect to the carriage 50 along the main scanning
direction X intersecting the vertical direction Z. In
addition, at the same time, units for locking 61a, 63a, and
62b on the cover 60 side are locked to cover locking units
52a, 54a, and 57a on the carriage 50 side.
[0059]
Fig. 6(b) illustrates a state in which mounting of the
cover 60 on the carriage 50 is completed. In this state,
the pressing unit 62c of the cover 60 (refer to Fig. 4(b))
gently presses the connection unit 75 of the ink supplying
tube 70 which is supported by the first guide unit 56 in the
vertical direction Z. In addition, in this state, since a
screw hole 58 which is formed in the carriage 50 and a
through hole 64a of the cover 60 overlap with each other in
the vertical direction Z (refer to Fig. 6(a)), it is
possible to mount the cover 60 more strongly on the carriage
50 by screwing these together. On the other hand, it is
also possible to detach the cover 60 from the carriage 50.
[0060]
Subsequently, the ink supplying tube 70 which performs
follow-up deformation with respect to the carriage 50 which
performs reciprocating movement in a case of performing
printing on a sheet P will be described.
Meanwhile, the multifunction peripheral 11 performs
recording by ejecting ink to a sheet P which is transported
in the forward-backward direction Y from the carriage 50
which performs reciprocating movement in the main scanning
direction X. At this time, the ink supplying tube 70 which
connects the adaptor 35 which is mounted on the carriage 50
and the ink tank 15 which is mounted on the outer side of
the main body case 13 performs follow-up deformation along
with the reciprocating movement of the carriage 50.
[0061]
Fig. 7(a) illustrates a case in which the carriage 50
is located at a position which is closest to the ink tank 15
(refer to Fig. 5) NS. When the carriage 50 is located at
the closest position NS in a range of the reciprocating
movement thereof, the second extending portion 74 is in a
state of being longer than the first extending portion 72 in
the main scanning direction X, and the curved portion 73 is
in a state of being located at approximately a center in a
reciprocating movement range of the carriage 50.
100621
On the other hand, Fig. 7(b) illustrates a case in
which the carriage 50 is located at a position which is
farthest from the ink tank 15 (refer to Fig. 5) FS in the
reciprocating movement range. When the carriage 50 is
located at the farthest position FS, the second extending
portion 74 is in a state of being shortest in the main
scanning direction X, and on the other hand, the first
extending portion 72 is in a state of being longest. In
addition, the curved portion 73 is in a state of being
located at a position which is close to the farthest
position MF side in the main scanning direction X. Here, in
the main scanning direction X, the curved portion 73 is
arranged between the third side wall 54 and the fourth side
wall 55 of the carriage 50, and does not protrude toward the
outside from the fourth side wall 55. Accordingly, even
when the multifunction peripheral 11 repeatedly performs a
reciprocating movement in the main scanning direction X in
order to perform recording, the curved portion 73 (ink
supplying tube 70) does not come into contact with an inner
wall, or the like, of the main body case 13 on the farthest
position FS Side. In this manner, it is possible for the
ink supplying tube 70 to stably supply ink from the ink tank
15 to the adaptor 35.
LO0631
According to the embodiment, it is possible to obtain
the following effects.
(1) Since a space which is necessary for pulling around
the ink supplying tube 70 in the main body case 13 of the
multifunction peripheral 11 is sufficient for one ink
supplying tube, it is possible to make the multifunction
peripheral 11 compact in the forward-backward direction Y
which is orthogonal to the movement direction of the
carriage 50 compared to a case in which a plurality of ink
supplying tubes 70 are pulled around in a state of being
aligned side by side. Accordingly, it is possible to stably
and continuously supply ink to the liquid ejecting head 34
through the ink supplying tube 70 which performs follow-up
deformation along with the reciprocating movement of the
carriage 50 while making the multifunction peripheral 11
compact.
[00641
(2) Since the second extending portion 74 is arranged
so as to overlap with the first extending portion 72 in the
vertical direction Z along with the reciprocating movement
of the carriage 50, the ink supplying tube 70 can reliably
make the apparatus main body compact in the forward-backward
direction Y.
[0065]
(3) When the carriage 50 is located at a position
farthest from the ink tank 15 (farthest position FS) in the
reciprocating movement range of the carriage 50, it is
possible to cause the curved portion 73 of the ink supplying
tube 70 not to protrude toward the outside from the fourth
side wall 55 (end portion) in the main scanning direction X.
In this manner, it is not necessary to secure a space for
securing protrusion of the curved portion 73, and it is
possible to make the multifunction peripheral 11 in the
movement direction of the carriage 50 compact. Meanwhile,
it is also possible to prevent the protrusion of the curved
portion 73 from coming into contact with another structure
in the main body case 13.
LO0661
( 4 ) By providing the protective plate 46, it is
possible to prevent the ink supplying tube 70 which performs
follow-up deformation along with the reciprocating movement
of the carriage 50 from coming into contact with another
member in the main body case 13.
LO0671
(5) The regulation unit 47 of the protective plate 46
regulates a movement of the ink supplying tube 70 in a
direction intersecting the extending direction of the ink
supplying tube 70 which performs follow-up deformation along
with the reciprocating movement of the carriage 50. In this
manner, it is possible to prevent the ink supplying tube 70
from coming into contact with another member in the main
body case 13 when moving in a direction intersecting the
extending direction of the ink supplying tube 70.
[0068]
(6) Since the ink supplying tube 70 is connected
through the joint unit 43 in the main body case 13, it is
possible to individually exchange the ink supplying tubes 70
on the upstream side and downstream side which are connected
through the joint unit 43. In this manner, it is possible
to improve maintainability related to an exchange of the ink
supplying tube 70.
[0069]
(7) It is possible to make a mounting failure of the
cover 60 be easily recognized by a user who views the
multifunction peripheral 11 from above in general, when the
cover 60 can be mounted in a direction which goes along the
main scanning direction X intersecting the vertical
direction 2, compared to a case in which the cover is
mounted from above in the vertical direction Z.
[0070]
(8) When the cover 60 is mounted on the carriage 50,
the pressing unit 62c of the cover 60 presses the connection
unit 75 of the ink supplying tube 70, and regulates a
movement thereof. Accordingly, for example, even when a
force generated in the extending direction of the ink
supplying tube 70 due to the follow-up deformation of the
ink supplying tube 70 which is performed along with the
reciprocating movement of the carriage 50 is received, it is
possible to prevent the connection unit 75 of the ink
supplying tube 70 from being pul,led out from the connection
tube portion 35a of the adaptor 35.
[0071]
(9) Changing of extending direction in the ink
supplying tube 70 from the first extending portion 72 to the
downstream end of the connection unit 75 is limited to a
reverse at an angle of 180' in the curved portion 73, and
bending at an angle of 90" in the connection unit 75.
Accordingly, it is possible to make an arrangement form of
the ink supplying tube 70 simple, and to suppress a pressure
loss which occurs when supplying ink, compared to a case in
which the ink supplying tube 70 is arranged by being bent
many times.
[0072]
In addition, the embodiment may be modified as the
following modification example. In addition, modification
examples may be combined.
In the embodiment, the pressing unit 62c or the cover
60 may be omitted.
[0073]
In the embodiment, the cover 60 may be mounted in a
direction which goes along the forward-backward direction Y.
In the embodiment, a plurality of the regulation units
47 of the protective plate 46 may be provided, or the
regulation unit 47 may be omitted.
[0074]
In the embodiment, only a part of the first extending
portion 72 and second extending portion 74 may overlap with
each other in the vertical direction 2, or may not overlap
with each other.
In the embodiment, the mounting unit 59 on which the
adaptor 35 is mounted may be another mounting unit 59.
LOO751
In the embodiment, only one mounting unit 59 may be
provided.
In the embodiment, the ink tank 15 may be arranged on
the left side of the main body case 13. However, in this
case, it is preferable to change the mounting unit 59 on
which the adaptor 35 is mounted, and pulling around of the
ink supplying tube 70 according to the arrangement of the
ink tank.
LO0761
In the embodiment, the curved portion 73 (ink supplying
tube 70) may come into contact with the inner wall, or the
like, of the main body case 13 when the carriage 50 is
located on the outside of the reciprocating movement region
which is related to recording.
LO0771
In the embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus may be
a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects or discharges
liquid other than ink. In addition, as liquid which is
discharged as a minute amount of liquid droplets from the
liquid ejecting apparatus, there are a granular shape, a
tear shape, and a thread shape leaving a trail. In addition,
the liquid here may be a material which can be ejected from
a liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, the material may
be a material in a state of liquid phase, materials which
flow such as a liquid body having high or low viscosity, a
sol, gel water, and an inorganic solvent, an organic solvent,
a liquid, a liquid resin, a liquid metal (metallic melt)
other than that. In addition, the liquid includes materials
in which particles of a functional material which is formed
of a solid body such as a pigment or metal particles are
melted, or diffused, or mixed into a solvent, not only
liquid as a state of the material. As a representative
example of the liquid, the ink, liquid crystal, or the like,
can be exemplified as described in the above embodiments.
Here, the ink includes general water-based ink and oil-based
ink, and a variety of liquid compositions such as gel ink,
hot-melt ink, or the like. As specific examples of the
liquid ejecting apparatus, there is a liquid ejecting
apparatus which ejects liquid including a material such as
an electrode material, or a coloring material which is used
when manufacturing, for example, a liquid crystal display,
an EL (electroluminescence) display, a surface emission
display, a color filter, or the like, in a form of
dispersion or dissolution. As the liquid ejecting apparatus,
there may be a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects a
biological organic substance which is used when
manufacturing a biochip, a liquid ejecting apparatus which
ejects liquid as a sample which is used as a precision
pipette, a textile printing device, a micro-dispenser, or
the like. In addition, the liquid ejecting apparatus may be
a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects a lubricant to a
precision machine such as a clock, a camera, or the like,
using a pinpoint, or a liquid ejecting apparatus which
ejects transparent resin liquid such as a UV curable resin
for forming a micro hemispherical lens (optical lens) which
is used in an optical communication element, or the like,
onto a substrate. In addition, the liquid ejecting
apparatus may be a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects
etching liquid such as an acid or alkali for etching a
substrate, or the like.
Reference Signs List
[0078]
11 MULTIFUNCTION PERIPHERAL
12 RECORDING APPARATUS (AN EXAMPLE OF LIQUID EJECTING
APPARATUS )
15 INK TANK (AN EXAMPLE OF LIQUID TANK)
34 LIQUID EJECTING HEAD
35 ADAPTOR
35a CONNECTION TUBE UNIT (AN EXAMPLE OF CONNECTION
PORTION)
43 JOINT UNIT (AN EXAMPLE OF JOINT)
46 PROTECTIVE PLATE
47 REGULATION UNIT
50 CARRIAGE
55 FOURTH SIDE WALL (AN EXAMPLE OF END PORTION)
59 MOUNTING UNIT
60 COVER
62c PRESSING UNIT
70 INK SUPPLYING TUBE (AN EXAMPLE OF LIQUID SUPPLY
TUBE)
71 INTRODUCTION UNIT
72 FIRST EXTENDING PORTION
73 CURVED PORTION
74 SECOND EXTENDING PORTION
75 CONNECTION UNIT
P SHEET (AN EXAMPLE OF TARGET)
X MAIN SCANNING DIRECTION
Y FORWARD-BACKWARD DIRECTION
Z VERTICAL DIRECTION
WE CLAIM:
[Claim 11
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising:
a liquid ejecting head which can eject liquid onto a
target;
a carriage which can perform a reciprocating movement
in an apparatus main body in a state of having the liquid
ejecting head installed thereon, and an adaptor which can
supply the liquid to the liquid ejecting head; and
one ink supplying tube which performs follow-up
deformation in the apparatus main body along with the
reciprocating movement of the carriage in a state of being
pulled around so as to supply the liquid from a liquid tank
which becomes an upstream side arranged outside of a
movement range of the carriage to the adaptor which becomes
a downstream side.
[Claim 21
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the liquid supply tube is configured to include
a first extending portion which is in a state of
extending along a movement direction of the carriage in the
apparatus main body from the liquid tank side;
a curved portion which is in a curved state which is
reversed in a vertical direction by being stretched out to
the downstream side from the first extending portion;
a second extending portion which is in a state of
extending along the movement direction of the carriage in
the apparatus main body by being stretched out to the
downstream side from the curved portion; and
a connection unit which is connected to the adaptor by
being stretched out to the downstream side from the second
extending portion, and
wherein the first extending portion and the second
extending portion may be pulled around so that at least
partial portions thereof overlap with each other in the
vertical direction.
[Claim 31
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1 or
2,
wherein a connection portion of the adaptor to the
liquid supply tube is installed at a position which is
separated from an end portion of the carriage which is a
side opposite to a side on which the Liquid tank is
arranged, in the movement direction of the carriage.
[Claim 41
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of
claims 1 to 3, further comprising:
a protective plate which is additionally provided on
the outer side of the liquid supply tube which performs
follow-up deformation, and performs follow-up deformation
along with the reciprocating movement of the carriage
together with the liquid supply tube.
[Claim 51
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein the protective plate includes a regulation unit
which regulates a movement of the liquid supply tube in a
direction intersecting an extending direction of the liquid
supply tube.
[Claim 61
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of
claims 1 to 5,
wherein a plurality of liquid supply tubes are
connected with each other through a joint which connects
tubes therebetween.
[Claim 71
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of
claims 1 to 6, further comprising:
a cover which is mounted on the carriage from a
direction intersecting a vertical direction in order to
cover the adaptor which is installed on the carriage from
above.
[Claim 81
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 7,
wherein the cover includes a pressing unit which
presses a connection unit so that a movement of the
connection unit is regulated when the cover is mounted on
the carriage.