Patent Grant
9399350
This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-005698 filed on Jan. 16, 2014. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-005698 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a technique where a containing unit, which accommodates a vessel which contains a liquid, is fixed in a liquid ejecting apparatus.
2. Related Art
There are liquid ejecting systems in use which are provided with a liquid ejecting apparatus, which is provided with a liquid ejecting section which ejects ink and the like, and a containing unit which accommodates a vessel which supplies a liquid to the liquid ejecting section. An example of this type of liquid ejecting apparatus is disclosed in JP-A-2012-051327 (PTL 1). The containing unit which accommodates an ink containing vessel is attached to a side surface of the printer which is an example of the liquid ejecting apparatus in PTL 1. The printer in PTL 1 is an ink jet printer which is provided with an ink jet head which is an example of the liquid ejecting section which ejects ink.
A simple configuration where a hook in the containing unit catches with a catching section on the side surface of the printer is adopted as a structure for attaching the containing unit to the printer in PTL 1. However, there is a concern with this structure that it will be easy for the hook to be separated from the catching section and the containing unit will be separated from the printer when the entire system of the liquid ejecting system which is formed from the printer and the containing unit is lifted up such as during transporting.
The present invention is carried out in order to solve this problem and has an aspect of proposing a technique where a containing unit which accommodates a vessel which contains a liquid is fixed so as to not be easily separated from a liquid ejecting apparatus.
In order to solve the problem described above, a liquid ejecting system of the present invention is provided with a liquid ejecting apparatus, a containing unit configured to contain a liquid, and a liquid supply tube configured to supply the liquid from the containing unit to the liquid ejecting apparatus, the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a first casing, a second casing that opposes the first casing, and a liquid ejecting head that is positioned between the first casing and the second casing and is configured to eject the liquid, the containing unit includes a third casing that has an upper wall section facing in a vertically upward direction in a state where the liquid ejecting apparatus is being used, a fourth casing that opposes the third casing, and a liquid containing vessel that is positioned between the third casing and the fourth casing and is configured to contain the liquid, the first casing has a first penetration hole, the second casing has a second penetration hole that overlaps with the first penetration hole, the fourth casing has a first protruding section, and the containing unit is fixed to the liquid ejecting apparatus in a state where the first protruding section is inserted into the first penetration hole and the second penetration hole.
According to the present invention, the first protruding section of the fourth casing is fixed in a state of penetrating through both the first casing and the second casing. Due to this, it is possible to increase the fixing strength in a direction which intersects with a penetrating direction. Accordingly, there is little concern that the containing unit will be easily separated from the liquid ejecting apparatus and it is possible to increase the fixing strength compared with in the past. As such, stable carrying is possible without either being separated when carrying.
In the present embodiment, it is desirable that the first casing have a third penetration hole, the second casing have a fourth penetration hole that overlaps with the third penetration hole, the fourth casing have a second protruding section, and the containing unit be fixed to the liquid ejecting apparatus in a state where the second protruding section is inserted into the third penetration hole and the fourth penetration hole. By doing this, since the second protruding section of the fourth casing penetrates through both the first casing and the second casing, the containing vessel is fixed in a state where both of the two protruding sections pass through both of the first casing and the second casing. Accordingly, the fixing strength of the containing unit with regard to the liquid ejecting apparatus is further increased and stability is further improved.
In the present embodiment, it is desirable that the fourth casing have a third protruding section and the containing unit is fixed to the liquid ejecting apparatus in a state where the third protruding section and the first casing interpose the second casing. By doing this, the fixing strength of the containing unit with regard to the liquid ejecting apparatus is further increased and stability is further improved.
Next, a liquid ejecting system of the present invention is provided with a liquid ejecting apparatus, a containing unit configured to contain a liquid, and a liquid supply tube configured to supply the liquid from the containing unit to the liquid ejecting apparatus, the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a first casing, a second casing that opposes the first casing, and a liquid ejecting head that is positioned between the first casing and the second casing and is configured to eject the liquid, the containing unit includes a third casing that has an upper wall section facing in a vertically upward direction in a state where the liquid ejecting apparatus is being used, a fourth casing that opposes the third casing, and a liquid containing vessel that is positioned between the third casing and the fourth casing and is configured to contain the liquid, the first casing has a first penetration hole, the second casing has a second penetration hole, the fourth casing has a first protruding section and a second protruding section, and the containing unit is fixed to the liquid ejecting apparatus in a state where the first protruding section is inserted into the first penetration hole and the second protruding section is inserted into the second penetration hole.
According to the present invention, the first protruding section and the second protruding section of the fourth casing are fixed in a state of respectively penetrating through the first casing and the second casing. Due to this, it is possible to increase the fixing strength in a direction which intersects with a penetrating direction. Accordingly, there is little concern that the containing unit will be easily separated from the liquid ejecting apparatus and it is possible to increase the fixing strength compared with in the past. As such, stable carrying is possible without either being separated when carrying.
Next, a liquid ejecting system of the present invention is provided with a liquid ejecting apparatus, a containing unit configured to contain a liquid, and a liquid supply tube configured to supply the liquid from the containing unit to the liquid ejecting apparatus, the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a first casing, a second casing that opposes the first casing, and a liquid ejecting head that is positioned between the first casing and the second casing and is configured to eject the liquid, the containing unit includes a third casing that has an upper wall section facing in a vertically upward direction in a state where the liquid ejecting apparatus is being used, a fourth casing that opposes the third casing, and a liquid containing vessel that is positioned between the third casing and the fourth casing and is configured to contain the liquid, the first casing has a first penetration hole, the second casing has a second penetration hole that overlaps with the first penetration hole, the third casing has a first protruding section, and the containing unit is fixed to the liquid ejecting apparatus in a state where the first protruding section is inserted into the first penetration hole and the second penetration hole.
According to the present invention, the first protruding section of the third casing is fixed in a state of penetrating through both the first casing and the second casing. Due to this, it is possible to increase the fixing strength in a direction which intersects with a penetrating direction. Accordingly, there is little concern that the containing unit will be easily separated from the liquid ejecting apparatus and it is possible to increase the fixing strength compared with in the past. As such, stable carrying is possible without either being separated when carrying.
In the present embodiment, it is desirable that the first casing have a third penetration hole, the second casing have a fourth penetration hole that overlaps with the third penetration hole, the third casing have a second protruding section, and the containing unit be fixed to the liquid ejecting apparatus in a state where the second protruding section is inserted into the third penetration hole and the fourth penetration hole. By doing this, since the second protruding section of the third casing penetrates through both the first casing and the second casing, the containing vessel is fixed in a state where both of the two protruding sections pass through both of the first casing and the second casing. Accordingly, the fixing strength of the containing unit with regard to the liquid ejecting apparatus is further increased and stability is further improved.
Next, a liquid ejecting system of the present invention is provided with a liquid ejecting apparatus, a containing unit configured to contain a liquid, and a liquid supply tube configured to supply the liquid from the containing unit to the liquid ejecting apparatus, the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a first casing, a second casing that opposes the first casing, and a liquid ejecting head that is positioned between the first casing and the second casing and is configured to eject the liquid, the containing unit includes a third casing that has an upper wall section facing in a vertically upward direction in a state where the liquid ejecting apparatus is being used, a fourth casing that opposes the third casing, and a liquid containing vessel that is positioned between the third casing and the fourth casing and is configured to contain the liquid, the first casing has a first penetration hole, the second casing has a second penetration hole, the third casing has a first protruding section and a second protruding section, and the containing unit is fixed to the liquid ejecting apparatus in a state where the first protruding section is inserted into the first penetration hole and the second protruding section is inserted into the second penetration hole.
According to the present invention, the first protruding section and the second protruding section of the third casing are fixed in a state of respectively penetrating through the first casing and the second casing. Due to this, it is possible to increase the fixing strength in a direction which intersects with a penetrating direction. Accordingly, there is little concern that the containing unit will be easily separated from the liquid ejecting apparatus and it is possible to increase the fixing strength compared with in the past. As such, stable carrying is possible without either being separated when carrying.
In the present invention, it is desirable that there be further provided at least one of a first fixing member that fixes the first casing and the third casing and a second fixing member that fixes the second casing and the fourth casing. By doing this, the fixing strength is further increased and stability is improved since the locations for fixing is further increased. In a case where screw members are used as the first and the second fixing member, it is possible to improve the fixing strength in a screwing direction.
In the present invention, a configuration is possible where the first casing includes a scanner unit.
Next, the present invention is a liquid ejecting apparatus that is provided with a liquid ejecting section, a containing section configured to contain a liquid, and a liquid supply tube configured to supply the liquid from the containing section to the liquid ejecting section, the liquid ejecting section includes a first casing, a first region of a second casing that opposes the first casing and that is used as a casing member on a bottom surface side of the liquid ejecting apparatus in a state where the liquid ejecting apparatus is being used, and a liquid ejecting head that is positioned between the first casing and the first region of the second casing and is configured to eject the liquid, and the containing section includes a third casing, a second region of the second casing that opposes the third casing, and a liquid containing vessel that is positioned between the third casing and the second region of the second casing and is configured to contain the liquid.
According to the present invention, since the second casing is shared by the liquid ejecting section and the containing section, there is no separating of the liquid ejecting section and the containing section when being carried by the second casing being grasped. Accordingly, stable carrying is possible. Furthermore, a removing operation is easy since it is sufficient for just the third casing to be removed when there is a desire to remove the containing section.
Next, the present invention is a liquid ejecting apparatus that is provided with a liquid ejecting section, a containing section configured to contain a liquid, and a liquid supply tube configured to supply the liquid from the containing section to the liquid ejecting section, the liquid ejecting section includes a first region of a first casing that is used as a casing member on an upper surface side of the liquid ejecting apparatus in a state where the liquid ejecting apparatus is being used, a second casing that opposes the first region of the first casing, and a liquid ejecting head that is positioned between the first region of the first casing and the second casing and is configured to eject the liquid, and the containing section includes a second region of the first casing, a fourth casing that opposes the second region of the first casing, and a liquid containing vessel that is positioned between the second region of the first casing and the fourth casing and is configured to contain the liquid.
According to the present invention, since the first casing is shared by the liquid ejecting section and the containing section, there is no separating of the liquid ejecting section and the containing section when being carried by the first casing being grasped. Accordingly, stable carrying is possible.
Next, the present invention is a containing unit configured to supply a liquid through a liquid supply tube to a liquid ejecting apparatus that includes a first casing that has a first penetration hole, a second casing that opposes the first casing and has a second penetration hole that overlaps with the first penetration hole, and a liquid ejecting head that is positioned between the first casing and the second casing and is configured to eject the liquid, the containing unit is provided with a third casing that has an upper surface facing in a vertically upward direction in a state where the liquid ejecting apparatus is being used, a fourth casing opposing the third casing and having a first protruding section, and a liquid containing vessel positioned between the third casing and the fourth casing and configured to contain the liquid, and the containing unit is fixed to the liquid ejecting apparatus in a state where the first protruding section is inserted into the first penetration hole and the second penetration hole.
According to the present invention, the first protruding section of the fourth casing is fixed in a state of penetrating through both the first casing and the second casing. Accordingly, there is little concern that the containing unit will be easily separated from the liquid ejecting apparatus and it is possible to increase the fixing strength compared with in the past.
Next, the present invention is a containing unit configured to supply a liquid through a liquid supply tube to a liquid ejecting apparatus that includes a first casing that has a first penetration hole, a second casing that opposes the first casing and has a second penetration hole that overlaps with the first penetration hole, and a liquid ejecting head that is positioned between the first casing and the second casing and is configured to eject the liquid, the containing unit is provided with a third casing having a second protruding section and an upper surface facing in a vertically upward direction in a state where the liquid ejecting apparatus is being used, a fourth casing opposing the third casing, and a liquid containing vessel positioned between the third casing and the fourth casing and configured to contain the liquid, and the containing unit is fixed to the liquid ejecting apparatus in a state where the second protruding section is inserted into the first penetration hole and the second penetration hole.
According to the present invention, the second protruding section of the third casing is fixed in a state of penetrating through both the first casing and the second casing. Accordingly, there is little concern that the containing unit will be easily separated from the liquid ejecting apparatus and it is possible to increase the fixing strength compared with in the past.
According to the present invention, there is little concern that a containing unit will be easily separated from a liquid ejecting apparatus and it is possible to increase the fixing strength compared with in the past. As such, stable carrying is possible.
Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:
Embodiments of the liquid ejecting system and a liquid ejecting apparatus where the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.
The printer 2 is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus and includes a body cover member 5 (a first casing), a body base member 6 (a second casing), and a mechanism unit 10 (refer to
The ink containing unit 3 is an example of a containing unit which contains a liquid. The ink containing unit 3 is arranged on the +X axis direction side with regard to the printer 2 and is attached to an attachment section 15 which is provided on a side surface 14 so as to be able to be attached to and detached from the printer 2 in the +X axis direction. The ink containing unit 3 includes an upper surface cover member 7 (a third casing), a bottom surface cover member 8 (a fourth casing), and a tank 9 (a liquid containing vessel). The upper surface cover member 7 opposes the bottom surface cover member 8 and the tank 9 is positioned between the upper surface cover member 7 and the bottom surface cover member 8. Four of the tanks 9 are provided and ink which is used in printing is contained in the tanks 9. One each of the tank 9 which contains black ink, the tank 9 which contains yellow ink, the tank 9 which contains magenta ink, and the tank 9 which contains cyan ink are provided in the ink containing unit 3 of the first embodiment. Here, the number of the tanks 9 may be a number other than four and the types of inks which are contained may be different to the four colors of ink described above.
The upper surface cover member 7 is provided with a side wall section 22A which configures the front surface which faces the +Y axial direction, a side wall section 22B (refer to
The bottom surface cover member 8 is fixed to the body base member 6 using attachment pins 33 (a second fixing member) as shown in
As shown in
The cut away section 18A is an opening which is positioned at a side end on the +Y axis direction side of the attachment surface 16 and spreads out to the vicinity of the center of the attachment surface 16 in the Z axis direction. The supply tube 4 is drawn from a region on the +Z axis direction side of the cut away section 18A to the ink containing unit 3 side. Two penetration holes 20A and 20B are further provided in the attachment surface 16. The positions of the penetration hole 20A and the penetration hole 20B are substantially the same in the Z direction, and the penetration hole 20A and the penetration hole 20B are arranged to be separated in the Y axis direction. In the first embodiment, the penetration hole 20A (a first penetration hole) is provided at a part on the +Y axis direction side of the attachment surface 16. In addition, the penetration hole 20B (a third penetration hole) is provided at a part on the −Y axis direction side of the attachment surface 16.
As shown in
The medium transporting mechanism 42 transports the printing medium P along the Y axis direction by a transport roller 51 being driven using motive force from a motor which is not shown in the diagram. The head moving mechanism 43 transports the carriage 45 along the X axis direction by transferring motive force from a motor 53 to the carriage 45 via a timing belt 55. The printing head 47 is transported in the X axis direction via the carriage 45 using the head moving mechanism 43. Due to the medium transporting mechanism 42 and the head moving mechanism 43, printing is carried out on the printing medium P due to ink being discharged from the printing head 47 while the relative position of the printing head 47 is changed with regard to the printing medium P.
As shown in
Four of the tank arrangement regions 205 are provided. Two mounting sections 221, two concave sections 223, a first engaging section 225, and a second engaging section 227 are provided in each of the tank arrangement regions 205. A mounting wall 229 which protrudes from the base section 201 in the Z axis direction is provided in each of the tank arrangement regions 205. The mounting walls 229 are provided with a mounting wall 229A which extends in the X axis direction and a mounting wall 229B which extends to the Y axis direction side. The two mounting sections 221 protrude from the mounting wall 229A in the +Z axis direction. In addition, the first engaging section 225 protrudes from the mounting wall 229B in the +X axis direction. Then, the second engaging section 227 protrudes from the base section 201 in the +Z axis direction and the tip end thereof has a hook shape.
Four openings 251 are provided in the upper surface cover member 7 as shown in
Engaging sections 702 which engaged with the bottom surface cover member 8 are provided at two locations in the upper surface cover member 7 as shown in
A part of the partition wall 203, which protrudes from an end edge which is positioned on the −X axis direction side of the base section 201, has a flat plate shape which spreads out along the YZ plane in the bottom surface cover member 8. Below, this part is a partition wall 203B and other part of the partition walls 203 (a part which encompass the three directions of the +Y axis direction side, the +X axis direction side, and the −Y axis direction side) is a partition wall 203A. The protruding dimensions of the partition wall 203B are larger than the protruding dimensions of the partition wall 203A in the +Z axis direction. Parts on both sides of the partition wall 203B in the Y axis direction configure the fixing sections 801 for screw fixing described above. In addition, two protruding sections 803A and 803B are provided in the partition wall 203B at parts between the two fixing sections 801.
The protruding sections 803A and 803B both have circular cross sections and protrude from the partition wall 203A in the −X axis direction (that is, to the printer 2 side). In addition, the protruding sections 803A and 803B are both provided at positions closer to the tip end of the partition wall 203A on the +Z axis direction and are arranged to be separated in the Y axis direction. The protruding section 803A (a first protruding section) is provided at a position where the penetration hole 20A in the body cover member 5 and the penetration hole 603A in the body base member 6 overlap. In addition, the protruding section 803B (a second protruding section) is provided at a position where the penetration hole 20B in the body cover member 5 and the penetration hole 603B in the body base member 6 overlap. The outer diameter of the protruding section 803A is smaller than the inner diameter of the penetration hole 20A and the penetration hole 603A. In the same manner, the outer diameter of the protruding section 803B is smaller than the inner diameter of the penetration hole 20B and the penetration hole 603B. In the first embodiment, the protruding length of the protruding section 803A which is positioned on the +Y axis direction side is shorter than the protruding length of the protruding section 803B which is positioned on the −Y axis direction side as shown in
A portion of an end edge, which is positioned on the −X axis direction side, of the base section 201 of the bottom surface cover member 8 protrudes in the −X axis direction more than the partition wall 203A as shown in
An assembly process where the ink containing unit 3 is attached to the printer 2 is performed in the following sequence. First, a first process is performed where the bottom surface cover member 8 is positionally aligned with regard to the body base member 6 of the printer 2 from a state where the body cover member 5, the body base member 6, and the mechanism unit 10 of the printer 2 are pieced together. Moreover, after this, a second process is performed where the boss sections 604 and the fixing sections 801 are combined using the two attachment pins 33 as shown in
Taper sections 805 are provided at the tip end surfaces of the protruding sections 803A and 803B along the outer circumference edges. In addition, the inner diameters of the penetration holes 20A and 20B are one size larger than the inner diameters of the penetration holes 603A and 603B, and a part which surrounds the penetration holes 603A and 603B is exposed from the penetration holes 20A and 20B to have an annular shape in a case of being viewed from the −X axis direction. Taper sections 606 are provided in the exposed parts along the edge of the penetration holes 603A and 603B. In this manner, it is possible for a process for inserting of the protruding sections 803A and 803B to be easily performed due to the taper sections 805 and the taper sections 606 being provided. Here, the taper sections 606 may be omitted with the penetration holes 20A and 20B and the penetration holes 603A and 603B having the same inner diameters. In addition, taper sections may be provided along the edges of the penetration holes 20A and 20B.
As above, the liquid ejecting system 1 of the first embodiment is provided with the printer 2, the ink containing unit 3 where it is possible for ink to be contained, and the supply tube 4, the printer 2 includes the body cover member 5, the body base member 6 which opposes the body cover member 5, and the printing head 47 which is positioned between the body cover member 5 and the body base member 6, the ink containing unit 3 includes the upper surface cover member 7, the bottom surface cover member 8 which opposes the upper surface cover member 7, and the tank 9 which is positioned between the upper surface cover member 7 and the bottom surface cover member 8, the body cover member 5 has the penetration holes 20A and 20B, the body base member 6 has the penetration holes 603A and 603B which overlap with the penetration holes 20A and 20B, the bottom surface cover member 8 has the protruding sections 803A and 803B, and the ink containing unit 3 is fixed to the printer 2 in a state where the protruding sections 803A and 803B are inserted into the penetration holes 20A and 20B and the penetration holes 603A and 603B.
In this manner, the protruding sections 803A and 803B of the bottom surface cover member 8 are coupled to the printer 2 so as to penetrate both the body cover member 5 and the body base member 6 in the first embodiment. By providing coupling sections in this manner, it is possible to increase the fixing strength in a direction (the YZ direction) which intersects with the insertion direction of the protruding sections 803A and 803B. In addition, these coupling sections are provided at positions which are separated in the +Z axis direction with regard to the screw fixing positions. For this reason, there is hardly any concerns that the bottom surface cover member 8 will be tiled due to the weight of the tank 9 or the like and the ink containing unit 3 will separate from the printer 2 when the entire liquid ejecting system 1 is lifted up. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the fixing strength of the printer 2 and the ink containing unit 3 in the liquid ejecting system 1 and stable carrying is possible.
In addition, the protruding section 804 of the bottom surface cover member 8 is inserted into the concave section 605 of the body base member 6 in the first embodiment. For this reason, the ink containing unit 3 is fixed with regard to the printer 2 in a state where the body cover member 5 and the bottom surface cover member 8 interpose the body base member 6. Due to this, it is possible to further increase the fixing strength of the printer 2 and the ink containing unit 3. Accordingly, it is possible to more stably carry the liquid ejecting system 1.
Here, the coupling sections of the bottom surface cover member 8 and the members on the printer 2 side are provided at two locations in the first embodiment, but the coupling sections may be only provided at one location. In addition, the coupling sections may be provided at three or more locations. In addition, the protruding section 804 may be arranged on the lower side of the bottom surface of the body base member 6. In this case, it is not necessary for the concave section 605 to be provided in the body base member 6.
In modified example 1, a cut away section 19A with a rectangular shape, where a substantial part on the −Z axis direction side is cut away, is provided in an attachment surface 16A of the body cover member 5A (the first casing) as shown in
The protruding section 803A is inserted into the penetration hole 20A as shown in
In this manner, the protruding sections 803A and 803B of the bottom surface cover member 8A are coupled to the printer 2 so as to each penetrate through the body cover member 5A and the body base member 6A in modified example 1. Due to this, it is possible to increase the fixing strength in a direction (the YZ direction) which intersects with the insertion direction of the protruding sections 803A and 803B. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the fixing strength of the printer 2 and the ink containing unit 3 and stable carrying is possible.
As shown in
The protruding section 803A is inserted into the penetration hole 20A and the penetration hole 603A as shown in
In this manner, the protruding sections 803A and 803B of the upper surface cover member 7B are coupled to the printer 2 so as to each penetrate through the body cover member 5 and the body base member 6 (the second casing) in modified example 2. Due to this, it is possible to increase the fixing strength in a direction (the YZ direction) which intersects with the insertion direction of the protruding sections 803A and 803B. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the fixing strength of the printer 2 and the ink containing unit 3 and stable carrying is possible. Here, the coupling sections of the upper surface cover member 7B and the members on the printer 2 side are provided at two locations, but the coupling sections may be only provided at one location. In addition, the coupling sections may be provided at three or more locations.
As shown in
As shown in
In this manner, the protruding sections 803A and 803B of the upper surface cover member 7C are coupled to the printer 2 so as to each penetrate through the body cover member 5A and the body base member 6A in modified example 3. Due to this, it is possible to increase the fixing strength in a direction (the YZ direction) which intersects with the insertion direction of the protruding sections 803A and 803B. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the fixing strength of the printer 2 and the ink containing unit 3 and stable carrying is possible.
Configurations where the first embodiment and modified examples 1 to 3 may be adopted as the present invention. That is, it is possible for coupling sections to be provided by appropriately combining a coupling section where a protruding section which is provided in the upper surface cover member 7 is inserted into a penetration hole which is provided in one or both of the body cover member 5 and the body base member 6 and a coupling section where a protruding section which is provided in the bottom surface cover member 8 is inserted into a penetration hole which is provided in one or both of the body cover member 5 and the body base member 6. In addition, the number and positions of the coupling sections are not limited to the first embodiment and modified examples 1 to 3 and appropriate modifications are possible. Furthermore, either or both of screw fixing using the attachment pins 31 and screw fixing using the attachment pins 33 may be omitted in these configurations.
In addition, it is possible to adopt a concave section instead of penetration holes in the first embodiment and modified examples 1 to 3. That is, the penetration holes 603A and 603B are parts in which the tip ends of the protruding sections 803A and 803B are inserted in the first embodiment and modified example 2. Accordingly, it is not necessary to penetrate through the side frame 602 in a case where the dimensions of the protruding sections 803A and 803B are short and there may be concave sections. In addition, the penetration hole 603B in modified example 1 and 3 may be a concave section in the same manner. Furthermore, it is possible for the penetration hole 20A to be a concave section in a case where the protruding dimensions of the protruding section 803A are shortened in modified examples 1 and 3.
The liquid ejecting section 102 includes a body cover member 105 (the first casing), a first region 106A of a base member 106 (the second casing) which opposes the body cover member 105, and a mechanism unit 10 (refer to
The ink containing section 103 includes the upper surface cover member 7B (the third casing), a second region 106B of the base member 106 which opposes the upper surface cover member 7B, and a plurality (two or more) of the tanks 9. The second region 106B is a part on the +X axis direction side of the base member 106. The plurality of tanks 9 are positioned between the upper surface cover member 107 and the first region 106A of the base member 106. Four of the tanks 9 are provided in the second embodiment in the same manner as the first embodiment. The upper surface cover member 7B has the same configuration as in modified example 2 as will be described later.
The liquid ejecting apparatus 101 is provided with the base member 106 which configures the bottom surface of the apparatus. The base member 106 is provided with the first region 106A which supports the mechanism unit 10, the second region 106B which supports the four tanks 9, and a side frame 106C which is provided at the interface between the first region 106A and the second region 106B. The first region 106A and the second region 106B as a whole configure a base frame for the liquid ejecting apparatus 101. The side frame 106C spreads out along the YX plane so as to cut across an arrangement region for the mechanism unit 10 and an arrangement region for the tank 9. The mechanism unit 10 is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment and has the printing section 41, the medium transporting mechanism 42, and the head moving mechanism 43. The printing section 41 has the carriage 45, the printing head 47 (the liquid ejecting head), and four of the relay units 49. The medium transporting mechanism 42 is provided with the transport motor 51 and a motor which drives the transport motor 51. In addition, the head moving mechanism 43 is provided with the motor 53, the timing belt 55, and the like (refer to
As shown in
As shown in
A coupling section of the upper surface cover member 7B and a member on the liquid ejecting section 102 side (the body cover member 105 and the base member 106) is provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus 101 of the second embodiment in the same manner as the first embodiment and modified example 2.
As shown in
As above, the protruding sections 803A and 803B of the upper surface cover member 7B are coupled so as to each penetrate through the body cover member 105 and the body base member 106 in the liquid ejecting apparatus 101 in the second embodiment. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the fixing strength compared with in the past. Here, the number of the coupling sections may be one location or may be three or more locations. In addition, the base section 106, which in integrally provided with the first region 106A which supports the mechanism unit 10 and the second region 106B which supports the four tanks 9, is used as a casing member on the bottom surface side of the liquid ejecting apparatus 101 in the second embodiment. Accordingly, integrity of the casing of the liquid ejecting apparatus 101 is increased and stable carrying is possible. Furthermore, a removing operation is easy since it is sufficient if only the upper surface cover member 7B is removed when there is a desire to remove the ink containing section 103.
The liquid ejecting section 302 includes a cover member 305 (the first casing), a body base member 306 (the second casing) which opposes a first region 305A which is a part on the −X axis direction side of the cover member 305, and the mechanism unit 10 (refer to
The ink containing section 303 includes a second region 305B which is part on the +X axis direction side of the cover member 305, the bottom surface cover member 8 (the third casing) which opposes the second region 305B, and a plurality (two or more) of the tanks 9. The second region 305B is a part on the +X axis direction side of the cover member 305. The plurality of tanks 9 are positioned between the second region 305B of the cover member 305 and the bottom surface cover member 8. Four of the tanks 9 are provided in the third embodiment in the same manner as the first and second embodiments. The bottom surface cover member 8 has the same configuration as in the first embodiment as will be described later.
The mechanism unit 10 is supported by the body base member 6. The mechanism unit 10 is configured in the same manner as the first and second embodiments and has the printing section 41, the medium transporting mechanism 42, and the head moving mechanism 43. The printing section 41 has the carriage 45, the printing head 47 (the liquid ejecting head), and four of the relay units 49. The medium transporting mechanism 42 is provided with the transport motor 51 and a motor which drives the transport motor 51. In addition, the head moving mechanism 43 is provided with the motor 53, the timing belt 55, and the like (refer to
The body base member 6 has the base frame 601 and the side frame 602 as described in the first embodiment. The boss sections 604 for screw fixing of the bottom surface cover member 8 are provided in the side frame 602. In addition, the penetration holes 603A and 603B are provided in the side frame 602 (refer to
A coupling section of the bottom surface cover member 8 and the body base member 6 is provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus 301 of the third embodiment.
As above, the protruding sections 803A and 803B of the bottom surface cover member 8 are coupled so as to penetrate through the body base member 6 in the liquid ejecting apparatus 301 in the third embodiment. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the fixing strength compared with in the past. Here, the number of the coupling sections may be one location or may be three or more locations. In addition, the cover member 305 which is integral and covers the mechanism unit 10 and the four tanks 9, is used as a casing member on the upper surface side of the liquid ejecting apparatus 301 in the third embodiment. Accordingly, integrity of the casing of the liquid ejecting apparatus 301 is increased and stable carrying is possible by grasping the cover member 305.
A scanner unit may be installed in the first to third embodiments at a part of the cover member which overlaps with regard to the mechanism unit 10 in the +Z axis direction.
In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.
While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-005698 | Jan 2014 | JP | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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| 20120050359 | Koganehira | Mar 2012 | A1 |
| 20120182364 | Takeda et al. | Jul 2012 | A1 |
| 20140035537 | Hong | Feb 2014 | A1 |
| 20140043408 | Kudo | Feb 2014 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2012-051327 | Mar 2012 | JP |
| 2012-144016 | Aug 2012 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20150197095 A1 | Jul 2015 | US |
