CN101157304B

CN101157304B - Ink cartridges and ink supply systems

Info

Publication number: CN101157304B
Application number: CN2007101499799A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 服部信吾
Original assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2006-10-06
Filing date: 2007-10-08
Publication date: 2010-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 2027-10-08
Also published as: JP4867560B2; EP1908595B1; EP1908595A1; CN101157304A; JP2008093840A

Abstract

An ink cartridge (50) includes an ink chamber (73) configured to store ink, an air layer (83) formed in the ink chamber, and a pump (170) configured to supply air to the air layer and draw air from the air layer. An ink supply system includes a main ink tank having an ink chamber configured to store ink and an air layer formed in the ink chamber, a pump configured to supply air to the air layer and draw air from the air layer, and a sub ink tank configured to store ink. The main ink tank and the sub ink tank (21) are in fluid communication with each other.

Description

Print cartridge and ink feeding system

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to print cartridge and ink feeding system.Especially, the present invention is devoted to the print cartridge that can use with ink jet printers, and is devoted to the ink feeding system applicable to ink-jet printer.

Background technology

Known ink-jet printer has record head, from this record head China ink is discharged on a piece of paper, to form image on this paper.Known ink-jet printer also has main ink container and the secondary ink container that is installed on the record head.Main ink container and secondary ink container are communicated with via the mutual fluid of ink-feed channel, and described ink-feed channel is formed by flexible pipe.Known ink-jet printer also has for example positive-dispacement pump of ink-supplying mechanism, for example manages pump or gear pump.This pump is set in place in the ink-feed channel between main ink container and secondary ink container, and is configured to China ink is fed to secondary ink container from main ink container.China ink is sucked in the inside of pump, is pressurizeed to be fed to secondary ink container by pump then.In some cases, main ink container and pump are set in the box, and this box is configured to and can pulls down from ink-jet printer.

Summary of the invention

Yet because pump is arranged in the ink-feed channel, China ink may leak from pump when pump damages, so should manage the pipeline of pump aging and deterioration, perhaps the sealing deterioration of this pump.Therefore the print cartridge and the ink feeding system of these and other shortcoming of overcoming association area caused the demand.Technical advantage of the present invention is to stop China ink from the pump leakage and with high reliability supply China ink.

According to embodiment of the present invention, a kind of print cartridge comprises the ink chamber that is configured to store China ink, is formed on special air layer and pump in this ink chamber, this pump is configured to this special air layer supply air with from this special air layer suction air, and wherein said ink chamber is configured such that China ink can arrive the described special air layer in the described ink chamber.Adopt this print cartridge, do not having China ink to enter under the situation of pump, China ink from ink chamber be supplied to the outside of ink chamber and from the external suction of ink chamber to ink chamber.Therefore, even pump damages, China ink does not leak from pump yet.

According to another embodiment of the invention, ink feeding system comprises: main ink container, this main ink container comprise the ink chamber that is configured to store China ink and are formed on special air layer in this ink chamber; Pump, this pump are configured to this special air layer supply air with from this special air layer suction air; With the secondary ink container that is configured to store China ink.Main ink container and secondary ink container fluid communication with each other, wherein said ink chamber is configured such that China ink can arrive the described special air layer in the described ink chamber.Adopt this ink feeding system, do not having China ink to enter under the situation of pump, China ink is supplied to secondary ink container and is drawn into main ink container from secondary ink container from main ink container.Therefore, even pump damages, China ink does not leak from pump yet.

Description of drawings

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, needs, feature and technical advantage that the present invention satisfied, with reference now to description taken together with the accompanying drawings hereinafter.

Fig. 1 is the simplified cross-sectional view of ink jet recording device according to embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 2 (a) is the amplification view of the record cell when secondary ink container is not communicated with the atmosphere fluid.

Fig. 2 (b) is the amplification view of the record cell when secondary ink container is communicated with the atmosphere fluid.

Fig. 3 (a) is the perspective view of print cartridge under the situation that shell is assembled according to embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 3 (b) is the perspective view of this print cartridge under the situation that shell is opened.

Fig. 4 is a print cartridge perspective view from different perspectives.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of describing the internal structure of print cartridge.

Fig. 6 is the side view along the internal structure of the arrow VI observation of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is the cutaway view along the print cartridge of the VII-VII line of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is the view sub-anatomy of print cartridge.

Fig. 9 is the partial sectional view along the IX-IX line of Fig. 8.

Figure 10 is the cutaway view of the print cartridge when print cartridge is filled with scheduled volume black.

Figure 11 is the air communication cross-sectional view taken.

Figure 12 (a) is the partial sectional view of the air communication part when valve is positioned at the P1 place.

Figure 12 (b) is the partial sectional view of the air communication part when valve is positioned at the P2 place.

Figure 13 is the partial sectional view of pump.

Figure 14 is the exploded view of ink guide part.

Figure 15 is the partial sectional view of ink guide part.

Figure 16 is the box mounting portion when print cartridge is not installed on the box mounting portion and the perspective view of print cartridge.

Figure 17 is the box mounting portion when print cartridge is installed on the box mounting portion and the perspective view of print cartridge.

Figure 18 is the side view along the box mounting portion of the arrow XVIII observation of Figure 17.

Figure 19 is along the box mounting portion of the XIX-XIX line of Figure 17 and the cutaway view of print cartridge.

Figure 20 (a) is the schematic diagram of describing ink supply process and black aspiration procedure to 20 (c).

The specific embodiment

With reference to figure 1,2 (a) and 2 (b), ink-jet recording apparatus 10 is configured to adopt China ink that the China ink of black ink or some kinds of colors for example adopts five kinds of colors record color image or monochrome image on recording medium is for example on a piece of paper, and the China ink of described five kinds of colors is cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, dye-based black China ink and pigmented black ink for example.Ink-jet recording apparatus 10 comprises paper carrier 12, conveying device 13, record cell 14, ink feeding system 11, paper disc 16 and discharge dish 17.Paper disc 16 is configured to hold plurality of sheets of paper, and these paper are fed to paper path 18 by paper carrier 12.This paper path 18 forms and revolves " U " shape that turn 90 degrees.Conveying device 13 is provided with along paper path 18.Conveying device 13 comprises a pair of conveying roller 13A, a pair of distributing roller 13B and pressing plate 19.Conveying roller 13A is positioned at the upstream side of record cell 14 in paper path 18, and distributing roller 13B is positioned at the downstream of record cell 14 in paper path 18.

Conveying roller 13A is configured to that paper carrier 12 is presented the paper sheet delivery of coming and arrives pressing plate 19.Record cell 14 is positioned at directly over the pressing plate 19.Record cell 14 is formed at through document image on the paper of pressing plate 19.Distributing roller 13B is configured to begin cramping and conveyance of sheets when the leading edge of paper arrives distributing roller 13B.Conveying roller 13A and distributing roller 13B all be configured to conveyance of sheets up to the trailing edge of paper till passing through between the conveying roller 13A.After paper had passed through between the conveying roller 13A, paper was only carried by distributing roller 13B.Discharge dish 17 is positioned at the downstream part of paper path 18.The paper that distributing roller 13B is configured to record image is discharged to discharge dish 17.

Record cell 14 comprises carriage 30, at least one secondary ink container 21, a control panel 27 and record head 26.Carriage 30 is supported on these tracks slidably by track, and is configured to slide along the fore-and-aft direction of Fig. 1.Secondary ink container 21 is configured to store the China ink that is used to be supplied to record head 26.For example with the China ink of five kinds of colors five secondary ink containers 21 are set accordingly respectively.

Record head 26 comprises a plurality of nozzles 28, and based on importing the picture signal of control panel 27 to the end, China ink sprays towards paper via these nozzles.Ink-jet recording apparatus 10 comprises master controller, and this master controller is configured to carry out comprehensive control of ink-jet recording apparatus 10, and control panel 27 is to the end exported and imported to picture signal from master controller.

Carriage 30 comprises the side, and at this place, side of carriage 30 at least one joint 33 is set.At least one flexible pipe 32 is connected to this at least one joint 33.For example with the China ink of five kinds of colors 32 and five joints 33 of five pipes are set accordingly respectively.The passage 34 that extends to the bottom of secondary ink container 21 from joint 33 is arranged on the carriage 30.

Valve system 37 is arranged in the carriage 30, and valve system 37 comprises cylinder 39, helical spring 41 and the piston 40 that is communicated with secondary ink container 21 fluids.Helical spring 41 and piston 40 are accommodated in the cylinder 39.Cylinder 39 comprises diapire, and has the diapire that runs through cylinder 39 and the opening 42 that forms.Helical spring 41 is compressed, and closes the direction pushing piston 40 of opening 42 along piston 40.Bar 43 extends to the outside of cylinder 39 from piston 40 via opening 42.

With reference to figure 2 (b), piston 40 is configured to when in the opposite direction power being applied on the bar 43 along the side with the pushing force of helical spring 41, and piston 40 is the mobile pushing force that overcomes helical spring 41 cylinder 39 in, thereby opens opening 42.The inside of secondary ink container 21 is configured to be communicated with atmosphere via cylinder 39 and opening 42 when opening 42 is opened.When China ink flows into via pipe 32 or flow out secondary ink container 21, opening 42 is opened.When ink-jet recording apparatus 10 is in the not wait state of executive logging of ink-jet recording apparatus 10, opening 42 is closed to stop the evaporation of China ink.

With reference to figure 1, ink feeding system 11 comprises box mounting portion 200, at least one print cartridge 50, at least one flexible pipe 32 and at least one secondary ink container 21.Box mounting portion 200 is configured to removably install at least one print cartridge 50 within it.Print cartridge 50 comprises the main ink container 70 that is used to store China ink.Main ink container 70 and secondary ink container 21 are configured to be communicated with via pipe 32 mutual fluids.Five five main ink containers 70 and five secondary ink containers 21 that pipe 32 is connected respectively to five print cartridges 50 for example.China ink is via pipe 32 two-way flows between main ink container 70 and secondary ink container 21.Pipe 32 comprises at least a flexible synthetic resin.Therefore managing 32 is configured to when carriage 30 moves back and forth deflection and follows the motion of carriage 30.

When the China ink in secondary ink container 21 and the pipe 32 turned back to main ink container 30, the bubble that is trapped in secondary ink container 21 and the pipe 32 also can be sent to main ink container 30 with China ink, and bubble can separate with the China ink of main ink container 30 inside.Afterwards, Mo Kecong master's ink container 30 is supplied to secondary ink container 21.Therefore, the China ink in the secondary ink container 21 is replaced by the China ink in the main ink container 70, and the China ink in the secondary ink container 21 mixes with China ink in the main ink container 70.Therefore, by mixing the viscosity equilibrium that can make China ink.

Referring to figs. 3 to 9, print cartridge 50 comprises shell 52.Shell 52 has rectangular shape, and the width of this rectangular shape is on the Y direction of Fig. 3 to 5, and height is on the Z-direction of Fig. 3 to 9, and the degree of depth is on the X-direction of Fig. 3 to 9.Height is greater than width, and the degree of depth is greater than height.X-direction is parallel with the direction that print cartridge 50 is installed in the box mounting portion 200.The X-Y plane that is limited by X-axis and Y-axis is a horizontal plane.X-axis, Y-axis and Z axle are perpendicular to one another.

Shell 52 comprises first casing component 53 and second casing component 54.Shell 52 is configured to optionally split into first casing component 53 and second casing component 54 along X-direction.The shape of the shape of first casing component 53 and second casing component 54 is roughly the same.Each casing component in first casing component 53 and second casing component 54 comprises at least a synthetic resin, and by the injection molding manufacturing.

Shell 52 comprises end face 59 and positive 60.Positive 60 have first end and second end, and end face is connected to positive 60 first end.Opening 56 forms and runs through end face 59 and extend to positive 60.The notch portion 61 that is respectively formed in first casing component 53 and second casing component 54 limits opening 56.The part of bar 182 described later is configured to be arranged in opening 56, and bar 182 is configured to extend from positive 60.Be adjacent to passed through said front surface 60 formation openings 57 with positive 60 second end.The semi-circular cut-out that is respectively formed in first casing component 53 and second casing component 54 partly limits opening 57.Ink guide part 130 extends to the outside of shell 52 via opening 57 from the inboard of shell 52.Passed through said front surface 60 forms opening 58 between opening 56 and opening 57.The rectangular cut portion 62 that is respectively formed in first casing component 53 and second casing component 54 limits opening 58.Test section 75 is positioned at the inside of shell 52, and is exposed to the outside of shell 52 via opening 58.

With reference to figure 5 to 7, print cartridge 50 comprises main ink container 70, pump 170, air communication part 110 and ink guide part 130.At least a portion of in main ink container 70, pump 170, air communication part 110 and the ink guide part 130 each is arranged in shell 52.In main ink container 70, pump 170, air communication part 110 and the ink guide part 130 each comprises at least a synthetic resin.

Main ink container 70 roughly is enclosed in the shell 52.The width of main ink container 70 on the Y direction, the height on the Z-direction and the degree of depth on X-direction.The height of main ink container 70 is greater than the width of main ink container 70, and the degree of depth of main ink container 70 is greater than height.Main ink container 70 comprises translucent frame 71 and is welded to semitransparent thin film 81 on two sides of framework 71.Framework 71 and film 81 limit ink chamber 73 therein and are used for the storage China ink.Omitted film 81 in the accompanying drawings.

With reference to figure 5 to 8, primary tank 70 comprises cylindrical black filling part 72, and black filling part 72 is integrally formed with framework 71.The back side 80 that China ink filling opening 82 runs through primary tank 70 forms.China ink filling part 72 is along X-direction 73 extensions from black filling opening 82 towards ink chamber.Ink chamber 73 is configured to be filled with via black filling opening 82 and black filling part 72 China ink of scheduled volume.The China ink of this scheduled volume can account for ink chamber 73 heap(ed) capacity about 80%.Ink chamber 73 comprises from the nearer top of air communication part 110 with from the nearer bottom of ink guide part 130.With reference to Figure 10, the place, top in ink chamber 73 forms air layer 83 above China ink.After ink chamber 73 is filled China ink, rubber stopper is force-fitted in the black filling part 72 from black filling opening 82.As described later, because ink guide part 130 and air communication part 110 also are closed, therefore, after ink chamber 73 was filled China ink, ink chamber 73 was by gastight closing.

With reference to figure 7 to 11, the back side 80 comprises top and bottom, and is adjacent to run through the back side 80 of main ink container 70 and forms circular open 84 with the upper end at the back side 80.Cylinder valve accommodating chamber 85 is formed in the main ink container 70, and valve accommodating chamber 85 is extended from opening 84 along X-direction.The piston 116 of valve 113, helical spring 112 and valve seat 114 are contained in the valve accommodating chamber 85.The valve accommodating chamber is included on the X-direction end opposite with opening 84.Opening 100 is formed on the place, end of valve accommodating chamber 85, and opening 100 is communicated with the upper flow of ink chamber 73.Especially, opening 100 is communicated with air layer 83 fluids at the place, top that is formed on ink chamber 73.The part of the bar 117 of valve 113 is arranged in opening 100.The diameter of opening 100 is greater than the external diameter of bar 117.Therefore bar 117 is not related to make and break mouth 100, and does not stop the air communication between valve accommodating chamber 85 and ink chamber 73.The cross section along the plane vertical with X-direction of bar 117 forms cross.The 117B of trench portion of bar 117 is constructed such that air is through the 117B of this trench portion.Valve accommodating chamber 85 comprises the cylindrical wall surface that extends to this end of this valve accommodating chamber 85 from opening 84.Opening 101 is formed in this wall surface of valve accommodating chamber 85, and is communicated with the atmosphere fluid.Air communication part 110 is configured to allow and stops at opening 100 be communicated with fluid between the opening 101.

With reference to figure 7-9 and 14, main ink container 70 comprises sidewall 71A, and this sidewall 71A limits the front 79 of main ink container 70.Sidewall 71A comprises top and bottom, and is adjacent to run through sidewall 71A with the lower end of sidewall 71A and forms circular open 87.Cylinder valve accommodating chamber 88 is formed in the main ink container 70, and valve accommodating chamber 88 is extended from opening 87 along X-direction towards ink chamber 73.Valve 133 and spring unit 134 are contained in the valve accommodating chamber 88.Main ink container 70 comprises the extended cylindrical wall 71B from sidewall 71A, and cylindrical wall 71B limits valve accommodating chamber 88 therein.Cylindrical wall 71B comprises end wall 105, and this end wall 105 limits the end opposite with opening 87 on X-direction of valve accommodating chamber 88.Opening 89 runs through end wall 105 and forms, and opening 89 is communicated with ink chamber 73 fluids.Above valve accommodating chamber 88, be adjacent to run through cylindrical wall 71B and form opening 104 with sidewall 71A.Opening 104 is arranged in each opening top of opening 89 and opening 87.

Main ink container 70 comprises two

passages

91 and 92, and each passage extends between valve accommodating chamber 88 and ink chamber 73.Passage 91 extends to valve accommodating chamber 88 from the bottom of ink chamber 72 along X-direction via opening 89.Passage 92 comprises the first vertical channel 92A, horizontal channel 92B and the second vertical channel 92C, this first vertical channel 92A extends along Z-direction via opening 104 from valve accommodating chamber 88, this horizontal channel 92B extends along Y direction from the end of the first vertical channel 92A, this second vertical channel 92C extends along Z-direction from the end of horizontal channel 92B, crooked 90 degree, extend along X-direction then, and arrive the top of ink chamber 73 at opening 94 places.Especially, passage 92 is communicated with air layer 83 fluids at the place, top that is formed on ink chamber 73.Passage 91 and 92 is limited by framework 71 and the rib that is formed on the framework 71.

Buffer chamber 90 is arranged in the passage 92, and is positioned at directly over the valve accommodating chamber 88.Buffer chamber 90 has cylinder form, and extends along Y direction.The cross-sectional area of buffer chamber 90 in the plane vertical with Y direction is greater than the other parts of passage 92 cross-sectional area in the vertical plane of the direction that flows in passage 92 with China ink.Check-valves 93 is arranged on the center along Y direction of buffer chamber 90.Check-valves 93 is configured to: be opened when being lower than pressure in the valve accommodating chamber 88 when the pressure in the ink chamber 73 becomes, and be closed when being higher than pressure in the valve accommodating chamber 88 when the pressure in the ink chamber 73 becomes.With reference to figure 7 and 8, in

passage

91,89 places are provided with check-valves 95 at opening.Check-valves 95 is configured to: be opened when being higher than pressure in the valve accommodating chamber 88 when the pressure in the ink chamber 73 becomes, and the pressure in ink chamber 73 becomes and is closed when being lower than pressure in the valve accommodating chamber 88.Therefore, when China ink flows into valve accommodating chamber 88 from the outside of print cartridge 50, be lower than pressure in the valve accommodating chamber 88 because the pressure in the ink chamber 73 becomes, check-valves 93 is opened, and check-valves 95 is closed.As a result, China ink flow to the top of ink chamber 73 via buffer chamber 90 and passage 92 from valve accommodating chamber 88.On the other hand, when air as described later when pump 170 is supplied to ink chamber 73 be higher than pressure in the valve accommodating chamber 88 because the pressure in the ink chamber 73 becomes, check-valves 93 is closed, and check-valves 95 is opened.As a result, China ink flow to valve accommodating chamber 88 from ink chamber 73 via opening 89.So, shown in the arrow among Fig. 8 86, in main ink container 70, formed half-duplex channel.

Bubble may be present in the valve accommodating chamber 88.Yet, because running through cylindrical wall 71B above valve accommodating chamber 88, opening 104 forms, the buoyancy that acts on bubble makes bubble be moved upwards up to buffer chamber 90 via opening 104.When check-valves 93 was opened, bubble arrived air layer 83 via check-valves 93 and passage 92.Even when check-valves 93 is closed, bubble also is collected and rests in the buffer container 90.Therefore, when China ink from managing 32 and secondary ink container 21 when turning back to main ink container 70, the bubble that may be trapped in pipe 32 and the secondary ink container 21 does not rest in the valve accommodating chamber 88.

It is top 78 that primary tank 70 comprises, and space 96 is arranged on top 78 and sentences pump 170 is positioned in the space 96.Pump seat 98 is formed on the wall of the described end that limits valve accommodating chamber 85.Be adjacent to form pump seat 99 with positive 79 on 78 in the

above.Pump seat

98 and 99 and framework 71 integrally formed.Pump 170 is installed on the main ink container 70 at

pump seat

98 and 99 places.

Pump seat 99 has the opening 102 that runs through its formation along X-direction.Pump 170 comprises cylindrical tube 171, and the diameter of opening 102 is a bit larger tham the external diameter of cylindrical tube 171.Cylindrical tube 171 comprise front end 176 and with front end 176 back end opposite 175.Cylindrical tube 171 inserts and passes opening 102, and rear end 175 is installed on the pump seat 99.The front end 176 of cylindrical tube 171 is installed on the pump seat 98.Cylindrical tube 171 comprises inner space 171A that is formed at wherein and the inner surface that limits inner space 171A.Pump seat 98 has the opening 103 that runs through its formation, and inner space 171A and ink chamber 73 are communicated with via opening 103 mutual fluids.In another embodiment, pump 170 can comprise the pipe that the square stylostome that replaces cylindrical tube 171 or pump 170 can comprise any other shape, as long as this pipe comprises the ducted body with two reciprocal ends.

With reference to figure 6 to 8, main ink container 70 comprises and is used for the test section 75 of detection of stored in the China ink amount of ink chamber 73.Test section 75 is left ink chamber 73 from the front 79 of main ink container 70 in X-direction and is extended.Test section 75 is integrally formed with framework 71, and therefore test section 75 comprise and framework 71 identical materials, promptly comprises at least a translucent synthetic resin.Test section 75 is configured to allow to pass this test section 75 from the light that optical pickocff 203 described later sends.Test section 75 can comprise any material, as long as this material allows light to pass.Test section 75 can be transparent or translucent.

With reference to figure 7 to 9, test section 75 comprises the inner space 76 that is formed on wherein.Inner space 76 is communicated with ink chamber 76 fluids.At least a portion of the photoresist part 157 of sensor arm 150 is configured to enter or leaves inner space 76.At least a portion that enters inner space 76 of photoresist part 157 is configured to contact with supporting walls 74, and rests on this position, and this supporting walls 74 defines the bottom of inner space 76.At least a portion of leaving inner space 76 of photoresist part 157 is configured to be positioned at specific location.

Main ink container 70 comprises support section 97, and support section 97 is configured to support pivotally sensor arm 150.Support section 97 is integrally formed with framework 71.Support section 97 is configured to the axle 158 of grasping sensor arm 150.

Sensor arm 150 comprises at least a synthetic resin, and by the injection molding manufacturing.Sensor arm 150 comprises float part 152, coupling part 153 and arm portion 154.Coupling part 153 comprises axle 158.

Float part 152 is the direction extension vertical with the direction of axle 158 extensions of 153 edges from the coupling part.The proportion of float part 152 is less than the proportion that is stored in the China ink in the ink chamber 73.Therefore, float part 152 is formed under the unrestricted situation of motion of float part 152 and floats on the China ink.Float part 152 can comprise the hollow space that is formed on wherein, perhaps can comprise the proportion little material of proportion than China ink.

Arm portion 154 comprises the first arm 155, second arm 156 and photoresist part 157.The first arm 155 is the direction extension vertical with the direction of float part 152 extensions of 153 edges from the coupling part.Second arm 156 extends along the direction of leaving float part 152 from the first arm 155.Photoresist part 157 is connected to the end of second arm 156.

The quality of arm portion 154 is less than the quality of float part 152.Sensor arm 150 is configured to not pivot around the counter clockwise direction 162 of axle 158 along Fig. 7 when ink chamber 76 has China ink, and because float part 152 is than arm portion 154 weights, so at least a portion of light blocking parts 157 is configured to leave the inner space 76 of test section 75.Float part 152 comprises the bottom, and ink chamber 73 comprises the bottom interior wall surface.Sensor arm 150 is configured to stop when the bottom of float part 152 contacts with the bottom interior wall surface of ink chamber 73 pivot, and photoresist part 157 is configured to be arranged in position as shown in Figure 7.

With reference to Figure 10, when ink container 76 was filled with described scheduled volume black, whole sensor arm 150 was immersed in the China ink.In this state, the buoyancy that acts on float part 152 is greater than the buoyancy that acts on arm portion 154, even the quality of float part 152, acts on the buoyancy of float part 152 greater than the quality of arm portion 154 also even as big as sensor arm 150 edge clockwise directions 163 are as shown in figure 10 pivoted around axle 158.Photoresist part 157 is configured to enter along with the pivot of sensor arm 150 inner space 76 of test section 75.Sensor arm 150 is configured to contact with supporting walls 74 by photoresist part 157 and stops to pivot.

With reference to Figure 10 to 12, air communication part 110 was configured to allow via opening 101 in being communicated with between atmosphere and the air layer 83.Air communication partly comprises cap 111, helical spring 112, valve 113 and valve seat 114.Cap 111, helical spring 112, valve 113 and valve seat 114 are arranged along X-direction with this order.Helical spring 112, valve 113 and valve seat 114 are contained in the valve accommodating chamber 85, and cap 111 is installed to the peripheral region of opening 84.

Helical spring 112 pushes valves 113 along X-direction to valve seat 114.Helical spring 112 can comprise metal material or resin material.Therefore helical spring 112 is accommodated in the valve accommodating chamber 85 with compressive state, and always is created in the power on the direction of helical spring 122 expansions.Any spring can be used for replacing helical spring 112, as long as it is to valve seat 114 pushing valves 113.Can use leaf spring.

Cap 111 comprises circular end wall 119 and from the extended cylindrical side wall 118 of the outer rim of end wall 119.End wall 119 contact helical springs 112.Run through sidewall 118 and form two grooves 120.On the described peripheral region of opening 84, form two ribs, and with these ribs respectively in insertion grooves 120, thereby cap 111 is installed to the described peripheral region of opening 84.

Valve 113 comprises piston 116 and the bar 117 integrally formed with piston 116.Piston 116 contacts with helical spring 112.Piston 116 is pushed to valve seat 114 along X-direction.Circular groove 122 is formed in the periphery wall of piston 116, and elasticity O shape ring 121 is coupled in the groove 122.The external diameter of O shape ring 121 is greater than the external diameter of the periphery wall of piston 116.Valve 113 is configured to: stoping between bar 117 sides of helical spring 112 sides of piston 116 and piston in the air communication via piston 116, under the contacted situation of wall surface of O shape ring 121 and valve accommodating chamber 85, valve 113 is in valve accommodating chamber 85 slides within.

Valve seat 114 is configured to and is contacted by the piston 116 of helical spring 112 along the X-direction pushing.Valve seat 114 is positioned at the place, described end of valve accommodating chamber 85.Valve seat 114 is to pass the annular shape that wherein is formed centrally opening 115.The centrally aligned of the center of opening 115 and the opening 100 at the place, described end that is formed on valve accommodating chamber 85.The part of bar 117 is arranged in opening 115.Valve seat 114 comprises for example rubber of elastomeric material, therefore, is closely contacted each other under situation very close to each other between valve seat 114 and the piston 116 by the valve seat 114 of helical spring 112 pushing and piston 116.

With reference to Figure 12 (a), when not having external force to be applied on the bar 117, valve 113 is by helical spring 112 pushing, and valve 113 is positioned at P1 place, position, and piston 116 contacts with valve seat 114 at P1 place, this position.Piston 116 closely contacts each other with valve seat 114, and valve seat 114 closely contacts each other with the described end of valve accommodating chamber 85.In this state, stop being communicated with between ink chamber 73 and valve accommodating chamber 85 via

opening

100 and 115.

With reference to Figure 12 (b), when than the big external force of the pushing force of helical spring 112 when direction 123 is applied on the bar 117, valve 113 moves the pushing force that overcomes helical spring 112 along direction 123, and piston 116 lifts off a seat 114 and separate.Valve 113 moves to position P2, contacts with the end wall 119 of cap 111 at position P2 place piston 116.In this state, shown in arrow 124, be based upon being communicated with between atmosphere and the ink chamber 73 via

opening

100 and 115, valve accommodating chamber 85 and opening 101.As described below, when plunger 172 was pushed into the end of cylindrical tube 171 and piston 181 catch bars 117, piston 181 applied external force.

Pump 170 be configured to be formed in the ink chamber 73 air layer 83 supply air and from air layer 83 suction airs.When air was supplied to air layer 83, the air pressure of air layer 83 uprised, and this China ink that causes being stored in the ink chamber 73 flows out.As a result, the volume of air layer 83 increases.When from air layer 83 suction airs, the air pressure step-down of air layer 83, this causes China ink to flow into ink chamber 73.As a result, the volume of air layer reduces.

With reference to Figure 13, pump 170 comprises cylindrical tube 171 and plunger 172.In cylindrical tube 171 and the plunger 172 each comprises at least a synthetic resin, and by the injection molding manufacturing.Cylindrical tube 171 is mounted to top 78 of main ink container 70.Cylindrical tube 171 has the central axis that extends between front end 176 and rear end 175, and this central axis of cylindrical tube 171 is parallel to X-direction.Cylindrical tube 171 has opening 174 at 79 adjacent front end 176 places, front of itself and main ink container 70.Plunger 172 is inserted into the inner space 171A of cylindrical tube 171 via opening 174.Cylindrical tube 171 comprises end wall 179 at 175 places, rear end of its contact pump seat 98.Run through end wall 179 and be formed with opening 173.Air among the 171A of inner space flows into and outflow ink chamber 73 via opening 173.

Annular installation component 177 is arranged on 175 places, rear end.The part of installation component 177 is embedded in the end wall 179, and another part of installation component 177 175 extends from the rear end along the axial direction of cylindrical tube 171.Pump seat 98 has the ring-shaped groove that is formed at wherein, and the extension of installation component 177 is coupled in the groove of pump seat 98.Therefore, the rear end 175 of cylindrical tube 171 is installed on the pump seat 98.Installation component 177 is coated with elastomeric material, so installation component 177 and pump seat 98 closely contact under the situation very close to each other between them each other.As a result, the air duct between the inner space of cylindrical tube 171 171A and ink chamber 73 is sealed airtightly, so that air do not leak from this air duct, and air does not enter this air duct from atmosphere.

Cylindrical tube 171 comprises flange 178 at front end 176 places, and flange 178 extends from cylindrical tube 171 along the radial direction of cylindrical tube 171.The opening 102 of pump seat 99 is inserted in the rear end 175 of cylindrical tube 171, and when the front end 176 of cylindrical tube 171 arrived pump seat 99, flange 178 contacted and be mounted to the peripheral region of opening 102.

Piston 172 comprises piston 181 and bar 182.Piston 181 and bar 182 are integrally formed.Circular groove 184 is formed in the periphery wall of piston 181, and elasticity O shape ring 183 is coupled in the groove 184.The external diameter of O shape ring 184 is greater than the external diameter of the outer surface of piston 181.Piston 181 is configured to: in the air communication that stops between rear end 175 sides of front end 176 sides of piston 181 and piston 181, under the contacted situation of inner surface of O shape ring 184 and cylindrical tube 171, piston 181 slides in the 171A of inner space.Replace using O shape ring 183, the outer surface of piston 181 can be coated with elastomeric material, and piston 181 can be configured to: in the air communication that stops between rear end 175 sides of front end 176 sides of piston 181 and piston 181, under the contacted situation of inner surface of the outer surface of piston 181 and cylindrical tube 171, on the inner surface of cylindrical tube 171, slide.

Tooth bar 185 is formed on the upper surface of bar 182.Tooth bar 185 is configured to and pinion 221 engagements described later.Therefore via bar 182 driving force is passed to piston 181, with axial direction sliding plunger 181 along cylindrical tube 171.When piston 181 when X-direction slides to the back side 80 of main ink container 70, the volume of the inner space 171A of cylindrical tube 171 reduces.Reduce corresponding air with the volume of inner space 171A and be supplied to the air layer 83 that is formed in the ink chamber 73 via opening 173 and 103.When piston 181 when X-direction slides to the front 79 of main ink container 70, the volume of the inner space 171A of cylindrical tube 171 increases.Increasing corresponding air with the volume of inner space 171A is sucked into the 171A of inner space from air layer 83 via

opening

173 and 103.

The volume of pump 170 is equal to or greater than the volume of secondary ink container 21 and the total measurement (volume) of the volume of pipe 32.The volume of pump 170 is determined by the cross-sectional area of the edge of the inner space 171A of the cylindrical tube 171 plane gained vertical with the axial direction of cylindrical tube 171 and the moving range of piston 181.Therefore, the cross-sectional area that has of cylindrical tube 171 and length allow the volume of pump 170 to be equal to or greater than total measurement (volume).The moving range of piston 181 is pre-determined by driving mechanism 200 described later.Therefore, pump 170 be configured to will predetermined mole air be fed in the ink chamber 73 and from the air of ink chamber's 73 these predetermined moles of suction.

Ink guide part 130 is configured to the China ink in the ink chamber 73 is fed to the outside of print cartridge 50, and ink guide part 130 is configured to be attached to pipe 32.Refer to figs. 14 and 15, ink guide part 130 comprises cap 131, joint 132, valve 133 and spring unit 134.Cap 131, joint 132, valve 113 and spring unit 134 are aimed at along X-direction with this order.Valve 133 and spring unit 134 are accommodated in the valve accommodating chamber 88.The part of joint 132 is coupled to the opening 87 from the outside of valve accommodating chamber 88.Cap 131 is mounted to the peripheral region of opening 87 via joint 132.

Joint 132 comprises elastic synthetic resin.Joint 132 is to pass the annular shape that wherein is formed centrally opening 137.Joint 132 comprises first cylindrical part 135 and second cylindrical part 136.First cylindrical part 135 is coupled in the opening 87, and second cylindrical part 136 contacts with peripheral part of opening 87.Rigid pipe 149 is connected to the end of pipe 32.Pipe 149 is configured to insert when print cartridge 50 is installed on the box mounting portion 200 and passes opening 137.The diameter of opening 137 is slightly smaller than the external diameter of pipe 149.Therefore, when pipe 149 inserts when passing opening 137, the outer surface extruding of pipe 149 limits the inner surface of the joint 132 of opening 137, and manages 149 outer surface and closely contact each other with the inner surface of joint 132.Therefore prevent that China ink from leaking between pipe 149 and joint 132.

Cap 131 comprises circular end wall 129 and from the extended sidewall 139 of the outer rim of end wall 129.End wall 119 has the opening 138 that runs through its formation.Two grooves 140 run through sidewall 139 and form.Two ribs are formed on the peripheral region of opening 87, and these ribs are inserted into respectively in the groove 140, thereby cap 131 are installed to the peripheral region of opening 87.

Spring unit 134 is configured to the 132 pushing valves 133 along X-direction towards joint.Spring unit 134 comprises first spring 144, second spring 145 and slider 146.Each spring in first spring 144 and second spring 145 comprises the elastic resin material, and has the shape or the hollow cone shape of bowl.When load is applied on first spring 144 or second spring 145, its side surface strain.First spring 144 and second spring 145 have opening 144A and the opening 145A that runs through its formation respectively.Shown in some arrows 164 among Figure 15, China ink flows through the inside of first spring 144 and second spring 145 via opening 144A and 145A.Slider 146 comprises two accommodating chamber, and these two accommodating chamber are held first spring 144 and second spring 145 respectively therein.

Therefore spring unit 134 is accommodated in the valve accommodating chamber 88 with compressive state, and always is created in the power on the direction of expansion.End wall 105 contact and support spring unit 134.Slider 146 comprises the rib 147 that is used for attachment valve 133 and valve cell 134.Valve 133 comprises pawl 143, and these pawls 143 are configured to engage with rib 147.Any member can be used for replacing valve cell 134, as long as this member is towards joint 132 pushing valves 133.

Valve 133 comprises circular end wall 141 and from the extended cylindrical side wall 142 of the outer rim of end wall 141.End wall 141 has a plurality of opening 141A that run through its formation, and opening 141A aims at along the circumferential direction of end wall 141.End wall 141 contacts first spring 144.Sidewall 142 comprises pawl 143.Attachment valve 133 and spring unit 134 by the joint between pawl 143 and rib 147.Valve accommodating chamber 88 comprises the cylindrical wall surface that extends to the end of this valve accommodating chamber 88 from opening 87.Valve 133 is formed between the wall surface of sidewall 142 and valve accommodating chamber 85 and exists the situation lower edge X-direction in gap 148 to slide in valve accommodating chamber 88.China ink flows through gap 148.

When pipe 149 when being inserted in the valve accommodating chamber 88 via

opening

138 and 137, the end of pipe 149 contacts with the end wall 141 of valve 133, and overcomes the pushing force of spring unit 134 and squeezing valve 133.Valve 133 is shifted to ink chamber 73, and end wall 141 separates with joint 132.Pipe 149 has the opening 149A that runs through its formation, and this opening 149A is adjacent with this end of pipe 149.When end wall 141 separates with joint 132, be based upon valve accommodating chamber 88 and manage between 149 the inside connection via opening 149A.

When China ink when ink chamber 73 is supplied to secondary ink container 21, China ink enters valve accommodating chamber 88 via check-valves 95, then, shown in the arrow among Figure 15 164, China ink flows through gap 148 or flows through spring unit 134 and opening 141A.On the other hand, China ink is when secondary ink container 21 is sucked into ink chamber 73, and China ink flows into valve accommodating chamber 88 via opening 149A, then flow through buffer chamber 90, check-valves 93 and passage 92 and arrive air layer 83 of China ink.

With reference to Figure 16 to 19, box mounting portion 200 is configured to install at least one print cartridge 50, for example installs and stores five print cartridges 50 of cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, dye-based black China ink and pigmented black ink respectively.

Box mounting portion 200 comprises box shell 201.Box shell 201 has opening 202 on a side, and has the blind end opposite with this opening 202.Print cartridge 50 is inserted in the box shell 201 via opening 202.When print cartridge 50 inserts in the box shells 201 and during along X-direction extruding print cartridge 50, the pipe 149 that is arranged on the blind end place of box shell 201 enters ink guide part 130.After China ink in being stored in ink chamber 73 exhausts, remove print cartridge 50 more to renew print cartridge 50 from box shell 201.

At least one optical pickocff 203 for example photo interrupter is arranged on the blind end place of box 201.Optical pickocff 203 comprises light radiating portion and light receiving part.Optical pickocff 203 is configured to come the master controller of ink-jet recording apparatus 10 is exported prearranged signals based on the light intensity that is received by light receiving part.For example provide five optical pickocffs 203 respectively for five print cartridges 50.Optical pickocff 203 is positioned such that: when print cartridge 50 was installed to box mounting portion 200, test section 75 was between light radiating portion and light receiving part.When photoresist part 157 was arranged in test section 75, photoresist part 157 stopped the light that sends from the light radiating portion.When photoresist part 157 was not arranged in test section 75, the light that sends from the light radiating portion arrived light receiving part.Based on the light intensity that light receiving part receives, determine whether enough China inks are arranged in print cartridge 50.

Driving mechanism 220 is set at 200 rears, box mounting portion.Driving mechanism 200 comprises at least one pinion 221, axle 222, connecting rod 223, axle 224, first gear 225 and second gear 226.

For example five pinions 221 are set accordingly with five print cartridges 50.Pinion 221 is configured to when print cartridge 50 is installed to box mounting portion 200 and tooth bar 185 engagements.Pinion 221 has semicircular in shape, and forms tooth on the arcuate part of pinion 221.

Five pinions 221 are fixed on the axle 222.When axle 222 rotations, all five pinions 221 all rotate with the speed identical with the speed of axle 222 rotations on the direction identical with the direction of axle 222 rotations.Connecting rod 223 is connected to an end of axle 222 at one end place, and is connected on the axle 224 at its other end place.First gear 225 is fixed on the axle 224.

Second gear

226 and 225 engagements of first gear.

Second gear 226 is connected to for example motor of drive source.Paper carrier 12 and conveying device 13 can be connected to same drive source.This drive source is configured to the main controller controls by ink-jet recording apparatus 10.

When driving force when drive source is delivered to second gear 226, this driving force is delivered to tooth bar 185 via first gear 225, axle 224, connecting rod 223, axle 222 and pinion 221.Therefore, piston 181 is formed in the cylindrical tube 171 and slidably reciprocates.

To (c), the ink supply process from main ink container 70 to secondary ink container 21 that ink feeding system 11 carries out is described with reference to Figure 20 (a).As mentioned above, during the ink supply process, the opening 42 that is formed on cylinder 39 places of valve system 37 is opened.

With reference to Figure 20 (a), pulled out maximum states from cylindrical tube 171 when shifting to the back side 80 of main ink container 70 when plunger 172 from plunger 172, the air in the cylindrical tube 171 is supplied to the air layer 83 that is formed in the ink chamber 73 via opening 173 and 103.As a result, the pressure in the ink chamber 73 increases.With reference to Figure 20 (b), when the pressure in the ink chamber 73 becomes when being higher than pressure in the valve accommodating chamber 88, check-valves 93 is opened, and the China ink that is stored in the ink chamber 73 flows into valve accommodating chamber 88 via opening 89.Then, shown in the arrow 23 among Figure 20 (b), in the black inflow pipe 32 and be supplied to secondary ink container 21.As a result, the volume of air layer 83 increases.With reference to Figure 20 (c), when plunger 172 was moved to the end of cylindrical tube 171, secondary ink container 21 was full of China ink with pipe 32.

To (c), the black aspiration procedure from secondary ink container 21 to main ink container 70 that ink feeding system 11 carries out is described with reference to Figure 20 (a).As mentioned above, during black aspiration procedure, the opening 42 that is formed on cylinder 39 places of valve system 37 is opened.

With reference to Figure 20 (c), when plunger 172 when plunger 172 is pushed into cylindrical tube 171 maximum states and shifts to the front 79 of main ink container 70, air is sucked into the cylindrical tube 171 via

opening

103 and 173 from air layer 83.As a result, the pressure in the ink chamber 73 descends.With reference to Figure 20 (b), when the pressure in the ink chamber 73 becomes when being lower than pressure in the valve accommodating chamber 88, check-valves 93 is opened, and the China ink that is stored in secondary ink container 21 and the pipe 32 flows into main ink container 70, shown in the arrow 24 among Figure 20 (b).More specifically, the China ink in the valve accommodating chamber 88 upwards flows via passage 92, and flows into ink chamber 73.Flow according to this China ink, the China ink in the secondary ink container 21 flows into valve accommodating chamber 88 via pipe 32.As a result, the volume of air layer 83 reduces.With reference to Figure 20 (a), when piston 172 is pulled out the most for a long time from cylindrical tube 171, all China inks in pipe 32 and the secondary ink container 21 have been sucked in the main ink container 70.

Be sucked at China ink during the process of ink chamber 73 of main ink container 70, the bubble that is trapped in China ink pipe 32 or the secondary ink container 21 also is sucked in the ink chamber.More specifically, bubble is flowed through passage 92 with around sensor arm 150, and arrives the air layer 83 in the top that is formed on ink chamber 73.Therefore, the bubble that is captured can separate with China ink.Then, the China ink that does not contain bubble via 32 pairs of secondary ink container 21 supplies of pipe.Therefore, the China ink in the secondary ink container 21 is replaced by the China ink in the main ink container 70, and the China ink in the secondary ink container 21 mixes mutually with China ink in the main ink container 70.Therefore, by mixing the viscosity equilibrium that can make China ink.

Be sucked at China ink during the process of ink chamber 73 of main ink container 70, the part of bubble may be stayed in the valve accommodating chamber 88.Yet, because running through cylindrical wall 71B above valve accommodating chamber 88, opening 104 forms, the buoyancy that acts on bubble makes bubble be moved upwards up to buffer chamber 90 via opening 104.When check-valves 93 was opened, bubble arrived air layer 83 via check-valves 93 and passage 92.Even when check-valves 93 is closed, bubble also is collected and rests in the buffer container 90.Therefore, bubble does not rest in the valve accommodating chamber 88.

Turn back to the China ink of main ink container 70 via pipe 21 and bubbles flow from secondary ink container 21 passage 92, and arrive the air layer 83 in the top that is formed on ink chamber 73.Therefore China ink and bubble be around sensor arm 150, and the prevention bubble is attached to sensor arm 150.Be attached to the motion of the bubble possibility disturb sensor arm 150 of sensor arm 150.This interference is prevented from.

Pipe 32 can be omitted.Instead, have only when carriage 30 is positioned at the precalculated position, main ink container 70 and secondary ink container 21 can directly connect.

Do not having China ink to enter under the situation of pump 170, China ink is supplied to secondary ink container 21 from main ink container 70, and is sucked into main ink container 70 from secondary ink container 21.Therefore, even pump 170 damages, China ink does not leak from pump 170 yet.Print cartridge 50 and ink feeding system 11 have high reliability.

Is not circulation canal from pump 170 via ink chamber 73 and pipe 32 passages that extend to secondary ink container 21.If this passage is a circulation canal, then between main ink container 70 and secondary ink container 21, needs two pipes, thereby cause the size of ink-jet recording apparatus 10 to increase and make the complex structure of ink-jet recording apparatus 10.Yet,, therefore reduced the number of pipe owing to only adopt a pipe 32 that China ink is fed to secondary ink container 21 and China ink is drawn into main ink container 70 from secondary ink container 21 from main ink container 70.

Pump 170 is a kind of piston pumps.Replace using piston pump, can use plunger displacement pump, membrane pump, wing pump.In these pumps, piston pump can easily be used in combination with driving mechanism.

Even pump 170 damages, also can be by only easily changing pump 170 with the new pump of new replacing ink cartridge print cartridge 50 usefulness.In addition, when print cartridge 50 did not have China ink, print cartridge 50 was replaced, and therefore can change pump 170 before the function reduction of pump 170 damages or pump 170.

Bar 182 is configured to extend from the front 60 of the shell 52 of print cartridge 50.Therefore, the user can be easily from the back side of shell 52 near print cartridge 50.

If opening 104 is positioned at opening 87 and valve accommodating chamber 88 belows, need so with valve accommodating chamber 88, pipe 32 and secondary ink container 21 in black corresponding China ink amount be drawn in the ink chamber 73, with separation be trapped in manage 32 and secondary ink container 21 in bubble.Yet as mentioned above, opening 104 is arranged in each top of opening 87 and valve accommodating chamber 88, only needs the China ink amount corresponding with China ink pipe 32 and secondary ink container 21 is drawn in the ink chamber 73.China ink and bubble can rest in the valve accommodating chamber 88.Yet the buoyancy that acts on bubble moves up bubble, and bubble leaves valve accommodating chamber 88 via opening 104.Adopt this print cartridge 50, the pump with high relatively volume needn't be provided.

Opening 87 has the center line vertical with sidewall 71A.Valve 133 is configured to move along this center line, and spring unit 134 pushes this valve along this center line.When pipe 149 inserts when passing opening 87 along this center line, the pushing force that valve 133 overcomes spring unit 134 moves along this center line.When pipe 149 was removed, spring unit 134 was along this center line movement of valve 133.Make that moving of valve 133 is steady.

Opening 89 is positioned at opening 104 belows.The surface of the China ink in being stored in ink chamber 73 is below the opening 104 but above opening 89 time, and China ink flows into valve accommodating chamber 88 from ink chamber 73 via opening 89.China ink can be consumed effectively.

Though described the present invention in conjunction with exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that in the case without departing from the scope of the present invention, can make other variant and the modification of above-mentioned exemplary embodiment.By specification or the practice of considering invention disclosed herein, other embodiment will be conspicuous to those skilled in the art.Specification and described example intention only are considered to demonstration of the present invention, and true scope of the present invention is represented by claims.

Claims

1. print cartridge comprises:

Be configured to store the ink chamber of China ink;

Be formed on the special air layer in this ink chamber; With

Pump, this pump are configured to this special air layer supply air with from this special air layer suction air,

Wherein said ink chamber is configured such that China ink can arrive the described special air layer in the described ink chamber.

2. according to the print cartridge of claim 1, wherein said pump is configured to the air of described air layer supply scheduled volume and aspirates the air of this scheduled volume from described air layer.

3. according to the print cartridge of claim 1, wherein said pump comprises the inner space that is formed on wherein, and described inner space is communicated with described special air layer fluid, and wherein said pump is configured to increase and reduce the volume of described inner space.

4. according to the print cartridge of claim 3, wherein said pump comprises:

Pipe, this pipe has described inner space therein, and this pipe has first end and second end opposite with this first end, and wherein this inner space is communicated with described ink chamber fluid via this first end, and this inner space is communicated with the atmosphere fluid via this second end; With

Be arranged in the movable link of this inner space, wherein this movable link can move under the part of movable link and situation that the inner surface of this pipe contacts, the inner surface of this pipe limits this inner space, stops simultaneously that the fluid via this movable link is communicated with between described ink chamber and atmosphere.

5. according to the print cartridge of claim 4, also comprise the bar that extends to the outside of described pipe from described movable link via described second end.

6. according to the print cartridge of claim 5, wherein said bar comprises formation tooth bar thereon.

7. according to the print cartridge of claim 6, also comprise:

Positive; With

Be positioned at the ink guide part at this place, front,

Wherein said bar is configured to extend from this front.

8. according to the print cartridge of claim 4, also comprise main ink container, this main ink container limits described ink chamber therein, wherein said main ink container has at the height on the short transverse, in the width on the width and the degree of depth on depth direction, this width is perpendicular to this short transverse, and this depth direction wherein be somebody's turn to do height greater than this width, and this degree of depth is greater than this height perpendicular to each direction in this short transverse and this width.

9. print cartridge according to Claim 8, wherein said pipe extends to described second end along described depth direction from described first end.

10. according to the print cartridge of claim 4, also comprise the air communication part, this air communication partly is configured to optionally to allow and stops being communicated with via the air communication part between described ink chamber and atmosphere.

11. according to the print cartridge of claim 10, wherein said air communication partly comprises valve, optionally allowing and to stop between described ink chamber and atmosphere connection via described air communication part, wherein said valve is configured to be actuated by described movable link.

12. according to the print cartridge of claim 4, wherein said movable link comprises:

Piston, this piston comprise that this perisporium has the groove that is formed on wherein in the face of the perisporium of the inner surface of described pipe; With

Be engaged in the elastic component in this groove, this elastic component contacts with the inner surface of described pipe.

13. an ink feeding system comprises:

Main ink container, this main ink container comprises:

Be configured to store the ink chamber of China ink; With

Be formed on the special air layer in this ink chamber;

Pump, this pump are configured to this special air layer supply air with from this special air layer suction air;

Be configured to store the secondary ink container of China ink, wherein said main ink container and described secondary ink container fluid communication with each other,

14. the ink feeding system according to claim 13 also comprises:

Be connected to the flexible pipe of each ink container in described main ink container and the described secondary ink container; With

Extend to the passage of described secondary ink container from described pump via described ink chamber and described flexible pipe, wherein this passage is not a circulation canal.

15. according to the ink feeding system of claim 13, wherein said pump comprises:

Pipe, this pipe has the inner space therein, and this pipe has first end and second end, and wherein this inner space is communicated with described ink chamber fluid via this first end, and this inner space is communicated with the atmosphere fluid via this second end,

Be arranged in the movable link of this inner space, wherein this movable link can move under the part of movable member and situation that the inner surface of this pipe contacts, the inner surface of this pipe limits this inner space, stops simultaneously that the fluid via this movable link is communicated with between described ink chamber and atmosphere.

16. the ink feeding system according to claim 15 also comprises:

Bar, this bar extends to the outside of described pipe from described movable link via described second end, and wherein said bar comprises formation tooth bar thereon; With

Pinion, this pinion are configured to and this tooth bar engagement.

17. the ink feeding system according to claim 13 also comprises:

Print cartridge, this print cartridge comprise described main ink container and described pump; And

The box mounting portion, this box mounting portion is configured to removably install this print cartridge.

18. the ink feeding system according to claim 16 also comprises:

19. according to the ink feeding system of claim 18, wherein said print cartridge is configured to be installed on the described box mounting portion along specific direction; Wherein said print cartridge is included in the front on this specific direction, and wherein said bar is configured to extend from described front.

20. according to the ink feeding system of claim 15, wherein said movable link comprises: