JPH09104117A - Ink tank for ink jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attach an ink tank corresponding to the use environment of an ink jet recording apparatus. SOLUTION: The pressure contact member 14a attached to the ink supply port housing the ink of the first ink tank 1a connected to a recording head 9 is brought into contact with the pressure contact member 3b attached to the ink supply port supplying the ink of a second ink tank 1b to the outside to connect first and second ink tanks 1a, 1b. The part of the pressure contact member 4b attached to the ink receiving and supplying port housing ink of the second ink tank 1b is closed by the cover 7a of the first ink tank 1a and the hole 8a communicating with the atmosphere of the first ink tank 1a is held to a closed state and the hole 8b communicating with the atmosphere of the second ink tank 1b is held to an opened state.

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 for ejecting ink for recording from an ink ejection head toward a recording medium to perform recording, and an ink jet recording apparatus for accommodating the recording ink. It belongs to the technical field of ink tanks.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In various devices such as computers, word processors, facsimile machines, copying machines and printers,
As a means for recording on a recording medium such as paper, an inkjet recording device (hereinafter referred to as an inkjet printer) is being widely used because high-speed recording is possible without generating noise and color images are easily recorded. .

An ink jet recording head provided in an ink jet printer has a structure for recording characters and images on the recording medium by ejecting ink from a position facing the recording medium by inputting a signal current from the ink jet recording device. ing.

The ink tank containing the ink ejected from the ink ejection head is composed of an ink jet ink tank detachably attached to the ink ejection head portion and the ink ejection head portion and the ink tank. There are ink cartridges.

Conventionally, ink-jet ink tanks and ink cartridges have a one-to-one ink tank or ink cartridge for a recording head of one color or one density.

For example, the inside of the ink tank and the ink cartridge is partitioned by a wall or the like, or an ink tank or an ink cartridge composed of two chambers of a portion in which a porous body is impregnated with ink and a portion in which liquid ink is present. Have been devised, but these are also classified into the above-mentioned one-to-one category.

[0007]

However, the above conventional example has the following problems.

(1) In the case of an ink tank for a recording device of a head or tank type in which two colors or more than two values of ink are partitioned inside, the tank is replaced when one color or a specific density of ink is completely consumed. In order to perform the above, the other color or other density ink that has not been used up is discarded despite the remaining amount.

Many of the ink jet recording apparatuses currently commercialized employ the ink tanks or ink cartridges of the multi-color and other densities integrated. The reason is that the recording heads are arranged in the multi-color and other densities integrated. It is easy to improve the position and accuracy of the color and density by
There is also the reason that the integrated manufacturing is inexpensive in terms of cost.

Of course, it is well known that in the structure in which the recording head portion and the ink tank portion are integrated, these need to be replaced as the ink is consumed.

(2) Networking of computer environments is progressing, and an environment in which a plurality of recording devices are shared by one person is increasing. Therefore, the frequency of exchanging consumable materials, especially ink tanks, becomes more frequent as the number of recording sheets increases, and in addition, the recording apparatus is not located near the computer in use, which is a problem in terms of usability.

On the other hand, the use environment of the recording apparatus for personal use does not have the above-mentioned problem, and it can be said that the ink tank replacement frequency is low because the number of recorded sheets is small.

It is very difficult to make the same recording device compatible in both the shared environment in this network and the personal environment, and it is very difficult for manufacturers who develop and manufacture recording devices to use it for heavy duty, that is, in large quantities. At present, there are demands for products that emphasize user-friendliness, such as models that support the number of records and models that support individuals, mainly for individuals.

As a result, it goes without saying that the production amount of each model is narrowed down, and the purchaser is burdened in terms of cost.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide an ink tank for an ink jet recording apparatus in which an ink tank corresponding to the environment of use of the ink jet recording apparatus can be mounted. To do.

[0016]

Therefore, the ink tank for an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention achieves the above-mentioned object by the following means.

(1) An ink tank for an ink jet recording apparatus for accommodating the ink for recording in an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting recording ink from an ink ejection head toward a recording medium. The ink tank housing has an ink receiving port for receiving the ink and an ink supplying port for supplying the ink to the outside, and pressure contact bodies are inserted into the ink receiving port and the ink supplying port, respectively. An ink tank for an ink jet recording apparatus, characterized in that an ink supply port of one ink tank is brought into contact with an ink supply port of the other ink tank, and a plurality of ink tanks are connected to supply ink. .

(2) The ink tank is connected to the ink receiving port of the ink cartridge of the tank-integrated type integrally formed with the ink discharge head, by bringing the ink supplying port of the other ink tank into contact with the pressure contact member. An ink tank for an inkjet recording apparatus according to the above (1), which is characterized.

(3) It is characterized in that the ink supply ports of one ink tank and the ink supply ports of the other ink tank are connected to each other by abutting pressure contact bodies, and the ink tanks have the same shape. An ink tank for an inkjet recording apparatus according to (1) or (2) above.

(4) In the above (1) or (2), the ink tank housing has a structure in which a plurality of inks having different colors or different densities are respectively arranged at internal partitions. An ink tank for the ink jet recording apparatus described.

(5) In the plurality of ink tanks connected to each other, the ink supply to the ink tank farther from the ink discharge head is completed earlier than the ink tank closer to the ink discharge head. An ink tank for an inkjet recording device according to (2).

(6) In the plurality of connected ink tanks, the ink tank closer to the ink ejection head has a lower internal pressure than the ink tank farther from the ink ejection head, (1) or (2) An ink tank for an ink jet recording apparatus according to item 1.

(7) In the plurality of connected ink tanks, the atmosphere communicating hole of the ink tank whose ink receiving port is in contact with the ink supplying port of the other ink tank is sealed. An ink tank for an ink jet recording apparatus according to (1) or (2) above.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to the present application is such that a first ink tank and an ink cartridge connected to a recording head are connected via an ink with a second ink tank or ink cartridge. It is characterized by being connected. That is, (1) In the above configuration, the connection via the ink has a supply port for receiving supply from the second ink tank or the ink cartridge in the first ink tank and the ink cartridge, and the second connection to the supply port. The ink supply port of the ink tank or ink cartridge is connected. By this action, ink is supplied from the second ink tank or ink cartridge to the first ink tank or ink cartridge by the consumption of ink and the recovery operation of the recording apparatus.

(2) The second ink tank and the ink cartridge which are connected and supply the ink have the same shape as the first ink tank and the ink cartridge, and naturally the second ink tank and the ink cartridge are the first ink tank and the ink cartridge. It can be an ink tank or an ink cartridge. In this case, it goes without saying that it is necessary to design and form the ink tank and the ink cartridge according to the structure and form of the ink tank so as not to hinder the ink supply.

(3) In a mode in which multicolored and multiconcentrated inks are partitioned inside the ink tank and the ink cartridge, they are connected and connected to the same inks of the respective colors and densities, and in this case, two colors. In some cases, among the inks having the above or two or more binary densities, at least one color or one or more densities of inks are connected and connected.

(4) As the recording head ejects ink to perform recording, a negative pressure is applied to the first ink tank, whereby the ink is supplied to the recording head. Utilizing the force to eliminate the negative pressure of this first ink tank,
Ink is supplied from the second ink tank or ink cartridge.

(5) In the ink tank and the ink cartridge, a hole for communicating with the atmosphere to bring the inside to the atmospheric pressure is indispensable for ink supply, but this form, that is, two or more ink tanks or inks When connecting and connecting the cartridges, the holes communicating with the atmosphere are
It is necessary to exist in the second ink tank or ink cartridge having a large supply distance from the recording head, and the hole in the first ink tank or ink cartridge that communicates with the atmosphere needs to be closed.

In this section, the second ink tank or the ink cartridge is connected and connected, and the second ink tank and the ink cartridge are connected and connected to each other to form a hole that is connected to the atmosphere of the first ink tank and the ink cartridge. By blocking, it becomes possible to supply ink from the second ink tank and the ink cartridge to the first ink tank and the ink cartridge.

(6) In implementing two or more connectable ink tanks and ink cartridges, two ink supply ports, one for supplying ink and one for supplying ink, are supplied to the ink tank and the ink cartridge. Although a mouth is required, the ink tank of the ink cartridge or the ink cartridge connected to the tail end is not required to supply the ink. Leaving the last ink supply port as it is causes evaporation of ink from that portion,
It is well known that not only the recorded characters and images are adversely affected, but also the recording head is damaged. Therefore, the last ink tank immediately before the last ink tank blocks the unnecessary ink supply port of the last ink tank to prevent the evaporation of ink, thereby preventing the failure of the recording head and giving it to the characters and images to be recorded. It is possible to prevent adverse effects.

(7) When two or more ink tanks and ink cartridges are connected and connected, once the ink is disconnected between the first ink tank or ink cartridge and the second ink tank or ink cartridge, Even if there is ink in the second ink tank or ink cartridge, that ink will never be supplied again. Therefore, when connecting two or more ink tanks or ink cartridges,
The order of finishing the consumption of ink is always from the last one, and the ink tank portion connected to the recording head must be the last one.

[0032]

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

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the connection of the ink tank of the first embodiment, which best shows the features of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is an ink tank,
1a is a first ink tank, 1b is a second ink tank, 2 is a porous body impregnated with ink, and 2a
Is a first porous body, 2b is a second porous body, 3 and 4 are pressure contact bodies for guiding ink, 3a and 4a are first pressure contact bodies, and 3b and 4b are second pressure contact bodies. Reference numeral 5 is an elastic body for closing a hole of the ink tank that communicates with the atmosphere, 5a is a first elastic body, 5b is a second elastic body, and 6 is an elastic body for sealing the ink supply portion. , 6a is a first elastic body, 6a
b is a second elastic body, 7 is a cover for closing the ink supply port of the final ink tank, 7a is a first cover, 7a
Reference numeral b is a second cover, 8 is a hole communicating with the atmosphere to bring the inside of the ink tank into an atmospheric pressure state, 8a is a first communication hole, 8b is a second communication hole, and 9 is for recording. Is an inkjet recording head.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the ink tank alone according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 2, 10 is an L-shaped cover for closing the ink supply port, and 11 is an engraving for fixing the L-shaped cover 10 to the ink tank.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the internal construction of the ink tank of this embodiment.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 12 is a rib for performing a compression gradient on the porous body 2 impregnated with ink.

Next, in the above structure, the ink tank 1a connected to the recording head 9 is of a so-called separation type in which the ink tank 1a is replaced as the ink is consumed. The ink tank 1a and the second ink tank 1b are filled in the respective ink tanks by contacting the ink supply port 4a of the first ink tank 1a and the ink supply port 3b of the second ink tank 1b. The ink becomes continuous ink and is connected.

At this time, the pressure contact bodies 4a and 3b for guiding the ink impregnated in the porous bodies 2a and 2b in the ink tanks 1a and 1b are in surface contact with each other, and further, in the traveling direction for each contact. So that it is pushed in the opposite direction,
That is, the press contact bodies 4a and 3b are designed to be pressed into the porous bodies 2a and 2b, respectively. By this pushing operation, the ink impregnated in the porous bodies 2a and 2b increases the ink density in the vicinity of the pressure contact bodies 4a and 3b.

Next, the negative pressure generated by the ink consumption in the ink tanks 1a and 1b is restored in parallel with the atmospheric pressure, and the release of the atmosphere to prepare for the next ink supply is communicated with the atmosphere. Although it is performed by the holes 8a and 8b,
In the connected state of the two ink tanks shown in FIG. 1,
A hole 8a provided in the first ink tank 1a and communicating with the atmosphere
The ink is not supplied from the second ink tank 1b when the ink is left open to the atmosphere, and the first ink tank 1b
Only the ink tank of a can consume the ink.
Therefore, when the second ink tank 1b is connected, the hole 8a communicating with the atmosphere of the first ink tank 1a is sealed with an elastic body 5b for closing the hole communicating with the atmosphere of the second ink tank 1b. To solve it.

Next, the second ink tank 1b is a common ink tank with the first ink tank which can also be the first ink tank. Therefore, the ink supply port 4b for supplying the ink, which is provided in the second ink tank 1b, becomes unnecessary. This means that when n ink tanks are connected, it is always the nth final ink tank.

Therefore, it is necessary to seal the ink supply port 4b of the ink tank 2b shown in FIG. 1, and the cover 7a provided in the first ink tank is provided with the second ink tank 1b.
Can be sealed by closely contacting the elastic body 6b provided in
The purpose of the present invention is to prevent defective ink supply from the second ink tank to the first ink tank, and to prevent adverse effects on the recorded image due to evaporation of ink.

Next, regarding the ink supply, a compression gradient is applied to the porous body 2 impregnated with the ink by the ribs 12 shown in FIG. 3 inside the ink tank 1. In FIG. The compression rate becomes higher and the ink density becomes higher as it goes. In FIG. 1, the pressure contact bodies 3a, 4a
The compression ratio is high on the line connecting 3b and 4b. When the ink is consumed, the ink is finally present in the L-shaped portion connecting the pressure contact bodies 3a, 4a, 3b, 4b.

As the ink consumption further progresses, the ink is consumed from the ink tank 1b and the ink on the high compression line connecting 3b and 4b is consumed in the gravity direction, so that the ink flow can be performed smoothly. Also the last ink tank 1
Regarding the consumption of “a”, as shown in FIG. 2, the L-type cover 10 is designed to function so that the ink supply port for receiving the ink supply from the ink tank to which the ink tank to which the ink tank is not connected is sealed. The consumption is completed without any problems.

As described above, the ink supply functions even by itself, and by providing the ink supply port provided in the ink tank for receiving the ink, the second, third, and nth inks are provided. Can connect and connect tanks.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the connection of ink tanks according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, 9 is an ink jet recording head for recording, 13 is an ink bag in which the recording ink 14 is contained, 15 is an outer box of the ink tank, and 15a is the first ink tank. Outer box, 15b
Is an outer box of the second ink tank, 15c is an outer box of the third ink tank, 16 is a pipe-shaped ink supply needle provided on the recording head, and 17 is an ink supply needle for the ink tank to receive ink supply. 17a is an ink supply needle for the first ink tank to receive the ink supply from the second ink tank, 17b is an ink supply needle for the second ink tank to receive the ink supply from the third ink tank, Reference numeral 17c is an ink supply needle for the third ink tank to receive ink supply from the fourth ink tank. Reference numeral 18 is a rubber having a hollow structure inside, and 19 is a rubber for closing and sealing the ink supply needle of the final connection ink tank.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing that the ink tank of this embodiment functions as a single unit.

Next, in the above structure, the ink supply needle 16 of the recording head 9 is inserted into the rubber member 18 in the ink tank 15a. The rubber member 18 has a hollow structure, and the hollow portion forms a continuous closed space with the ink bag 13, and the recording ink 14 is contained in the space.

The inserted ink supply needle 16 passes through the rubber portion and reaches the hollow portion. Next, the first ink tank 1
The ink supply needle 17a, which is electrically connected to and fixed to the cavity of the rubber member 18 of 5a, is inserted into the rubber member 18 of the second ink tank 15b, and the ink supply needle 17a is fixed as in the case of the first ink tank. Reach the ink in the second ink tank. The same applies when the second ink tank is subsequently connected to the third ink tank. Ink supply needle 17 for receiving the ink supplied to the third ink tank
Since c has no ink tank to connect, it causes ink leakage and ink evaporation when left open,
Need to cover the rubber 19 with which the needle seals. Of course, as shown in FIG. 5, when functioning alone, this rubber member is attached to the needle of the ink tank that receives the ink supply and is used in a sealed state.

As described above, a large amount of ink can be supplied to the recording head by providing a connection connecting member for receiving the ink supply to the ink tank which can function as a single unit and connecting the ink tanks having the same shape. Become.

[0053]

As described above, according to the invention of the present application, by connecting and connecting two or more ink tanks or ink cartridges, a large volume of ink can be supplied without replacing the tanks. Become.

By making it possible to connect ink tanks or ink cartridges of the same shape, each can function as a single unit, and can be connected as required to form a large-capacity ink tank or ink cartridge.

In an ink tank or an ink cartridge in which inks of two colors or two or more binary densities are partitioned inside, when ink of one color or one density is completely consumed, the ink having the remaining amount other than that is used. It becomes possible to use all the ink, and it becomes possible to use all the ink that has been discarded while the ink is still remaining.

Further, when supplying ink to the recording head, the ink can be supplied from a plurality of ink tanks and ink cartridges regardless of the position of the recording head in the arrangement of the connected ink tanks or ink cartridges. Becomes And n + 1
An ink tank that has a hole that communicates with the atmosphere without interrupting the supply of ink midway by sealing the hole that communicates with the atmosphere of the nth ink tank by connecting the second ink tank or ink cartridge Alternatively, it becomes possible to finish the consumption of ink from the ink cartridge.

That is, the ink supply port for receiving the ink supply provided in the last unused ink tank or ink cartridge which is not used is closed by a member provided in the ink tank or ink cartridge immediately before the ink supply port. It is possible to prevent evaporation of ink and leakage of ink.

As described above, it is possible to mount the ink tank corresponding to the usage environment of the ink jet recording apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a connection of an ink tank that is a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a single body of the ink tank according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configuration of the ink tank that is the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connection of the ink tank according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a single unit of an ink tank that is a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a 1st ink tank 1b 2nd ink tank 2a Porous body impregnated with ink 2b Porous body impregnated with ink 3a Pressure contact body 3b Pressure contact body 4a Pressure contact body 4b Pressure contact body 5a Elastic body 5b Elastic body 6a Elastic body 6b Elastic body 7a Cover 7b Cover 8a Hole communicating with atmosphere 8b Hole communicating with atmosphere 9 Recording head 10 L-shaped cover 11 Groove 12 Rib 13 Ink bag 14 Ink 15a Ink tank outer box 15b Ink tank outer box 15c Ink tank outer box 16 Recording head Ink supply needle 17a Ink supply needle 17b Ink supply needle 17c Ink supply needle 18 Rubber 19 Rubber

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An ink tank for an ink jet recording apparatus, which is provided in an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting recording ink from an ink ejection head toward a recording medium, the ink tank comprising: The ink tank housing has an ink supply port for supplying ink and an ink supply port for supplying ink to the outside,
A pressure contact member is inserted into each of the ink supply port and the ink supply port, and the ink supply port of the other ink tank is brought into contact with the ink supply port of the other ink tank to form a plurality of ink tanks. An ink tank for an inkjet recording apparatus, which is connected to supply ink. 2. An ink tank, wherein the ink tank is formed integrally with the ink ejection head, is connected to the ink receiving port of the ink cartridge of the tank integrated type by contacting the ink supplying port of the other ink tank with a pressure contact member. An ink tank for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The ink tanks having the same shape, wherein the ink supply ports of one ink tank are connected to the ink supply ports of the other ink tank by abutting pressure contact bodies. Item 3. An ink tank for an inkjet recording device according to item 1 or 2. 4. The ink jet recording according to claim 1, wherein the ink tank casing has a structure in which a plurality of inks having different colors or different densities are respectively arranged in portions that are internally partitioned. Ink tank for the device. 5. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein, in the plurality of connected ink tanks, the ink tank farther from the ink discharge head finishes supplying ink earlier than the ink tank nearer to the ink discharge head. An ink tank for the ink jet recording apparatus described. 6. The inkjet according to claim 1, wherein in the plurality of connected ink tanks, an ink tank closer to the ink ejection head has a lower internal pressure than an ink tank farther from the ink tank. Ink tank for recording device. 7. The atmosphere communication hole of an ink tank, wherein the ink receiving port of the plurality of connected ink tanks is in contact with the ink supplying port of the ink tank of the other party, is closed. An ink tank for an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1.