JP7013780B2 - Liquid sprayer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid injection device such as an inkjet printer.

Conventionally, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, as an example of a liquid injection device, a sheet of an ink absorber is laid on the entire inner bottom surface of a housing, and detection is performed to detect ink absorbed by the ink absorber. Printers with vessels are known.

JP-A-2007-160825

However, in the printer described in Patent Document 1, the volume of the ink absorber in contact with the detection unit is relatively large, and it may take time to detect the ink. That is, when ink leaks, there is a problem that the ink may overflow from the ink absorber and leak to the outside of the machine before or after the ink leak is detected.

The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized as the following form or application example.

[Application Example 1] The liquid injection device according to this application example includes a liquid injection head that injects a liquid, a liquid supply flow path that supplies the liquid to the liquid injection head, and a detection unit that detects adhesion of the liquid. A liquid detector having a liquid detector, a first absorption unit that is in contact with the detection unit and is arranged vertically below the liquid supply flow path and capable of absorbing the liquid, and a first absorption unit that is arranged vertically below the first absorption unit and that is the liquid. It is characterized by comprising a second absorbing portion capable of absorbing the above.

According to this application example, the liquid is absorbed by the first absorption unit, and the adhesion of the liquid is detected at the detection unit in contact with the first absorption unit. That is, when a liquid leaks from the liquid supply flow path, the leak of the liquid can be detected at an early stage. Further, even if the liquid continues to leak after the liquid leakage is detected, the liquid can be held by the second absorption unit. Therefore, even if a liquid leaks, it is possible to provide a liquid injection device capable of detecting the leak at an early stage and suppressing the leakage of the liquid to the outside of the machine.

[Application Example 2] In the liquid injection device according to the above application example, the liquid supply flow path has a connection portion connecting the upstream side flow path and the downstream side flow path, and the first absorption section is the said. It is preferably arranged vertically below the connection portion.

If a leak occurs from the connection, the liquid will flow in the direction of gravity. In that respect, according to this application example, since the first absorbing portion is arranged on the vertically lower side of the connecting portion, the liquid leaking from the connecting portion is absorbed by the first absorbing portion, and the liquid detector is a liquid. Can be detected. Therefore, when a liquid leaks from the connection portion, the leak can be detected at an early stage.

[Application Example 3] In the liquid injection device according to the above application example, it is preferable that the second absorbing portion is arranged in a state separated from the first absorbing portion.

According to this application example, the liquid that overflows after the first absorbing portion is filled with the liquid can be absorbed by the second absorbing portion. That is, after the liquid leakage is detected, the liquid is absorbed by the second absorption unit. Therefore, leakage can be detected at an early stage and liquid leakage to the outside of the machine can be suppressed.

[Application Example 4] In the liquid injection device according to the above application example, it is preferable that the first absorbing portion is made of a material having a higher permeability of the liquid than the second absorbing portion.

According to this application example, since the liquid can be quickly permeated into the first absorbing portion, the liquid can be quickly adhered to the detection portion in contact with the first absorbing portion. Therefore, even if the liquid leaks, the leak can be detected at an early stage.

[Application Example 5] In the liquid injection device according to the above application example, it is preferable that the second absorbing portion is made of a material having a larger holding amount of the liquid per unit volume than the first absorbing portion. ..

According to this application example, a large amount of leaked liquid can be retained in the second absorbing portion. Therefore, even after the leakage is detected, the liquid leakage to the outside of the machine can be suppressed.

[Application Example 6] In the liquid injection device according to the above application example, the thickness of the first absorbing portion is preferably thinner than the thickness of the second absorbing portion.

According to this application example, since the liquid can be quickly permeated into the first absorbing portion, the liquid can be quickly adhered to the detection portion in contact with the first absorbing portion. On the other hand, the second absorption unit can absorb more liquid than the first absorption unit. Therefore, even if the liquid leaks, the leak can be detected at an early stage, and the liquid leakage to the outside of the machine can be suppressed even after the leak is detected.

[Application Example 7] In the liquid injection device according to the above application example, the area of the widest surface of the first absorbing portion is preferably smaller than the area of the widest surface of the second absorbing portion.

According to this application example, since the liquid can be quickly permeated into the first absorbing portion, the liquid can be quickly adhered to the detection portion in contact with the first absorbing portion. On the other hand, the second absorption unit can absorb more liquid than the first absorption unit. Therefore, even if the liquid leaks, the leak can be detected at an early stage, and the liquid leakage to the outside of the machine can be suppressed even after the leak is detected.

[Application Example 8] In the liquid injection device according to the above application example, the liquid injection head and the housing for accommodating the liquid supply flow path are provided, and the second absorption portion is provided at the bottom of the housing. Is preferable.

The liquid absorbed by the absorbing part is easily transmitted in the direction of gravity. In that respect, according to this application example, since the second absorbing portion is located on the gravity direction side of the housing, it is possible to hold a large amount of leaked liquid. Therefore, even if the liquid leaks, it is possible to suppress the liquid leakage to the outside of the machine.

Perspective view of the liquid injection device. The front view which shows the internal structure of a liquid injection device. The perspective view which shows the internal structure of a liquid injection device. The perspective view of the liquid detector and the absorption part provided in the liquid injection device. The schematic diagram of the liquid detector and the absorption part provided in the liquid injection device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the following figures, the scale of each layer and each member is different from the actual scale in order to make each layer and each member recognizable.

(Embodiment 1)
The liquid injection device is an inkjet printer that records (prints) by injecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper.

As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid injection device 11 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 12. The front portion of the housing 12 houses a rotatable front lid 15 that covers the mounting portion 14 to which the container 13 is detachably mounted, and a medium S (see FIG. 2) in order from the bottom side to the top. A mounting port 17 on which a possible medium container 16 is mounted is arranged. Further, on the upper side of the mounting port 17, a discharge tray 18 from which the medium S is discharged and an operation panel 19 for operating the liquid injection device 11 are arranged. The front surface of the housing 12 has a height and a width, and refers to a side surface that mainly operates the liquid injection device 11.

One or more (four in this embodiment) containers 13 can be mounted on the mounting portion 14 of the present embodiment. The liquid container 20 is removably placed in these containers 13. The liquid container 20 stores different types of liquids (for example, inks having different colors such as black, cyan, magenta, and yellow). Further, the container 13 is detachably mounted on the mounting portion 14 even in a single state without holding the liquid container 20, and is a component included in the liquid injection device 11.

In the present embodiment, the direction in which the container 13 intersects (preferably orthogonally) with the movement path when the container 13 is mounted on the mounting portion 14 is the width direction, and the direction in which the movement path extends is the depth direction. Further, the width direction and the depth direction substantially follow the horizontal plane. In the drawing, the direction of gravity is shown by the Z axis assuming that the housing 12 is placed on a horizontal plane, and the moving direction when the container 13 is mounted on the mounting portion 14 is shown by the Y axis. Further, the width direction is indicated by an X axis orthogonal to the Z axis and the Y axis. That is, the width direction, the gravity direction, and the depth direction intersect each other (preferably orthogonally), and are the directions when the width, height, and depth length are expressed, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, inside the housing 12, in order from the bottom to the top, a liquid receiving unit 22, a mounting unit 14, a medium accommodating unit 23, a transport unit 24, and a recording unit 25 are provided. It is contained. Further, at a position above the liquid receiving unit 22, a maintenance unit 26 for maintaining the recording unit 25, a liquid supply flow path 27 for supplying the liquid to the recording unit 25, and a liquid contained in the liquid container 20 Is provided with a supply mechanism 28 for sending the liquid to the liquid supply flow path 27. That is, the liquid receiving unit 22 is provided on the gravity direction side of the mounting unit 14, the recording unit 25, the maintenance unit 26, and the liquid supply flow path 27. Further, the liquid injection device 11 includes a control unit 29 that controls the operation of the recording unit 25 and the like.

The mounting portion 14 has a frame 31 that forms a storage space that can accommodate the container 13. The frame 31 forms an insertion port 32 that communicates with the accommodation space from the front side. The container 13 and the liquid container 20 enter the storage space through the insertion port 32, and are mounted on the mounting portion 14 by moving in the depth direction along a movement path extending toward the back.

A hollow needle-shaped supply unit 33 is provided in the back of the accommodation space formed by the frame body 31. When the liquid container 20 is mounted on the mounting unit 14, the supply port 34 of the liquid container 20 and the supply unit 33 are connected, and the liquid contained in the liquid container 20 is injected through the supply unit 33. It becomes a state where it can be supplied to 11. The supply unit 33 is provided for each type of liquid used in the recording unit 25.

The medium accommodating unit 23 has a drawer-type medium accommodating body 16 for accommodating the medium S, and a guide frame 35 for guiding the movement of the medium accommodating body 16.
The transport unit 24 has a medium support unit 36 that supports the medium S. The transport unit 24 takes out the media S housed in the medium storage unit 23 one by one from the medium storage unit 23, transports them, and arranges them on the medium support unit 36.

The recording unit 25 includes a liquid injection head 39 having a nozzle 38 for injecting liquid, and a carriage 40 holding the liquid injection head 39. A guide shaft 41 extending along the width direction is erected inside the housing 12. The carriage 40 reciprocates in the width direction along the guide shaft 41, and printing is performed by the liquid injection head 39 injecting liquid onto the medium S on the medium support portion 36 during the reciprocating movement.

The maintenance unit 26 maintains the liquid injection head 39 by discharging the liquid from the liquid injection head 39.
The liquid supply flow path 27 is a flow path for supplying a liquid from the liquid container 20 to the liquid injection head 39, and is provided for each type of liquid (color in the present embodiment). The liquid supply flow path 27 preferably has an upstream side flow path 43, a downstream side flow path 44, and a connection portion 45 connecting the upstream side flow path 43 and the downstream side flow path 44. The upstream side flow path 43 is a flow path from the supply part 33 to the connection part 45 including the supply part 33, and the downstream side flow path 44 is a flow path from the connection part 45 to the liquid injection head 39. ..

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upstream flow path 43 of the present embodiment has a flexible supply tube 47 and a pump chamber provided between the supply unit 33 and the supply tube 47 (not shown). It is composed including and.

Further, the downstream flow path 44 includes a displacement portion 48 that bends and displaces following the movement of the carriage 40, and a fixed portion 49 that does not displace. The displacement portion 48 is configured to include, for example, a flexible tube in which a plurality of flow paths in which different types of liquids flow are arranged in parallel. The fixing portion 49 is configured to include, for example, a plate-shaped flow path forming member 50 in which a groove is formed and a film 51 for sealing the groove, and the flow path is formed by the groove and the film.

The supply tube 47 includes a portion arranged along the upper surface of the frame 31. For example, in the present embodiment, four supply units 33 arranged in the width direction are arranged on the back side of the mounting unit 14. The four supply tubes 47 connected to each supply unit 33 are horizontally routed along the upper surface of the frame body 31 and are collected on the home side where the maintenance unit 26 (not shown in FIG. 3) is arranged. Then, the downstream portions of the four collected supply tubes 47 are connected to the connecting portion 45 after turning vertically upward.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the portion of the supply tube 47 arranged along the upper surface of the frame 31 is locked by the locking portion 53 protruding from the frame 31, the supply tube 47 is connected to the connecting portion 45. When removed from, the supply tube 47 can be moved with the frame 31. As a result, the supply tube 47 can be unitized with the frame body 31 and can be attached and detached as a unit.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the connection portion 45 includes a downstream end of the supply tube 47 which is the downstream end of the upstream side flow path 43 and an upstream end of the fixed portion 49 which is the upstream end of the downstream side flow path 44. It is preferable to connect. For example, the connecting portion 45 has a plurality of connecting pipes 45a that open vertically downward, and the plurality of supply tubes 47 can be attached to and detached from the connecting pipes 45a. Further, the connecting portion 45 may have a configuration in which the downstream flow path 44 can be attached and detached. The displacement portion 48 may be detachably connected to the connection portion 45. The connecting portion 45 may have a connecting pipe 45a that opens in a plurality of directions, and the direction in which the connecting pipe 45a opens is a horizontal direction (for example, a depth direction or a width direction) or a vertical direction (for example, vertically upward). May be.

The supply mechanism 28 includes a transformer mechanism 55, a drive source 56 of the transformer mechanism 55, a transformer chamber (not shown) partitioned by the pump chamber and a flexible film (not shown), and the transformer mechanism 55 and the transformer chamber. A transformer flow path 57 (see FIG. 3) to be connected is provided.

Then, when the transformer mechanism 55 depressurizes the transformer chamber through the transformer flow path 57 by driving the drive source 56 (for example, a motor), the flexible film bends and displaces toward the transformer chamber, and the pressure in the pump chamber decreases. As the pressure in the pump chamber decreases, the liquid contained in the liquid container 20 is sucked into the pump chamber through the supply unit 33 and the supply port 34. This is called suction drive. After that, when the transformer mechanism 55 releases the depressurization of the transformer chamber through the transformer flow path 57, the flexible film bends and displaces toward the pump chamber side, so that the pressure in the pump chamber rises. Then, as the pressure in the pump chamber rises, the liquid in the pump chamber flows out to the supply tube 47 in a pressurized state. This is called discharge drive. Then, the supply mechanism 28 supplies the liquid contained in the liquid container 20 to the liquid supply flow path 27 by alternately repeating the suction drive and the discharge drive.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the liquid injection device 11 includes a liquid detector 63 having a detection unit 62 for detecting the adhesion of the liquid, and a first absorption unit 60 and a second absorption unit 61 capable of absorbing the liquid. It is equipped with.

The first absorption unit 60 is arranged vertically below the liquid supply flow path 27. Specifically, it is arranged vertically below the connecting portion 45. More specifically, it is arranged vertically below the connecting portion 45 so as to be in contact with a part of the upstream flow path 43 (a part of the supply tube 47).

The connection portion 45 in which the upstream side flow path 43 and the downstream side flow path 44 are connected is a portion where there is a high possibility that a liquid leaks. Therefore, by arranging the first absorbing portion 60 vertically below the connecting portion 45, the liquid dropped from the connecting portion 45 can be collected. Further, by arranging the first absorption unit 60 so as to be in contact with the upstream side flow path 43, it is possible to collect the liquid leaked from the connection portion 45 along the upstream side flow path 43.

The first absorption unit 60 is made of a material having a higher liquid permeability than the second absorption unit 61. The first absorption unit 60 is, for example, a porous body formed by fine pores. The first absorption unit 60 of the present embodiment uses a porous body (PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) sponge) in which 90% of the volume is formed of fine pores. Capillary action occurs due to the fine pores, so it is possible to quickly infiltrate the liquid.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the liquid detector 63 includes a detection unit 62 for detecting the adhesion of liquid. The liquid detector 63 is electrically connected to the control unit 29. The liquid detector 63 of the present embodiment includes a substrate 64, and a detection unit 62 is arranged on the substrate 64. The detection unit 62 is composed of a pair of electrode terminals, and the pair of electrode terminals are formed on the 64 surface of the substrate. The electrical resistance between the electrode terminals changes according to the amount of liquid adhering between these electrode terminals, and based on the change, it is detected whether or not the liquid has adhered to the detection unit 62.

The detection unit 62 is arranged so as to be in contact with the first absorption unit 60. Specifically, it has a guide unit (not shown) that supports the detection unit 62 and guides the liquid supply flow path 27 (upstream side flow path 43). Then, the detection unit 62 is arranged in a state where a part of the first absorption unit 60 is compressed by sandwiching a part of the first absorption unit 60 with the guide unit. As a result, the detection unit 62 and the first absorption unit 60 can be reliably brought into contact with each other. Since the detection unit 62 is in contact with the first absorption unit 60 and the first absorption unit 60 is made of a highly permeable material, the liquid permeates the detection unit 62 side and quickly adheres to the detection unit 62. Can be made to. Therefore, liquid leakage can be detected at an early stage. Further, it is desirable to arrange a part of the first absorption unit 60 and the liquid detector 63 on a surface extending in the vertical direction of the guide unit. According to this configuration, when the liquid reaches the liquid supply flow path 27, it can be detected at an early stage. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the detection unit 62 may be arranged on the horizontal plane of the first absorption unit 60.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second absorption unit 61 is arranged in a state of being separated from the first absorption unit 60. Specifically, it is provided vertically below the first absorbing portion 60 in a state of being separated from the first absorbing portion 60 via the frame 31. As a result, after the first absorption unit 60 is filled with the liquid, the overflowing liquid can be absorbed by the second absorption unit 61. That is, after the liquid leakage is detected, the liquid is absorbed by the second absorption unit 61. Therefore, leakage can be detected at an early stage and liquid leakage to the outside of the machine can be suppressed.

Further, the second absorbing portion 61 is provided at the bottom of the housing 12. The liquid absorbed by the absorbing part is easily transmitted in the direction of gravity. In that respect, since the second absorbing portion 61 is located on the gravity direction side of the housing 12, it is possible to hold a large amount of leaked liquid. Therefore, even if the liquid leaks, it is possible to suppress the liquid leakage to the outside of the machine.

Further, the second absorption unit 61 is preferably made of a material having a larger amount of liquid retained per unit volume than the first absorption unit 60. For example, non-woven fabric. This makes it possible to collect a large amount of liquid. Therefore, even if the liquid leaks, it is possible to suppress the liquid leakage to the outside of the machine.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the liquid injection device 11 includes a liquid guiding unit 66 that guides the liquid from the first absorbing unit 60 to the second absorbing unit 61. The liquid guiding portion 66 is made of a material having low liquid permeability. For example, a plastic film. Specifically, the liquid guiding portion 66 has a sheet shape and is arranged on the entire back surface of the first absorbing portion 60. Further, one end surface of the liquid guiding portion 66 is bent vertically downward along the side surface of the frame body 31.

When the first absorption unit 60 is filled with the liquid, the liquid overflowing from the first absorption unit 60 flows through the liquid induction unit 66 in the direction of gravity and is therefore guided to the second absorption unit 61 (partly). Along the side surface of the frame 31). Further, the other end of the liquid guiding portion 66 is bent so as to face upward. Therefore, the flow of the liquid is restricted at the bent portion. Therefore, for example, since the liquid does not easily flow in the other direction such as the drive source 56, it is possible to suppress the dirt inside the machine or the liquid leakage to the outside of the machine.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the thickness T1 of the first absorbing portion 60 is thinner than the thickness T2 of the second absorbing portion 61. For example, the ratio T1: T2 = 1: 4. The thinner the thickness of the first absorbing unit 60, the faster the liquid permeates in the plane direction. As a result, the liquid can be quickly permeated into the first absorption unit 60, so that the liquid can be quickly adhered to the detection unit 62. Therefore, even if the liquid leaks, the leak can be detected at an early stage. On the other hand, the thicker the second absorbing portion 61, the more liquid can be absorbed. Therefore, even after the leakage is detected, the liquid leakage to the outside of the machine can be suppressed.

Further, the area A1 of the widest surface of the first absorption unit 60 is smaller than the area A2 of the widest surface of the second absorption unit 61. For example, the ratio A1: A2 = 1: 2. The smaller the area of the widest surface of the first absorption unit 60, the faster the liquid permeates the whole. As a result, the liquid can be quickly permeated into the first absorption unit 60, so that the liquid can be quickly adhered to the detection unit 62. Therefore, even if the liquid leaks, the leak can be detected at an early stage. On the other hand, the second absorbing unit 61 can absorb more liquid as the area of the widest surface is larger. Therefore, even after the leakage is detected, the liquid leakage to the outside of the machine can be suppressed.

Next, the operation of the liquid injection device 11 configured as described above will be described.
For example, in the connection portion 45, when a connection failure between the upstream side flow path 43 and the downstream side flow path 44 occurs, liquid may leak from the connection portion 45 (liquid supply flow path 27).

Here, when the liquid drops from the connecting portion 45, it is absorbed by the first absorbing portion 60 arranged vertically below the connecting portion 45. Further, even when the liquid flows in the direction of gravity along the upstream side flow path 43 (liquid supply flow path 27), it is absorbed by the first absorption unit 60 in contact with the upstream side flow path 43. Then, the liquid absorbed by the first absorption unit 60 permeates the first absorption unit 60. Since the first absorption unit 60 is a PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) sponge formed of fine pores, it has high permeability. Therefore, it is possible to reach the detection unit 62 at an early stage.

When the liquid reaches the detection unit 62, the detection unit 62 detects the adhesion of the liquid, and the liquid detector 63 outputs the liquid leakage information to the control unit 29. The control unit 29, for example, stops the operation of the liquid injection device 11 based on the acquired detection information. Further, the liquid leakage information is displayed on the operation panel 19, and the user is notified of the error.

Even if the operation of the liquid injection device 11 is stopped after the liquid detector 63 detects a liquid leak and the drive source 56 is stopped, the inside of the liquid supply flow path 27 is in a pressurized state, so that the liquid injection head 39 The liquid that remains in the liquid supply flow path 27 without being discharged from the nozzle 38 may continue to leak from the connection portion 45.

If the liquid continues to leak after the liquid detector 63 detects the leak of the liquid, the liquid that cannot be held by the first absorbing unit 60 may overflow from the first absorbing unit 60. The overflowing liquid is absorbed and held by the second absorbing unit 61 through the liquid guiding unit 66. Since the second absorbing portion 61 is a non-woven fabric having a high holding power, it can hold a large amount of liquid.

As described above, according to the liquid injection device 11 according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the first absorption unit 60 is arranged vertically below the liquid supply flow path 27, the first absorption unit 60 absorbs the liquid, and the liquid detector 63 adheres to the detection unit 62. Detected. That is, when the liquid leaks from the liquid supply flow path 27 (connection portion 45), the leak of the liquid can be detected at an early stage.

(2) Since the second absorption unit 61 is arranged vertically below the first absorption unit 60, the second absorption unit 61 holds the liquid even if the liquid continues to leak after detecting the leakage of the liquid. can do. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the leakage of the liquid to the outside of the machine.

(3) Since the second absorption unit 61 is arranged away from the first absorption unit 60, the overflowing liquid is absorbed by the second absorption unit 61 after the first absorption unit 60 is filled with the liquid. Can be done. That is, after the liquid leakage is detected, the liquid is absorbed by the second absorption unit 61. Therefore, leakage can be detected at an early stage and liquid leakage to the outside of the machine can be suppressed.

(4) Since the first absorption unit 60 is made of a material having a higher liquid permeability than the second absorption unit 61, the liquid can be quickly permeated into the first absorption unit 60, and the detection unit 62. The liquid can be attached quickly. Therefore, even if the liquid leaks, the leak can be detected at an early stage.

(5) Since the second absorption unit 61 is made of a material that holds a larger amount of liquid per unit volume than the first absorption unit 60, the second absorption unit 61 can hold more of the leaked liquid. can. Therefore, even after the leakage is detected, the liquid leakage to the outside of the machine can be suppressed.

(6) Since the thickness of the first absorbing portion 60 is thinner than the thickness of the second absorbing portion 61, the liquid can be quickly permeated into the first absorbing portion 60. Therefore, the liquid can be quickly adhered to the detection unit 62. On the other hand, the second absorbing unit 61 can absorb more liquid than the first absorbing unit 60. Therefore, even if the liquid leaks, the leak can be detected at an early stage, and the liquid leakage to the outside of the machine can be suppressed even after the leak is detected.

(7) Since the area of the widest surface of the first absorption unit 60 is smaller than the area of the widest surface of the second absorption unit 61, the liquid can be quickly permeated into the first absorption unit 60. Therefore, the liquid can be quickly adhered to the detection unit 62. On the other hand, the second absorbing unit 61 can absorb more liquid than the first absorbing unit 60. Therefore, even if the liquid leaks, the leak can be detected at an early stage, and the liquid leakage to the outside of the machine can be suppressed even after the leak is detected.

(8) The liquid is easily transmitted in the direction of gravity. In that respect, the second absorbing portion 61 is provided at the bottom of the housing 12. That is, since the second absorbing portion 61 is located on the gravity direction side of the housing 12, it is possible to hold a large amount of leaked liquid. Therefore, even if the liquid leaks, it is possible to suppress the liquid leakage to the outside of the machine.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and improvements can be made to the above-mentioned embodiment. A modification example is described below.

(Modification 1) In the above embodiment, there is only one liquid detector 63, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, there may be a plurality. According to this configuration, when there are a plurality of locations where the liquid may leak, it can be detected earlier.

(Deformation Example 2) In the above embodiment, the first absorbing portion 60 is arranged in a plane, but the end portion of the first absorbing portion 60 may be bent in the direction of gravity in which the second absorbing portion 61 is provided. .. According to this configuration, when the first absorption unit 60 is filled with the liquid, the liquid overflowing from the first absorption unit 60 is easily transmitted in the direction of gravity and is therefore guided to the second absorption unit 61. Further, since the liquid does not easily flow in other directions, it is possible to suppress the dirt inside the machine or the liquid leakage to the outside of the machine. In this case, it is preferable that the detection unit 62 is provided on the side of the first absorption unit 60 near the bent portion.

(Modification 3) The first absorption unit 60, the liquid detector 63, and the second absorption unit 61 may be configured to be replaceable. According to this configuration, if a liquid adheres, it can be used again by replacing it with a new one.

(Deformation Example 4) In the above embodiment, in order to guide the liquid from the first absorption unit 60 to the second absorption unit 61, the liquid induction unit 66 is arranged on the entire back surface of the first absorption unit 60. Not limited to. For example, the tray may be arranged instead of the liquid guiding portion 66. Specifically, the first absorption unit 60 and the liquid detector 63 may be arranged in the tray, and a groove or an opening for allowing the liquid to flow toward the second absorption unit may be provided in a part of the tray. According to this configuration, since the liquid that has reached the first absorption unit 60 does not easily flow to other portions, it is possible to suppress internal stains or external stains.

(Variation Example 5) The liquid ejected by the liquid injection unit is not limited to ink, and may be, for example, a liquid body in which particles of a functional material are dispersed or mixed in the liquid. For example, recording is performed by injecting a liquid substance containing materials such as electrode materials and coloring materials (pixel materials) used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays and surface emitting displays in the form of dispersion or dissolution. It may be configured.

(Deformation Example 6) The medium S is not limited to paper, but may be a plastic film, a thin plate material, or the like, or may be a cloth used for a printing device or the like. Further, the medium S does not have to be a single piece cut to a predetermined size, and may be, for example, a roll-shaped medium wound in a cylindrical shape, or clothing of any shape such as a T-shirt. It may be a three-dimensional object of any shape such as tableware or stationery.

11 ... Liquid injection device, 12 ... Housing, 27 ... Liquid supply flow path, 39 ... Liquid injection head, 43 ... Upstream side flow path, 44 ... Downstream side flow path, 45 ... Connection part, 60 ... First absorption part, 61 ... Second absorption unit, 62 ... Detection unit, 63 ... Liquid detector.

Claims (8)

A liquid injection head that injects liquid and
A liquid supply flow path for supplying the liquid to the liquid injection head,
A liquid detector having a detector for detecting the adhesion of the liquid,
A first absorption unit that is in contact with the detection unit, is arranged vertically below the liquid supply flow path, and can absorb the liquid.
A second absorption unit arranged vertically below the first absorption unit and capable of absorbing the liquid, and a second absorption unit.
The liquid is provided in contact with the first absorbing portion, and the liquid is transferred from the first absorbing portion to the second absorbing portion.
Inducable liquid inducer and
A liquid injection device characterized by comprising. The liquid supply flow path has a connecting portion connecting the upstream side flow path and the downstream side flow path.
The liquid injection device according to claim 1, wherein the first absorption unit is arranged on the vertically lower side of the connection unit. The liquid injection device according to claim 1, wherein the second absorption unit is arranged in a state separated from the first absorption unit. The liquid injection according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first absorbing portion is made of a material having a higher permeability for the liquid than the second absorbing portion. Device. The second absorption unit is made of a material having a larger holding amount of the liquid per unit volume than the first absorption unit, according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The liquid injection device according to the description. Claim 1 is characterized in that the thickness of the first absorbing portion is thinner than the thickness of the second absorbing portion.
The liquid injection device according to any one of claims 5. The liquid injection according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the area of the widest surface of the first absorbing portion is smaller than the area of the widest surface of the second absorbing portion. Device. A housing for accommodating the liquid injection head and the liquid supply flow path is provided.
The liquid injection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second absorption unit is provided at the bottom of the housing.

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