Pipe connection decision device that detects wrong pipe connection, and image forming apparatus
摘要
說明書
In the mentioned image forming apparatus of the color ink jet system, the ink flow path including an ink pipe and a joint section has to have the same flow path resistance for all the colors, from the physical viewpoint. From the manufacturing viewpoint, further, the ink pipe and the joint section are required to have the same shape, to minimize the burden on designing and manufacturing that may be imposed when the ink pipes and the joint sections for different colors are given different shapes. Accordingly, the joint sections for different colors having the same shape are collectively located at a predetermined position in the ink tank unit. Where the joint sections for different colors having the same shape are collectively located, the connector at the distal end of the pipe from the ink supply device may fail to be correctly connected to the connector on the side of the ink tank unit. Therefore, some of the existing image forming apparatuses are provided with a detector for detecting whether the connectors are connected, to prevent imperfect connection between the connectors.
