JP2002001980A - Ink cartridge for recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink cartridge which can easily be assembled and broken down and improve cecyclability of component members. SOLUTION: An ink pack 24 which encloses ink in it is put into a bottom case 42, and a film member 44 is welded thermally on a collar 42a formed at the edge of opening of the bottom case 42, and the bottom case 42 is closed to be in an airtight condition. A top case 41 is put on it, and a wedge-like and nail shape member 41a formed on the top case 41 is engaged with the collar 42a of the bottom case 42 and they are joined together.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink cartridge used in an ink jet recording apparatus, which supplies ink to a recording head by applying air pressure generated by an air pressure pump. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording apparatus is generally mounted on a carriage and moves in the width direction of the recording paper, and relatively moves the recording paper in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording head. A paper feeding means for moving the recording paper is provided, and printing is performed on recording paper by discharging ink droplets from a recording head based on print data.

On the other hand, in this type of recording apparatus provided for office use or business use, it is necessary to provide a large-capacity ink cartridge in order to handle a relatively large amount of printing. 2. Description of the Related Art There has been provided a recording apparatus of a type in which a cartridge is loaded into a cartridge holder arranged on an apparatus main body side, for example. A sub-tank is arranged on the carriage on which the recording head is mounted, supplies ink from each of the ink cartridges to each sub-tank via an ink supply tube, and further supplies ink from each sub-tank to the recording head. Is provided.

[0004]

By the way, recently, it is possible to perform printing on a larger sheet of paper.
There is a demand for a large-sized printing apparatus having a long scanning distance of the carriage. In such a printing apparatus, in order to improve the throughput, the number of nozzles in the printing head is increased more and more. Furthermore, in order to improve the throughput, it is possible to sequentially supply ink from the ink cartridge to each sub-tank mounted on the carriage while performing printing, and to stabilize the ink from each sub-tank to the recording head. There is a demand for a recording device that supplies the data.

In such a recording apparatus, it is necessary to connect an ink supply tube corresponding to each ink from the ink cartridge to the sub tank.
Since the scanning distance of the carriage is large, the drawing distance of the tube necessarily increases. Moreover, as described above, since the number of nozzles in the recording head is increased,
There is a technical problem that a large amount of ink is consumed, a dynamic pressure (pressure loss) of ink is increased in each ink supply tube connected from the ink cartridge to the sub-tank, and the amount of ink supplied to the sub-tank is insufficient.

As one means for solving such a problem, for example, air pressure is applied to the ink cartridge side, a forced ink flow is generated from the ink cartridge to the sub-tank by air pressure, and A configuration in which necessary and sufficient ink is supplied can be employed.

An ink cartridge used in the recording apparatus having the above-described structure is formed such that a case constituting an outer shell is formed in an airtight state, and an ink formed of a flexible material in which ink is sealed. A configuration in which a pack is stored can be suitably employed. The ink pack in the ink cartridge having such a configuration acts so that the ink is pushed out by the pressurized air applied to the inside of the case and is sent to the recording head mounted on the carriage.

As described above, in the ink cartridge having the function of introducing the pressurized air into the case and sending out the ink, it is needless to say that the ink cartridge is constructed so that the airtight state in the case can be ensured for a long period of time. It is important to consider the ease of disassembly and the ease of disassembly and recycling.

The present invention has been made on the basis of such technical problems, and it is possible to stably maintain an airtight state in a case and to easily perform an assembling and disassembling operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus ink cartridge.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided an ink cartridge for a recording apparatus according to the present invention, which is made of a flexible material and has an ink sealed therein. An ink cartridge for a recording apparatus, comprising: a cartridge case containing an ink pack and formed in an airtight state, wherein pressurized air is introduced into the case when the cartridge is loaded into the recording apparatus. , The cartridge case includes:
The claw-like member formed on the second case is configured by the first case and the second case, and engages with the flange formed on the opening edge of the first case. The cases are configured to be joined.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment,
An ink pack is housed in the first case, and the opening edge of the case is sealed with a film member to form an airtight state, and the second case receives pressurized air to expand the film member. It is configured as a lid that suppresses projection.

[0012] In this case, when the second case is joined to the first case, the claw-like member is provided with a tapered surface that goes over the flange formed on the first case and engages with the flange. Preferably, a locking step is formed. The second case includes a flat portion functioning as a lid and a bent portion formed integrally with the flat portion so as to be orthogonal to the flat portion, and a configuration in which a claw-shaped member is formed on an inner surface of the bent portion is preferable. Adopted to.

In this case, it is desirable that a plurality of independent claw members are formed intermittently along the inner surface of the bent portion. It is preferable that a slit is formed in the flat portion of the second case along the bent portion. In a preferred embodiment of the cartridge having the above-described structure, the film member is sealed at the opening edge of the first case by heat welding.

[0014] According to the ink cartridge constructed as described above, the ink pack formed of a flexible material and filled with ink therein is sealed by the film member while being housed in the first case. Configuration. Then, the second case is joined to the first case in which the ink pack is stored, so that the second case functions as a lid for preventing the film member from swelling by receiving pressurized air. . Therefore, the airtight state of the ink cartridge is ensured by the film member,
The second case that functions as a lid acts to effectively suppress deformation of the film member when receiving the pressurized air.

On the other hand, when the second case is joined to the first case, a claw member formed on the second case is engaged with a flange formed on an opening edge of the first case. Thereby, both are joined to each other to form an outer shell as a cartridge. Therefore, assembling and disassembling operations of the ink cartridge can be easily performed,
This can contribute to improving the recyclability of each component.

Further, the claw-like member formed on the second case is formed on the inner surface of the bent portion orthogonal to the flat portion functioning as the lid, and the tapered surface over the flange formed on the first case is provided. With the configuration in which the locking step portion is formed, the two cases can be easily joined by overlapping the second case with the first case, thereby facilitating the assembling operation of the ink cartridge. Can contribute.

Further, each of the claw-shaped members is disposed by forming a slit hole along the bent portion in the flat portion of the second case corresponding to the position of each claw-shaped member. The flexibility of the bent portion can be improved. Therefore, the flexibility of this bent part is
The tapered surface of the claw-shaped member effectively acts as a relief when the tapered surface climbs over the flange portion of the first case. Thereby, an unreasonable stress acts at the time of the joining operation of the two cases formed of the synthetic resin, and for example, it is possible to effectively avoid the problem of whitening the portion where the claw-shaped member is formed or generating a crack. .

Further, according to the ink cartridge constructed as described above, when the pressurized air is introduced into the case after being loaded into the recording apparatus, the flat portion of the second case slightly changes via the film member. The claw-shaped member formed on the inner surface of the bent portion orthogonal to the flat portion receives the action of being deformed outward, but receives the action of falling down more inward due to the deformation action of the flat portion. Therefore, the claw-shaped member acts so as to bite into the flange portion of the second case, and can firmly maintain the combined state of the two.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a recording apparatus using an ink cartridge according to the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. First, FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a basic configuration of a recording apparatus. 1 in FIG.
Indicates a carriage, and the carriage 1 is driven via a timing belt 3 driven by a carriage motor 2.
It is configured to be guided by the scanning guide member 4 and reciprocated in the longitudinal direction of the paper feeding member 5, that is, in the main scanning direction which is the width direction of the recording paper. Although not shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet recording head 6 described later is mounted on a surface of the carriage 1 facing the paper feed member 5.

The carriage 1 has sub-tanks 7a to 7d for supplying ink to the recording head. In this embodiment, four sub-tanks 7a to 7d are provided corresponding to the respective inks in order to temporarily store the respective inks therein. And, in each of these sub-tanks 7a to 7d,
Main tanks 9a to 9d as ink cartridges loaded in a cartridge holder 8 arranged in the apparatus main body
, Black ink, yellow ink, magenta ink, and cyan ink are supplied via flexible ink supply tubes 10, 10,... Respectively.
The main tanks 9a to 9d as the ink cartridges described above have a flat outer configuration as described later in detail, and the flat surfaces of the cartridge holder 8 are perpendicular to each other. It is mounted in a so-called vertical position so as to face.

On the other hand, in a non-printing area (home position) on the moving path of the carriage 1, a capping means 11 capable of sealing the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is arranged.
A cap member 11a made of a flexible material such as rubber capable of sealing the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is disposed on the upper surface of the recording head 1. When the carriage 1 moves to the home position, the cap member 11a
Thereby, the nozzle forming surface of the recording head can be sealed.

The cap member 11a seals the nozzle forming surface of the recording head during the period when the recording apparatus is at rest,
It functions as a lid that prevents drying of the nozzle openings. Although not shown in the drawing, one end of a tube of a suction pump (tube pump) is connected to the cap member 11a, and a negative pressure generated by the suction pump is applied to the recording head so that ink is discharged from the recording head. The cleaning operation for sucking and discharging is performed.
A wiping member 12 made of an elastic material such as rubber is arranged adjacent to the printing area side of the capping means 11 so that the nozzle forming surface of the recording head can be wiped and cleaned as necessary. It is configured.

Next, FIG. 2 schematically shows the configuration of an ink supply system mounted on the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1. In this ink supply system, corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG. 1 and 2, reference numeral 21 denotes an air pressurizing pump. The air pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 is supplied to a pressure regulating valve 22, and furthermore, a pressure detector 2
The main tanks 9a to 9d (represented by reference numeral 9 in FIG. 2 and may be simply represented by reference numeral 9 in the following) may be supplied to the main tanks 9a to 9d, respectively. It is configured. The pressure regulating valve 22 has a function of releasing the pressure and maintaining the air pressure applied to each of the main tanks 9a to 9d in a predetermined range when the air pressure pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 reaches a predetermined value or more. have.

Further, the pressure detector 23 functions to detect the air pressure pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 and control the driving of the air pressurizing pump 21. That is, when it is detected that the air pressure pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 has reached a predetermined pressure, the driving of the air pressurizing pump 21 is stopped, and the air pressure is determined by the pressure detector 23. When it is detected that the pressure has become equal to or lower than the pressure, control is performed so that the air pressurizing pump 21 is driven. Therefore, the air pressure applied to each of the main tanks 9a to 9d by this repetition is maintained in a predetermined range.

The detailed configuration of the ink cartridge as the main tank 9 will be described later. As shown in FIG. 2, the schematic configuration of the ink cartridge is such that a case forming its outer shell is formed in an airtight state. Inside, an ink pack 24 formed of a flexible material in which ink is sealed is housed. The space formed by the main tank 9 and the ink pack 24 constitutes a pressure chamber 25, and the pressure chamber 25 is supplied with pressurized air via the pressure detector 23. Have been. With this configuration, each of the ink packs 24 stored in each of the main tanks 9a to 9d receives pressurization by pressurized air, respectively.
Each main tank 9a-9d to each sub tank 7a-7d
, An ink flow is generated by a predetermined pressure.

The ink pressurized in each of the main tanks 9a to 9d is supplied to each of the ink supply valves 26, 26,.
The sub-tanks 7a to 7d mounted on the carriage 1 (represented by reference numeral 7 in FIG. 2 and denoted by reference numeral 7 in FIG.
In some cases. ).

As shown in FIG. 2, a float member 31 is disposed inside the sub-tank 7, and a permanent magnet 32 is attached to a part of the float member 31.
And magneto-electric conversion elements 33a, 33 represented by Hall elements
3 b is mounted on the substrate 34 and is attached to the side wall of the sub tank 7. With this configuration, the ink is generated by the Hall elements 33a and 33b to generate an electric output in accordance with the permanent magnet 32 disposed on the float member 31 and the magnetic force dose by the permanent magnet 32 according to the floating position of the float member. It constitutes an amount detecting means.

Therefore, for example, when the amount of ink in the sub-tank 7 decreases, the position of the float member 31 housed in the sub-tank moves in the direction of gravity, and accordingly the position of the permanent magnet 32 also changes in the direction of gravity. Go to Therefore, the Hall elements 33a, 33b due to the movement of the permanent magnet
Can be sensed as the amount of ink in the sub tank 7, and the ink supply valve 26 is opened by the electric output obtained by the Hall elements 33a and 33b.

As a result, the ink pressurized in the main tank 9 is individually sent into each of the sub-tanks 7 in which the amount of ink has been reduced. Then, when the ink amount in the sub tank 7 reaches a predetermined capacity,
The ink supply valve 26 is closed based on the electrical outputs of the Hall elements 33a and 33b. By such repetition, the ink acts to intermittently replenish the ink from the main tank to the sub-tank, and a substantially constant range of ink is always stored in each sub-tank.

Then, a valve 35 is provided from each sub tank 7.
And ink is supplied to the recording head 6 via a tube 36 connected to the recording head 6. Based on print data supplied to an actuator (not shown) of the recording head 6, the recording head 6 The ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle openings 6a formed on the nozzle forming surface of the nozzle. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes the above-described capping means, and a tube connected to the capping means 11 is connected to a suction pump (tube pump) not shown.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show examples of the main tank 9 as an ink cartridge used in the ink jet recording apparatus having the above-described structure. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the entire configuration of the main tank, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main tank viewed from the line AA shown in FIG. Also,
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the ink pack 24 housed in the outer case shown in FIG. First, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer case includes an upper case 41 as a second case and a lower case 42 as a first case. The lower case 42 is formed in a flat box shape, and is configured such that the upper surface thereof is opened and the ink pack 24 (see FIG. 5) in a state where ink is sealed therein can be stored therein.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, in order to hold down the four sides of the ink pack 24 housed in the lower case 42, the ink pack 24 is made of, for example, styrofoam or the like. Quadrilateral inner lid 4
3, the film member 44 is heat-welded as shown by a thick line in a flange portion 42a formed at the opening edge of the lower case 42, as will be described in detail later. The case 42 is closed so as to be airtight. An upper case 41 having a flat box shape is mounted from the upper part.

The upper case 41 functions as a lid that suppresses the film member 44 from swelling outward upon receiving pressurized air. The upper case 41 includes a flat portion 41b that functions as a lid, And a bent portion 41c integrally formed so as to be orthogonal to each other. A wedge-shaped claw-like member 41a is formed intermittently along the inner surface of the bent portion 41c. When the upper case 41 is pushed into the lower case 42, each of the claw-like members 41a is attached to the lower case 42. Are engaged with the flange 42a formed on the opening edge of the opening, and they are integrally joined.

With this configuration, when pressurized air is introduced into the lower case 42 closed by the film member 44, the film member 44 is positioned so as to be in contact with the inner surface of the upper case 41. It is possible to prevent the film member 44 from bulging outward due to the pressurized air.

FIG. 5 shows the structure of the ink pack 24 housed in the outer case formed as described above. The ink pack 24 is made of two flexible materials formed in a rectangular shape, for example, a polyethylene film, and is laminated on its surface with, for example, aluminum to improve gas barrier properties. A plug 50 constituting an ink outlet is attached to a substantially central portion of the side end in the longitudinal direction.

The ink pack 24 is formed in a bag-like shape by first joining three sides of a side end to which the stopper 50 is attached and both ends in the longitudinal direction orthogonal to the end by heat welding. Reference numeral 24b indicates a heat-welded portion applied to the three sides. The ink is introduced into the ink pack 24 using the opening on the remaining side of the ink pack 24 formed in the bag shape as described above, and finally the remaining side is joined by heat welding, The ink pack is filled with ink. Reference numeral 24c indicates a heat-welded portion applied to the remaining one side.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing a state where the ink pack 24 is sealed in the lower case 42 by a film member. First, the lower case 42 is mounted on the fixing jig 61 by utilizing the flange 42a formed at the opening edge. Then, the aforementioned ink pack 2
4 is stored in the lower case 42, and the ink pack 2
A quadrangular inner lid 43 having a window-shaped center portion for pressing the four sides of No. 4 is inserted into the lower case 42.

In this state, the film member 44 is
2 is disposed so as to cover the flange 42a formed at the opening edge. Subsequently, the flange 42 of the lower case 42
The heater head 62 formed in the same manner as the planar shape of a moves down to heat the film member 44 covering the flange 42a.
Thereby, the film member 44 is thermally welded along the flange 42 a of the lower case 42, and the lower case 42 is hermetically sealed by the film member 44.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a part of the structure of the upper case 41 joined to the lower case 42 sealed by the film member 44 as described above, in particular, the bent portion of the upper case 41. FIG. The claw-like member 41a formed intermittently along the inner surface of 41c and its peripheral configuration are shown in an enlarged manner. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a state in which a corner of the upper case 41 is viewed in an inner surface direction, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a state in which a corner of the upper case 41 is viewed from an upper surface.

As shown in FIG. 7, the claw-like member 41a is formed with a tapered surface 41d configured to increase in thickness from the lower end of the bent portion 41c to the flat portion 41b functioning as a lid. A locking step 41e is formed at an end of the tapered surface 41d on the side of the flat surface 41b. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, slit holes 41f are formed in the flat portion 41b of the upper case corresponding to the positions where the claw members 41a are arranged, along the bent portions 41c as shown in FIG.

Therefore, the upper case 41 is overlapped with the lower case 42 and pushed into the lower case 42 so that each of the claw-like members 4
The tapered surface 41d in 1a comes into contact with the side surface of the flange portion 42a formed on the opening edge of the lower case 42 and slides. When the upper case 41 is still pushed toward the lower case 42, each claw member 41a gets over the flange 42a formed on the lower case 42. As a result, the flange 42a of the lower case is fitted into the locking step 41e of the claw-shaped member 41a, and the two cases are joined.

In this case, the slits 41f are formed in the flat portion 41b of the upper case 41 corresponding to the positions of the respective claw members 41a along the bent portions 41c. The flexibility of the disposed bent portion 41c can be improved. Therefore, the flexibility of the bent portion is determined by the claw-shaped member 4.
The tapered surface 41d in 1a effectively acts as a clearance when the tapered surface 41d gets over the flange portion 42a in the lower case 42. Thereby, during the joining operation of the two cases formed of the synthetic resin, an unreasonable stress acts, and for example, it is possible to effectively avoid the problem of whitening the portion where the claw-shaped member 41a is formed or generating a crack. it can.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the entire main tank 9 as an ink cartridge formed as described above, as viewed from the upper case side. In this embodiment, five slit holes 41f, in other words, claw-like members 41a, are respectively arranged at substantially equal intervals at both ends along the longitudinal direction of the case, and along the short side direction of the case. Two slit holes 41f, in other words, claw-shaped members 41a, are arranged at both ends.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main tank 9 as an ink cartridge configured as described above is
On one surface of the cartridge case, a pair of opening holes 51 are formed as positioning means used when the cartridge case is loaded into the recording apparatus. The pair of opening holes 51 are spaced apart from each other at two places along the longitudinal direction on the one surface of the case. When the lower case 42 is injection-molded, for example, it is formed integrally at the same time. I have. In addition, the stopper 50 constituting the ink outlet from the ink pack is substantially in the middle of the positioning opening holes 51 arranged at the two places, with the stopper 50 biting a sealing O-ring (not shown). Installed.

On both outer sides of each of the opening holes 51 arranged at the two locations, there are disposed a pressurized air inlet 52 and a circuit board 53 which will be described in detail later. In addition, when the lower case 42 is formed, the pressurized air inlet 52 is simultaneously formed integrally in a hollow shape, through which the pressurized air can be introduced into the lower case 42 closed by the film member 44. It is configured as follows.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an end of the main tank 9 as an ink cartridge formed as described above, on the one surface side, and shows a connection disposed in the cartridge holder 8 on the recording apparatus side. The state where the main tank 9 is mounted on the mechanism 55 is shown. FIG.
The connection mechanism 55 arranged on the cartridge holder 8 side
Is shown in a perspective view. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a pair of positioning pins 56 formed in a columnar shape are disposed on the cartridge holder 8 side, and the pair of positioning opening holes 51 formed on the main tank 9 side are provided. , And are configured to be mounted so as to surround the positioning pins 56.

As described above, since the positioning opening holes 51 are arranged at two positions along the longitudinal direction on the one surface of the case on the cartridge side, the two holes 51 arranged on the recording device side are formed. The three-dimensional positioning of the main tank 9 as a cartridge can be achieved by attaching the positioning pin 56 to the base end of the main tank 9. When the main tank 9 is attached to the positioning pins 56, a hollow ink outlet pipe 57 arranged substantially at the center of the pair of positioning pins 56 constitutes an ink outlet from the ink pack. It is inserted into the stopper 50 so that the ink can be discharged from the cartridge.

When the main tank 9 is mounted, the pressurized air inlet 52 is connected to the pressurized air outlet 58 disposed on the holder 8 side, and the pressurized air is introduced into the main tank 9 side. Be prepared to be able to. Further, a terminal mechanism 59 having a plurality of contact pieces is connected to the circuit board 53 arranged on the main tank 9 side, and the circuit board 5
3. Data is exchanged with the semiconductor storage means described later provided in 3. When the main tank 9 is mounted on the cartridge holder 8, as shown in FIG. 10, the circuit board 53 disposed on the main tank 9 side is mounted in a vertically placed state located at the top in the direction of gravity. .

FIG. 12 shows that when the main tank 9 is mounted, the hollow ink outlet pipe 57 arranged on the holder side is inserted into the stopper 50 constituting the ink outlet from the ink pack, and the ink is discharged from the cartridge. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which it can be derived. FIG. 12A shows a state before both are connected, and FIG. 12B shows a state where both are connected. An annular rubber packing 50a is fitted into an outlet portion of the plug 50 on the ink pack side.

On the other hand, a movable body 50b that is movable in the axial direction is accommodated in the plug 50. The movable body 50b is configured to close an annular central portion of the rubber packing 50a by the urging force of the coil-shaped spring member 50c. An opening 57a is formed in a side surface near the tip of the hollow ink outlet tube 57 disposed on the holder 8 side.

Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 12A in which the main tank 9 as a cartridge is not mounted on the recording apparatus side, the movable body 50b is formed into an annular shape in the rubber packing 50a by the urging force of the coil-shaped spring member 50c. The plug 50 is closed to close the central part,
It is possible to prevent the ink from leaking from the ink pack. When the main tank 9 is mounted on the recording apparatus, as shown in FIG. 12B, the distal end of the ink outlet pipe 57 is moved against the movable member 50 against the urging force of the spring member 50c.
In order to act to push b inside, an ink flow path indicated by an arrow is formed, and ink is led out. In this case, the annular inner diameter portion of the rubber packing 50a is in close contact with the outer shape portion of the ink outlet tube 57, so that leakage of ink from the portion can be prevented.

Next, FIG. 13 shows a mounted state of the circuit board 53 arranged on the cartridge side, and FIG. 14 shows an external configuration of the circuit board 53. 14A is a perspective view of the circuit board 53 viewed from the front side, and FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the circuit board 53 viewed from the back side. As shown in FIG. 13, the circuit board 53 is attached to the inner bottom of the lower case 42 of the cartridge in which two orthogonal surfaces are open. The opened surface is provided with a terminal mechanism 59 in which the circuit board 53 is disposed on the cartridge holder 8 side.
The other surface that is opened is mainly used when the circuit board 53 is mounted on the cartridge case.

That is, as shown in FIG. 14, a through hole 53a and a notch hole 53b for mounting the circuit board 53 in the lower case 42 are formed in the circuit board. The lower case 42 is formed with heat welding projections 42c and 42d inserted in the through holes 53a and the notch holes 53b in advance, as indicated by phantom lines in FIG. When the substantially rectangular circuit board 53 is mounted on the lower case 42, a concave portion 42b formed for positioning the circuit board as shown in FIG.
The circuit board 53 is fitted into the substrate. Then, FIG.
The circuit board 53 is connected to the lower case 42 as shown in FIG. 13 by causing a heater chip (not shown) to abut on the tops of the projections 42c and 42d for heat welding indicated by phantom lines and thermally melting. Can be installed.

In order to mount the circuit board 53 on the lower case 42 in this manner, the above-described heater chip is used as a mounting jig, and the heater chip is opened from one surface opened on the upper surface side of the circuit board 53. Is made to be inserted. Note that, as shown in FIG.
On the front side of the circuit board 53, an electrode contact 53c as a connection terminal that is electrically contacted with the terminal mechanism 59 on the holder 8 side when mounted on the cartridge holder is formed. A check electrode contact 53d formed in a circular shape is also formed on the same surface.

Then, these electrode contacts 53c, 53d
Is connected to a semiconductor storage means 54 arranged on the back surface of the circuit board 53 and capable of reading and writing data. In a state where the main tank 9 is mounted on a cartridge holder of the recording apparatus, for example, Data such as the type of ink, the remaining amount of ink, the serial number, the expiration date, and the like are exchanged.

[0056]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the ink cartridge for a recording apparatus of the present invention, the first case and the second case are formed in an airtight state, and the ink pack is housed therein. Since the claw-like member formed on the second case is engaged with the flange formed on the opening edge of the first case, the second case is joined to the first case. The assembling and disassembling operations can be easily performed, which can contribute to improving the recyclability of each component.

In addition, by forming a slit hole along the bent portion in the flat portion of the second case corresponding to the position where the claw-shaped member is arranged, the bent portion provided with the claw-shaped member is formed. The flexibility of the portion can be improved, and an excessive stress acts during the joining operation of the two cases, thereby effectively avoiding, for example, the problem of whitening the portion where the claw-like member is formed or generating a crack. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view showing an example of an ink jet recording apparatus which can use an ink cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an ink supply system from an ink cartridge to a print head in the printing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an ink cartridge according to the present invention.

4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge when viewed in the direction of the arrow from line AA shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an ink pack housed in the cartridge illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ink pack is sealed in a lower case by a film member.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a state in which a corner of the upper case is viewed in an inner surface direction.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a state in which a corner of the upper case is viewed from above.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the entire ink cartridge viewed from the upper case side.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a connection mechanism disposed on an end portion on one surface side of the ink cartridge and a cartridge holder.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a connection mechanism arranged on the cartridge holder.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a configuration of an ink outlet plug on the cartridge side and an ink outlet tube on the cartridge holder side.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view showing a mounted state of a circuit board mounted on a cartridge side.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a further enlarged external configuration of the circuit board shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 carriage 6 recording head 7 (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) sub tank 8 cartridge holder 9 (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) main tank (ink cartridge) 10 ink supply tube 21 air pressurizing pump 22 pressure regulating valve 23 pressure Detector 24 Ink pack 25 Pressure chamber 26 Ink supply valve 41 Upper case (second case) 41a Claw-shaped member 41b Flat part 41c Bent part 41d Tapered surface 41e Locking step part 41f Slit hole 42 Lower case (first case) 42a Flange 50 Plug body (ink outlet) 52 Pressurized air inlet 53 Circuit board 55 Connection mechanism 57 Ink outlet pipe 58 Pressurized air outlet 59 Terminal mechanism

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C056 EA19 EB17 EB21 EB34 EB53 EC17 EC18 EC32 EC64 KA08 KB02 KB04 KB08 KB37 KC02 KC05 KC09 KC14

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An ink pack formed of a flexible material and filled with ink therein, and a cartridge case accommodating the ink pack and formed in an airtight state. 2. An ink cartridge for a recording apparatus, wherein pressurized air is introduced into the case, wherein the cartridge case includes a first case and a second case, and an opening edge of the first case. An ink cartridge for a recording apparatus, wherein the claw-like member formed on the second case is engaged with the collar formed on the second case, whereby the second case is joined to the first case. 2. An ink pack is housed in the first case and an opening edge of the case is sealed with a film member to form an airtight state, and the second case receives pressurized air. The ink cartridge for a recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink cartridge is configured as a lid that suppresses swelling of the film member. 3. The claw-like member has a tapered surface that engages with the flange when the second case is joined to the first case, over the flange formed on the first case. 3. The ink cartridge for a recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a stop portion is formed. 4. The second case includes a flat portion functioning as a lid, and a bent portion integrally formed so as to be orthogonal to the flat portion, and the claw-shaped member is formed on an inner surface of the bent portion. The ink cartridge for a recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 5. A plurality of independent claw members are formed intermittently along the inner surface of the bent portion.
4. The ink cartridge for a recording device according to claim 1. 6. The slit according to claim 5, wherein a slit hole is formed along the bent portion in the flat portion of the second case corresponding to the position of the plurality of independent claw-shaped members. Ink cartridge for recording device. 7. The ink cartridge for a recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a film member is sealed at an opening edge of said first case by heat welding.