LIQUID EJECTING DEVICE SWITCHABLE BETWEEN FIRST STATE IN WHICH TWO PORTS ARE NOT IN COMMUNICATION WITH EACH OTHER AND SECOND STATE IN WHICH TWO PORTS ARE IN COMMUNICATION WITH EACH OTHER

Abstract

A liquid ejecting device includes a head unit and a mounting unit. The head unit includes: a first channel member having a first communication port; and a first electronic member including a first terminal. The mounting unit includes: a second channel member having a second communication port; and a second electronic member including a second terminal. The liquid ejecting device is switchable between: a first state in which the first and second communication ports are not in communication with each other and the first and second terminals are separated from each other; and a second state in which the first and second communication ports are in communication with each other and the first and second terminals are in contact with each other. The liquid ejecting device is switched to the second state by both the second channel member and the second electronic member moving relative to the head unit.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-038492 filed on Mar. 13, 2023. The entire content of the priority application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

There has been known a conventional printing apparatus provided with a head unit, and a carriage (mounting unit). In a process of mounting the head unit in the carriage in the conventional printing apparatus, a connector (first electronic member) on the head unit is connected to a connector (second electronic member) on the carriage, and subsequently channels in the head unit are placed in communication with channels in a liquid supply unit (second channel member) of the carriage.

SUMMARY

However, the operation for mounting the head unit in the mounting unit in the conventional printing apparatus is complicated and involves multiple steps.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a liquid ejecting device that simplifies the operation for mounting a head unit.

In order to attain the above and other objects, according to one aspect, the present disclosure provides a liquid ejecting device including a head unit and a mounting unit. The head unit includes a first channel member and a first electronic member. The first channel member is formed with a first channel. The first channel has an ejection hole and a first communication port in communication with the ejection hole. The first electronic member includes a first terminal. The mounting unit is configured to support the head unit such that the head unit is mountable on and removable from the mounting unit. The mounting unit includes a second channel member and a second electronic member. The second channel member is formed with a second channel. The second channel has a second communication port. The second electronic member includes a second terminal. The liquid ejecting device is switchable between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the first communication port and the second communication port are not in communication with each other and the first terminal and the second terminal are separated from each other. In the second state, the first communication port and the second communication port are in communication with each other and the first terminal and the second terminal are in contact with each other. The liquid ejecting device is switched from the first state to the second state by both the second channel member and the second electronic member moving relative to the head unit.

In the above structure, the liquid ejecting device is switched from the first state to the second state by both the second channel member and second electronic member moving relative to the head unit. Accordingly, the process of connecting the first and second channels (the first and second communication ports) together and the process of connecting the first and second terminals together can be achieved in a single step, thereby simplifying the operation for mounting the head unit on the mounting unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the internal structure of a printer 1.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a head unit 10 of the printer 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mounting unit 20 of the printer 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a first step of an operation for mounting the head unit 10 on the mounting unit 20.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a second step of the operation for mounting the head unit 10 on the mounting unit 20.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a third step of the operation for mounting the head unit 10 on the mounting unit 20.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a fourth step of the operation for mounting the head unit 10 on the mounting unit 20.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the head unit 10 and the mounting unit 20 taken along line VIIIA-VIIIA of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the head unit 10 and the mounting unit 20 taken along line VIIIB-VIIIB of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram illustrating a side surface 21s and communication ports 22y of a channel member 21 in the mounting unit 20.

FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram illustrating a surface 25 and terminals 26 in the mounting unit 20.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a printer 1A and corresponds to FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows a printer 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

The printer 1 includes a housing 1a, a head unit 10, a mounting unit 20, a scanning mechanism 30, a tank unit 40, a conveying mechanism 50, and a controller 90. The head unit 10, the mounting unit 20, the scanning mechanism 30, the tank unit 40, the conveying mechanism 50, and the controller 90 are disposed inside the housing 1a.

The head unit 10 includes a channel member 11 and an electronic member 15. The channel member 11 has four channels 12 formed therein. The four channels 12 correspond to ink in the respective colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Each channel 12 has a plurality of ejection holes 12x; a plurality of individual channels 12b corresponding one-on-one with the plurality of ejection holes 12x; a common channel 12a in communication with the plurality of individual channels 12b; and a communication ports 12y in communication with the common channel 12a. The channel member 11 is an example of the “first channel member” of the present disclosure. The channels 12 are each an example of the “first channel” of the present disclosure. The electronic member 15 is an example of the “first electronic member” of the present disclosure.

The ejection holes 12x of the channels 12 constitute four columns 11C, 11M, 11Y, and 11K. The columns 11C, 11M, 11Y, and 11K are juxtaposed in a scanning direction. Each of the columns 11C, 11M, 11Y, and 11K is configured of the ejection holes 12x aligned in a conveying direction. The ejection holes 12x constituting the column 11C are holes for ejecting cyan ink; the ejection holes 12x constituting the column 11M are holes for ejecting magenta ink; the ejection holes 12x constituting the column 11Y are holes for ejecting yellow ink; and the ejection holes 12x constituting the column 11K are holes for ejecting black ink.

As shown in FIG. 2, the four common channels 12a (i.e., the four channels 12) correspond to the respective columns 11C, 11M, 11Y, and 11K (see FIG. 1). As described above, the individual channels 12b of each channel 12 correspond one-on-one with the ejection holes 12x of the channel 12. The individual channels 12b of each channel 12 are in communication with the common channel 12a of the channel 12. Each individual channel 12b includes a pressure chamber 12p and extends from an outlet of the corresponding common channel 12a to the corresponding ejection hole 12x via the pressure chamber 12p.

Each of the four common channels 12a has one end region that is in communication with the plurality of corresponding individual channels 12b belonging to the corresponding one of the columns 11C, 11M, 11Y, and 11K and another end that communicates with the corresponding communication port 12y (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The communication port 12y constitutes one end of the channel 12, and the ejection holes 12x constitute the other end of the channel 12. Thus, the communication port 12y is in communication with the corresponding ejection holes 12x. The communication ports 12y are each an example of the “first communication port” of the present disclosure.

The channel member 11 has a bottom surface 11a, and a top surface 11b opposite the bottom surface 11a. The ejection holes 12x are open in the bottom surface 11a, while the pressure chambers 12p are open in the top surface 11b. The bottom surface 11a is an example of the “ejection surface” of the present disclosure. The top surface 11b is an example of the “opposite surface” of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 2, the head unit 10 also includes an actuator member 13, and a driver IC 14.

The actuator member 13 includes a metal diaphragm 13a; a piezoelectric layer 13b; and a plurality of individual electrodes 13c corresponding one-on-one with the plurality of pressure chambers 12p, as shown in FIG. 2. The metal diaphragm 13a is arranged on the top surface 11b of the channel member 11 so as to cover the plurality of pressure chambers 12p. The piezoelectric layer 13b is arranged over the top surface of the diaphragm 13a. Each individual electrode 13c is arranged on the top surface of the piezoelectric layer 13b at a position opposing the corresponding pressure chamber 12p.

The diaphragm 13a and the plurality of individual electrodes 13c are electrically connected to the driver IC 14 via signal lines 14s. Under control of the controller 90, the driver IC 14 maintains the diaphragm 13a at ground potential while varying the potentials of the individual electrodes 13c. The potential of each individual electrode 13c is changed between a prescribed drive potential and the ground potential. The change in potential of each individual electrode 13c causes deformation in the portions of the diaphragm 13a and piezoelectric layer 13b sandwiched between the individual electrode 13c and corresponding pressure chamber 12p. The portions of the diaphragm 13a and piezoelectric layer 13b sandwiched between the individual electrode 13c and corresponding pressure chamber 12p function as an actuator 13x. This deformation changes the volume in the pressure chamber 12p, applying pressure to ink in the pressure chamber 12p and causing ink to be ejected from the corresponding ejection hole 12x. An actuator 13x is provided for each individual electrode 13c and can be independently deformed in accordance with the electric potential supplied to the corresponding individual electrode 13c.

The electronic member 15 (see FIG. 1) is provided on one end of a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) with the signal lines 14s. The driver IC 14 is also mounted on the FPC. One end of the FPC is connected to the electronic member 15, and the other end of the FPC is connected to the actuator member 13.

The head unit 10 is mountable on and removable from the mounting unit 20. The mounting unit 20 is configured to support the head unit 10 such that the head unit 10 is removably mountable on the mounting unit 20. The mounting unit 20 includes an electronic member 25 configured to be electrically connected to the electronic member 15. The electronic member 25 is an example of the “second electronic member” of the present disclosure.

The scanning mechanism 30 includes a pair of guides 31 and 32 for supporting the mounting unit 20, a belt 33 coupled to the mounting unit 20, and a scanning motor 34. The guides 31 and 32 and the belt 33 extend in the scanning direction. When the scanning motor 34 is driven under control of the controller 90, the belt 33 circulates, moving the mounting unit 20 along the guides 31 and 32 in the scanning direction.

The conveying mechanism 50 includes a pair of rollers 51 and a pair of rollers 52, and a conveying motor. When the conveying motor is driven under control of the controller 90, the pair of rollers 51 and the pair of rollers 52 rotate. When the pair of rollers 51 and the pair of rollers 52 rotate while a sheet 100 of paper is nipped between the pair of rollers 51 and/or between the pair of rollers 52, the sheet 100 is conveyed in the conveying direction.

The tank unit 40 includes four tanks 40C, 40M, 40Y, and 40K that store ink in the respective colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Each of the four tanks 40C, 40M, 40Y, and 40K is configured to be connected to the channel 12 for the corresponding color in the channel member 11 via corresponding tube 60.

The scanning direction, the conveying direction, and the vertical direction are orthogonal to one another.

Next, the configurations of the head unit 10 and mounting unit 20 will be described in greater detail.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the channel member 11 of the head unit 10 has the bottom surface 11a, the top surface 11b, and four side surfaces connecting the bottom surface 11a to the top surface 11b. The four side surfaces include a side surface 11s that faces downstream in the conveying direction. The four communication ports 12y are open in the side surface 11s. The four communication ports 12y are aligned in the scanning direction. The side surface 11s is an example of the “first surface” of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 5, in a plane parallel to the bottom surface 11a, the channel member 11 has an ejection area R1 where the ejection holes 12x (see FIGS. 1 and 2) are arranged, and a non-ejection area R2 where ejection holes 12x are not arranged. The non-ejection area R2 is adjacent to the ejection area R1 in the conveying direction and positioned downstream of the ejection area R1 in the conveying direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, the electronic member 15 of the head unit 10 is arranged in the non-ejection area R2 on the top surface 11b of the channel member 11. Note that in this ejection area R1 in the top surface 11b the pressure chambers 12p (see FIG. 2) are open and the actuator member 13 is arranged to cover the pressure chambers 12p, but the pressure chambers 12p and the actuator member 13 have been omitted from FIGS. 4 through 7.

As shown in FIG. 5, four terminals 16 are provided on a top surface 15s of the electronic member 15. The terminals 16 are aligned in the scanning direction. The four terminals 16 are each an example of the “first terminal” of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting unit 20 includes a support member 27 and two pivot members 28 and 29. The two pivot members 28 and 29 are attached to the support member 27 so as to be pivotally movable. The pivot member 28 is an example of the “first pivot member” of the present disclosure. The pivot member 29 is an example of the “second pivot member” of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 4 through 7, the support member 27 is configured to support the head unit 10. The support member 27 is a frame-like member for accommodating the ejection area R1 of the channel member 11 (see FIG. 5). The support member 27 is configured to support the head unit 10 so that the ejection holes 12x are exposed downward.

The pivot member 28 is attached to the downstream end of the support member 27 in the conveying direction so as to be pivotally movable about a pivot shaft 28x (and specifically, about the center axis of the pivot shaft 28x). The pivot member 29 is attached to the upstream end of the support member 27 in the conveying direction so as to be pivotally movable about a pivot shaft 29x (and specifically, about the center axis of the pivot shaft 29x). The pivot shafts 28x and 29x extend in the scanning direction. The center axis of the pivot shaft 28x is an example of the “pivot axis”.

As described above, the mounting unit 20 includes a channel member 21 having four channels 22 formed therein as shown in FIG. 3. The channel member 21 is an example of the “second channel member” of the present disclosure. The channels 22 are each an example of the “second channel” of the present disclosure.

The four channels 22 correspond one-to-one with the four tubes 60. In other words, one channel 22 is provided for each color of ink. One end of each channel 22 is in communication with the corresponding tube 60.

The channel member 21 has a side surface facing in the scanning direction and a side surface 21s facing upstream in the conveying direction. The four tubes 60 are attached to the side surface of the channel member 21 facing in the scanning direction. Four tubes 21t are provided in the side surface 21s of the channel member 21. The side surface 21s is an example of the “second surface” of the present disclosure. A communication port 22y is open in the distal end of each tube 21t on the side surface 21s. The communication ports 22y constitute the other ends of the channels 22 and are configured to be communicated with the corresponding communication ports 12y formed in the channel member 11 (see FIG. 5). The four tubes 21t are aligned in the scanning direction. The communication ports 22y are aligned in the scanning direction. The communication ports 22y are each an example of the “second communication port” of the present disclosure.

The electronic member 25 in the mounting unit 20 has a surface 25s on which four terminals 26 (see FIG. 9b) are arranged. The surface 25s is an example of the “third surface” of the present disclosure. The four terminals 26 are aligned in the scanning direction. The terminals 26 are slightly smaller than the terminals 16. The terminals 26 are each an example of the “second terminal” of the present disclosure.

The channel member 21 and the electronic member 25 are coupled to the pivot member 28 so as to move in conjunction with the pivotal movement of the pivot member 28. This associative movement will be described in greater detail in the following operations.

Next, the operations for mounting the head unit 10 in the mounting unit 20 will be described.

First, the user places the pivot members 28 and 29 of the mounting unit 20 in the open position shown in FIG. 4 and places the head unit 10 on a side of the support member 27 downstream in the conveying direction. At this time, the side surface 21s of the channel member 21 and the surface 25s of the electronic member 25 face upstream in the conveying direction. The head unit 10 is oriented so that the bottom surface 11a of the channel member 11 faces upstream in the conveying direction while the top surface 11b faces downstream in the conveying direction.

Next, the user pivotally moves the head unit 10 about the side of the support member 27 in the direction of the arrow A, as shown in FIG. 5. This action positions the channel member 11 so that the bottom surface 11a faces downward, the top surface 11b faces upward, and the side surface 11s faces downstream in the conveying direction. At this time, the side surface 11s opposes the side surface 21s. The ejection area R1 of the channel member 11 is arranged inside the frame of the support member 27, and the ejection holes 12x (see FIGS. 1 and 2) are exposed downward through the frame of the support member 27.

Next, the user moves the pivot member 29 from the open position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to the closed position shown in FIG. 6 by pivotally moving the pivot member 29 in the direction of arrow B. The pivot member 29 includes urging members 291 (see FIG. 5). Each urging member 291 is configured of a resin part and a spring attached thereto. When the pivot member 29 is in the closed position, the urging members 291 urge the head unit 10 downward and downstream in the conveying direction to fix the head unit 10 in position relative to the support member 27. The urging members 291 are each an example of the “positioning part” of the present disclosure. The open position of the pivot member 29 is a non-positioning position in which the urging members 291 do not fix the position of the head unit 10 relative to the mounting unit 20. The closed position of the pivot member 29 is a positioning position in which the urging members 291 fix the position of the head unit 10 relative to the mounting unit 20. The pivot member 29 is pivotally movable between the non-positioning position (see FIGS. 4 and 5) and the positioning position (see FIG. 6).

Next, the user moves the pivot member 28 from the open position shown in FIGS. 4 through 6 to the closed position shown in FIG. 7 by pivotally moving the pivot member 28 in the direction of arrow C. After both pivot members 28 and 29 have been placed in their closed positions, the operation for mounting the head unit 10 in the mounting unit 20 is complete.

The channel member 21 moves upstream in the conveying direction as the pivot member 28 is moved from the open position to the closed position. At this time, the tubes 21t are inserted into the corresponding communication ports 12y. As a result, the communication ports 12y come into communication with the corresponding communication ports 22y, so that the channels 12 become connected to the corresponding channels 22. Here, the direction in which the channel member 21 moves in this operation is a crossing direction that crosses the pivot shaft 28x. The crossing direction crosses the side surface 21s.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the channel member 21 has two grooves 21y formed in the downstream end portion of the channel member 21 in the conveying direction. One groove 21y is formed in each side of the channel member 21 in the scanning direction. The two grooves 21y extend vertically and are recessed inward in the scanning direction. The pivot member 28 also has two pins 28y provided near the pivot shaft 28x. One pin 28y is provided on each side of the pivot member 28 in the scanning direction and protrudes inward in the scanning direction. The pins 28y of the pivot member 28 are inserted into the corresponding grooves 21y formed in the channel member 21. When the pivot member 28 is moved from the open position shown in FIG. 8A to the closed position shown in FIG. 8B, the pins 28y move upstream in the conveying direction while remaining inserted in the grooves 21y. As a result, the pins 28y press against surfaces of the channel member 21 defining the corresponding grooves 21y, causing the channel member 21 to move upstream in the conveying direction.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the channel member 21 is connected to the pivot member 28 so as to be movable in directions parallel to the side surface 21s (i.e., movable both in the directions indicated by the white arrows depicted in FIG. 9A). The side surface 21s has two holes 21v1 and 21v2 formed at different positions from the communication ports 22y. The holes 21v1 and 21v2 are both arranged in corners of the side surface 21s. The hole 21vl is positioned on one end of the side surface 21s in the scanning direction, while the hole 21v2 is positioned on the other end of the side surface 21s in the scanning direction. The hole 21v1 is a perfect circle hole, while the hole 21v2 is an elongated hole that is elongated in the scanning direction. The channel member 11 has two protrusions 11v on the side surface 11s, in which the communication ports 12y are open. Each protrusion 11v is cylindrical in shape and can be fitted into a corresponding one of the holes 21v1 and 21v2. The side surface 11s of the channel member 11 and the side surface 21s of the channel member 21 are fixed in position relative to each other by fitting the protrusions 11v into the respective holes 21v1 and 21v2. Fixing the surfaces 11s and 21s in position relative to each other by fitting the protrusions 11v into the holes 21v1 and 21v2 prior to connecting the channels 12 and 22 ensures that the channels 12 and 22 are connected precisely.

When the pivot member 28 is moved from the open position to the closed position, the electronic member 25 pivotally moves along with the pivot member 28 until reaching a position covering the top surface 11b of the channel member 11. At this time, the surface 25s of the electronic member 25 opposes the top surface 11b of the channel member 11 and the terminals 26 of the electronic member 25 contact the corresponding terminals 16 of the electronic member 15.

As shown in FIG. 9B, the electronic member 25 is connected to the pivot member 28 so as to be movable in directions parallel to the surface 25s (i.e., movable both in the directions indicated by the white arrows depicted in FIG. 9B). The surface 25s has two holes 25u1 and 25u2 formed at different positions from the terminals 26. The holes 25u1 and 25u2 are both arranged in corners of the surface 25s. The hole 25u1 is positioned on one end of the surface 25s in the scanning direction, while the hole 25u2 is positioned on the other end of the surface 25s in the scanning direction. The hole 25u1 is a perfect circle hole, while the hole 25u2 is an elongated hole that is elongated in the scanning direction. The electronic member 15 has two protrusions Ilu on the top surface 15s, on which the terminals 16 are arranged. Each protrusion 11u is cylindrical in shape and can be fitted into a corresponding one of the holes 25u1 and 25u2. The top surface 15s of the electronic member 15 and the surface 25s of the electronic member 25 are fixed in position relative to each other by fitting the protrusions Ilu into the respective holes 25u1 and 25u2. Fixing the surfaces 15s and 25s in position relative to each other by fitting the protrusions 11u into the holes 25u1 and 25u2 prior to connecting the terminals 16 and 26 ensures that the terminals 16 and 26 are connected precisely.

Thus, the printer 1 can be switched between a first state (see FIGS. 4 through 6) in which the communication ports 12y and communication ports 22y are not in communication with each other and the terminals 16 and terminals 26 are separated from each other, and a second state (see FIG. 7) in which the communication ports 12y and communication ports 22y are in communication with each other and the terminals 16 and terminals 26 are in contact with each other. When the pivot member 28 is pivotally moved about the pivot shaft 28x, both the channel member 21 and electronic member 25 move toward the head unit 10 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Moving both the channel member 21 and electronic member 25 relative to the head unit 10 in this way shifts the printer 1 from the first state to the second state.

In a state where the printer 1 is in the second state, the controller 90 controls the conveying motor, scanning motor 34, and driver IC 14 to convey a sheet 100 and to eject ink onto the same, thereby recording an image on the sheet 100.

In the embodiment described above, the printer 1 is switched from the first state to the second state (see FIGS. 6 and 7) by both the channel member 21 and electronic member 25 moving relative to the head unit 10. With this configuration, the process of connecting the channels 12 and 22 together and the process of connecting the terminals 16 and 26 together can be achieved in a single step, thereby simplifying the operation for mounting the head unit 10 in the mounting unit 20.

The channel member 21 and electronic member 25 are connected to the pivot member 28 so as to move in conjunction with the pivotal movement of the pivot member 28. The pivotal movement of the pivot member 28 about the pivot shaft 28x causes both the channel member 21 and electronic member 25 to move toward the head unit 10 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). With this configuration, both the channel member 21 and electronic member 25 can be moved through the simple operation of pivotally moving the pivot member 28.

The electronic member 15 is arranged in the non-ejection area R2 on the top surface 11b of the channel member 11 (see FIG. 5). There is no space for providing the electronic member 15 in the ejection area R1 on the top surface 11b since the actuator member 13 is provided in the ejection area R1 (see FIG. 2). In this respect, the configuration of the present embodiment can effectively utilize the non-ejection area R2 on the top surface 11b.

The channel member 21 is movable in directions parallel to the side surface 21s (see FIG. 9A). With this configuration, the channels 12 and 22 can be connected to each other easily and accurately.

The electronic member 25 is movable in directions parallel to the surface 25s (see FIG. 9B). With this configuration, the terminals 16 and 26 can be connected to each other easily and accurately.

The pivot member 29 is pivotally movable between the non-positioning position (see FIGS. 4 and 5) in which the head unit 10 is not fixed in position relative to the mounting unit 20, and the positioning position (see FIG. 6) in which the head unit 10 is fixed in position relative to the mounting unit 20 by the urging members 291. This configuration enables the position of the head unit 10 to be fixed through the simple operation of pivotally moving the pivot member 29.

Second Embodiment

Next, a printer 1A according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, structures in the printer 1A of the second embodiment identical to those in the printer 1 of the first embodiment are designated with the same reference numerals to avoid duplicating description.

As shown in FIG. 10, the printer 1A according to the second embodiment differs from the printer 1 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 6) in that the pivot member 29 is eliminated from the mounting unit 20 and the pivot member 28 of the mounting unit 20 includes urging members 281. As with the urging members 291 in the first embodiment, the urging members 281 are each configured of a resin part and a spring attached thereto. The urging members 281 are each an example of the “positioning part” in the present disclosure.

In the second embodiment, the operation for mounting the head unit 10 in the mounting unit 20 does not include the step of pivotally moving the pivot member 29 (see FIG. 6). That is, after rotating the head unit 10 as shown in FIG. 5, the user moves the pivot member 28 from the open position shown in FIG. 10 to the closed position by pivotally moving the pivot member 28 in the direction of arrow C as shown in FIG. 7. The open position of the pivot member 28 is the non-positioning position in which the head unit 10 is not fixed in position relative to the mounting unit 20. The closed position of the pivot member 28 is the positioning position in which the head unit 10 is fixed in position relative to the head unit 10 by the urging members 281. The pivot member 28 is pivotally movable between the non-positioning position (see FIG. 10) and the positioning position (see FIG. 7). The pivotal movement of the pivot member 28 from the non-positioning position (see FIG. 10) to the positioning position (see FIG. 7) causes both the channel member 21 and electronic member 25 to move toward the head unit 10.

Here, fixing of the head unit 10 in position relative to the mounting unit 20 by the two urging members 281 will be described. The head unit 10 includes a casing accommodating the ejection area R1 of the channel member 11. The casing has two outer surfaces that are opposite to each other and arranged in the scanning direction. When the pivot member 28 is pivotally moved to the positioning position (i.e., the closed position), the two urging members 281 are placed at positions sandwiching the casing of the head unit 10 with one of the two urging members 281 in contact with one of the two outer surfaces of the casing and the other of the two urging members 281 in contact with the other of the two outer surfaces of the casing. With this configuration, the two urging members 281 can fix the head unit 10 in position relative to the mounting unit 20 in a state where the pivot member 28 is in the positioning position (i.e., the closed position).

According to the second embodiment described above, the position of the head unit 10 can be fixed relative to the mounting unit 20 through the simple operation of pivotally moving the pivot member 28. Further, since the pivot member 28 having the channel member 21 and electronic member 25 connected thereto functions to fix the position of the head unit 10, there is no need to provide a separate pivot member 29 (see FIG. 6) for fixing the position of the head unit 10, thereby simplifying the configuration of the mounting unit 20.

Both the channel member 21 and electronic member 15 move toward the head unit 10 in accordance with the movement of the pivot member 28 from the non-positioning position (see FIG. 10) to the positioning position (see FIG. 7). With this configuration, the positioning of the head unit 10, the connecting of the channels 12 and 22, and the connecting of the terminals 16 and 26 can be achieved in a single step, making the operation of mounting the head unit 10 in the mounting unit 20 extremely simple.

<Variations>

While the invention has been described in conjunction with various example structures outlined above and illustrated in the figures, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that may be presently unforeseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the example embodiments of the disclosure, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative of the invention, and not limiting the invention. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to embrace all known or later developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents. Some specific examples of potential alternatives, modifications, or variations in the described invention are provided below:

The timings at which channels are connected, terminals are connected, and the head unit is positioned need not be simultaneous but may be staggered.

In the embodiment described above, the first and second communication ports are openings through which liquid is supplied into the first channels from tanks. However, the first and second communication ports are not limited to those configurations but may be openings through which liquid is returned from the first channels to the tanks, for example.

The head unit is not limited to a serial head but may be a line head. In the case of a line-type head unit, the mounting unit may be fixed to the housing of the liquid ejecting device and need not move together with the head unit relative to the housing.

The medium on which liquid is ejected is not limited to paper, but may be fabric, substrates, or plastic materials, for example.

The liquid ejected from the ejection holes is not limited to ink but may be any liquid, such as a treatment liquid for coagulating or precipitating a component of ink.

The present disclosure is not limited to a printer, but may be applied to a facsimile machine, a copy machine, a multifunction peripheral, or the like. Alternatively, the present disclosure may be applied to a liquid ejecting device used in applications other than recording images, such as a liquid ejecting device for forming conductive patterns by ejecting a conductive liquid onto a substrate.

Claims

1. A liquid ejecting device comprising: a head unit comprising: a first channel member formed with a first channel, the first channel having an ejection hole and a first communication port in communication with the ejection hole; anda first electronic member comprising a first terminal; anda mounting unit configured to support the head unit such that the head unit is mountable on and removable from the mounting unit, the mounting unit comprising: a second channel member formed with a second channel, the second channel having a second communication port; anda second electronic member comprising a second terminal,wherein the liquid ejecting device is switchable between: a first state in which the first communication port and the second communication port are not in communication with each other and the first terminal and the second terminal are separated from each other; anda second state in which the first communication port and the second communication port are in communication with each other and the first terminal and the second terminal are in contact with each other, andwherein the liquid ejecting device is switched from the first state to the second state by both the second channel member and the second electronic member moving relative to the head unit.

2. The liquid ejecting device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting unit further comprises: a support member configured to support the head unit; anda first pivot member attached to the support member so as to be pivotally movable about a pivot axis,wherein the second channel member and the second electronic member are connected to the first pivot member so as to move in conjunction with a pivotal movement of the first pivot member, andwherein the pivotal movement of the first pivot member causes both the second channel member and the second electronic member to move toward the head unit.

3. The liquid ejecting device according to claim 2, wherein the second electronic member is configured to pivotally move together with the first pivot member.

4. The liquid ejecting device according to claim 3, wherein the first channel member has: an ejection surface in which the ejection hole is open; andan opposite surface opposite the ejection surface,wherein the first electronic member is disposed on the opposite surface, andwherein the pivotal movement of the first pivot member causes the second electronic member to be placed in a position covering the opposite surface.

5. The liquid ejecting device according to claim 4, wherein, in a plane parallel to the ejection surface, the first channel member has an ejection area in which the ejection hole is disposed and a non-ejection area in which no ejection hole is disposed, the non-ejection area being adjacent to the ejection area, andwherein the first electronic member is disposed in the non-ejection area on the opposite surface.

6. The liquid ejecting device according to claim 2, wherein the second channel member is configured to move in a crossing direction in accordance with the pivotal movement of the first pivot member, the crossing direction crossing the pivot axis.

7. The liquid ejecting device according to claim 6, wherein the first channel member has: an ejection surface in which the ejection hole is open;an opposite surface opposite the ejection surface; anda first surface in which the first communication port is open, the first surface connecting the ejection surface and the opposite surface to each other,wherein the second channel member has a second surface in which the second communication port is open, andwherein the crossing direction crosses the second surface.

8. The liquid ejecting device according to claim 1, wherein the second channel member has a second surface in which the second communication port is open, andwherein the second channel member is movable in a direction parallel to the second surface.

9. The liquid ejecting device according to claim 1, wherein the second electronic member has a third surface on which the second terminal is disposed, andwherein the second electronic member is movable in a direction parallel to the third surface.

10. The liquid ejecting device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting unit further comprises: a support member configured to support the head unit; anda second pivot member attached to the support member so as to be pivotally movable, the second pivot member comprising a positioning part configured to fix the head unit in position relative to the mounting unit, andwherein the second pivot member is pivotally movable between: a positioning position in which the positioning part fixes the head unit in position relative to the mounting unit; anda non-positioning position in which the positioning part does not fix the head unit in position relative to the mounting unit.

11. The liquid ejecting device according to claim 4, wherein the first pivot member comprises a positioning part configured to fix the head unit in position relative to the mounting unit, andwherein the first pivot member is pivotally movable between: a positioning position in which the positioning part fixes the head unit in position relative to the mounting unit; anda non-positioning position in which the positioning part does not fix the head unit in position relative to the mounting unit.

12. The liquid ejecting device according to claim 11, wherein a pivotal movement of the first pivot member from the non-positioning position to the positioning position causes both the second channel member and the second electronic member to move toward the head unit.