JP5603612B2 - Ink cartridge holding mechanism - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink cartridge holding mechanism that holds an ink cartridge, for example, in an ink jet printer and does not contaminate the apparatus with ink leaked when the ink cartridge is replaced.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an ink jet printer that includes an ink cartridge that contains ink and is detachable and supplies an ink from the ink cartridge to a recording head to record an image on a recording medium.

  Usually, the ink cartridge is mounted horizontally with respect to the ink jet printer via the cartridge holding portion. However, as the use of ink progresses and the ink in the ink cartridge decreases, the water head difference between the ink in the ink cartridge and the ink in the recording head decreases.

  As a result, the ink output from the ink cartridge is deteriorated. Therefore, Patent Document 1 is disclosed as a technique for solving the above problem.

  In Patent Document 1, in order to improve ink discharge, that is, in order to increase the above-mentioned water head difference, the cartridge holding unit has its own posture so as to hold the ink cartridge that has been held horizontally until then vertically. Rotate.

JP 2007-290388 A

  Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram simply showing an ink cartridge mounting state of the conventional cartridge holding unit shown in Patent Document 1. In FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the ink cartridge 2 attached to the cartridge holding unit 1 has its ink supply port 3 connected to the ink receiving port 4 of the cartridge holding unit 1.

  A tube 5 is connected to the ink receiving port 4 in order to supply ink to a recording head (not shown). Then, the cartridge holding portion 1 rotates about a shaft 6 between a horizontal position and a vertical position as indicated by a circular arc of a double-directional arrow a in the figure.

  By the way, when the ink cartridge 2 is replaced, the ink accumulated in the vicinity of the attachment / detachment port drips into the cartridge holding unit 1 due to the contact / separation operation between the ink supply port 3 of the ink cartridge 2 and the ink receiving port 4 of the cartridge holding unit 1. It will fall.

  For this reason, when the number of replacements of the ink cartridge 2, that is, the number of times of attachment / detachment between the ink supply port 3 and the ink receiving port 4 increases, the dripped ink accumulates in the cartridge holding unit 1.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, when the cartridge holding unit 1 is in the horizontal state, the ink 7 dripping and collecting in the cartridge holding unit 1 diffuses to the bottom surface, and the ink cartridge 2 held horizontally The bottom surface 2 a is soiled with the ink 7.

Further, the bottom surface 2a of the ink cartridge 2 is soiled with the ink 7, so that the user's hand is soiled when the ink cartridge 2 is replaced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge holding mechanism that prevents a user's hand from being stained with ink when replacing the ink cartridge.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an ink cartridge holding mechanism in an ink jet printer according to the present invention includes a holding unit body that holds an ink cartridge, and an ink pan that is assembled integrally with the holding unit body. , Which is rotatable between a horizontal position and a vertical position, and has an ink outflow hole through which ink leaking from an attaching / detaching portion between the ink supply port of the ink cartridge and the ink receiving port of the holding portion main body flows out of the holding portion main body. The ink pan is provided integrally with the holding unit main body outside the lower surface of the holding unit main body when in the horizontal position, and receives the ink flowing out of the holding unit main body through the receiving unit. It has an ink discharge hole for discharging to the outside.

  The present invention can provide an ink cartridge holding mechanism in which a user's hand is not stained with ink when the ink cartridge is replaced.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the ink cartridge holding mechanism according to the first embodiment of the invention. (a), (b), (c) is a figure which shows the structure and rotation aspect of the ink cartridge holding mechanism which concern on Embodiment 2 of this invention. (a), (b) is a figure which shows the structure and rotation aspect of the ink cartridge holding mechanism which concern on Embodiment 3 of this invention. (a), (b) is a figure which shows the structure and rotation aspect of the ink cartridge holding mechanism which concern on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows simply the ink cartridge mounting state of the conventional cartridge holding part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an ink cartridge holding mechanism according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The ink cartridge holding mechanism 10 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is rotatably held by a main body frame of an inkjet printer (not shown).

  The ink cartridge holding mechanism 10 includes a holding unit main body 12 that holds the ink cartridge 11, and an ink pan 15 that is integrated with the holding unit main body 12 on the side surface 14 opposite to the ink cartridge holding surface 13 of the holding unit main body 12. It consists of

  The holder main body 12 is provided with a standing portion 16 at one end portion (left end portion in FIG. 1), and the standing portion 16 is provided with an ink receiving port 17. A tube 18 for supplying ink of the ink cartridge 11 is connected to the ink receiving port 17 via an ink sub tank (not shown) or directly to the ink head.

  In addition, the holding body 12 is provided with rotating arms 19 each having one end (right end in FIG. 1) fixed to both end portions on the upright portion 16 side. However, in FIG. 1, since it is shown in a side cross section, only the rotating arm 19 fixed to the end portion on the other side in the depth direction of the drawing is shown.

  A connecting hole 21 is formed at the other end (the left end in FIG. 1) of the rotating arm 19. A support shaft 31 is inserted through the connection hole 21. Both ends of the support shaft 31 are supported by a main body frame of an inkjet printer (not shown).

  Thereby, the holding | maintenance part main body 12 is connected with the main body frame so that it can rotate by using the support shaft 31 as a fulcrum. And it is comprised so that rotation to the horizontal position shown in FIG. 1 and the vertical position which abbreviate | omitted illustration in FIG. 1 is possible.

  When the ink cartridge 11 is attached to the holding unit main body 12, the ink supply port 22 of the ink cartridge 11 is connected to the ink receiving port 17 of the holding unit main body 12 at the attachment / detachment unit 23 of the holding unit main body 12.

  In addition, an ink outflow hole 25 is formed in the holding body 12 at a position close to the attaching / detaching portion 23 and away from the housing 24 of the mounted ink cartridge 11.

  As a result, even when ink leaks from the attaching / detaching portion 23 when the ink cartridge 11 is replaced, the leaked ink is immediately indicated by the arrow b from the ink outflow hole 25 without touching the casing 24 of the ink cartridge 11. So as to flow out of the holding body 12.

  One ink pan 15 is assembled integrally with the holding unit body 12 on the side surface 14 opposite to the ink cartridge holding surface 13 of the holding unit body 12 as described above. The opposite side surface 14 of the holding part main body 12 is a surface which becomes the lower surface outside when the holding part main body 12 is in a horizontal position as shown in FIG.

  The ink pan 15 includes a receiving portion 26 that receives ink that has flowed out of the holding portion main body 12, an ink discharge hole 27 that discharges ink to a waste liquid portion (not shown) via the receiving portion 26, and an ink discharge hole 27. And an edge portion 32 erected vertically along the direction of the central axis. Further, the ink pan 15 has a bottom surface 28 formed on an inclined surface so that the ink discharge hole 27 is at the lowest position when the holding body 12 is in the horizontal position as shown in FIG.

  Thereby, the ink that has flowed out from the ink outflow hole 25 to the receiving portion 26 of the ink pan 15 outside the holding portion main body 12 is collected along the inclined surface of the bottom surface 28 at the end where the ink discharge hole 27 exists, As indicated by the arrow c, the ink is accumulated in the waste liquid portion (not shown) from the ink discharge hole 27.

  As described above, the ink leaking from the attaching / detaching portion 23 immediately flows out of the holding portion main body 12 from the ink outflow hole 25 without touching the casing 24 of the ink cartridge 11, and is thus held by the holding portion main body 12. The bottom surface 24a of the ink cartridge 11 is not stained with ink. Therefore, when the user replaces the ink cartridge, his / her hand is not stained with ink.

[Embodiment 2]
FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are views showing the configuration and rotation mode of the ink cartridge holding mechanism according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 2A shows a top view of the ink cartridge holding mechanism 20 of the present embodiment, FIG. 2B shows a side sectional view of the ink cartridge holding mechanism 20 in a horizontal position, and FIG. 2C shows the ink. It is a figure which shows the state which the cartridge holding mechanism 20 rotated to the vertical position. The ink cartridge holding mechanism 20 of this embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the configuration of the ink pan.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (c), rotating arms 19 are attached to both end portions of the holding portion main body 12 on the upright portion 16 side with one end fixed. A connecting hole 21 is formed at the other end of the rotating arm 19. A support shaft 31 is inserted into the connection hole 21.

  Both ends of the support shaft 31 are supported by a main body frame of an inkjet printer (not shown). As a result, the ink cartridge holding mechanism 20 rotates from the horizontal position shown in FIG. 2 (b) with the support shaft 31 as a fulcrum as shown by the arrow d in FIG. 2 (a). The position can be changed to the vertical position shown in FIG. 2 or the position can be changed from the vertical position shown in FIG. 2 (c) to the horizontal position shown in FIG. 2 (b).

  The ink pan 15 ′ of the ink cartridge holding mechanism 20 of the present embodiment is formed so that the central axis of the ink discharge hole 27 faces the vertical direction when the holding unit body 12 is in the horizontal position shown in FIG. ing.

  The ink pan 15 ′ includes a receiving portion 26 that receives ink that has flowed out of the holding portion main body 12, an ink discharge hole 27 that discharges ink to a waste liquid portion (not shown) via the receiving portion 26, and an ink discharge hole. 27 has an edge portion 32 erected vertically along the direction of the central axis of 27, and a specific blade (rib) 33 that bends inward from the upper portion of the edge portion 32 toward the receiving portion 26. The specific blade 33 and the edge portion 32 are fixed by adhesion or welding so that ink does not flow out.

  Thereby, when the ink cartridge holding mechanism 20 is changed from the horizontal position in FIG. 2B to the vertical position in FIG. 2C, the ink 34 collected in the edge portion 32 is transferred to the specific blade 33 and the receiving portion 26. Without accumulating between the bottom surface 28 and leaking to the outside, as shown by the arrow e in FIG.

  Also in the second embodiment, the ink leaked from the attaching / detaching portion 23 immediately flows out of the holding portion main body 12 from the ink outflow hole 25 without touching the casing 24 of the ink cartridge 11. The bottom surface 24a of the ink cartridge 11 is not soiled with ink. Therefore, when the user replaces the ink cartridge, his / her hand is not stained with ink. Further, by providing the specific blade 33, when the ink cartridge holding mechanism 20 is rotated to the vertical position, the ink accumulated in the ink pan 15 'does not leak.

[Embodiment 3]
3 (a) and 3 (b) are diagrams showing the configuration and rotation of the ink cartridge holding mechanism according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

  The ink cartridge holding mechanism 30 of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is the same as that of the first and second embodiments except for the configuration of the ink pan. It is.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), the ink pan 15 ″ of the ink cartridge holding mechanism 30 of the present embodiment is shown when the holding body 12 is in the horizontal position shown in FIG. In any of the vertical positions shown in FIG. 3 (b), the ink discharge hole 27 and the discharge portion 36 extending to the outside are formed so that the central axis thereof is directed obliquely downward.

  Therefore, the edge portion 37 is formed so as to extend obliquely upward along the direction of the central axis.

  The inclination angle θ extending obliquely above the edge 37 of the ink pan 15 ″ is smaller than 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal line 38 when in the horizontal position and the vertical line 39 when in the vertical position. Preferably, it is formed so as to be reduced to about 45 degrees.

  In this way, the edge 37 is formed so as to always face obliquely upward with an inclination angle θ with respect to the horizontal line 38, so that when the holding body 12 is in the horizontal position, not only when it is in the vertical position, The ink collected in the direction of the edge 37 does not flow out from the edge 37 to the outside.

  In addition, the ink pan 15 ″ of the present embodiment has an advantage that the whole can be integrally molded in a single molding process.

  Further, also in the third embodiment, the ink leaking from the attaching / detaching portion 23 is immediately held from the ink outflow hole 25 without touching the casing 24 of the ink cartridge 11 when in the horizontal position shown in FIG. Since the liquid flows out of the main part 12, the bottom surface 24a of the ink cartridge 11 held by the holding part main body 12 is not contaminated with ink. Therefore, when the user replaces the ink cartridge, his / her hand is not stained with ink.

[Embodiment 4]
4 (a) and 4 (b) are diagrams showing the configuration and rotation mode of the ink cartridge holding mechanism according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

  The ink cartridge holding mechanism 40 of this embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B has the same ink pan configuration as that of any one of the first to third embodiments described above. The configuration is different.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (a), a rotating arm 41 and a rotating arm 42 having different lengths are provided at both end portions on the side of the standing portion of the holding body 12 'of the present embodiment. It is fixed and attached. The length B of the rotating arm 42 fixed to the side end portion closer to the ink discharge hole 27 than the length A of the rotating arm 41 fixed to the side end portion farther than the ink discharge hole 27 of the ink pan 15. Is formed shorter.

  A slant hole 43 is formed at each of the other ends of the swivel arm 41 and the swivel arm 42, and a support shaft 44 is inserted through the slant hole 43. Both ends of the support shaft 44 are supported by a main body frame of an inkjet printer (not shown).

  Thereby, the holding | maintenance part main body 12 is connected with the main body frame so that it can rotate by using the support shaft 44 as a fulcrum. Then, with the support shaft 44 as a fulcrum, it rotates from the horizontal position shown in FIG. 4 (a) as shown by the arrow f, and changes its position to the vertical position shown in FIG. 4 (b), or FIG. 4 (b). The position can be changed from the vertical position to the horizontal position shown in FIG.

  The state until the ink cartridge holding mechanism 40 is set to the vertical position with this configuration will be further described. FIG. 4 (b) is a view as seen from the direction of the arrow g in FIG. 4 (a). Here, in order to raise the ink cartridge holding mechanism 40 to the vertical position, the ink cartridge holding mechanism 40 is rotated as indicated by an arrow f with the support shaft 44 as a fulcrum. Then, the entire ink cartridge holding mechanism 40 stands up in a state where it is inclined in the vertical plane.

  During this time, the entire ink cartridge holding mechanism 40 is supported by the rotating arm 41 and the rotating arm 42 having different lengths, so that the bottom surface 28 of the ink pan 15 is located away from the ink discharge hole 27. It is always higher in the vertical direction than the portion near the ink discharge hole 27.

  As a result, the ink 34 accumulated on the bottom surface 28 of the ink pan 15 before it rises from the horizontal position to the vertical position flows so as to be concentrated toward the ink discharge port 27 from all directions, and the ink pan 15 moves vertically. When the rise to the planar position is completed, the ink 34 accumulated on the bottom surface 28 has already been discharged from the ink discharge port 27.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, when the position of the ink cartridge holding mechanism is changed from the horizontal position to the vertical plane, the ink cartridge is retained on the bottom surface of the ink pan from the start to the end of the position change. Ink can be quickly discharged out of the ink pan from the ink outlet.

  Also in the fourth embodiment, the ink leaked from the attaching / detaching portion 23 immediately from the ink outflow hole 25 without touching the housing 24 of the ink cartridge 11 when in the horizontal position shown in FIG. Since it flows out of the holding unit main body 12, the side surface of the ink cartridge 11 in contact with the holding unit main body 12 is not contaminated with ink. Therefore, when the user replaces the ink cartridge, his / her hand is not stained with ink.

  In this embodiment, in order to start up the entire ink cartridge holding mechanism in an inclined state so that the ink discharge port of the ink pan is at the lowest position in the vertical plane, two rotations with different lengths are used. Although the arm is used, the present invention is not limited to this, and other configurations can be used as long as the ink discharge port is inclined to the lowest position when the ink cartridge holding mechanism is erected on a vertical plane. good.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, In the implementation stage, it can change variously in the range which does not change the summary.

  The present invention can be used for an ink jet printer provided with a cartridge holding portion that does not stain the side surface of the casing of the ink cartridge with ink.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cartridge holding part 2 Ink cartridge 2a Side surface 3 Ink supply port 4 Ink receiving port 5 Tube 6 Hinge part 7 Ink 10 Ink cartridge holding mechanism 11 Ink cartridge 12 Holding part main body 13 Ink cartridge holding surface 14 Opposite side surface 15 Ink pan 16 Standing up Portion 17 Ink receiving port 18 Tube 19 Rotating arm 20 Ink cartridge holding mechanism 21 Connecting hole 22 Ink supply port 23 Detachable portion 24 Ink cartridge housing 25 Ink outflow port 26 Receiving portion 27 Ink discharge hole 28 Bottom surface 30 Ink cartridge holding mechanism 31 Support shaft 32 Edge portion 33 Specific blade 34 Ink 36 Discharge portion 37 Edge portion 38 Horizontal line 39 Vertical line 40 Ink cartridge holding mechanism 41, 42 Rotating arm 43 Oblique hole 44 Support shaft

Claims (6)

An ink cartridge holding mechanism in an inkjet printer,
A holder main body for holding the ink cartridge;
An ink pan assembled integrally with the holding body,
Consisting of
The holding body is
An ink outflow hole that is rotatable between a horizontal position and a vertical position, and that allows ink leaking from an attachment / detachment portion between the ink supply port of the ink cartridge and the ink receiving port of the holding portion main body to flow out of the holding portion main body. With
The ink pan is
The holding unit main body is provided integrally with the holding unit main body outside the lower surface of the holding unit main body when in the horizontal position, and receives the ink that has flowed out of the holding unit main body and the ink through the receiving unit. Has an ink discharge hole to discharge to the outside,
The ink outflow hole is formed at a position close to the attachment / detachment portion and away from the housing of the ink cartridge being mounted.
An ink cartridge holding mechanism. An ink cartridge holding mechanism in an inkjet printer,
A holder main body for holding the ink cartridge;
An ink pan assembled integrally with the holding body,
Consisting of
The holding body is
An ink outflow hole that is rotatable between a horizontal position and a vertical position, and that allows ink leaking from an attachment / detachment portion between the ink supply port of the ink cartridge and the ink receiving port of the holding portion main body to flow out of the holding portion main body. With
The ink pan is
The holding unit main body is provided integrally with the holding unit main body outside the lower surface of the holding unit main body when in the horizontal position, and receives the ink that has flowed out of the holding unit main body and the ink through the receiving unit. Has an ink discharge hole to discharge to the outside,
When the holding portion main body is in the horizontal position, a central axis of the ink discharge hole is formed so as to face a vertical direction, and an edge portion that is vertically erected along the direction of the central axis, and the edge portion A specific wing that bends inward from the upper part of the receiving part, is formed,
An ink cartridge holding mechanism. An ink cartridge holding mechanism in an inkjet printer,
A holder main body for holding the ink cartridge;
An ink pan assembled integrally with the holding body,
Consisting of
The holding body is
An ink outflow hole that is rotatable between a horizontal position and a vertical position, and that allows ink leaking from an attachment / detachment portion between the ink supply port of the ink cartridge and the ink receiving port of the holding portion main body to flow out of the holding portion main body. With
The ink pan is
The holding unit main body is provided integrally with the holding unit main body outside the lower surface of the holding unit main body when in the horizontal position, and receives the ink that has flowed out of the holding unit main body and the ink through the receiving unit. Has an ink discharge hole to discharge to the outside,
Whether the holding portion main body is in the horizontal position or the vertical position, the ink discharge hole and the discharge portion extending to the outside are formed so that the central axis thereof is inclined downward, and the ink discharge An edge portion of the receiving portion formed in a direction opposite to the discharge portion of the hole is formed to extend obliquely upward along the direction of the central axis.
An ink cartridge holding mechanism. An ink cartridge holding mechanism in an inkjet printer,
A holder main body for holding the ink cartridge;
An ink pan assembled integrally with the holding body,
Consisting of
The holding body is
An ink outflow hole that is rotatable between a horizontal position and a vertical position, and that allows ink leaking from an attachment / detachment portion between the ink supply port of the ink cartridge and the ink receiving port of the holding portion main body to flow out of the holding portion main body. With
The ink pan is
The holding unit main body is provided integrally with the holding unit main body outside the lower surface of the holding unit main body when in the horizontal position, and receives the ink that has flowed out of the holding unit main body and the ink through the receiving unit. Has an ink discharge hole to discharge to the outside,
The holding portion main body includes a rotating arm having one end fixed to each side end portion thereof and the other end connected to a rotating fulcrum, and the rotating arm has a side end portion farther than the ink discharge hole. The length of the rotating arm fixed at the side end near the ink discharge hole is shorter than the length of the rotating arm fixed.
An ink cartridge holding mechanism. An ink cartridge holding mechanism in an inkjet printer,
A holder main body for holding the ink cartridge;
An ink pan assembled to the holder body;
Consisting of
The holding body is
An ink outflow hole through which ink leaking from an attachment / detachment portion between the ink supply port of the ink cartridge and the ink receiving port of the holding portion main body flows out of the holding portion main body;
The ink pan is
On the outside of the lower surface of the holding part main body, there is a receiving part for receiving the ink that has flowed out of the holding part main body, and an ink discharge hole for discharging the ink to the outside through the receiving part,
The ink outflow hole is formed at a position close to the attachment / detachment portion and away from the housing of the ink cartridge being mounted.
An ink cartridge holding mechanism. An ink cartridge holding mechanism in an inkjet printer,
A holder main body for holding the ink cartridge;
An ink pan assembled to the holder body;
Consisting of
The holding body is
An ink outflow hole that is rotatable between a horizontal position and a vertical position, and that allows ink leaking from an attachment / detachment portion between the ink supply port of the ink cartridge and the ink receiving port of the holding portion main body to flow out of the holding portion main body. The center axis of the ink discharge hole is oriented in the vertical direction,
The ink pan is
Oite the lower surface outside of the main holder body, as well as it has the ink discharge hole for discharging the ink through the receiving portion and the receiving portion for receiving the ink flowing out to the outside of the holding portion main unit to the outside, the holding and the edge which is erected vertically along the direction of the front Symbol central axis of the parts body, the wing to bend inwardly of the receiving portion from the top of said edge portion, is formed,
An ink cartridge holding mechanism.

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