JP2002120378A - Ink tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a positioning protrusion or a fixing lever of an ink tank from being damaged due to inadvertent dropping thereof by a user. SOLUTION: The ink tank 20 is provided with a positioning claw 21j and a positioning pin 21n as protrusions engaging with engaging holes of an ink jet cartridge (not shown) for the purpose of alignment therewith. A claw protective rib 21m is provided on the face of the ink tank 20 provided with the positioning claw 21j and a protective cap 27 is fixed to the bottom face of the ink tank 20. The positioning claw 21j is formed at such a height as not abutting on the floor surface when the claw protective rib 21m and the protective cap 27 abut on the floor surface and the positioning pin 21n is formed at such a height as not abutting on the floor surface when the protective cap 27 and the corner part 21o of the ink tank 20 abut on the floor surface.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink tank for storing ink supplied to an ink jet recording head of an ink jet head cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording apparatus records characters and images on a recording medium such as paper by discharging liquid ink supplied from an ink tank from a discharge port of a recording head. The ink tank is roughly classified into an ink tank for a tank-integrated ink jet head cartridge that is always integrated with the ink jet head cartridge, and a separate ink tank that can be separated from the ink jet head cartridge as required.

[0003] Among them, a separation tank capable of separating the ink tank from the ink jet head cartridge is provided with a projection for positioning when the ink tank is attached and detached, and a lever used for attachment and detachment. Therefore, especially when transporting the ink tank, the ink tank is put in a pillow bag or a cushioning material is put in the packaging box to prevent damage to the projections and levers due to dropping or vibration during transportation. . Also, when setting the ink tank to the inkjet head cartridge, these important parts should have a predetermined strength so that the positioning projections and mounting lever will not be damaged even if the user accidentally drops the ink tank. Designed. However, since the attachment lever needs a certain degree of flexibility, breakage is prevented by providing a protective rib or the like.

[0004]

However, in recent years,
As a result of advances in inkjet recording technology, individual requirements have been met for devices that aim at high-accuracy, high-quality recording, devices that aim at high-speed recording, and devices that aim to record on recording media with large recording volumes. Many ink jet recording devices are being manufactured to charge. Ink tanks that are separably mounted on the recording head tend to be larger in devices for printing large format posters and the like, and in ink jet recording devices mainly for printing CAD drawings. . (For example, while the capacity of a general ink tank is 20 to 30 cc, the capacity of a large-sized ink tank is about 40 to 50 cc.) When the capacity of the ink tank increases in this way, the weight of the ink tank itself increases. The shock when dropped by the machine also increases,
Furthermore, ink leakage due to damage may occur.

A mounting lever and a positioning projection of an ink tank that can be attached to and detached from an ink jet head cartridge are particularly important. If these are damaged, the ink tank may not be attached to the ink jet head cartridge, or even if attached, the ink may not be supplied due to insufficient alignment. Further, if these are damaged, the ink tank may come off during the movement operation of the carriage, possibly damaging the recording apparatus main body. For this reason, the mounting lever and the positioning projection of the ink tank have some strength.

More specifically, by increasing the thickness of the root portion of the mounting lever or increasing the thickness of the positioning projection,
Strength has been strengthened. Furthermore, there is a method of providing a large protective rib. However, these methods are effective when newly designing both the ink jet head cartridge and the ink tank, but when the ink jet head cartridge uses a conventional one and only the ink tank is redesigned, Not suitable. Since the positioning projections and mounting levers need to be matched to the shape of the conventional ink jet head cartridge, these shapes cannot be easily changed.

[0007] For example, if the thickness of the base of the mounting lever is simply increased, a large amount of force is required to bend the mounting lever. This is a problem in handling the tank.

On the other hand, in order to protect the mounting lever without changing the thickness of the root portion of the mounting lever, there is a means for providing lever protection ribs on both sides of the lever. But,
In this case, in consideration of attachment to the conventional inkjet head cartridge, the width of the attachment lever must be narrower than before, and the durability when repeatedly attached to the inkjet head cartridge is impaired. Further, when the ink tank is attached to the ink jet head cartridge for a long time, the restoring force of the lever is weakened, the holding force of the ink tank is weakened, and the ink tank may be easily detached.

Further, in particular, when a conventional ink jet head cartridge is used, it is necessary to match the shape of the positioning projection, so that the shape cannot be largely changed.

Therefore, according to the present invention, even if the capacity of the ink tank is increased, the positioning projection and the mounting lever may be damaged by an inadvertent drop by the user with a minimum change from the conventional shape of the ink tank. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink tank that can prevent the ink tank from being lost.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, an ink tank according to the present invention engages with at least one engagement hole provided in an ink jet cartridge having a recording head for discharging ink from a discharge port. At least one protrusion is formed, and the protrusion is engaged with the engagement hole, and the ink tank is mounted in a state where the ink cartridge is positioned in the ink jet cartridge.
A plurality of projections are provided around the projection, and the projection is formed at a height that does not abut the plane when the projections abut on an arbitrary plane. It is characterized by the following.

According to the ink tank constructed as described above, when the projection is dropped with the projection facing downward, the plurality of projections provided around the projection come into contact with the floor surface and the projection is formed. Is prevented from hitting the floor. Therefore, the projection is not directly subjected to impact from the floor, so that the projection is prevented from being damaged by the impact due to the drop.

Further, an ink supply hole for supplying the accommodated ink to the recording head is provided, and a protective cap for closing the ink supply hole is attached, and one of the plurality of convex portions is provided with the protective cover. It may be constituted by a cap.

A negative pressure chamber having an ink supply hole for supplying the accommodated ink to the recording head and an atmosphere communicating portion communicating with the atmosphere, and accommodating a negative pressure generating member capable of holding the ink therein; A configuration may be adopted in which a substantially closed space is formed except for communication with the negative pressure chamber and an ink storage chamber for storing ink is provided.

Further, a protection cap for closing the ink supply hole may be attached, and one of the plurality of projections may be constituted by the protection cap.

Another ink tank according to the present invention is a cantilever having a latch claw portion for engaging with an engaging portion provided on an ink jet cartridge having a recording head for discharging ink from a discharge port. A mounting lever is provided which is formed in a shape and is capable of restoring and bending around a root portion, and the latch claw portion is engaged with the engagement portion in a state where the latch claw portion is positioned with respect to the inkjet cartridge. In the ink tank mounted on the cartridge, a protrusion for protecting the root of the mounting lever from an impact when the ink tank falls is formed near the root of the mounting lever. And

According to the ink tank constructed as described above, it is possible to prevent the root of the mounting lever from being damaged by an impact when the ink tank falls.

Further, it is preferable that the projection is formed in a region extending in a longitudinal direction of the mounting lever from a base of the mounting lever and having a width equal to a width of the mounting lever. With this configuration, unlike the case where the protrusion is formed on the side of the mounting lever, it is not necessary to reduce the width of the mounting lever so that the mounting lever can be mounted on an existing inkjet cartridge. Even in this case, the width of the mounting lever can be made the same as the conventional one. Therefore, the durability and holding force of the mounting lever can be maintained at the same level as before.

Further, the protrusion, the root of the mounting lever, and a part other than the root of the mounting lever may be brought into contact with any plane when the mounting lever is maximally bent. It may be configured to touch. Thus, when the ink tank falls with the protrusions facing downward, the impact at the time of the drop is dispersed to these three places, and the impact concentrates on the base of the mounting lever, and the base is damaged. Is prevented.

In addition, the protrusion, the base of the mounting lever, and the part of the mounting lever may include:
The attachment lever may be arranged so as to be aligned on a straight line when the attachment lever is maximally flexed.

Further, when the mounting lever is in the maximum flexed state, the protrusion and a part other than the base of the mounting lever abut on an arbitrary plane, and the base of the mounting lever is on the flat surface. May be configured so as not to abut. Thus, when the ink tank falls with the protrusion downward, the protrusion and a part other than the base of the mounting lever hit the floor surface, and the base of the mounting lever does not hit the floor surface. The impact is received at two places, that is, the projection and a part other than the base of the mounting lever, thereby preventing the base of the mounting lever from being damaged.

A negative pressure chamber having an ink supply hole for supplying the stored ink to the recording head and an atmosphere communicating portion communicating with the atmosphere, and a negative pressure generating member for housing a negative pressure generating member capable of holding the ink therein; A configuration may be adopted in which a substantially closed space is formed except for communication with the negative pressure chamber and an ink storage chamber for storing ink is provided.

Further, the ink jet cartridge may be configured to be detachable from the ink jet cartridge.

[0024]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, only the most effective embodiments of the present invention will be described. However, all of these requirements are not essential, and the respective configurations have the effects described below.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing an embodiment of the in-tank of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in the width direction of the ink tank shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is the ink tank shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing in the longitudinal width direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an ink tank 20 according to the present embodiment includes a tank box 21 for storing ink, a press-contact body 22, an upper absorbent body 23, and a lower absorbent body 24. , A tank lid 25 for closing the upper opening surface of the tank box 21, a ball stopper 26 for sealing the ink injection hole 25 e of the tank lid 25, and an atmosphere communication passage 2 for the tank lid 25.
5c and seal tape 28 covering ink injection hole 25e
And a protective cap 27 for protecting the ink supply hole 21f of the tank box 21.

The tank box 21 is made of PP (polypropylene)
It is formed in a box shape with an opening at the top by a member made of resin and having a thickness of 1.7 mm to 2 mm, and its interior is formed by a partition wall 21a between a negative pressure chamber 21b and a raw ink chamber 21c as an ink storage chamber. It is divided into two rooms. The ink supply hole 21f is provided on the bottom of the negative pressure chamber 21b.
Are formed, and an ink remaining amount detecting prism portion 21d (see FIG. 4) is formed on the bottom surface of the raw ink chamber 21c.
Further, the raw ink chamber 21 is provided on the bottom side of the partition wall 21a.
An opening 21e with a gas-liquid exchange groove 21e 'is formed to supply the ink contained in c to the negative pressure chamber 21b and to take in air from the negative pressure chamber 21b into the raw ink chamber 21c (FIG. 5 and FIG. 6). Raw ink chamber 21c
Forms a substantially closed space except for communication with the negative pressure chamber 21b.

Further, the upper absorber 2 as a negative pressure generating member
The lower absorbent body 3 and the lower absorbent body 24 are both made of PP (polypropylene) fiber, and the upper absorbent body 23 is a fiber having a fiber diameter of 6 denier (weight of 6 g when expanded to 9000 m). For the body 24, a fiber having a fiber diameter of 2 denier (weight of 2 g when expanded to 9000 m) is used. Upper absorber 23 and lower absorber 24
Generates a negative pressure that absorbs and stores the ink therein and prevents the ink from dropping from the ink supply hole 21f.

The pressing body 22 is made of PP (polypropylene) fiber, and is formed in a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter matching the inner diameter of the ink supply hole 21f of the tank box 21. In the tank box 21, first, the press-contact body 22 is inserted into the ink supply hole 21f from the inside of the tank box 21, and then the lower absorber 24 and the upper absorber 23 are sequentially compressed into the tank box 21 in a compressed state. Inserted. Each absorber 23, 24
Is compressed to 1/2 to 1/3 of the original width only in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 (the width direction of the tank box 21). Each absorber 2
3 and 24 are housed in the tank box 21 while maintaining their original dimensions in the height direction and the vertical width direction.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the upper opening surface of the tank box shown in FIG. 1 and the like and the back surface of the tank lid.

As shown in FIG. 7, on the inner edge of the upper opening surface of the tank box 21, there is formed a welding flat shape portion 21j for welding the tank lid 25. On both sides in the vertical direction of the upper opening surface of the tank box 21, there are formed positioning grooves 21g into which the positioning trapezoidal ribs 25c formed on the tank lid 25 are fitted.

On the other hand, on the back surface of the tank lid 25, a welding triangular rib 25a that comes into contact with the welding flat shape portion 21j of the tank box 21, and an absorber 23 accommodated in the negative pressure chamber 21b of the tank box 21. Ribs 2 for holding down the absorber for holding the
5b and the trapezoidal rib 25c for positioning described above are formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a maze-shaped atmosphere communication passage 25c is formed on the surface of the tank lid 25.
Is formed at the center thereof, and an air communication port 25d penetrating through the negative pressure chamber 21b is formed. In the tank lid 25, an ink injection hole 25e communicating with the raw ink chamber 21c of the tank box 21 is provided at a position penetrating near the center of the raw ink chamber 21c.

Here, with reference to FIG. 1 again, an assembly process of the ink tank 20 having the above-described configuration will be described.

First, after the pressure contact body 22, the lower absorbent body 24, and the upper absorbent body 23 are sequentially inserted into the negative pressure chamber 21b of the tank box 21, the tank lid 25 is fixed to a predetermined portion of the upper opening surface of the tank box 21. Then, the tank lid 25 is attached to the upper opening surface of the tank box 21 by ultrasonic welding. At this time, the ultrasonic welding conditions were such that the vibration frequency was about 19 k.
Hz, the press pressure is about 140 kPa, and the welding energy is preferably about 150 J.

Next, the ink injection hole 25e of the tank lid 25
And the supply hole 21f of the tank box 21 from the ink tank 20
Inject ink inside. In this embodiment, about 45 g of ink is injected.

After the ink has been injected, the ball stopper 26 is pressed into the ink injection hole 25e of the tank lid 25, and the protective cap 27 is attached to the ink supply hole 21f of the tank box 21 by ultrasonic welding. Here, the protective cap 2
Reference numeral 7 denotes a cylindrical cap portion 27a surrounding the outer diameter portion of the ink supply hole 21f of the tank box 21, two welding protrusions 27b formed around the cap portion 27a, and one of the welding protrusions 27b. The extending arcuate lever portion 27c is integrally formed of resin. Further, an elastic elastomer member 2 is provided inside the cap portion 27a in order to secure the seal of the ink supply hole 21f.
9 (see FIG. 2) is fixed. Protective cap 27
After the ink is injected into the ink tank 20 as described above, the protective cap 27 is put on the ink supply hole 21f, and the welding horn is applied from the back of the two welding projections 27b to the bottom surface of the tank box 21. It is fixed to the tank box 21 by performing sonic welding. The ultrasonic welding conditions at this time were as follows: the frequency was about 28 kHz, and the pressing pressure was 220 kP.
It is preferable to set the welding energy to about a and the welding energy to about 10 J.

Finally, the air communication port 25 of the tank lid 25
d, a sealing tape 28 is attached to the surface of the tank lid 25 by heat welding so as to cover the injection hole 25e into which the atmosphere communication passage 25c and the ball stopper 26 are press-fitted.

Through the above steps, the ink tank 20 of this embodiment is completed. The total weight of the completed ink tank 20 is about 85 g. Then, the completed ink tank 20 is packaged with a high heat shrinkable film (not shown), and then packaged in a transport mode or a sales mode.

FIGS. 8 to 10 are views for explaining the operation of mounting the ink tank 20 of the present embodiment on the ink jet cartridge 220. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the ink tank before being mounted on the ink jet cartridge. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the ink tank and the ink jet cartridge before the ink tank is mounted on the ink jet cartridge. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the ink tank and the ink jet cartridge after the ink tank is mounted on the ink jet cartridge. FIG.

When attaching the ink tank 20 to the ink jet cartridge 220, first, the seal tape 2
8 is cut off (see FIG. 8 (a)) to open the atmosphere communication passage 25c and balance the internal pressure of the ink tank 20 with the atmospheric pressure. Thereafter, a finger is put on the lever portion 27c of the protective cap 27, and the protective cap 27 is rotated in the direction of an arrow (see FIG. 8B) engraved on the cap portion 27a, so that the protective cap 27 and the tank box 21 are separated. The weld is cut off, and the ink supply hole 21f is opened.

Thereafter, the ink tank 2 is oriented in the direction shown in FIG.
10 is attached to the cartridge 220,
The mounting of the ink tank 20 on the ink jet cartridge 220 is completed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the ink tank and the ink jet cartridge in a state where the ink tank is mounted on the ink jet cartridge.

The ink tank 20 includes two positioning protrusions 21j (one positioning protrusion 21 shown in FIG. 11) formed on the tank box 21 of the ink tank 20.
j are shown) with two engagement holes 3 formed in the tank holder 31 of the ink jet cartridge 220.
1a (only one engagement hole 31a is shown in FIG. 11), a positioning pin 21n as a protrusion of the ink tank 20 is inserted into an engagement hole 31b formed in the tank holder 31, Further, the latch claw 21k of the mounting lever 21h formed on the side wall of the tank box 21 of the ink tank 20 so as to be resiliently bent around the root portion is hooked on the engaging portion 31c formed on the tank holder 31. It is fixed in the tank holder 31. In addition,
By pushing the ink tank 20 upward in the figure while pressing the mounting lever 21h, the ink tank 20
It can be removed from the inkjet cartridge 220. Thus, the ink tank 20 is configured to be detachable from the inkjet cartridge 220.

When the ink tank 20 having the positioning claws 21j and the positioning pins 21n falls as a single unit, if the positioning claws 21j and the positioning pins 21n directly hit the floor surface, they are damaged by the impact. If the positioning claws 21j and the positioning pins 21h are damaged,
Ink tank 2 for inkjet cartridge 220
It becomes difficult to mount and position the zero. Further, when the mounting lever 21h directly hits the floor surface, the impact of the drop is concentrated on the base of the lever 21h, and the base of the lever 21h is damaged.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state when the ink tank shown in FIG. 1 and the like falls to the floor.

FIG. 12A shows a state where the ink tank 20 has been dropped on the floor with the positioning claws 21j facing downward. The positioning claw 21j is formed at a height such that the claw protection rib 21m and the welding protrusion 27b of the protection cap 27 do not touch the floor surface when they contact the floor surface. Therefore, when the ink tank 20 falls on the floor surface with the positioning claws 21 j facing downward, the positioning claws 21 j are claw protection ribs 21 m as projections and protrusions 2 of the protection cap 27.
7b serves as a support and does not receive the impact from the floor directly, so that it is prevented from being damaged by the impact due to the drop.

FIG. 12B shows a state where the ink tank 20 has fallen on the floor with the positioning pins 21n facing downward. The positioning pin 21n is formed at such a height that the lever portion 27c of the protective cap 27 and the corner portion 21o of the ink tank 20 do not contact the floor surface when the lever portion 27c contacts the floor surface. Therefore, the ink tank 20 is positioned on the positioning pin 21n.
When the device is dropped on the floor with the device facing downward, the positioning pin 21n is connected to the lever portion 2 of the protective cap 27 as a convex portion.
The tip of 7c and the corner 21o of the tank box 21 serve as supports,
Damage due to falling is prevented.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a state in which the ink tank has been dropped on the floor with the mounting lever facing downward.

As shown in FIG. 13, the ink tank 20 of this embodiment is provided near the lever base 21p and the lever base 21p when the ink tank 20 is dropped on the floor with the mounting lever 21h facing downward. Lever protection rib 211 as a projected portion, and a root portion 21 of a mounting lever 21h.
It is configured such that three portions with the lever handle portion 21q, which is a part other than p, abut on the floor surface. Therefore, since the impact at the time of drop is distributed to these three places, it is possible to prevent the impact from concentrating on the lever base 21p and damaging the lever base 21r.

FIG. 14 is a view showing an ink tank according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the ink tank, and FIG. It is a figure showing the state where it fell.

In the ink tank 20 'shown in FIG. 14, the lever handle 21q' of the mounting lever 21h 'is larger than the lever handle 21q of the ink tank 20 shown in FIG. Therefore, when the ink tank 20 'falls on the floor with the mounting lever 21h' facing downward, the lever protection rib 21l 'and the lever handle 2 are placed on the floor.
1q ', and the lever base 21p' of the mounting lever 21h 'does not hit the floor. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the lever base 21p 'from being damaged due to the impact at the time of dropping at the two places of the protection rib 21l' and the lever handle 21q '.

In the ink tanks 20 and 20 ', the lever protection ribs 211 and 211' are provided at the lever bases 21p and 21p below the lever bases 21p and 21p '.
It is provided in an area extending from p ′ in the longitudinal direction of the mounting levers 21h, 21h ′ and having the same width as the width of the mounting levers 21h, 21h ′. Therefore, unlike the case where the lever protection rib is provided on the side of the mounting lever,
The width of the mounting levers 21h and 21h 'does not have to be reduced. Therefore, since the durability of the mounting levers 21h and 21h 'is not impaired, the ink tank 2
Even when the cartridges 0 and 20 'are repeatedly attached to the cartridge 220 or when the cartridges 220 and 20' have been attached to the cartridge 220 for a long time, there is no fear that the ink tanks 20, 20 'fall off from the cartridge 220. As described above, the lever protection ribs 211 and 211 ′ are connected to the mounting levers 21h and 21h.
21h 'is provided in a shape limited to conditions necessary for preventing the protective ribs 21l and 2 from hitting the floor surface.
1l 'can be reduced in size. As a result, even when the protective ribs 21l and 21l 'are provided, the widths and the like of the mounting levers 21h and 21h' can be made the same as those of the conventional product, so that the handling of the ink tanks 20 and 20 'and
The durability of the mounting lever when the mounting operation is repeated, the holding force of the mounting lever when the mounting lever is mounted over a long period of time, and the like can be maintained the same as the conventional product.

Further, these ink tanks 20, 20 '
The two lever protection ribs 211, 211 'are provided at the same interval as the width of the mounting levers 21h, 21h'. This is because, when the ink tank is made of a transparent material such as PP (polypropylene), the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is visually checked even when the ink tanks 20 and 20 'are attached to the cartridge 220 as shown in FIG. This is to make it easy to recognize. Therefore, when the visibility of the remaining ink amount is not important, or when the ink tank is made of an opaque material, as shown in FIG. 16, the lever protection rib 21l ″ may be formed to have the same width as the mounting lever 21h. As a result, the strength of the protective rib 21l "itself can be improved as compared with the case where the two protective ribs 211 and 211 'are provided as described above.

FIG. 17 is a view showing an ink jet cartridge to which the above-described ink tank is mounted.
FIG. 3A is a perspective view as viewed from the upper rear side, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view as viewed from the lower front side.

The ink jet cartridge 220 has a recording head holder 30 having an electrical connection with the recording head 1 for discharging ink and a carriage 211 (see FIG. 19 and the like) of an ink jet recording apparatus main body (not shown).
And a tank holder 31 as a mounting portion to which the ink tank 20 (see FIG. 1 and the like) can be mounted. The recording head 1 is provided with, for example, an electrothermal conversion element (not shown) for discharging ink from the discharge port, and is configured to discharge ink by generating bubbles by the heat generated by this element. I have. In the case of the present embodiment, by providing two such electrothermal conversion elements for one discharge port, a small droplet of 40 pl (picoliter) or less,
Large droplets of 1 or more can be discharged appropriately. By modulating the ejection amount of the ejection droplet in this manner, it is possible to realize high-resolution image recording.

Here, description will be made again with reference to FIG.
The ink in the ink tank 20 is supplied from the ink supply hole 21f of the ink tank 20 to the flow path of the tank holder 31 via the filter 32, and further to the recording head 1 through the flow path pipe 33a of the flow path member 33. Supplied. The filter 32 and the flow path member 33 are attached to the tank holder 31 by ultrasonic welding, and the connection between the flow path pipe 33 a of the flow path member 33 and the recording head 1 is sealed by a joint seal rubber 34.

FIG. 18 is a side view showing each positioning portion provided in the ink jet cartridge, FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a carriage in the ink jet recording apparatus with a part thereof cut off, and FIG. 20 is a view showing the carriage shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state where an inkjet cartridge is mounted.

As shown in FIG. 18, the X-direction positioning portions 221, X
Z direction positioning section 222 and Y direction positioning section 22
Reference numeral 3 respectively abuts on an X-direction positioning section 217, an XZ-direction positioning section 214, and a Y-direction positioning section 215 of the carriage 211 provided as shown in FIG. The XZ direction positioning part 222 of the ink jet cartridge 220 is urged by the XZ direction positioning part 214 of the carriage 211 by the pressing force of the contact part 212 which is the electrical connection part of the carriage 211 with the ink jet cartridge 220, and the head hook 213 of the carriage 211 The restoring force of the tension spring 216 (see FIG. 21) attached to the
The X-direction positioning unit 221 is biased by the X-direction positioning unit
It is urged to 7. Further, the leaf spring 218 for urging the ink jet cartridge 220 fixed to the carriage 211 causes the Y
The direction positioning section 223 is urged by the Y direction positioning section 215 of the carriage 211. The ink jet cartridge 220 is positioned and fixed to the carriage 211 in this way.

The carriage 211 has a partition wall 219.
Thus, four ink jet cartridges 220 can be mounted. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, the carriage 211 is equipped with four inkjet cartridges 220 each having an ink tank 20 for Bk (black), C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow). Have been.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing a carriage, a platen and the like in the ink jet recording apparatus.

The ink jet recording apparatus 200 includes a carriage guide rail 202 for guiding the carriage 211 in the main scanning direction (a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 21), and a recording head 201 of an ink jet cartridge 220 mounted on the carriage 211. A platen 2 that is arranged at a position facing the ink ejection port surface and holds the recording medium 204;
03, and a transport roller pair 205 that transports the recording medium 204 in the illustrated transport direction (sub-scanning direction). The carriage 211 is driven, for example, by a driving unit including a pair of pulleys (not shown), one of which is driven by a motor and the other freely rotates, and a timing belt (not shown) wound around the pair of pulleys. Are reciprocated in the main scanning direction.

When performing image recording on the recording medium 204, first, the carriage 211 scans in the main scanning direction along the carriage guide rail 202 of the ink jet recording apparatus 200 while facing the ejection port of the recording head 201. Ink is ejected onto a recording medium 204 disposed on a platen 203 to be printed, and image recording for one scan is performed. When the image recording for one scan is completed, the recording medium 204 is conveyed by the conveying roller pair 205 in the illustrated conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) by a recording width for one scan. Then, again, the carriage 211
The ink is ejected from the print head 201 while scanning is performed, and an image for one scan is printed on the print medium 204. By repeating this operation, a desired image is recorded on the entire recording medium 204.

[0063]

As described above, the ink tank according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of projections around the projections engaging with the engagement holes provided in the ink jet cartridge. Is formed at a height that does not come into contact with the plane when the projection of the object comes into contact with any plane, so the projections do not receive the impact from the floor directly when falling, The projection can be prevented from being damaged.

Another ink tank according to the present invention is provided when the ink tank is dropped near the root of a mounting lever provided with a latch claw for engaging with an engaging portion provided on an ink jet cartridge. Since the projection for protecting the root of the mounting lever from impact is formed, it is possible to prevent the root of the mounting lever from being damaged by the impact when the ink tank falls.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing an embodiment of an in-tank of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ink tank shown in FIG. 1 in a lateral width direction.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ink tank shown in FIG. 1 in a vertical width direction.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a tank box for illustrating a prism portion provided in the ink tank shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a tank box for showing openings and gas-liquid exchange grooves provided in the ink tank shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a tank box for showing openings and gas-liquid exchange grooves provided in the ink tank shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an upper opening surface of the tank box and a back surface of the tank lid shown in FIG. 1 and the like.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an ink tank before being mounted on an ink jet cartridge.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the ink tank and the ink jet cartridge before the ink tank is mounted on the ink jet cartridge.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the ink tank and the ink jet cartridge in a state after the ink tank is mounted on the ink jet cartridge.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the ink tank and the ink jet cartridge in a state where the ink tank is mounted on the ink jet cartridge.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state when the ink tank shown in FIG. 1 and the like falls to the floor.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the ink tank is dropped on the floor with the mounting lever facing downward.

14A and 14B are diagrams showing an ink tank according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the ink tank, and FIG. 14B is a diagram in which the ink tank is dropped on the floor with the mounting lever facing downward. It is a figure showing a state.

FIG. 15 is a front view showing a state where an ink tank is attached to the ink jet cartridge.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an ink tank in which a lever protection rib is formed to have the same width as the mounting lever.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an ink jet cartridge to which an ink tank is mounted.

FIG. 18 is a side view showing each positioning section provided in the ink jet cartridge.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a carriage in the inkjet recording apparatus with a part thereof cut away.

20 is a perspective view showing the carriage shown in FIG. 19 in a state where an ink jet cartridge is mounted.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a carriage, a platen, and the like in the inkjet recording apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 20, 21 ', 20 "Ink tank 21 Tank box 21a Partition wall 21b Negative pressure chamber 21c Raw ink chamber 21d Prism section 21e Opening 21e' Gas-liquid exchange groove 21f Ink supply hole 21g Groove 21h, 21h 'Lever 21i Planar part 21j Positioning claws 21k Latch claws 21l, 21l ', 21l "Lever protection ribs 21m Claw protection ribs 21n Positioning pins 21o Corners 21p, 21p' Lever roots 21q, 21q 'Lever handles 22 Press-contact body 23 Upper absorber 24 Lower absorber Body 25 Tank lid 25a Triangular rib 25b Absorber holding rib 25c Air communication passage 25d Air communication hole 25e Ink injection hole 25f Trapezoidal rib 26 Ball plug 27 Protective cap 27a Cap 27b Welding projection 27c Lever 28 Seal tape 29 Era Stoma member 30 Recording head holder 31 Tank holder 31a, 31b Engagement hole 31c Engagement part 32 Filter 33 Flow path member 33a Flow path pipe 34 Joint seal rubber 200 Ink jet recording apparatus 201 Recording head 202 Carriage guide rail 203 Platen 204 Recording medium 205 Transport Roller pair 211 Carriage 212 Contact part 213 Head hook 214 XZ direction positioning part 215 Y direction positioning part 216 Tension spring 217 X direction positioning part 218 Plate spring 219 Partition wall 220 Inkjet cartridge 221 X direction positioning part 222 XZ direction positioning part 223 Y direction Positioning unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Iwao Kawamura 6-3-3 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo Copia Co., Ltd. (72) Hiroaki Enchi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon F term in reference (reference) 2C056 EA21 HA08 HA09 KC04 KC11 KC13 KC16 KC22

Claims (11)

[Claims] At least one projection is formed to engage with at least one engagement hole provided in an ink jet cartridge provided with a recording head that ejects ink from an ejection port, and the projection is formed in the engagement hole. In the ink tank mounted in a state where the ink cartridge is positioned by being engaged with the ink cartridge, a plurality of protrusions are provided around the protrusion, and the protrusion may be any of the plurality of protrusions. The ink tank is formed at a height that does not contact the plane when the tank is in contact with the plane. 2. An ink supply hole for supplying the stored ink to the recording head is provided.
The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein a protective cap for closing the ink supply hole is attached, and one of the plurality of protrusions is configured by the protective cap. 3. A negative pressure chamber having an ink supply hole for supplying the stored ink to the recording head and an atmosphere communication portion communicating with the atmosphere, and a negative pressure chamber for housing a negative pressure generating member capable of holding the ink therein. 2. The ink tank according to claim 1, further comprising: an ink storage chamber that forms a substantially closed space except for communication with the negative pressure chamber and stores ink. 4. The ink tank according to claim 3, wherein a protection cap for closing the ink supply hole is attached, and one of the plurality of projections is formed by the protection cap. 5. A cantilever-shaped, centering on a root portion, formed with a latch claw portion for engaging with an engaging portion provided in an ink jet cartridge having a recording head for discharging ink from a discharge port. An ink tank mounted on the inkjet cartridge by being provided with a mounting lever capable of being flexibly restored, wherein the latch claw portion is engaged with the engagement portion while being positioned with respect to the inkjet cartridge. An ink tank, wherein a protrusion for protecting the root of the mounting lever from an impact when the ink tank falls is formed near the root of the mounting lever. 6. The mounting lever according to claim 5, wherein the protrusion is formed in a region extending in a longitudinal direction of the mounting lever from a root portion of the mounting lever and having a width equal to a width of the mounting lever. Ink tank. 7. The projection, the base of the mounting lever, and a part other than the base of the mounting lever abut on an arbitrary plane when the mounting lever is maximally bent. The ink tank according to claim 5, wherein the ink tank is configured as follows. 8. The protrusion, the root of the mounting lever, and the portion of the mounting lever are arranged so as to be aligned when the mounting lever is in a maximum flexed state. The ink tank according to claim 7. 9. When the mounting lever is in a maximum flexed state, the projection and a part other than the base of the mounting lever abut on an arbitrary plane, and the base of the mounting lever is on the flat surface. The ink tank according to claim 5, wherein the ink tank is configured so as not to contact the ink tank. 10. A negative pressure chamber comprising: an ink supply hole for supplying the stored ink to the recording head; and an air communication portion communicating with the atmosphere, and a negative pressure chamber for housing a negative pressure generating member capable of holding the ink therein. The ink tank according to any one of claims 5 to 9, further comprising an ink storage chamber that forms a substantially closed space except for communication with the negative pressure chamber and stores ink. 11. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the ink tank is detachably attached to the ink jet cartridge.