阅读说明：本技术 喷墨打印装置、墨仓和供墨器 (Ink jet printing device, ink chamber and ink supply device ) 是由 丸山泰司 于 2020-10-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种喷墨打印装置、墨仓和供墨器。打印装置包括墨仓和流道构件。墨仓包括存储墨水的墨水腔,用以将墨水注入到墨水腔中的注入口,以及注入口附近形成的第一形状部。流道构件被配置为设置在所述注入口的内部,并形成用以将墨水注入到墨水腔中的通道。从供墨器将墨水注入到墨水腔中,该供墨器包括形成于该容器的附近并被配置为与第一形状部接合的第二形状部。流道构件可以在与输出口被插入到注入口的插入方向交叉的方向上位移。通过第一形状部和第二形状部之间的接合将该容器固定到墨仓。(An ink jet printing apparatus, an ink tank and an ink supply device. The printing apparatus includes an ink tank and a flow path member. The ink cartridge includes an ink chamber storing ink, an injection port for injecting the ink into the ink chamber, and a first shape portion formed near the injection port. The flow path member is configured to be disposed inside the injection port and form a passage to inject ink into the ink chamber. Ink is injected into the ink chamber from an ink supply that includes a second shaped portion formed adjacent to the container and configured to engage the first shaped portion. The flow path member may be displaced in a direction intersecting an insertion direction in which the output port is inserted into the injection port. The container is secured to the ink reservoir by engagement between the first shape and the second shape.)

1. An inkjet printing apparatus, comprising:

an ink cartridge, the ink cartridge comprising:

an ink chamber that stores ink to be supplied to a print head for ejecting ink;

an injection port through which ink is injected into the ink chamber; and

a first shape portion formed in the vicinity of the inlet; and

a flow path member configured to be disposed inside the injection port and to form a passage through which the ink is injected into the ink chamber,

wherein the ink is injected into the ink chamber from an ink supply, the ink supply comprising: an output port configured to be inserted into the injection port and configured to flow the ink therethrough; and a second shape portion formed near the output opening and configured to engage with the first shape portion,

the flow path member may be displaced in a direction intersecting an insertion direction in which the output port is inserted into the injection port, an

The ink supply is fixed to the ink tank by engagement of the second shape and the first shape.

2. Inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1,

the first shape forms a recess and the second shape forms a protrusion.

3. Inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 2,

the first shape portion includes a cross section at a downstream side in the insertion direction and a cross section at an upstream side in the insertion direction that is smaller than the cross section at the downstream side.

4. Inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1,

the print head is capable of ejecting a first ink and a second ink,

a first shape portion of an ink tank storing the first ink is engaged with a second shape portion of an ink supply storing the first ink, an

The first shaped portion of the ink tank storing the second ink is not engaged with the second shaped portion of the ink supply storing the first ink.

5. Inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1,

the ink supply includes an openable and closable valve disposed inside the outlet port,

the valve is configured to open to inject ink through the flow passage member when the first shape portion is engaged with the second shape portion, and

when the first shape portion is not engaged with the second shape portion, the valve is configured not to be opened and ink cannot be injected.

6. Inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 5,

the valve comprises:

an elastic member disposed near the output port and including a hole through which the flow path member can pass; and

a displaceable member urged toward the elastic member by an urging member, an

The valve is configured to close when the displaceable member abuts the resilient member.

7. Inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 6,

the valve opens when the output port is inserted into the injection port and the flow path member separates the displaceable member from the resilient member against the urging force of the urging member.

8. Inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 6,

the bore has an inner diameter less than an outer diameter of the flow path member.

9. Inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1,

the flow path member includes:

a first passage through which ink flows from the ink supply to the ink chamber; and

a second passage through which air flows from the ink chamber to the ink supply.

10. Inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1,

the ink cartridge includes a punch member having a snap-fit configuration disposed inside the first shape, and

the ink supplier includes a concave portion that is engaged with the punch member in a state where the first shape portion and the second shape portion are engaged with each other.

11. Inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1,

the ink cartridge is fixed to a main body of the inkjet printing apparatus.

12. Inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1 including a cap for capping the injection port.

13. Inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1,

the engagement between the second shape portion and the first shape portion enables the ink supply to stand alone.

14. An ink cartridge, comprising:

an ink chamber that stores ink to be supplied to a print head for ejecting ink;

an injection port through which ink is injected into the ink chamber;

a first shape portion formed in the vicinity of the inlet; and

a flow path member configured to be disposed inside the injection port and to form a passage through which the ink is injected into the ink chamber, wherein,

injecting the ink into the ink chamber from an ink supply, the ink supply comprising: an output port configured to be inserted into the injection port and configured to flow the ink therethrough; and a second shape portion formed near the output opening and configured to engage with the first shape portion,

the flow path member may be displaced in a direction intersecting an insertion direction in which the output port is inserted into the injection port, an

The ink supply is fixed to the ink tank by engagement of the second shape and the first shape.

15. The ink cartridge according to claim 14,

the first shape portion forms a recess and the second shape portion forms a protrusion.

16. The ink cartridge according to claim 15,

the first shape portion includes a cross section at a downstream side in the insertion direction and a cross section at an upstream side in the insertion direction that is smaller than the cross section at the downstream side.

17. An ink supply for injecting ink into an ink reservoir, the ink reservoir comprising: an ink chamber that stores ink to be supplied to a print head for ejecting ink; an injection port through which ink is injected into the ink chamber; a first shape portion formed in the vicinity of the inlet; and a flow path member configured to be disposed inside the injection port and to form a passage through which the ink is injected into the ink chamber, the flow path member being displaceable in a direction intersecting an insertion direction in which the ink supply is inserted into the ink tank,

the ink supply includes:

an output port which is insertable into the injection port and through which the ink flows out; and

a second shape portion formed near the output opening and configured to engage with the first shape portion, wherein,

the ink supply is fixed to the ink tank by engagement between the first shape and the second shape.

18. The ink supply of claim 17, wherein,

the engagement between the second shape and the first shape enables the ink supply to stand upright.

19. The ink supply of claim 17, wherein,

the second shape portion engages with the first shape portion of the ink tank for storing ink of the same type as that stored in the ink supply, and the second shape portion does not engage with the first shape portion of the ink tank for storing ink of a different type than that stored in the ink supply.

20. An ink supply as claimed in claim 17, comprising an openable and closable valve disposed inside the outlet port, wherein,

when the first shape portion is engaged with the second shape portion, a valve is configured to be opened to inject ink through the flow path member, and

when the first shape portion is not engaged with the second shape portion, the valve is configured not to be opened, and ink cannot be injected.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an inkjet printing apparatus, an ink tank, and an ink supply that print an image by ejecting ink.

Background

Japanese patent laid-open No. 2018-140556 discloses an ink supply and an ink tank. Ink is supplied from the ink supply to the ink tank from a plurality of flow paths inserted into the interior of the ink tank through an opening of the ink supply. The flow channel serves as a flow path for ink and air, and realizes gas-liquid exchange between the ink supply and the ink tank during ink replenishment. Thus, the user can supply ink from the ink supply to the ink tank without pressing the ink supply.

In this system, a gap is provided between a needle provided in the ink reservoir and the output port of the ink supply to provide better alignment between the ink supply and the ink reservoir and also to facilitate insertion of the needle into the output port. However, in the configuration disclosed in japanese patent laid-open No. 2018-140556, since a gap is provided between the needle of the ink tank and the output port, the ink supply device may not be firmly fixed to the ink tank during ink supply and may become unstable.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure provides a technique capable of realizing a reliable ink filling operation.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an inkjet printing apparatus including: an ink cartridge, the ink cartridge comprising: an ink chamber that stores ink to be supplied to a print head for ejecting ink; an injection port through which ink is injected into the ink chamber; and a first shape portion formed in the vicinity of the injection port; and a flow path member configured to be disposed inside the injection port and form a passage through which the ink is injected into the ink chamber; wherein the ink is injected into the ink chamber from an ink supply, the ink supply comprising: an output port configured to be inserted into the injection port and configured to flow the ink therethrough; and a second shape portion formed near the output port and configured to engage with the first shape portion, the flow path member being displaceable in a direction intersecting an insertion direction in which the output port is inserted into the injection port, and the ink supply device being fixed to the ink tank by the engagement of the second shape portion and the first shape portion.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an ink cartridge including: an ink chamber that stores ink to be supplied to a print head for ejecting ink; an injection port through which ink is injected into the ink chamber; a first shape portion formed in the vicinity of the inlet; and a flow path member configured to be disposed inside the injection port and to form a passage through which the ink is injected into the ink chamber, wherein the ink is injected into the ink chamber from an ink supplier, the ink supplier including: an output port configured to be inserted into the injection port and configured to flow the ink therethrough; and a second shape portion formed near the output port and configured to engage with the first shape portion, the flow path member being displaceable in a direction intersecting an insertion direction in which the output port is inserted into the injection port, and the ink supply device being fixed to the ink tank by the engagement of the second shape portion and the first shape portion.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an ink supply for injecting ink into an ink cartridge, the ink cartridge comprising: an ink chamber that stores ink to be supplied to a print head for ejecting ink; an injection port through which ink is injected into the ink chamber; a first shape portion formed in the vicinity of the inlet; and a flow path member configured to be disposed inside the injection port and to form a passage through which the ink is injected into the ink chamber, the flow path member being displaceable in a direction intersecting an insertion direction in which the ink supplier is inserted into the ink tank, the ink supplier including: an output port which is insertable into the injection port and through which the ink flows out; and a second shape portion formed near the output port and configured to engage with the first shape portion, wherein the ink supply is fixed to the ink tank by the engagement between the first shape portion and the second shape portion.

Other features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing the appearance of an inkjet printing apparatus according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of an inkjet printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3A to 3D are perspective views showing the appearance of the cartridge unit according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4A and 4B are perspective views showing an ink tank according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an ink supply path from an ink tank to a printhead according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view for explaining an ink ejection operation of the ink jet printing apparatus according to the first embodiment by a user.

Fig. 7A and 7B are enlarged sectional views for explaining detailed configurations of the machine recognition groove and the machine recognition shape portion according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8A to 8C are enlarged sectional views schematically showing a state where the needle according to the first embodiment is balanced with the output port of the ink bottle.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view for explaining the detailed configuration of the machine recognition groove and the machine recognition shape portion according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 10A and 10B are enlarged sectional views showing a configuration example of a valve inside an ink bottle.

Detailed Description

First embodiment

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessary for the present disclosure. The shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the elements described in the embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.

Arrangement of devices

Fig. 1A is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an inkjet printing apparatus 1 (hereinafter referred to as "printing apparatus 1") according to the present embodiment. The printing apparatus 1 includes a housing 5, a print head 3 (see fig. 2) for performing printing on a print medium, and an ink tank 11 serving as an ink container for storing various inks to be supplied to the print head 3. The ink cartridge 11 of the present embodiment is disposed on the front side of the housing 5 and fixed to the main body of the apparatus. An operation unit 4 is also provided at the front side of the housing 5. The operation unit is configured for a user to input an instruction or the like to operate the printing apparatus 1. The operation unit 4 of the present embodiment includes a display panel configured to display error information of the printing apparatus 1.

The scanner unit 2 for scanning a document is provided on the top of the housing 5 so as to be openable with respect to the housing 5. Fig. 1B is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printing apparatus 1 when the scanner unit 2 is opened with respect to the housing 5. When the scanner unit 2 is opened, the cartridge cover 12 for covering the top surface of the ink cartridge 11 is exposed. In fig. 1B, the bin cover 12 is closed. Note that the printing apparatus 1 not including the scanner unit 2 may have a main cover openable with respect to the housing 5.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the printing apparatus 1. In the printing apparatus 1, a feeding unit (not shown) feeds a printing medium stored in a sheet feeding cassette 6 provided on the front side of the housing 5 or a sheet feeding tray 7 provided on the rear side of the housing 5. The printing medium fed by the feeding unit is conveyed onto a platen 42 provided opposite the print head 3 by a conveying roller 40 (conveying unit 40). The platen 42 is a member that guides and supports a printing medium on which the print head 3 prints.

The printing medium on which the print head 3 prints is discharged onto a sheet discharge tray 43 by a discharge roller 41 (discharge unit 41). The sheet discharge tray 43 is disposed above the sheet feeding cassette 6.

Note that the direction in which the print medium is conveyed by the conveying rollers 40 (i.e., the Y direction in fig. 2) is referred to as "conveying direction". In other words, the upstream side in the conveying direction is located near the rear side of the casing 5, and the downstream side in the conveying direction is located near the front side of the casing 5.

The print head 3 is mounted in a carriage 31 and reciprocates in a main scanning direction (i.e., X direction in fig. 2) intersecting the conveying direction. In the present embodiment, the conveyance direction and the main scanning direction intersect orthogonally with each other. While the print head 3 moves in the main scanning direction together with the carriage 31, the print head 3 prints a one-pass portion of an image onto a print medium by ejecting ink droplets (printing operation). After the one-pass portion of the image is printed, the conveying roller 40 conveys the printing medium quantitatively in the conveying direction (intermittent conveying operation). An image based on image data is printed on the entire printing medium by repeating the one-pass printing operation and the intermittent conveying operation.

In various inkjet printing methods, a process of ejecting ink using thermal energy is employed in the print head 3. The print head 3 includes an element (for example, a heating element) that generates thermal energy, and the thermal energy causes the ink to change its state of ejection (film boiling). This enables high-density and high-resolution image printing. Note that the present disclosure can be applied not only to a printing process using thermal energy but also to a printing process using vibrational energy generated by a piezoelectric element.

In the printing apparatus 1, a maintenance unit is provided at a position inside the scanning area of the carriage 31 and outside the printing area in which the print head 3 performs printing. The maintenance unit is a unit for performing maintenance on the print head 3 to maintain ejection performance, and is provided so as to oppose an ejection orifice surface of the print head 3 on which ejection orifices for ejecting ink are arrayed.

In fig. 2, the print head 3 is located at a home position where the maintenance unit can perform the maintenance operation. For example, the maintenance unit includes a cap for covering the injection hole surface and a suction recovery mechanism for a suction operation. In the suction operation, the suction recovery mechanism forcibly sucks the ink from the ejection hole to remove the residual air bubbles and the viscous ink while covering the surface of the ejection hole.

Note that, in the present embodiment, a serial head in which the print head 3 is mounted in the carriage 31 is described by way of example. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and may also be applied to a line head in which ejection holes are arranged to cover an area corresponding to the width of a printing medium.

An ink tank 11 that ejects ink of each color from the print head 3 is provided in the printing apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 has four ink tanks 11, that is: the ink tank 11K for black ink, the ink tank 11C for cyan ink, the ink tank 11M for magenta ink, and the ink tank 11Y for yellow ink, which are collectively referred to as "ink tanks 11". Note that cyan, magenta, and yellow are merely examples of color inks, and other color inks may be used.

As illustrated in fig. 2, the ink tank 11K for black is provided on the left side of the sheet discharge tray 43 and the sheet feeding cassette 6 as viewed from the front of the printing apparatus 1. An ink tank 11C for cyan, an ink tank 11M for magenta, and an ink tank 11Y for yellow are provided on the right side of the sheet discharge tray 43 and the sheet feeding cassette 6 as viewed from the front of the printing apparatus 1. In other words, the sheet discharge tray 43 and the sheet feeding cassette 6 are provided between the ink tank 11K for black and the ink tank for color ink. Each ink tank 11 is connected to the print head 3 by a flexible supply tube 8, the flexible supply tube 8 constituting a part of a supply channel for supplying ink to the print head 3.

The printing apparatus 1 has a hopper cover 12Bk for black and a hopper cover 12Cl for color ink. The black-dedicated cartridge cover 12Bk covers the upper surface of the black-dedicated ink cartridge 11K. The cartridge cover 12Cl for color ink covers the upper surfaces of all of the ink cartridge 11C for cyan, the ink cartridge 11M for magenta, and the ink cartridge 11Y for yellow. Hereinafter, the bank cover 12Bk for black and the bank cover 12Cl for color ink will be collectively referred to as "bank cover 12".

Injection of ink

Fig. 3A to 3D are perspective views showing the appearance of the cartridge unit 10 including the ink cartridge 11 and the peripheral structure. Since the basic structure of each of the bin cells 10 is similar, the following description will be made taking the bin cell 10 for black as an example.

Fig. 3A shows a state in which the lid 12 is closed, and fig. 3B shows a state in which the lid 12 is opened. The user opens the cap 12 in the direction of S1 to access the cap 13.

An injection port 14 for injecting ink is formed on the upper surface of the ink tank 11, and a tank cap 13 is provided to seal the injection port 14. The cartridge cap 13 includes a cap member 13a for sealing the injection port 14 and a rod member 13b for supporting the cap member 13 a. The lever member 13b is rotatably fixed to the main body of the printing apparatus 1. The user can manipulate the lever member 13 b.

The user rotates the lever member 13B in the S2 direction in fig. 3B to detach the cap member 13a from the injection port 14 so as to be able to inject ink (see fig. 3C). Note that the lever member 13b may be rotatably fixed to the ink tank 11 or the tank cover 12.

The cap member 13a of the cartridge cap 13 is formed of a member having rubber elasticity, and the rod member 13b is formed of a plastic member or the like. According to the present embodiment, the lever member 13b is colored so as to correspond to each color of the ink stored in the ink tank 11.

In other words, the rod member 13b for black ink is painted in black or gray, the rod member 13b for cyan ink is painted in cyan, the rod member 13b for magenta ink is painted in magenta, and the rod member 13b for yellow ink is painted in yellow. In this way, when the user injects ink into each ink tank 11, the possibility that the user injects wrong ink can be reduced. Note that not only the lever member 13b but also the cap member 13a may be colored accordingly.

Fig. 3D shows the following states: the user inserts an ink bottle 15 serving as an ink supply into the injection port 14 and injects ink when removing the cap 13. In the present embodiment, the ink in the ink bottle 15 is injected into the ink tank 11 while gas-liquid exchange occurs between the ink in the ink bottle 15 and the air in the ink tank 11.

Arrangement of ink chambers

Fig. 4A and 4B are perspective views showing the ink tank 11. The ink cartridge 11 includes: an ink chamber 16 for storing ink, an ink supply port 17 for supplying ink from the ink chamber 16 to the printhead 3, an air chamber 18 for storing air, and an atmosphere communication port 19 for communicating the air chamber 18 with the atmosphere. The ink chamber 16 is provided in an upper portion of the ink tank 11. In fig. 4A, the ink chamber 16 is open at a first side of the ink tank 11.

Fig. 4A is a perspective view showing the ink tank 11 when viewing the first side of the ink tank 11. One end of the ink supply port 17 is connected to the ink chamber 16, and the other end of the ink supply port 17 is connected to the supply tube 8. The opening of the ink chamber 16 at the first side of the ink tank 11 is closed by a film (not shown). The air chamber 18 is disposed below the ink chamber 16. In fig. 4B, the air chamber 18 is open at a second side of the ink tank 11 opposite to the first side.

Fig. 4B is a perspective view showing the ink tank 11 when the second side of the ink tank 11 is viewed. The air chamber 18 and the ink chamber 16 are connected to each other by a connecting passage 20 extending downward from the bottom of the ink chamber 16. The bottom end of the connecting passage 20 serves as a gas-liquid exchange area for air and ink. The gas-liquid exchange region has a cross-sectional area capable of maintaining a meniscus of the ink. The air chamber 18 is also connected to an atmosphere communication port 19 to communicate with the atmosphere.

In normal operation, as the print head 3 ejects ink, ink is supplied from the ink chamber 16 to the print head 3. At the same time, air of the same volume as the volume of ink supplied to the printhead 3 is supplied from the air chamber 18 to the ink chamber 16 via the gas-liquid exchange region.

If the air in the ink chamber 16 expands due to fluctuations in temperature or atmospheric pressure or the like, and thus breaks the meniscus at the gas-liquid exchange region, the ink in the ink chamber 16 may drop into the air chamber 18 due to the head difference. Thus, the air chamber 18 has a volume capable of accommodating the entire amount of ink that can be stored in the ink chamber 16. Therefore, the air chamber 18 also functions as a buffer chamber to prevent ink from overflowing from the atmospheric communication port 19 into the printing apparatus.

Ink supply

Fig. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an ink supply path from the ink tank 11 to the print head 3. In fig. 5A and 5B, a part of the detailed structure of the ink tank 11 is omitted. Fig. 5A shows an ink supply path during a printing operation, and fig. 5B shows the ink supply path when a user injects ink.

In the ink tank 11 shown in fig. 5A and 5B, the supply tube 8 is connected to the ink supply port 17 shown in fig. 4A and 4B, and the supply tube 8 connects the ink chamber 16 to the printhead 3. Further, in the ink tank 11 as shown in fig. 5A and 5B, an atmosphere communication pipe 30 for communicating with the atmosphere is connected to the atmosphere communication port 19 shown in fig. 4A and 4B, and the air chamber 18 is opened to the atmosphere through the atmosphere communication pipe 30. The supply line 8 and the atmosphere connection pipe 30 can be simultaneously opened or closed by the valve 23.

In the present embodiment, the opening and closing of the valve 23 is associated with the opening and closing of the lid 12 by the user. In other words, when the lid 12 is closed, the valve 23 opens the supply pipe 8 and the atmosphere connection pipe 30. On the other hand, when the lid 12 is opened, the valve 23 closes the supply pipe 8 and the atmosphere connection pipe 30. Note that the valve 23 may be opened or closed by a member other than the lid 12. Further, the supply pipe 8 and the atmosphere connection pipe 30 may have the valves 23 separately.

As shown in fig. 5A, during the printing operation, the same amount of ink as the amount ejected from the print head 3 is continuously supplied from the ink chamber 16 to the print head 3 through the supply tube 8. During the printing operation, the injection port 14 is sealed by the cap 13. Air of equal volume to the volume of ink ejected from the printhead 3 is supplied from the air chamber 18 to the ink chamber 16 through the connection passage 20. In other words, gas-liquid exchange between ink and air occurs in the connecting passage 20 at the liquid level in the vicinity of the air chamber 18.

The ink cartridge 11 also includes a needle 22 disposed within the inlet 14. The needle 22 functions as a flow path member (injection support member) for facilitating the injection of ink through the injection port 14. The needle 22 is formed of a first passage 22a and a second passage 22b, and the first passage 22a and the second passage 22b communicate the inside and the outside of the ink tank 11 with each other. Note that the needle 22 is made of a different material from the ink tank 11.

In fig. 5B, the first passage 22a of the needle 22 serves as a flow passage for ink flowing from the ink bottle 15 to the ink chamber 16, and the second passage 22B serves as another flow passage for air flowing from the ink chamber 16 to the ink bottle 15. Note that both the first channel 22a and the second channel 22b may function as channels for ink and air. When ink first flows from the ink bottle 15 through one passage, the passage serves as a passage for ink, and the other passage serves as a passage for air.

When a user fills the ink cartridge 11 with ink, the user first opens the cartridge cover 12 (see fig. 3) to expose the cartridge cap 13. When the lid 12 is opened, the valve 23 closes the supply pipe 8 and the atmosphere connection pipe 30. In other words, the supply of ink from the ink tank 11 to the print head 3 is cut off, and the communication between the ink tank 11 and the atmosphere is also cut off. The closing of the valve 23 reduces the possibility of ink overflowing from the ejection orifice surface of the print head 3 and from the atmosphere communication tube 30 during ink filling.

Next, the user removes the cap 13 from the injection port 14 to expose the injection port 14 and the needle 22. Subsequently, the user inserts the ink bottle 15 into the injection port 14 in such a manner that the needle 22 is inserted into the output port 15a of the ink bottle 15.

When the needle 22 is inserted into the output port 15a, a valve (not shown) provided inside the ink bottle 15 is opened, thereby communicating the inside of the ink bottle 15 with the inside of the ink cartridge 11. When the first passage 22a and the second passage 22b of the needle 22 serve as passages for air and ink, gas-liquid exchange occurs between the ink in the ink bottle 15 and the air in the ink chamber 16, so that the ink can be injected into the ink tank 11.

As the ink filling process proceeds, the ink surface in the ink chamber 16 reaches the bottom end of the needle 22 (particularly, the bottom end of the second passage 22b serving as an air passage). As a result, air cannot flow out from the ink chamber 16, and the gas-liquid exchange stops. This prevents the flow of ink from the ink bottle 15 to the ink chamber 16 and the priming is complete. In the present embodiment, as described above, ink injection is performed while gas-liquid exchange occurs.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus showing a state where a user injects ink. In the present embodiment, a mechanical identification groove 24 is formed in the vicinity of the inlet 14 of each ink tank 11 (at a position around the inlet 14 in the present embodiment). The mechanical recognition groove 24 serves as the first shape portion. The mechanical recognition groove 24 is a concave portion whose shape is specific to each ink. The mechanical recognition groove 24 is formed by a member different from the ink tank 11. Although not illustrated in fig. 6, the mechanical identification groove 24 is also formed in the vicinity of the inlet 14 of the black ink tank 11K (at a position around the inlet 14 in the present embodiment). In addition, a mechanical identification shape portion 25 whose shape is specific to each ink is formed in the vicinity of the outlet port 15a of the ink bottle 15 (a position near the discharge port 15a in the present embodiment). The mechanical recognition shape portion 25 functions as a second shape portion. The machine recognizable shape portion 25 is a projection formed integrally with the output port 15 a.

The mechanical recognition shape portion 25 and the mechanical recognition groove 24 are configured to engage with each other only when the ink bottle 15 containing the same ink as the ink stored in the ink tank 11 is inserted into the injection port 14. Moreover, the needle 22 can be inserted into the output port 15a only when the mechanical recognition shaped portion 25 is engaged with the mechanical recognition groove 24.

Therefore, even if the user tries to insert the ink bottle 15 containing ink different from the ink stored in the ink tank 11, the mechanical identification shape portion 25 does not engage with the mechanical identification groove 24, and thus the needle 22 cannot enter the output port 15 a. Therefore, by providing the mechanical recognition groove 24 in the ink tank 11 and the mechanical recognition shape portion 25 in the ink bottle 15, the possibility that the user injects wrong ink by mistake can be reduced.

For example, the mechanical identification shape portion 25 of the ink bottle 15 containing magenta ink is engaged with the mechanical identification groove 24 of the ink tank 11M for magenta so that the user can insert the ink bottle 15 into the injection port 14. On the other hand, the mechanical identification shape portion 25 of the ink bottle 15 containing cyan ink does not engage the mechanical identification groove 24 of the ink tank 11M for magenta, and the user is prevented from inserting the ink bottle 15 into the inlet 14.

The configuration of the mechanical recognition groove 24 and the mechanical recognition shaped part 25 will be described in detail with reference to fig. 7A and 7B. Fig. 7A is an enlarged sectional view schematically showing a state before the ink bottle is inserted into the ink tank. Fig. 7B is an enlarged sectional view schematically showing a state where an ink bottle is inserted into the ink tank.

The mechanical identification groove 24 is formed to have a small cross section at the depth (downstream side) in the insertion direction (-Z direction) of the ink bottle 15. Therefore, when the mechanical recognition shape portion 25 is engaged with the mechanical recognition groove 24, the mechanical recognition shape portion 25 is located at a fixed position with respect to the mechanical recognition groove 24. Since the ink bottle 15 is fixed with respect to the ink tank 11, the user can reliably fill the ink. In addition, the user does not need to hold the ink bottle 15 during the ink filling process, thereby improving the ink filling work.

As shown in fig. 7B, when the mechanical identification shape portion 25 of the ink tank 15 is engaged with the mechanical identification groove 24 of the ink tank 11, the needle 22 of the ink tank 11 is in a state of being inserted into the output port 15a of the ink bottle 15. Insertion of the needle 22 causes a valve (not shown) to open so that the interior of the ink bottle 15 can communicate with the interior of the ink cartridge 11.

Here, an example of an openable and closable valve provided inside the ink tank 11 is described with reference to fig. 10A and 10B. Fig. 10A is an enlarged sectional view showing the output port 15a of the ink bottle 15 that is not inserted into the corresponding ink tank 11. Fig. 10B is an enlarged sectional view showing the output port 15a of the ink bottle 15 inserted into the corresponding ink tank 11.

The ink bottle 15 has an elastic member 50, a displaceable member 51, a fixed member 52, and an urging member 53 provided in the output port 15 a. The elastic member 50 is made of, for example, rubber and is disposed near the output port 15 a. The elastic member 50 has a through-hole having a diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the needle 22 so that the needle 22 can penetrate the through-hole. As shown in fig. 10B, when the needle 22 is inserted into the output port 15a, the needle 22 engages the through hole of the elastic member 50. No gap is formed between the needle 22 and the elastic member 50, thereby preventing ink from flowing therebetween. Therefore, the first and second passages 22a and 22b of the needle 22 properly function as passages of ink and air.

The displaceable member 51 and the fixed member 52 are disposed at a deeper position inside the ink tank 11 than the elastic member 50. One end (e.g., a spring) of the urging member 53 is attached to the displaceable member 51, thereby urging the displaceable member 51 toward the elastic member 50. In other words, in a state where the ink bottle 15 is not inserted into the ink tank 11, the displaceable member 51 abuts the elastic member 50 to function as the valve illustrated in fig. 10A. Therefore, even if the output port 15a of the ink bottle 15 faces downward in the direction of gravity, ink does not overflow from the output port 15 a.

A fixed member 52 is disposed around the displaceable member 51, and the other end of the urging member 53 is attached to the fixed member 52. The displaceable member 51 is displaceable relative to the fixed member 52.

When the user inserts the ink bottle 15 into the ink cartridge 11, the needle 22 abuts the displaceable member 51. As shown in fig. 10B, when the user inserts the ink tank 15 deeper into the ink tank 11, the displaceable member 51 moves toward the inside of the ink bottle 15 against the urging force of the urging member 53. This separates the displaceable member 51 from the elastic member 50 and communicates the interior of the ink bottle 15 with the interior of the ink tank 11.

In the example shown in fig. 10A and 10B, the valve is closed by the displaceable member 51 abutting the elastic member 50, and the valve is opened by the displaceable member 51 separating from the elastic member 50. Note that the valve inside the ink tank 11 is not limited to this example. A rubber stopper having rubber elasticity or a vacuum valve or the like may be used.

Reference is made back to fig. 7A and 7B. The needle 22 has a snap-fit portion 28 formed thereon, and the snap-fit portion 28 is engaged with a projection 14a formed inside the injection port 14 of the ink cartridge 11. Thereby, the needle 22 becomes fixed with respect to the ink tank 11 in the Z direction (i.e., the direction in which the ink bottle 15 is inserted into the inlet 14). Therefore, if the user pulls the needle 22 in the Z direction, the needle 22 does not protrude.

On the other hand, the needle 22 is not fixed with respect to the ink tank 11 in the X and Y directions, but is displaceable. In other words, the needle 22 is configured to enable the center axis 27 of the needle 22 to be tilted so as to be aligned with the center axis 26 of the ink bottle 15 that the user inserts.

Fig. 8A to 8C are enlarged sectional views schematically showing a state where the needle 22 is balanced in the X and Y directions to enable the ink bottle to be engaged with the ink tank. Fig. 8A to 8C show a state in which the ink bottle 15 is gradually inserted into the inlet 14 of the ink tank 11.

In fig. 8A, the central axis 27 of the needle 22 is not aligned with the central axis 26 of the ink bottle 15. In this state, if the user further inserts the ink bottle 15 into the inlet 14, the needle 22 is not properly inserted into the outlet 15a even though the mechanical identification shape portion 25 may be engaged with the mechanical identification groove 24.

In this embodiment, the needle 22 is displaceable in the X and Y directions. With this arrangement, when the tip of the needle 22 abuts against the output port 15a, the central axis 27 of the needle 22 is inclined (see fig. 8B). This balancing mechanism (aligning mechanism or centering mechanism) of the needles 22 enables the needles 22 to be properly inserted into the row output ports 15a (see fig. 8C). In other words, the central axis 27 of the needle 22 is aligned with the central axis 26 of the output opening 15 a.

As described above, the ink bottle 15 is fixedly placed with respect to the ink tank 11 using the mechanical identification shape portion 25 and the mechanical identification groove 24. This enables the user to reliably fill the ink in the ink tank 11.

The needle 22 is configured to move in the X and Y directions, and can be inserted into the output port 15a of the ink bottle 15 in a balanced manner. This enables the needle 22 and the output port 15a to be properly aligned with each other, thereby reducing the possibility that a user performing an erroneous operation may cause, for example, the needle 22 to damage the ink bottle 15.

In the above description, the engagement of the identification shape portion 25 and the identification groove 24 is achieved using the projection of the mechanical identification shape portion 25 and the recess of the mechanical identification groove 24. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. A recess may be formed in the ink bottle 15, and a protrusion may be formed in the ink tank 11. Further, it has been described that the ink bottle 15 is fixed to the ink tank 11 by the engagement of the mechanical identification shape portion and the mechanical identification groove. However, securing the ink bottle 15 to the ink reservoir 11 may be accomplished using an engagement shape that does not create mechanical recognition specific to a particular ink.

Second embodiment

A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to fig. 9. Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view schematically showing an engaged state between the ink bottle 15 and the corresponding ink tank 11 according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the punch member 29 has a snap-fit configuration, and is provided inside the mechanical identification groove 24 of the ink tank 11. In addition, a recess 25a is formed in the mechanical identification shape portion 25 of the ink bottle 15 so as to face each of the pressing members 29 when the mechanical identification shape portion 25 is engaged with the mechanical identification groove 24.

When the ink bottle 15 is properly engaged with the ink tank 11, the user can feel a click generated by engaging the punch member 29 with the recess 25 a. This enables the user to confirm that the ink bottle 15 is securely mounted in the injection port 14, which can reduce the possibility that the user erroneously inserts (mounts) the ink bottle 15.

Further, the engagement of the pressing member 29 with the recess 25a improves the security with which the ink bottle 15 is fixed to the ink tank 11, which can achieve more reliable ink injection. Therefore, the ink can be reliably injected even with the arrangement of the present embodiment.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.