JP2004306384A - Waste liquid receptacle and liquid injection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a waste liquid receptacle which effectively utilizes absorbers and also prevents accumulation of a solidified waste liquid by dispersing and absorbing the waste liquid, and can highly reliably store the waste liquid, and to provide a liquid injection device. <P>SOLUTION: In an inkjet recording device 10 which stores a waste ink in a waste ink tray 26, a waste ink receiving part 33 with inclined faces 33a-33d is integrally molded at a planar bottom face 32 of an outer frame 31 of the waste ink tray 26. At the same time, the absorbers 41-52 are dividedly arranged in the outer frame 31. Only block-shaped supporting parts 45a-47a of the absorbers 45-47 touch the bottom face 32 in the periphery of the waste ink receiving part 33. Accordingly, the waste ink dripping to a top 33p of the waste ink receiving part 33 runs on the inclined faces 33a-33d, flows in passages between the supporting parts 45a-47a of the bottom face 32 and is absorbed by the supporting parts 45a-47a on the flow route. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a waste liquid receiver and a liquid ejecting apparatus, and more particularly, to an apparatus capable of absorbing waste liquid to a wide range of absorbents.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects and processes a liquid in a desired format is known. For example, in an ink jet recording apparatus, ink (liquid) is ejected from a plurality of nozzles formed on a recording head on a recording surface of a recording sheet. To form an image such as a character.
[0003]
Some liquid ejecting apparatuses of this type include a mechanism that automatically performs a cleaning process so as to maintain a comfortable operation of the liquid ejecting head. For example, the above-described ink jet recording apparatus has a cleaning mechanism that sucks ink from the nozzles of the recording head at a preset timing, and the ink is discharged as waste liquid into a waste ink tray (waste liquid receiver). To be stored (discarded). Hereinafter, the liquid ejecting apparatus will be described using an example of an inkjet recording apparatus.
[0004]
If such waste ink (waste liquid) remains in the storage portion of the waste ink tray, there is a risk that the waste ink may spill out and contaminate the surroundings. It is common to install and absorb the water.
[0005]
The waste ink tray is devised so that the waste ink can be efficiently absorbed. For example, the upper surface of the absorber is inclined so that the absorber can be effectively used. (For example, see Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-85965
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the waste liquid receiver described in this document, since the position where the waste ink is dropped does not change to the absorbent, the waste ink is absorbed at the drop position and solidified at that position.
[0008]
If the waste ink solidified near the dropping position accumulates, the absorbing material cannot be used effectively, and the opening end of the tube material from the cleaning mechanism may be closed.
[0009]
Accordingly, the present invention provides a waste liquid receiver and a liquid jetting apparatus that can effectively use an absorbing material by dispersing and absorbing a waste liquid, prevent stacking of solidified waste liquid, and store the waste liquid with high reliability. It is intended to provide a device.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a waste liquid receiver that includes a storage unit that stores a waste liquid, and an absorbent that is installed in the storage unit and that absorbs the waste liquid. A waste liquid receiver for receiving and storing the waste liquid. The storage section has a bottom surface formed in a planar shape and extending horizontally, and a waste liquid formed at a position where waste liquid flows from the apparatus main body and flows the waste liquid over a wide range of the bottom surface. The absorbent has a plurality of block-shaped portions formed in contact with the bottom surface of the storage portion, and the waste liquid flows on the slope of the storage portion between the block-shaped portions of the absorbent material and flows on the bottom surface. The flow path is defined.
[0011]
In the present invention, the waste liquid flowing into the storage section is flown on the slope, and flows in any direction of the bottom surface that spreads in a horizontal plane, and flows through the flow path between the block-shaped portions of the absorbent material, It is absorbed by the block-shaped portion located in the flow path.
Therefore, the waste liquid is not absorbed immediately after flowing into the storage portion, and can flow in a wide range of the bottom surface, and does not solidify on the slope, and is efficiently dispersed in the absorbent on the bottom surface. Can be absorbed.
[0012]
A second invention of a waste liquid receiver that solves the above-mentioned problem is characterized in that, in addition to the specific features of the first invention, a slope of the storage section is formed inside a bottom surface.
[0013]
According to the present invention, the waste liquid flowing into the storage section flows on the bottom surface extending in all directions (around) on the slope and flows. Therefore, the waste liquid can flow in a wider range in the storage section, and can be widely dispersed and absorbed by the absorbent.
[0014]
A third invention of a waste liquid receiver that solves the above-mentioned problem is characterized in that, in addition to the specific features of the above-mentioned first or second invention, the occupation rate of a slope portion occupying the bottom surface of the storage section is set small. Is what you do.
[0015]
According to the present invention, the block-shaped portions of the absorbent can be dispersedly arranged on the bottom surface having a large area in the storage portion. Therefore, a larger amount of waste liquid can be absorbed and stored in the absorbent.
[0016]
A fourth invention of a waste liquid receiver that solves the above-mentioned problem is characterized in that, in addition to the features of any one of the first to third inventions, a bottom surface and a slope of the storage unit are integrally formed with an exterior member. Is what you do.
[0017]
According to the present invention, it is not necessary to separately manufacture and install the bottom surface and the slope of the storage portion, and the absorbent can be installed only by preparing the exterior member. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost and the assembling work can be reduced.
[0018]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a waste liquid receiver which solves the above-mentioned problem. In addition to the features of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the absorbing material is located above the block-shaped portion, It has a lid-shaped part functioning as a lid.
[0019]
In this invention, the flow path space between the block-shaped portions is also covered with the absorbent. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the waste liquid that has not been adsorbed and solidified from scattering during transportation.
[0020]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a waste liquid receiver according to the fifth aspect, wherein the absorbing member is formed integrally with a block-shaped portion and a lid-shaped portion. .
[0021]
In this invention, the block-shaped portion and the lid-shaped portion can be installed together (simultaneously) in the storage portion. Therefore, the number of work steps can be reduced, and workability can be improved.
[0022]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a waste liquid receiver which solves the above-mentioned problem. In addition to the features of any one of the first to sixth aspects, the absorbing material is divided into a plurality of pieces and assembled and installed in a storage section. It is characterized by the following.
[0023]
According to this invention, the absorbent material can be assembled and installed in the storage portion by sequentially storing the appropriate number of divided absorbent materials in the storage portion. Therefore, the work can be completed easily and without mistakes by installing the absorbent appropriately divided according to the site of the storage, instead of installing the absorbent so as to cover the large-area storage. be able to.
[0024]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including a head for ejecting a liquid, and a mechanism for treating a used liquid as a waste liquid. A waste liquid receiver is provided, the tubing material is routed and disposed such that the open end is located at the waste liquid inflow position of the waste liquid receiver, and the waste liquid flows into the reservoir through the tube material. It is a feature.
[0025]
According to the present invention, the operation and effect of the above invention are obtained, the waste liquid is dispersed and absorbed, the absorbent is effectively used, and the solidified waste liquid is piled up to block the open end (inflow port) of the tube material. Can be prevented. Therefore, the waste liquid can be stored with high reliability.
[0026]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 10 are views showing an example of an ink jet recording apparatus which is an embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus in which a waste liquid receiver according to the present invention is set.
[0027]
1 and 2, an ink jet recording apparatus 10 is configured to set an ink cartridge 11 in which three primary color inks and black ink are arranged in parallel on a carriage 12, and the carriage 12 mainly includes a guide 13. The driving force of the motor 14 is transmitted via the belt 15 while reciprocating while being guided in the scanning direction. In addition, the inkjet recording apparatus 10 ejects (ejects) each color ink in the ink cartridge 11 from nozzles (not shown) formed on the recording head 16 on the lower surface of the carriage 12.
[0028]
The ink jet recording apparatus 10 feeds a recording paper P onto a platen 17 extending in a main scanning direction in which a carriage 12 moves, and selectively ejects ink of each color according to print data from nozzles of a recording head 16. The image such as a character is formed on the recording surface of the recording paper P by being ejected. The ink ejection method of the recording head 16 is not limited, and any of a pressure method by displacement of a piezoelectric (piezo) element and a pressure method by heating and vaporizing a heater may be adopted.
[0029]
In addition, in the inkjet recording apparatus 10, a head cleaning device 21 is disposed outside the image forming area on one side in the main scanning direction (a cleaning operation position). The head cleaning device 21 includes a cap mechanism 23 that presses a cap 22 against a nozzle forming surface on the lower surface of the recording head 16 when the head cleaning device 21 is lifted by a lifting unit (not shown) to define a sealed space, (Shown as 24a and 24b) and a tube pump 25 for performing a fluid suction / discharge operation. The tube pump 25 has a flexible tube 24a on the upstream suction side connected to a closed space by the cap mechanism 23. On the other hand, a flexible tube 24b on the downstream discharge side is guided to the inside of the waste ink tray (waste liquid receiver) 26.
[0030]
The head cleaning device 21 operates the cap mechanism 23 and the tube pump 25 at a preset timing in order to enable a comfortable recording operation to be repeated. A head that sucks ink from the nozzles of the recording head 16 and discharges it into the waste ink tray 26 by suctioning the inside of the sealed space defined by the cap 22 through the flow path in the tube 24 to reduce the pressure Perform cleaning. The cap 22 is formed in a rectangular frame shape so as to press the upper edge against the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 16 to define a closed space, and a sheet-like sponge 29 is fixed to the bottom thereof. This prevents the ink sucked from the nozzles of the recording head 16 from scattering.
[0031]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the waste ink tray 26 has an outer frame (reservoir) 31 itself, which constitutes the exterior, is formed by integrally molding a resin into a substantially box shape (container shape). It is formed so that waste ink can be stored. The outer frame 31 has a flat bottom surface 32 extending in the horizontal direction, and a waste ink receiving portion 33 having four slopes 33a to 33d is integrally formed inside a side wall 31a surrounding the bottom surface 32. ing.
[0032]
The waste ink receiving unit 33 sets one slope 33a small (gently) and sets the other three slopes 33b to 33d large (tight) as the inclination angle from the top 33p to the bottom 32 of the outer frame 31. By doing so, it is formed in an elongated shape with a small occupancy in the bottom surface 32.
[0033]
The waste ink receiving portion 33 has its top 33p shifted to one side in the longitudinal direction, and is set so that the waste ink to be discharged from the nozzles of the recording head 16 by being sucked and discharged is dropped on the top 33p.
[0034]
Specifically, the waste ink tray 26 is set so that the flexible tube 24b from the tube pump 25 is routed to a plurality of guide supports 34 erected on the bottom surface 32 of the outer frame 31. The open end (inflow port) 24c of the flexible tube 24b is located above the top 33p of the waste ink receiving portion 33, which is a place where waste ink flows in.
[0035]
From this, the waste ink that the tube pump 25 discharges and drops from the open end 24c of the flexible tube 24b depends on the displacement of each drop, such as the drop position on the top 33p of the waste ink receiving section 33, depending on the displacement of the waste ink. It flows on any one of the slopes 33 a to 33 d of the receiving portion 33 and flows toward a wide range (around the waste ink receiving portion 33) on the bottom surface 32 of the outer frame 31.
[0036]
Further, in the waste ink tray 26, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, a plurality of pieces of absorbent materials 41 to 52 for absorbing waste ink are provided inside the outer frame 31, and these absorbent materials 41 to 52 are provided outside. It is divided and formed so as to conform to the shape in the frame 31, and can be installed in the outer frame 31 in order and installed without play.
[0037]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the absorbers 41 to 44 are formed so as to function as a cover that almost covers the upper portion of the opening of the outer frame 31 when combined, and the other absorbers 45 to 52 are , And also covers the upper part of the cavity S (shown in FIG. 6) in which the absorbing materials 45 to 52 do not exist and functions as a lid. The absorbing members 41 to 44 are formed separately so as to match the rib shape 31b provided upright on the outer frame 31, and can be installed in the outer frame 31 without mistake.
[0038]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the absorbers 45 to 49 are divided and formed so as to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the waste ink receiving portion 33. It is formed to function as a cover.
[0039]
As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the absorbing members 45 to 47 are block-shaped supporting portions 45 a to 47 a which come into surface contact with and support the bottom surface 32 of the outer frame 31 around the waste ink receiving portion 33. Lid-shaped parts 45b to 47b that connect upper parts of the support parts 45a to 48a and function as lids are integrally formed.
[0040]
From this, a space communicating with the periphery is defined between the support portions 45a to 47a on the bottom surface 32 of the outer frame 31, and is dropped on the top portion 33p of the waste ink receiving portion 33 to be inclined. The waste ink flowing on 33d can flow on the bottom surface 32 of the outer frame 31 with the space between the supporting portions 45a to 47a as a flow path r (shown in FIG. 7), and the absorbing material 45 It is absorbed when the support parts 45a to 47a exist.
[0041]
The absorbents 45 to 47 are also formed separately so as to match the shape of the outer frame 31 and the like, and can be installed in the outer frame 31 without mistake. In particular, the absorbing material 45 is formed wide to match the waste ink receiving portion 33, and if the other absorbing materials 46 and 47 are located at the center, the waste ink receiving portion 33 prevents proper installation. . In addition, since it is necessary to secure the space through which the waste ink flows by being located above the inclined surface 33a of the waste ink receiving portion 33, the absorbing material 45 is erected on the inclined surface 33a so as to be parallel to the inclination direction. This is also supported by the supporting plate 33e, which also prevents the installation of the other absorbing materials 46 and 47.
[0042]
As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the absorbing members 48 to 52 are formed in a plate shape, a bar shape or a block shape without providing a support portion such as the absorbing members 45 to 47. The members 48 to 52 are also divided and formed so as to match the shape of the outer frame 31 and the like, and can be installed in the outer frame 31 without errors.
[0043]
The absorber 48 is located between the side wall 31a of the outer frame 31 and the absorber 46 to prevent the absorbers 45, 47, and 49 from rattling. The absorbing material 49 is located between the side wall 31a and the absorbing material 47, prevents rattling of the absorbing materials 45 to 48, and also functions as an absorbing wall parallel to the side wall 31a. The absorbing material 50 functions as an absorbing wall parallel to the side wall 31a, separated from the absorbing materials 45 to 49 so as to define a cavity S on the slope 33b side of the waste ink receiving portion 33. The absorbing materials 51 and 52 are installed in the small room 35 provided so as to be adjacent to the absorbing materials 45 to 49 on the side of the inclined surface 33a of the waste ink receiving portion 33, and are formed in a block shape and have the inclined surface 33a. Are separated from each other so as to sandwich them (to secure a space on the inclined surface 33a).
[0044]
From this, the waste ink flowing through the flow path r between the support portions 45a to 47a of the absorbers 45 to 47 and having been absorbed without being absorbed by the support portions 45a to 47a is further reduced to the bottom surface 32 of the outer frame 31. It flows above and is eventually absorbed by any of the absorbents 48 to 52.
[0045]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the waste ink dropped by the tube pump 25 of the head cleaning mechanism 21 is not immediately absorbed by the absorbent in the waste ink tray 26, and the slope 33a of the waste ink receiving portion 33 33d, it can flow widely on the bottom surface 32 of the outer frame 31 around (in four directions) the waste ink receiving portion 33 without solidifying on any of the absorbing materials 41 to 52. Can be dispersed and absorbed. Therefore, the waste ink can be absorbed and stored by effectively utilizing the absorbing materials 41 to 52, and the waste ink solidified or the like is stacked and the open end (inflow port) 24c of the flexible tube 24 of the tube pump 25 is stacked. Will not be blocked.
[0046]
The upper portion of the opening of the outer frame 31 of the waste ink tray 26 is covered with the cover members 45b to 47b of the absorbers 41 to 44 and the absorbers 45 to 47. No ink splatters.
[0047]
Further, the outer frame 31 is integrally formed with the waste ink receiving portion 33, and the supporting portions 45a to 47a of the absorbing materials 45 to 47 and the lid-shaped portions 45b to 47b are also integrally formed. It is only necessary to mount the absorbent members 41 to 52 divided into appropriate shapes in the outer frame 31 so as to assemble them, and it is possible to assemble easily and without errors with a small number of parts.
[0048]
In the above-described embodiment, an ink jet recording apparatus will be described as an example of the liquid ejecting apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Can also be applied.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the waste liquid flowing into the storage section flows on the slope, and then flows in the flow path between the block-shaped portions of the absorbent on the bottom surface, and the block located on the flow path thereof Since the shape part absorbs, it is not absorbed immediately after inflow, but can flow over a wide range on the bottom surface, and can be efficiently dispersed and absorbed by the absorbent material on the bottom surface without solidifying on the slope. Therefore, it is possible to effectively use the absorbing material, to prevent the solidified waste liquid from being stacked and block the inflow port, and to store the waste liquid with high reliability.
[0050]
By providing the slope of the storage part inside the bottom surface or setting the occupancy at the bottom surface small, the waste liquid can be dispersed and absorbed in a wider range, and the effective use of the absorbing material is more effective. It can be aimed at. Furthermore, by forming the bottom surface and the slope of the storage unit integrally with the exterior member, the number of parts can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost and the assembling work can be reduced.
[0051]
The absorbent can also function as a lid of the storage part, and furthermore, by integrally forming the lid-shaped part and the block-shaped part, scattering of the waste liquid can be prevented. The workability can be improved by forming the absorbent into a plurality of divided pieces so that the absorbent can be appropriately assembled and installed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an ink jet recording apparatus which is an embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus in which a waste liquid receiver according to the present invention is set, and is a perspective view showing an internal configuration thereof.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual elevation view showing the main part mechanism.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a main part without the absorber.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main part without the absorber.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the main parts.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a main part in a state where a part of the absorbing material is not present.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a main part without a part of the absorbent.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5 showing the main parts.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 5 showing the essential parts.
FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 5 showing the main parts.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 inkjet recording device 11 ink cartridge 16 recording head 21 head cleaning device 22 cap 23 cap mechanism 24a, 24b flexible tube 24c open end 25 tube pump 26 waste ink tray 31 outer frame 32 bottom surface 33 waste ink receivers 33a to 33d Slope 33e Support plate 33p Top 41-52 Absorbent 45a-48a Support 45b-47b Lid-shaped part

Claims (8)

A storage section for storing the waste liquid, and an absorbent installed in the storage section for absorbing the waste liquid, a waste liquid receiver for receiving and storing the waste liquid sent from the apparatus body,
The storage section is provided with a bottom surface formed in a planar shape and extending in the horizontal direction, and a slope formed at a position where waste liquid flows from the apparatus main body and allowing the waste liquid to flow over a wide range of the bottom surface,
On the absorbent material, form a plurality of block-shaped parts that contact the bottom of the storage part,
A waste liquid receiver characterized by defining a flow path of waste liquid flowing between the block-shaped portions of the absorbent and flowing on the slope of the storage part and flowing on the bottom surface. The waste liquid receiver according to claim 1, wherein a slope of the storage part is formed inside a bottom surface. 3. The waste liquid receiver according to claim 1, wherein an occupation ratio of a slope portion occupying a bottom surface of the storage unit is set to be small. The waste liquid receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a bottom surface and a slope of the storage part are integrally formed with an exterior member. 5. The waste liquid receiver according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent has a lid-shaped portion that is located above the block-shaped portion and functions as a lid of the storage unit. The waste liquid receiver according to claim 5, wherein the absorbent has a block-shaped part and a lid-shaped part integrally formed. The waste liquid receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the absorbent material is divided into a plurality of pieces, and is assembled and installed in a storage unit. A liquid ejecting apparatus including a head for ejecting a liquid and a mechanism for treating a used liquid as a waste liquid,
A waste liquid receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tube material is routed and disposed such that an open end is located at a waste liquid inflow position of the waste liquid receiver. A liquid ejecting apparatus characterized in that waste liquid flows into a storage section through a storage device.

Images