CN100544960C - Liquid container - Google Patents

Liquid container Download PDF

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Publication number
CN100544960C
CN100544960C CNB2007100798295A CN200710079829A CN100544960C CN 100544960 C CN100544960 C CN 100544960C CN B2007100798295 A CNB2007100798295 A CN B2007100798295A CN 200710079829 A CN200710079829 A CN 200710079829A CN 100544960 C CN100544960 C CN 100544960C
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China
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liquid
ink
chamber
liquid container
opening
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CNB2007100798295A
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Chinese (zh)
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CN101024340A (en
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木村仁俊
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Seiko Epson Corp
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Seiko Epson Corp
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Abstract

The invention provides a kind of liquid container of cheapness, in this liquid container, the volume of liquid sensing chamber can not change repeatedly, thereby need not to improve the durability of fexible film.Be provided with to the liquid container (1) of inkjet recording device supply ink from supply opening (9) to container body (5) opening: ink bag (7), it can discharge stored liquid from outlet (7b) owing to the pressurization of presser unit; Transducer room (21) is configured in the zone of the pressure that applies presser unit, and is connected with ink bag (7), enlarges volume according to the inflow from the ink of ink bag (7), and stops retraction volume when ink bag (7) flows at ink; Ink detection portion (11) is used for the volume-variation of detecting sensor chamber (21); And switch valve mechanism (12), be configured between ink bag (7) and the transducer room (21), can block ink from the inflow of ink bag (7) to transducer room (21).

Description

Liquid container
Technical field
The present invention relates to liquid container, more particularly, the present invention relates to liquid container to the liquid such as liquid consuming devices such as jet head liquid supply ink of the micro-drop of ejection.
Background technology
The commerce that dyeing and printing device, little diffuser even require prints with superior quality with the jet head liquid of tape deck etc. from receiving the supply that be ejected liquid at the liquid container that device body loads and unloads.Sustain damage in order to prevent that injector head from beating because of sky, need to monitor the liquid residue in the container.
Therefore, various schemes to using, detect as the ink surplus in the print cartridge of liquid container have been proposed in tape deck.
As the structure of this tracer liquid surplus, following structure is for example arranged, it comprises: the liquid containing chamber by the pressurization of presser unit, is discharged to liquid sensing chamber with the liquid that stores; And detecting unit, its configuration has intercepted in the zone of pressure of presser unit, and the volume-variation of tracer liquid sensing chamber (for example with reference to patent documentation 1).
This liquid sensing chamber for example is made of the part of locular wall fexible film etc., even thereby in the liquid containing chamber, have under the situation of sufficient liquid residue, when thereby the liquid containing chamber was not subjected to the pressurization of presser unit not discharge liquid from the liquid containing chamber, its volume also remained on Min..When depressing from liquid containing chamber discharge liquid in adding of presser unit, the volume of liquid sensing chamber enlarges according to the amount of liquid of being discharged.
On the other hand, the amount of liquid of discharging from the liquid containing chamber when implementing the pressurization of presser unit can reduce gradually along with the minimizing of the indoor liquid residue of liquid containing.Then, when the amount of liquid of discharging from the liquid containing chamber reduced, the increase of the volume of liquid sensing chamber also can reduce thereupon.
Thereby whether the liquid capacity that detecting unit can detect liquid sensing chamber when presser unit is pressurizeed has reached prescribed level.
Patent documentation 1: the Japanese documentation spy opens the 2004-351871 communique.
But, in above-mentioned liquid container, will constitute of the direction pushing of the fexible film of a locular wall part with suitable push part, so that when not discharging liquid from the liquid containing chamber, liquid sensing chamber keeps minimum volume to volume reducing.Therefore, when making the volume increase of liquid sensing chamber whenever discharging liquid from the liquid containing chamber, fexible film all will repeat to deform to enlarge the volume of liquid sensing chamber, therefore, this fexible film must be formed with the expensive material of high-durability, the problem of the cost rising that causes liquid container can be produced thus.
In addition, if increase thickness for the durability that improves fexible film, then fexible film can not easily be out of shape, thereby may make fexible film can't follow the trail of the volume-variation of liquid sensing chamber swimmingly.
Summary of the invention
Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a kind of liquid container that solves the cheapness of above-mentioned problem, in this liquid container, the volume of liquid sensing chamber can not change repeatedly, thereby need not to improve the durability of fexible film.
Above-mentioned purpose of the present invention realizes by following liquid container.Described liquid container is characterised in that, comprising:
The liquid containing chamber, it can discharge stored liquid from liquid outlet owing to the pressurization of presser unit;
Liquid sensing chamber is configured in the zone that described presser unit is exerted pressure, and is connected with described liquid containing chamber, and its volume flows into according to the liquid from described liquid containing chamber and enlarges, and contraction when liquid stops to flow into from described liquid containing chamber;
Detecting unit is used to detect the volume-variation of described liquid sensing chamber; And
Valve system is configured between described liquid containing chamber and the described liquid sensing chamber, can block liquid inflow to described liquid sensing chamber from described liquid containing chamber.
Liquid container according to said structure, when in the liquid containing chamber, enough liquid residues being arranged, no matter presser unit is in pressurized state or non-pressurised state, the volume of liquid sensing chamber all enlarges, and the state that stops to flow at liquid, be that liquid sensing chamber begins retraction volume under the depleted state of liquid from the liquid containing chamber.
Therefore, both just presser unit was pressurizeed to the liquid containing chamber repeatedly along with the supply of liquid and is non-pressurised, and the volume of liquid sensing chamber can not shrink yet, thereby the volume of liquid sensing chamber is changed repeatedly.
Thereby the fexible film of the part of formation liquid sensing chamber etc. can not produce fatigue because of changing repeatedly.
In addition, by closing the valve system that is configured between liquid containing chamber and the liquid sensing chamber, the liquid that can block from the liquid containing chamber flows into, and makes the liquid containing chamber be in virtual liquid spent condition, thereby the volume of liquid sensing chamber is shunk.
Therefore, even its type for the liquid container that simultaneously liquid containing chamber and liquid sensing chamber is pressurizeed in, also can be by in the use of liquid consuming device, on one side making liquid container be in virtual liquid spent condition, with the volume-variation of detecting unit tracer liquid sensing chamber confirm the malfunction of this detecting unit on one side.
That is, by pressurizeing on one side with presser unit, on one side with the volume of detecting unit tracer liquid sensing chamber under the state that opens and closes valve system, the having or not and the malfunction of detecting unit of liquid that can the tracer liquid accommodating chamber.
In the liquid container of said structure, described valve system comprises: valve chamber makes the inflow entrance that is communicated with described liquid containing chamber and is connected with flow export that described liquid sensing chamber is communicated with; And barrier film, it is divided and forms described valve chamber, and can deform under the effect of external force; Wherein, to the described flow export of described valve chamber opening preferably by the distortion of described barrier film by inaccessible.
According to above-mentioned such liquid container, can make barrier film easily deformable on the barrier film by external force is acted on, and, by the barrier film that has been out of shape with from the negative pressure of the liquid sensing chamber that attraction produced of the liquid of supply opening, make barrier film closely contact on the flow export of valve chamber opening, thus choking flow outlet reliably.
In addition, in the liquid container of said structure, described valve system by preferred disposition in the zone of the pressure that has intercepted described presser unit, attract described liquid and the negative pressure of the described valve chamber that produces makes described barrier film produce distortion from supply opening, come inaccessible described flow export to described valve chamber opening by this distortion.
According to above-mentioned such liquid container, do not act on the valve system because presser unit imposes on the pressure of liquid containing chamber, therefore, make the valve chamber that is communicated with liquid sensing chamber via flow export become negative pressure from the liquid of the liquid sensing chamber that supply opening attracts, under the effect of this negative pressure, make diaphragm deflection, thus can the choking flow outlet.That is, can under the situation that the mechanism that applies external force is set on the barrier film, not constitute valve system simply in addition.
In addition, in the liquid container of said structure, preferably the described flow export ratio to described valve chamber opening is big to the aperture area of the described inflow entrance of described valve chamber opening.
According to above-mentioned such liquid container, making to the big attraction of valve chamber effect becomes negative pressure in the valve chamber, thereby can attract barrier film, i.e. choking flow outlet reliably reliably.
In addition, in the liquid container of said structure, to the described flow export of described valve chamber opening preferably with relative configuration of maximum displacement portion of described barrier film.
According to above-mentioned such liquid container, owing to maximum displacement portion relative put of flow export with barrier film, therefore can be with the choking flow outlet reliably of less negative pressure.In addition, owing to can set the distance between flow export and the barrier film bigger in the normal state, therefore can reduce this regional flow path resistance.
In addition, in the liquid container of said structure, described liquid sensing chamber preferably constitutes by the opening that can seal concave shaped space according to the film that liquid capacity is out of shape, and wherein said concave shaped space is located on the parts that form this liquid sensing chamber.
According to above-mentioned such liquid container, can form liquid sensing chamber by the so simple manufacturing process of opening, thereby can easily make the liquid sensing chamber of high seal with film hot weld sealing concave shaped space.
In addition, in the liquid container of said structure, described barrier film is made of the deformable film of sealing recess opening, and wherein said recess is located on the parts that form described valve chamber.
According to above-mentioned this structure, can form valve chamber by the so simple manufacturing process of opening, thereby can easily make the valve chamber of high seal with film hot weld sealing recess.
In the liquid container of said structure, described detecting unit preferably includes: moving-member, and it can be with the change of the liquid capacity of described liquid sensing chamber and is received movably; Recess when the liquid capacity of described liquid sensing chamber reaches ormal weight when following, matches with a face of described moving-member and divides to form and detect the space; And the piezo-electric type detecting unit, when applying vibration for described recess, detect the free vibration state that produces with the vibration that is applied.
According to above-mentioned this liquid container, when the liquid capacity in the liquid sensing chamber when ormal weight is following, moving-member matches with recess as the vibration zone of action and divides and form to detect the space, therefore the variation of the free vibration state that detected of piezo-electric type detecting unit becomes significantly, thereby can be correctly and detect the moment or the state that liquid capacity in the liquid sensing chamber reaches prescribed level reliably.
According to liquid container of the present invention, both just presser unit was pressurizeed to the liquid containing chamber repeatedly along with the supply of liquid and is non-pressurised, and the volume of liquid sensing chamber can not shrink yet, thereby the volume of liquid sensing chamber is changed repeatedly.
Therefore, the fexible film etc. that for example constitutes the part of liquid sensing chamber can not produce fatigue because of changing repeatedly, thereby fexible film etc. do not need to have high-durability.
Thereby thereby can prevent to rise or do not allow yielding problem for the durability that improves fexible film increases thickness owing to the cost that forms the liquid container that fexible film causes with the expensive material of high-durability.
In addition,, use up state, therefore can shrink the volume of liquid sensing chamber thereby make the liquid containing chamber be in virtual liquid owing to can block liquid from the inflow of liquid containing chamber by closing the valve system that is configured between liquid containing chamber and the liquid sensing chamber.
Therefore, even its type for the liquid container that simultaneously liquid containing chamber and liquid sensing chamber is pressurizeed in, also can be by in the use of liquid consuming device, on one side making liquid container be in virtual liquid spent condition, with the volume-variation of detecting unit tracer liquid sensing chamber confirm the malfunction of this detecting unit on one side.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 is the longitudinal section of the liquid container of first embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 is the inflow entrance of liquid container shown in Figure 1 and the flow export longitudinal section when being in blocked state;
Fig. 3 closes switch valve mechanism and the longitudinal section that is in the liquid container of virtual liquid spent condition;
Fig. 4 is the longitudinal section of the liquid container of second embodiment of the invention.
The specific embodiment
Below, the preferred implementation to liquid container of the present invention is elaborated with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is the longitudinal section of the liquid container of first embodiment of the invention, and its liquid capacity that shows liquid sensing chamber reaches the above state of ormal weight.Fig. 2 is the inflow entrance of liquid container shown in Figure 1 and the flow export longitudinal section when being in blocked state, and Fig. 3 closes the longitudinal section of switch valve mechanism with the liquid container of virtual liquid spent condition.
The liquid container 1 of this first embodiment is a print cartridge, and this print cartridge is removably mounted on the box installation portion of not shown inkjet recording device (liquid consuming device), and to the printhead supply ink (liquid) that is installed on the tape deck.
As shown in Figure 1, this liquid container 1 comprises: container body 5, divide the compression chamber 3 that is formed with by not shown presser unit pressurization; Ink bag (liquid containing chamber) 7, storage ink also is accommodated in the compression chamber 3, discharges stored ink by the pressurization of compression chamber 3 from outlet (liquid outlet) 7b; Ink supply port (supply opening) 9 is used for to the printhead supply ink as the inkjet recording device of outside liquid consumer; Ink detection portion (detecting unit) 11 between ink bag 7 and ink supply port 9, is used to detect the ink surplus; And switch valve mechanism 12 (valve system), be configured between ink bag 7 and the ink detection portion 11, can block ink and flow into ink detection portion 11 from ink bag 7.In addition, ink detection portion 11 by be arranged on ink-jet recording apparatus on checkout gear be connected and as the part performance function of checkout gear.
Container body 5 comprises: the compression chamber 3 that is in air-tight state; As the pressurization mouth 13 of gas-pressurized injection portion, be used for not shown presser unit and carry forced air to this compression chamber 3 as shown by arrow A; And the space 44 that is in the atmosphere opening state.
This compression chamber 3 is zones that the pressure of the gas-pressurized that is provided by presser unit has been provided.Therefore, by presser unit institute applied pressure to being contained in ink bag 7 and 11 the two the generation effect comparably of ink detection portion in the compression chamber 3.
Ink bag 7 is that the outlet 7b with tubular is attached to the distolateral and form of flexible bag 7a, wherein, described flexible bag 7a is by will covering aluminium plural layers edge part each other bonding formation mutually what have that stacked aluminium lamination forms on the flexible resin thin film layer, and described tubular outlet 7b is connected with ink inflow entrance (liquid inflow entrance) 11a of ink detection portion 11.This ink bag 7 covers the aluminium plural layers by use guarantees high gas barrier property.
Ink bag 7 and ink detection portion 11 are by upward becoming interconnective state with the chimeric outlet 7b that is connected of ink inflow entrance 11a.That is,, they are separated from each other by removing the chimeric of outlet 7b and ink inflow entrance 11a.
In addition, be equipped with the encapsulation that is used between ink inflow entrance 11a, carrying out the air-tightness connection on the outlet 7b.Before connecting ink detection portion 11, in ink bag 7, be pre-charged with the ink that is adjusted to high degassing degree state.
Ink detection portion 11 comprises: test section housing 19 has the concave shaped space 19a that ink inflow entrance 11a that is connected with the outlet 7b of ink bag 7 and ink flow export (liquid flowing outlet) 11b that is connected with ink supply port 9 are communicated with; Fexible film 23, the opening of sealing concave shaped space 19a, thus mark off transducer room (liquid sensing chamber) 21; Pressure detecting portion 25 is installed on the bottom 19b of concave shaped space 19a; Compression plate (moving-member) 27 relatively is fixed on the fexible film 23 with described pressure detecting portion 25; And compression helical spring (push part) 29, be fitted between described compression plate 27 and the bottom 19b, and compression plate 27 and fexible film 23 are pushed to the direction elasticity of the volume expansion of transducer room 21.
Transducer room 21 preferably constitutes by the opening by fexible film 23 sealing concave shaped space 19a, and wherein said concave shaped space 19a is arranged on the parts that form described transducer room 21, is on the test section housing 19.Fexible film 23 plays the effect that compression plate 27 is applied the barrier film of displacement according to the pressure that is fed to the ink in the transducer room 21.In order to improve accuracy of detection, enable to detect the small pressure of ink and change, fexible film 23 preferably has enough flexibilities.By said structure, can form transducer room 21 by the so simple manufacturing process of opening, thereby can easily make the transducer room 21 of high seal with fexible film 23 hot welds sealing concave shaped space 19a.
In test section housing 19, end at the perisporium that divide to form concave shaped space 19a has been integrally formed therewith ink drain passageway 11c, and runs through on the perisporium relative with this ink drain passageway 11c and be formed with the ink flow export 11b that is communicated with ink supply port 9.Though do not illustrate among the figure, in ink supply port 9, valve system is installed, when on the box installation portion that print cartridge is installed to inkjet recording device, this valve system is opened stream by the insertion that is installed in the ink supply pin on the box installation portion.
Pressure detecting portion 25 in the ink detection portion 11 comprises: base plate 31 when not having ink when ink bag 7 is exported to ink supply port 9, is the state away from compression plate 27 under the effect of the pushing force of compression helical spring 29; Ink path of navigation 33, it is formed in the recess on the described base plate 31; And piezo-type sensor (piezo-electric type detecting unit) 35, when applying vibration for ink path of navigation 33, detect the state of the free vibration of following described vibration and producing.
Whether this piezo-type sensor 35 can be covered the state (amplitude of residual vibration or the variation of frequency) that detects different free vibration by compression plate 27 by ink path of navigation 33.
Therefore, the state that for example is arranged on the free vibration that the control part in the inkjet recording device can be detected according to piezo-type sensor 35 detects the distortion of the fexible film 23 of supporting compression plate 27, comes the volume-variation in the detecting sensor chamber 21 thus.
The press direction of compression helical spring 29 is directions that the volume of transducer room 21 as described above enlarges.Thereby usually the time (ink of ink bag 7 also do not exhaust in), compression plate 27 and base plate 31 are kept the state of leaving as shown in Figure 1.
And,,, also keep the described state that leaves even the pressure of presser unit is applied in the compression chamber 3 when surplus when enough ink surpluses are arranged in ink bag 7.That is, compression helical spring 29 has a pushing force, and the ink feed pressure from ink bag flow sensor chambers 21 7 matches this pushing force with depressing in adding of presser unit, the opposing presser unit pressure and make compression plate 27 leave the bottom 19b.
On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2, when the ink of ink bag 7 is in spent condition and stops to flow into inks from ink bag 7, perhaps when the time from ink supply port 9 attraction inks, under the effect of the negative pressure in transducer room 21, compression plate 27 is resisted the pushing force of compression helical springs 29 and is moved, and closely contacts with base plate 31.
As shown in Figure 2, under compression plate 27 and base plate 31 tight state of contact, be formed on recess on the base plate 31, be that ink path of navigation 33 matches with compression plate 27 and divides to form and detect the space, when compression plate 27 was in the state that leaves base plate 31, this ink path of navigation 33 was opened to transducer room 21.Compression plate 27 has in the zone relative with the vibration plane of piezo-type sensor 35 and the substantially parallel face of described vibration plane.
In ink detection portion 11, when the forced air that is being supplied to compression chamber 3 to the pressurization of ink bag 7 under and from ink bag 7 during to transducer room 21 supply inks, the ink feed pressure matches with the pushing force of compression helical spring 29 and makes fexible film 23 dilatancy upward.Leave base plate 31 by compression plate 27, ink path of navigation 33 is in to transducer room 21 opened state, and supplies ink from ink supply port 9 to the first side of record by transducer room 21 simultaneously.
Even compression chamber 3 is in the pressurized state of regulation,, then be supplied to the quantity of ink of transducer room 21 also can reduce from ink bag 7 if the ink that is contained in the ink bag 7 reduces.Thus, because the pressure in the transducer room 21 reduces, therefore, compression plate 27 moves closer to the base plate 31 with ink path of navigation 33.
Promptly, when the liquid capacity in the transducer room 21 when ormal weight is following, compression plate 27 matches with ink path of navigation 33 as the vibration zone of action and divides and form to detect the space, therefore, the variation of the free vibration state that piezo-type sensor 35 is detected becomes significantly, thereby can be correctly and detect the moment or the state that liquid capacity in the transducer room 21 arrives prescribed level reliably.In the present embodiment, compression plate 27 closely contact with base plate 31 because of the pressure in the transducer room 21 reduce, and match with ink path of navigation 33 and divide the state that ink that the moment that forms the detection space is made as ink bag 7 exhausts.
Switch valve mechanism 12 is configured between ink bag 7 and the ink detection portion 11, can block ink from the inflow of ink bag 7 to ink detection portion 11.Switch valve mechanism 12 has the valve chamber 41 that inflow entrance 37 and flow export 39 are communicated with, and wherein said inflow entrance 37 is connected with ink bag 7, and described flow export 39 is connected with transducer room 21.Inflow entrance 37 is communicated with ink bag 7 via ink inflow entrance 11a.Flow export 39 is communicated with transducer room 21 via ink drain passageway 11c.
Valve chamber 41 is to constitute by the opening that seals recess 43 with barrier film 45, and wherein said recess 43 is arranged on the parts that form valve chamber 41, is on the test section housing 19.By said structure, can form valve chamber 41 by the so simple manufacturing process of opening that comes hot weld with barrier film 45 and seal recess 43, thereby can easily make the valve chamber 41 of high seal.
Barrier film 45 is formed by deformable film.Can come inaccessible inflow entrance 37 and flow export 39 by the distortion (closely contact) of barrier film 45 to valve chamber 41 openings.The configuration space pressurized chambers 3 44 and the next door 46 of barrier film 45 separate.This space 44 is communicated with atmosphere via peristome 48.
In the present embodiment, the negative pressure of the valve chamber 41 that produces from ink supply port 9 attraction inks makes barrier film 45 produce distortion, comes the flow export 39 of obturation to valve chamber 41 openings by this distortion.That is, the ink of the transducer room 21 that attracts from ink supply port 9 makes the valve chamber 41 that is communicated with transducer room 21 via flow export 39 become negative pressure, makes barrier film 45 distortion under the effect of this negative pressure, thereby can export 39 by choking flow.
That is, can constitute switch valve mechanism 12 simply, and the mechanism that applies external force needn't be set on barrier film 45 in addition.
In addition, to the aperture area of the flow export 39 of valve chamber 41 openings preferably than the aperture area to the inflow entrance 37 of valve chamber 41 openings is big equally.Can make the bigger attraction of effect on the valve chamber 41 thus, make valve chamber 41 inside become negative pressure, thereby can attract barrier film 45 reliably, be i.e. choking flow outlet 39 reliably.
Relative and put to the maximum displacement portion (central portion of barrier film 45) of flow export 39 with the barrier film 45 of valve chamber 41 openings.Thereby can make barrier film 45 displacements reliably, and choking flow outlet 39 reliably with little negative pressure.In addition, owing to can set the distance between flow export 39 and the barrier film 45 bigger in the normal state, therefore can reduce this regional flow path resistance.
Thereby as shown in Figure 3, if come choking flow outlet 39, just the ink that has blocked from ink bag 7 flows into by attract ink, valve chamber 41 to become negative pressure from ink supply port 9.If under this state, further attract ink, then make compression plate 27 to base plate 31 close moving, and final closely contact is on base plate 31 owing to the pressure in the transducer room 21 reduces from ink supply port 9.
That is, can block and make ink bag 7 present virtual ink spent condition being communicated with of ink bag 7 by switch valve mechanism 12.Afterwards, as to compression chamber 3 pressurization, then switch valve mechanism 12 opens under the effect from the pressure of ink bag 7, and transducer room 21 returns the state of ink again.
In this liquid container 1, when the ink capacity in the transducer room 21 (liquid capacity) reaches ormal weight when following, compression plate 27 and ink path of navigation 33 match incompatible division formation as the detection space that vibrates the zone of action, thereby the frequency corresponding to the acoustic resistance of ink path of navigation 33 occurs.The frequency of the acoustic resistance when this frequency ratio compression plate 27 leaves base plate 31 is low, its significant difference.Therefore, the variation of the free vibration state that piezo-type sensor 35 detects also becomes significantly, thereby can be correctly and detect the moment or the state that ink capacity in the transducer room 21 reaches prescribed level reliably.
In addition, in the liquid container 1 of present embodiment, the peristome on surface constitutes transducer room 21 by forming thereon according to fexible film 23 sealings that ink capacity is out of shape, and piezo-type sensor 35 is configured in the bottom of transducer room 21.
Therefore, transducer room 21 is out of shape corresponding to the variation (pressure variation) of ink capacity, and can be easy to constitute confined space easily, and can be to prevent the leakage and the evaporation of liquid with simple structure.
And in the liquid container 1 of above-mentioned embodiment, compression plate 27 is fixed on the fexible film 23, and owing to the distortion of fexible film 23 is moved, the distortion of wherein said fexible film 23 is corresponding to the variation of the ink capacity of transducer room 21.Therefore, because fexible film 23 easy deformation, thereby can make compression plate 27 follow the trail of liquid level or pressure swimmingly.
In addition, in the liquid container 1 of present embodiment, compression plate 27 has the face that is basically parallel to described vibration plane in the zone relative with the vibration plane of piezo-type sensor 35, therefore, can easily form servo-actuated makes volume-variation in liquid level detection space.
And in the liquid container 1 of present embodiment, compression plate 27 is used as the compression helical spring 29 of the pushing unit that is made of elastomeric element to the direction pushing of leaving piezo-type sensor 35.Therefore, by regulating the pushing force of compression helical spring 29, the period that compression plate 27 matches with ink path of navigation 33 and divides formation detection space can be arbitrarily changed, the interior pressure (remaining liquid measure) of the transducer room 21 that will detect can also be easily set simultaneously.
In the liquid container 1 of present embodiment, divide owing to compression plate 27 is matched with ink path of navigation 33 and to form the moment of detecting the space and set the state that the ink of ink bag 7 exhausts for, therefore, with liquid container 1 during as print cartridge, the piezo-type sensor 35 of ink detection portion 11 can be applied in a flexible way effectively to detecting ink surplus in the ink bag 7 is that zero ink is used up testing agency when as mentioned above.
As shown in Figure 3, when ink blocks from the inflow of ink bag 7 to transducer room 21 in switch valve mechanism 12, and when ink supply port 9 attracted liquid, transducer room 21 was in negative pressure state, and the micro-bubble that is present in the transducer room 21 expand into the large volume bubble.Thus, the ink of discharging from ink supply port 9 flows caused resistance change greatly, and bubble is easily along with the ink that flows to ink supply port 9 is transported together.
Promptly, liquid container 1 according to present embodiment, be configured between ink bag 7 and the transducer room 21, and can block the switch valve mechanism 12 of ink owing to possess to have from ink bag flow sensor chambers 21 7, therefore, by blocking ink with switch valve mechanism 12 from ink bag flow sensor chambers 21 7, attract ink and make transducer room 21 be in negative pressure state from ink supply port 9, thereby the micro-bubble that is present in the transducer room 21 is expanded and the increase volume.
Thus, the ink stream of discharging from ink supply port 9 is big to the resistance change of bubble, thereby can be easily along with the ink that flows to ink supply port 9 comes together to transport bubble.
Under the state that micro-bubble is expanded, if by the forced air that is supplied to compression chamber 3 ink bag 7 is pressurizeed and from ink bag 7 to valve chamber 4 supply inks, then switch valve mechanism 12 opens, ink flow sensor chamber 21, therefore, bubble is discharged from ink supply port 9 along with ink stream.Consequently, can discharge the micro-bubble that is present in the transducer room 21 reliably.
In addition, liquid container 1 according to present embodiment, when enough ink surpluses are arranged in ink bag 7, no matter presser unit is in pressurized state or non-pressurised state, the volume of transducer room 21 all can increase, and the state that stops to flow into from ink bag 7 at ink, be under the depleted state of ink, transducer room 21 beginning retraction volumes.
Therefore, both just presser unit was pressurizeed to ink bag 7 repeatedly along with the supply of ink and is non-pressurised, and the volume of transducer room 21 can not shrink yet, thereby the volume of transducer room 21 is changed repeatedly.
Therefore, the fexible film 23 of the part of formation transducer room 21 can not produce fatigue because of changing repeatedly.
In addition, by closing the switch valve mechanism 12 that is configured between ink bag 7 and the transducer room 21, the ink that can block from ink bag 7 flows into, and makes ink bag 7 be in virtual ink spent condition, thereby the volume of transducer room 21 is shunk.
Therefore, even at the same time in the liquid container 1 of the sort of type that ink bag 7 and transducer room 21 are pressurizeed, also can be in virtual ink spent condition, and confirm the malfunction of this piezo-type sensor 35 with the volume-variation of piezo-type sensor detecting sensor chambers 21 35 by in the use of inkjet recording device, making liquid container 1.
Promptly, by pressurizeing with presser unit on one side, on one side with the volume of piezo-type sensor 35 detecting sensor chamber 21 under the state that opens and closes switch valve mechanism 12, can detect the having or not and the malfunction of piezo-type sensor 35 of ink of ink bag 7.
Thereby, liquid container 1 according to the present embodiment of above explanation, even presser unit is pressurizeed with non-pressurised to ink bag 7 repeatedly with the supply of ink, the volume of transducer room 21 can not shrink yet, thereby the volume of transducer room 21 is changed repeatedly.
Therefore, the fexible film 23 that constitutes the part of transducer room 21 can not produce fatigue because of changing repeatedly, thereby fexible film 23 need not to have high-durability.
Thereby can prevent to cause the cost of liquid container 1 to rise, or increase thickness so that on-deformable situation for the durability that improves fexible film 23 owing to the expensive material with high-durability forms fexible film 23.
In addition,, use up state, volume that therefore can contract sensor chamber 21 thereby make ink bag 7 be in virtual ink owing to can block from the ink of ink bag 7 and flow into by closing the switch valve mechanism 12 that is configured between ink bag 7 and the transducer room 21.
Even its type for the liquid container 1 that simultaneously ink bag 7 and transducer room 21 is pressurizeed in, also can be by in the use of inkjet recording device, on one side making liquid container 1 be in virtual ink spent condition, with the volume-variation of piezo-type sensor 35 detecting sensor chambers 21 confirm the malfunction of this piezo-type sensor 35 on one side.
That is, by pressurizeing on one side,, can detecting sensor chamber 21 have or not the malfunction of ink and piezo-type sensor 35 on one side with the volume of piezo-type sensor 35 detecting sensor chamber 21 under the state that opens and closes switch valve mechanism 12 with presser unit.
For example, under the state of opening switch valve mechanism 12, detect the signal of ink, and when under the state of closing switch valve mechanism 12, detecting the signal of no ink, in ink bag 7, ink is arranged.
And, under the state of opening switch valve mechanism 12, detect the signal of no ink, and when under the state of closing switch valve mechanism 12, also detecting the signal of no ink, in ink bag 7, do not have ink.
In addition, under the state of opening switch valve mechanism 12, detect no ink signal or ink signal is arranged, and when under the state of closing switch valve mechanism 12, having detected ink signal, piezo-type sensor 35 malfunctions.
Fig. 4 is the longitudinal section of the liquid container of second embodiment of the invention.
The liquid container 61 of this second embodiment has changed the part of liquid container shown in Figure 11, can make by driver element 63 and divide barrier film 45 actions that form valve chamber 41, wherein, described driver element 63 comes actuation plunger 63a by fluid pressure or o.
That is, impose external force to barrier film 45.Barrier film 45 both can only move by driver element 63, also can make the negative pressure that attraction produced from ink supply port 9 of the external force of driver element 63 and above-mentioned embodiment incompatible action that match.In addition structure is identical with the structure of liquid container shown in Figure 11, therefore is marked with identical label and detailed.
Liquid container 61 according to this second embodiment, act on by the external force that makes driver element 63 on the barrier film 45 of switch valve mechanism 12, can make barrier film 45 distortion, and, the negative pressure of the transducer room 21 that produces by the barrier film 45 that has been out of shape with from the attraction of the ink of ink supply port 9, barrier film 45 closely contact on the inflow entrance 37 and flow export 39 of valve chamber 41 openings, thereby block switch valve system 12 more reliably.
Structures such as the liquid containing chamber in the liquid container of the present invention, liquid sensing chamber, detecting unit and switch valve mechanism are not limited to the structure of above-mentioned embodiment, but can purport according to the present invention take variety of way.
For example, in the respective embodiments described above, use compression helical spring 29 to be used as fexible film 23 and compression plate 27 are pushed to the pushing unit that leaves piezo-type sensor 35 1 sides.
But also can use the pushing unit that constitutes by other elastomeric elements such as rubber to replace compression helical spring 29.
In addition, in the above-described embodiment, compression plate 27 matched with ink path of navigation 33 and divide and form the state that ink that the moment of detecting the space is set at ink bag 7 is exhausted fully, and be that zero ink is used up testing agency and brought into play function as detecting ink surplus in the ink bag 7 piezo-type sensor 35.
But, dividing if compression plate 27 matched with ink path of navigation 33 and to form the almost depleted state (the residual small quantity that regulation is arranged) of ink that the moment of detecting the space is set at ink bag 7, can be that the ink of zero state is about to use up testing agency for detecting that ink surplus in the ink bag 7 is about to the utilization of piezo-type sensor 35 efficient, flexibles also then.
In addition, in liquid container of the present invention, detect the space and make the recess of the vibration zone of action of pressure detecting portion effect vibration be not limited to the ink path of navigation 33 shown in the respective embodiments described above as dividing to form.Recess of the present invention not only can be a tubular passageway, can also be the simple kerf to the upper surface open of base plate 31.
In addition, the purposes of liquid container of the present invention is not limited to the print cartridge of ink-jet recording apparatus, also can be diverted to the various liquid consuming devices of the jet head liquid etc. with the micro-drop of ejection.
As the object lesson of liquid consuming device, for example can enumerate: the device that in the manufacturing of the chromatic filter of LCD etc., uses with colorant injector head; The device that in the electrode of OLED display, face active display (FED) etc. forms, uses with electrode material (conduction is stuck with paste) injector head; The device that in the manufacturing of biochip, uses with biological organic matter injector head; Device as precise pipet with sample injector head; Dyeing and printing device; And little diffuser etc.

Claims (7)

1. a liquid container is characterized in that, comprising:
The liquid containing chamber, it can discharge stored liquid from liquid outlet owing to the pressurization of presser unit;
Liquid sensing chamber is configured in the zone that described presser unit is exerted pressure, and is connected with described liquid containing chamber, and its volume flows into according to the liquid from described liquid containing chamber and enlarges, and contraction when liquid stops to flow into from described liquid containing chamber;
Detecting unit is used to detect the volume-variation of described liquid sensing chamber; And
Valve system is configured between described liquid containing chamber and the described liquid sensing chamber, can block liquid inflow to described liquid sensing chamber from described liquid containing chamber;
Described valve system comprises: valve chamber makes the inflow entrance that is communicated with described liquid containing chamber and is connected with flow export that described liquid sensing chamber is communicated with; Barrier film, it is divided and forms described valve chamber, and can deform under the effect of external force;
To the described flow export of described valve chamber opening by the distortion of described barrier film by inaccessible.
2. liquid container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that,
Described valve system is configured in the zone of the pressure that has intercepted described presser unit, attracts described liquid and the negative pressure of the described valve chamber that produces makes described barrier film produce distortion from supply opening, comes inaccessible described flow export to described valve chamber opening by this distortion.
3. liquid container as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that,
Described flow export ratio to described valve chamber opening is big to the aperture area of the described inflow entrance of described valve chamber opening.
4. liquid container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, and is relative with the maximum displacement portion of described barrier film and put to the described flow export of described valve chamber opening.
5. liquid container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that,
Described liquid sensing chamber constitutes by the opening that can seal concave shaped space according to the film that liquid capacity is out of shape, and wherein said concave shaped space is arranged on the parts that form this liquid sensing chamber.
6. liquid container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that,
Described barrier film is made of the deformable film of the opening of sealing recess, and wherein said recess is arranged on the parts that form described valve chamber.
7. liquid container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that,
Described detecting unit comprises: moving-member, and it can be with the change of the liquid capacity of described liquid sensing chamber and is received movably; Recess when the liquid capacity of described liquid sensing chamber reaches ormal weight when following, matches with a face of described moving-member and divides to form and detect the space; And the piezo-electric type detecting unit, when applying vibration for described recess, detect and follow the vibration that is applied and the free vibration state that produces.
CNB2007100798295A 2006-02-15 2007-02-14 Liquid container Expired - Fee Related CN100544960C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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JP5034801B2 (en) * 2007-09-10 2012-09-26 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Method for manufacturing liquid supply body
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US11400453B2 (en) 2017-05-11 2022-08-02 Cytochip Inc. Reagent packaging devices and uses thereof
CN108097545B (en) * 2017-12-14 2020-04-10 武汉华星光电半导体显示技术有限公司 Coating liquid supply device applied to flexible substrate manufacturing
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CN100519205C (en) 2009-07-29

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