JP2013180465A - Inkjet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A flexible data line for sending a data signal for execution of recording to a head unit and an ink tube for guiding ink in an ink container to a recording head do not interfere with each other.
A data line for sending a data signal for executing recording to a head unit, and a flexible ink tube connected to the ink container and the head unit, the movement of the head unit The ink tube 36 having a deformable movable part 35 that deforms following deformation and a non-movable part 37 that does not follow and deform, and a discharge port 18 that includes a region where a recording medium on which recording has been performed is discharged. The data line 8 is disposed on the rear side with respect to the head unit 34, and the ink tube 36 is disposed on the front side with respect to the head unit 34. And the non-movable part 37 comes out of the apparatus from the front of the apparatus.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus typified by a facsimile or a printer.

  As this kind of ink jet recording apparatus, a head unit having a recording head for ejecting ink and movable in a predetermined direction, a flexible data line for sending a data signal for executing recording to the head unit, and ink A flexible ink tube that is connected at both ends to the ink containing part containing the ink and the head unit and guides the ink in the ink containing part to the recording head, with the movement of the head unit In some cases, an ink tube having a deformable movable portion that deforms following and deformed and a non-movable portion that does not follow and deformed and a discharge port through which a recording medium on which recording has been performed by the recording head are discharged (for example, a patent) Reference 1).

  In the ink jet recording apparatus having the structure described above, the data line and the deformation movable portion of the ink tube are deformed following the movement of the head unit during recording.

JP 2010-131893 A

  In this type of ink jet recording apparatus, from the viewpoint of diversification of models, for example, a structure in which an ink containing portion is disposed outside a housing that forms the outer shell of the recording apparatus main body can be considered. However, in this case, depending on the position of the ink tube, the data line interferes with the ink tube due to the presence of the data line, and as a result of coping with the interference, the entire apparatus becomes large. There are things to do.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement structure in which a flexible data line for sending a data signal for execution of recording to a head unit and an ink tube for guiding ink in an ink storage unit to a recording head do not interfere with each other. It is to improve the problem that the entire apparatus becomes large.

To achieve the above object, an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a head unit that includes a recording head that ejects ink and is movable in a predetermined direction, and a data signal for executing recording on the head unit A flexible data line, an ink tube having a deformable movable portion that guides ink sent from an ink storage portion to the recording head and deforms following the movement of the head unit, and the recording And a discharge port including an area through which a recording medium recorded by the head is discharged, and when the side provided with the discharge port is a front side of the apparatus, the data line is connected to the head unit. The ink tube is disposed on the front side with respect to the head unit, and has a portion that exits from the front surface of the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus. And features.
Here, the ink tube has a deformable movable portion that follows and deforms as the head unit moves, and a non-movable portion that does not follow and deform. A portion that exits from the front side of the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus is the non-movable part of the ink tube. The ink tube as a whole is not limited to a single one, but of course includes a plurality of ink tubes connected by a connecting member. The same applies to each aspect described below.

  According to this aspect, the data line is disposed on the rear side with respect to the head unit, the ink tube is disposed on the front side with respect to the head unit, and the non-movable part is disposed in the device. Go out of the device from the front side. Therefore, the data line and the ink tube have an arrangement structure that does not interfere with each other, and the problem that the entire apparatus becomes large can be improved.

  The ink jet recording apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the discharge port includes a discharge area of the recording medium and a space portion other than the discharge area.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect or the second aspect, the ink tube exits from the discharge port to the outside of the apparatus.
According to this aspect, the above object can be achieved using the discharge port.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein a housing constituting the exterior of the ink jet recording apparatus and an operation unit of the apparatus are formed on the front surface of the apparatus. A panel unit is provided, and the ink tube goes out of the apparatus through a gap between the panel unit and the housing.
According to this aspect, the above object can be achieved by utilizing the gap around the panel unit.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein there is a tube support member that supports and contacts a part of the ink tube on the rear surface side of the panel unit. It is supported by a tube support member and goes out of the apparatus.
According to this aspect, the non-movable part of the ink tube is supported by the tube support member located on the rear surface side of the panel unit, and passes through the space of the surrounding gap such as the side part of the panel unit. Go out. Therefore, the ink tube can be disposed stably.

  The ink jet recording apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, the panel unit can take an inclined posture in which the lower part protrudes forward relative to the upper part.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, the panel unit is fixed in an inclined posture in which the lower part protrudes forward with respect to the upper part.
According to this aspect, since the panel unit is fixed in the inclined posture, the space outside the side part of the panel unit is effectively used to bring out the non-movable part of the ink tube to the outside of the apparatus. be able to. In addition, since the space can be secured large, an ink tube having a large diameter can be used, and ink can be smoothly supplied to the recording head.

  An ink jet recording apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first aspect, comprising a plurality of the ink tubes, wherein at least one of the plurality of ink tubes is disposed in front of the apparatus. The ink tube that exits from the left side of the unit to the outside of the apparatus and that remains from the right side of the front part of the apparatus exits to the outside of the apparatus.

  An ink jet recording apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the ink jet recording apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the discharge port is partitioned vertically or horizontally by a tube support member provided at a position that does not hinder the discharge of the recording medium. And a part of the ink tube is supported by the tube support member and comes out of the apparatus.

  According to this aspect, the non-movable part of the ink tube is partly supported by the tube support member and exits from the apparatus, so that the discharge of the recording medium passing through the discharge port is not hindered. The ink tube can be disposed stably.

  An ink jet recording apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the ink jet recording apparatus according to the ninth aspect, wherein the tube support member is a plate-like member that forms a surface along a horizontal plane, and the tube support member is used to In the upper part, the tube arrangement region is formed.

  An ink jet recording apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the ink jet recording apparatus according to the ninth aspect, wherein the tube support member is a plate-like member having a surface along a vertical plane, and the discharge port is formed by the tube support member. The tube arrangement region is formed on the left side or the right side.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second aspect, the ink tube is supported by a side wall constituting the discharge port and comes out of the apparatus.
According to this aspect, the tube support member can be dispensed with.

  An ink jet recording apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the ninth aspect to the twelfth aspect, comprising a plurality of the ink tubes, and the ink tube includes a plurality of the ink tubes. Wherein at least one ink tube exits from the front left side of the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus, and the remaining ink tube exits from the front right side of the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus. To do.

  In an ink jet recording apparatus according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the fourth to seventh aspects, the upper edge of the discharge port is constituted by the lower end of the panel unit. Features.

  An ink jet recording apparatus according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the ink jet recording apparatus according to the third aspect or the fourth aspect, further comprising a discharge means for discharging the recording medium on which recording is performed, inside the discharge port. The means includes a driving roller and a driven roller in contact with the driving roller, and the ink tube exits from the apparatus through a support member that supports the driven roller.

  An ink jet recording apparatus according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention includes the ink tube according to any one of the first aspect to the seventh aspect and the ninth aspect to the twelfth aspect, and a plurality of the ink tubes. The plurality of ink tubes are bound by a binding means.

  An ink jet recording apparatus according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention is the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the seventh aspect, and the ninth aspect to the twelfth aspect. The ink container is provided on the outside.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the scanner unit is open. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention in a scanner unit closed state. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an outline of the inside of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment when the scanner unit is open. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention when the scanner unit is open. FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention when the scanner unit is open. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention in a closed state of a scanner unit. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention in a closed state of a scanner unit. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the sixth embodiment when the scanner unit is open. FIG. 14 is an external perspective view of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the sixth embodiment when the scanner unit is open.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the same structure in each Example, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and it demonstrates only in the first Example, The description of the structure is abbreviate | omitted in a subsequent Example.

■■■ First embodiment ■■■■■
The configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 1, an ink jet printer 10 </ b> A (hereinafter referred to as a printer 10 </ b> A) as an ink jet recording apparatus includes a printer device main body 12 and a scanner unit 14 that is rotatably attached to an upper portion of the printer device main body 12. Yes. The printer apparatus main body 12 includes a discharge port 18 for discharging a recording medium on the front surface 16 thereof. The discharge port 18 has a discharge area where the recording medium is discharged, and a space other than the discharge area.

  The printer apparatus body 12 includes a panel unit 22 on the front surface 16 thereof. The panel unit 22 is provided with a plurality of input means 24 that the user uses to operate the printer 10 </ b> A as the operation unit 26. The lower end of the panel unit 22 constitutes the upper edge 28 of the discharge port 18.

The printer 10A has a recording head 54 that ejects ink and is movable in a predetermined direction (X-axis direction in FIG. 1), and sends a data signal for recording to the head unit 34. A flexible data line (FFC flexible flat cable) 8 and a discharge port 18 through which a recording medium recorded by the recording head 54 is discharged are provided. Furthermore, a flexible ink tube 36 that is connected at both ends to the ink containing portion 40 containing the ink and the head unit 34 and guides the ink in the ink containing portion 40 to the recording head 54. The ink tube 36 includes a deformable movable portion 35 that deforms following the movement of the head unit 34 and a non-movable portion 37 that does not follow and deform.
In the present embodiment, the deformable movable portion 35 of the ink tube 36 is configured to be inverted and deformed in a horizontal plane on the front side of the head unit 34, but is not limited thereto. The deformation movable portion 35 may have a structure that is reversed and deformed in the vertical plane, a structure that is reversed in the vertical plane above the head unit 34, or the like.

When the side on which the discharge port 18 is provided is the front side of the apparatus, the data line 8 is disposed on the rear side with respect to the head unit 34, and the ink tube 36 is connected to the head unit 34. The non-movable portion 37 is disposed outside the apparatus from the front surface of the apparatus.
In the present embodiment, the non-movable part 37 of the ink tube 36 protrudes from the discharge port 18 to the outside of the apparatus.

In the figure, reference numeral 6 denotes a fixture that forms the movable side end of the deformable movable portion 35 of the ink tube 36, and reference numeral 4 denotes a fixture for the non-movable portion 37 of the ink tube 36. In the ink tube 36, the head unit 34 side is a deformation movable portion 35 and the ink storage portion 40 side is a non-movable portion 37 with the movable side end 6 as a boundary. The fixing tool 4 and the movable base end 6 are attached to a vertical mounting support plate 2 erected on the bottom of the printer apparatus main body 12.
Although only one fixture 4 is shown attached to the mounting support plate 2 in the drawing, the non-movable portion 37 of the ink tube 36 hangs down and is a recording medium discharged from the discharge port 18. It is fixed at other appropriate locations (not shown) so as not to hinder the discharge.
The fixing device 4 for fixing the ink tube 36 and the fixing device constituting the movable side end portion 6 include fixing with a string, a rubber band, etc., fixing using a clip or other member, adhesive fixing with tape, adhesion. Various fixing structures such as adhesive fixing to the agent can be used.
As will be described later, the plurality of ink tubes 36 can be bundled with a string, rubber band, clip or the like as a bundling means 134 at an appropriate place.

  Next, an ink supply system that supplies ink to the recording head 54 will be described. A plurality of external ink storage portions 40 (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d) are provided at a position on the left side outside the housing 38 that forms the appearance of the printer 10A. The non-movable part 37 of the ink tube 36 extending to the left side of the printer 10A is connected to the external ink storage part 40 at the tip side.

  A recording head 54 that discharges ink is provided at the bottom of the head unit 34. In the process in which the head unit 34 moves in the width direction of the recording medium (X-axis direction in FIG. 1), recording is performed on the recording medium by ejecting ink from the recording head 54.

  The head unit 34 according to the present embodiment is not mounted with an ink cartridge, and ink as a flow path forming member that forms an ink flow path from the ink tank 40 (40a to 40d) attached to the side surface of the housing 38. Ink is supplied to the recording head 54 via the tube 36 (36a to 36d).

  More specifically, the ink tanks 40a to 40d are ink storage units that store different colors of ink. For example, the ink tank 40a stores black (BK) ink, the ink tank 40b stores yellow (Y) ink, The ink tank 40c contains magenta (M) ink, and the ink tank 40d contains cyan (C) ink.

  The ink tubes 36 a to 36 d are flexible tubes, and form an ink flow path from the ink tanks 40 a to 40 d to the recording head 54. Note that the head unit 34 has a main body constituted by a relay section accommodating portion 17 described later (FIG. 9), and the relay sections 56 (56a to 56d) corresponding to the respective ink colors are accommodated in the relay section accommodating portion 17. Has been.

  The relay units 56a to 56d are adapters that relay the recording head 54 and the ink tanks 40a to 40d, and the ink tubes 36a to 36d are connected to the relay units 56a to 56d, respectively. In other words, the ink tubes 36 a to 36 d extend from the relay portions 56 a to 56 d to the outside of the head unit 34.

  In the following description, the ink tanks 40a to 40d are referred to as “ink tank 40” when it is not necessary to distinguish between them, and similarly, the ink tubes 36a to 36d are referred to as “ink tube 36” when it is not necessary to distinguish between them. The relay units 56a to 56d are referred to as “relay units 56” when it is not necessary to distinguish them.

  The housing 38 has an opening 72, and a part of the reciprocating region of the head unit 34 is exposed through the opening 72. The housing 38 has cover portions 70 on both sides of the opening 72, and when the head unit 34 is positioned at both ends of the reciprocating region, a part or all of the head unit 34 is covered by the cover portion 70. It is like. The opening 72 allows access to the internal space of the housing 38 from the outside.

  According to this embodiment, the data line 8 is disposed on the rear side of the head unit 34, the ink tube 36 is disposed on the front side of the head unit 34, and the non-movable portion. 37 exits from the device through the outlet 18 on the front of the device. Therefore, the data line 8 and the ink tube 36 are arranged so as not to interfere with each other, and the problem that the entire apparatus is enlarged can be improved.

■■■ Second Embodiment ■■■■■
The configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, the ink jet printer 10 </ b> B (hereinafter referred to as the printer 10 </ b> B) is provided with a panel unit 22 constituting an operation unit 26 of the apparatus on the front surface 16 of the apparatus, The non-movable part 37 is exposed to the outside of the apparatus through the space 3 outside the side part of the panel unit 22. This space 3 can be both set in advance and enlarged by processing the portion.
In FIG. 3, the deformable movable portion 35 of the ink tube 36 is simply illustrated from the viewpoint of simplifying the drawing.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the rear surface side of the panel unit 22, there is a tube support member 30 that is in contact with and supports a part of the non-movable part 37 of the ink tube 36. It is supported from below by the tube support member 30 and goes out of the apparatus. In the present embodiment, the tube support member 30 is a horizontal plate-like member provided on the side wall 29 constituting the opening 18 of the printer apparatus main body 12. The tube support member 30 is provided not only on the left and right sides of the opening 18 but only on a portion on the left side corresponding to the portion where the non-movable portion 37 is disposed.
The tube support member 30 partitions the discharge port 18 in the vertical direction of the printer 10B (Z-axis direction in FIG. 3), and forms a tube arrangement region 32 adjacent to the discharge port 18 on the upper surface side.

  The panel unit 22 can take an inclined posture in which the lower portion 25 protrudes forward with respect to the upper portion 27. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the panel unit 22 is fixed in an inclined posture in which the lower portion 25 protrudes forward with respect to the upper portion 27. As a result, the space 3 can be secured large, so that the ink tube 36 having a large diameter can be used, and the ink can be smoothly supplied to the recording head 54. Here, an appropriate fixing structure can be used for fixing the inclined posture.

  As shown in FIG. 3, on the back side of the printer 10, a hopper 42 on which recording media are stacked is provided so as to be able to swing around the hopper as a fulcrum. The recording medium stacked on the top of the hopper 42 is fed by the feeding unit 44 to the recording unit 46 on the downstream side in the transport direction.

  Specifically, the recording medium stacked on the hopper 42 is picked up by a feeding roller 48 driven by a feeding motor (not shown), and is transferred to a pair of conveying rollers 50 on the downstream side in the conveying direction. Be fed. The recording medium fed to the transport roller 50 is sandwiched between a main transport roller 50a driven by a transport motor (not shown) and a driven transport roller 50b driven by the movement of the main transport roller 50a. It is conveyed to the recording unit 46 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction.

  The recording unit 46 includes a medium support member 52 that supports a recording medium from below and a recording head 54 that is provided to face the upper side of the medium support member 52 to be described later. The head unit 34 is driven by a head unit motor (not shown) in the main scanning direction (in the example of FIG. 2, the x-axis direction perpendicular to the paper surface), which is a predetermined movement direction. Further, a recording head 54 that discharges ink toward the recording medium is provided on the bottom surface of the head unit 34.

  Further, the head unit 34 includes a plurality of detachable relay portions 56. The relay portion 56 includes an extension portion 58 that protrudes from the head unit 34. One end of the ink tube 36 is connected to the extending portion 58. As a result, the ink is supplied from the external ink container 40 to the recording head 54 of the head unit 34 via the extending portion 58 and the relay portion 56. The ink is ejected from a discharge nozzle (not shown) of the recording head 54 toward a recording medium positioned between the recording head 54 and the medium support member 52.

  A pair of discharge rollers 60 is provided on the downstream side of the recording unit 46. The discharge roller 60 includes a drive roller 60a driven by a discharge motor (not shown) and a driven roller 60b supported by the support member 62 extending in the width direction and driven by the movement of the drive roller 60a. Yes.

  Further, a tube support member 30 is provided on the front side of the support member 62, and a tube arrangement region 32 is formed above the tube support member 30. The lower corner of the rear end 64 of the tube support member 30 is chamfered so that the recording medium is not caught by the tube support member 30, that is, a guide shape is provided. Instead of this guide shape, a means for preventing the sheet from being caught on the rear end 64 may be provided separately.

  The ink tube 36 connected to the extending portion 58 of the head unit 34 is guided by the guide portion 66 provided in the head unit 34 and passes above the support member 62, and then the upper surface 68 of the tube support member 30. The tube arrangement region 32 extends to the front surface 16 side of the printer 10 along the upper surface.

  Further, the recording medium recorded by the recording unit 46 is conveyed downstream from the recording unit 46 and conveyed to the pair of discharge rollers 60. The recording medium transported to the discharge roller 60 is sandwiched between the driving roller 60 a and the driven roller 60 b, discharged to the downstream side in the transport direction from the discharge roller 60, passes below the tube support member 30, and is discharged from the discharge port 18. It is discharged to the front of the housing 38.

According to the present embodiment, the object can be achieved using the space 3 outside the side portion of the panel unit 22.
Further, the non-movable portion 37 of the ink tube 36 is supported by the tube support member 30 on the rear surface side of the panel unit, passes through the space 3 outside the side portion of the panel unit 22, and the outside of the apparatus. Get out. Therefore, the ink tube 36 can be disposed stably.

  Further, since the lower part 25 is fixed in an inclined posture in which the lower part 25 protrudes forward with respect to the upper part 27, the ink can be effectively utilized by using the space 3 outside the side part of the panel unit 22. The non-movable part 37 of the tube 36 can be taken out of the apparatus. Further, since the space 3 can be secured large, it is possible to use the ink tube 36 having a large diameter, and the ink can be smoothly supplied to the recording head 54.

■■■ Third embodiment ■■■■■
Based on FIG. 4, the structure of the inkjet recording device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.
As shown in FIG. 4, the ink jet printer 10 </ b> C (hereinafter, referred to as a printer 10 </ b> C) includes four ink tubes 36, and the non-movable portion 37 of the ink tube 36 has four branch points 31 as a base point. Among the ink tubes 36a, 36b, 36c, and 37d, at least one of the ink tubes 36a and 36b exits from the right side of the front portion of the opening 18 of the front surface 16 of the apparatus and leaves the ink. Tubes 36c and 36d exit from the front left side of the front 16 of the device to the outside of the device.
Since other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment of FIG. 1, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

A modification of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, the deformable movable portion 35 of the ink tube 36 is inverted and deformed in a horizontal plane on the front side of the head unit 34, but in this embodiment, the deformable movable portion 35 of the ink tube 36 is vertical. It is a structure that reverses and deforms in the plane.
In addition, by adopting a structure that is reversed and deformed in the vertical plane, the fixture and the fixture 4 that constitute the movable side end 6 of the deformable movable portion 35 of the ink tube 36 are replaced with the vertical mounting support plate 2. And a horizontal support (not shown).
Since other configurations are the same as those in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the same reference numerals are given to the same portions, and the description thereof is omitted.

■■■ Fourth Embodiment ■■■■■
Based on FIG. 6, the structure of the inkjet recording device which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.
As shown in FIG. 6, the ink jet printer 10 </ b> D (hereinafter referred to as printer 10 </ b> D) includes four ink tubes 36, and the non-movable portion 37 of the ink tube 36 is a branch point on the tube support member 30. 31 is a base point, and at least one of the four ink tubes 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d has at least one ink tube 36a, 36b extending outward from the front right side of the front surface 16 of the device. The remaining ink tubes 36c and 36d exit from the front left side of the apparatus front surface 16 to the outside of the apparatus.
That is, the non-movable portion 37 of the ink tube 36 branches at the branch point 31 and passes through the outer spaces 3 on both the left and right sides of the panel unit 22 and exits from the apparatus.
Here, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the position of the branch point 31 is located at substantially the left and right center of the opening 18, but is not limited thereto. The position can be appropriately changed on the tube support member 30.
Since other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment of FIG. 2, the same reference numerals are given to the same portions, and the description thereof is omitted.

■■■ Fifth Embodiment ■■■■■
The configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, in the ink jet printer 10E (hereinafter referred to as the printer 10E), the discharge port 18 is moved up and down by a tube support member 30 provided at a position that does not prevent the discharge of the recording medium. The non-movable portion 37 of the ink tube 36 is partly supported by the tube support member 30 and protrudes from the discharge port 18 to the outside of the apparatus.

In this embodiment, the tube support member 30 is a plate-like member that forms a surface along a horizontal plane, and the tube arrangement region 32 is formed above the discharge port 18 by the tube support member 30. . A panel unit 22 is attached to the scanner unit 14.
That is, the discharge port 18 is provided with a plate-like tube support member 30 extending in the direction along the horizontal plane, that is, in the width direction of the printer 10E (X-axis direction in FIG. 7). The tube support member 30 partitions the discharge port 18 in the vertical direction of the printer 10 (Z-axis direction in FIG. 7), and forms a tube arrangement region 32 adjacent to the discharge port 18.

  A head unit 34 that is movable in the main scanning direction (X-axis direction in FIG. 7), which is a predetermined movement direction, is disposed inside the printer apparatus body 12. One end side of a plurality of flexible ink tubes 36 is connected to the head unit 34. The ink tube 36 extending from the head unit 34 extends from the front surface 16 side of the printer apparatus main body 12 to the outside of the printer 10E after passing through the tube arrangement region 32.

The non-movable portion 37 of the ink tube 36 extending to the outside of the printer 10E is changed in the left direction, extends along the front surface 16 of the printer apparatus body 12, and then extends to the left side of the printer 10E.
Further, in the present embodiment, the ink container 40 is different from the configuration in which the ink container 40 is integrally provided on the side surface of the housing 38 in each of the above-described embodiments. A plurality of external ink storage portions 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d are provided at positions away from each other. The other end side of the non-movable part 37 of the ink tube 36 extending to the left side of the printer 10E is connected to the external ink storage part 40, respectively.
Since other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment of FIG. 1, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

According to this embodiment, since the non-movable portion 37 of the ink tube 36 passes above the tube support member 30, there is a possibility that it becomes an obstacle to discharging the recording medium discharged from the discharge roller 60 toward the discharge port 18. Few.
Further, since the ink tube 36 that guides ink from the ink containing portion 40 to the recording head 54 protrudes from the front surface 16 of the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus, the ink tube 36 that is exposed to the outside of the apparatus can be easily visually recognized by the user Is done. More specifically, for example, when the ink tube 36 protrudes outside the apparatus behind the apparatus, there is a high risk that the ink tube 36 is crushed by an object placed around the apparatus. However, as described above, since the ink tube 36 protrudes from the front side of the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus, the risk of the ink tube 36 being crushed can be reduced as described above, and the ink tube 36 can be brought into an appropriate state. Can be maintained. The same applies to the other embodiments described below.

  As a modification of the present embodiment, the ink tube 36 may be configured to adhere to the upper surface 68 of the tube support member 30 with an adhesive, or may be configured to be fixed with an adhesive member such as an adhesive tape, such as a hook. It is good also as a structure hold | maintained with a holding member.

■■■ Other embodiments ■■■■■
(1) In another embodiment, unlike the fifth embodiment, the non-movable part 37 of the ink tube 36 is supported on the left side wall 29 constituting the discharge port 18 without using the tube support member 30. Has been. The supporting method may be any method that prevents the non-movable part 37 from drooping carelessly, and the fixing tool 4 for fixing the ink tube 36 and the fixing tool that forms the movable side end 6 are used. Can do.

  As a modification of the present embodiment, the non-movable portion 37 of the ink tube 36 may be fixed to the left side wall 29 constituting the discharge port 18 with an adhesive member such as an adhesive tape. Or it is good also as a structure hold | maintained with holding members, such as a hook. Alternatively, a plate-like member may be provided on the left side wall 29, and the ink tube 36 may be fixed to the plate-like member. Furthermore, as another modification, the ink tube 36 may be extended from the extending portion 58 without using the guide portion 66 and fixed to the left side wall 29 along the left side wall 29.

(2) The other embodiment is different from the fifth embodiment in that the tube arrangement region 32 is provided between the tube support member 30 extending in the vertical direction and the left side wall 29 constituting the discharge port 18. Is formed.
That is, a plate-like tube support member 30 extending in the direction along the vertical plane, that is, in the up-down direction is provided inside the discharge port 18. The tube support member 30 faces the left side wall 29 constituting the discharge port 18, and a tube arrangement region 32 is formed between the tube support member 30 and the left side wall 29.
The discharge port 18 is divided into left and right by a tube support member 30 provided at a position that does not hinder the discharge of the recording medium. Then, it passes between the tube support member 30 and the side wall 29 and comes out of the apparatus.
Others are the same as the embodiment (1).

(3) In the other embodiment, unlike the fifth embodiment, the tube support member 30 is not used, and the non-movable portion 37 of the ink tube 36 is positioned in front of the lower portion of the head unit 34. The restriction member is attached to the support member 62 that supports the driven roller 60b.
That is, a support member 62 that supports the driven roller 60b extends along the main scanning direction in front of the head unit 34 inside the discharge port 18. A regulating member that regulates the position of the non-movable portion 37 of the ink tube 36 is provided on the front surface of the support member 62.

  The restricting member guides the non-movable portion 37 of the ink tube 36 that hangs forward from the head unit 34 toward the left side wall 29 of the discharge port 18. Further, the restricting member supports the ink tube 36 in order to prevent the non-movable part 37 from hanging down and obstructing the discharge path of the recording medium discharged from the discharge roller 60 toward the discharge port 18. .

  The non-movable part 37 of the ink tube 36 extending from the regulating member extends along the left side wall 29 and is adhered to the left side wall 29 with an adhesive. Further, the non-movable portion 37 extends forward of the discharge port 18 along the left side wall 29, then curves and turns to the left, and extends to the front surface 16 of the housing 38. It is glued with. Further, the non-movable portion 37 extends to the left side of the housing 38, and the other end side is connected to the external ink storage portions 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d, respectively.

(4) The other one of the other embodiments is that in the ink jet printer of each of the above embodiments, the ink tube 36 is disposed between the head unit 34 and the external ink container 40 in order to collect a plurality of ink tubes 36. They are bound by the binding means 134. The binding means 134 is a binding band made of plastic or the like, a rubber-like member, or the like. The bundling means 134 is not limited to the illustrated position, and can be provided at other positions. The number of the binding means 134 is not limited to the illustrated number, and can be appropriately increased or decreased.

(5) Another one of the other embodiments is a configuration in which the non-movable portion 37 of the ink tube 36 is arranged along the left side wall 29 constituting the discharge port 18 in the ink jet printer of the above embodiment. The non-movable part 37 may be arranged along the right side wall constituting the discharge port 18.

(6) In the ink jet printer of the above embodiment, the non-movable part 37 of the ink tube 36 is extended from the housing 38 to the left side of the housing 38, but may be extended to the right side of the housing 38. Good.

(7) In the ink jet printer of the above embodiment, the external ink container 40 may be arranged at a position away from the right side of the housing 38.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.
For example, in each of the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to a so-called multi-function machine including a scanner unit. However, a single-type ink jet recording apparatus that does not include a scanner unit may be used. In this case, the scanner unit is replaced with a printer cover.

2 Mounting support plate, 3 spaces, 4 fixtures, 6 movable end, 8 data lines,
10A to 10E inkjet printer, 12 printer main body,
14 Scanner unit, 16 Front side of printer
17 Relay section accommodating section, 18 outlet, 20 Front of scanner unit,
22 Panel unit, 24 input means, 25 lower part, 26 operation part, 27 upper part,
28 Upper edge of outlet, 29 Left side wall, 30 Tube support member, 31 Branch point,
32 tube arrangement area, 34 head unit, 35 deformation movable part,
36 ink tube, 37 non-movable part, 38 housing,
40, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d External ink container, 42 hopper,
44 feeding unit, 46 recording unit, 48 feeding roller, 50 conveying roller,
50a main conveyance roller, 50b driven conveyance roller, 52 medium support member,
54 recording head, 56 relay section, 58 extension section, 60 discharge roller,
60a driving roller, 60b driven roller, 62 support member,
64 Rear end of tube support member, 66 Guide unit of head unit,
68 Upper surface of tube support member, 70 cover portion, 72 opening portion, 134 binding means

Claims (17)

A head unit including a recording head for ejecting ink and movable in a predetermined direction;
A flexible data line for sending a data signal for recording execution to the head unit;
An ink tube having a deformable movable portion that guides ink sent from an ink containing portion to the recording head and that deforms following the movement of the head unit;
A discharge port including a region where a recording medium on which recording is performed by the recording head is discharged, and
When the side provided with the discharge port is the front side of the device,
The data line is disposed on the rear side with respect to the head unit,
The ink tube is disposed on the front side with respect to the head unit, and has a portion that exits from the front surface of the device to the outside of the device.
An ink jet recording apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The discharge port includes a discharge area of the recording medium and a space other than the discharge area.
An ink jet recording apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The ink tube exits from the outlet to the outside of the device;
An ink jet recording apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A housing constituting the exterior of the inkjet recording apparatus;
A panel unit constituting an operation unit of the device is provided on the front surface of the device,
The ink tube goes out of the apparatus through a gap between the panel unit and the housing;
An ink jet recording apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
There is a tube support member that supports and contacts a part of the ink tube on the rear surface side of the panel unit,
The ink tube is supported by the tube support member and goes out of the apparatus.
An ink jet recording apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
The panel unit can take an inclined posture in which the lower part protrudes forward with respect to the upper part.
An ink jet recording apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
The panel unit is fixed in an inclined posture with the lower part protruding forward relative to the upper part,
An ink jet recording apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
A plurality of the ink tubes are provided,
At least one ink tube out of the plurality of ink tubes exits from the front left side of the device to the outside of the device, and the remaining ink tube extends from the front right side of the device to the outside of the device. Coming out,
An ink jet recording apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 3.
The discharge port is partitioned vertically or horizontally by a tube support member provided at a position that does not hinder discharge of the recording medium,
A part of the ink tube is supported by the tube support member and goes out of the apparatus;
An ink jet recording apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
The tube support member is a plate-like member that forms a surface along a horizontal plane,
By the tube support member, the tube arrangement region is formed above the discharge port.
An ink jet recording apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
The tube support member is a plate-like member that forms a surface along a vertical surface,
The tube arrangement region is formed on the left or right side of the discharge port by the tube support member.
An ink jet recording apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 3.
The ink tube is supported by a side wall constituting the discharge port and goes out of the apparatus.
An ink jet recording apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12,
A plurality of the ink tubes are provided,
In the ink tube, at least one of the plurality of ink tubes is ejected from the left side of the front portion of the device to the outside of the device, and the remaining ink tube is formed from the right side of the front portion of the device. An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is located outside the apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7,
The upper edge of the outlet is composed of the lower end of the panel unit.
An ink jet recording apparatus. In the ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3 or 4,
Provided inside the discharge port is a discharge means for discharging the recording medium on which recording has been performed,
The discharging means includes a driving roller and a driven roller that contacts the driving roller.
The ink tube passes over a support member supporting the driven roller and exits from the apparatus;
An ink jet recording apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 9 to 12,
A plurality of the ink tubes are provided, and the plurality of ink tubes are bound by a binding unit.
An ink jet recording apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 9 to 12,
The ink storage portion is provided outside a housing constituting the appearance of the device.
An ink jet recording apparatus.

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