JP2001301196A - Ink cartridge and ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink jet recorder and an ink cartridge exhibiting excellent cost performance in which an image having excellent gradation can be recorded without purchasing a light-color ink cartridge additionally. SOLUTION: A refill start graduation 52 and a refill end graduation 53 are provided at positions which can be viewed from the outside of an ink cartridge 19. When the liquid level of remaining ink reaches the refill start graduation 52 due to consumption of ink, a user takes out the ink cartridge 19 and injects pure water from an injection opening 50 up to the refill end graduation 53 thus obtaining an ink cartridge of light-color ink having a specified density easily.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus used for facsimile machines, copiers, printers and the like, and more particularly, to an ink jet recording apparatus having an ink cartridge refill function and an ink cartridge provided in the ink jet recording apparatus. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, ink-jet recording apparatuses have become widespread due to advantages such as easy color recording. In general, the same inkjet recording device can record both business documents and photographic images.

[0003] Business documents require clarity of characters, and photographic images require high gradation. In order to meet these requirements, some inkjet recording apparatuses use only dark ink for business documents, and use dark ink and lighter ink of lower density for photographic images, or use only light ink. Proposed. Further, there is a replaceable ink cartridge in which a user can replace or add an ink cartridge of dark and light inks as necessary, so that the ink cartridge can be adapted to various uses.

[0004]

However, the light ink cartridge is generally sold as an option instead of being bundled with the main body, and the user purchases it as needed. Therefore, the user cannot perform the test recording using the light ink, and cannot take the procedure of purchasing the light ink cartridge after observing the state. In some cases, a dark ink cartridge is sufficient for an image to be printed, and light ink is not required. As described above, the user purchases the light ink cartridge without being able to determine whether the use of the light ink for the image desired to be recorded is effective or not. There was a problem in terms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and can record an image excellent in gradation without purchasing a new light ink cartridge, and is excellent in cost performance. It is an object to provide an ink jet recording apparatus and an ink cartridge.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an ink cartridge detachably provided in an ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by discharging ink from a recording head. A scale for confirming whether or not a fixed amount has been obtained, and an inlet for injecting a diluent, wherein when the liquid level of the remaining amount of ink reaches the scale, a predetermined amount of the diluent is supplied from the inlet. It is characterized in that ink of a predetermined density can be created by being injected.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is an ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by discharging ink from a recording head, wherein ink for supplying to the recording head is built in, and the remaining amount of the ink becomes a predetermined amount. It is provided with a scale for checking whether or not the ink cartridge has been inserted and an inlet for injecting a diluent, and a detachable ink cartridge.

According to the above arrangement, when the liquid level of the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge reaches the scale, the user takes out the ink cartridge and injects a predetermined amount of diluent from the injection port to easily lighten the ink. An ink cartridge for ink can be created.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the ink cartridge of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a recording portion of an ink jet recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an ink cartridge 1
Reference numeral 9 denotes an ink supply port 5 in which ink is filled.
1 supplies ink to the recording head. The ink supply port 51 is filled with a polyurethane foam absorber (see FIG. 3) so that the ink inside the cartridge does not leak.

The inside is filled with colored ink, and the main body of the ink cartridge 19 is transparent or translucent, so that the remaining amount of ink inside can be recognized from outside. Further, two scales are provided at predetermined positions on the outside. The one near the ink supply port 51 is a refill start scale 52, and the other is a refill end scale 53. In the present embodiment, when the deep ink inside is reduced to the refill start scale 52 and light water is injected from the rubber stopper 50 to the refill end scale 53, light ink can be formed. The details of the light ink formation will be described later. In the present embodiment,
Although pure water, which can be easily obtained by the user, is used as the diluent, the present invention is not limited to this, and any diluent may be used. In addition, the diluent injection port is a rubber stopper, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may have any shape such as an injection port with a lid.

As shown in FIG. 6, the ink cartridge 1
Numerals 9 are individually provided for each color of ink to be filled.
b is magenta ink, 19c is cyan ink,
19d is filled with black ink.
Each of these ink cartridges 19 is mounted on a carriage 20. At this time, the recording head 13 is mounted so that the ink supply port 51 of each ink cartridge 19 is in contact with the recording head 13. In addition, the refill start scale 52 and the refill end scale 53 can be seen from the outside while being mounted on the carriage 20. In addition to the four ink cartridges 19, the carriage 20 may be provided with a spare space on which the ink cartridges can be mounted.

The carriage 20 is in contact with two guide shafts 21 and reciprocates along the guide shafts 21 by a driving force of a carriage motor (not shown) during recording. Note that the driving force of the carriage motor is the carriage belt 37.
Conveyed through.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the mechanism of the ink jet recording apparatus.

When a recording command is input, the recording medium 34 is transported to a predetermined position as follows.

A paper feed tray 35 to which a recording medium 34 can be attached and detached.
The uppermost recording medium 34 is pressed against the paper feed roller 33 by a spring 36 during paper feeding. The paper feed roller 33 is a half-moon-shaped roller, and an unillustrated LF
The recording medium 34 is rotated by a motor, and the uppermost recording medium 34 is picked up and conveyed by a separation claw (not shown).

The picked-up recording medium 34 is held between the intermediate roller 29 and the intermediate roller 31 pressed against the intermediate roller 29, and is conveyed along the conveying surfaces of the sheet cassette 32 and the paper guide 30. Further, the main transport roller 2
The sheet 3 is conveyed to a predetermined position by a pinch roller 25 pressed against the sheet 3. At this time, the paper sensor 18 of the reflection type photo sensor provided in the middle of the conveyance path detects the front end position and the rear end position of the recording medium, and the detection result controls the driving of the main conveyance roller 23, and the recording medium 3
4 is conveyed to a predetermined position.

The carriage 20 and the recording head 13 are arranged at positions facing the transported recording medium 34, and perform recording by discharging ink from the recording head 13 onto the recording medium 34 during recording. . As described above, at the time of recording, the carriage 20 moves along the guide shaft 21 in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium 34, and during this movement, the recording head 13 ejects ink,
An image is formed from one end of the recording medium 34 to the other end. When the carriage 20 performs one scan, the main transport roller 23 transports the recording medium 34 by a predetermined amount. Then, the carriage 20 scans again. As described above, the image is formed on the entire recording medium 34 by repeating the scanning of the carriage 20 and the conveyance by the main conveyance roller 23.
The recorded recording medium 34 is discharged by a paper discharge roller 27 and a spur 26 that is pressed against the paper discharge roller 27, and is stacked on a paper discharge tray 28. Recording is performed as described above.

The recording head 13 of the present embodiment has a plurality of ejection ports arranged on a surface facing the recording medium 34. Each ejection port is arranged in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the recording medium 34. Further, the ejection port array is divided for each ink color.

Each discharge port communicates with the ink supply port via an ink path, and the ink from the ink cartridge 19 is filled up to the discharge port. Heating elements, which are electrothermal transducers, are provided in the ink path corresponding to the respective ejection ports. When the ink is ejected, the heating elements generate heat, causing film boiling in the ink. A predetermined amount of ink is ejected as droplets by the generated bubbles.

The operation of each of the series of parts from paper feeding to recording and discharging is controlled by a control unit (not shown) provided in the ink jet recording apparatus. The control unit includes a CPU, an interface unit that inputs and outputs data to and from a host computer, and a storage unit. Upon receiving a recording command from the host computer, the CPU sends a control command to each driving part according to a control program for each part stored in the storage unit in advance.

Next, details of the method for producing the light ink will be described.

When the ink inside the ink cartridge 19 has been consumed up to the line of the refill start scale 52, if the user needs light ink, the corresponding ink cartridge 19 is removed from the carriage 20 and the next operation is performed.

Syringe-shaped refill tank 8 containing pure water
0 is inserted into the rubber stopper 50, and pure water is injected up to the refill end scale 53. Then, the refill tank 80 is pulled out.
In this manner, the dark ink is diluted and can be used for recording as a light ink. By mounting the created light ink cartridge at a position under the carriage 20,
It is possible to carry out recording suitable for those requiring high gradation such as photographic images.

In this embodiment, the length X from the bottom of the ink cartridge 19 to the refill start scale 52 is X.
And the length Y up to the refill end scale 53 is 1:
Since it is 3, the light ink is obtained by diluting the dark ink three times.

Table 1 shows the composition of each of the dark ink and the light ink.

[0031]

[Table 1]

In the present embodiment, the ratio between X and Y is 1: 3, but the present invention is not limited to this.
Any ratio may be used.

As described above, the user can easily form light ink only by injecting pure water according to the two refill scales 52 and 53 provided on the ink cartridge 19. Therefore, the user can perform recording excellent in gradation without repurchasing a light ink cartridge.

It should be noted that the light ink cartridge prepared here may be mounted in a spare space of the carriage to perform recording using both dark ink and light ink.

In this embodiment, the ink cartridge is provided with two scales, a refill start scale and a refill end scale, but the present invention is not limited to this.
It is sufficient that at least one scale is provided. For example, the refill start scale may be provided at a position where the remaining amount of the ink becomes a predetermined concentration if the diluent is injected to just below the diluent injection port into the ink cartridge.

In this embodiment, the refill tank 8
Although 0 is a syringe shape, the present invention is not limited to this and may be any other shape such as a beaker.

(Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 1, two scales are provided on an ink cartridge so that a user can easily create light ink obtained by diluting dark ink three times.
In this embodiment, three scales are provided so that the degree of dilution can be selected according to the application.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the ink cartridge of this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the ink cartridge of FIG.

The ink cartridge 19 of this embodiment is provided with two refill end scales, a refill start scale 52, a first refill end scale 53, and a second refill end scale 55.

When the pure water is injected up to the first refill scale 53 when the dark ink injected into the ink cartridge 19 is consumed up to the refill start scale 52, light ink diluted three times is created. You. On the other hand, if pure water is injected only up to the second refill end scale 55, an intermediate light ink that is darker than the light ink diluted three times earlier can be created. Assuming that the length from the tank bottom to the refill start scale 52 is X and the length from the second refill end scale 55 is Z, X: Z is 1: 2, so that the intermediate light ink is twice the dark ink. The concentration is diluted to

Table 2 shows the ink compositions of the dark ink and the intermediate light ink.

[0043]

[Table 2]

As described above, by providing a plurality of refill end scales, the user can select the dilution density according to the application and preference, and the range of ink selection is expanded.

(Embodiment 3) In Embodiments 1 and 2, if the user does not always check whether the dark ink has been consumed up to the refill start scale, accurate diluted light ink cannot be formed. However, since it is troublesome for the user to constantly check how much the ink has been reduced, the present embodiment further includes a function for notifying the user that the dark ink has been consumed up to the refill start scale.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the ink consumption monitoring process.

The control unit counts the number of ejections of the recording head 13 each time recording is performed from the start of use of the ink jet recording apparatus, and stores the counted number in the EEPROM of the storage unit (step 1). This count value is assumed to be accumulated for each recording. When the count value reaches a predetermined value (step 2), it is determined that the ink has been consumed up to the refill start scale, and a refill signal is transmitted to the host computer (step 3). And EE
The count stored in the PROM is cleared (step 4).

The user looks at the refill signal displayed on the host computer, and if necessary, injects pure water to a predetermined position as described in the first embodiment, so that light ink can be produced.

As described above, by providing the function of notifying the refill timing, the user can create the light ink at an accurate timing.

In the present embodiment, the refill timing is notified by the host computer. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
The notification may be made by lighting D or the like.

As shown in the first, second, and third embodiments, the present invention provides at least one refill start scale in the ink cartridge, and dilutes the dark ink using easily available pure water as a diluent. Since the light ink is prepared, the user does not need to purchase a light ink cartridge again, which is extremely excellent in cost performance.

(Others) It should be noted that the present invention includes a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for discharging ink, particularly in an ink jet recording system. An excellent effect is obtained in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a type in which the state of ink is changed by the thermal energy. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method is a so-called on-demand type,
Although it can be applied to any type of continuous type, in particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it can be applied to a sheet holding liquid (ink) or an electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the liquid path. By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and giving a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the recording head. Liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis.
This is effective because air bubbles inside can be formed. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination configuration (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an aperture for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which a recording apparatus can record. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type as described above, a recording head fixed to the apparatus main body or an electric connection to the apparatus main body or ink from the apparatus main body when mounted on the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself is used.

Further, it is preferable to add ejection recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like as the configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, the recording head is heated using capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, an electrothermal transducer, another heating element or a combination thereof. Pre-heating means for performing the pre-heating and pre-discharging means for performing the discharging other than the recording can be used.

Regarding the type and number of recording heads to be mounted, for example, in addition to the recording head having only one corresponding to a single color ink, it corresponds to a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. A plurality may be provided. That is, for example, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, but may be any of integrally forming a printing head or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of the recording modes of full color by color mixture.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. In general, the ink jet method generally controls the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Sometimes, the ink may be in a liquid state. In addition, in order to positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to prevent evaporation of the ink, the ink is solidified in a standing state and heated. May be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, the ink
JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-7
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1260, a form may be adopted in which the liquid sheet or the solid substance is held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet and faces the electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, the form of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the one used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmitting / receiving function. It may take a form.

[0061]

By using the ink cartridge and the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, when the liquid level of the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge reaches the scale, the user takes out the ink cartridge and supplies a predetermined amount of diluent from the injection port. With a simple work of injecting only a light ink cartridge, a light ink cartridge can be created, and images with excellent gradation can be recorded without purchasing a new light ink cartridge. An ink jet recording apparatus and an ink cartridge excellent in the above can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an ink cartridge.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the ink cartridge of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of another example of the ink cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the ink cartridge of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a carriage unit of the inkjet recording apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the ink jet recording apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an ink consumption monitoring process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 13 Recording Head 19 Ink Cartridge 20 Carriage 34 Recording Medium 50 Rubber Plug 51 Ink Supply Port 52 Refill Start Scale 53 Refill End Scale 54 Atmosphere Communication Port

Claims (9)

[Claims] An ink cartridge detachably provided in an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink from a recording head, wherein a scale for confirming whether or not a remaining amount of built-in ink has reached a predetermined amount. An injection port for injecting a diluent; and when the liquid level of the remaining amount of the ink reaches the scale, a predetermined amount of the diluent is injected from the injection port to form a predetermined concentration of ink. An ink cartridge characterized in that it can be created. 2. The scale comprises a refill start scale and a refill end scale, and when the liquid level of the ink remaining amount reaches the refill start scale, injects the diluent from the injection port to the refill end scale. 2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the ink cartridge is capable of producing a predetermined concentration of ink. 3. A plurality of refill end scales having different distances from the refill start scale, and the diluent is injected up to any one of the plurality of refill end scales. 3. The ink cartridge according to claim 2, wherein inks having different densities can be prepared. 4. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the built-in ink is a high-density ink. 5. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the diluent is pure water. 6. An ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by discharging ink from a recording head, wherein an ink for supplying to the recording head is built-in, and it is checked whether or not the remaining amount of the ink has reached a predetermined amount. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising a scale and an inlet for injecting a diluent, and comprising a detachable ink cartridge. 7. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying a user that the remaining amount of the ink has reached a predetermined amount. 8. The notifying means counts the number of ink ejections of a recording head after starting use of a new ink cartridge, and when the count value reaches a predetermined number, the remaining amount of the ink becomes a predetermined amount. 8. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the user is notified that the user has reached. 9. The recording head according to claim 6, wherein the recording head uses thermal energy to generate bubbles in the ink, and discharges the ink as droplets by the pressure generated by the bubbles. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims.