CN2887601Y

CN2887601Y - Print cartridge

Info

Publication number: CN2887601Y
Application number: CN 200520136634
Authority: CN
Inventors: 神户智弘
Original assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2004-12-13
Filing date: 2005-12-13
Publication date: 2007-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 2015-12-13
Also published as: JP4665500B2; CN100509406C; JP2006167949A; CN1789002A

Abstract

An ink cartridge including: an ink chamber storing ink; a communication chamber communicating the ink chamber with the exterior of the ink cartridge; a valve member disposed in the communication chamber such that the valve member is displaceable between a first position to shut off communication between the ink chamber and the exterior, and a second position to permit the communication; a biasing member including a side wall portion surrounding the valve member, and an engaging portion extending inward from an end of the side wall portion and engaging with the valve member, the biasing member normally holding the valve member at the first position but allowing the valve member to be placed at the second position by an elastic deformation of at least one of the side wall portion and the engaging portion, and generating a biasing force to restore the valve member to the first position; and a disengagement preventer which prevents the valve member from disengaging from the engaging portion when the valve member is abnormally operated toward the second position.

Description

Print cartridge

With reference to introducing

The application is based on two Japanese patent application 2004-359730 that submitted on December 13rd, 2004 and 2004-359742, and its content is incorporated herein as a reference.

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of print cartridge that is used for to the recording equipment ink supply.

Background technology

JP-2001-113723 (specifically being Fig. 4) discloses a kind of being used for to the print cartridge such as the recording equipment ink supply of ink-jet printer, and the print cartridge of this recording equipment is configured to make ink to leak in that print cartridge is being taken off Shi Buhui from recording equipment.This print cartridge has ink chamber storing ink, ink is supplied to outside ink outlet and the ink communication chamber of being passed through.

In the ink communication chamber, accommodate valve member, in the ink outlet, then be equipped with Gask-O-Seal.This valve member is compressed the spring biasing, and keeps contacting with this Gask-O-Seal, so that the sealing ink channel, thereby prevent that ink from leaking from black chamber.When print cartridge was connected on the recording equipment, the ink entry pipe that is arranged on the recording equipment entered this Gask-O-Seal, and valve member is pushed into the side that black chamber is compressed the bias force of spring relatively, so that ink channel is opened, and can ink supply.

Yet in above-mentioned print cartridge, the mobile of valve member realized by means of use compression spring, thereby used the internal structure of the print cartridge that compresses spring comparatively complicated.And the compression spring is made of metal, and can not abandon print cartridge when spring is arranged.That is to say, when abandoning the print cartridge of using, the compression spring should be taken off from print cartridge, abandon so that the remainder of spring and print cartridge separates, thereby raise processing cost.

In order to address the above problem, the bias component that the application proposes to make with elastomeric material replaces compressing spring, in order to comprise integratedly inwardly stretch out around the elastic sidewall part of valve member and the direction distortion that can move along valve member with from the end of this sidewall sections in case with valve member with the contacted bonding part of facing surfaces, valve hole.The elastic contractile force of this sidewall sections is biased to described valve member on the position in close ink channel or valve hole.

The employing of bias component makes it possible to omit the compression spring, thereby prevents the internal structure complexity of print cartridge.And bias component can be made by the elastomeric material such as rubber, thereby does not need bias component is taken off from print cartridge when abandoning print cartridge.Thereby, can not increase processing cost.

When the print cartridge that will comprise bias component is connected on the recording equipment, the ink entry pipe that is arranged on the recording equipment promotes valve member along with close ink channel, sidewall sections by relative resilient bias force stretching bias component moves valve member, so that open ink channel.Thereby, should be provided for allowing the space of the sidewall sections expansion of this bias component.

Yet, the user may be connected in print cartridge on the recording equipment in the mode of unsuitable mode or infringement print cartridge, make amount that valve member is pushed greater than the desired amount that is pushed of valve member, perhaps be pushed along the direction different with the desired direction that is pushed of valve member.In this case, the sidewall sections of bias component is excessively stretched, perhaps the bonding part becomes irregular shape in a part under the more situation than remainder local deformation, cause the bonding part of valve member and bias component to be disengaged, that is to say, valve member breaks away from bias component, enters in the above-mentioned space, and becomes and can not turn back on the position near the ink channel in the valve chamber that is limited to bias component inside.This can cause ink to leak from print cartridge, and moisture or other component can be evaporated from ink.

Summary of the invention

In view of said circumstances has been developed the present invention, thereby a direct purpose of the present invention just provides a kind of print cartridge, it comprises valve member, when even the amount that described valve member is pushed at this valve member promotes greater than normal amount or along the direction different with normal direction, also can keep working, thereby prevented that ink leakage and moisture and other component from print cartridge from evaporating from ink.

In order to achieve this end, to the invention provides a kind of print cartridge and comprise:

Ink chamber storing ink;

Communication chamber with this China ink chamber and this print cartridge external communications;

Valve member, this valve member is set in this communication chamber, makes this valve member to move between the second place of this connection closing the primary importance that is communicated with between black chamber and the outside and allow; With

Bias component, it comprises around the sidewall sections of valve member and the bonding part of inwardly stretching out and engaging with valve member from the end of sidewall sections, described bias component remains on valve member on the primary importance usually, but allow by means of in sidewall sections and the bonding part at least one strain and described valve member is placed on the second place, and producing makes this valve member return to the bias force of primary importance, described print cartridge is characterised in that, also comprises:

Be disengaged preventer, it prevents that valve member and bonding part are disengaged at this valve member undesiredly when the second place is operated.

According to this layout, when print cartridge was not installed on the recording equipment, valve was closed the biasing of the direction on the residing primary importance between black chamber and the outside along remaining on valve member.When print cartridge was installed on the recording equipment, valve member was moved on the second place in the bias force stretching bias component of relative bias component, was communicated with thereby set up between black chamber and outside.

After print cartridge being installed or be connected on the recording equipment, the amount that is pushed when valve member is during greater than predetermined, normal or desired amount, and this valve member trend is disengaged with the bonding part.But, according to the present invention, prevented this disengaging by means of being disengaged preventer.Thereby, valve member can not occur and be disengaged with the bonding part and become and to turn back to situation on the primary importance that is communicated with of closing between black chamber and the outside, otherwise this will cause ink leakage or moisture or other component from print cartridge to evaporate from ink.

Print cartridge according to the present invention is not limited to above-mentionedly a kind ofly comprise the print cartridge that is made into integration the bias component that comprises sidewall sections and bonding part by elastomeric material, but the present invention also is applicable to and comprises having the more print cartridge of the bias component of universal architecture.And, the present invention is not only applicable to the communication chamber of ink supply one side (promptly form in order to the ink feed in the black chamber to the outside communication chamber of being passed through), also is applicable at air to introduce communication chamber (promptly being formed in the print cartridge in order to extraneous air is introduced the air communication chamber that print cartridge inside is passed through) on the side.

Description of drawings

When considering in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, by reading the detailed description of the following preferred embodiment of the present invention, will be better understood the meaning on above-mentioned and other purpose, feature, advantage and technical and the industry of the present invention, in the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is the schematic diagram according to the ink jet recording device that print cartridge connected of first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is presented at the sectional view that print cartridge is coupled to the situation that this ink jet recording device goes forward;

Fig. 3 is the sectional view of the situation when being presented at print cartridge and being coupled on this ink jet recording device;

Fig. 4 A, 4B, 4C and 4D be respectively the plane, side view of valve member in the print cartridge, along resulting sectional view of line A-A and bottom view among Fig. 4 A;

Fig. 5 A, 5B and 5C are plane, side view and the bottom views of another valve member of print cartridge;

Fig. 6 is the sectional view that the print cartridge how valving that comprises valve member to work is shown;

Fig. 7 is another sectional view that the print cartridge how valving to work is shown;

Fig. 8 is the partial section according to the print cartridge of second embodiment; With

Fig. 9 is the partial section according to the print cartridge of the 3rd embodiment.

The specific embodiment

The several existing preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to accompanying drawings.

With reference to Fig. 1-7, with the print cartridge of describing according to first embodiment.In schematic diagram shown in Figure 1, the ink jet recording device that on behalf of print cartridge and this print cartridge,

Reference numeral

1 and 2 be connected to.

Print cartridge 1 can be connected the ink jet recording device 2 that includes the printhead 7 that is used for ink droplets in removable mode, and stores the ink that will be fed to this printhead 7.

Print cartridge 1 comprises open, the similar box-like hollow shell 1a in top and seals the lid 1b of the open top of this shell 1a.The ink that is fed to printhead 7 is stored in the black chamber 16 among this shell 1a.A plurality of print cartridges are connected on the ink jet recording device 2, and each print cartridge is equipped with a kind of in following four kinds of colors: i.e. cyan, carmetta, yellow and black.

Ink jet recording device 2 comprises mounting portion 3, and each print cartridge 1 is connected on this mounting portion 3 in removable mode; China ink case 5, it stores from print cartridge 1 and supplies next ink through flexible ink supply pipe 4; Described printhead 7, its ink that will be stored in this China ink case 5 is sprayed on the record-paper 6; Carriage, this China ink case 5 and printhead 7 are installed on this carriage, and this carriage along continuous straight runs moves back and forth; Bracket axle 9 is as the guiding piece on carriage 8 reciprocating motion institute edges; Feed mechanism 10 is used for feeding record-paper 6; And cleaning device 11.

Described mounting portion 3 has two leader 3b that base part 3a and relative both sides from this base part 3a vertically erect.Placing two base part 3a between the leader 3b to be provided with the ink entry pipe 12 of hollow, the ink that is stored in the print cartridge 1 flows in the described ink supply pipe 4 via this pipe 12; With air supply channel 13, air is supplied in the print cartridge 1 by this air supply channel.

Ink supply pipe 4 is connected an end of ink entry pipe 12, makes this ink entry pipe 12 be connected with ink cassette 5 by this ink supply pipe 4.End in air supply pipe 15 opposite ends is connected on this air supply channel 13, and the other end of air supply pipe 15 then is connected with atmosphere.

On the relative one side of printhead 7 and record-paper 6, be furnished with a plurality of nozzles.Hereinafter this surface will be called as " nozzle face ".By means of driving the actuator that constitutes by piezoelectric element, be stored in ink in the ink cassette 5 with the form of ink droplet through nozzle towards record-paper 6 ejections.In the 8 reciprocating whiles of carriage that printhead 7 is installed, in record-paper 6 enterprising line item or printings.

Printhead 7 is positioned at 3 tops, mounting portion, and the head difference when making the ink of nozzle interior be connected on the mounting portion 3 owing to print cartridge 1 between nozzle and the print cartridge 1 has been applied in negative back pressure.

Cleaning device 11 is set on the outer position of posting field, and is relative with printhead 7, and it comprises cleaning cap 11a, in order to cover the nozzle face of printhead 7; Useless China ink pipe 11b, 11a is connected with the cleaning cap; With pump 11c, it sucks out from nozzle ink via this useless China ink pipe 11b.

When carrying out cleaning operation, carriage 8 is moved to cleaning positions, and the nozzle face of printhead 7 then is cleaned cap 11a and covers.In this case, driving pump 11c, the ink inferior that will contain bubble and other material and be accumulated in printhead 7 inside sucks out.The ink inferior that sucks out flows in the waste ink tank (not shown) that will store via useless China ink pipe 11b.Record and cleaning operation are by CPU in the ink jet recording device 2 or the control of CPU (not shown).

Referring now to the sectional view of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the structure of the bonding part that the Reference numeral A among description Fig. 1 is represented, print cartridge 1 is being connected on the ink jet recording device 2 on this bonding part.Fig. 2 has shown at print cartridge 1 and has been connected in the situation that ink jet recording device 2 is gone forward that Fig. 3 has then shown the situation when print cartridge 1 is connected on the ink jet recording device 2.

Print cartridge 1 comprises shell 1a, lid 1b and box cap 1e.This shell 1a has diapire 1c and partly limits the sidewall 1i of black chamber 16, and this shell 1a is on top open.Lid 1b covers the open limit of going up of shell 1a, and box cap 1e has then covered the diapire 1c of shell 1a.Print cartridge 1 is gone up and is formed by lid 1b and box cap 1e fusing being bonded in shell 1a.By this box cap 1e, formed hole 1f, the 1g of two exposures, valving 23,24 (describing later on) comes out by this hole respectively.

At the downside of diapire 1c, be formed with ink communication chamber 30 and air communication chamber 50.Ink in the China ink chamber 16 is supplied to the outside by this ink communication chamber 30, and atmospheric air then is introduced in the black chamber 16 by this air communication chamber 50.These two

communication chamber

30,50 part respectively limit interior tubular wall part 1h, the 1k that stretches out from the lower surface of diapire 1c.

In diapire 1c, be formed with ink entry 1d, be used between ink communication chamber 30 and black chamber 16, being communicated with; With air intake 1j, be used between air communication chamber 50 and black chamber 16, being communicated with.Air intake 1j has substantially the internal diameter identical with air communication chamber 50.On the position of upper surface corresponding to air intake 1j of diapire 1c, tubular part 62 extends in black chamber 16.

Limit inner passage in these tubular portion 62 inside with the 62a of first and second portion 62b.The 62a of first of this inner passage extends along the direction that enters black chamber 16 from air intake 1j, and little by little narrows down in the direction in sectional view, and second portion 62b then extends into black chamber 16 from the described 62a of first with stretching substantially.Air communication chamber 50 is open above ink surface via the first and second part 62a, the 62b of inner passage in black chamber 16.

50 tops that are bordered with this inner passage are formed with a plurality of ribs 70 to the inner surface of the 62a of first of passage continuously to the air communication chamber internally, make each rib all extend towards the guide rod 66 of valve member 65 (describing later on).The quantity of rib 70 is more than 3 or 3.Making when print cartridge 1 is connected on the ink jet recording device 2 between the bonding part 73 of the rear surface 70a of determined each rib 70 and bias component 63 (describing later on) apart from T1, as shown in Figure 3, the isolated spacing of rear surface 70a of bonding part 73 and rib 70 less than between bonding part 73 and the rear surface 70a apart from T1.

On the inner surface of ink communication chamber 30, be formed with the rib 71 of predetermined quantity, these ribs extend towards the bonding part 37 of bias component 46 from the lower surface of diapire 1c, and are accommodated in the ink communication chamber 30 as mentioned below.The quantity of rib is more than 3 or 3.Making when print cartridge 1 is connected on the ink jet recording device 2 between the rear surface 71a of determined each rib 71 and the bonding part 73 apart from T2, as shown in Figure 3, the isolated spacing of rear surface 71a of bonding part 37 and rib 71 less than between bonding part 37 and the rear surface 71a apart from T2.

Valving 23,24 is separately positioned in ink communication chamber and the air communication chamber 30,50.Hereinafter relevant with ink communication chamber 30 side can be called " ink supply side ", and a side relevant with air communication chamber 50 then can be called " air introducing side ".Valving 23 on the ink supply side comprises bias component 46 that is made into integration by elastomeric material and the valve member 54 that is formed from a resin.The profile of bias component 46 is the primary circle tubular.This bias component 46 comprises valve seat part 46a, and valve seat part 46a is near the biasing part 46b on black chamber one side with around the coupling part 33 of valve seat part 46a, wherein makes 46a, 46b, 33 integrally formed.Valve member 54 is accommodated in the valve chamber that is limited to biasing part 46b inside, and is setovered along maintenance and the contacted direction of valve seat part 46a by this biasing part 46b.

The external diameter of coupling part 33 is greater than the external diameter of biasing part 46b.Ink communication chamber 30 has expansion 44, and the diameter of its ink inside communication chamber 30 is greater than the diameter of remainder.This coupling part 33 is engaged in the described expansion 44.The coupling part 33 of bias component 46 between inner surface that is maintained at ink communication chamber 30 and box cap 1e is fixed and goes up in position.

Valve seat part 46a has therein, and the heart goes out the through hole of formation.This through hole comprises top 41, insertion portion 35 under the top 41 and the tapered guide passage 40 under the insertion portion 35.The size that this insertion portion 35 forms allows to cooperate when print cartridge 1 is connected on the mounting portion 3 inserts ink entry pipe 12.

Biasing part 46b comprises the cylinder side wall part 36 that erects towards black chamber 16 from valve seat part 46a, and from the bonding part 37 that sidewall sections 36 inwardly stretches out, promptly extends to valve member 54 1 sides near black chamber 16.37 centers in the bonding part, it has opening 37a, and the diameter d 1 of this opening is less than the diameter d 2 (shown in Fig. 4 C) of the projection 57a (explanation later on) of valve member 54.

Biasing part 46b makes valve member 54 setover towards valve seat part 46a by means of the elastic force of sidewall sections 36 and bonding part 37.In general, valve member 54 keeps contacting with valve seat part 46a.When ink entry pipe 12 is inserted into described insertion portion 35, ink entry pipe 12 promotes this valve member 54 towards black chamber 16, and the valve member 54 that is pushed upwards promotes bonding part 37 under the situation that sidewall sections 36 is stretched, thereby between the lower surface of valve member 54 and valve seat part 46a, form a gap, so that allow ink to pass through.

According to embodiments of the invention, wherein,

bias component

46,63 is integrally formed, comprises

valve seat part

46a, 63a, and

sidewall sections

36,72, and bonding

part

37,73 can reduce component count, thereby can simplify the production technology of print cartridge 1.And, because

valve seat part

46a, 63a are formed by elastomeric material, thereby improved sealing between

valve seat part

46a, 63a and the valve member 54,65 (68), thereby can close the connection between black chamber 16 and print cartridge 1 outside reliably at valve member 54,64 (68) with valve seat part 46a, when 63a contacts.

Shown in Fig. 4 A-4D, cylinder side wall part 56 that valve member 54 comprises

bottom

57,57 periphery extends straight up from the bottom and 57 communication passage 58 that form continuously to sidewall sections 56 from the bottom.Bottom 57 has annular projection 57a, is positioned on its side relative with valve seat part 46a.This projection 57a radially is formed in the communication passage 58, but except the outside of the open end on top 41 or be formed at through hole among the valve seat part 46a.During biasing part 46b squeezing valve parts 54 on valve seat part 46a, the projection 57a strain of valve member 54, and closely contact the upper surface of valve seat part 46a.The diameter d 2 of projection 57a (shown in Fig. 4 C) is greater than the diameter d 1 (as shown in Figure 2) of the opening 37a that is formed on 37 centers, bonding part.

Be similar to the valving 23 of ink supply side, the valving 24 that air is introduced on the side comprises bias component 63 that is made into integration by elastomeric element and the valve member 65 that is formed from a resin.Valve member 63 is similar with the bias component 46 of ink supply side, that is to say that this bias component 63 comprises valve seat part 63a, biasing part 63b, and coupling part 63e, they are integrally formed.Biasing part 63b is similar to the biasing part 46b of ink supply side, it comprises the cylinder side wall 72 that vertically erects towards black chamber 16 from the periphery of valve seat part 63a, with the bonding part 73 of inwardly stretching out, promptly extend to the side of valve member 65 near black chamber 16 from sidewall sections 72.73 the center in the bonding part, it has opening 74, and the diameter d 3 (as shown in Figure 2) of this opening 74 is less than the diameter d 4 (shown in Fig. 5 C) of the projection 157a (describing later on) of valve member 65.Each parts of bias component 46 on bias component 63 each functions of components and the ink supply side are the same, so omit the description of biasing part 63 each parts.

Valve seat part 63a has the operation part 67 (describing later on) of valve member 65 and inserts the through hole 63c that is passed.Below this valve seat part 63a, the open end that centers on this through hole 63c is formed with cylindrical shape hermetic unit 63d.

Shown in Fig. 5 A-5C, valve member 65 comprises the guide rod of locating 66, the described operation part 67 of its bottom and valve part 68 substantially in the middle above that.Be similar to the valve member 54 shown in Fig. 4 A-4D, valve part 68 comprises bottom 157, sidewall sections 156, communication passage 158, and the projection 157a on the lower surface of bottom 157.Similar on valve part 68 structures with valve member 54, and will represent with identical Reference numeral with valve member 54 corresponding parts or element, and omit their description.That is to say that introduce on the side at air, the valve of valve member 65 part is corresponding with the valve member defined in the claims.

Guide rod 66 is a cylindrical shape, and it 157 vertically erects from the bottom.This guide rod 66 is inserted into the opening 74 that passes biasing part 63b, between the interior perimeter surface of guide rod 66 and opening 74 gap is arranged, and makes guide rod 66 be positioned on the position that is centered on by rib 70.

Operation part 67 is for stretching out, pass the parts of the through hole 63c that is formed at the valve seat part 63a vertically or downwards from bottom 157, between the interior perimeter surface of through hole 63c and operation part 67 gap is arranged, and passes through in order to allow air.

On the position that is connected in the black chamber 1 of mounting portion 3, ink entry pipe 12 is outstanding on the ink supply side, and is partially submerged into around going to the bottom of ink entry pipe 12 such as the elastic porous material 3c of sponge material.Although arrangement according to the invention has prevented ink leakage, still be provided with elastic porous material 3c in this part of going to the bottom, in order to absorb the ink that leaks from print cartridge 1.That is to say, elastic porous material 3c is set thinks that some extreme cases provide.

Be formed at the upper end of ink entry pipe 12 with the open communication 12a of form of cut or cuts, so that be communicated with along inner passage and this ink entry pipe 12 space on every side that radially will be formed in the ink entry pipe 12 of ink entry pipe 12.When ink entry pipe 12 contacted with valve member 54, this open communication 12a guaranteed that the inner passage that is limited in the ink entry pipe 12 is communicated with black chamber 16.

3 air is introduced side in the mounting portion, and groove 3d is formed on the corresponding position of hermetic unit 63d with the bias component 63 of print cartridge 1.In this groove 3d, air supply channel 13 is opened on a position that its lower end that is not operated part 67 is covered fully.When print cartridge 1 is connected on the mounting portion 3, as shown in Figure 3, hermetic unit 63d is assembled among the groove 3d, and the end strain of hermetic unit 63d must make it keep closely contacting with the bottom of groove 3d, thereby sets up airtight connection between air supply channel 13 and air intake 1j.

With reference to Fig. 2 and 3, the situation when being described in print cartridge 1 and being connected on the mounting portion 3.Being connected in mounting portion 3 at print cartridge 1 goes forward, as shown in Figure 2, introduce on the side at air, operation part 67 is outstanding downwards from box cap 1e, the lower end of operation part 67 slightly is positioned at the top of the lower end end of hermetic unit 63d, and valve member 65 is biased part 63b and is biased to and keeps closely contacting with valve seat part 63a.Simultaneously, on the ink supply side, valve member 54 is biased part 46b and is biased to and keeps closely contacting with valve seat part 46a.

When print cartridge 1 is connected on the mounting portion 3, as shown in Figure 3, on the ink supply side, the upper end of ink entry pipe 12 promotes valve member 54 upwards, thereby the sidewall sections 36 of the biasing part 46b that stretches makes valve member 54 and valve seat part 46a be separated from, thereby make valving be in open mode, wherein, valve member 54 is on the primary importance, allows to be connected between black chamber 16 and the print cartridge outside.Thereby, be stored in ink in the black chamber 16 through ink entry 1d, ink communication chamber 30, be formed at opening 37a in the bonding part 37, communication passage 58 (shown in Fig. 4 A-4D) in the valve member 54 and the opening 12a on ink entry pipe 12 ends and be supplied to ink entry pipe 12.

Simultaneously, introduce on the side at air, when keeping bottom connection with groove 3d, the end of operation part 67 touches in order to valve member 65 is fixing when going up in position, the valve seat part 63a of valve member 63 is moved downward with respect to valve member 65, in other words, this valve member 65 is pushed upwardly with respect to valve seat part 63a, the sidewall sections 72 of biasing part 63b is stretched, make valve member 62 and valve seat part 63a be separated from, thereby make valving be in open mode, wherein, valve member 65 is placed on the primary importance, so that print cartridge inside and exterior.The guide rod 66 of valve member 65 is vertically extending along rib, move with the inner surface opposing end faces of air intake 1j, even make that this departs from also can be by rib 70 restrictions that valve member 65 is moved along basic vertical direction when the direction that is pushed the place at valve member 65 deviates from the expectation valve member 65 dromic definite vertical direction mobile by means of promotion (hereinafter the valve member 65 desired directions that are pushed can be called " valve member 65 desired mobile normal directions ").That is to say that rib 70 vertically extending end faces are corresponding with leader.Thereby sidewall sections 72 is stretched basically equably at its whole periphery, thereby the meeting on the sidewall sections that has prevented from usually to see makes valve member trend towards leaving the local elongation of bonding part, and can allow valve member run well.

When valving 24 places open mode, the space between two ribs 70 among the 62a of first of the inner passage that black chamber 16 limits via gap, air communication chamber 50, adjacent tubular parts 62 between the inner periphery surface of the opening 74 in the gap between air supply channel 13, operation part 67 and the through hole 63c, communication passage 158 (shown in Fig. 5 A-5C), guide rod 66 and the bonding part 73 in the valve member 65 and the second portion 62b of inner passage and be connected with recording equipment 2 space outerpaces.

Then with reference to Fig. 6, will for example describe under the situation that print cartridge 1 is connected inadequately, perhaps the user damages under the situation of print cartridge 1, and

valve member

54,65 is pushed upwardly a

valving

23,24 during greater than normal, desired amount and how operates.

The

bias component

46,63 of

sutaining valve parts

54,65 is made by elastomeric material respectively.Thereby when

valve member

54,65 was pushed upwardly,

sidewall sections

36,72 ground that is stretched was long, thereby makes

bonding part

37,73 tilt to such an extent that widen the

opening

37a, 74 of bonding part 37,73.When sidewall

sections

36,72 is further upwards stretched,

valve member

54,65 makes

bonding part

37,73 greatly be tilted to such an extent that enlarged

opening

37a, 74, make

valve member

54,65

pass opening

37a, 74 and combine, perhaps leave

bias component

46,63 with

bias component

46,63 disengagings.In a single

day valve member

54,65 leaves bias

component

54,65 by this way, they can not be got back to

valve seat part

46a, 63a and keep on the tight position contacting.

In the print cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention, lower surface 71a, the 70a of

rib

71,70 have played the effect of limiter, are used to prevent that each

valve member

54,65 amount of movement is excessive.That is to say, thereby determine making to expand to apart from T1, T2 and allow greater than the size of

valve member

54,65 before

valve member

54,65

leaves bonding part

37,73 between lower surface 71a, the 70a between 37,73 upper surfaces of bonding part and

rib

71,70 at

opening

37a, 74, the upper surface of bonding

part

37,73 contacts with lower surface 71a, the 70a of

rib

71,70, as shown in Figure 6.

Therefore, when even the amount that is pushed upwardly at

valve member

54,65 has exceeded normal desired amount,

valve member

54,65 can not be disengaged with

bias component

46,63 yet, that is to say, can not pass opening 37a, 74 and leave

bias component

46,63, thereby prevented that

valving

23,24 from leaving under the state that they are opened, otherwise this situation may occur, and can cause such as ink leakage outside print cartridge and owing to other component in moisture or the ink is evaporated the problems such as ink viscosity increase that cause.

According to print cartridge of the present invention, limiter constitutes (lower surface that is each rib) by the surface, the bonding part valve member with contact with this surface before the bonding part is disengaged.That is to say, by suitably determining the distance between this surface and the bonding part this surface can be used as limiter, thereby can simplify the internal structure of print cartridge.

Notice that the place that ink leakage occurred is not limited to the valving 23 on the ink supply side.That is to say, ink leakage can appear at the first and second part 62a that ink is introduced into the inner passage, the place of 62b, for example when taking print cartridge print cartridge is dropped as the user, and after this valving 24 is being placed on air when introducing side with open mode, ink spills from valving 24.Similarly be to evaporate at 23 places of the valving on the ink supply side such as the ink composition of water.

When

valve member

54,65 is promoted by the direction on being tilted to, this direction deviates from

valve member

54,65 by means of promoting desired mobile normal vertical direction, the part of

sidewall sections

36,72 is greatly stretched, thereby make

opening

37a, 74 distortion, make

valve member

54,65 tend to pass

opening

37a, 74 and leave bias component 46,63.Introduce at air on the valve member 24 of side, guide rod 66 slides on rib 70, thereby and guided along vertical substantially direction, as mentioned above.Thereby, the situation that some sidewall sections 70 is only greatly stretched can not appear, pass the possibility that opening 74 and bias component 63 are disengaged thereby reduced valve member 65.In the present embodiment, because the air communication chamber has the inner passage that is communicated with black chamber, thereby allowing valve member to enter on the position of this inner passage, when valve member is pushed upwardly, and the leader that the rib that is extended towards guide rod by passage internally constitutes acts synergistically with described guide rod, when constituting guiding device, form the inner surface of inner passage and the fluid passage between the described guide rod, and can suitably guide described guide rod along rib.

In the present embodiment, on the valving 24 of air guiding side, carried out of the bigger stretching of this pilot valve parts 54 in order to the part that prevents bonding part 73, but also can in the valving 23 of ink supply side, adopt guide rod, so that come pilot valve parts 54 by ink entry 1d or rib 71.

According to present embodiment, even because

bias component

46,63 has foozle or other former thereby cause less than the size of nominal size or because thereby sidewall

sections

36,72 fully stretches promotes

valve member

54,65 and promoted valve member suddenly at 54,65 o'clock,

pass opening

37a, 74 and

bias component

46,63 when being disengaged at valve member, can prevent that also the

valving

23,24 of print cartridge from staying open state owing to following reason.

That is to say, as mentioned above, the diameter d 2 of projection 57a, the 157a of valve member 54,65, d4 are greater than opening 37a, 74 diameter d 1, d3 (as shown in Figure 2), then be substantially equal to or slightly less than height or the thickness of valve member 54,65 apart from T1, T2 (as shown in Figure 2) along the direction parallel with valve member 54,65 moving directions, when promptly not being stretched from the lower end of projection 57a, 157a to the bonding part size of 37,73 lower surface.Thereby, when valve member 54,65 passes opening 37a, 74 and bias component 46,63 when being disengaged or leaving, as shown in Figure 7, sidewall sections 36,72 shrinks, and makes bonding part 37,73 that its shape along the lower surface of valve member 54,65 is changed back to its original shape.Thereby valve member 54,65 is sandwiched between lower surface 71a, the 70a of the upper surface of bonding part 37,73 and each rib 71,70, makes the lower surface of valve member 54,65 seal described opening 37a, 74.Therefore, valve member 54,65 pass opening 37a, 74 and the situation that is disengaged of bias component 46,63 under, prevent that valving 23,24 is in open mode.On the other hand, in traditional layout, valving 23,24 can not return under the closed condition from this open mode, and at this moment valve member 54,65 is placed on the second place, in order to close the connection between black chamber and the print cartridge outside.Thereby,, prevented because valving 23,24 is in the caused problem such as ink leakage of open mode according to present embodiment.

According to first embodiment, the leader and the limiter of guiding device are made of components identical, and promptly rib constitutes.Thereby, can reduce the quantity of ink cartridge assemblies.

Then with reference to Fig. 8, with the print cartridge of describing according to second embodiment of the invention.Parts corresponding to those in the first embodiment are represented with identical Reference numeral with element, and are omitted description of them.

In first embodiment,

rib

70,71 has limited the displacement of valve member 65,54.Yet, according to second embodiment, bonding

part

73,37 has replaced air to introduce the rib 70 of side and the rib 71 of ink supply side, they respectively with the top surface 30a of the top surface 50a of air communication chamber 50 and ink communication chamber 30 against contacting, in order to the displacement of limiting

valve parts

65,54, as shown in Figure 8.

As shown in Figure 8, the inner surface of the 62a of first of inner passage is a cylindrical shape, the distance that the outer surface spaced apart of itself and guide rod 66 is less makes guide rod 66 to guide in the mode with this inner surface sliding-contact along the inner surface of the 62a of first of inner passage.

According to second embodiment, because the air communication chamber has the inner passage that communicates with black chamber, thereby allowing valve member to enter on the position of this inner passage, when valve member is pushed upwardly, valve member and the leader and the guide rod synergy that constitute by the inner passage inner surface, constitute guiding device, thereby simplified the internal structure of print cartridge.

According to the print cartridge of second embodiment, limiter constitutes (that is, the top surface of air communication chamber and ink communication chamber) by the surface, the bonding part valve member with contact with this limiter before it is disengaged.That is to say, by suitably determining the distance between this surface and the bonding part this surface is used as limiter, thereby can simplify the internal structure of print cartridge.

With reference to Fig. 9, with the print cartridge of describing according to third embodiment of the invention.Parts corresponding to those in the first embodiment are represented with identical Reference numeral with element, and are omitted description of them.

As shown in Figure 9, a plurality of ribs 76 that respectively have a downward jut 76a stretch out from the top surface of ink communication chamber 30, cross with the position of the basic core of ink communication chamber 30 on the plane.These juts 76a works in coordination with and has constituted a projection, it is directly relative with valve member 54 that the opening 37a that is formed in the bonding part 37 is passed in its lower surface, make when improving valve member 54, this projection of partly being made up of the several projections of rib 76 enters the opening 37a of bonding part 37, directly contact with valve member 54, thereby prevented the over-travel of valve member 54.Be noted that horizontally extending part is equivalent to bridgeware, this projection of being made up of the several projections part 76a of rib 76 then is equivalent to direct contact portion.

The upper end of the guide rod 66 of valve member 65 directly contacts with the top surface of air communication chamber 50, so that prevent the overexercise of valve member 65.One in top surface 75 and the guide rod 66 has communication passage 66a, and this passage allows air communication arranged simultaneously in that guide rod 66 and top surface 75 are contacted.

According to the print cartridge of the 3rd embodiment, limiter constitutes (lower surface that is top surface and the projection be made up of the jut 76a of rib 76) by the surface, valve member its with the bonding part be disengaged before contact.That is to say that by suitably determining the distance between this surface and the bonding part, this surface can be used as limiter, thereby can simplify the internal structure of print cartridge.

In above-mentioned each embodiment, opening 37a, 74 is formed in the

bias component

46,63, in order to open along the moving direction of

valve member

54,65, so that allow ink and air to be connected.Yet

opening

37a, 74 is formed at

bias component

46,63 residing positions and is not limited to this position.For example, as long as being communicated with and can setting up between the valve chamber that holds

valve member

54,65 and ink or the

air communication chamber

30,50, then opening 37a, 74 can be formed in the

sidewall sections

36,72 of bias component 46,63.When opening 37a, 74 is formed in the

sidewall sections

36,72, can omit the communication passage 58,158 of

valve member

54,65.

Each embodiment can be modified as the air supply channel that makes in the mounting portion 3 13 and adopt the shape identical with ink entry pipe 12, the i.e. shape of the tubulose that protrudes upward from the mounting portion, and air is introduced the valving 24 of side and is had the structure identical with the valving 23 of ink supply side.Perhaps, each embodiment can be modified as and make ink supply pipe 12 not from the mounting portion upper process, and the valving 23 of ink supply side has with air and introduces the identical structure of valving 24 on the side.

Although several embodiments of the present invention described above, but should be understood that, the present invention is not limited to the details of embodiment, but the various changes that can also expect under the situation that does not deviate from the main idea of the present invention that limits as claims and scope with those skilled in the art in addition and the form of modification embody.

Claims

1. print cartridge comprises:

Ink chamber storing ink;

Bias component, it comprises around the sidewall sections of described valve member and the bonding part of inwardly stretching out and engaging with this valve member from the end of sidewall sections, described bias component remains on valve member on the primary importance usually, but allow this valve member by means of in sidewall sections and the bonding part at least one strain and be placed on the second place, and producing makes this valve member return to the bias force of primary importance, described print cartridge is characterised in that, also comprises:

Be disengaged preventer, it prevents that described valve member and bonding part are disengaged at this valve member undesiredly when the second place is operated.

2. print cartridge according to claim 1 is characterized in that, the described preventer that is disengaged comprises: at least one limited part, this limited part limit described valve member and moved before this valve member and bonding part are disengaged; With the inclination limited part, this inclination limited part limits described valve member and tilts by the normal direction that promotes to be moved with respect to this valve member of expectation.

3. print cartridge according to claim 2, it is characterized in that, the described preventer that is disengaged comprises described limited part, and this limited part comprises the mediate contact part, this mediate contact part contacts with described valve member through described bias component, moves to the degree that is disengaged with the bonding part to prevent this valve member.

4. print cartridge according to claim 2, it is characterized in that the described preventer that is disengaged comprises described limited part, and this limited part comprises direct contact portion, this direct contact portion directly contacts with described valve member, moves to the degree that is disengaged with the bonding part to prevent this valve member.

5. print cartridge according to claim 3, it is characterized in that, described print cartridge also comprises: cylindrical wall, it limits communication chamber in this wall inboard, and comprise the shoulder surface, extend along the direction that intersects with the desired mobile normal direction of described valve member on this shoulder surface, and this shoulder surface constitutes described mediate contact part.

6. print cartridge according to claim 3 is characterized in that, described print cartridge also comprises: cylindrical wall, and it limits communication chamber in this wall inboard; With a plurality of ribs, described rib extends into communication chamber from the inner surface of described cylindrical wall, and each rib all has the rear surface that extends along the direction of intersecting with described valve member moving direction, and the rear surface of rib has constituted described mediate contact part.

7. print cartridge according to claim 3 is characterized in that,

Described bias component also comprises: valve chamber, and it is by limiting with the lower part: (a) have the valve seat part of valve surface, be formed with the valve hole in the center of this valve surface, and described valve member and this valve surface keep in touch; (b) have the described bonding part of opening, the diameter of this opening is less than the diameter of described valve member; (c) described sidewall sections, the described valve member of described valve accommodating chamber, and only be connected with the outside of valve chamber in valve hole and described opening part,

And, when not on bias component during the application of force, between bonding part and the mediate contact part in the distance on the described normal direction less than the size of valve member on this normal direction.

8. print cartridge according to claim 4 is characterized in that, described print cartridge also comprises: cylindrical wall, and it limits communication chamber in this wall inboard; With the bridgeware of the relative part that extends across this cylindrical wall inner surface, described direct contact portion is stretched out along the direction that parallels with normal direction from the middle part of this bridgeware.

9. print cartridge according to claim 2, it is characterized in that, the described preventer that is disengaged comprises described inclination limited part, and should comprise guiding device by the inclination limited part, this guiding device comprises: (a) be parallel to the guide rod that the desired mobile dromic direction of this valve member is stretched out from described valve member edge; (b) leader, this leader engages with this guide rod with sliding contacting mode, so that guide this guide rod along being parallel to dromic direction.

10. print cartridge according to claim 9 is characterized in that described print cartridge also comprises cylindrical wall, and it limits communication chamber in this wall inboard; At least three ribs, each rib extends into described communication chamber from the inner surface of described cylindrical wall, and the end surfaces relative with cylindrical wall of each rib engages guide rod with the mode with sliding-contact, and plays described leader.

11. print cartridge according to claim 10, it is characterized in that, the end surfaces relative with described valve member of described rib contacts with described valve member through described bias component, move to the degree that valve member and bonding part are disengaged so that prevent this valve member, thereby this end surfaces plays limited part.

12. print cartridge according to claim 9, it is characterized in that, described print cartridge also comprises cylindrical wall, the inner passage that it limits communication chamber and communicate with this communication chamber in this wall inboard, the inner surface of this inner passage engages with described guide rod in the mode of sliding-contact, thereby and plays described leader.

13. print cartridge according to claim 12, it is characterized in that, described print cartridge also is included in boundary between communication chamber and the inner passage along shoulder surface that the direction that intersects with normal direction is extended, this valve member contacts with this shoulder surface through bias component, move to the degree that this valve member and bonding part are disengaged so that prevent described valve member, thereby described limited part is played on this shoulder surface.

14. print cartridge according to claim 9, it is characterized in that, described print cartridge also comprises cylindrical wall, it limits communication chamber in this wall inboard, this cylindrical wall have along the direction that intersects with described normal direction extend and with the contacted contact-making surface of described guide rod, move to the degree that this valve member and bonding part are disengaged so that prevent described valve member, thereby this contact-making surface plays described limited part.

15. print cartridge according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described sidewall sections comprises the hollow circle tube part around described valve member periphery, and described bonding part comprises the flange that inwardly stretches out from the end of this hollow circle tube part.

16. according to each described print cartridge among the claim 1-15, it is characterized in that, described bias component has the valve hole that is in the center, and be made into integration by rubber or materials similar, thereby comprise described sidewall sections, described bonding part and have that described valve member and this valve surface keep in touch around the valve seat part of the valve surface in valve hole.

17. according to each described print cartridge among the claim 1-15, it is characterized in that described bias component also comprises: valve chamber, this valve chamber is by limiting with the lower part: the valve seat part that (a) has valve surface, be formed with the valve hole in the center of valve surface, and valve member and this valve surface keep in touch; (b) have the described bonding part of opening, the diameter of this opening is less than the diameter of valve member; (c) described sidewall sections, described valve chamber are only in the external communications of valve hole and opening part and valve chamber.

18. print cartridge according to claim 17 is characterized in that, at least one in described bias component and the valve member has communication passage, is communicated with described bias component volume inside and described opening when being used in the bonding part engaging with this valve member.