Patent Description:
A liquid discharge apparatus discharges a liquid from a nozzle onto a recording medium to apply the liquid to the recording medium to form, for example, characters and images.

Examples of the liquid discharged by the liquid discharge apparatus include ink containing a pigment. A printed material printed with ink containing the pigment has good light resistance and water resistance. In the ink containing the pigment, particles of the pigment are dispersed in a solvent of the ink. When the ink is left to stand for a long time, the particles of the pigment may precipitate in the solvent. To solve such a situation, some techniques have been proposed that a magnetic stirrer is placed in an ink pack that stores the ink, and the stirrer is rotated by a magnetic force to stir the ink.

<CIT> discloses a magnetic stirring device including, for example, a magnetic rotation bar (magnetic stirrer) and a ring-shaped frame in the ink pack. A space where the magnetic rotation bar rotates is disposed in the ring-shaped frame. A magnetic field application device rotates the magnetic rotation bar to stir the ink in the ink pack.

According to <CIT>, the pigment is prevented from precipitating in the ink pack to prevent uneven concentration of the pigment in the ink. Accordingly, the ink with a uniform pigment concentration can be stably supplied.

<CIT> points out that, in the magnetic stirring device in <CIT>, since the ink in the space surrounded by the ring-shaped frame is separated from the other portion in the ink pack by the ink pack and the ring-shaped frame, the ink in the space is not depleted. <CIT><CIT> proposes a solution to the situation described in <CIT>.

In <CIT>, as liquid (e.g., ink) is discharged from a storage bag, the storage bag is deformed to reduce the volume thereof. At that time, a stirrer in the storage bag is pressed by the inner face of the storage bag and deformed into a flat shape. According to <CIT>, the uneven concentration due to precipitation of particles in the liquid in the ink pack can be prevented. Accordingly, the liquid with a uniform concentration can be stably supplied, and the liquid in the liquid pack can be completely depleted.

<CIT> discloses that a permanent magnetic stirrer is accommodated in a bellows in which liquid is stored and the stirrer is rotated by a rotating magnetic field generator to stir the liquid. <CIT> has an object to enhance airtightness between the bellows and a lid.

The present disclosure has an object to provide a liquid discharge apparatus that smoothly rotates a stirrer in a liquid storage to prevent the rotating stirrer from contacting the liquid storage.

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe an improved liquid discharge apparatus that includes a liquid discharger, a liquid storage, a stirrer, a plate, and a magnetic force applicator. The liquid discharger discharges a liquid. The liquid storage stores the liquid. The stirrer is rotatable in a stirring region in the liquid storage to stir the liquid in the liquid storage. The stirrer has a magnetism. The plate is secured to the liquid storage to define the stirring region. The magnetic force applicator applies a magnetic force to the stirrer from an outside of the liquid storage to rotate the stirrer.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the liquid discharge apparatus can be provided that smoothly rotates the stirrer in the liquid storage to prevent the rotating stirrer from contacting the liquid storage. As a result, the liquid can be stirred without damaging the liquid storage.

A liquid discharge apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure is described below with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to those embodiments, and any deletion, addition, modification, or change can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure in which a person skilled in the art can conceive other embodiments, any of which is included within the scope of the present disclosure as long as the effect and feature of the present disclosure are demonstrated.

A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharger, a liquid storage, a stirrer, a plate, and a magnetic force applicator. The liquid discharger discharges a liquid. The liquid storage stores the liquid. The stirrer has a magnetism to rotate to stir the liquid in the liquid storage. The plate is secured to the liquid storage to define the region in which the stirrer rotates. The magnetic force applicator applies a magnetic force to the stirrer from outside the liquid storage to rotate the stirrer.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the liquid discharge apparatus can be provided that smoothly rotates the stirrer in the liquid storage to prevent the rotating stirrer from contacting the liquid storage. As a result, the liquid can be stirred without damaging the liquid storage. Thus, the stirrer stirs the liquid in the liquid storage to prevent nonuniform concentration distribution of the liquid stored in the liquid storage.

The liquid discharger can be appropriately determined, and examples of the liquid discharger include a liquid discharge head. Examples of the liquid discharge head include an inkjet head. The liquid discharge head may be of a serial type or a line type (full-width type). The liquid discharger may include multiple liquid discharge heads. The liquid discharger may include a liquid discharge unit holding a plurality of liquid discharge heads. The liquid discharger discharges a liquid (e.g., ink) onto a medium.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of the liquid discharge apparatus include an image forming apparatus, a printing apparatus, and a printer. The term "image forming apparatus" is an apparatus to form an image by discharging liquid onto a medium made of, for example, paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metals, plastics, glass, wood, or ceramics. The term "image formation" indicates an action for providing (i.e., printing) not only meaningful images, such as characters and figures, on a medium but also meaningless images such as patterns on the medium (the term "image formation" includes causing liquid droplets to land on the medium).

In embodiments of the present disclosure, the term "medium" is not limited to a sheet of paper but represents a material onto which liquid droplets (ink droplets) or other kinds of liquid can adhere. For example, the medium may be an overhead projector (OHP) transparency, fabric, glass, or a substrate, and be used as a synonym of a recorded medium, a recording medium, a recording paper, or a recording sheet. The terms "image formation," "recording," "printing," and "image printing" are used herein as synonyms for one another.

The term "ink" is not limited to "ink" in a narrow sense, unless specified, but is used as a generic term for any type of liquid usable for image formation. For example, the term "ink" includes recording liquid, fixing solution, and liquid. The "ink" may be, e.g., deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sample, resist, pattern material, and resin.

The term "image" used herein is not limited to a two-dimensional image and includes, for example, an image applied to a three-dimensional object and a three-dimensional object itself formed as a three-dimensionally fabricated image.

An image forming apparatus <NUM> as a liquid discharge apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described below.

<FIG> is a schematic plan view of a mechanism of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The image forming apparatus <NUM> is a serial-type inkjet recording apparatus. The image forming apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes a carriage <NUM>, a main guide <NUM>, and a sub-guide. The main guide <NUM> is bridged between left and right side plates, and the main guide <NUM> and the sub-guide moveably hold the carriage <NUM>. The carriage <NUM> is reciprocally moved in a main scanning direction by a main scanning motor <NUM> via a timing belt <NUM> stretched between a drive pulley <NUM> and a driven pulley <NUM>.

Recording heads 4a and 4b (may be referred to as a "recording head <NUM>" unless distinguished) including a liquid discharge head are mounted on the carriage <NUM>. The recording head <NUM> discharges liquid droplets (ink droplets) of colors of, for example, yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K). The recording head <NUM> is mounted on the carriage <NUM> such that nozzle rows Na and Nb (see <FIG>) including multiple nozzles 4n arranged in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. The recording head <NUM> discharges the liquid droplets downward from the multiple nozzles 4n.

<FIG> is a plan view of the recording head <NUM> as a liquid discharge head according to the present embodiment. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, each of the recording heads 4a and 4b includes the two nozzle rows Na and Nb in each of which the multiple nozzles 4n are arranged in a line. The nozzle row Na of the recording head 4a discharges liquid droplets of black (K), and the nozzle row Nb of the recording head 4a discharges liquid droplets of cyan (C). The nozzle row Na of the recording head 4b discharges liquid droplets of magenta (M), and the nozzle row Nb of the recording head 4b discharges liquid droplets of yellow (Y). For example, a piezoelectric actuator such as a piezoelectric element can be used as the liquid discharge head of the recording head <NUM>.

On one end of the range of movement of the carriage <NUM> in the main scanning direction, a maintenance mechanism <NUM> that maintains and recovers the recording head <NUM> is disposed lateral to a conveyance belt <NUM>. On the other end of the range of movement of the carriage <NUM> in the main scanning direction, a dummy discharge receptacle <NUM> that receives a dummy discharged liquid from the recording head <NUM> is disposed lateral to the conveyance belt <NUM>.

The maintenance mechanism <NUM> includes, for example, a cap 20a and a wiper 20b. The cap 20a caps a nozzle face (a surface on which the nozzles 4n are formed) of the recording head <NUM>. The wiper 20b wipes the nozzle face. Liquid droplets that do not contribute to image formation are discharged to the dummy discharge receptacle <NUM>, or may be discharged to the cap 20a of the maintenance mechanism <NUM>.

The image forming apparatus <NUM> further includes an encoder scale <NUM> and a main scanning encoder sensor <NUM>. A predetermined pattern is formed on the encoder scale <NUM> in the main scanning direction of the carriage <NUM> between both the side plates. The main scanning encoder sensor <NUM> includes a transmissive photosensor attached to the carriage <NUM> to read the pattern of the encoder scale <NUM>. The encoder scale <NUM> and the main scanning encoder sensor <NUM> construct a linear encoder (i.e., a main scanning encoder) that detects the movement of the carriage <NUM>.

An outline of a controller <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM> is described below. <FIG> is an overall block diagram of the image forming apparatus <NUM> including the controller <NUM> according to the present embodiment. The controller <NUM> as circuitry includes a main controller 500A including, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) <NUM>, a read-only memory (ROM) <NUM>, and a random access memory (RAM) <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> controls the entire image forming apparatus <NUM>. The ROM <NUM> stores programs that are executed by the CPU <NUM> and other fixed data. The RAM <NUM> temporarily stores image data and other data.

The controller <NUM> further includes a host interface (I/F) <NUM>, an image output controller <NUM>, and an encoder analyzer <NUM>. The host I/F <NUM> controls data transmission with a host (data processor) <NUM> such as a personal computer (PC). The image output controller <NUM> controls the driving of the recording head <NUM>. The encoder analyzer <NUM> receives and analyzes detection signals from the main scanning encoder sensor <NUM> and a sub-scanning encoder sensor <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> further includes, for example, a main scanning motor driver <NUM>, a sub-scanning motor driver <NUM>, and an input and output (I/O) unit <NUM>. The main scanning motor driver <NUM> drives the main scanning motor <NUM>. The sub-scanning motor driver <NUM> drives a sub-scanning motor <NUM>. The I/O unit <NUM> controls input and output between the controller <NUM> and various sensors and actuators <NUM>.

The image output controller <NUM> includes, for example, a data generation unit, a drive waveform generation unit, and a data transmission unit. The data generation unit generates print data. The drive waveform generation unit generates drive waveforms for controlling the driving of the recording head <NUM>. The data transmission unit transmits a head control signal for selecting a desired drive signal from the drive waveforms and the print data.

The image output controller <NUM> outputs, for example, the drive waveform, the head control signal, and the print data to the head driver <NUM> to cause the recording head <NUM> to discharge liquid droplets from the nozzles 4n based on the print data. The head driver <NUM> is a head drive circuit for driving the recording head <NUM> mounted on the carriage <NUM>.

A stirrer controller <NUM> controls the rotation of a stirrer to stir the liquid in a cartridge. For example, the stirrer controller <NUM> controls the driving of a motor <NUM>, which is described later, to rotate a magnet that applies a magnetic force to the stirrer to rotate the stirrer. In addition, the stirrer controller <NUM> receives a detection result of a detector (e.g., an ink pack detector <NUM>) that detects whether or not the cartridge is held by a cartridge holder, and controls the stirrer based on the detection result. Further, the stirrer controller <NUM> receives a measurement result from a measuring instrument or a time measurer (e.g., a timer <NUM>) that measures a hold time during which the cartridge is held by the cartridge holder, and controls the stirrer based on the measurement result.

Caking is described below. The caking is likely to occur in ink containing pigment components (e.g., pigments <NUM> in <FIG>) having a large specific gravity, such as white ink and silver ink. The pigment components with a large specific gravity are likely to precipitate in the ink.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the caking. A part (a) of <FIG> illustrates a state immediately after ink is stirred, and a part (b) of <FIG> illustrates a state in which the pigments <NUM> in the ink precipitate with time and the caking occurs. In <FIG>, the ink includes a solvent <NUM> and the pigments <NUM>.

In the industrial field, white ink is used as a foundation for printing on films or colored materials. For example, silver ink is used to impart glossiness. The white ink and the silver ink typically contain pigments (such as titanium oxide) which is likely to precipitate, and the precipitation of the pigments is more likely to occur than black (K) ink, cyan (C) ink, magenta (M) ink, and yellow (Y) ink.

As illustrated in the part (a) of <FIG>, the pigments <NUM> having a large specific gravity in the ink are uniformly distributed in the ink immediately after the ink is stirred. Then, as illustrated in the part (b) of <FIG>, the pigments <NUM> gradually precipitate with time. In the part (b) of <FIG>, the pigments <NUM> precipitate as indicated by blank arrows. As the pigments <NUM> precipitate, the pigments <NUM> gradually settle down, accumulate, and solidify on the bottom of the cartridge as a container. Once the pigments <NUM> solidify, the pigments <NUM> are hardly dispersed again and do not return to the state illustrated in the part (a) of <FIG> even if the ink is stirred.

This phenomenon is generally referred to as caking. For example, the following countermeasures can be taken against the caking. In one countermeasure, a user periodically shakes the cartridge to stir the ink in the cartridge to prevent the precipitation of the pigment components. In another countermeasure, a maintenance operation is periodically performed to discharge the ink in the liquid discharge head to drain the settled pigment components together with the ink. In yet another countermeasure, the ink in the ink supply channel (e.g., downstream from the cartridge to the head tank or inside the head) is circulated to prevent the precipitation of the pigment components.

However, the operation of periodically shaking the cartridge imposes a heavy burden on the user, and if the user forgets to do such a task, the settled ink may be supplied. In addition, although the maintenance operation and the circulation mechanism for circulating the ink are effective for the caking, the configuration of the apparatus and the control of the apparatus become complicated.

In some techniques, a magnetic stirrer is inserted into an ink pack, and the stirrer is rotated by a magnetic force from the outside to stir the liquid (e.g., ink). However, in such techniques, when the magnetic force is not applied to the stirrer, the stirrer can freely move and float in the ink pack. If the stirrer is in a region where the magnetic force is not applied, the stirrer is not rotated and the liquid in the ink pack is not stirred.

In such techniques, the apparatus may grow complicated and large to control the movement of the stirrer. In addition, in such techniques, when the liquid in the ink pack decreases, the stirrer may contact the ink pack while rotating, and the ink pack may be damaged or broken.

On the other hand, a liquid discharge apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a liquid discharger, a liquid storage, a stirrer, a plate, and a magnetic force applicator. The liquid discharger discharges a liquid. The liquid storage stores the liquid. The stirrer has a magnetism to rotate to stir the liquid in the liquid storage. The plate is secured to the liquid storage to define the region in which the stirrer rotates. The magnetic force applicator applies a magnetic force to the stirrer from outside the liquid storage to rotate the stirrer.

In the present embodiment, the stirrer having the magnetism (i.e., the magnetic stirrer) is placed in the liquid storage, and the magnetic stirrer is rotated by the magnetic force from outside the liquid storage to stir the liquid in the liquid storage. The plate is secured to the liquid storage to define the region in which the stirrer rotates. Due to such a configuration, the stirrer is smoothly rotated in the liquid storage to prevent the rotating stirrer from contacting the liquid storage. As a result, the liquid can be stirred without damaging the liquid storage.

Since the plate is secured to the liquid storage, the magnetic force is reliably applied to the stirrer. As a result, the stirrer in the liquid storage can be reliably rotated. Even when the liquid in the liquid storage decreases, the stirrer can be prevented from contacting the liquid storage while rotating. The plate keeps the stirrer in a predetermined region (i.e., a stirring region) where the magnetic force is applied from the outside, and thus the stirrer in the liquid storage can be smoothly and reliably rotated. Accordingly, the nonuniform concentration distribution of the liquid in the liquid storage can be prevented.

A liquid discharge apparatus according to the present embodiment is described below. <FIG> is a schematic view of a part of the liquid discharge apparatus according to the present embodiment. The liquid discharge apparatus according to the present embodiment includes, for example, an ink pack <NUM>, a stirrer <NUM>, a plate <NUM>, a magnet <NUM>, and a motor <NUM>. The ink pack <NUM> is a liquid storage according to the present embodiment. The ink pack <NUM> stores a liquid (e.g., ink) and is made of a material having flexibility. The stirrer <NUM> has magnetism and is rotatable. The stirrer <NUM> rotates to stir the liquid in the ink pack <NUM>. The plate <NUM> is secured to the ink pack <NUM> to define the region in which the stirrer <NUM> rotates.

A magnetic force applicator <NUM> according to the present embodiment applies a magnetic force to the stirrer <NUM> from outside the ink pack <NUM> to rotate the stirrer <NUM>. The magnetic force applicator <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a magnetism generator and a rotation driver. The magnetism generator generates magnetism to apply the magnetic force to the stirrer <NUM>. The rotation driver rotates the magnetism generator. The magnet <NUM> is the magnetism generator according to the present embodiment and applies the magnetic force to the stirrer <NUM>. The motor <NUM> is the rotation driver according to the present embodiment and rotates the magnet <NUM>.

As the magnet <NUM> is rotated by driving the motor <NUM>, the stirrer <NUM> is rotated. Thus, the liquid in the ink pack <NUM> can be stirred. The spiral arrow in <FIG> schematically indicates that the liquid in the ink pack <NUM> is stirred. The shape of the ink pack <NUM> is not limited to any particular shape. When the shape of the ink pack <NUM> has a longitudinal direction along the rotation axis of the stirrer <NUM>, the stirrer <NUM> can generate a flow of the liquid in the longitudinal direction of the ink pack <NUM> (the vertical direction on the surface of the paper on which <FIG> is drawn). Accordingly, the liquid can be stirred efficiently.

<FIG> are schematic views of the stirrer <NUM> according to the present embodiment. <FIG> is a schematic plan view of the stirrer <NUM>. The stirrer <NUM> has an opening 64a. For example, a part of a stopper <NUM> (see <FIG>) is inserted through the opening 64a, and the stirrer <NUM> rotates with the opening 64a as the rotation axis. The arrow in <FIG> schematically indicates the rotation direction of the stirrer <NUM>, and the rotation direction may be counterclockwise as illustrated in <FIG> or may be clockwise.

In <FIG>, a north (N) pole and a south (S) pole are schematically illustrated. The stirrer <NUM> according to the present embodiment has magnetism of the N pole and the S pole. Due to such magnetism, the stirrer <NUM> can be rotated by the rotation of the magnet <NUM>. The arrangement of the N pole and the S pole is not limited to any particular arrangement and can be appropriately changed.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of the stirrer <NUM> taken along line A-A in <FIG>. The magnet <NUM> which is the magnetism generator according to the present embodiment is also illustrated in <FIG>. Other components such as the plate <NUM> are omitted in <FIG>. The stirrer <NUM> according to the present embodiment may include a magnet 64b.

The N pole of the stirrer <NUM> and the S pole of a magnet 65b of the magnetism generator are attracted to each other, and the S pole of the stirrer <NUM> and the N pole of the magnet 65b of the magnetism generator are attracted to each other. Thus, as the magnet <NUM> of the magnetism generator is rotated by the motor <NUM>, the stirrer <NUM> is rotated.

The magnet <NUM> includes, for example, the magnet 65b and a support 65a that supports the magnet 65b. The motor <NUM> rotates the support 65a to rotate the magnet 65b. The support 65a may have an opening and may include a component for receiving a driving force from the motor <NUM> in the opening. This opening is indicated by broken lines in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of another stirrer <NUM>, which is different from the stirrer <NUM> in <FIG>, taken along line A-A in <FIG>. In <FIG>, only the stirrer <NUM> is illustrated, and the magnet <NUM> is omitted. The stirrer <NUM> may include the magnet 64b as illustrated in <FIG>, or may include the magnet 64b and a support 64c that supports the magnet 64b as illustrated in <FIG>.

The shape of the stirrer <NUM> is not limited to any particular shape and can be appropriately determined. For example, the stirrer <NUM> may have four projections as illustrated in <FIG>. In this case, the N pole or the S pole is disposed each of the four projections to facilitate the rotation of the stirrer <NUM>, and the projections serve as a blade to stir the liquid efficiently. The stirrer <NUM> according to the present embodiment may be referred to as, for example, the magnetic stirrer.

Preferably, the plate <NUM> restricts the movement (i.e., an axial movement) of the stirrer <NUM> in the direction (i.e., an axial direction) of the rotation axis of the stirrer <NUM> within the stirring region (e.g., a first predetermined range). The direction of the rotation axis of the stirrer <NUM> is, for example, the vertical direction on the surface of the paper on which <FIG> is drawn. The plate <NUM> restricts the movement of the stirrer <NUM> to prevent the stirrer <NUM> from moving in the direction of the rotation axis of the stirrer <NUM> to a region where the magnetic force does not reach. As a result, the failure that the stirrer <NUM> does not rotate can be prevented and the stirrer <NUM> is more reliably rotated.

When the plate <NUM> restricts the movement of the stirrer <NUM> as described above, for example, the stopper <NUM> may be used. The stopper <NUM> is a restrictor according to the present embodiment. The stopper <NUM> restricts the stirrer <NUM> from moving upward in the direction of the rotation axis, for example, in the direction toward the top on the surface of the paper on which <FIG> is drawn. The plate <NUM> restricts the stirrer <NUM> from moving downward in the direction of the rotation axis, for example, in the direction toward the bottom on the surface of the paper on which <FIG> is drawn. Due to such a configuration, the plate <NUM> can restrict the movement of the stirrer <NUM> in the direction of the rotation axis of the stirrer <NUM> within the predetermined region.

For example, the stopper <NUM> is secured to the plate <NUM> with a part of the stopper <NUM> inserted through the opening 64a of the stirrer <NUM>. Thus, when the stirrer <NUM> is rotated, the plate <NUM> includes the stopper <NUM>. In other words, the stopper <NUM> according to the present embodiment contacts an end of the rotation axis of the stirrer <NUM> to restrict the movement of the stirrer <NUM>.

Since the part of the stopper <NUM> is inserted through the opening 64a of the stirrer <NUM> and another part of the stopper <NUM> is secured to the plate <NUM>, the movement (i.e., a radial movement) of the stirrer <NUM> can be restricted also in the direction (i.e., a radial direction) perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis of the stirrer <NUM>. Accordingly, the stirrer <NUM> can be prevented from moving in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis of the stirrer <NUM> to the region where the magnetic force does not reach. As a result, the failure that the stirrer <NUM> does not rotate can be prevented and the stirrer <NUM> is more reliably rotated. In other words, preferably, the plate <NUM> restricts the movement of the stirrer <NUM> in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis of the stirrer <NUM> within the stirring region (i.e., a second predetermined range).

<FIG> is a schematic plan view of the plate <NUM> as viewed from above, according to the present embodiment. The schematic cross-sectional view of the plate <NUM> and the stirrer <NUM> taken along line B-B in <FIG> corresponds to a part of the schematic cross-sectional view of <FIG>. The plate <NUM> defines a region 63a in which the stirrer <NUM> rotates. The arrow in <FIG> schematically indicates the rotation direction of the stirrer <NUM>, and the rotation direction may be opposite to the rotation direction illustrated in <FIG>. For example, the stopper <NUM> may have a shape as illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of the plate <NUM> and the stirrer <NUM> taken along line C-C in <FIG>. The shape of the stopper <NUM> is not limited to any particular shape and can be appropriately determined. When the region 63a in which the stirrer <NUM> rotates is circular, as illustrated in <FIG>, the stopper <NUM> according to the present embodiment has a portion having a length substantially equal to the diameter of the circle of the region 63a. In the present embodiment, the stopper <NUM> has two portions having a length substantially equal to the diameter of the circle of the region 63a. Such a configuration reliably prevents the stirrer <NUM> from moving upward.

A method for securing the plate <NUM> to the ink pack <NUM> can be appropriately determined. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the plate <NUM> has a bonded portion 63b, and the corresponding portion of the ink pack <NUM> is press-bonded to the bonded portion 63b. In this method, airtightness of the ink pack <NUM> can be achieved, and liquid leakage (e.g., ink leakage) can be prevented. The plate <NUM> may be secured to the ink pack <NUM> with, for example, an adhesive.

The material of the plate <NUM> can be appropriately determined, and for example, resin is used as the material. The magnet <NUM> can apply the magnetic force to the stirrer <NUM> via the plate <NUM> made of resin. The plate <NUM> can be easily formed of resin in a desired shape. Resin having a hardness sufficient to define the region 63a, in which the stirrer <NUM> rotates, can be used as the material of the plate <NUM>.

The position at which the plate <NUM> is secured to the ink pack <NUM> can be appropriately determined, but is preferably a lower portion of the ink pack <NUM> as illustrated in, for example, <FIG>. Since the liquid (e.g., ink) flows toward the lower portion of the ink pack <NUM> (vertically downward direction) and stays in the lower portion, the stirrer <NUM> restricted by the plate <NUM>, which is secured to the lower portion of the ink pack <NUM>, can efficiently stir the liquid.

The magnetic force applicator <NUM> according to the present embodiment applies the magnetic force to the stirrer <NUM> via the plate <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the magnet <NUM> (the magnetism generator according to the present embodiment) applies the magnetic force to the stirrer <NUM> via the plate <NUM>. Such a configuration prevents the magnetic force applicator <NUM> from contacting liquid (e.g., ink) in the ink pack <NUM>, and the plate <NUM> defines a rotation space of the stirrer <NUM> (i.e., the region 63a in which the stirrer <NUM> rotates). As a result, the stirrer <NUM> can be smoothly rotated. In addition, such a configuration facilitates the design of, for example, a liquid supply port <NUM>.

The liquid supply port <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>. The liquid supply port <NUM> is connected to a liquid supply path <NUM>, and liquid (e.g., ink) is supplied from the ink pack <NUM> to the liquid discharge head (e.g., the recording head <NUM>) through the liquid supply port <NUM> and the liquid supply path <NUM>. The liquid supply port <NUM> is disposed, for example, in a lower portion of the plate <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. More preferably, the plate <NUM> and the liquid supply port <NUM> are disposed in the lower portion of the ink pack <NUM>. In this case, the liquid (e.g., ink) is reliably fed to the liquid supply port <NUM> even when the liquid in the ink pack <NUM> is low.

The position of the liquid supply port <NUM> can be appropriately determined. Preferably, the liquid supply port <NUM> is disposed in the region 63a defined by the plate <NUM> and at a position shifted from the rotation axis of the stirrer <NUM>. Such a position of the liquid supply port <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. The rotation axis of the stirrer <NUM> is, for example, the opening 64a of the stirrer <NUM> when the stirrer <NUM> is rotating.

Due to such a position of the liquid supply port <NUM>, the liquid supply port <NUM> and the stirrer <NUM> are disposed close to each other. When the liquid (e.g., ink) in the ink pack <NUM> is low, the liquid is likely to remain in the vicinity of the liquid supply port <NUM>. Accordingly, the stirrer <NUM> disposed in the vicinity of the liquid supply port <NUM> can stir the liquid even when the liquid in the ink pack <NUM> is low. Thus, the stirrer <NUM> can entirely stir the liquid.

The configuration of the liquid supply port <NUM> is not limited to any particular configuration and can be appropriately determined. For example, a resin component through which liquid can pass is coupled to the end of the liquid supply path <NUM>. The resin component is inserted into an opening of the plate <NUM> to form the liquid supply port <NUM>. For example, a component for forming the liquid supply port <NUM> is attached to an apparatus body of the liquid discharge apparatus, and when the ink pack <NUM> or a cartridge <NUM> is installed in the apparatus body, the component for forming the liquid supply port <NUM> is inserted into the plate <NUM>. The liquid supply path <NUM> is not limited to any particular configuration, and examples of the liquid supply path <NUM> include a tube.

The ink pack <NUM> preferably has multiple folds, and when the amount of liquid in the ink pack <NUM> decreases, one or more of the multiple folds are preferably folded to reduce the volume of the ink pack <NUM>. Thus, when the amount of ink in the ink pack <NUM> decreases, the ink pack <NUM> is folded in a compressed bellows shape. As a result, the ink can be stably supplied, and the ink in the ink pack <NUM> can be fully used up.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ink storage when the amount of ink decreases in the above embodiment illustrated in <FIG>. The black fat arrow in <FIG> schematically indicates a direction in which the ink pack <NUM> is compressed. The ink pack <NUM> in <FIG> has the multiple folds including a mountain fold 62a and a valley fold 62b which are foldable.

As illustrated in <FIG>, even when the amount of ink in the ink pack <NUM> decreases, the plate <NUM> can keep the region 63a in which the stirrer <NUM> rotates to minimize the amount of ink remaining in the ink pack <NUM>. According to the present embodiment, even when the amount of ink decreases and the shape of the ink pack <NUM> changes, the rotating stirrer <NUM> is prevented from contacting the ink pack <NUM>. As described above, the plate <NUM> and the liquid supply port <NUM> disposed at the lower portion of the ink pack <NUM> can minimize the amount of ink remaining in the ink pack <NUM>.

The shape of the plate <NUM> may be appropriately determined as long as the plate <NUM> has the region 63a in which the stirrer <NUM> rotates. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cross-sectional shape of the plate <NUM> is preferably a recessed shape, and the stirrer <NUM> preferably moves within the depth of the recess of the plate <NUM> when the stirrer <NUM> rotates. In this case, even if an upper portion of the ink pack <NUM> contacts the plate <NUM> when the ink pack <NUM> is gradually compressed as illustrated in <FIG>, the stirrer <NUM> is prevented from contacting the ink pack <NUM> and can be rotated.

In the liquid discharge apparatus according to the present embodiment, the stirrer <NUM> is preferably controlled to be rotated when the ink pack <NUM> is installed in the apparatus body. Such a control prevents the stirrer <NUM> from being rotated when the ink pack <NUM> is not installed in the apparatus body. For such a control, the liquid discharge apparatus includes, for example, the detector to detect whether the ink pack <NUM> is installed in the apparatus body. The detector prevents a supply operation of the liquid discharge apparatus when the ink pack <NUM> is not installed in the apparatus body. For example, a supply module is not driven when the ink pack <NUM> is not installed. The detector according to the present embodiment is described below.

The liquid discharge apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the controller <NUM> that controls the magnet <NUM> (i.e., the magnetism generator), a cartridge holder <NUM> (i.e., a holder) that holds the ink pack <NUM> (i.e., the liquid storage), and the ink pack detector <NUM> (i.e., the detector) that detects the ink pack <NUM> held in the cartridge holder <NUM>. When the ink pack detector <NUM> detects that the ink pack <NUM> is held in the cartridge holder <NUM>, the controller <NUM> controls the magnet <NUM> to be driven. Such a control prevents the stirrer <NUM> from being rotated when the ink pack <NUM> is not installed in the cartridge holder <NUM>.

The detector is not limited to any particular device and can be appropriately determined. A method of detecting the ink pack <NUM> held in the cartridge holder <NUM> by the detector is not limited to any particular method and can be appropriately determined. For example, the ink pack <NUM> includes an identification (ID) chip, and the detector reads information from the ID chip to detect the ink pack <NUM>.

Although the installation of the ink pack <NUM> is not limited to any particular configuration, the cartridge <NUM> is replaceable in the present embodiment. The cartridge <NUM> accommodates the ink pack <NUM> and the plate <NUM> in a housing thereof. When the cartridge <NUM> is installed in the cartridge holder <NUM>, liquid (e.g., ink) can be supplied from the ink pack <NUM>. In other words, the ink pack <NUM> is detachably attachable to the cartridge holder <NUM>. The terms "the ink pack <NUM> is held by the cartridge holder <NUM>" include a case in which the cartridge <NUM> is installed in the cartridge holder <NUM>.

In the liquid discharge apparatus according to the present embodiment, the stirrer <NUM> may be controlled to be rotated based on the time during which the ink pack <NUM> is installed in the apparatus body (i.e., held in the cartridge holder <NUM>). As described with reference to <FIG>, the caking may occur in the liquid, for example, in ink containing a pigment. For this reason, the liquid in the ink pack <NUM> is preferably stirred when a predetermined time has elapsed since the ink pack <NUM> is installed. The measuring instrument according to the present embodiment is described below.

The liquid discharge apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the timer <NUM> (i.e., the measuring instrument) in addition to the controller <NUM>, the cartridge holder <NUM>, and the ink pack detector <NUM> described in the above embodiment. The timer <NUM> measures the time during which the ink pack <NUM> is held by the cartridge holder <NUM>. The controller <NUM> according to the present embodiment drives the magnet <NUM> to rotate the stirrer <NUM> at a predetermined timing based on measurement results of the timer <NUM>. Due to such a configuration, the caking can be further prevented. Such a configuration can reduce the necessity of manual stirring.

In the present embodiment, the predetermined timing can be appropriately determined. For example, the predetermined timing is when a predetermined time has elapsed after the ink pack <NUM> is held (may be referred to as mounted, installed, or attached) in the cartridge holder <NUM>. In this case, the predetermined timing may be one time or multiple times. For example, the liquid in the ink pack <NUM> may be stirred each time the predetermined time elapses after the ink pack <NUM> is held in the cartridge holder <NUM>. In addition, the time during which the ink pack <NUM> is held in the cartridge holder <NUM> and the time elapsed since the liquid is previously stirred may be considered together.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is described below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. The present embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in, for example, the configuration of the liquid supply port. In the present embodiment, the liquid supply port is disposed on the rotation axis of the stirrer <NUM>. As a result, the volume of the plate <NUM> can be limited to only the region in which the stirrer <NUM> rotates, and the plate <NUM> can be made smaller. Accordingly, the amount of liquid (e.g., ink) remaining in the plate <NUM> can be reduced to reduce the residue of the liquid. In the liquid discharge apparatus according to the present embodiment, the liquid supply port is disposed in the plate <NUM>. Specifically, the liquid supply port is disposed on the rotation axis of the stirrer <NUM> when the stirrer <NUM> is viewed from above in plan view.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of the liquid storage according to the present embodiment. <FIG> is an enlarged view of a part of the liquid storage illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a schematic plan view of the stirrer viewed from above, according to the present embodiment. <FIG> and <FIG> are schematic cross-sectional views of the liquid storage taken along line D-D in <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the present embodiment, a supply needle <NUM> is used for supplying liquid (e.g., ink) from the ink pack <NUM>. The supply needle <NUM> is inserted through the opening 64a of the stirrer <NUM> to communicate with the inside of the ink pack <NUM>. The liquid flows from a hole 71a of the supply needle <NUM> and is supplied through the liquid supply path <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the supply needle <NUM> serves as the liquid supply port, and the liquid supply port is disposed on the rotation axis of the stirrer <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, a method of rotating the magnet <NUM> (magnetism generator) can be appropriately determined. As illustrated in <FIG>, the magnet <NUM> is supported by a rotation support <NUM>, a gear <NUM> is disposed on the side face of the rotation support <NUM>, and the gear <NUM> is rotated by the motor <NUM>. As the gear <NUM> rotates, the rotation support <NUM> rotates. As a result, the magnet <NUM> rotates together with the rotation support <NUM> to rotate the stirrer <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the plate <NUM> has an opening which is closed with a rubber <NUM>. When the cartridge <NUM> having the ink pack <NUM> is installed in the cartridge holder <NUM>, the supply needle <NUM> pierces the rubber <NUM>. When the cartridge <NUM> is installed in the cartridge holder <NUM>, the hole 71a of the supply needle <NUM> communicates with the inside of the ink pack <NUM>, and the liquid is supplied to the liquid discharger via the hole 71a.

As described above, the plate <NUM> has the opening, and the opening is closed with the rubber <NUM> (an elastic member according to the present embodiment). Accordingly, when ink pack <NUM> (or the cartridge <NUM>) is not installed in the cartridge holder <NUM>, liquid does not leak from the ink pack <NUM>, and the ink pack <NUM> can be further easily installed in the cartridge holder <NUM>. Since the stirrer <NUM> in the ink pack <NUM> is positioned by the stopper <NUM>, the ink pack <NUM> can be easily installed in the cartridge holder <NUM> by piercing the rubber <NUM> with the supply needle <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A liquid discharge apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a liquid discharger (<NUM>) to discharge a liquid;
a liquid storage (<NUM>) to store the liquid;
a stirrer (<NUM>) rotatable in a stirring region (63a) in the liquid storage (<NUM>) to stir the liquid in the liquid storage (<NUM>), the stirrer (<NUM>) having a magnetism;
a plate (<NUM>) secured to the liquid storage (<NUM>) to define the stirring region (63a); and
a magnetic force applicator (<NUM>) to apply a magnetic force to the stirrer (<NUM>) from an outside of the liquid storage (<NUM>) to rotate the stirrer (<NUM>), characterized in that
the plate (<NUM>) restricts an axial movement of the stirrer (<NUM>) in an axial direction of a rotation axis of the stirrer (<NUM>) within a first predetermined range (63a),
the plate (<NUM>) restricts a radial movement of the stirrer (<NUM>) in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction within a second predetermined range (63a), and
the plate (<NUM>) has a liquid supply port (<NUM>) in the rotation axis of the stirrer (<NUM>) in the radial direction.