JP2002120377A - Ink tank and tank holder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress damage and undue deformation of a removable lever of an ink tank due to external impact. SOLUTION: A removable lever 2 is provided on the front side face of an ink tank 1 while being secured, at one end thereof, to the vicinity of the lower section of the tank. A latch 2a is provided on the side of the removable lever 2 opposite to the ink tank 1 such that the latch 2a engages with the engaging part of a tank holder 4 when the ink tank 1 is fixed to the holder 4. The removable lever 2 is provided with through holes, i.e., space parts 3, at two positions of the same distance from the opposite sides in the widthwise direction of the removable lever 2 in the shape of slits extending upward from the root of the removable lever 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for ejecting ink to perform recording on a recording medium, and more particularly to an ink containing ink to be supplied to an ink jet head for ejecting ink for recording. The present invention relates to a configuration of an ink tank attaching / detaching operation unit which is hardly damaged and deformed by an external impact when the ink tank is distributed or not attached, in a configuration in which the tank is detachably held by a tank holder.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, recording apparatuses using an ink jet recording method have been widely used.

[0003] In the ink jet recording system, a carriage which is mounted with a tank holder having an ink jet head and is relatively scanned with respect to a recording medium and a tank holder mounted on the carriage are not complicated.
As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-276601, it is possible to maximize the ink capacity for a given space, and to minimize the space required for attaching and detaching operations to and from the tank holder and to perform reliable operations. Ink tanks having a detachable lever have been used.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a conventional ink tank having an ink capacity and its holder. FIG. 7A is a schematic cross-sectional view on a printer main body, and FIG. (C) is a side view of the front surface when the ink tank alone is mounted. In FIG. 7A, a tank holder (recording head cartridge) 4 provided with an ink jet type head unit 7 at a lower part and detachably holding the ink tank 1 reciprocates in a direction intersecting with the conveying direction of the recording medium. It is removably mounted on a carriage (not shown) to be scanned. As the ink jet head unit 7, a device that applies energy capable of flying as a droplet to a liquid, such as a device that causes an ink droplet to fly by bubble growth when a film is boiled in a liquid by thermal energy, can be applied.

As shown in FIG. 7B, an ink supply port 6 for supplying recording ink contained therein to the outside is provided on the bottom surface of the ink tank 1. A detachable lever 2 having one end fixedly supported near the lower portion of the tank is provided on a front side surface of the ink tank 1. A latch claw 2a is provided on a surface of the detachable lever 2 opposite to the ink tank 1.
And the ink tank 1 as shown in FIG.
When it is mounted on the tank holder 4, it engages with an engaging portion (for example, a through hole or a concave portion) of the holder 4. In this state, ink can be supplied to the head 7 of the holder 4 from the ink supply port 6 at the bottom of the ink tank 1. Also, when the tank is removed, when the detachable lever 2 is operated toward the ink tank 1, the latch claw 2a is disengaged from the engaging portion of the tank holder 4, and the ink tank 1 is released.

The ink tank 1 and the holder 4 in such a printer are covered with a cover 5 of the printer main body, and there is a space between the ink tank 1 and the holder 4. Further, the ink tank 1 and the holder 4 are plastic molded products, and the detachable lever 2 of the ink tank 1 is also formed integrally with the tank body.

[0007]

However, in an ink tank having a detachable lever as shown in the above-mentioned conventional example, the detachable lever is formed integrally with the tank body and extends like an arm from the outer surface of the ink tank. Since it is provided in a shape, it is easy to receive an external impact during distribution or when it is not mounted. In this case, it has been found that the attachment / detachment lever is damaged or excessively deformed, and the mounting of the ink tank on the holder is incomplete, which may hinder stable ink supply.

[0008] Inkjet printers are nowadays often used for printing printed materials such as photographic images that use a large amount of ink per unit area. There is an increasing demand to increase the amount of used. As a result, an ink tank having an increased ink capacity necessarily has a larger volume and a heavier weight, so that the influence of an external impact upon distribution or non-mounting is further increased.

FIG. 8 shows an ink tank and a holder in which the ink capacity is increased in a printer equivalent to that of FIG. 7, (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view on the printer body, (b)
Is a side view of the side surface when the ink tank alone is installed,
FIG. 3C is a side view of the front surface of the ink tank alone when mounted. However, in the drawings, the same or corresponding portions as those described in the section of [Prior Art] are denoted by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 8, in a printer equivalent to FIG. 7,
This shows that the ink tank 1 is increased in the height direction and the ink capacity is increased by effectively using the space between the configuration of the holder 4 and the body cover 5.

An object of the present invention is to suppress such damage and excessive deformation of the detachable lever of the ink tank due to an external impact by the shape of the detachable lever itself. To provide a tank.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an ink tank detachably held by a tank holder, wherein the latch engages with an engaging portion of the tank holder when the tank is mounted. A detachable lever which has a pawl and is operated to detach the latch pawl from the engaging portion of the tank holder when the tank is removed is provided, and the ink contained therein is supplied to the outside. In the ink tank provided with the supply port at the bottom, a space is provided in the detachable lever itself.

It is preferable that the space is a through hole and is provided at least near a root of the detachable lever.

As the ink tank, a first chamber partially connected to the atmosphere and containing an absorber for absorbing liquid, a second chamber sealed from the outside and containing the liquid,
Preferably, a communication path is provided near the bottom of the ink tank for communicating the first chamber and the second chamber, and the supply port is provided at the bottom of the first chamber.

According to the present invention, there is provided a tank holder for detachably holding an ink tank as described above, wherein ink is supplied from a supply port of the attached ink tank to discharge the ink. A tank holder characterized by having a head is also proposed.

(Function) In the invention having the above-described structure, since the detachable lever itself has a space portion provided with a space portion, the detachable lever itself has an elastic action. Damage and excessive deformation of the detachable lever can be suppressed. Therefore, stable ink supply is possible without hindering the mounting of the ink tank on the holder.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the same or corresponding portions as those described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a view corresponding to FIG. 8C. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a space 3 which is a through hole in the detachable lever 2 of the ink tank 1 is provided on both sides in the width direction of the detachable lever 2. 2 places, 1 place at the same distance from the unit, 2 detachable levers
Is provided in a slit shape from the base of the upper part.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the effect of the space of the detachable lever of the ink tank. FIG. 2 (a) shows the state of damage to the detachable lever due to the falling distance of the ink tank. 7 is a graph comparing an ink tank with an increased ink capacity (see FIG. 8). On the other hand, FIG. 2B shows the damage state of the detachable lever due to the falling distance of the ink tank when the detachable lever of the ink tank with the increased ink capacity has a space (see FIG. 1 and the like) or not (see FIG. 8). FIG. The drop height is “low” in FIGS. 2A and 2B.
"Medium" and "High" have the same value.

The ink tank with the increased ink capacity as shown in FIG. 8 is inevitably large in volume and heavy in weight, so that the impact of the impact due to the drop is large and the rate of occurrence of damage to the detachable lever by the drop is high ( (See FIG. 2 (a) right graph and FIG. 2 (b) left graph). As a result, the mounting of the ink tank to the head cartridge becomes incomplete, and this hinders stable ink supply.

On the other hand, by forming a space portion in the detachable lever itself of the ink tank as in the present embodiment, the detachable lever itself acts elastically. It is the occurrence rate of lever damage (FIG. 2 (a) left graph and FIG. 2 (b)
See graph on right). That is, since damage and excessive deformation of the detachable lever 2 due to an external impact on the detachable lever 2 of the ink tank 1 can be suppressed, it is possible to supply ink stably without hindering the mounting of the ink tank on the holder. .

(Other Embodiments) Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. However, only different points from the above-described embodiment will be described. FIGS. 3 to 5 correspond to FIG.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, there are a total of four spaces 3 which are two holes at the same distance from both sides in the width direction of the detachable lever 2 in the detachable lever 2 of the ink tank 1.
It is provided in a slit shape upward from the base of the detachable lever 2.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, damage and excessive deformation of the detachable lever 2 due to an external impact on the detachable lever 2 of the ink tank 1 can be suppressed, so that stable ink supply can be achieved.

In the embodiment shown in FIG.
A space portion 3 which is a through hole is provided at a central portion near the base of the detachable lever 2 of FIG. 4. The shape of the space portion 3 according to this form is not only a square as shown in FIG. b)
And any shape can be taken.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 as well, damage and excessive deformation of the detachable lever 2 due to an external impact on the detachable lever 2 of the ink tank 1 can be suppressed, so that stable ink supply becomes possible.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the space 3 formed in the detachable lever 2 of the ink tank 1 has been described as an example of a position close to the base of the detachable lever 2. The position, shape, number, and the like of the space 3 are not limited to the above-described embodiments as long as the engagement and disengagement of the engagement portion of the tank 1 and the holder 4 can be performed by the latch claw 2a.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a space 3 which is a through hole in the detachable lever 2 of the ink tank 1 is provided.
Are provided in a round shape at a central portion near the base of the detachable lever 2, and a total of two locations, one at the same distance from both sides in the width direction of the detachable lever 2, avoiding the space at the central portion. Are provided in a slit shape upward from the base of the detachable lever 2, and are provided line-symmetrically at the end opposite to the base of the detachable lever 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 5 as well, damage and excessive deformation of the attachment / detachment lever 2 due to an external impact on the attachment / detachment lever 2 of the ink tank 1 can be suppressed, so that stable ink supply is possible.

The internal structure of the ink tank of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it can store ink, and the purpose of use of the tank is not limited to ink jet. Accommodates an ink absorber such as a porous body (for example, sponge) or a fibrous body as a negative pressure generating member capable of applying a desired negative pressure to the ink in the nozzle of the ink jet recording head. Are preferred.

FIG. 6 is a detailed sectional view showing an example of the internal structure of the ink tank of the present invention, which is held by a holder. The ink tank 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 has a negative pressure generating chamber (first chamber) 12 and an ink chamber (second chamber) 13 separated from each other by a partition wall 11. The lower end of the partition wall 11 forms a communication path 14, and the negative pressure generating chamber 12 and the ink chamber 13 communicate with each other via the communication path 14.
The negative pressure generating chamber 12 contains a negative pressure generating member (absorber) 15 composed of a fibrous body, a porous body, or the like. In the negative pressure generating chamber 12, the ink is absorbed by the absorber 15. Held in state. In addition, the negative pressure generating chamber 12 has an ink supply port 6 for supplying the ink in the negative pressure generating chamber 12 to the outside, such as the ink jet head unit 7, and an atmosphere for communicating the inside of the negative pressure generating chamber 1 with the atmosphere. A communication port 16 is provided. The ink chamber 13 has a substantially sealed structure except for the communication path 14, and holds the ink as it is.

According to the present invention, an ink tank may be used in which only an absorber holding ink is accommodated in the tank. In this case, however, the ink accommodation efficiency is low and the negative pressure increases as the ink consumption period approaches. Would. On the other hand, according to the ink tank 1 having the internal configuration as shown in FIG. 6, when the ink is consumed from the ink supply port 6, the gas ( The gas introduced from the atmosphere communication port 16) is led out, and an amount of ink corresponding to the gas is introduced from the ink chamber 13 into the negative pressure generating chamber 12, thereby forming the negative pressure generating chamber 1
2, that is, the negative pressure in the negative pressure generating chamber 12 is kept substantially constant. Therefore, a stable negative pressure can be maintained for the ink in the discharge nozzle of the inkjet head, which is more preferable.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By providing a space portion in the detachable lever of the ink tank itself, breakage and excessive deformation of the detachable lever due to an external impact on the detachable lever of the ink tank can be suppressed, so that stable ink supply becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a detachable lever shape of an ink tank according to the present invention when the tank is mounted.

FIG. 2 is a graph for explaining an effect of a space portion of a detachable lever of the ink tank shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing another embodiment of a detachable lever shape of the ink tank according to the present invention when the tank is mounted.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing another embodiment of the ink tank detachable lever shape of the present invention when the tank is mounted.

FIG. 5 is a front view of another embodiment of the ink tank according to the present invention having a detachable lever shape when the tank is mounted.

FIG. 6 is a detailed sectional view of a tank on a holder, showing an example of the internal configuration of the ink tank of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a conventional ink tank and its holder, FIG. 7B is a view of a side surface when the ink tank holder is mounted, and FIG. 7C is a view when the ink tank holder is mounted. FIG.

8A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an ink tank having an increased ink capacity and a holder thereof, FIG. 8B is a view of a lateral side surface of the ink tank when the ink tank holder is mounted, and FIG. It is the figure which looked at the front at the time of wearing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink tank 2 Detachable lever 2a Latch claw 3 Space part 4 Tank holder 5 Main body cover 6 Ink supply port of ink tank 7 Ink jet head part of tank holder 11 Partition wall 12 Negative pressure generating chamber 13 Ink chamber 14 Communication passage 15 Absorber 16 Atmospheric communication port 17 Atmospheric introduction groove

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Iwao Kawamura 6-3-3 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo Copia Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazunori Ikui 6-3-3 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo F-term in Copia Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2C056 EA26 KC04 KC11 KC16 KC22 KC27 KC30

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An ink tank detachably held by a tank holder, comprising a latch claw that engages with an engagement portion of the tank holder when the tank is mounted. An ink tank provided with a detachable lever operated to be detached from the engaging portion of the tank holder and having a supply port for supplying the ink contained therein to the outside provided at the bottom portion, wherein the detachable An ink tank, wherein a space is provided in the lever itself. 2. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the space is a through hole, and is provided at least near a root of the detachable lever. 3. An ink tank, a part of which is connected to the atmosphere and contains an absorber that absorbs liquid, a second chamber that is sealed from the outside and contains the liquid, and an ink tank. 3. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a communication passage that communicates the first chamber and the second chamber near a bottom, wherein the supply port is provided at a bottom of the first chamber. 4. Ink tank. 4. A tank holder for detachably holding the ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the ink is supplied from a supply port of the mounted ink tank to remove the ink. A tank holder having an ink jet type recording head for discharging.