Patent Grant
9962946
The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting system provided with a liquid storing container for containing a liquid and a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid supplied from the liquid storing container.
Conventionally, a liquid ejecting system provided with a liquid ejecting apparatus provided with a liquid ejecting unit for ejecting a liquid such as ink, and a liquid storing container for supplying a liquid to the liquid ejecting unit is used. Patent Literature 1 discloses an example of a liquid ejecting system of this type. In Patent Literature 1, a tank case that houses an ink tank is mounted on a side face of an inkjet printer, which is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus. A checking window is provided in a side face of the tank case (the side face on the side opposite to the side on which the inkjet printer is arranged). When refilling the ink tank with ink, the tank case is removed from the inkjet printer, and the tank unit is turned over so as to be in a refill orientation in which an injection port of the ink tank is directed upward. After the ink is injected, the tank unit is returned to the original orientation and is mounted to the inkjet printer.
Patent Literature 1: JP-A-2012-051328
In JP-A-2012-051328, a checking window for checking the amount of ink in the ink tank is provided in the side face on the side opposite to the side on which the inkjet printer is arranged, out of the side faces of the tank unit. Therefore, in the case where the width of the inkjet printer is large, it is necessary to perform operations such as the user moving to outward of the liquid ejecting system in the width direction in order to inject ink, and observing through the checking window to check the ink amount. Therefore, the work load of the user is heavy.
The invention has been made in order to solve such an issue, and aims to propose a liquid ejecting system that makes it easy for the user to perform operations on a liquid storing container.
In order to solve the above-described issue, a liquid ejecting system of the invention includes: a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of ejecting a liquid; a liquid storing container capable of containing the liquid; and a conduit that connects the liquid ejecting apparatus and the liquid storing container and is capable of supplying the liquid from the liquid storing container to the liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein out of outer walls of the liquid storing container, a first face directed in a first direction from the liquid storing container toward the liquid ejecting apparatus is relatively movable with respect to a second face directed in a second direction from the liquid ejecting apparatus toward the liquid storing container, out of the outer walls of the liquid ejecting apparatus, from a first position to a second position that is different from the first position, and a visual recognition portion through which the interior of the liquid storing container is visually recognizable (when the first face is) at the second position is provided in the first face of the liquid storing container.
According to the invention, by moving the liquid storing container, the first face facing the liquid ejecting apparatus can be moved from the first position to the second position, and this operation makes it possible to visually recognize the interior of the liquid storing container from the visual recognition portion formed in the first face of the liquid storing container. With such a configuration, when checking the interior of the liquid storing container, observation can be performed through the visual recognition portion of the liquid storing container from the liquid ejecting apparatus side, and it is not necessary to perform the operation of observing the liquid storing container from the side opposite to the liquid ejecting apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to make it easy to perform operations on the liquid storing container. For example, it is possible to reduce the workload when checking the amount of the liquid in the liquid storing container.
In the invention, it is desirable that, when the first face is at the first position, the visual recognition portion faces the liquid ejecting apparatus, and when the first face is at the second position, the visual recognition portion does not face the liquid ejecting apparatus. As a result, by moving the liquid storing container, it is possible to switch between a state where the visual recognition portion is visually recognizable and a state where the visual recognition portion is not visually recognizable.
In the invention, it is desirable that a third direction in which the first face moves from the first position toward the second position intersects the first direction or the second direction, the liquid storing container has a first liquid storing portion having a first liquid injection port and a second liquid storing portion having a second liquid injection port and having a larger volume than the first liquid storing portion, the first liquid storing portion is positioned on a third direction side of the second liquid storing portion, and when a direction opposite to the third direction is assumed to be a fourth direction, the second liquid injection port is provided at a position closer to a third face directed in the third direction of the second liquid storing portion than to a fourth face directed in the fourth direction of the second liquid storing portion. As a result, when arranging liquid storing portions having different volumes, the liquid injection ports can be arranged in a group on the side where the liquid storing portion volume is small. By arranging the liquid injection ports in a group, it is possible to improve the operation efficiency of the operation of injecting a liquid into the liquid storing portions.
In this case, it is desirable that the visual recognition portions include a first visual recognition window through which the first liquid storing portion is visually recognizable and a second visual recognition window through which the second liquid storing portion is visually recognizable, and the second visual recognition window is provided at a position closer to the third face than to the fourth face of the second liquid storing portion. As a result, a plurality of visual recognition windows can be arranged in a group on the side where the liquid storing portion volume is small. By arranging the visual recognition portions in a group, it is possible to improve the operation efficiency of the operation of checking the liquid amounts of a plurality of liquid storing portions.
Alternatively, in the invention, it is desirable that a third direction in which the liquid storing container moves from the first position toward the second position intersects the first direction or the second direction, the liquid storing container includes a first liquid storing portion having a first liquid injection port and a second liquid storing portion having a second liquid injection port and having a larger volume than the first liquid storing portion, the first liquid storing portion is positioned on the third direction side of the second liquid storing portion, the visual recognition portion includes a first visual recognition window through which the first liquid storing portion is visually recognizable and a second visual recognition window through which the second liquid storing portion is visually recognizable, and when a direction opposite to the third direction is assumed to be a fourth direction, the second visual recognition window is provided at a position closer to a third face directed in the third direction of the second liquid storing portion than to a fourth face directed in the fourth direction of the second liquid storing portion. As a result, a plurality of visual recognition windows can be arranged in a group on a liquid storing portion side having a smaller volume. By arranging the visual recognition portions in a group, it is possible to improve the operation efficiency of the operation of checking the liquid amounts of a plurality of liquid storing portions.
In the invention, it is desirable that a liquid ejecting apparatus-side engagement portion is provided on the second face of the liquid ejecting apparatus, a liquid storing container-side engagement portion is provided on the first face of the liquid storing container, and the liquid ejecting apparatus-side engagement portion and the liquid storing container-side engagement portion engage with each other such that the liquid storing container can slide and move relative to the liquid ejecting apparatus. As a result, the liquid storing container can be slid and pulled out to the operator side. Therefore, the operation of moving the liquid storing container in order to check the liquid amount is easy. In addition, even in the case where the liquid ejecting system is installed in a limited space, the liquid storing container can be easily moved to a position at which the liquid amount can be checked.
In the invention, it is desirable that a bottom face of the liquid ejecting apparatus has an extending portion, the liquid storing container is placed on the extending portion, the first face is a face directed to the liquid storing container on the extending portion, a liquid ejecting apparatus-side engagement portion is provided on the first face, the second face is a face directed to the extending portion of the liquid storing container, a liquid storing container-side engagement portion is provided on the second face, and the liquid ejecting apparatus-side engagement portion and the liquid storing container-side engagement portion engage with each other such that the liquid ejecting apparatus can slide and move relative to the liquid storing container. In this manner, in the case where the extending portion is provided and the liquid storing container is placed on the extending portion, a slide type engagement portion can be provided between the extending portion and the liquid storing container. Therefore, by sliding the liquid storing container and pulling it out toward the operator side, it is possible to easily perform the operation of moving the liquid storing container in order to check the liquid amount. Moreover, even in the case where the liquid ejecting system is installed in a limited space, the liquid storing container can be moved easily.
In the invention, it is desirable that an apparatus-side conduit opening portion extending in a direction from the first position toward the second position is provided in the second face of the liquid ejecting apparatus, a container-side conduit opening portion extending in a direction from the first position toward the second position is provided in the first face of the liquid storing container, and the conduit communicates with the interior of the liquid ejecting apparatus via the apparatus-side conduit opening portion, and communicates with the interior of the liquid storing container via the container-side conduit opening portion. In this manner, if the conduit is arranged so as to pass through openings formed in opposing faces of the liquid ejecting apparatus and the liquid storing container, the conduit can be routed along a simple route. Moreover, it is possible to reduce exposure of the conduit to the outside.
In the invention, it is desirable that in a planar view of the liquid ejecting system from the first direction, at least a portion of the apparatus-side conduit opening portion and at least a portion of the container-side conduit opening portion overlap each other at both the first position and the second position. If, in this manner, the connection state of the conduit can be maintained in both cases where the liquid storing container is at the position of one end (first position) and at the position of the other end (second position) of the moving range of the liquid storing container, the connection state of the conduit can be maintained even if the liquid storing container moves.
In the invention, it is desirable that the liquid storing container has a residual amount detecting unit capable of detecting a residual amount of a liquid contained in the liquid storing container, and when the first face of the liquid storing container is arranged at the second position, an amount of a liquid contained in the liquid storing container can be observed using the visual recognition portion, and when the first face of the liquid storing container is arranged at the first position, the amount of the liquid contained in the liquid storing container can be detected using the residual amount detecting unit. As a result, when the liquid storing container is pulled out to pour a liquid therein, injection can be performed while checking the liquid amount using the visual recognition portion, and in a state where liquid injecting work is finished and the liquid storing container is returned to the original position, the liquid residual amount can be detected using the residual amount detecting unit.
In the invention, it is desirable that a wiring that is connected to the residual amount detecting unit is provided, an apparatus-side wiring opening portion extending in a direction from the first position toward the second position is provided in the second face of the liquid ejecting apparatus, a container-side wiring opening portion extending in a direction from the first position toward the second position is provided in the first face of the liquid storing container, and the wiring is connected to the interior of the liquid ejecting apparatus via the apparatus-side wiring opening portion, and is connected to the interior of the liquid storing container via the container-side wiring opening portion. As a result, the wiring can be routed along a simple route. Moreover, it is possible to reduce the exposure of the wiring to the outside.
In the invention, it is desirable that, in a planar view of the liquid ejecting system from the first direction, at least a portion of the apparatus-side wiring opening portion and at least a portion of the container-side wiring opening portion overlap each other in both states of the first position and the second position. If, in this manner, the connection state of the wiring can be maintained in both cases where the liquid storing container is at the position of one end (first position) and at the position of the other end (second position) of the moving range of the liquid storing container, the connection state of the wiring can be maintained even if the liquid storing container moves.
Next, the invention includes: a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of ejecting a liquid; a liquid storing container that is positioned in the liquid ejecting apparatus, and is capable of containing the liquid; and a conduit that connects the liquid ejecting apparatus and the liquid storing container, and is capable of supplying the liquid from the liquid storing container to the liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein a configuration is also possible in which out of outer walls of the liquid storing container, out of faces facing inner walls of the liquid ejecting apparatus, a first face directed in a first direction is relatively movable from a first position to a second position that is different from the first position, with respect to a second face directed in a second direction opposite to the first direction, out of inner walls of the liquid ejecting apparatus, out of faces facing the outer walls of the liquid storing container, and a visual recognition portion through which an interior of the liquid storing container is visually recognizable when the first face is at the second position is provided in a third face that is on a side opposite to the first face of the liquid storing container.
In this manner, in the invention, by moving the liquid storing container incorporated in the liquid ejecting apparatus, the first face, which is a face of the liquid storing container that faces the liquid ejecting apparatus, can be relatively moved with respect to the second face of the liquid ejecting apparatus, and this operation enables visual recognition of the interior of the liquid storing container from the visual recognition portion formed in the third face of the liquid storing container. With such a configuration, when checking the interior of the liquid storing container, observation through the visual recognition portion of the liquid storing container is possible from inward of the liquid ejecting apparatus in the width direction, and it is not necessary to perform the operation of observing the liquid storing container from outward of the liquid ejecting apparatus in the width direction. Therefore, operations on the liquid storing container can be made easy. For example, it is possible to reduce the workload when checking the amount of liquid in the liquid storing container.
In the invention, it is desirable that when the first face is at the first position, the visual recognition portion faces the liquid ejecting apparatus, and when the first face is at the second position, the visual recognition portion does not face the liquid ejecting apparatus. As a result, by moving the liquid storing container, it is possible to switch between a state where visual recognition through the visual recognition portion is possible and a state where visual recognition through the visual recognition is not possible.
In the invention, it is desirable that a third direction in which the first face moves from the first position to the second position intersects the first direction or the second direction, the liquid storing container includes a first liquid storing portion having a first liquid injection port and a second liquid storing portion having a second liquid injection port and having a larger volume than the first liquid storing portion, the first liquid storing portion is positioned on a third direction side of the second liquid storing portion, and when a direction opposite to the third direction is assumed to be a fourth direction, the second liquid injection port is provided at a position closer to a third face directed in the third direction of the second liquid storing portion than to a fourth face directed in the fourth direction of the second liquid storing portion. As a result, when aligning the liquid storing portions having different volumes side by side, the liquid injection ports can be arranged in a group on the side where the liquid storing portion volume is small. By arranging the liquid injection ports in a group, it is possible to improve the operation efficiency of the operation of injecting liquids into the liquid storing portions.
In this case, it is desirable that the visual recognition portions include a first visual recognition window through which the first liquid storing portion is visually recognizable and a second visual recognition window through which the second liquid storing portion is visually recognizable, and the second visual recognition window is provided at a position closer to the third face than to the fourth face of the second liquid storing portion. As a result, a plurality of visual recognition windows can be arranged in a group on the side where the liquid storing portion volume is small. By arranging the visual recognition portions in a group, it is possible to improve the operation efficiency of the operation of checking liquid amounts of a plurality of liquid storing portions.
Alternatively, in the invention, it is desirable that a third direction in which the liquid storing container moves from the first position to the second position intersects the first direction or the second direction, the liquid storing container includes a first liquid storing portion having a first liquid injection port and a second liquid storing portion having a second liquid injection port and having a larger volume than the first liquid storing portion, the first liquid storing portion is positioned on a third side of the second liquid storing portion, the visual recognition portions include a first visual recognition window through which the first liquid storing portion is visually recognizable and a second visual recognition window through which the second liquid storing portion is visually recognizable, and when a direction opposite to the third direction is assumed to be a fourth direction, the second visual recognition window is provided at a position closer to a third face directed in the third direction of the second liquid storing portion than to a fourth face directed in the fourth direction of the second liquid storing portion. As a result, a plurality of visual recognition windows can be arranged in a group on the side where the liquid storing portion volume is small. By arranging the visual recognition portions in a group, it is possible to improve the operation efficiency of the operation of checking the amounts of liquid of a plurality of liquid storing portions.
Embodiments of a liquid ejecting system to which the invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in
The printer 2 is provided with an upper case 5, a lower case 6 and a mechanism unit 10. The upper case 5 opposes the lower case 6 in the Z axis direction. The mechanism unit 10 is housed between the upper case 5 and the lower case 6. The mechanism unit 10 is a mechanism part for executing a printing operation. The upper case 5 is provided with a front face 51 directed in the +Y direction, an upper face 52 directed in the +Z direction (upward in the vertical direction) and a side face 53 (second face) directed in the +X direction (second direction). The front face 51 is provided with a paper discharge unit 54 for discharging the printing medium P.
The mechanism unit 10 of the printer 2 is supported by the lower case 6. The mechanism unit 10 is provided with a printing head (not illustrated), a head movement mechanism (not illustrated), a medium conveyance mechanism (not illustrated) and the like. The head movement mechanism is provided with a carriage (not illustrated) to which the printing head is mounted. The head movement mechanism moves the carriage in the X axis direction by transmitting motive power from a motor to the carriage via a timing belt or the like. The medium conveyance mechanism conveys the printing medium P in the Y axis direction by driving a conveyance roller using motive power from the motor. The carriage is provided with a relay unit to which one end of the supply tube 4 is connected. The printing head is connected to the supply tube 4 via the relay unit. The supply tube 4 has flexibility. The printing head is an inkjet head, and discharges, as ink droplets, ink supplied from the tank unit 3 via the relay unit and the supply tube 4. The printer 2 performs printing on the printing medium P by discharging ink droplets from the printing head while changing the relative position of the printing head with respect to the printing medium P using the medium conveyance mechanism and the head movement mechanism.
The tank unit 3 is provided with an over-tank case 7, an under-tank case 8 and tanks 9, which are examples of a liquid storing portion. The over-tank case 7 opposes the under-tank case 8 in the Z axis direction. The tanks 9 are housed between the over-tank case 7 and the under-tank case 8. The tanks 9 contain ink used for printing. One tank 9Bk that contains black ink, one tank 9Y that contains yellow ink, one tank 9M that contains magenta ink, and one tank 9C that contains cyan ink are provided in the tank unit 3 of the first embodiment (see
The supply tubes 4 include the same number of tubes as the number of tanks 9. In the first embodiment, four tubes, namely, a supply tube 4 connected to the tank 9Bk, a supply tube 4 connected to the tank 9Y, a supply tube 4 connected to the tank 9M, and a supply tube 4 connected to the tank 9C are provided as the supply tubes 4. The four tubes constitute a four-route ink passage corresponding to the four colors of ink. Four groups of ink nozzles for respectively discharging the four colors of ink are provided in the printing head of the mechanism unit 10.
The over-tank case 7 is provided with an upper face 71 directed in the +Z direction, a side face 72 directed in the +X direction, and a side face 73 (first face) directed in the −X direction (first direction). Four openings 74 are provided in the upper face 71 of the over-tank case 7. In addition, as shown in
As shown in
A storing portion 65, an atmospheric air chamber 68 and a communication path 69 are provided in the tank 9. The storing portion 65 and the atmospheric air chamber 68 are in communication with each other via the communication path 69. Ink is contained in the storing portion 65. In the tank 9, an ink injection portion 95 is provided in an upper face 93 directed in the +Z direction. Also, a portion of the upper face 93 projects in the +Z direction, and an atmospheric air communication port 96 is provided here. Also, in the tank 9, a supplying portion 97 projects from a bottom face 94 directed in the −Z direction. A cylindrical connection portion 97a protrudes from the supplying portion 97. A supply tube 4 (4Bk/4Y/4M/4C) is connected to the connection portion 97a. Ink contained in the tank 9 is sent out from a supply port provided at the leading end of the connection portion 97a to the supply tube 4.
An ink sensor (not illustrated) for detecting ink in the tank 9 is provided in the tank 9. For example, the ink sensor is an optical sensor that uses a prism or the like provided on the bottom portion of the storing portion 65. By providing the optical sensor on the bottom portion of the storing portion 65, it is possible to detect that the residual amount of ink in the tank has decreased to below a predetermined amount (near end). Alternatively, a sensor that adopts another detection method may be used. For example, the sensor may be an electrode type sensor. An electrode type sensor is an ink sensor that measures the value of an electric current that flows between a pair of electrodes provided near the bottom portion of the storing portion 65, and thereby determines whether or not ink exists between the electrodes. Moreover, a wire connected to the ink sensor extends together with the supply tube 4 on the rear face 92 side of the tank 9, and is routed into the printer 2. When the tank unit 3 is at the first position 3A, and the liquid ejecting system 1 is being used, the ink sensor can detect ink.
As shown in
As shown in
Each of the tanks 9Bk, 9Y, 9M and 9C is provided with a side face 98 (third face) directed toward the +Y direction side (third direction side), and a side face 99 (fourth face) directed toward the −Y direction side (fourth direction side). As shown in
As shown in
When the tank unit 3 is at the first position 3A, the four window portions 75 face the side face 53 of the upper case 5 of the printer 2 and are hidden by the printer 2, but in the state where the tank unit 3 is pulled out to the second position 3B, the four window portions 75 do not face the side face 53, and are not hidden by the printer 2. Therefore, when the tank unit 3 is pulled out to the second position 3B, the amount of ink in the tank 9 is visually recognizable from the region of the tank 9 viewed through the window portion 75. The upper limit mark 28 is provided in the region of the tank 9 that is viewed through the window portion 75, and thus when injecting ink into the tank 9, it is possible to visually recognize, through the window portion 75, that the amount of ink in the tank 9 has reached an upper limit amount set in advance.
The window portions 75 of the over-tank case 7 include a window portion 75 (second visual recognition window) through which the tank 9Bk is visually recognizable, a window portion 75 (first visual recognition window) through which the tank 9Y is visually recognizable, a window portion 75 (first visual recognition window) through which the tank 9M is visually recognizable, and a window portion 75 (first visual recognition window) through which the tank 9C is visually recognizable. These four window portions 75 have the same shape, and are arranged in this order in the side face 73 of the over-tank case 7, from the −Y direction toward the +Y direction side. The upper limit mark 28 is formed on the front face 91 of the tank 9Bk whose volume is largest, at a position closer to the side face 98 directed toward the +Y direction side than to the side face 99 directed toward the −Y direction side. In addition, the window portion 75 (second visual recognition window) through which the tank 9Bk is visually recognizable is provided at a position at which this upper limit mark 28 is visually recognizable, in other words, a position closer to the side face 98 than to the side face 99 of the tank 9Bk. Therefore, the four window portions 75 are arranged in a group in the side face 73 of the over-tank case 7, at a position nearer the +Y direction side.
As described above, the printer 2 is provided with the side face 53 (second face) directed in the +X direction (second direction) toward the tank unit 3, and two guide rails 55 and 56 (liquid ejecting apparatus-side engagement portions) extending in parallel in the Y axis direction are formed on this side face 53. At a position near the lower end of the side face 53, the guide rail 55 extends from a position near the side edge in the +Y direction of the side face 53 to a position near the side edge in the −Y direction of the side face 53. On the other hand, the guide rail 56 is positioned on the +Z direction side relative to the guide rail 55. The guide rail 56 extends from a substantially central position in the Y axis direction of the side face 53 to the same position as the end portion in the +Y direction of the guide rail 55. Note that in
On the other hand, the tank unit 3 is provided with the side face 73 (first face) directed in the −X direction (first direction) toward the printer 2, and a guide rail 76 (liquid storing container-side engagement portion) extending in the Y axis direction is formed on this side face 73. The position in the Z axis direction (height) of the guide rail 76 is at the same height as a groove-shaped portion between the guide rails 55 and 56 provided on the printer 2 side, and the guide rail 76 is engaged between the guide rails 55 and 56. The guide rails 55 and 56 on the printer 2 side engage with the guide rail 76 on the tank unit 3 side such that the tank unit 3 cannot relatively move in the X axis direction and the Z axis direction with respect to the printer 2, and engagement is performed such that the tank unit 3 can slide in the Y axis direction relative to the printer 2. The guide rails 55 and 56 and the guide rail 76 are formed at positions at which the guide rails do not overlap the above-described the window portions 75, and in this embodiment, are positioned on the −Z direction side (lower side) relative to the window portions 75. Note that in
A front-side retaining portion 77 is provided at the end portion on the +Y direction side of the guide rail 76, and a rear-side retaining portion 78 is provided at the end portion on the −Y direction side. When the tank unit 3 is positioned at the first position 3A, the front-side retaining portion 77 abuts on the guide rails 55 and 56 from the +Y direction. Also, when the tank unit 3 is positioned at the second position 3B, the rear-side retaining portion 78 abuts on the guide rail 55 from the −Y direction. Therefore, the movable range of the tank unit 3 is a range from the first position 3A to the second position 3B, and the tank unit 3 never moves out of this range. When the tank unit 3 is at the first position 3A, the side face 73 of the tank unit 3 is positioned at a first position 73A with respect to the side face 53 of the printer 2. Moreover, when the tank unit 3 is at the second position 3B, the side face 73 of the tank unit 3 is positioned at a second position 73B that is different from the first position 73A, with respect to the side face 53 of the printer 2. The second position 73B is a position that is moved to the +Y direction side (third direction side) relative to the first position 73A.
An apparatus-side opening portion 57 extending in the Y axis direction is formed in the side face 53 of the printer 2 at a position between the guide rail 55 and the guide rail 56. In addition, a container-side opening portion 79 extending in the Y axis direction is formed in the side face 73 of the tank unit 3 at a substantially central position in the Z axis direction of the guide rail 76. The positions in the Z axis direction (heights) of the apparatus-side opening portion 57 and the container-side opening portion 79 are the same, and the opening widths in the Z axis direction are also the same. The apparatus-side opening portion 57 extends in a range from one end to the other end of the side face 53 of the printer 2 in the Y axis direction, and the container-side opening portion 79 extends only in a region near the end in the +Y direction side of the side face 73 of the tank unit 3.
At whichever of the first position 3A and the second position 3B the tank unit 3 is positioned, at least portions of the apparatus-side opening portion 57 and the container-side opening portion 79 overlap each other when viewed in the X axis direction. The supply tubes 4 pass through the portions of the apparatus-side opening portion 57 and the container-side opening portion 79 that overlap each other, and are routed from inside the tank unit 3 into the printer 2. Accordingly, the supply tubes 4 are in communication with the interior of the printer 2 via the apparatus-side opening portion 57, and are in communication with the interior of the tank unit 3 via the container-side opening portion 79. Therefore, when the tank unit 3 moves between the first position 3A and the second position 3B, the connection between the printer 2 and the tank unit 3 using the supply tubes 4 can be maintained. In addition, with such a configuration, the supply tubes 4 are not exposed to the outside. Therefore, there is no risk that the user inadvertently comes into contact with and damages the supply tubes 4.
At whichever of the first position 3A and the second position 3B the tank unit 3 is positioned, the container-side opening portion 79 is covered by the side face 53 of the printer 2 and is not exposed to the outside. Therefore, the entrance of dust, foreign materials and the like into the tank unit 3 is suppressed. On the other hand, when the tank unit 3 is at the first position 3A, the apparatus-side opening portion 57 is covered by the side face 73 of the tank unit 3 and is not exposed to the outside, but when the tank unit 3 is at the second position 3B, a portion on the −Y direction side of the apparatus-side opening portion 57 is not covered by the side face 73 of the tank unit 3, and is in a state of being exposed to the outside.
The apparatus-side opening portion 57 and the container-side opening portion 79 are used not only as openings through which the supply tubes 4 pass but also as openings through which the wires connected to the ink sensors provided in the tanks 9 pass. Accordingly, the apparatus-side opening portion 57 functions as both an apparatus-side conduit opening portion and a container-side conduit opening portion. Also, the container-side opening portion 79 functions as both an apparatus-side wiring opening portion and a container-side wiring opening portion. The wires that are routed from the ink sensors into the printer 2 are arranged so as to pass through the apparatus-side opening portion 57 and the container-side opening portion 79. In other words, the wires are connected to the interior of the printer 2 via the apparatus-side opening portion 57, and are connected to the interior of the tank unit 3 via the container-side opening portion 79. As a result, when the tank unit 3 moves between the first position 3A and the second position 3B, the connection between the printer 2 and the ink sensor using the wires is maintained, and the wires are not exposed to the outside.
Note that two openings may be provided in the side face 53 of the printer 2, with one serving as the apparatus-side conduit opening portion and the other serving as the apparatus-side wiring opening portion. For example, the apparatus-side opening portion 57 may be divided into two in the Z axis direction, with one serving as the apparatus-side conduit opening portion, and the other serving as the apparatus-side wiring opening portion. Similarly, two openings may be provided in the side face 73 of the tank unit 3, with one serving as the container-side conduit opening portion, and the other serving as the container-side wiring opening portion.
As described above, the supply tubes 4 include four tubes, namely, the supply tube 4 connected to the tank 9Bk, the supply tube 4 connected to the tank 9Y, the supply tube 4 connected to the tank 9M, and the supply tube 4 connected to the tank 9C. The four supply tubes 4 are bound with a binding band or the like, and are arranged so as to pass through the apparatus-side opening portion 57 and the container-side opening portion 79. Portions of the supply tubes 4 that extend from the binding position to the tank 9 side have a surplus portion, and have a length that allows bending and extending in accordance with the tank unit 3 moving between the first position 3A and the second position 3B. Accordingly, a supply tube 4C that is connected to the tank 9C positioned nearest the +Y direction side has the most slack and the longest surplus portion when the tank unit 3 is at the first position 3A. On the other hand, a supply tube 4Bk connected to the tank 9Bk positioned nearest the −Y direction side has the most slack and the longest surplus portion when the tank unit 3 is at the second position 3B. As a result, the supply tubes are not brought into a state of being much more loose than necessary.
As described above, in the liquid ejecting system 1 of the first embodiment, the tank unit 3 slidably engages with the side face 53 directed toward the +X direction side of the printer 2, and it is possible to slide the tank unit 3 in the +Y direction and pull it out forward, and to expose, to the outside, the side face 73 directed in the −X direction of the tank unit 3. Due to this operation, the interior of the tank unit 3 is visually recognizable through the window portions 75 formed in the side face 73 directed in the −X direction of the tank unit 3, and the amount of ink in the tanks 9 is visually recognizable from the window portions 75. In this manner, the operation of sliding the tank unit 3 and pulling it out to the front side is easy. Moreover, when checking the interior of the tank unit 3, observation is possible through the window portions 75 of the tank unit 3 from the printer 2 side (the −X direction side), and it is not necessary to perform the operation of observing the tank unit 3 from the side opposite to the printer 2 (the +X direction side: outward of the liquid ejecting system 1 in the width direction). Therefore, it is not necessary to secure a working space outside of the liquid ejecting system 1 in the width direction. Therefore, even in the case where the liquid ejecting system 1 is installed in a limited space, the tank unit 3 can be easily moved to a position at which the ink amount can be checked. Accordingly, operations on the tank unit 3 can be made easy. For example, it is possible to reduce the workload when checking the ink amount.
In addition, in the first embodiment, the four tanks 9 are arranged in the direction of the movement (the Y axis direction) when pulling out the tank unit 3, and out of the four tanks 9, the tank 9Bk that contains black ink, which is pigment ink, is arranged farthest on the −Y direction side (the rearmost side in the direction of the movement when pulling out the tank unit 3/back side in a front view of the liquid ejecting system 1). With such an arrangement, the movement amount of the tank unit 3 for pulling out the tank unit 3 to a position at which the ink amount of black ink can be checked is long. Therefore, when checking the ink amount of black ink, the tank unit 3 moves a large amount, and the ink in the tank 9Bk is stirred a large amount. Therefore, sedimentation of the pigment can be suppressed.
Moreover, in the first embodiment, when the tank 9Bk having the largest volume out of the four tanks 9 is arranged farthest on the −Y direction side, the ink injection portion 95 of this tank 9Bk is arranged at a position closer to the side face 98 directed towards the +Y direction side than to the side face 99 directed towards the −Y direction side, on the upper face 93 of the tank 9Bk. In addition, the window portion 75 facing the tank 9Bk is also arranged at a position closer to the side face 98 than to the side face 99 of the tank 9Bk. With such an arrangement, the four ink injection portions 95 are arranged in a group in the upper face 71 of the over-tank case 7 at positions nearer the +Y direction side. Also, the four window portions 75 are arranged in a group at positions nearer the +Y direction side, in the side face 73 of the over-tank case 7. By arranging, in this manner, the ink injection portions 95 and the window portions 75 in a group on the direction side (front side) on which the tank unit 3 is pulled out, it is possible to reduce the amount of a space required to pull out the tank unit 3 when checking the ink amount or injecting ink. Moreover, it is possible to improve the operation efficiency when checking the ink amount, and it is possible to improve the operation efficiency when injecting ink.
Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the supply tubes 4 and the wiring that connect the printer 2 and the tank unit 3 are routed so as to pass through the apparatus-side opening portion 57 formed in the side face 53 on the +X direction side of the printer 2 and the container-side opening portion 79 formed in the side face 73 on the −X direction side of the tank unit 3. In this manner, the supply tubes 4 and the wiring can be routed along a simple route by passing the supply tubes 4 and the wiring through the openings formed in the opposing faces. Moreover, in the first embodiment, even if the tank unit 3 moves between the first position 3A and the second position 3B, the apparatus-side opening portion 57 and the container-side opening portion 79 are not exposed to the outside. Therefore, exposure of the supply tubes 4 and the wiring to the outside can be prevented. Also, it is possible to prevent the entrance of dust, foreign materials and the like from into the printer 2 and the tank unit 3.
In addition, in the first embodiment, in the state where the tank unit 3 is positioned at the first position 3A, the ink residual amount can be detected using the ink sensor, and in the state where the tank unit 3 is pulled out to the second position 3B, the ink amount can be checked from the window portions 75. Therefore, ink can be injected while checking the ink amount by pulling out the tank unit 3 to the second position 3B. Also, while ink is supplied to the printer 2 by bringing the tank unit 3 back to the first position 3A, the ink residual amount can be detected using the ink sensor. Therefore, the ink injecting operation is easy. Moreover, it is possible to know that the ink residual amount has become low while printing is being performed.
1. In the first embodiment, at the second position 3B, the apparatus-side opening portion 57 is exposed to the outside, and the protection member 58 is attached so as to block this portion, but a configuration is possible in which the apparatus-side opening portion 57 is not exposed to the outside at the second position 3B, and the container-side opening portion 79 is exposed to the outside at the second position 3B. In this case, it is desirable that a protection structure similar to the protection member 58 is provided in a region of the container-side opening portion 79 that is exposed to the outside. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which, at whichever of the first position 3A and the second position 3B the tank unit 3 is positioned, both the apparatus-side opening portion 57 and the container-side opening portion 79 are covered by the side face 73 of the tank unit 3 and the side face 53 of the printer 2, and are not exposed to the outside. In this case, it is not necessary to provide the protection structure.
2. In the first embodiment, the window portion 75 of the tank unit 3 is formed at the same height as a region (see
As shown in
The tank unit 203C is movable from a first position 203A shown in FIG. 9(a) to a second position 203B shown in
In this manner, in the third embodiment, the four tank units 203Bk, 203Y, 203M and 203C can be individually slid such that the window portions 75 are exposed, in order to perform the operation of checking the ink amount and the operation of injecting ink. Therefore, similarly to the first and second embodiments, even in the case where the liquid ejecting system 201 is installed in a limited space, the tank units 203Bk, 203Y, 203M and 203C can be easily moved to a position at which the ink amount can be checked. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the workload when checking the ink amount, and the like.
In the fourth embodiment, a slidable engagement structure such as a guide rail is not provided between the side face 353 of the upper case 305 and the side face 373 of the tank unit 303. Instead, guide rails 363 are formed on the upper face of the second region 362 of the lower case 306. Also, a guide rail (not illustrated) that engages with the guide rails 363 are formed on the bottom face of the tank unit 303. The guide rail on the bottom face of the tank unit 303 and the guide rails 363 in the second region 362 of the lower case 306 engage with each other such that the tank unit 303 is slidable relative to the printer 302 in the Y axis direction.
As indicated by broken lines in
The tank unit 403 is provided with an over-tank case 407 and an under-tank case 408. The over-tank case 407 is provided with an upper face 471 directed in the +Z direction, a side face 472 (first face) directed in the +X direction and a side face 473 (third face) directed in the −X direction. Similarly to the tank unit 3 of the first embodiment, four openings 74 are provided in the upper face 471 of the over-tank case 407. Also, four window portions 75 are provided in the side face 473 of the over-tank case 407. Similarly to the embodiments above, four tanks 9Bk, 9Y, 9M and 9C are housed between the over-tank case 407 and the under-tank case 408 so as to face the window portions 75. The supply tubes 4 are connected to the four tanks 9Bk, 9Y, 9M and 9C. Ink in the tank unit 403 is supplied to the mechanism unit 10 via the supply tubes 4.
The upper case 405 is provided with an inner wall face 451 (second face) directed towards the −X direction side and a front face 452 directed in the +Y direction. When the tank unit 403 is housed inside the upper case 405, the side face 472 of the over-tank case 407 faces the inner wall face 451 of the upper case 405. The tank unit 403 is slidable in the Y axis direction relative to the printer 402. An opening 453 that allows the tank unit 403 to be taken in and out is provided in the front face 452 of the upper case 405. Note that an opening/closing lid for opening and closing the opening 453 may be provided. As shown in
When the tank unit 403 is at the first position 403A, the side face 472 of the over-tank case 407 is positioned at a first position 472A facing the inner wall face 451 of the upper case 405, and when the tank unit 403 is at the second position 403B, the side face 472 of the over-tank case 407 is positioned at a second position 472B that is different from the first position 472A. The second position 472B is a position moved from the first position 472A in the +Y direction. The four window portions 75 and the four openings 74 of the tank unit 403 are covered and hidden by the upper case 405, at the first position 403A. On the other hand, at the second position 3B (i.e., in a state where the side face 472 is moved to the second position 472B), the four window portions 75 and the four openings 74 of the tank unit 403 are not hidden by the upper case 405. Therefore, by pulling out the tank unit 403 to the second position 403B, it becomes possible to check the amount of ink in the tank unit 403, and it becomes possible to inject ink into the tank unit 403. Therefore, similarly to the first to fourth embodiments, operations on the tank unit 403 can be made easy. For example, it is possible to reduce the workload of the operation of checking the amount of ink in the tank unit 403 and the operation of injecting ink into the tank unit 403.
In addition, the cross-sectional structure of the tank unit 403 of the fifth embodiment cut along the YZ plane is similar to that of the tank unit 3 of the first embodiment (see
The tank unit 503 can be pulled out from a first position (not illustrated) at which the tank unit 503 is housed in the printer 402, to a second position 503B on the front side (the +Y direction side) relative to the printer 402. (When the tank unit 503 is) at the second position 503B, the four tanks 9Bk, 9Y, 9M and 9C are exposed to the outside in the state of being placed on the under-tank case 508. Therefore, by pulling out the tank unit 503 to the second position 503B, it is possible to check the amount of ink in the tank unit 503, and it becomes possible to inject ink into the tank unit 503. Therefore, similarly to the fifth embodiment, operations on the tank unit 503 can be made easy. For example, it is possible to reduce the workload of the operation of checking the amount of ink in the tank unit 503 and the operation of injecting ink into the tank unit 503.
In the sixth embodiment, in each of the four tanks 9Bk, 9Y, 9M and 9C, a side face 98 (see
Note that in the fifth and sixth embodiments, the direction in which the tank unit 403/503 slides relative to the printer 402 may be the Z axis direction, instead of the Y axis direction. In this case, it suffices to provide, in the upper face of the printer 402, an opening and an opening/closing lid that allows the tank unit 403/503 to be taken in and out. Also, the tank unit 503 of the sixth embodiment may be used as an external tank unit arranged outside of the printer as in the first to fourth embodiments.
Moreover, as shown in
According to the layout as in the seventh and eighth embodiments, with the liquid ejecting system equipped with the scanner unit, operations on the tank unit can be made easy. For example, it is possible to enable the amount of ink in the tank unit to be checked easily.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-182012 | Sep 2014 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2015/004507 | 9/4/2015 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2016/038863 | 3/17/2016 | WO | A |
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| Number | Date | Country |
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| 102371771 | Mar 2012 | CN |
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| Entry |
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| International Search Report dated Dec. 1, 2015 in PCT/JP2015/004507 with English-language translation (4 pgs.). |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20170274663 A1 | Sep 2017 | US |
