JP2001018416A - Ink tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively use an ink tank in simple operation and mechanism and improve a durability and a reliability by setting to a specific value from a contact part between a one-way ink supply member connected to an ink receive part of a holder at a bottom face of the ink tank and an internal absorber to an inner face of the ink tank in a direction perpendicular to the bottom face. SOLUTION: An ink absorber 33 which tightly adheres to an ink supply member 35 constituted of a one-way fiber bundle inserted to a support part 32c is stored inside a container 32 of an ink tank 30. An intake pipe of a mono color holder 1 is inserted to an ink supply port 32b to supply ink to a nozzle part via an ink channel. A distance SH from a contact part F where the ink supply member 35 in the container 32 butts against the absorber 33 to an inner face of the container 32 in a direction perpendicular to a bottom face is set to be 20 mm or less, and a distance l (l1-l4) from the contact part F to an inner face of each of end parts of the container 32 is set to satisfy SH<=l<=2.5×SH at least in two directions. The constitution effectuates miniaturization and a superior ink supply characteristic without waste.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium by discharging ink.
In particular, the present invention relates to an ink tank that stores recording ink.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, paper, cloth, plastic sheet, O
2. Description of the Related Art A recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “recording paper”) such as a sheet for HP uses various recording methods, for example, a recording head based on a wire dot method, a heat-sensitive method, a thermal transfer method, and an ink jet method. It has been proposed as a form that can be mounted.

[0003] In particular, an ink jet recording apparatus is an output means of an information processing system such as a copying machine, a facsimile,
It is used and commercialized as a printer as an output terminal such as an electronic typewriter, a word processor, a workstation, or a handy or portable printer provided in a personal computer, a host computer, an optical disk device, a video device, and the like.

On the other hand, as an energy generating element for generating energy for discharging ink from a discharge port of a recording head, one using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element, or irradiating electromagnetic waves such as a laser to generate heat. There is a method in which an ink droplet is ejected by the action of the heat, or a method in which a liquid is heated by an electrothermal conversion element having a heating resistor.

[0005] In general, an ink tank for supplying ink to a recording head is generally constituted by an ink absorber, a container for accommodating the ink absorber, and a lid member for sealing the container. The recording head includes a chip type integrated with the ink tank and a recording head detachably connected to the ink tank. In either case, the positioning of the recording head and the ink tank, or the positioning of the recording head cartridge and the carriage in which these members are integrated, is an important matter relating to print quality. One of these positioning means uses an engagement hole and an engagement pin. By engaging both, an accurate positioning can be performed.

A detachable mechanism for positioning the recording head and the ink tank, or for positioning the recording head cartridge and the carriage, requires a small-sized ink jet recording apparatus so that it can be detached and mounted in a smaller space. And a mechanism for moving the ink tank or the recording head cartridge in a plurality of directions by operating a lever or the like.

[0007]

However, the conventional structure in which the ink tank or the recording head cartridge is attached and detached by moving in a plurality of directions requires a complicated structure of the carriage itself. And the world's smallest printer cannot be provided. In addition, the attaching / detaching operation is relatively complicated. Therefore, it is important to achieve a further reduction in the size of the apparatus, a simpler operation or a simpler mechanism, and a configuration that does not cause inconvenience during attachment and detachment and that does not reduce the positioning accuracy.

In order to achieve the above object, the applicant of the present application has a supply port for supplying the recording ink contained therein to the outside and inserts the supply ink into the opening of the box-shaped ink tank holder. When the ink cartridge is attached to the ink tank holder, the supply port is connected to the ink intake means of the ink tank holder. An inclined surface is formed at a ridge where a bottom surface facing the bottom wall of the opening of the tank holder and one end surface adjacent to the bottom surface intersect, and the one end surface is fitted into a retaining hole formed in the ink tank holder. The latch lever is provided with a claw-like projection that mates, and a latch lever provided on the other end surface thereof with a latch claw that engages with an engagement hole formed in the ink tank holder. Offering invention characterized by being provided to be supported. Therefore, the present invention can effectively utilize a given space for an ink storage area,
An object of the present invention is to provide an ink tank capable of improving reliability and durability of attachment / detachment and detachment by simpler operation / mechanism, and further capable of further miniaturization.

[0009]

It is preferable that the ink tank itself, which is the premise of the present invention, is miniaturized, but it is naturally preferable to obtain excellent ink supply. From this viewpoint, in addition to the ink tank itself and the invention, the bottom surface of the ink tank has a one-way ink supply member connected to the ink receiving portion of the holder, and the ink tank has a one-way ink supply member. The distance SH from the contact portion where the member is in contact with the absorber accommodated in the ink tank to the inner surface of the ink tank in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface is 20 mm or less, and each of the ink tanks Of the distance l to the inner surface of the end,
By having a configuration that satisfies SH ≦ l ≦ 2.5 × SH in at least two directions, it is possible to obtain a compact and excellent ink supply without waste. In the present invention, the structure around the ink tank has, on the surface facing the side surface of the ink tank, a projection inserted into a recess provided in the holder prior to the latch claw, and The one-way ink supply member and at least the latch claw or at least one of the protrusions are disposed so as not to be present in the same surface region in the vertical surface area, so that the latch claw and the protrusion are displaced, so that the There is an advantage that the positioning accuracy of is stabilized. When this configuration is adopted by the above-described invention, the advantages are synergistically improved.

From the viewpoint of improving the operability in the present invention, a color recording head for ejecting ink to perform recording on a recording medium is integrally provided, and the head is scanned with respect to the recording medium. First and second ink tanks detachable from a carriage reciprocally moved along the surface of the recording medium and attachable to an ink tank holder capable of holding a plurality of ink tanks corresponding to the heads; The first ink tank has a first color mark corresponding to a first color mark corresponding to the first ink tank provided on the ink tank holding portion of the holder, and the first ink tank has a first color mark. The second ink tank has a second color mark corresponding to a second color mark corresponding to the second ink tank provided on the ink tank holding unit. It can be mentioned invention of the first, second ink tank, wherein the door. By adopting this configuration, not only the structure of the ink tank but also the operation corresponding to the mark can be reliably promoted, and erroneous mounting of the ink tank and waste of the operation can be prevented.

[0011] Of the partial inventions in the embodiments of the present invention described below, those which become more preferable when appropriately added to the above-mentioned present invention are included in the present invention.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG.
44 to FIG. 44.

In the following ink tanks, in order to mount them on the ink tank holder, first, the claw-like projections provided on one end face are aligned with and fitted to the retaining holes of the ink tank holder, and then the other end face is fitted. The latch claw of the latch lever elastically supported by the latch is engaged with the engagement hole of the ink tank holder. Thereby, both end surfaces of the ink tank are held by the ink tank holder, and the ink tank is accurately positioned and mounted. Further, since the ink tank is accurately positioned in the ink tank holder, the connection between the supply port of the ink tank and the ink take-out means of the ink tank holder is reliably performed, and no ink leakage occurs.

At this time, it is necessary to insert the ink tank obliquely into the opening of the ink tank holder in order to align the claw-shaped projections first. However, the bottom of the ink tank and the claw-shaped projections are formed. Since the inclined surface is formed at the ridge with the one end surface, if the ink tank is inserted along the inclined surface, the positioning of the claw-shaped projection and the retaining hole is easy. In addition, since the ink tank is inserted obliquely into the ink tank holder and then the latch claw and the engagement hole are engaged, the ink tank rotates while rotating around the side where the claw-shaped protrusion is provided. It will be mounted on the ink tank holder. Therefore, the space required for mounting the ink tank on the ink tank holder is small.

To remove the ink tank from the ink tank holder, the engagement between the latch claw and the engagement hole is released by bending the latch lever to the side opposite to the engagement hole.
Also in this case, it is removed in a procedure reverse to the procedure of mounting.

Further, on the upper surface on one end surface side of the ink tank,
In the case where the stepped portion that extends under the overhanging portion of the ink tank holder is formed, the insertion direction of the ink tank is regulated by the overhanging portion, so that the alignment between the claw-shaped protrusion and the retaining hole becomes easier.

[0017] In the case where a projection is provided at the upper end on one end side of both sides of the ink tank, the projection is fitted into the recess of the ink tank holder. Rotate the ink tank. This makes it easier to align the claw-shaped projection with the retaining hole and to engage the latch claw with the engagement hole.

When the latch lever is supported by the bottom of the ink tank and is inclined or curved upward and outward, the engagement between the latch claw and the engagement hole is released when the ink tank is removed from the ink tank holder. Then, the latch lever comes into contact with the inner wall of the ink tank holder, and the other end surface of the ink tank rises along the inclination or curve of the latch lever. Thereby, the other end side of the ink tank protrudes from the ink tank holder, and the ink tank can be easily removed.

In this ink tank holder, a claw-like projection of the ink tank is fitted into a retaining hole formed on the inner surface of one end wall of the opening, and an ink hole is formed in an engaging hole formed on the inner surface of the other end wall of the opening. By engaging a latch claw of a latch lever elastically supported on the tank, the ink tank is accurately positioned and mounted. At this time, since the overhanging portion that covers a part of the opening is provided at the opening end of the one end wall, the insertion direction of the ink tank into the opening is regulated. That is, the ink tank is inserted obliquely from the surface on which the claw-shaped protrusions are provided, and then, the surface of the ink tank where the latch claw is provided is pushed in to engage the latch claw with the engagement hole. Therefore, it is easy to align the claw-like projections with the retaining holes, and the ink tank can be attached and detached in a small space.

Further, when the ink tank holder is provided with a concave portion on the upper end surface of both side walls to which the protrusion provided on the ink tank is fitted, the protrusion of the ink tank is attached when the ink tank is mounted. If the ink tank is inserted so as to fit into the concave portion of the holder, the insertion position of the ink tank into the ink tank holder is also restricted, and the alignment between the claw-shaped protrusion and the retaining hole becomes easier.

In the case where a latch lever guide groove into which the latch lever is fitted and an engagement hole is formed in the latch lever guide groove, the ink tank is inserted obliquely into the ink tank holder, and then the ink tank is inserted into the ink tank holder. When pushed into the holder, the latch lever of the ink tank is pushed along the latch lever guide groove. The latch pawl is provided on the latch lever, and the engaging hole is formed in the latch lever guide groove. When the latch lever is pushed along the latch lever guide groove, the latch pawl and the engaging hole are engaged. Becomes easier. In addition, since the latch lever is elastically supported by the bottom of the ink tank and is inclined or curved upward and outward, when the engagement between the latch claw and the engagement hole is released, the latch lever is moved to the latch lever guide. The other end of the ink tank contacts the groove,
It rises along the inclination or curvature of the latch lever. Thereby, the other end side of the ink tank protrudes from the ink tank holder, and the ink tank can be easily removed.

Further, even when the ink tank is not housed in the ink tank holder in a normal state, the amount of protrusion of the ink tank from the ink tank holder becomes large similarly to the above case, and the housing is performed normally. It is easy to check if the device is properly accommodated and to remove it when it is not properly stored.

In the case where the urging means for urging the bottom surface of the other end side of the ink tank toward the opening of the ink tank holder is provided on the bottom wall of the opening of the ink tank holder, the ink tank is moved from the ink tank holder to the ink tank holder. At the time of removal, when the engagement between the latch claw and the engagement hole is released, the other end of the ink tank is protruded by the urging force of the urging means. Accordingly, the amount of protrusion of the ink tank from the ink tank holder is further increased, and detachment of the ink tank is further facilitated.

In the case where the ink tank contains a plurality of colors of ink therein, and the supply port of the ink tank and the ink intake means of the ink tank holder are provided correspondingly, a plurality of ink intake means are provided. By arranging along the direction from one end wall to the other end wall of the ink tank holder, the supply port and the ink take-in means are connected from the one end wall side to the other end wall side of the ink tank holder when the ink tank is mounted differently. , The connection between the supply port and the ink intake means is stably maintained.

A plurality of ink tanks are mounted on one ink tank holder by providing a partition plate on the ink tank holder and dividing the opening of the ink tank holder into a plurality of regions. This is because, for example, when printing in color, the amount of consumption differs depending on the color of the ink, so if the ink tank is set for each color of ink, the ink can be used efficiently. In this case, erroneous mounting of the ink tank is prevented by forming inclined surfaces corresponding to each other on the ink tank and the ink tank holder.

Further, when the recording head is integrally provided, a recording head cartridge having a detachable ink tank can be obtained. In this case, by being detachable from the carriage, it can be applied to a serial type ink jet recording apparatus. In addition, a positioning means for positioning with the carriage is provided on the outer surface on one end wall side of the ink tank holder, and a concave shape engaging with a guide member elastically supported by the carriage is provided on the outer surface on the other end wall side. Since the engagement portion is provided, when mounting the ink tank holder, first, align the positioning means,
Next, the guide member and the engaging portion are engaged. That is, similar to the procedure for mounting the ink tank in the ink tank holder, the ink tank holder is inclined relative to the carriage to perform rough alignment, and then the other is rotated around one end of the ink tank holder. Push the end side toward the carriage.

Thus, both ends of the ink tank holder are held, and the ink tank holder is accurately positioned and mounted on the carriage. Since the ink tank holder is attached and detached while rotating the ink tank holder as described above, the space required for attaching and detaching the ink tank holder is small.

In this case, the head terminal portion and the engagement portion are arranged on a straight line parallel to the side wall of the ink tank holder, so that the engagement between the engagement portion and the guide member allows the head terminal portion and the carriage to move. Since the ink tank holder is pressed in a direction perpendicular to the surface facing the terminal portion, the contact between the two is ensured.

Further, in the case where the knob is provided on the outer surface of the ink tank holder on the outer wall side, when the ink tank holder mounted on the carriage is removed from the carriage,
Since the ink tank holder can be pulled up by hooking a finger on the knob, the ink tank holder can be easily removed. Also, since the latch claw engagement hole is located corresponding to the latch lever operated when the ink tank is removed from the ink tank holder, by disposing the latch claw engagement hole and the knob at different positions from each other. When removing the ink tank from the ink tank holder,
Erroneous operation when removing the ink tank holder from the carriage is prevented.

On the other hand, there is provided a projecting area in which a fixing area for attaching and detaching the ink tank is projected outward, and an operation for attaching / detaching to / from the carriage is provided in an area which becomes a concave relative to the projecting area. Since the ink tank holder provided with the portion has a protruding area, the area around the protruding area is a concave portion relative to the protruding area. Therefore, by utilizing the area serving as the concave portion and providing an operation section operated by the operator when attaching and detaching to and from the carriage, a space for the operator to insert a finger when attaching and detaching is specially provided. Need not be provided. Therefore, the structure of the operation unit for attaching and detaching to and from the carriage is simplified. In particular, by providing this operation portion at the upper end of the region that becomes the concave portion, the operation becomes easier.

On the other hand, when the operating portion is provided on a surface having a fixed portion that is held by the carriage when mounted on the carriage and in a region farthest from the fixed portion, a force is applied to the operating portion. In this case, the moment acting on the fixed portion increases. That is, the holding and release of the fixing portion can be performed with a small force, so that the attachment / detachment operation with respect to the carriage is facilitated.

Further, in the case where the operation unit for attaching and detaching the ink tank and the operation unit for attaching and detaching to and from the carriage are provided on the same side in the moving direction of the carriage,
Since the operation unit is concentrated, the operation is simplified when attaching or detaching the ink tank or the ink tank holder. In addition, if there is a space on the side where the operation unit is provided so that the operator can operate, the carriage can be attached and detached at any position. In this case, when the frequency of attaching and detaching the ink tank is compared with the frequency of attaching and detaching the ink tank holder, the frequency of attaching and detaching the ink tank is higher. Providing the ink tank above the operation unit makes it easier to attach and detach the ink tank. In particular, when a plurality of ink tanks are detachable, arranging the operation units of the respective ink tanks on the same straight line makes the design more cohesive and enables further downsizing.

In this carriage, of the ink tank holders, the ink tank holder integrally provided with the recording head is detachably held. Therefore, as described above, the ink tank holder can be easily attached and detached in a small space.

As the ink tank holder detachable from the carriage, any ink tank holder may be used as long as it has a positioning means, a terminal portion, and a guide member, as long as they have the same positional relationship with respect to them.
That is, the ink tank holder that holds one ink tank or the ink tank holder that holds a plurality of ink tanks can be freely selected and detached. Therefore, when it is desired to switch from mono color to color or from color to mono color, it is only necessary to replace the ink tank holder.

In the case where a cover is provided on a surface of the ink tank holder facing the outer surface of the one end wall, the cover covers a part of the upper surface of the ink tank holder with the ink tank holder mounted. The portion serves as a guide when inserting the ink tank, and the direction in which the ink tank holder is inserted into the carriage is regulated, so that the positioning of the ink tank holder and the positioning means of the carriage becomes easier. In addition, the cover makes it difficult for other members or the operator's finger to touch the terminal of the carriage, so that the terminal of the carriage is protected.

Further, as a supporting means for supporting the ink jet recording apparatus so as to be able to reciprocate, in the case of having two bearings and two holding parts, one of the two holding parts is connected to one of the two holding parts. In practice, the distance between the two members is greater than the distance between the two members of the other holding portion, so that the carriage is actually supported by the two bearing portions and the other holding portion in parallel to the surface of the recording medium. Is done. One holding portion is located closer to the guide member than the other holding portion, and a load when attaching and detaching the ink tank holder to and from the carriage is easily applied. By applying a load at the time of attaching and detaching the ink tank holder to the portion, the influence on the other holding portion and each bearing portion can be suppressed. Therefore, when the ink tank holder is attached or detached, the carriage is not deformed more than necessary, and operational problems are prevented.

In the present ink jet recording apparatus, since the above-mentioned carriage is provided, the space required for attaching and detaching the ink tank holder to and from the carriage and for attaching and detaching the ink tank to and from the ink tank holder can be reduced. An ink jet recording apparatus is realized. In addition, since the positioning between the ink tank and the ink tank holder is accurately performed, there is no leakage of ink, and further, since the positioning between the ink tank holder and the carriage is accurately performed, the recording head can be accurately positioned. Therefore, an ink jet recording apparatus having high reliability and good recording quality is provided.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus using the present invention. In FIG. 1, a carriage 2 has a recording head cartridge 1 removably mounted thereon. The carriage 2 conveys a recording medium P to a guide shaft 5 and a guide rail 12 having both ends fixed to a frame 4 and arranged in parallel with each other. It is slidably supported in a direction perpendicular to the direction and parallel to the surface of the recording medium P. The carriage 2 is a part of a carriage drive belt 11 wrapped around a drive pulley 13 fixed to an output shaft of a carriage drive motor 10 and a driven pulley (not shown) rotatably supported. When the carriage drive motor 10 is driven, the carriage drive belt 11 rotates, and the carriage 2 reciprocates in the above-described direction.

The recording head cartridge 1 includes a nozzle portion 50 (see FIG. 5) as a recording head for ejecting ink based on a recording signal which is an electric signal for ink ejection, a monocolor holder 60 (see FIG. 5). The mono-color holder 60 detachably holds the ink tank 30 containing the ink. The nozzle unit 50 is provided at the bottom (the lower end in the figure) of the recording head cartridge 1, and the ink is ejected downward in the figure. The recording signal to the nozzle unit 50 is transmitted to the carriage 2
Is transmitted from a control board (not shown) for controlling the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus via a flexible cable 3 provided in the printer. The flexible cable 3 is arranged along the moving direction of the carriage 2 and forms a loop as the carriage 2 moves. The recording head cartridge 1 and the carriage 2 will be described later in detail.

On the other hand, the recording medium P has a frame 4 at both ends.
Is mounted on a pressure plate 8 which is rotatably supported on the platen. Pressure plate 8
Is biased toward the pickup roller 9 by a biasing means (not shown), and the recording medium P stacked on the pressure plate 8 is pressed against the pickup roller 9. When the pickup roller 9 is rotated by a paper feed command,
The recording medium P is sent out by the frictional force between the pickup roller 9 and the recording medium P. The pressure plate 8 has a separating means (not shown) such as a separating claw used in a conventional automatic sheet feeding apparatus. Only one recording medium P at the uppermost position is sent out by the operation of the separating means.

The recording medium P sent out by the pickup roller 9 is conveyed below the carriage 2 while being nipped by the conveyance roller 6 having both ends supported by the frame 4 and the pinch roller 7 provided on the base 14. . Recording is performed on the recording medium P at this position. Further, on the downstream side of the carriage 2 with respect to the transport direction of the recording medium P, a paper discharge roller 15 and a spur 16 are disposed so as to face each other. The sheet is sandwiched between the spur 16 and discharged. The above-described pickup roller 9, transport roller 6, and paper discharge roller 15 are driven using a paper feed motor (not shown) as a drive source.

In the following description, the upstream side with respect to the transport direction of the recording medium P is referred to as a back side, its surface is referred to as a back surface, the downstream side is referred to as a near side, and the surface is referred to as a front surface.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is housed in a housing. As shown in FIG. 2, an outer case is formed by a lower case 18 and an upper case 17, and the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is housed therein.

An upper case 17 is provided at the back side of the upper case 17.
Is provided so as to be openable and closable.
The upper case 17 has an opening at a position corresponding to the pressure plate 8, and the top cover 19 is opened to open the top cover 19.
Is a tray for setting the recording medium P on the pressure plate 8. Further, the upper case 17 has an opening from the central portion to the front surface, and the recording head cartridge 1 or the ink tank 30 can be detached from the opening. Therefore, when the recording head cartridge 1 or the ink tank 30 is replaced, the carriage 2 is moved to the center of the moving range by a predetermined operation. A head cover 20 that covers a part of the upper surface and the front surface of the opening is provided on the front side of the replacement opening of the recording head cartridge 1 or the ink tank 30 so as to be openable and closable. When the tank 30 is not replaced, the head cover 20 is closed to protect the recording head cartridge 1.

Next, the carriage will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carriage 2 of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

The carriage 2 has a frame shape as a whole, and a recording head cartridge 1 (see FIG. 1) is mounted in a hollow portion thereof. Two bearings 2a are integrally provided on the back surface of the carriage 2, and the guide shaft 5 is inserted into each of the bearings 2a. On the front surface of the carriage 2, a guide rail holding portion 2b and a carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c are integrally provided as two holding portions. The guide rail holding portion 2b is provided on the cable holder 21 side, and the carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c is provided on the head guide 22 side. Guide rail clamping portion 2b and carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c
Are composed of two members protruding from each other at an interval in the vertical direction with a plate-like guide rail 12 interposed therebetween. As described above, the carriage 2 is supported by the two bearing portions 2a, the guide rail holding portion 2b, and the carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c. Accordingly, the carriage 2 is supported so as to be parallel to the base 14 (see FIG. 1), and the nozzle portion 50 (see FIG. 5) of the recording head cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 2 and the recording medium P
(See FIG. 1) is kept substantially constant.

However, the carriage deformation preventing stopper 2
c is larger than the distance between the two members forming the guide rail holding portion 2b, and the carriage 2 is substantially a carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c.
It is supported at three points except for. This is because, in order to support the carriage 2 in parallel with the base 14, considering the sliding load of the carriage 2, it is sufficient to support the carriage 2 at three points that are not aligned on the same straight line. Further, the carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c is provided.
In order to prevent unnecessary displacement or deformation of the carriage 2 due to a load applied to the guide rail holding portion 2b and each bearing portion 2a when the recording head cartridge 1 is attached to and detached from the carriage 2, and to prevent a malfunction in operation. It is. Also,
The carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c is
The reason for this is that a force is applied to the head guide 22 when the recording head cartridge 1 is attached to or detached from the carriage 2 as described later.

The flexible cable 3 is routed through a predetermined path, and has a cable terminal 3a provided at the end thereof.
Is located inside the illustrated right side wall of the carriage 2,
It is fixed by a cable retainer 21. When the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, the cable terminal portion 3 a comes into contact with the head terminal portion 53 (see FIG. 5) of the recording head cartridge 1, so that the electric connection with the recording head cartridge 1 is established. Is made.

The cable retainer 21 is formed by bending a conductive plate-like member such as stainless steel. The upper end of the cable retainer 21 is formed by a cover 21a projecting more inward of the carriage 2 than the cable terminal 3a. Has become. Further, a part of the cable retainer 21 is in contact with the GND pattern of the flexible cable 3. That is, the cable retainer 21 is grounded via the flexible cable 3. This is because when an operator attaches or detaches the recording head cartridge 1 to / from the carriage 2, static electricity or the like accumulated on the operator's finger or the like or accumulated in the recording head cartridge 1 is discharged to the cable presser 21 to GND. This prevents discharge of the static electricity or the like to the cable terminal portion 3a, thereby preventing damage to the control substrate of the ink jet recording apparatus.

Further, by forming the cover 21a on the cable holder 21, the cable terminal 3a is connected to the cover 2a.
1a, and the cable terminal 3a
It is difficult for the operator's finger or the like to touch the touch panel. As a result, the above-mentioned static electricity or the like is easily discharged to the cable retainer 21, and the cable terminal 3a itself is protected by the cover 21a.

On the surface of the carriage 2 where the cable terminal 3a is located, two head positioning projections 2d, 2d
e is provided integrally. One of the head positioning projections 2d has a rectangular shape and is provided on the back side of the cable terminal portion 3a. The other positioning projection 2e has a circular tip with a conical shape, and is provided on the front side of the cable terminal 3a. In a state where the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, one of the head positioning projections 2d is fitted into the head positioning notch 53a (see FIG. 5) of the recording head cartridge 1 and the other is positioned, as described later. The protrusion 2e fits into the head positioning hole 53b (see FIG. 5) of the recording head cartridge 1, and accurate positioning of the recording head cartridge 1 with respect to the carriage 2 is performed. As is clear from the above explanation,
The head positioning projections 2d and 2e constitute the positioning means of the carriage 2, and the head positioning notch 53a and the head positioning hole 53b constitute the positioning means of the recording head cartridge 1.

Further, a contact spring 23 is provided at a portion of the carriage 2 facing the cable terminal portion 3a, and a head guide 2 made of resin is provided at a tip end thereof.
2 is fixed. That is, the head guide 22 is elastically supported by the carriage 2. Head guide 2
2, when the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, as described later, the recording head cartridge 1 is fitted to the head pressing portion 60 b (see FIG. 6) of the recording head cartridge 1, and the recording head is driven by the spring force of the contact spring 23. The cartridge 1 is urged toward the cable terminal portion 3a. By arranging the cable terminal portion 3a and the head guide 22 to face each other, the contact between the cable terminal portion 3a and the head terminal portion 53 is ensured. And Further, the head guide 22 connects the recording head cartridge 1 to the carriage 2.
It also plays the role of a guide when mounting it on.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a double torsion type torsion coil spring is used as the contact spring 23, and two coil portions are supported by a support rod integrally formed with the carriage 2. At the same time, the metal shaft member 24 supported by the carriage 2 is sandwiched between the ends extending from the respective coil portions. Thus, when a load is applied to the contact spring 23, the load applied to the carriage 2 is dispersed, and the deformation of the carriage 2 is prevented. Further, when the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, the pressing force of the contact spring 23 on the recording head cartridge 1 is set to about 2 kgf in order to more reliably make contact between the cable terminal portion 3 a and the head terminal portion 53. .

As described above, the cover 21a is formed on the cable retainer 21 and the cable terminal 3a is formed.
When the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, the head terminal 22 of the recording head cartridge 1 is provided.
The surface on the side of the recording head cartridge 3 is inserted under the cover 21a, and the front end of the cover 21a is used as a spindle.
Will be attached while rotating. Therefore, the cover portion 21a serves as a guide when the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted, and the recording head cartridge 1 can be mounted in a small space.

The cover 21a is connected to the cable terminal 3a.
When the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted without penetrating the cover terminal 21a below the surface of the recording head cartridge 1 on the side of the head terminal portion 53, the base plate 51 of the recording head cartridge 1 The recording head cartridge 1 hits the cover 21a before contacting the cable terminal 3a, and the recording head cartridge 1
To prevent damage.

Next, the recording head cartridge 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the recording head cartridge 1 of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from a direction in which the head terminal portion 53 is visible. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the recording head cartridge 1 of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. ,
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the head terminal unit viewed from a direction in which a surface opposite to the head terminal unit is visible. 7 is a bottom view of the recording head cartridge 1 of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the nozzle section 50 of the recording head cartridge 1 shown in FIG.

The recording head cartridge 1 is a mono-color cartridge. As shown in FIGS.
The nozzle unit 50 for ejecting ink and the monocolor holder 60 having a box shape having an opening on the upper surface are integrated with each other. The tank 30 is detachably mounted.

As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 8, the nozzle portion 50 has a base plate 5 made of a metal plate such as aluminum.
1, a grooved member 52 having a plurality of liquid passages 50d and grooves forming the common liquid chamber 50c is fixed.
A plurality of ejection ports 50b, which are opening ends of the respective liquid paths 50d, are formed on the ejection port face 50a facing the recording medium P (see FIG. 1). Each liquid path 50d is formed at a predetermined pitch, and the base plate 5 corresponds to each liquid path 50d.
An electrothermal converter (heating resistor, etc.) 50e for generating energy for ink ejection is provided on 1. The common liquid chamber 50c communicates with the ink tank 30 (see FIG. 5), and ink is supplied from the ink tank 30 to the common liquid chamber 50c. Each electrothermal transducer 50e is electrically connected to the head terminal 53 shown in FIG. 5 via a wiring (not shown).

The head terminal portion 53 is connected to the base plate 51.
The wiring connected to each of the electrothermal transducers 50e is connected to the head terminal section 53 by wire bonding. Also,
As shown in FIG. 7, the base plate 51 is attached at an angle of 1 to 4 degrees with respect to the transport direction of the recording medium P.
Therefore, the rows of the ejection ports 50b are also inclined by 1 to 4 degrees with respect to the transport direction of the recording medium P.

The ink supplied from the ink tank 30 to the common liquid chamber 50c and temporarily stored enters the liquid path 50d by capillary action, forms a meniscus at the discharge port 50b, and fills the liquid path 50d. Keep. At this time, when the electrothermal transducer 50e is energized and generates heat based on the recording signal transmitted to the head terminal section 53, the electrothermal transducer 50e
The ink on the upper side is rapidly heated to cause film boiling, and bubbles are generated in the liquid passage 50d, and the expansion of the bubbles causes the ink to be discharged from the discharge port 50b. Here, the electrothermal transducer 50e is shown as an energy generating element for generating energy. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a piezoelectric element that generates mechanical energy that instantaneously applies discharge pressure may be used.

When the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, a rectangular head positioning is formed on the base plate 51 in accordance with the positions of the head positioning projections 2 d and 2 e (see FIG. 3) of the carriage 2. Protrusion 2d
Are formed, and a head positioning notch 53a into which a circular head positioning protrusion 2e is fitted is formed.

The base plate 51 is fixed to one end wall of the monocolor holder 60 by heat welding, ultrasonic welding, or the like. A step 60a is formed at the end of the upper surface of the monocolor holder 60 on the base plate 51 side, and is one step lower than other parts. When the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, the stepped portion 60a
Cover 21a of cable holder 21 (see FIG. 3)
The recording head cartridge 1 can easily be roughly positioned by being sunk below the bottom.

A mechanism for attaching and detaching the recording head cartridge 1 to and from the carriage 2 is provided on the outer surface of the monocolor holder 60 on the side opposite to the base plate 51, that is, on the other end wall side when the carriage 2 is mounted. A head pressing portion 60b, which is a fixed portion held by the head guide 22 (see FIG. 3) of the carriage 2, and a head attaching / detaching operation portion 60c, which is an operation portion for attaching / detaching to / from the carriage 2, are formed. The head pressing portion 60b is a concave portion formed to be inclined from the lower end to the upper end of the surface of the monocolor holder 60 opposite to the base plate 51. An upper portion of the head pressing portion 60b is a recessed head guide engaging portion 64. When the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, the head guide 22 of the carriage 2 is moved to the head guide engaging portion 64. 6
4 is engaged. The recording head cartridge 1 is positioned and fixed to the carriage 2 by the engagement of the head guide 22 with the head guide engaging portion 64.
The head attachment / detachment operation unit 60c is provided for the recording head cartridge 1
Is provided at the upper end of the area farthest from the head pressing portion 60b on the surface on which the head pressing portion 60b is provided, and when the recording head cartridge 1 is removed from the carriage 2, It is intended to be easily removed by pulling up.

Each of the head pressing portion 60b and the head attaching / detaching operation portion 60c serves as a guide for the latch lever 32a, and a latch lever guide groove 60h described later (FIG.
1) is provided in a region that becomes a concave portion relative to a protruding region formed by the above. As a result, the limited volume of the recording head cartridge 1 is effectively used, and a fixed portion held by the head guide 22 of the carriage 2 and an operation portion for attachment / detachment to / from the carriage 2 can be obtained with a minimum space. .

Here, the operation of attaching and detaching the recording head cartridge 1 to and from the carriage 2 will be described.

The recording head cartridge 1 is moved to the carriage 2
First, as shown in FIG. 9, the side of the recording head cartridge 1 on which the base plate 51 (see FIG. 5) is provided is connected to the cable presser 2 provided on the carriage 2.
Inserting diagonally in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure, while inserting under the cover 21a. As a result, the rising surface of the step portion 60a (see FIG. 5) of the recording head cartridge 1 abuts against the end surface of the covering portion 21a, and the recording head cartridge 1
Approximate positioning is performed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the recording head cartridge 1 is pushed downward. At this time, the head pressing portion 60b of the recording head cartridge 1 (see FIG. 6)
Is the head guide 22 of the carriage 2 (see FIG. 3).
And each head positioning projection 2 of the carriage 2
The recording head cartridge 1 is smoothly mounted on the carriage 2 while d and e are fitted in the head positioning notch 53a and the head positioning hole 53b of the recording head cartridge 1. When the recording head cartridge 1 is completely mounted, the head guide 22 engages with the head guide engaging portion 64 (see FIG. 6), and the recording head cartridge 1
Is fixed. Further, the head terminal portion 53 of the recording head cartridge 1 is pressed by the cable terminal portion 3a of the carriage 2 by the pressing force of the head guide 22, and the electrical connection between the two is ensured.

The recording head cartridge 1 is moved to the carriage 2
When detaching the carriage 2, the head attachment / detachment operation unit 60c of the carriage 2 is pulled upward. Thereby, the engagement between the head guide 22 and the head guide engaging portion 64 is released, and the head pressing portion 60b rides on the head guide 22.
When the head pressing portion 60b rides on the head guide 22, the recording head cartridge 1 is in an oblique state with the head attaching / detaching operation portion 60c side protruding from the carriage 2. Then, by picking a portion protruding from the carriage 2, the recording head cartridge 1
Easily removed from

On the surface provided with the head pressing portion 60b, the head attaching / detaching operation portion 60c is provided at a position farthest from the head pressing portion 60b. The moment acting when the engaging portion 64 comes off the head guide 22 increases. Thus, the recording head cartridge 1 can be detached with a small force, and while the recording head cartridge 1 is securely held, the detachment of the recording head cartridge 1 becomes easier. In order to be able to remove the recording head cartridge 1 with a smaller force, a head pressing portion 60b is provided on the back side with respect to a center line of the recording head cartridge 1 parallel to the moving direction of the carriage 2, And,
In other words, the head attachment / detachment operation unit 60c is provided at the front end.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the recording head cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line AA of the recording head cartridge 1 shown in FIG. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 12, an ink intake pipe 60d protrudes from the bottom wall of the monocolor holder 60, and an ink flow path 60e opening to the ink intake pipe 60d.
Communicates with the common liquid chamber 50c of the nozzle unit 50 (see FIG. 8). A seal ring 61 made of an elastic member such as rubber is fixed around the ink intake tube 60d. A filter 62 is attached to the open end of the ink intake tube 60d to prevent foreign matter from being taken into the nozzle unit 50. At the upper end of the monocolor holder 60 on the side of the base plate 51, overhangs 60f are formed at both corners thereof, and a tank projection guide 60g, which is a semicircular recess, is formed in the vicinity thereof. I have. On the other hand, a guide for a later-described latch lever 32a (see FIGS. 5 and 6) when the ink tank 30 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) is mounted on the inner wall of the monocolor holder 60 opposite to the base plate 51. A latch lever guide groove 60h is formed. Further, an inclined surface 60k is formed at a ridge where the bottom wall of the monocolor holder 60 and the wall on the base plate 51 side intersect.

Here, the ink tank 30 mounted on the recording head cartridge 1 will be described. FIG.
FIG. 14 is a plan view of the ink tank 30 mounted on the recording head cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 5, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB of the ink tank 30 shown in FIG.

The ink tank 30 has a container 32 for holding ink, and a lid member 31 that covers and seals the container 32 and has an air communication port (not shown).

At the bottom of the container 32, a monocolor holder 6
An ink supply port 32b into which the 0 ink intake pipe 60d (see FIG. 12) is inserted is formed, and a cylindrical support portion 32c is provided upright around the ink supply port 32b. Ink supply port 32b
Before the ink tank 30 is mounted on the monocolor holder 60, the ink is sealed with a sealing material (not shown) to prevent ink leakage.

An ink absorber 33 made of sponge or the like is accommodated in the container 32, and the ink is absorbed and held by the ink absorber 33. Support 32
c, an ink supply member 35 composed of a unidirectional fiber bundle
Are inserted and supported, and the ink absorber 33 is in close contact with the upper end surface of the ink supply member 35. The ink absorbed by the ink absorber 33 is supplied to the ink supply member 3.
5 to the ink supply port 32b. When the ink tank 30 is mounted on the mono color holder 60, as shown in FIG.
The zero ink intake pipe 60d is inserted so that they communicate with each other, and ink is supplied to the nozzle unit 50 via the ink flow path 60d. At this time, the seal ring 61 provided around the ink supply port 32b is in close contact with the outer edge of the ink supply port 32b, and ink leakage is suppressed.

In order to connect the ink supply port 32b and the above-described air communication port via an air layer, a rib 34 is provided at a predetermined position inside the container 32 and the lid member 31.
(FIG. 14 shows only the ribs 34 of the lid member 31) to form the ink absorber 33, the container 32, and the lid member 3.
1 and a supporting space 32
A slit (not shown) that communicates the inside and the outside of the container 32 is provided in a part of the inner surface of c. As described above, by communicating the inside and the outside of the ink tank 30 through the air layer, when the sealing material sealing the ink supply port 32b is peeled off, the ejection of the ink from the ink supply port 32b can be prevented. Leakage can be prevented. Further, even when the ambient temperature of the ink tank 30 rises during printing,
The ink in the ink tank 30 is not pushed out. Further, since the ink does not stay on the inner wall of the container 32, there is no possibility that the ink leaks from the ink supply port 32b or the air communication port, and the ink consumption efficiency is improved.

On the other hand, as an external structure of the ink tank 30, the container 32 has a claw-shaped projection on a surface that comes into contact with the inner wall of the monocolor holder 60 on the base plate 51 side when the ink tank 30 is mounted on the monocolor holder 60. 32d is integrally provided. The retaining claw 32d fits into a tank retaining hole 60i (see FIG. 12) formed in the monocolor holder 60, and serves as a guide when the ink tank 30 is mounted on the monocolor holder 60. When the ink tank 30 is mounted on the mono color holder 60, the ink tank 3
Serves to hold 0.

The bottom wall of the container 32 and the retaining claw 3
The ridge where the surface on which 2d is formed intersects has an inclined surface 32f.
Are formed. The angle and shape of the inclined surface 32f are substantially equal to the angle and size of the inclined surface 60k (see FIG. 12) of the monocolor holder 60.

Further, a latch lever 32a whose lower end is elastically supported is integrally provided on the other end surface, which is the outer wall opposite to the retaining claw 32d. The latch lever 32a is inclined upward and outward of the ink tank 30, and the latch lever guide groove 60 of the monocolor holder 60 is provided.
h (see FIGS. 11 and 12), and when the ink tank 30 is mounted on the monocolor holder 60, the ink tank 30 is pressed by the latch lever guide groove 60 h and FIG.
And the latch claw 32e formed on the latch lever 32a is bent in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG.
h is engaged with the latch claw engagement hole 60j. In this embodiment, the latch lever 32a is formed integrally with the container 32.

The lid member 31 has a stepped portion 31a which is one step lower than the upper surface of the lid member 31 at the end of the upper surface where the retaining claw 32d is formed. When the ink tank 30 is mounted on the monocolor holder 60, the ink tank 30 is inserted so that the stepped portion 31a is inserted under each overhanging portion 60f of the monocolor holder 60 (see FIGS. 11 and 12). Approximate positioning is performed. The tank projection 31b fitted to the tank projection guide 60g of the monocolor holder 60 is also provided.
Are formed.

Next, the operation of attaching and detaching the ink tank 30 to and from the monocolor holder 60 will be described. Ink tank 30
When the is mounted on the mono color holder 60, first, the sealing material sealing the ink supply port 32b is peeled off. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 16, the ink tank 30 is inserted obliquely in the direction of the arrow from the side where the retaining claw 32d is formed, and the step 31a of the ink tank 30 is inserted into the overhanging portion 60f of the monocolor holder 60. At the same time, the ink tank 30 is hooked into the tank retaining hole 60i (see FIG. 12) of the monocolor holder 60, and the ink tank 30 is roughly positioned. When the ink tank 30 is inserted into the monocolor holder 60, the ink tank 30 is formed with a slope 32f, and is used as a guide so that the slope 32f is substantially parallel to the bottom wall of the monocolor holder 60. Then, it is easy to make the step 31a of the ink tank 30 penetrate under each overhang 60f of the monocolor holder 60. In addition, the monocolor holder 60 and the ink tank 30 are provided with inclined surfaces 60 corresponding to each other.
Since k and 32f are formed, different types of ink tanks cannot be mounted on the monocolor holder 60, and erroneous mounting of the ink tanks is prevented.

Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the ink tank 3 is moved so that the latch lever 32a moves along the latch lever guide groove 60h (see FIGS. 11 and 12).
Push 0 down. Then, the ink tank 30 substantially rotates around the portion inserted into the monocolor holder 60,
The latch lever 32a is pressed by the latch lever guide groove 60h while being bent inward, and the latch claw 32e (see FIG. 14) of the latch lever 32a is inserted into the latch claw engaging hole 60j (see FIG. 12) of the monocolor holder 60. Engage. Thereby, the ink tank 30 is fixed to the monocolor holder 60. In addition, since the latch claw 32e engages with the latch claw engagement hole 60j, a click sensation is generated.

The ink tank 30 is connected to the mono color holder 60
To remove the latch claw 32a, the latch lever 32a is pushed inward to release the engagement between the latch claw 32e and the latch claw engagement hole 60j. Since the lower end of the latch lever 32a is elastically supported and is inclined upward and outward of the ink tank 30, when the engagement between the latch claw 32e and the latch claw hole 60j is released, FIG. Try to return to the state shown in. Therefore, the base slope of the latch lever 32a slides up along the latch lever guide groove 60h, and the ink tank 30 is automatically lifted on the latch lever 32a side to be in an oblique state. Then, the ink tank 30 can be easily removed from the monocolor holder 60 by picking the raised portion.

As described above, by attaching and detaching the ink tank 30 to and from the monocolor holder 60 by substantially rotating the ink tank 30, attachment and detachment in a small space becomes possible. In addition, at the time of wearing,
By using the inclined surface 32f of the ink tank 30 as a guide, the stepped portion 31a is inserted into the overhanging portion 60f of the monocolor holder 60, so that the insertion direction of the ink tank 30 into the monocolor holder 60 is restricted. Is done. Further, the ink tank 30 has a tank protrusion 31.
b, and the mono-color holder 60 is provided with the tank projection guide portion 60g.
The insertion position of the ink tank 30 into the monocolor holder 60 is also restricted, and the ink tank 30 is rotated about the tank protrusion 31b.

As a result, the ink tank 30 is mounted without interfering with the filter 62 (see FIGS. 11 and 12) of the monocolor holder 60, and there is no possibility that the filter 62 will be damaged when the ink tank 30 is mounted.
Further, since the ink tank 30 is attached to and detached from the mono-color holder 60 by being rotated, the space for attaching and detaching the ink tank is small, and the size of the ink jet recording apparatus can be reduced.

In the example described above, the latch lever 3 is used to remove the ink tank 30 from the monocolor holder 60.
2a, the latch lever 3 of the ink tank 30
Although the phenomenon that the end on the 2a side is lifted is utilized, in addition to this, the other end of the ink tank 30 (the latch lever 32) is used.
a) is attached to the bottom wall of the mono-color holder 60.
As a biasing means for biasing toward the opening, a pop-up spring 68 as shown in FIG. 18 may be provided, and the spring force may be used to lift the end of the ink tank 30 on the side of the latch lever 32a. The pop-up spring 68 is a leaf spring fixed to the bottom wall of the hollow portion of the mono-color holder 60, and a free end extending from the nozzle portion 50 side of the mono-color holder 60 to the latch lever guide groove 60h side is curved. Looking upwards. Thereby, the latch claw 32e
Is disengaged from the latch pawl engaging hole 60j, the end of the ink tank 30 on the latch lever 32a side is lifted upward by the spring force of the pop-up spring 68, and the amount of protrusion from the monocolor holder 60 increases. Therefore, taking out of the ink tank 30 becomes easier.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show the procedure for attaching and detaching the ink tank 30 to and from the recording head cartridge 1 alone. Of course, even when the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2 (see FIG. 3). The operation of attaching and detaching the ink tank 30 is possible.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a state where the ink tank 30 is mounted on the recording head cartridge 1 and the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2. As is apparent from FIG. 19, the latch lever 32a serving as an operation unit when the ink tank 30 is attached / detached, and the head attachment / detachment operation unit 60c serving as an operation unit when the recording head cartridge 1 is attached / detached, the movement of the carriage 2. Both directions are arranged on the same side. Thereby, the operator can easily recognize each operation unit, and the operation can be unified, so that the operability is improved. Moreover, it is possible to provide an operation unit that is very cohesive in terms of design. Further, when the ink tank 30 is attached or detached or the recording head cartridge 1 is attached or detached, only the side provided with the latch lever 32a and the head attaching / detaching operation section 60c needs to have a space for the operator to operate. Therefore, if the carriage 2 is located at such a position, the ink tank 30 or the recording head cartridge 1 can be attached and detached at an arbitrary position.

The latch lever 32a and the head attaching / detaching operation section 60c are arranged adjacent to each other. The operation of removing the ink tank 30 is an operation of pushing the latch lever 32a inward, and the recording head cartridge 1 is removed. Since the operation is an operation of lifting the head attaching / detaching operation unit 60c, an erroneous operation is avoided due to a difference in the operation method. Further, since the position of the latch lever 32a and the position of the head attaching / detaching operation section 60c are arranged stepwise, it is easy to recognize the difference in the functions. In this case, comparing the frequency of attaching and detaching the ink tank 30 and the frequency of attaching and detaching the recording head cartridge 1, the frequency of attaching and detaching the ink tank 30 is higher.
The position of the head 2a (the part where the operator places a finger) is disposed above the position of the head attaching / detaching operation unit 60c.

In the above-described example, the recording head cartridge 1 is of a monocolor type. However, in the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment, a color recording head cartridge may be used.

FIG. 20 shows a color recording head cartridge mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the two ink tanks mounted thereon together with the two ink tanks. This color recording head cartridge 101
Is a black ink tank 1 containing black ink
30 and a color ink tank 140 containing three color inks of yellow, magenta, and cyan have a detachable structure, and discharge four color inks. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 21, the nozzle unit 150 also has a black ejection port group 150B, a yellow ejection port group 150Y, a magenta ejection port group 150M, and a cyan ejection port group 150B corresponding to each color ink. It is divided into a discharge port group 150C. Further, a partition plate 165 is integrally provided on the bottom wall of the color holder 160 in order to divide an area where the respective ink tanks 130 and 140 are mounted.

The base plate 151 and the head terminal portion 153 are provided in the monocolor recording head cartridge 1 (FIG. 5).
(See Reference). Color holder 160
Is also different from the monocolor holder 60 (see FIG. 5) in detail, but the outer shape is substantially the same.
In particular, the shape of the portion related to the carriage 2 (see FIG. 3) and the position of the head attaching / detaching operation section 160c serving as a hook portion of a finger when removing the color recording head cartridge 101 from the carriage 2 are the same, and are the same as those for the mono color. The color recording head cartridge 101 can be attached to and detached from the same carriage 2 as the carriage 2 on which the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted. That is, the user can freely select and use the mono-color recording head cartridge 1 and the color recording head cartridge 101 in one inkjet recording apparatus.

Hereinafter, the color recording head cartridge 101 and the ink tanks 130 and 140 will be described. However, since the portion related to the carriage 2 is the same as that of the recording head cartridge 1 for monocolor, the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 22 shows the color recording head cartridge 101 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which 140 is mounted. Also,
FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 22, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. As shown in FIG. 22, the black ink tank 130 and the color ink tank 140 are mounted on the color holder 160 adjacent to each other.
Black ink tank 130 and color ink tank 14
0 is the shape of the mono-color ink tank 3.
0 (see FIG. 13). Further, as shown in FIG. 23, a black ink tank 130 includes a container 132 for holding black ink, and a container 13.
And a lid member 131 which covers and seals the cover 2 to form an atmosphere communication port 131b.

At the bottom of the container 132, the color holder 16
An ink supply port 132b into which an ink intake pipe 160d for black ink of 0 is inserted is formed, and a cylindrical support portion 132c stands upright around the ink supply port 132b. Before the black ink tank 130 is mounted on the color holder 160, the ink supply port 132b is sealed with a sealing material (not shown) to prevent ink leakage.

The ink absorber 133 is provided inside the container 132.
Is stored, and the black ink is absorbed and held by the ink absorber 133. Support 132c
Includes an ink supply member 135 formed of a unidirectional fiber bundle.
Are inserted and supported, and the ink absorber 133 is in close contact with the upper end surface of the ink supply member 135. The ink absorbed by the ink absorber 133 is guided to the ink supply port 132b via the ink supply member 135.
When the black ink tank 130 is mounted on the color holder 160, the color holder 160 is inserted into the ink supply port 132b.
The ink intake tube 160d is inserted, and ink is supplied to the black ink discharge port group 150B (see FIG. 21) of the nozzle unit 150 via the ink flow path composed of the color holder 160 and the liquid path cover 166. (See FIG. 23)
In the figure, a route to the nozzle 150 is not shown because of the cut surface.) At this time, the ink supply port 13
A seal ring 161 provided around 2b is in close contact with the outer edge of the ink supply port 132b, thereby suppressing ink leakage.

The ink supply port 132b and the air communication port 13 are used for the same purpose as the monocolor ink tank 30.
1b is connected to a predetermined portion of the inside of the container 132 and the inside of the lid member 131 by a rib 13
4 (only the rib 134 of the lid member 131 is shown in FIG. 23) to form a predetermined space between the ink absorber 133 and the container 132 or the lid member 131.
A slit (not shown) for communicating the inside and the outside of the container 132 is provided in a part of the inner surface of the support portion 132c.

On the other hand, as a structure for attaching and detaching the black ink tank 130 to and from the color holder 160, the container 132
When the black ink tank 130 is mounted on the color holder 160, the base plate 151 of the color holder 160
A stopper claw 132d is integrally provided on a surface that comes into contact with the inner wall on the side. The retaining claw 132d fits into a tank retaining hole 160i formed in the color holder 160, and serves as a guide when the black ink tank 130 is mounted on the color holder 160, and the black ink tank 130 When mounted on the holder 160, the black ink tank 130 is held. A latch lever 132a having a lower end portion elastically supported is integrally provided on the outer wall opposite to the retaining claw 132d.

According to the position of the latch lever 132a,
A latch lever guide groove 167 for the black ink tank 130 is formed in the color holder 160. When the black ink tank 130 is mounted on the color holder 160, the latch lever 132a is inserted along the latch lever guide groove 167. I will do it. When the black ink tank 130 is mounted on the color holder 160, the latch lever 132a is pressed by the latch lever guide groove 167 and flexes inward, and the latch lever 132a is bent.
The latch claw 132e formed on the latch lever guide groove 167 is engaged with the latch claw engagement hole 167a formed on the latch lever guide groove 167.

Further, an inclined surface 160k similar to that of the monocolor holder 60 (see FIG. 12) is also provided in an area of the color holder 160 where the black ink tank 130 is mounted.
Are formed, and the inclined surface 132f corresponding to the inclined surface 160k is also formed on the black ink tank 130.

The lid member 131 is provided at the end of the upper surface thereof on the side where the retaining claw 132d is formed.
A step portion 131a which is one step lower than the upper surface of No. 1 is formed. Correspondingly, the color holder 160 also
An overhang 160f similar to the overhang 60f (see FIG. 11) of the monocolor holder 60 is formed.

The attachment / detachment of the black ink tank 130 to / from the color holder 160 is performed by using the mono-color ink tank 30.
Is performed in the same manner as described above. That is, when the black ink tank 130 is mounted, first, the black ink tank 130 of the color holder 160 is removed from the side where the retaining claw 132d is formed.
Is inserted obliquely into the portion where the color holder 160 is to be mounted, and the step 131a is inserted under the overhang 160f (see FIG. 22) of the color holder 160 on the side of the black ink tank 130, and the retaining claw 132d is attached to the color holder 160.
In the tank retaining hole 160i. Thereafter, the black ink tank 130 is pushed downward and rotated about the side where the retaining claw 132d is formed, so that the latch claw 132e of the latch lever 132a is engaged with the latch lever guide groove 167 and the latch claw engagement hole 167a. . When removing the black ink tank 130,
Push the latch lever 132a inward,
What is necessary is just to release the engagement between 2e and the latch claw engagement hole 167a.

The color ink tank 140 has basically the same structure as the black ink tank 130. As shown in FIG. 24, a container 142 for storing the three color inks and a lid member 141 for covering the container 142 are provided. And
Also, when mounting on the color holder 160, the cover member 14
1, a step portion 141a formed at the same position as the black ink tank 130 is inserted obliquely so as to extend under the overhang 160f (see FIG. 22) on the color ink tank 140 side.

The interior of the container 142 contains two partition plates 14 arranged in parallel to each other to accommodate three color inks.
By 2f, the space is partitioned into three spaces having substantially the same capacity. These three spaces are arranged along the direction in which the color ink tank 140 is inserted when the color ink tank 140 is mounted on the color recording head cartridge 101. In each of these spaces, an ink absorber 143Y that absorbs and holds yellow ink, an ink absorber 143M that absorbs and holds magenta ink,
And an ink absorber 143C that absorbs and holds cyan ink. Then, as shown in the bottom view of FIG. 25, the ink supply ports 142 opened in each space.
bY, 142bM and 142bC are also formed along the insertion direction of the color ink tank 140.

The individual structure of each space is the same as that of the black ink tank 130, and the description is omitted. An air communication port (not shown) for the lid member 141 is also provided.
However, except that the space is formed for each space and that each space is sealed, the description is omitted because it is basically the same as the black ink tank 130.

The ink supply ports 142bY, 142b
bM, 142bC, the color holder 16
0 is provided with three ink intake tubes 160d '(in FIG. 24, the ink intake tube for magenta ink is not shown due to the cut surface relationship). Each of the ink intake pipes 160 d ′ is connected to the nozzle section 15 via an ink flow path formed by the liquid path cover 166.
The predetermined discharge port groups 150Y, 150M, and 150C (see FIG. 21) communicate with each other. In FIG. 24, only the path for the yellow ink is shown as the path to the nozzle 150 of each ink flow path due to the cut surface. Also, the seal ring 161 ′ is
Although provided for each 0d ', the one for magenta ink is not shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the structure for attaching and detaching the color ink tank 140 to and from the color holder 160 is similar to the black ink tank 130, as shown in the side view of FIG.
In addition to the above-mentioned step portion 141a, the latch lever 142
a and a retaining claw 142d. Latch lever 1
42a is a color holder 160 as shown in FIG.
The latch claw 142 e formed on the latch lever 142 a is engaged with the latch lever guide groove 167 when the color ink tank 140 is mounted on the color holder 160. And engages with the latch engagement hole 167a 'formed in the'. The retaining claw 142d shown in FIG. 26 is formed at the lower end of the surface opposite to the surface on which the latch lever 142a is provided. A tank retaining hole (not shown) into which the retaining claw 142d is fitted is formed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 24, an inclined surface 160k 'similar to that of the monocolor holder 60 (see FIG. 12) is also formed in a region of the color holder 160 where the color ink tank 140 is mounted. Color ink tank 1
40 also has an inclined surface 142g corresponding to the inclined surface 160k '.
Are formed.

In the same manner as the operation for attaching and detaching the color ink tank 140 to and from the color holder 160, the side on which the retaining claw 142 d is formed is inserted into the color holder 160, and that portion is centered. The latch lever 142a is pushed inward and removed. Here, when the color ink tank 140 is mounted on the color holder 160, each of the ink supply ports 142bY, 142bM,
Since 2bC is formed along the direction of insertion of the color ink tank 140, the ink supply ports 142bY, 142bM,
42bC is sequentially coupled to the ink intake tube 160 'from the side where the retaining claws 142d are formed.
A stable connection between the color ink tank 140 and the color recording head cartridge 101 can be obtained.

In order to make it easier to remove the ink tanks 130 and 140, the color holder 160
Alternatively, a pop-up spring similar to that shown in FIG. 18 may be provided.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a state where the black ink tank 130 and the color ink tank 140 are mounted on the color recording head cartridge 101 and the recording head cartridge 101 is mounted on the carriage 2. As is clear from FIG.
Since the reference numerals 0 and 140 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the carriage 2, the latch lever 132 a serving as an operation unit for attaching / detaching the black ink tank 130 and the operation unit for attaching / detaching the color ink tank 140 are provided. The latch lever 142a and the head attachment / detachment operation unit 160c, which is an operation unit when the color recording head cartridge 101 is attached / detached, are arranged on the same side in the moving direction of the carriage 2. Thus, similarly to the recording head cartridge 1 for monocolor (see FIG. 19), the operability of attaching and detaching the ink tanks 130 and 140 and the color recording head cartridge 101 is improved, and the design is very coherent. It will be. In addition, since the positions of the heads of the latch levers 132a and 142a are arranged on the same straight line, the space is effectively used, and the compact color recording head cartridge 101 can be obtained.
The arrangement of the latch levers 132a and 142a and the head attaching / detaching operation section 160c is also similar to that of the mono-color recording head cartridge 1 in that each latch lever 13a
The 2a, 142a and the head attaching / detaching operation section 160c are arranged stepwise, and it is easy to recognize the difference in their functions.

The inclined surfaces 132g and 142g of the black ink tank 130 and the color ink tank 140
Of the color holder 160, the inclined surfaces 160k and 160k ′ of the color holder 160 are also different from each other.
If the angle and the shape are adjusted to the inclined surfaces 132g and 142g, the erroneous mounting of the black ink tank 130 and the color ink tank 140 can be prevented.

Next, a description will be given with reference to FIGS. 28 to 44 which are drawings to which specific numerical examples of the above-described embodiment of the present invention and additional configurations are added.

FIG. 28A is a perspective view of a tank holder 60 that integrally holds a black-only recording head BHD for performing recording while accommodating only the black ink tank 30, and FIG. And color ink tank 1
Black for storing and recording each of 30 and 140,
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a tank holder 160 that integrally holds a color integrated recording head BCHD.

FIG. 29A is a top view of the tank holder 60, and FIG. 29B is a top view of the tank holder 160.

30A is a perspective view centering on the bottom surface of the black ink tank 30, FIG. 30B is a perspective view centering on the bottom surface of the black ink tank 130, and FIG.
3 is a perspective view centering on the bottom surface of the color ink tank 140.

FIG. 31 is an operation diagram including an operation of detaching the protection member 200 of the black ink tank 130 from FIG.
(B) is an operation view including an operation of detaching the protection member 201 of the color ink tank 140, and (c) is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a partial configuration of the protection member.

FIGS. 32A and 32B are drawings in which the specific dimensions of the black ink tank 30 are accurately reduced. FIGS. 32A and 32B illustrate an embodiment formed according to the values shown in FIGS.
Of (c), (d), and (e), a left side view (a), a right side view (d), and a front view (c) are shown in a triangle around the top view (b). (E) is a projection view in which the top view (b) is further reduced and the absorber is removed, and (f) is a projection view.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the front view (c), which is reduced and passes through the center of the one-way ink supply member.

FIG. 33 shows the state of the black ink tank 13.
0 is a drawing in which the specific dimensions of 0 are accurately reduced, and explains the embodiment formed according to the values in the figure, and (a), (b),
Of (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g), a triangle is formed around the top view (b), and the left view (a), the right view (d), and the front view ( c), a bottom view (e) is shown,
(F) is a cross-sectional view of the front view (c) passing through the center of the one-way ink supply member, and (g) is a projection view of the top view (b) with the absorber removed.

FIG. 34 shows the color ink tank 160.
(A), (b), (b), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c), (c)
Of (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g), a triangle is formed around the top view (b), and the left view (a), the right view (d), and the front view ( c), a bottom view (e) is shown,
(F) is a sectional view passing through the center of the one-way ink supply member in the front view (c).

FIG. 35 is an enlarged projection view of FIG. 34 from which the absorber in the top view (c) is removed.

FIG. 36 is a conceptual diagram showing a relationship for improving the ink supply efficiency of the ink tank of the present invention.

FIG. 37 shows the tank holders 60, 1 of FIG.
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a carriage configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus on which 60 is mounted.

FIG. 38 is a top view of the protection member 200 of the black ink tank 130. FIG.

FIG. 39 is a view showing a state in which the protective member 200 containing the black ink tank 130 is packed, and FIG. 39A is a view showing the state seen from the arrow A in FIG. (b) is a diagram showing a state viewed from an arrow B in (a).

FIG. 40 is a top view of the protection member 201 of the color ink tank 140. FIG.

FIGS. 41 (a) and 41 (b) show a state in which the protective member 201 in a state where the color ink tank 140 is housed is packaged. FIG. 41 (a) is a top view and FIG. 41 (b) is a side view.

FIGS. 42A and 42B are views showing the protection member 400 of the black ink tank 30, wherein FIG. 42A is a top view and FIG.
Is a side view.

FIGS. 43 (a) and 43 (b) show a state in which the protective member 400 in which the black ink tank 30 is housed is packaged. FIG. 43 (a) is a top view and FIG. 43 (b) is a side view.

FIGS. 43 (a) and 43 (b) show the ink supply port of the protection member 400 shown in FIGS. 42 and 43 in detail. FIG. 43 (a) is a partial sectional view, FIG. 43 (b) is an enlarged partial sectional view, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a connection state with an ink tank.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 28 to 44, a description will be given of a configuration relationship that is not described before FIG.

In these figures, the above-described ink absorbing members 35, 135, and 165 are used as one-way ink supply members that guide ink only in one direction by bundling fibers. Each ink tank 30, 130, 14
As shown in FIG. 30, an ink absorbing member is provided on the bottom surface of each of the ink tanks in a concave portion with respect to the bottom surface, and the ink supply sectional area of the ink absorbing member differs depending on each ink tank. The plate springs 68, 68C, 68B acting on the tank at the time of the attaching / detaching operation shown in FIG. 29 are fixedly held by the tank holders 60, 160 at the heat caulking portions 202, 203, 204, respectively. Since the thermal caulking portions 202, 203, and 204 are convex toward the tank mounting area on the bottom surface of the tank, the close contact state between the ink absorbing member of the tank and the filters BK, BK, Y, M, and C of each tank holder. 202a and 20
2a, 203a, 203a, and 204a are provided respectively. The leaf springs 68, 68B, 68C are deformed when the respective ink tanks are positioned in the holder, and try to push up the ink tanks by their elastic force. This pushing-up force strengthens the state in which the latch claw and the retaining claw are engaged with the holder, and the reaction force of the latch claw and the retaining claw is in a pressure contact state between the ink supply member and the filter which is slightly convex in the holder bottom surface. Is further stabilized. Here, the visual characteristics of each ink will be described with reference to FIGS. As in this configuration, the carriage, the tank holder, and one or two ink tanks are installed in a concentrated manner in one part, so that when the operator moves any lever, a desired film forming operation can be performed. May be lost. For this reason, in this embodiment, not only the shape but also the lever is made the same color and the color is different for each different member, thereby improving the operation. Specifically, the common carriage has a black color (preferably the same color as the apparatus main body because it is not removed), the ink tank 30 is gray, the ink tank 130 is transparent or red, and the ink tank 140 is It was white. Also, holders with heads BHD, B
The CHDs may be different colors from each other, but in this example, they are green. With these, what can be detached can be determined for each color, so that the lever to be operated can be visually determined. In addition, as shown in FIG.
29, the ink tank holder is provided with concave portions Y1 to Y5 at positions corresponding to the convex portions as shown in FIG.
5 are provided. The convex portion is provided on the ink tank to prevent the supply port opening from directly touching the ink tank holder when the ink tank is placed on the ink tank holder with the supply port opening facing downward. is there.
With the above configuration, it was possible to prevent the bottom surface of the ink tank near the supply port from directly touching the mounting surface and preventing the ink from adhering.

As can be seen from FIGS. 28 and 37, the carriage 2 is provided with a black triangle mark 206 and a yellow triangle mark 207 indicating the color on the tank holder mounting side. Marks corresponding to these marks are also provided on each tank. Since only the tank 30 needs to be inserted into the tank holder 60 in the ink tank 30, the black triangle mark 206a and the yellow triangle mark 20
7a is provided, and a black triangle mark 206a is provided on the ink tank 130 mounted on the tank holder 160.
The ink tank 140 is provided with a yellow triangle mark 207a according to the ink to be stored and the mounting position. Since the presence of the ink tank can be confirmed by this mark, the type of the ink tank and the presence or absence of the ink tank can be visually confirmed by looking at the carriage. It should be noted that the filters that can be seen at the respective ink supply ports of the color ink tank holder shown in FIG. 29B are all provided offset to the anti-rotation center side. This is because the distance from the center of rotation reduces the amount of deformation of the filter when the ink tank is stored in the ink tank holder, and the filter is stably stored.

FIG. 31 shows an embodiment according to claim 18, in which the protective member for the ink tank 30 is not shown, but it is sufficient to have similar elements in function, shape and the like. The protection members 200 and 201 are directly connected to the ink tanks 30 and 13.
0, 140, and an ink supply unit covering member 200e as an ink absorbing sheet or cap.
Reference numeral 201e contacts the bottom surface of the ink tank. The ink supply unit covering member can prevent unnecessary scattering of ink, and in particular, for the color ink tank 140, can also prevent color mixing of each ink.

In short, this embodiment has a supply section for supplying recording ink contained therein to the outside on the bottom surface, and one surface of the ink tank is provided in a concave portion of a holder in which the ink tank is mounted. A protrusion to be inserted is provided, and a latch claw of an operation elastic latch lever provided on a side surface opposite to this surface engages with an engaging portion of the holder, and is attached to the holder by being detached, Ink tank released
(130, 140)
01), wherein a protective portion (200c, 201c) for covering the periphery of the elastic latch lever for operation (132a, 142a) provided with the latch claw in a non-contact state, and an absorber for closing around the supply portion or Cap (200e, 2
01e), concave portions (200f, 201f) for receiving the projections, and engaging portions (Ta, Tb) for engaging the ink tank upper surface corners (Ta, Tb) on the elastic latch lever for operation side. 200a, 200b, 201a, 201
b).

FIG. 38 shows a top view of the protection member 200 of the black ink tank 130, and FIG. 39 shows a state where the protection member 200 containing the black ink tank 130 is packaged. FIG. 39 (a) is a diagram showing a state viewed from arrow A in FIG. 38, and FIG. 39 (b) is a diagram showing a state viewed from arrow B in (a). FIG. 40 is a top view of the protection member 201 of the color ink tank 140, and FIG.
1 shows a state in which the protective member 201 containing the color ink tank 140 is packaged. FIG. 41A is a top view, and FIG. 41B is a side view.

As shown in FIG. 39 and FIG. 41, each of the ink tanks 130 and 140
0, 201, and furthermore, packaging materials 390, 410
Handled sealed. Here, each protection member 20
Regarding the protection portions 200c and 201c formed on the reference numerals 0 and 201, the latch lever (142a in FIG. 41, not shown in FIG. 39) has a tapered shape such that the upper portion slightly protrudes as shown in each drawing. It has been processed.

This is because when the entire latch lever is closely enclosed or when the latch lever is largely enclosed,
When the protective member is detached from the ink tank,
This is because 00c and 201c are easily grasped. If the protection part is grasped when the entire latch lever is closely surrounded, the protection part itself may be damaged. In addition, if the protection portion is gripped when the entire latch lever is largely surrounded, a finger may be caught on the latch lever and the latch lever itself may be damaged. In any case, the protection member is smoothly detached from the ink tank. This is because they do not.

In this embodiment, as described above, the protection portion is formed into a tapered shape such that the upper portion of the latch lever projects slightly, thereby preventing the protection portion from being gripped. It was possible to prevent the occurrence of a serious problem.

FIG. 42 shows a protection member 400 of the black ink tank 30. (A) is a top view and (b) is a side view. FIG. 43 shows a state in which the protective member 400 containing the black ink tank 30 is packaged.
(A) is a top view and (b) is a side view. Further, FIG.
FIG. 3 shows the ink supply port of the protection member 400 shown in FIGS. 42 and 43 in detail. (A) is a partial sectional view, (b) is an enlarged partial sectional view, and (c) is a partial sectional view showing a connection state with an ink tank.

In the protection member 400, the engaging portions 400a and 400a are similar to the protection members 200 and 201 shown in FIG.
400b, a protection part 400c, and a concave part 400f are formed. Regarding the protection part 400c, the latch lever 32a is formed so as to slightly project when the black ink tank is housed, and the same applies to the point that the protection part 400c is sealed by the packaging material 400 during handling. The protection member 400 is different from the protection members 200 and 201 shown in FIG. 31 in that an O-ring 401 is attached to a portion that covers the ink supply unit because the ink tank to be stored is the large-capacity black ink tank 30. It is that you are.

The protection members 200 and 201 shown in FIG. 31 are formed such that the ink supply sheet covering members 200e and 201e as ink absorbing sheets or caps are formed at the portions in contact with the bottom surfaces of the ink tanks, based on the capacity of the ink tank to be accommodated. Explanation has been given (in this case, an ink absorbing sheet may be attached to the ink tank itself, and a protective member may be provided with an ink supply unit covering member).
However, for the ink tank 30 that stores a large amount of ink, an O-ring is used to make the seal more complete.

The structure of the protection member 400 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0144] As shown in FIG.
A protruding portion is formed at a position of the ink tank 30 with respect to the ink supply portion, and an O-ring 401 is provided around the protruding portion. A groove 441 for improving the adhesion is provided on the upper surface of the O-ring 401, and the groove 441 is attached to the protection member 400. The edge 442 is an enlarged view of FIG.
As shown in (b), after the O-ring 401 is fitted around the protruding portion, the protruding portion is heated and deformed to hold the O-ring 401 in a crimped state.

The diameter φa of the protrusion shown in FIG.
Has a diameter substantially the same as the supply port of the ink tank 444 to be protected as shown in FIG.
Is set so as to be as close as possible within a range that does not come into contact with the pressure contact body 443 that absorbs and holds ink in the ink tank when attached to the ink tank 444. Specifically, it is about 0.2 mm or less. This is because if the gap between the tip of the protruding portion and the pressure contact body 443 is too wide, ink will accumulate in this gap when the ink tank is dropped.
This is because in the large-capacity ink tank 30, since the supply port is large, there occurs a problem that the accumulated ink scatters when the protective member is removed.

In the present embodiment, by setting the height of the protruding portion to 0.2 mm or less as described above, it is possible to prevent ink from accumulating in the gap between the tip of the protruding portion and the pressure contact body 443. It was possible to prevent the above problems from occurring.

Next, referring to FIGS. 32, 33 and 34,
The shape characteristics of each ink tank will be described. Each ink tank has an operating elastic latch lever provided with a latch claw on one side. The click amount C of the latch claw is 0.9 mm in the ink tank 30 (FIG. 32).
33C, the ink tank 130 is not shown in FIG. 33, but is 0.7 mm as shown in FIG. 34C of the ink tank 140, and is 1 mm or less in each case.
The state in which these latch claws are engaged with the ink tank holder is not shown in FIG. 32, but as shown in FIGS. The distance between the inside and the side surface, that is, the separation interval TR is 2 mm.

When the click amount C of the latch claw is increased, the size of the outer mold is increased or the size of the carriage to be provided is increased. Therefore, a value of 1 mm or less is preferable. At this time, the distance is not only necessary in proportion to the click amount C, but also if the distance is not minimized, the click amount cannot be reliably cleared or the click itself may not be possible. From this study, in the present embodiment, the design was made as shown in the drawing (example of 3C ≧ TR at C = 0.7 and example of 2C ≦ TR at C = 0.9). The operation was easy. Also, T
It has been found that the detachment operation can be stabilized when R is (1.5 times × click amount C) or more.

In summary, the supply port for supplying the recording ink contained therein to the outside is provided on the bottom surface, and the latch claw is engaged with and disengaged from the engaging portion of the holder in which the ink tank is mounted. By attaching to the holder by doing
An ink tank to be released, the side surface corresponding to the latch claw having a click amount C of 1 mm or less and the operation elastic latch lever on the side surface, and the side surface corresponding to the latch claw in a mounted state. An ink tank characterized in that a separation interval TR between the control lever and the elastic latch lever for operation satisfies the relationship of 1.5C ≦ TR ≦ 3C. According to this configuration, the ink capacity can be maximized for a given space without complicating the configuration of the holder and the carriage,
Reliable operation can be performed while minimizing the space required for operating the latch and the latch lever.

A more preferable condition of this condition is that the separation interval TR satisfies the relationship of 2C ≦ TR ≦ 3C.

As shown in FIG. 32 (b), when the entire operation elastic latch lever is the ink tank alone, the distance 211 from the side surface is 9.0 mm, and FIG.
In FIG. 34 (b), by being within a range of 10 mm or less, such as 8.8 mm, a reliable click effect and
It has been found that the operability at the time of detachment and detachment can be further improved.

Further, in order to reduce the size and improve the operability, as shown in FIG. 32 (C), the side surface of the operation portion 208 of the elastic latch lever for operation is separated from the side surface. The taper 210 has an angle at which the surface can make surface contact with the side surface.

When the elastic latch lever for operation is provided on the side surface of the ink tank as in this embodiment, the durability of the repeated operation may be required. In such a case, the elastic latch lever for operation is bent such that a portion 209 from the latch claw to the operation section is close to the side surface as represented in FIG. 32 (c). By taking the configuration, the effect can be obtained. Of course, in this configuration, each tank is provided as shown in each (c) of FIGS. When the angle formed by the bending with the side surface is 20 degrees or less (in this case, each tank is 15 degrees), a more practical structure and durability can be obtained.

In the case where the material of the elastic latch lever for operation is made inexpensive, the material may have a reduced strength. It is preferable to use a configuration in which the central portion is thick in the bending direction.

As shown in FIG. 36, attention was paid to the correlation between the size reduction of the ink tank itself and the ink supply capability. The territory came to have some relationship. This is effective when the supply section of the ink tank is the bottom of the tank and the supply section has an ink supply member excellent in the ink supply direction with respect to the ink absorber (porous material such as sponge) inside the tank. Met.

FIG. 36 shows that the surface F where the one-way ink supply member having such characteristics is in contact with the absorber has the following particularly when the length SH of the tank in the height direction (thickness) is 20 mm or less. It turned out that there was a characteristic. Incidentally, reference numerals 11 to 14 in FIG. 36 denote the maximum distances from the end of the surface F, which give an unstable element of the ink supply balance, including the corners of the ink absorber or the ink tank. FIG.
5 and FIGS. 32 (e), (F), FIGS. 33 (f), (g)
The base and the height of the right triangle for obtaining the maximum distance.

In this embodiment, the ink tank 30 includes:
To facilitate insertion and removal from the ink holder, the color ink tank 140 shown in FIG.
Guide grooves 32 extending in the insertion direction as in the case of the respective supply ports.
0 is partially formed. The invention relating to the structure of the supply unit does not require the above-described structure related to the latch. That is, even when another fixing method is used, a structure that facilitates insertion and removal is effective.

That is, from the viewpoint of reducing the size of the ink tank itself and obtaining excellent ink supply properties, the bottom surface of the ink tank has a one-way ink supply member connected to the ink receiving portion of the holder. The ink tank has a distance SH from the contact portion where the one-way ink supply member is in contact with the absorber accommodated in the ink tank to the ink tank inner surface in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface.
mm or less, and SH ≦ l in at least two directions within a distance l from the contact portion to the inner surface of each end of the ink tank.
By having a configuration that satisfies ≦ 2.5 × SH, it was possible to obtain excellent ink supply without downsizing and waste.

In the present invention, the structure around the ink tank has, on the surface facing the side surface of the ink tank, a projection to be inserted into a concave portion provided in the holder before the latch claw, The one-way ink supply member and at least the latch claw or at least one of the protrusions are not arranged in the same surface region in a surface area perpendicular to the side surface. There is an advantage that the positioning accuracy at the time of mounting is stabilized.
When this configuration is adopted by the above-described invention, the advantages are synergistically improved.

The present invention provides an excellent effect particularly in an ink jet recording head and a recording apparatus in which a flying liquid droplet is formed by utilizing thermal energy and recording is performed among ink jet recording methods.

The typical structure and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to an electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which This is effective because heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, causing film boiling on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, and as a result, air bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding one-to-one to this drive signal can be formed. It is. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the ejection port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angle liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, The present invention also includes a configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.

In addition, JP-A-59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, or absorbs pressure waves of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which an opening corresponds to a discharge unit.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification is used. Either a configuration that satisfies the length or a configuration as a single recording head integrally formed may be used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as components of the printing apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If you list these specifically,
Capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means for the printhead, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection other than recording Is also effective for performing stable recording.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens at room temperature, or which is liquid, In general, in the ink jet method, the temperature of the ink itself is controlled within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. What is necessary is just liquid thing.

In addition, the temperature rise due to thermal energy can be positively prevented by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or solidified in a standing state for the purpose of preventing evaporation of the ink. Either ink may be used, or in any case, the ink may be liquefied by application of heat energy according to the recording signal and ejected as a liquid ink, or may already start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The use of ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time by heat energy is also applicable to the present invention. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-5684.
No. 7 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-71260, in which the porous sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter while being held in a liquid or solid state in the concave portions or through holes of the porous sheet. It is good. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as a form of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to one provided as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a word processor or a computer as an integral or separate apparatus, a copying apparatus combined with a reader, A facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function may be employed.

[0170]

According to the present invention, the structure around the ink tank has, on the surface facing the side surface of the ink tank, a projection inserted into a recess provided in the holder prior to the latch claw. The latch claw and the projection are displaced so that the one-way ink supply member and at least one of the latch claw or the projection do not exist in the same plane area in a surface area perpendicular to the side surface. Thereby, there is an advantage that the positioning accuracy at the time of mounting is stabilized. When this configuration is adopted by the above-described invention, the advantages are synergistically improved. By adopting this configuration, not only the structure of the ink tank but also the operation corresponding to the mark can be reliably promoted, and erroneous mounting of the ink tank and waste of the operation can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus using the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the inkjet recording apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 is housed in a housing.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a carriage of the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a head guide of the carriage shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a monocolor recording head cartridge mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, viewed from a direction in which a head terminal portion is visible in a state where an ink tank is mounted.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a recording head cartridge for a mono color mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, viewed from a direction in which a surface opposite to a head terminal portion can be seen in a state where an ink tank is mounted. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a mono-color recording head cartridge mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

8 is an enlarged perspective view of a nozzle portion of the recording head cartridge shown in FIG.

9 is a perspective view showing a first step of a procedure for mounting a printhead cartridge on a carriage in the ink jet printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a second step of a procedure for mounting a print head cartridge on a carriage in the ink jet printing apparatus shown in FIG.

11 is a plan view of the recording head cartridge shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a recording head cartridge shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A.

13 is a plan view of an ink tank mounted on the recording head cartridge shown in FIG.

14 is a cross-sectional view of the ink tank shown in FIG. 13 taken along line BB.

15 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an ink supply port of the ink tank shown in FIG. 14 is connected to a monocolor holder.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a first step of a procedure for mounting an ink tank on a recording head cartridge.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a second step of the procedure for mounting the ink tank on the recording head cartridge.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a print head cartridge in which a pop-up spring is provided on a bottom wall of a monocolor holder, corresponding to the line A′-A ′ of the print head cartridge shown in FIG. 11;

19 is a perspective view showing a state where the recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 6 is mounted on the carriage shown in FIG. 3;

20 is a perspective view showing a color recording head cartridge mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, together with two ink tanks welded to the color recording head cartridge.

21 is a bottom view of the color recording head cartridge shown in FIG.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of the color recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 20, showing a state where two ink tanks are mounted.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along line DD shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken along line EE shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the color ink tank shown in FIG. 20;

26 is a side view of the color ink tank shown in FIG.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a state where the color recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 22 is mounted on the carriage shown in FIG. 3;

28A is a perspective view of a tank holder 60 that integrally holds a black-only recording head BHD that performs recording by storing only the black ink tank 30, and FIG.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a tank holder 160 that integrally holds a black and color integrated recording head BCHD that performs recording by storing black and color ink tanks 130 and 140, respectively.

FIG. 29A is a top view of a tank holder 60,
(B) is a top view of the tank holder 160.

30A is a perspective view centering on the bottom surface of the black ink tank 30, FIG. 30B is a perspective view centering on the bottom surface of the black ink tank 130, and FIG. FIG.

31A is an operation diagram including an operation of detaching the protection member 200 of the black ink tank 130, FIG. 31B is an operation diagram including an operation of detaching the protection member 201 of the color ink tank 140, and FIG. () Is a partial sectional view showing a partial configuration of the protection member.

FIG. 32 is a drawing in which the specific dimensions of the black ink tank 30 are accurately reduced, and explains the embodiment formed according to the values in the drawing, and (a), (b), (c), (d) ),
In (e), a left side view (a), a right side view (d), and a front view (c) are shown in a triangular shape centering on the top view (b), and (e) is a top view ( FIG. 2B is a projection view in which the display is further reduced and the absorber is removed, and FIG. 2F is a cross-sectional view of the front view of FIG.

FIG. 33 is a drawing in which the specific dimensions of the black ink tank 130 are accurately reduced, and illustrates an embodiment in which the black ink tank 130 is formed according to the values in the drawing.
(D), (e), (f), (g), top view (b)
, A left side view (a), a right side view (d),
A front view (c) and a bottom view (e) are shown, (f) is a cross-sectional view passing through the center of the one-way ink supply member in the front view (c), and (g) is a top view in (b). It is the projection figure which removed the absorber.

FIG. 34 is a drawing in which the specific dimensions of the color ink tank 160 are accurately reduced, and illustrates an embodiment in which the dimensions are formed as shown in the figure. FIGS. 34 (a), (b), (c),
(D), (e), (f), (g), top view (b)
, A left side view (a), a right side view (d),
A front view (c) and a bottom view (e) are shown, and (f) is a cross-sectional view passing through the center of the one-way ink supply member in the front view (c).

FIG. 35 is an enlarged projection view of FIG. 34 from which the absorber in the top view (c) is removed.

FIG. 36 is a conceptual diagram showing a relationship for improving the ink supply efficiency of the ink tank of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a carriage configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus on which the tank holders 60 and 160 of FIG. 28 are mounted.

FIG. 38 shows the protection member 20 of the black ink tank 130.
0 is a top view.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a state in which the protective member 200 containing the black ink tank 130 is packaged.
39A is a diagram illustrating a state viewed from an arrow A in FIG. 38, and FIG. 39B is a diagram illustrating a state viewed from an arrow B in FIG.

40 shows a protection member 201 of the color ink tank 140. FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 41 is a view showing a state in which the protective member 201 in a state where the color ink tank 140 is housed is packaged, and FIG.
Is a top view, and (b) is a side view.

FIG. 42 shows a protection member 400 for the black ink tank 30.
(A) is a top view and (b) is a side view.

FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the protective member 400 in a state where the black ink tank 30 is housed is packaged, and FIG.
Is a top view, and (b) is a side view.

44A and 44B are diagrams showing in detail an ink supply port of the protection member 400 shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, where FIG. 44A is a partial sectional view, FIG. 44B is an enlarged partial sectional view, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a connection state with the device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording head cartridge 2 Carriage 2a Bearing part 2b Guide rail holding part 2c Carriage deformation prevention stopper 2d, 2e Head positioning projection 3 Flexible cable 3a Cable terminal part 4 Frame 6 Transport roller 7 Pinch roller 8 Pressure plate 9 Pickup roller 10 Carriage drive motor 11 Carriage drive belt 12 Guide rail 13 Drive pulley 14 Base 15 Paper discharge roller 16 Spur 17 Upper case 18 Lower case 19 Top cover 20 Head cover 21 Cable press 21a Covering part 22 Head guide 23 Contact spring 24 Shaft member 30 Ink tank 31, 131, 141 lid member 31a, 131a, 141a step portion 31b tank projection 32, 132, 142 container 32a, 132a, 142a latch lever 3 2b, 132b, 142bY, 142bM, 142b
C Ink supply port 32c, 132c Support portion 32d, 132d, 142d Retaining claw 32e, 132e, 142e Latch claw 32f, 132g, 142g Inclined surface 33, 133, 143Y, 143M, 143C Ink absorber 34, 134 Rib 35, 135 Ink supply members 50, 150 Nozzle portion 50a Discharge port surface 50b Discharge port 50c Common liquid chamber 50d Liquid path 50e Electrothermal converter 51, 151 Base plate 52 Grooved members 53, 153 Head terminal portion 53a Head positioning notch 53b Head positioning hole 60 monocolor holder 60a stepped portion 60b head pressing portion 60c head attaching / detaching operation portion 60d, 160d, 160d 'ink intake tube 60e ink flow channel 60f, 160f overhanging portion 60g tank protrusion guide portion 60h, 167, 167 'Latch lever guide groove 60i, 160i Tank retaining hole 60j, 167a, 167a' Latch pawl engaging hole 60k, 160k, 160k 'Inclined surface 61, 161, 161' Seal ring 62 Filter 64 Head guide engaging portion 68 Pop-up Spring 101 Color recording head cartridge 130 Black ink tank 140 Color ink tank 142f Partition plate 150Y, 150M, 150C, 150B Discharge port group 160 Color holder 165 Partition plate 166 Liquid path cover P Recording medium

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Keiichiro Tsukuda 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Sadayuki Sugama 3- 30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inside the corporation

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An ink tank having a supply port on a bottom surface for supplying recording ink housed therein to the outside, wherein the bottom surface of the ink tank is connected to an ink receiving portion of the holder in one direction. An ink supply member, wherein the one-way ink supply member extends from a contact portion where the one-way ink supply member is in contact with an absorber housed in the ink tank to an ink tank inner surface in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface. The distance SH is not more than 20 mm, and at least two directions of the distance l from the contact portion to the inner surface of each end of the ink tank are SH.
≦ l ≦ 2.5 × SH. 2. A color recording head for ejecting ink to perform recording on a recording medium is provided integrally, and reciprocates along a surface of the recording medium to scan the recording medium with respect to the recording medium. First and second ink tanks which are detachable from a carriage to be moved and can be mounted on an ink tank holder capable of holding a plurality of ink tanks corresponding to the head, provided in an ink tank holder of the ink tank holder. The first ink tank has a mark of a first color corresponding to a mark of a first color corresponding to the first ink tank, and the first ink tank has a mark of a first color, and the first ink tank is provided in an ink tank holding portion of the ink tank holder. The first and second ink tanks, wherein the second ink tank has a second color mark corresponding to a second color mark corresponding to the two ink tanks.