JP7439386B2 - liquid discharge device - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a liquid ejection device including a plurality of liquid ejection heads.

2. Description of the Related Art Liquid ejection devices, such as printing devices, that include a plurality of liquid ejection heads, such as ink cartridges, are conventionally known. As this type of liquid ejection device, for example, the device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes two removably attached ink cartridges. These ink cartridges are provided so as to be movable back and forth along the main scanning direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet on which the image is to be formed. In addition, conventionally, so-called off-carriage type devices that supply ink from an ink cartridge or ink tank to a liquid ejection head via a tube, etc., or an ink cartridge that is separate from the liquid ejection head that is fixedly arranged on a carriage. There has been provided a so-called on-carriage type device in which a device is removably attached to a carriage.

The ink cartridge disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an ink nozzle portion including a plurality of nozzle ports. This ink nozzle section has a plurality of nozzle rows in which a plurality of nozzle openings are linearly arranged along the sheet conveyance direction, the so-called sub-scanning direction, in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction, that is, in the ink cartridge. The configuration is such that they are arranged along a reciprocating direction, that is, a so-called main scanning direction. The ink nozzle section configured as described above is provided at the center of the lower surface of the ink cartridge.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-240186

In this type of liquid ejecting device, the ink cartridge is provided so as to be able to reciprocate between two areas sandwiching an image forming area where ink is ejected onto the sheet, that is, a so-called capping area and a flushing area. The capping region is a region for covering the ink nozzle portion with a cap member to prevent the ink nozzle portion from drying out. On the other hand, the flushing area is an area for ejecting a predetermined amount of ink from the ink nozzle in order to prevent ejection failure due to increased viscosity of dried ink near the ink nozzle.

In this type of liquid ejecting device, it is necessary to maintain a certain distance between the image forming area and the ink nozzle section when the ink cartridge is moved to the capping area or the flushing area. That is, since it is necessary to obtain a predetermined acceleration while the ink cartridge moves from the capping area or flushing area to the image forming area again, in order to obtain sufficient acceleration, the image forming area and the capping area must be Alternatively, it is necessary to secure a certain distance, that is, an acceleration region, between the ink nozzle portion of the ink cartridge that has moved to the flushing region.

However, with the configuration in which the ink nozzle section is provided in the center of the bottom surface of the ink cartridge, the range of reciprocating movement of the ink cartridge must be made as long as possible. Otherwise, a sufficient acceleration area cannot be secured. Therefore, in order to secure a sufficient acceleration region, it is inevitable that the liquid ejecting device as a whole must become larger.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a liquid ejection device that can secure a sufficient acceleration area for the liquid ejection head without increasing the size of the entire device. It is.

A liquid ejection device according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of liquid ejection heads each having a liquid ejection portion that ejects liquid, and the plurality of liquid ejection heads are arranged along a main scanning direction, which is a reciprocating direction of the liquid ejection head. The two liquid ejection heads are arranged and arranged at both ends in the main scanning direction as edge liquid ejection heads, and at least one of these edge liquid ejection heads is arranged at both ends in the main scanning direction. The liquid ejecting portion of the end liquid ejecting head is arranged on the side of the other end liquid ejecting head in the main scanning direction.

According to the present disclosure, at least one of the two end liquid ejection heads disposed at both ends in the main scanning direction moves the liquid ejection section of the end liquid ejection head in the main scanning direction. It is arranged on the other liquid ejection head side in the direction. According to this configuration, while ensuring a sufficient acceleration region for the liquid ejection head, it is possible to suppress the range of reciprocating movement of the liquid ejection head from becoming longer. In other words, a sufficient acceleration area for the liquid ejection head can be secured without increasing the size of the liquid ejection apparatus as a whole.

A longitudinal sectional front view schematically showing a configuration example of a liquid ejection device according to the present disclosure. A front view schematically showing a configuration example of main parts of a liquid ejection device according to the present disclosure A front view showing an example of the configuration of main parts of a liquid ejection device according to the present disclosure in comparison with a conventional configuration A bottom view schematically showing a configuration example of a liquid ejection head according to the present disclosure. A transverse plan view (part 1) schematically showing an example of the internal configuration of a liquid ejection head according to the present disclosure 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5, schematically showing an example of the internal configuration of a liquid ejection head according to the present disclosure; FIG. A transverse plan view (part 2) schematically showing an example of the internal configuration of the liquid ejection head according to the present disclosure A transverse plan view (part 3) schematically showing an example of the internal configuration of the liquid ejection head according to the present disclosure A front view schematically showing a configuration example of main parts of a liquid ejection device according to a modified embodiment.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of a liquid ejection device and a liquid ejection head of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 viewed from the front side. A liquid ejecting apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a so-called printing apparatus, which forms an image by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto an image forming object such as a sheet. The liquid ejection device 1 includes a carriage 3 and the like inside a substantially rectangular box-shaped casing 2 that forms the outer shell of the liquid ejection device 1 . In this case, the carriage 3 is provided so as to be movable back and forth along the left-right direction of the housing 2 as shown by the broken line arrow by a well-known carriage moving mechanism (not shown) provided inside the housing 2. . The reciprocating direction of the carriage 3, in this case the left-right direction of the housing 2, is an example of the main scanning direction. Further, the direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, in this case, the front-rear direction of the housing 2, which is also the conveyance direction of the image forming object, is an example of the sub-scanning direction.

A plurality of ink cartridges 4 and 5, in this case two ink cartridges, are removably attached to the carriage 3. The upper surface of the housing 2 is provided with an opening (not shown) and a lid member for opening and closing this opening. By opening the lid member, the user can perform maintenance such as replacing the ink cartridges 4 and 5 through the opening. The ink cartridges 4 and 5 are arranged on the carriage 3 along the main scanning direction.

Both ink cartridges 4 and 5 are examples of liquid ejection heads. Further, the ink cartridges 4 and 5 are arranged on both ends of the carriage 3 in the main scanning direction. Therefore, both the ink cartridges 4 and 5 are also examples of end liquid ejection heads.

In this case, the ink cartridge 4 stores black ink, which is an example of liquid. On the other hand, the ink cartridge 5 stores cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink, all of which are examples of liquids. In this case, the ink cartridge 4 that stores black ink is arranged on the right side of the carriage 3 when viewed from the front side of the liquid ejection device 1. On the other hand, an ink cartridge 5 that stores cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink is arranged on the left side of the carriage 3 when viewed from the front side of the liquid ejection device 1. Note that the liquid ejecting device 1 may have a configuration in which the ink cartridge 5 is placed on the right side of the carriage 3 and the ink cartridge 4 is placed on the left side.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the ink cartridge 4 includes an ink nozzle portion 4N on the lower surface when attached to the carriage 3, that is, on the lower surface. The ink nozzle section 4N is an example of a liquid ejecting section, and ejects the liquid stored in the ink cartridge 4, in this case black ink. On the other hand, the ink cartridge 5 is provided with an ink nozzle portion 5N on the lower surface when attached to the carriage 3, that is, on the lower surface. The ink nozzle section 5N is an example of a liquid ejecting section, and ejects the liquid stored in the ink cartridge 5, in this case cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink.

Further, the ink cartridges 4 and 5 attached to the carriage 3 are provided so as to be movable back and forth between the capping area CA and the flushing area FA along the left-right direction of the liquid ejecting device 1. An image forming area PA is provided between the capping area CA and the flushing area FA.

The image forming area PA is an area in which an image forming object, in this case, a sheet S to be printed, is conveyed along the front-rear direction of the housing 2 by a well-known sheet conveying mechanism (not shown). The image forming area PA is an example of an image forming area, and is an area where various inks are ejected from the ink nozzle portion 4N of the ink cartridge 4 and the ink nozzle portion 5N of the ink cartridge 5.

In this case, the capping area CA is provided on the left side of the image forming area PA when viewed from the front side of the liquid ejecting apparatus 1. The capping area CA includes cap members 4P and 5P. When the printing operation by the liquid ejection device 1 is completed, the ink cartridges 4 and 5 are moved to the capping area CA. When the ink cartridges 4 and 5 are moved to the capping area CA, the ink nozzle portion 4N of the ink cartridge 4 is covered by the cap member 4P, and the ink nozzle portion 5N of the ink cartridge 5 is covered by the cap member 5P. . This prevents the ink nozzle sections 4N and 5N from drying out.

In this case, the flushing area FA is provided on the right side of the image forming area PA when viewed from the front side of the liquid ejecting apparatus 1. Regardless of whether the liquid ejecting device 1 is performing a printing operation or when the printing operation has ended, in a state where the ink cartridges 4 and 5 are moved to the flushing area FA, the ink cartridge 4 is injected with a predetermined amount from the ink nozzle portion 4N at an appropriate timing. Ink is ejected, and the ink cartridge 5 ejects a predetermined amount of ink from the ink nozzle portion 5N at an appropriate timing. This prevents the ink nozzles 4N and 5N from being clogged with ink.

Further, during the printing operation by the liquid ejecting device 1, the ink cartridges 4 and 5 repeatedly move back and forth between the capping area CA and the flushing area FA, as illustrated by broken line arrows. At this time, during the printing operation by the liquid ejection device 1, even if the ink cartridges 4 and 5 move to the capping area CA, the ink nozzle parts 4N and 5N are not covered by the cap members 4P and 5P. Furthermore, when the ink cartridges 4 and 5 move to the flushing area FA, a predetermined amount of ink may or may not be ejected from the ink nozzle sections 4N and 5N.

In the liquid ejecting device 1 configured as described above, the positions of the ink nozzle portions 4N, 5N in the ink cartridges 4, 5 are creatively designed. This will be explained in detail below. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the ink nozzle section 4N of the ink cartridge 4 is arranged at a position closer to the left side of another ink cartridge, in this case, the ink cartridge 5. On the other hand, the ink nozzle portion 5N of the ink cartridge 5 is arranged at a position closer to the right side of another ink cartridge, in this case, the ink cartridge 4 side.

Expressed from another perspective, when the two ink cartridges 4 and 5 have moved to the capping area CA, the ink cartridge 4 located on the image forming area PA side has the ink nozzle portion 4N that the ink cartridge 4 has. The other ink cartridge, in this case, is arranged at a position closer to the left side, which is the ink cartridge 5 side. In addition, when the two ink cartridges 4 and 5 are moved to the capping area CA, the ink cartridge 4 located on the image forming area PA side moves the ink nozzle portion 4N of the ink cartridge 4 opposite to the image forming area PA. It is placed close to the side.

In addition, in a state where the two ink cartridges 4 and 5 have moved to the flushing area FA, the ink cartridge 5 located on the image forming area PA side can transfer the ink nozzle portion 5N of the ink cartridge 5 to another ink cartridge, in this case. , is arranged at a position closer to the right side, which is the ink cartridge 4 side. In addition, when the two ink cartridges 4 and 5 are moved to the flushing area FA, the ink cartridge 5 located on the image forming area PA side has the ink nozzle portion 5N of the ink cartridge 5 opposite to the image forming area PA. It is placed close to the side.

According to the liquid ejection device 1 configured as described above, the following effects can be achieved. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 3, according to the liquid ejection device 1 according to the present disclosure, the ink cartridge 4, Although the acceleration area VA of 5 is sufficiently secured, it is possible to suppress the reciprocating range of the ink cartridges 4 and 5 from becoming long. In other words, a sufficient acceleration area for the ink cartridges 4 and 5 can be secured without increasing the size of the liquid ejecting device 1 as a whole.

More specifically, even if the reciprocating range of the ink cartridges 4 and 5 is made shorter by distance D than the reciprocating range of the ink cartridges 104 and 105 in the conventional configuration, an acceleration area VA equivalent to that of the conventional configuration is secured. be able to. Therefore, not only can the size of the liquid ejection apparatus 1 as a whole be suppressed, but also it is possible to reduce the size of the liquid ejection apparatus 1 as a whole.

Next, a specific example of the configuration of the ink cartridges 4 and 5 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the ink cartridge 4 has a film-shaped circuit 4F arranged on the opposite side from the ink nozzle section 4N arranged on the other ink cartridge 5 side, in this case, on the right side. In this case, the film-like circuit 4F has a structure in which not the entirety but a part, in this case, only the approximately central portion of the lower surface of the ink cartridge 4 in the front-rear direction is moved to the opposite side from the ink nozzle portion 4N. There is. A rectangular notch 4Fa, for example, is provided in a part of the film-like circuit 4F, in this case, in a part located on the opposite side of the ink nozzle part 4N. The ink nozzle portion 4N is housed within this notch portion 4Fa. As a result, the film-like circuit 4F as a whole is arranged on the same side as the ink nozzle section 4N.

Further, the ink cartridge 5 has a film-shaped circuit 5F arranged on the opposite side from the ink nozzle section 5N arranged on the other ink cartridge 4 side, in this case, on the left side. In this case, the film-like circuit 5F has a structure in which not the entirety but a part, in this case, only the approximately central portion of the lower surface of the ink cartridge 5 in the front-rear direction is moved to the side opposite to the ink nozzle portion 5N. There is. A portion of the film-like circuit 5F, in this case, a portion located on the opposite side of the ink nozzle portion 5N, is provided with, for example, a rectangular cutout portion 5Fa. The ink nozzle portion 5N is housed within this notch portion 5Fa. As a result, the film-like circuit 5F as a whole is arranged on the same side as the ink nozzle section 5N.

According to this configuration, the following effects can be achieved. That is, in the ink cartridges 4 and 5, even if the ink nozzle portions 4N and 5N are moved toward the other ink cartridge 5 and 4, the film-like circuits 4F and 5F can be arranged. At this time, there is no need to increase the size of the ink cartridges 4, 5 or to increase the size of the film-like circuits 4F, 5F. Therefore, the influence of moving the ink nozzle portions 4N, 5N closer to the other ink cartridges 5, 4 can be minimized.

Note that the liquid ejection device 1 has a configuration in which only for ink cartridges in which ink nozzle portions are disposed on the side of other ink cartridges, a film-like circuit is disposed on the opposite side from the ink nozzle portions disposed on the side of the other ink cartridges. You can also use it as That is, for example, if the ink nozzle part 4N of the ink cartridge 4 is arranged on the ink cartridge 5 side, but the ink nozzle part 5N of the ink cartridge 5 is not arranged on the ink cartridge 4 side, the film shape of the ink cartridge 4 It is also possible to arrange only the circuit 4F closer to the ink cartridge 5 side, and arrange the film-shaped circuit 5F of the ink cartridge 5 without moving it closer to the ink cartridge 4 side.

Next, a specific internal configuration example of the ink cartridge 5 that stores a plurality of types of ink will be described. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, a plurality of ink chambers, in this case three ink chambers 5CH, 5MH, and 5YH, are provided inside the ink cartridge 5. The ink chambers 5CH, 5MH, and 5YH are all examples of first storage units, and each stores ink of at least one color. In this case, cyan ink is stored in the ink chamber 5CH, magenta ink is stored in the ink chamber 5MH, and yellow ink is stored in the ink chamber 5YH.

Furthermore, a back pressure applying section 10 is provided inside each of the ink chambers 5CH, 5MH, and 5YH. The back pressure applying section 10 is made up of, for example, an absorber capable of absorbing ink. As the absorbent body constituting the back pressure applying section 10, any appropriate means can be adopted as long as it is capable of absorbing ink, such as a sponge, a corpus cavernosum, a bundle of capillaries, and the like. The back pressure applying unit 10 is configured to generate back pressure, that is, negative pressure, on the ink by absorbing the ink in the ink chambers 5CH, 5MH, and 5YH, respectively.

The ink cartridge 5 includes a plurality of reservoirs, in this case three reservoirs 5C, 5M, and 5Y. The reservoirs 5C, 5M, and 5Y are all examples of second reservoirs. The reservoir 5C is provided within the ink chamber 5CH. The reservoir 5M is provided within the ink chamber 5MH. The reservoir 5Y is provided within the ink chamber 5YH.

The storage section 5C stores cyan ink flowing from the ink chamber 5CH in the ink cartridge 5. A channel port 5CR is provided inside the reservoir 5C. The storage section 5M stores magenta ink flowing from the ink chamber 5MH within the ink cartridge 5. A channel opening 5MR is provided inside the storage section 5M. The storage section 5Y stores yellow ink flowing from the ink chamber 5YH in the ink cartridge 5. A channel opening 5YR is provided inside the storage portion 5Y. Note that the ink cartridge 4 includes a storage section that stores black ink in an ink chamber within the ink cartridge 4 . This storage portion is also provided with a flow path opening.

The ink nozzle section 5N has a configuration in which a plurality of nozzle ports 5NT for ejecting ink are arranged linearly in a plurality of rows, in this case, three rows. Nozzle rows 5NC, 5NM, and 5NY are formed. The nozzle row sections 5NC, 5NM, and 5NY are examples of second flow path sections.

The nozzle row section 5NC is connected to the channel opening 5CR of the storage section 5C via the first channel section 5NC1. The nozzle row section 5NM is connected to the channel opening 5MR of the storage section 5M via the first channel section 5NM1. The nozzle row section 5NY is connected to the channel opening 5YR of the storage section 5Y via the first channel section 5NY1. In this case, the arrangement direction of the nozzle ports 5NT in the nozzle array sections 5NC, 5NM, and 5NY is a direction perpendicular to the reciprocating direction of the ink cartridge 5 when the ink cartridge 5 is attached to the carriage 3, that is, The sub-scanning direction is perpendicular to the main-scanning direction.

According to the ink cartridge 5 configured as described above, the cyan ink stored in the storage section 5C flows out to the nozzle row section 5NC via the flow path opening 5CR and the first flow path section 5NC1. It is discharged from the nozzle row section 5NC. Furthermore, the magenta ink stored in the storage section 5M flows out to the nozzle row section 5NM via the flow path opening 5MR and the first flow path section 5NM1, and is ejected from the nozzle row section 5NM. Further, the yellow ink stored in the storage section 5Y flows out to the nozzle row section 5NY via the flow path opening 5YR and the first flow path section 5NY1, and is discharged from the nozzle row section 5NY.

In the ink cartridge 5 configured as described above, the plurality of storage sections 5C, 5M, 5Y are arranged in the arrangement direction of the nozzle ports 5NT in the plurality of nozzle row sections 5NC, 5NM, 5NY, in this case, the ink cartridge 5 They are arranged along a direction perpendicular to the direction of reciprocating movement, that is, along a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main-scanning direction. Further, the plurality of flow passage ports 5CR, 5MR, and 5YR are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the nozzle ports 5NT in the plurality of nozzle rows 5NC, 5NM, and 5NY, in this case, in the main scanning direction, which is the reciprocating direction of the ink cartridge 5. They are placed at different positions along the direction. Further, the plurality of storage sections 5C, 5M, and 5Y are provided directly above the ink nozzle section 5N. Further, the plurality of channel ports 5CR, 5MR, and 5YR are provided directly above the nozzle ports 5NT in the plurality of nozzle row sections 5NC, 5NM, and 5NY, respectively.

According to this configuration, the following effects can be achieved. That is, in the ink cartridge 5, even if the ink nozzle portion 5N is moved toward the other ink cartridge 4 side, the plurality of storage portions 5C, 5M, and 5Y are placed directly above the ink nozzle portion 5N in the arrangement direction of the nozzle ports 5NT. By arranging the ink cartridges 5CR, 5MR, and 5YR in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the nozzle ports 5NT, the ink cartridge 5 itself can be suppressed from increasing in size, and a plurality of storage portions 5C, 5M and 5Y can be placed closer to the other ink cartridge 4 side and stored compactly. Further, for the plurality of storage sections 5C, 5M, and 5Y, the channels connecting the channel ports 5CR, 5MR, and 5YR and the nozzle row sections 5NC, 5NM, and 5NY, respectively, can be provided short, so that the inside of the channel can be shortened. Ink can be smoothly supplied by suppressing flow path resistance of flowing ink.

Note that the plurality of storage parts 5C, 5M, and 5Y are located directly above the ink nozzle part 5N. This means that they overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to both, in this case, in the vertical direction of the casing 2 of the liquid ejecting device 1. In other words, this means that the plurality of storage sections 5C, 5M, and 5Y and the ink nozzle section 5N appear to overlap when viewed in plan. Note that the plurality of storage sections 5C, 5M, and 5Y and the ink nozzle section 5N may be arranged so that the entirety thereof appears to overlap with each other, or may be arranged so that the entirety thereof appears to overlap with each other.

Furthermore, the plurality of flow path ports 5CR, 5MR, and 5YR are located directly above the corresponding nozzle row portions 5NC, 5NM, and 5NY, respectively. This means that the row portions 5NC, 5NM, and 5NY overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, in this case, in the vertical direction of the housing 2 of the liquid ejecting device 1. In other words, this means that the plurality of flow passage ports 5CR, 5MR, 5YR and the plurality of nozzle rows 5NC, 5NM, 5NY appear to overlap when viewed in plan. Note that the plurality of channel ports 5CR, 5MR, 5YR and the plurality of nozzle rows 5NC, 5NM, 5NY may be arranged so that the entirety thereof appears to overlap with each other, or may be arranged so that a part thereof appears to overlap with each other. It may be a relationship. In other words, any configuration is sufficient as long as at least a portion of the plurality of flow passage ports 5CR, 5MR, and 5YR can be seen in contact with at least a portion of the plurality of nozzle row portions 5NC, 5NM, and 5NY when viewed in a plan view. According to such a configuration, even if air unintentionally flows into the nozzle row sections 5NC, 5NM, and 5NY, which are examples of the second flow path section, from the nozzle opening 5NT, the air is transferred to the nozzle row section. It can be released into the storage parts 5C, 5M, 5Y from the flow passage ports 5CR, 5MR, 5YR without being retained in the 5NC, 5NM, 5NY or the first flow passage parts 5NC1, 5NM1, 5NY1. Therefore, it is possible to avoid failure in ejecting ink from the nozzle ports 5NT due to retention in the nozzle row sections 5NC, 5NM, 5NY or in the first flow path sections 5NC1, 5NM1, 5NY1.

Next, another specific example of the internal configuration of the ink cartridge 5 that stores a plurality of types of ink will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the storage section 5C is provided with a channel opening 5CR in the center thereof. The storage portion 5M is provided with a flow path opening 5MR in the center thereof. The storage portion 5Y includes a flow path opening 5YR in the center thereof. In other words, the plurality of reservoirs 5C, 5M, and 5Y each have flow passage ports 5CR, 5MR, and 5YR at a common position in the reservoirs 5C, 5M, and 5Y, in this case, at the center.

The storage section 5C is arranged such that the flow passage port 5CR is located directly above any nozzle port 5NT constituting the corresponding nozzle row section 5NC. Further, the storage section 5M is arranged such that the channel opening 5MR is located directly above any nozzle opening 5NT constituting the corresponding nozzle row section 5NM. Further, the storage section 5Y is arranged such that the channel opening 5YR is located directly above any nozzle opening 5NT that constitutes the corresponding nozzle row section 5NY.

With this configuration as well, the influence of the ink nozzle section 5N of the ink cartridge 5 being brought closer to the other ink cartridge 4 can be minimized. Therefore, the ink cartridge 5 itself can be prevented from increasing in size, and the flow path can be shortened to smoothly supply ink. In addition, by providing the flow passage ports 5CR, 5MR, and 5YR in the central portions of the storage sections 5C, 5M, and 5Y, the amount of ink flowing out from the storage sections 5C, 5M, and 5Y differs depending on the reciprocal movement direction of the carriage 3. This allows stable ink ejection control to be performed.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the ink cartridge 5 has reservoir portions 5C, 5M, and 5Y each having flow path ports 5CR, 5MR, and 5YR at a common position, and are oriented in different directions within the ink cartridge 5. It may also be arranged in a state where the

With this configuration as well, the influence of the ink nozzle section 5N of the ink cartridge 5 being brought closer to the other ink cartridge 4 can be minimized. Therefore, the ink cartridge 5 itself can be prevented from increasing in size, and the flow path can be shortened to smoothly supply ink.

Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and extensions can be made without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the liquid ejection device 1 may be configured to include three or more ink cartridges. The liquid ejection device 1 illustrated in FIG. 9 includes three ink cartridges 4, 5, and 6. That is, the liquid ejection device 1 is configured to further include an ink cartridge 6 as a normal liquid ejection head between the ink cartridges 4 and 5, which are an example of the above-mentioned end liquid ejection head.

With this configuration as well, it is possible to prevent the range of reciprocating movement of the ink cartridges 4, 5, 6 from becoming long while ensuring a sufficient acceleration range VA of the ink cartridges 4, 5, 6. In other words, a sufficient acceleration area for the ink cartridges 4, 5, and 6 can be secured without increasing the size of the liquid ejecting device 1 as a whole. Note that, as long as the liquid ejection portion of the end liquid ejection head is disposed on the side of the other end liquid ejection head in the main scanning direction, the liquid ejection device 1 is capable of discharging liquid disposed between these end liquid ejection heads. It is possible to further increase the number of ejection heads.

The ink cartridge 6 is provided with an ink nozzle portion 6N on the lower surface when attached to the carriage 3, that is, on the bottom surface. It is located in the center. That is, the ink cartridge 6 does not have a configuration in which the ink nozzle portion 6N is disposed on the other ink cartridge 4 side or the ink cartridge 5 side. Further, a cap member 6P corresponding to the ink cartridge 6 is provided in the capping area CA.

Furthermore, the liquid ejecting device 1 may have a configuration in which the ink nozzle portion of at least one of the plurality of ink cartridges is disposed on the side of the other ink cartridges.

In addition, in a state where a plurality of ink cartridges have moved to the capping area CA, the liquid ejecting device 1 moves only the ink cartridge located on the image forming area PA side to the other ink cartridge side. It is also possible to have an arranged configuration.

Further, in a state where a plurality of ink cartridges have moved to the flushing area FA, the liquid ejection device 1 moves only the ink cartridge located on the image forming area PA side to the other ink cartridge side. It is also possible to have an arranged configuration.

Further, when the flow passage opening is provided at a common position in a plurality of storage parts, the position is not limited to the central part of the storage part, but may be provided at another position, such as a corner.

Further, the technical idea according to the present disclosure can be applied not only to an apparatus that forms an image using ink but also to an apparatus that forms an image using a liquid other than ink.

1: Liquid ejection device, 4, 5: Ink cartridge (liquid ejection head, end liquid ejection head), 4N, 5N: Ink nozzle part (liquid ejection part), 4P, 5P: Cap member, 4F, 5F: Film shape circuit, 5NT: nozzle port, 5C, 5M, 5Y: storage section, 5CR, 5MR, 5YR: channel port

Claims (3)

comprising a plurality of liquid ejection heads each having a liquid ejection part that ejects liquid;
The plurality of liquid ejection heads are arranged along a main scanning direction, which is a reciprocating direction of the liquid ejection heads,
The two liquid ejection heads arranged at both ends in the main scanning direction are provided as end liquid ejection heads,
At least one of these end liquid ejection heads is arranged such that the liquid ejection portion of the end liquid ejection head is disposed on the side of the other end liquid ejection head in the main scanning direction. Ori,
The edge liquid ejection head in which the liquid ejection portion is disposed on the side of the other edge liquid ejection head in the main scanning direction,
a plurality of first reservoirs each storing a liquid of at least one color;
a plurality of negative pressure applying parts that apply negative pressure to the liquid in the first storage part;
a plurality of second storage portions that store liquid flowing in from the first storage portion;
Equipped with
The liquid ejection unit has a configuration in which a plurality of nozzle ports for ejecting liquid are arranged along a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction,
The plurality of second storage sections are arranged along the sub-scanning direction,
a plurality of first flow path portions each connected to the plurality of second storage portions and configured to flow the liquid in the second storage portion to the nozzle port;
a plurality of channel ports that are provided in each of the plurality of second storage portions and allow the liquid in the second storage portion to flow out to the first flow path portion corresponding to the second storage portion;
Equipped with
The plurality of channel ports are offset in the main scanning direction,
further comprising a plurality of second flow path portions that allow liquid flowing from the plurality of first flow path portions to flow into the nozzle port,
A liquid ejecting device, wherein each of the plurality of flow passage ports is at least partially in contact with the corresponding second flow passage portion in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. comprising a plurality of liquid ejection heads each having a liquid ejection part that ejects liquid;
The plurality of liquid ejection heads are arranged along a main scanning direction, which is a reciprocating direction of the liquid ejection heads,
The two liquid ejection heads arranged at both ends in the main scanning direction are provided as end liquid ejection heads,
At least one of these end liquid ejection heads is arranged such that the liquid ejection portion of the end liquid ejection head is disposed on the side of the other end liquid ejection head in the main scanning direction. Ori,
The edge liquid ejection head has the liquid ejection portion disposed on the side of the other edge liquid ejection head in the main scanning direction,
a plurality of first reservoirs each storing a liquid of at least one color;
a plurality of negative pressure applying units that apply negative pressure to the liquid in the first storage unit;
a plurality of second storage portions that store liquid flowing in from the first storage portion;
Equipped with
The liquid ejection unit has a configuration in which a plurality of nozzle ports for ejecting liquid are arranged along a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction,
The plurality of second storage sections are arranged along the sub-scanning direction, each has a flow passage opening at a common position in the second storage section, and is oriented in a different direction within the liquid ejection head. A liquid ejecting device characterized in that the liquid ejecting device is arranged in a state in which: 3. The liquid ejecting device according to claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of second storage sections includes the flow path opening at a central portion of the second storage section.

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