JP2005161640A - Liquid supply mechanism, liquid storage vessel, liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting head cartridge, and recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid supply mechanism and a liquid storage vessel, which have high liquid storage efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: A subtank part 41 comprises a subtank part 30, an ink retraction chamber 31, and an outside air shielding chamber 33 which houses an ink absorber 35. An ink supply passage 36 makes the chamber 33 communicate with the subtank 30, and an internal communication passage 32 makes the chamber 33 communicate with the chamber 31. Openings 36a and 32a of the passages 36 and 32 are formed in the state of getting close to each other and coming into contact with the ink absorber 15; the opening 36b is formed on the bottom of the subtank 30; and the opening 32b is formed in an upper part on the side of the chamber 31. The opening 36a on the side of the chamber 33 and a recording head cartridge 1 make the bottom of the subtank 30 and a part above the chamber 31 communicate with each other via the ink absorber 35 in the chamber 33, and make them communicate with the air via the ink absorber 35. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid supply mechanism, a liquid storage container, a liquid discharge head, a liquid discharge head cartridge, and a recording apparatus.

  In an ink jet recording apparatus, when a carriage mounted with a liquid jet recording head moves across a recording medium, a control system activates the recording head to eject droplets to form characters and images. Liquid (hereinafter referred to as ink) is stored and moved in a main tank mounted on the carriage, or is supplied to the recording head from a main tank fixed in the recording apparatus. When the main tank is fixed, ink is supplied by connecting a flexible tube to the recording head. When the main tank moves together with the carriage, the main tank is detachably joined to the recording head and is replaced when the ink runs out.

  In order for the recording head to function normally, the main tank supplies ink without interruption regardless of where it is located in the recording apparatus, and negative back pressure is applied to the main tank and / or the inkjet recording head. Creating and maintaining it is also an essential requirement. The back pressure is a pressure in the ink jet recording head based on the atmospheric pressure. If the negative pressure becomes too low, the concave surface of the ink meniscus at the orifice becomes large, and it becomes easier to embrace bubbles after ink discharge, causing non-discharge. Further, when the positive pressure is increased and the interfacial force due to the surface tension of the ink acting on the orifice is exceeded, ink leakage is caused. Therefore, the main tank and the ink jet recording head are required to generate and maintain a back pressure within a certain range at a wide temperature range and atmospheric pressure encountered during storage and operation of the recording apparatus.

  As an ink supply mechanism that realizes this requirement, there are ink jet recording apparatuses described in Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3, all of which require a large ink absorber. The same gist is disclosed in Patent Document 4, Patent Document 5, and Patent Document 6 and its utility is described, and an ink retracting method when the internal pressure is increased is disclosed. Absorbers are required, and the consumables are complex, large and expensive. An example of a conventional ink supply device will be described with reference to FIG.

  The conventional ink supply apparatus shown in FIG. 5 is generally composed of a recording head unit 510 having a recording nozzle 511 and a main tank 512. The main tank 512 includes an ink chamber 513 that stores ink 514, and an ink absorber chamber 515 that stores ink absorbers 516 a, 516 b, and 516 c and communicates with the atmosphere via the atmosphere communication hole 517. The optical reflection member 521 for detecting the remaining amount of ink is provided below the ink chamber 513.

  The ink chamber 513 and the ink absorber chamber 515 are generally partitioned by a partition wall 523, but communicate with each other below. In addition, a plurality of slits 522 are formed in the partition wall 523 in the vertical direction to move the air. To smooth.

  The ink absorbers 516b and 516c are made of polyester felt or the like for holding ink and function as back pressure control means when the surrounding environment fluctuates. For example, when the atmospheric pressure decreases or the temperature of the main tank increases, the air in the upper layer in the ink chamber 513 that holds ink in a free state expands. The ink that has been pushed out from the ink chamber 513 by the amount of the expanded air is accommodated in the ink absorber 516c in the ink absorber chamber 515, so that the ink jet recording head can have a back pressure within an appropriate range even if the surrounding environment changes. Can be maintained.

  The ink absorber 516c has a density that is coarser than that of 516b and allows air to pass therethrough, making it difficult for ink to remain. The ink absorber 516a has a stronger capillary force than the ink absorber 516b and makes it easier to attract ink.

The main tank 512 is configured to be detachable by an ink absorber 516 a that guides ink to the recording head unit 510. In FIG. 5, the main tank 512 and the print head unit 510 are shown in a separated state, but both are used in a bonded state with the packing material 524, and the ink in the ink chamber 513 is guided to the print head unit 510 via the ink absorber 516a. Further, the liquid is guided to the head liquid chamber 520 through the filter 518 and the ink passage 519 of the recording head unit 510.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-130024 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-187459 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-246761 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-81084 JP 2002-36593 A Japanese Patent No. 2898746

  However, the configuration of the conventional example has the following disadvantages.

  In this type of ink supply mechanism, ink is mainly stored in a free state, but a large ink absorber is placed in the middle of the flow path to generate and maintain back pressure and prevent ink leakage, and absorb ink and ink. Since the ink is held by the capillary force of the ink that acts between the body and the body, a considerable amount of ink is impregnated in the ink absorber. Therefore, there is a problem that the ink absorber can discharge and store ink only in the range of about 20% to 70% of the volume, and volume efficiency is poor.

  Increasing the amount of stored ink in order to extend the service life of the ink tank will increase the amount of air after ink consumption and the amount of ink pushed out in proportion to it, and the volume of the ink absorber that accommodates the ink will not increase. Inevitably, the main tank will become larger. In addition, there is a problem that about 20% of the ink absorber volume remains unusable, and furthermore, a large-capacity ink absorber is a source of dust, and the cost of a consumable ink tank. It also becomes a factor to press.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and a liquid supply mechanism, a liquid storage container, a liquid discharge head, a liquid discharge head cartridge, and a recording apparatus that can increase the efficiency of storing liquid in the liquid storage container. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, a liquid supply mechanism of the present invention is a liquid supply mechanism that temporarily stores a liquid supplied from a liquid storage container and supplies the stored liquid to a liquid discharge head. A liquid storage portion having a liquid storage portion, a liquid storage chamber having a space portion provided in communication with the liquid storage portion, a liquid supply path in communication with the liquid storage portion, and a communication passage in communication with the space portion. A liquid absorber containing and holding a liquid so as to close an opening between the liquid supply path and the communication path, and having a liquid absorber storage chamber communicating with the outside air. To do.

  According to the liquid supply mechanism of the present invention configured as described above, the liquid absorber storage chamber communicating with the outside air is disposed at the bottom, and the liquid absorber is sufficiently impregnated with the liquid supplied from the liquid suction port. As a result, the communication path communicating with the upper space of the liquid storage section is closed, thereby keeping the liquid storage chamber shut off from the outside air. Here, when the liquid in the liquid storage container starts to be consumed, the liquid storage container that is in communication with the liquid storage chamber is supplied between the liquid absorber and the impregnated liquid to supply liquid to the liquid storage chamber. A negative pressure that can withstand the pressure difference from the outside air is generated by the interfacial force. As the liquid consumption progresses, the negative pressure gradually increases, and outside air gradually enters the liquid absorber. This outside air further enters the space part little by little through the communication passage, thereby preventing an increase in negative pressure above a certain level and maintaining a balance between the negative pressure and the interfacial force in the liquid storage container, A good discharge state by the liquid discharge head can be maintained.

  In addition, the liquid supply mechanism of the present invention releases air gradually from the outside through the liquid absorber when the air pressure in the liquid storage container expands or contracts due to changes in the external air pressure or ambient temperature.・ Incorporate to prevent the internal pressure from rising or falling beyond a certain level.

  That is, the liquid supply mechanism of the present invention is provided with the back pressure control means as described above outside the liquid storage container. As a result, the liquid absorber that previously occupied a large volume in the liquid storage container storing the liquid can be abolished. Therefore, it is not necessary to impregnate and hold the liquid in the liquid storage container. The storage efficiency of the liquid in the liquid storage container can be increased by that amount. This means that more liquid can be accommodated with the same size, and the liquid container can be made smaller with the same amount of liquid. In addition, since the configuration itself of the liquid storage container is simplified, manufacture is facilitated, and therefore, the liquid storage container that is a consumable can be provided to the user at a lower cost.

  In the liquid supply mechanism of the present invention, the opening of the liquid supply path and the communication path may be formed at the bottom of the liquid absorber storage chamber. By setting it as such a structure, the capacity | capacitance of the liquid absorber accommodated in the liquid absorber storage chamber can be made small. That is, the back pressure control means can be used only for a small scale.

  Further, in the liquid supply mechanism of the present invention, the opening to the liquid storage part side of the liquid supply path is formed at the bottom of the liquid storage part, and the opening to the space part of the communication path is formed above the space part. It may be.

  In the liquid supply mechanism of the present invention, a member that allows air to pass but does not allow liquid to pass may be disposed above the liquid absorber. By arranging and using this member on the upper part of the liquid absorber, the liquid absorbed by the liquid absorber from the liquid reservoir through the liquid supply path is transferred to the outside from the liquid absorber storage chamber communicating with the outside air. The back pressure can be controlled without leaking.

  In the liquid supply mechanism of the present invention, an air passage for allowing air to pass from above the opening of the communication passage to above the upper end of the liquid absorber is formed on the side wall of the liquid absorber storage chamber. It may be a thing. By forming the air passage, air movement between the space portion and the liquid absorber storage chamber can be improved.

  In addition, the liquid supply mechanism of the present invention may include a remaining amount detecting unit that detects the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid storage unit.

  The liquid storage container of the present invention is a liquid storage container that stores liquid therein, and is provided adjacent to the liquid storage chamber that stores the liquid and the liquid storage chamber, and communicates with the bottom of the liquid storage chamber. A communication path communicating with the liquid supply path and the upper part of the liquid storage chamber is formed, and the liquid absorber impregnated and held is stored so as to close the opening between the liquid supply path and the communication path, and communicates with the outside air. And a liquid absorber housing chamber.

  Further, the liquid storage container of the present invention may be one in which the opening of the liquid supply path and the communication path is formed at the bottom of the liquid absorber storage chamber, or a member that allows air to pass but not liquid. Air that extends from above the opening of the communication path to above the upper end of the liquid absorber may be disposed on the side wall of the liquid absorber storage chamber. The passage for air for making it pass may be formed.

  Further, the liquid storage container of the present invention may have a remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid storage unit.

  The liquid discharge head according to the present invention includes an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for liquid discharge, and discharges using film boiling generated in the liquid by the heat energy applied by the electrothermal converter. A liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from an outlet, which includes the liquid supply mechanism of the present invention.

  A liquid discharge head according to the present invention includes a liquid storage container that stores liquid therein, a joint portion that is detachably bonded to the liquid storage container, and an electrothermal transducer for generating thermal energy for liquid discharge. And a liquid discharge head cartridge having a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from the discharge port using film boiling generated in the liquid by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal transducer. It is a liquid discharge head of the present invention.

  The liquid discharge head of the present invention includes a liquid storage container that stores liquid therein, a joint portion that is detachably connected to the liquid storage container, and electric heat for generating heat energy for liquid discharge. In a liquid discharge head cartridge comprising a conversion body and having a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from a discharge port using film boiling generated in the liquid by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal conversion body, a liquid storage container Is a liquid container of the present invention.

  The recording apparatus of the present invention holds the liquid discharge head cartridge of the present invention for transporting the recording medium, the liquid ejection head cartridge of the present invention for discharging liquid and recording on the recording medium, and the recording medium transport direction And holding means that reciprocates in a substantially perpendicular direction.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the liquid absorber that has conventionally occupied a large volume in the liquid storage container storing the liquid can be eliminated, so that the liquid storage efficiency of the liquid storage container can be improved.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a recording head cartridge 1 provided with an ink supply mechanism of this embodiment.

  The recording head cartridge 1 according to this embodiment includes a main tank 12 that stores ink 14 and a head unit 40 that detachably holds the main tank 12.

  The head unit 40 includes a recording head unit 10 having a recording nozzle 11 in which ejection openings are formed, and a sub tank unit 41 that is an ink supply mechanism formed integrally with the recording head unit 10.

  The ink chamber 13 of the main tank 12 stores all the ink 14 in a free state, and the upper part is occupied by an air layer.

  The recording head unit 10 of the head unit 40 is connected to the head liquid chamber 20 through a filter 18 through a communication passage 19. The recording nozzle 11 has a large number of nozzles arranged at a high density. For example, 256 nozzles are formed at a density of 300 dpi. In FIG. 1, ink droplets are ejected downward. Although not shown, each nozzle is provided with a heating element that generates bubbles by energization and ejects ink in the form of droplets, and there are printed wiring boards that supply electrical signals to the heating element. ing.

  The sub tank section 41 of the head section 40 includes a sub tank 30 for temporarily storing ink, an ink retracting chamber 31 provided on the upper portion of the sub tank 30, and an outside air shielding chamber 33 in which the ink absorber 35 is stored at the bottom.

  The ink supply path 36 is formed to communicate the outside air shielding chamber 33 and the sub tank 30. The ink supply path 36 is formed at the bottom of the outside air shielding chamber 33 and the sub tank 30 together with the opening 36 a on the outside air shielding chamber 33 side and the opening 36 b on the sub tank 30 side.

  The internal communication path 32 is formed so as to communicate the outside air shielding chamber 33 and the ink retracting chamber 31. In the internal communication path 32, the opening 32 a on the outside air shielding chamber 33 side is formed at the bottom of the outside air shielding chamber 33, while the opening 32 b on the ink withdrawal chamber 31 side is formed on the upper side on the ink withdrawal chamber 31 side.

  That is, the opening 36a on the outside air shielding chamber 33 side of the ink supply path 36 and the opening 32a on the outside air shielding chamber 33 side of the internal communication path 32 are provided close to each other, and these openings 32a and 36a are outside air. It is formed so as to be in contact with the ink absorber 15 accommodated in the bottom of the shielding chamber 33 and closed. Further, a plurality of fine slit-like air introduction paths 22 are formed in the vicinity of the upper side of the opening 32 a on the outside air shielding chamber 33 side of the internal communication path 32. The air introduction path 22 is formed to extend from above the opening 32 a of the internal communication path 32 to above the upper end of the ink absorber 15.

  Further, the upper part of the outside air shielding chamber 33 communicates with the outside air through the atmosphere communication hole 17.

  Thus, the bottom of the sub tank 30 and the upper part of the ink retracting chamber 31 communicate with each other via the ink absorber 35 in the outside air shielding chamber 33 and communicate with the atmosphere via the ink absorber 35. ing.

  On the other hand, the upper portion of the sub tank 30 and the bottom of the ink retracting chamber 31 communicate with each other through a communication port 38.

  The head unit 40 includes an ink introduction port 37 having an ink absorber 25 therein, and is joined to the main tank 12 via the ink introduction port 37. At the time of joining to the main tank 12, the tip protrusion 26 of the ink introduction port 37 opens by pushing away the plug member 28 that closes the outlet 27 of the main tank 12, and thereby the inside of the ink chamber 13 of the main tank 12 and the ink. The introduction port 37 communicates.

  The rectangular column ink absorber 25 disposed in the cylindrical ink inlet 37 sucks the ink 14 in the main tank 12 and guides it into the sub tank 30 at the tip, and instead, air in the sub tank 30 is converted into the square column. Gas-liquid exchange is performed by entering the main tank 12 through a gap around the ink absorber 25. When the sub tank 30 is filled with ink, the main tank 12 is in a sealed state with a water jug in which no more air enters and the ink 14 does not move.

  A plurality of O-rings 29 arranged on the inner side of the outlet 27 of the main tank 12 are sandwiched between the outer walls of the cylindrical ink inlet 37 in a compressed state so as to shield the main tank 12 and the sub tank 30 in communication from the outside air. I keep it.

  Although not shown in the figure, the ink remaining amount detecting member 21 provided on the side wall of the subtank 30 is a transparent optical material that is molded in the shape of an isosceles right triangle of 45 degrees inside the subtank 30. It is a reflecting member. This is because when the ink in the sub tank 30 is emptied, the contact medium changes from the liquid to the air to change the refractive index ratio, so that the radiated light that has been refracted through transmission is totally reflected and returned. The remaining amount of ink is detected by detecting this light. Since the ink 14 is stored in a free state, the remaining amount can be detected on the main tank 12 side, but the main tank 12 which is a consumable is made simpler by performing on the sub tank 30 side. Can do.

  The sub tank 30 temporarily stores ink and supplies the ink to the recording nozzle 11 while detecting the remaining amount of the ink 14 in the main tank 12. A filter 18 having a filtration accuracy of about 20 μm is disposed at the inlet portion from the sub tank 30 to the communication passage 19 of the recording head unit 10, which may cause non-ejection of the recording nozzle 11 such as dust, dust, ink agglomerated components, and bubbles. Prevents foreign matter from entering.

  An ink evacuation chamber 31 is formed above the sub tank 30 in the direction of gravity so as to communicate via the communication port 38. When the air in the upper layer portion of the main tank 12 expands, the compressed ink in the sub tank 30 is discharged. It has a function of being introduced into the ink retracting chamber 31 through the communication port 38 and storing the ink in the sub tank 30. From the upper part of the ink retracting chamber 31, an internal communication path 32 circulates the side wall portion downward and is opened to the atmospheric pressure by the atmosphere communication hole 17 through the outside air shielding chamber 33. Although the air communication hole 17 is simply shown in the drawing, it is formed in a fine and long labyrinth shape in order to prevent the outflow and evaporation of the ink. The opening 32a of the internal communication path 32 that circulates in the lower part of the outside air shielding chamber 33 is closed by an ink absorber 35 impregnated with ink. The ink absorber 35 is disposed at the bottom of the outside air shielding chamber 33 and impregnates the ink supplied from the ink supply path 36 communicating with the sub tank 30, so that even if a slight pressure difference occurs due to the interfacial force due to the surface tension of the ink. The sub tank 30 and the main tank 12 are kept shielded from the outside air via the ink retracting chamber 31.

  The ink absorbers 25 and 35 may be any members as long as they absorb and draw ink and generate an appropriate interface force by the surface tension of the absorbed ink. For example, porous materials such as polyester felt and polyurethane are used. A material member or a three-dimensional fiber structure can also be used. The filtration accuracy of the ink absorbers 25 and 35 may be coarser than that of the filter 18, and for example, a filtration accuracy of about 50 μm can be used. However, a metal member or mesh-shaped metal fiber piece configured such that a plurality of hydrophilic SUS thin plates are stacked and the ink is held in the gap rather than a chemical member that may change the ink over a long period of time. Nonwoven fabric is desirable.

  The ink absorber 35 functions as a back pressure control means when the surrounding environment changes. For example, when the air in the upper layer in the ink chamber 13 expands due to a decrease in atmospheric pressure or a relative temperature increase, the expanded air pressure compresses the ink in the lower layer. The pressure reaches the air in the ink retracting chamber 31 adjacent above the sub tank 30. The increased pressure in the ink retracting chamber 31 is arranged at the bottom of the outside air shielding chamber 33 communicating with the outside air through the internal communication passage 32 formed in the side wall portion, and is impregnated with the ink supplied from the ink supply path 36. Reach 35. Here, a plurality of air introduction paths 22 are formed in the vicinity of the upper part of the opening 32a on the outside air shielding chamber 33 side of the internal communication path 32 as described above. The air introduction path 22 is formed above the ink absorber 35 to assist air movement, and the pressure in the ink retracting chamber 31 is impregnated with ink from the opening 32a of the internal communication path 32. Air is introduced into the air introduction path 22 through the ink absorber 35 and gradually released to the outside, so that a pressure increase of a predetermined pressure or more is prevented.

  On the contrary, when the ink 14 is consumed by the recording action and the pressure in the ink chamber 13 is decreased, the air on the outside air side having a high pressure gradually passes through the air communication hole 17 and the ink absorber 35 from the air introduction path 22. The ink enters the ink retracting chamber 31 through the internal communication path 32, and finally reaches the ink chamber 13 through the sub tank 30 and the ink introduction port 37. In this way, the ink absorber 35 functions to keep the back pressure inside the ink chamber 13 within a substantially constant range.

  The degree to which the back pressure in the ink chamber 13 is adjusted depends on the strength of the interfacial force acting on the ink absorber 35 and the working distance. By selecting a density that optimizes the interfacial force of the ink acting on the ink absorber 35, and by optimally setting the distance between the opening 32a and the air introduction path 22, the back pressure in the ink chamber 13 is appropriately allowed. Can be kept within range.

  As described above, the recording head cartridge 1 of the present embodiment allows the bottom of the sub tank 30 and the upper portion of the ink retracting chamber 31 to communicate with each other via the ink absorber 35 in the outside air shielding chamber 33, and the ink absorber. The air is communicated with the atmosphere via 35. That is, the ink absorber 35 functioning as the back pressure control means is not provided in the ink chamber 13 of the main tank 12, but is provided in the sub tank 41, so that all the ink 14 is placed in the main tank 12 in a free state. It can be stored. This does not require any ink absorber inside the main tank 12, enables a sealed structure without air communication holes, and only stores the ink 14 by moving the ink remaining amount detection function to the sub tank 30 side. A transparent liquid container configuration by one part is enabled by narrowing down and blow molding like a PET bottle container.

  The sealed main tank 12 extends from the sub tank 30 and is inserted into the ink chamber 13 while the plug member 28 is moved by the tip protrusion 26 of the ink inlet 37 in which the rectangular columnar ink absorber 25 is disposed. It is possible to supply the ink 14 at any time by performing gas-liquid exchange according to the principle of a water jug.

  In FIG. 1, the outside air shielding chamber 33 is arranged on the left side so that it can be easily understood. However, it goes without saying that if it is arranged on the right side wall portion of the ink retracting chamber 31, the sub tank 30 can be configured to the minimum necessary size. There is no.

  Next, FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus on which the ink jet recording head of this embodiment can be mounted.

  A guide shaft 1003 is attached to the main body chassis 1012, and the carriage 1008 is supported by the guide shaft 1003 so as to be slidable in the direction of arrow B ". The carriage 1008 is driven by a drive motor (not shown). A part of the carriage 1008 is fixed to a timing belt 1010 stretched between a pulley 1006 and an idler pulley 1007, and can reciprocate in the direction of an arrow B ″ along the guide shaft 1003 according to the rotation of the drive motor. is there.

  The recording head cartridge 1 is detachably mounted on the carriage 1008 and is attached to the back surface of the main body chassis 1012 via a flexible cable 1002 that transmits and receives current and signals for driving the recording head cartridge 1. It is electrically connected to a control board which is a board for controlling the main body.

  A conveyance roller (not shown) is connected to a recording medium conveyance motor (not shown) via a conveyance gear, and conveys the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction indicated by an arrow A ″.

  Recording is performed by ejecting ink supplied from the main tank 12 from the ejection port of the recording head unit 10 onto the recording paper 1004 which is a recording medium conveyed to the recording area.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the sub tank portion 41 having the outside air shielding chamber 33 in which the ink absorber 15 is accommodated is provided outside the main tank 12 so that a large volume is conventionally occupied in the main tank 12 in which liquid is accommodated. The liquid absorber that has been used can be eliminated, and thus the storage efficiency of the liquid in the main tank 12 can be increased. This means that more liquid can be accommodated with the same size, and the main tank 12 can be made smaller with the same amount of liquid. In addition, since the configuration of the main tank 12 is simplified, the manufacture is facilitated, and therefore the main tank 12 that is a consumable can be provided to the user at a lower cost.
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a recording head cartridge provided with the ink supply mechanism of this embodiment.

  The recording head cartridge 101 according to the present embodiment includes a non-wetting polymer member 137 having a characteristic of allowing gas to pass but not allowing liquid to pass over the ink absorber 135 of the outside air shielding chamber 133. The air introduction path 122 formed in the vicinity of the upper side of the opening 132 a on the outside air shielding chamber 133 side of the internal communication path 132 is formed so as to extend to the non-wetting polymer member 137 along the ink absorber 135. Yes.

  The non-wettable polymer member 137 having a function of preventing the movement of ink and maintaining the interface with the atmosphere is preferably a hydrophobic air-permeable member that allows air to pass but does not allow liquid to pass. Teflon (registered) having a pore diameter of around 10 μm Trademark) and nylon (registered trademark) mesh material, for example, commercially available Gore-Tex (registered trademark) can also be used.

  The recording head cartridge 101 according to the present embodiment includes the non-wetting polymer member 137 having the above-described characteristics, so that when the pressure in the ink chamber 113 of the main tank 112 rises, the ink absorber 135. When the ink impregnated in the ink is discharged from the atmosphere communication port 117 without leaking, only the air 114 is consumed by the recording action and the pressure in the ink chamber 113 is reduced. Air gradually enters the ink retracting chamber 131 in the form of bubbles from the ink absorber 135 through the air communication path 117 and the non-wetting polymer member 137 and further through the internal air passage 132 via the air introduction path 122. The ink tank 113 is finally reached through the sub tank 130 and the ink inlet 137.

  Since the other configuration is basically the same as that of the recording head cartridge 1 shown in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, in the recording head cartridge 101 of the present embodiment, similarly to the recording head cartridge 1 of the first embodiment, the bottom of the sub tank 130 and the upper portion of the ink retracting chamber 131 are connected to the ink absorber in the outside air shielding chamber 133. While communicating with each other via 135, they communicate with the atmosphere via the ink absorber 135. That is, the ink absorber 135 functioning as a back pressure control means is not provided in the ink chamber 113 of the main tank 112 but is provided in the sub tank portion 141.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the main tank 112 that conventionally stores liquid is provided by providing the sub tank portion 141 having the outside air shielding chamber 133 that stores the ink absorber 115 outside the main tank 112. It is possible to eliminate the liquid absorber that has occupied a large volume in the inside, and thus it is possible to increase the storage efficiency of the liquid in the main tank 112. This means that more liquid can be accommodated with the same size, and the main tank 112 can be made smaller with the same amount of liquid. In addition, since the configuration of the main tank 112 is simplified, manufacturing is facilitated, so that the main tank 112 that is a consumable can be provided to the user at a lower cost.

In the case of the present embodiment, in particular, since the non-wetting polymer member 137 having the characteristic of allowing gas to pass but not allowing liquid to pass is provided on the ink absorber 135 of the outside air shielding chamber 133, Ink impregnated in the air can be discharged only without leaking from the atmosphere communication port 117.
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a recording head cartridge provided with the ink supply mechanism of this embodiment.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the configuration of the ink absorber or the outside air shielding chamber provided with the non-wetting polymer member, the internal communication passage communicating with the outside air shielding chamber, the ink supply passage, and the like is the sub tank side. In this embodiment, the side tank 250 of the main tank 212 has the above-described configuration.

  In the recording head cartridge 201 of the present embodiment, an outside air shielding chamber 233 in which an ink absorber 235 and a non-wetting polymer member 237 are housed is formed on the side portion 250 of the main tank 212.

  The ink supply path 236 is formed so as to communicate the outside air shielding chamber 233 and the main tank 212. The ink supply path 236 is formed at the bottom of the outside air shielding chamber 233 and the main tank 212 together with the opening 236a on the outside air shielding chamber 233 side and the opening 236b on the main tank 212 side.

  The internal communication path 232 is formed to communicate the outside air shielding chamber 233 and the main tank 212. In the internal communication path 232, the opening 232a on the outside air shielding chamber 233 side is formed at the bottom of the outside air shielding chamber 233, while the opening 232b on the main tank 212 side is formed at the top on the main tank 212 side.

  In other words, the opening 236a on the outside air shielding chamber 233 side of the ink supply path 236 and the opening 232a on the outside air shielding chamber 233 side of the internal communication path 232 are provided close to each other, and these openings 232a and 236a are outside air. It is formed so as to come into contact with the ink absorber 215 accommodated in the bottom of the shielding chamber 233. In addition, a plurality of fine slit-like air introduction paths 222 are formed in the vicinity of the upper part of the opening 232a on the outside air shielding chamber 233 side of the internal communication path 232. The upper part of the outside air shielding chamber 233 communicates with the outside air through the atmosphere communication hole 217.

  Note that the recording head cartridge 201 of the present embodiment does not have a sub tank, and therefore the ink remaining amount detection member 221 is provided on the side wall of the main tank 212.

  The ink absorber 235 functions as back pressure control means when the surrounding environment fluctuates, as in the above-described embodiments.

  For example, when the air in the upper layer in the ink chamber 213 expands due to a decrease in atmospheric pressure or a relative temperature increase, the expanded air pressure compresses the ink 214 in the lower layer. This increased pressure reaches the ink absorber 235 impregnated with the ink supplied from the ink supply path 236 that is disposed at the bottom of the outside air shielding chamber 233 that communicates with the outside air through the internal communication path 232. Further, this pressure is introduced from the opening 232 a of the internal communication path 232 into the air introduction path 222 through the ink absorber 235 impregnated with ink, and is gradually discharged to the outside through the non-wetting polymer member 237. By doing so, an increase in pressure over a predetermined pressure is prevented. At this time, the air impregnated in the ink absorber 235 through the non-wetting polymer member 237 is discharged without leaking from the atmosphere communication port 217.

  On the other hand, when the ink 214 is consumed by the recording action and the pressure in the ink chamber 213 decreases, the air on the outside air side having a high pressure passes through the air communication hole 217 and the non-wetting polymer member 237 and further passes through the air introduction path 222. The ink absorber 235 gradually reaches the ink chamber 213 through the internal communication path 232 in the form of bubbles. The ink absorber 235 thus serves to keep the back pressure inside the ink chamber 213 within a substantially constant range.

  As described above, even if the main tank 212 has the back pressure control means, according to the present embodiment, the ink absorber 235 can be used only for a small portion, so that the conventional ink can be used. Compared to the tank, the ink storage rate can be improved.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the recording head cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus on which an ink jet recording head according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be mounted. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a recording head cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a recording head cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of an example of the conventional ink supply apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 101, 201 Recording head cartridge 10 Recording head part 11 Recording nozzle 12, 112, 212 Main tank 13, 113, 213 Ink chamber 14, 114, 214 Ink 17, 117, 217 Atmospheric communication hole 18 Filter 19 Communication path 20 Head Liquid chambers 21 and 221 Ink remaining amount detection member 22 Air introduction path 25 Ink absorber 26 Tip protrusion 27 Exit 28 Plug member 29 Ring 30, 130 Sub tank 31, 131 Ink retracting chamber 32, 132, 232 Internal communication path 32a, 32b 36a, 36b, 132a, 132b, 136a, 136b, 232a, 232b, 236a, 236b Opening 33, 133, 233 Outside air shielding chamber 35, 135, 235 Ink absorber 36, 136, 236 Ink supply path 37 Ink introduction port 38 Communicating Mouth 137, 237 Non-wettable polymer member 510 Recording head portion 511 Recording nozzle 512 Main tank 513 Ink chamber 514 Ink 515 Ink absorber chamber 516a, 516b, 516c Ink absorber 517 Air communication hole 518 Filter 519 Ink passage 520 Head liquid chamber 521 Optical reflection member 522 Groove 523 Partition 524 Packing material 1002 Flexible cable 1003 Guide shaft 1004 Recording paper 1006 Driving pulley 1007 Idler pulley 1008 Carriage 1010 Timing belt 1012 Main body chassis

Claims (15)

A liquid supply mechanism for temporarily storing the liquid supplied from the liquid storage container and supplying the stored liquid to the liquid discharge head,
A liquid storage chamber having a liquid storage section for temporarily storing a liquid, and a space portion provided in communication with the liquid storage section;
A liquid supply path that communicates with the liquid storage section and a communication path that communicates with the space section are formed, and the liquid absorber that is impregnated and retained with the liquid is blocked by the opening of the liquid supply path and the communication path. A liquid supply mechanism comprising: a liquid absorber storage chamber which is stored in communication with outside air.   The liquid supply mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the liquid supply path and the communication path is formed in a bottom portion of the liquid absorber storage chamber.   The opening to the liquid storage part side of the liquid supply path is formed in the bottom part of the liquid storage part, and the opening to the space part of the communication path is formed in the upper part of the space part. 3. The liquid supply mechanism according to 1 or 2.   The liquid supply mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a member that allows air to pass but does not allow liquid to pass is disposed above the liquid absorber.   The air passage for allowing air to pass from above the opening of the communication passage to above the upper end of the liquid absorber is formed in the side wall of the liquid absorber storage chamber. The liquid supply mechanism according to any one of the above.   The liquid supply mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a remaining amount detecting unit that detects a remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage unit. A liquid storage container for storing liquid therein,
A liquid storage chamber for storing liquid;
A liquid that is provided adjacent to the liquid storage chamber, has a liquid supply path that communicates with the bottom of the liquid storage chamber, and a communication path that communicates with the upper portion of the liquid storage chamber, and impregnates and holds the liquid A liquid storage container comprising: a liquid absorber storage chamber which stores an absorber so as to close an opening of the liquid supply path and the communication path and communicates with outside air.   The liquid storage container according to claim 7, wherein the opening of the liquid supply path and the communication path is formed in a bottom portion of the liquid absorber storage chamber.   The liquid container according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a member that allows air to pass but does not allow liquid to pass is disposed above the liquid absorber.   The air passage for allowing air to pass from above the opening of the communication passage to above the upper end of the liquid absorber is formed in the side wall of the liquid absorber storage chamber. The liquid container according to any one of the above.   11. The liquid storage container according to claim 7, further comprising a remaining amount detecting unit configured to detect a remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage unit. Liquid discharge comprising an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for liquid discharge, and discharging liquid from the discharge port by utilizing film boiling generated in the liquid by the heat energy applied by the electrothermal converter Head,
A liquid discharge head comprising the liquid supply mechanism according to claim 1. A liquid storage container for storing a liquid therein, a joint portion that is detachably connected to the liquid storage container, and an electrothermal transducer for generating thermal energy for liquid discharge. In a liquid discharge head cartridge having a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from the discharge port using film boiling generated in the liquid by heat energy applied by the converter,
The liquid discharge head cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the liquid discharge head is the liquid discharge head according to claim 12. A liquid storage container for storing a liquid therein, a joint portion that is detachably connected to the liquid storage container, and an electrothermal transducer for generating thermal energy for liquid discharge. In a liquid discharge head cartridge having a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from the discharge port using film boiling generated in the liquid by heat energy applied by the converter,
The liquid discharge head cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the liquid storage container is the liquid storage container according to claim 7.   15. A conveying unit that conveys a recording medium; and a liquid ejection head cartridge according to claim 13 or 14 for ejecting liquid and performing recording on the recording medium, and the conveyance direction of the recording medium And a holding means that reciprocates in a direction substantially perpendicular to the recording apparatus.

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