JP2005262563A - Ink filling method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply fill ink into an ink cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: The ink cartridge 3 is arranged so that the ink is prevented from flowing into an atmosphere communication path when the ink is filled in an ink chamber 31 (arrangement process). An atmosphere introduction valve 22 is opened (valve operation process). An injection needle 75 of an ink injector is inserted to a plug member 37 which seals an ink injection hole 36. At this time, the injection needle 75 is inserted until an ink discharge opening 75a of the injection needle 75 is located closer to the ink chamber 31 side than to the plug member 37 (ink injection preparation process). Then, the ink is injected from the ink injector (ink injection process). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink filling method for filling an ink cartridge with ink.

  Some inkjet printers that perform printing by ejecting ink from nozzles toward a recording sheet include a removable ink cartridge. In general, when ink is consumed, the ink cartridge is replaced with a new one and discarded. According to this, ink can be easily replenished to the ink jet printer, but there is a problem that the running cost increases because the cartridge is discarded every time ink is replenished. Therefore, a technique is known in which a hole is drilled in the wall of the ink cartridge in which the ink has been consumed, and the ink is refilled from the hole (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 3453562 (FIG. 46)

  According to the technique described above, a hole is formed in the side wall of the ink cartridge using a drill or the like, and the hole formed after ink filling is sealed. If the perforating operation or the sealing operation is inaccurate, ink leakage may occur from the sealed position. Therefore, these operations must be performed carefully and are complicated for the operator.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide an ink filling method capable of easily filling an ink cartridge with ink.

Means and effects for solving the problems

  The ink filling method of the present invention includes an ink outflow passage for letting out ink stored therein, an air communication passage communicating with the atmosphere, an ink tank having an ink inflow passage for introducing ink, and the ink outflow flow. Ink filling for filling ink into an ink cartridge comprising an ink valve for opening and closing a path, an air valve for opening and closing the air communication path, and an elastic member sealing the ink inflow passage A method of disposing the ink cartridge so that ink does not flow into the atmosphere communication path when the ink tank is filled with ink; a valve operation step of opening the atmosphere valve; An ink injection tube for injection penetrates the elastic member, and at least an ink discharge port provided in the ink injection tube is provided by the elastic member. Also comprising an ink injection preparation step of arranging so as to be positioned in the ink tank and an ink injection step for injecting ink into the ink tank from said ink injection tube.

  From another viewpoint, the ink filling method of the present invention is an ink tank having an ink outflow passage for letting out ink stored therein, an air communication passage communicating with the atmosphere, and an ink inflow passage for introducing ink. And an ink valve that opens and closes the ink outflow passage, an air valve that opens and closes the air communication passage, and an elastic member that seals the ink inflow passage. An ink filling method for filling, wherein a pressure reducing step for reducing the pressure in the ink tank and an ink injection pipe for injecting ink penetrating the elastic member and provided at least in the ink injection pipe An ink injection preparation step in which the discharge port is disposed on the ink tank side with respect to the elastic member; and an ink is supplied from the ink injection tube to the ink tank. And an ink injection step of injecting.

  From another viewpoint, the ink filling method of the present invention is an ink tank having an ink outflow passage for letting out ink stored therein, an air communication passage communicating with the atmosphere, and an ink inflow passage for introducing ink. And an ink valve that opens and closes the ink outflow passage, an air valve that opens and closes the air communication passage, and an elastic member that seals the ink inflow passage. An ink filling method for filling, wherein the ink cartridge is disposed so that the ink does not flow into the ink outflow passage when the ink tank is filled with ink, and the ink valve is opened. Ink provided at least in the ink injection tube through a valve operating step and an ink injection tube for injecting ink through the elastic member Outlet is provided with an ink injection preparation step of arranging so as to be positioned in the ink tank side of the elastic member, and an ink injection step for injecting ink into the ink tank from said ink injection tube.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily fill the ink tank with ink without processing the ink cartridge. Moreover, since the ink cartridge can be reused by filling the ink, the running cost can be reduced.

  In the present invention, the ink inflow channel further includes a separation step of separating the elastic member from the opening when the elastic member is arranged to seal the opening in the ink tank. In the ink injection preparation step, the ink injection pipe penetrates the elastic member, and at least an ink discharge port provided in the ink injection pipe is located inside the ink inflow channel with respect to the elastic member. It is preferable to arrange so that it is located in. According to this, even when the elastic member and the opening in the ink tank are in close contact with each other and it is difficult to arrange the ink injection tube, it is possible to easily fill the ink.

  Moreover, in this invention, you may further provide the sealing process which arrange | positions the said elastic member so that the said opening may be sealed after the said ink injection | pouring process. At this time, in the ink injection preparation step, the surface region of the elastic member that exposes the ink injection tube is different from the surface region of the elastic member that seals the opening in the sealing step. An injection tube is preferably arranged. According to this, even when the elastic member is fatigued by penetrating the ink injection tube many times, the opening can be reliably sealed.

  From another viewpoint, the ink filling method of the present invention is an ink tank having an ink outflow passage for letting out ink stored therein, an air communication passage communicating with the atmosphere, and an ink inflow passage for introducing ink. And an ink valve that opens and closes the ink outflow passage, an air valve that opens and closes the air communication passage, and an elastic member that seals the ink inflow passage. An ink filling method for filling, wherein an ink injection tube for injecting ink penetrates through the elastic member, and at least an ink discharge port provided in the ink injection tube is located in the ink tank more than the elastic member. An atmospheric communication pipe for communicating with the atmosphere, at least a tip portion of the atmospheric communication pipe passes through the elastic member An ink injection preparation step in which a communication port provided in the air communication pipe is positioned on the ink tank side with respect to the elastic member; and an ink injection step of injecting ink from the ink injection pipe into the ink tank. I have.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily fill the ink tank with ink without processing the ink cartridge.

  In the present invention, the ink inflow channel further includes a separation step of separating the elastic member from the opening when the elastic member is arranged to seal the opening in the ink tank. It may be. At this time, in the ink injection preparation step, the ink injection pipe penetrates the elastic member, and at least an ink discharge port provided in the ink injection pipe is located inside the ink inflow channel with respect to the elastic member. And the atmosphere communication pipe passes through the elastic member, and at least a communication port provided in the atmosphere communication pipe is located inside the ink inflow channel with respect to the elastic member. It is preferable to arrange in such a manner. According to this, even when the elastic member and the opening in the ink tank are in close contact with each other and it is difficult to dispose the ink injection tube or the air communication tube, the ink can be easily filled.

  Furthermore, the present invention further includes a sealing step of arranging the elastic member so as to seal the opening after the ink injection step. In the ink injection preparation step, the ink injection pipe and the ink injection tube It is preferable that the ink injection pipe is arranged so that a surface area of the elastic member that exposes the atmosphere communication pipe is different from a surface area of the elastic member that seals the opening in the sealing step. According to this, even when the elastic member is fatigued by penetrating the ink injection tube or the atmosphere communication tube many times, the opening can be reliably sealed.

  From another viewpoint, the ink filling method of the present invention is an ink tank having an ink outflow passage for letting out ink stored therein, an air communication passage communicating with the atmosphere, and an ink inflow passage for introducing ink. And an ink valve that opens and closes the ink outflow passage, an air valve that opens and closes the air communication passage, and an elastic member that seals the ink inflow passage. An ink filling method for filling, wherein the ink cartridge is disposed so that the ink does not flow into the ink inflow passage when the ink tank is filled with ink, and the elastic member is removed. An elastic member removing step, an ink injecting step of injecting ink from an opening of the ink inflow channel, and a sealing step of sealing the ink inflow channel It is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily fill the ink tank with ink without processing the ink cartridge.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to an ink cartridge mounted on an ink jet printer capable of ejecting four colors of ink.

First, an ink jet printer will be briefly described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet printer 1 includes a nozzle 2 a that ejects four colors of ink of cyan (C), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and black (K) on the recording paper P. Inkjet head 2 and four holders 4 (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) as cartridge mounting portions on which four ink cartridges 3 (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) for storing four color inks are mounted, respectively A carriage moving mechanism 5 that linearly reciprocates the ink-jet head 2 along a guide 9 in one direction (perpendicular to the paper surface); and a recording paper P that is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the ink-jet head 2 and is ink-jetted. The conveyance mechanism 6 that conveys the ink in the direction parallel to the ink ejection surface of the head 2 and the air in the inkjet head 2 and the ink with increased viscosity are sucked. It has an over-di mechanism 7, and the like.

  In the ink jet printer 1, the recording paper P is transported in the left-right direction in FIG. 1 by the transport mechanism 6 while the ink jet head 2 is reciprocated in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. In conjunction with this, ink is supplied from the holder 4 to which the ink cartridge 3 is mounted via the supply tube 10 to the nozzle 2a of the inkjet head 2, and ink is discharged from the nozzle 2a toward the recording paper P. The recording paper P is printed.

  The purge mechanism 7 can move in a direction approaching / separating from the ink discharge surface and can be attached to the inkjet head 2 so as to cover the ink discharge surface, and suction for sucking ink from the nozzle 2a. A pump 7a is provided. When the ink jet head 2 is out of the printable range for printing on the recording paper P, the air mixed in the ink jet head 2 or easily volatile components is evaporated by the suction pump 7a to increase the viscosity. Ink can be sucked from the nozzle 2a.

  The four holders 4a to 4d are provided in a line, and four ink cartridges 3a to 3d for storing cyan, yellow, magenta, and black ink are mounted on the four holders 4a to 4d, respectively. At the bottom of the holder 4, an ink supply pipe 12 and an air introduction pipe 13 (see FIG. 4) are erected respectively at positions corresponding to an ink supply valve 21 and an air introduction valve 22 of the ink cartridge 3 to be described later. . The holder 4 is also provided with an optical sensor 14 for detecting the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 3. The sensor 14 has a light emitting portion 14a and a light receiving portion 14b attached to face each other so as to sandwich the ink cartridge 3 from both sides at the same height, and light from the light emitting portion 14a is contained in the ink cartridge 3 described later. It is detected whether or not the shutter mechanism 23 is provided to the control unit (not shown) that controls the entire inkjet printer 1.

  Next, the ink cartridge 3 will be described in detail. Since the ink cartridges 3a to 3d for storing four types of ink have the same structure, only one of them will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the ink cartridge 3 includes a cartridge main body 20 that stores ink, and an ink supply valve (ink) that can open and close an ink supply channel that supplies ink in the cartridge main body 20 to the inkjet head 2. The light from the light emitting portion 14a of the sensor 14 that detects the remaining amount of ink, and the air introduction valve (atmospheric valve) 22 that can open and close the air introduction path that introduces air into the cartridge body 20 from the outside. And a cap 24 that covers the lower end of the cartridge body 20.

  The cartridge body 20 is formed of a synthetic resin having light permeability. As shown in FIG. 4, a horizontally extending partition wall 30 is integrally formed in the cartridge main body 20, and the inner wall of the cartridge main body 20 is separated from the upper ink chamber (ink tank) 31 by the partition wall 30. It is partitioned into two valve storage chambers (ink inflow passages) 32 and a valve storage chamber (atmospheric communication path) 33 on the side. The ink chamber 31 is filled with ink of each color, and the ink supply valve (ink valve) 21 and the atmospheric introduction valve (atmospheric valve) 22 are accommodated in the two valve accommodating chambers 32 and 33, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, a protruding portion 34 that protrudes slightly outward is formed at a substantially central position in the height direction of the side wall portion of the cartridge body 20. A light shielding plate 60 of the shutter mechanism 23 to be described later is disposed in the space inside the protruding portion 34. When the ink cartridge 3 is mounted on the holder 4, the protruding portion 34 is sandwiched between the light emitting portion 14 a and the light receiving portion 14 b of the sensor 14. A lid member 35 is welded to the upper end of the cartridge body 20, and the ink chamber 31 in the cartridge body 20 is closed by the lid member 35.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an ink injection hole 36 for injecting ink into the ink chamber 31 of the empty ink cartridge 3 is formed between the two valve storage chambers 32 and 33. It communicates with the ink chamber 31 in the cartridge body 20 through the opening 36a and communicates with the outside through the opening 36b at the lower end. A stopper member (elastic member) 37 made of synthetic rubber is press-fitted into the upper end of the ink injection hole 36. The plug member 37 has a cylindrical shape and seals the opening 36a in the peripheral surface region.

  A cylindrical portion 38 that protrudes downward is integrally formed at a portion of the partition wall 30 that constitutes the ceiling portion of the valve accommodating chamber 32 in which the ink supply valve 21 is accommodated, and at the lower end of the cylindrical portion 38. A thin film portion 39 that closes the communication path formed in the cylindrical portion 38 is provided. On the other hand, two cylindrical portions 40 and 41 projecting upward and downward respectively are integrally formed on the partition wall 30 constituting the ceiling portion of the valve accommodating chamber 33 in which the air introduction valve 22 is accommodated. At the lower end of the cylindrical portion 41 on the side, a thin film portion 42 that closes the communication path formed in the cylindrical portions 40 and 41 is provided. Further, a cylindrical member 43 extending to the upper end portion of the ink chamber 31 is provided on the upper side of the cylindrical portion 40.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the ink supply valve 21 includes a valve body 45 made of synthetic rubber or the like in a substantially cylindrical shape and having elasticity, and a valve body made of synthetic resin housed in the valve body 45. 46. The valve main body 45 is configured by integrally forming an urging portion 47, a valve seat portion 48, and a fitting portion 49, which are arranged in order from the upper side (the ink chamber is on the 31st side).

  The lower surface of the valve body 46 is in contact with the upper surface (the end surface on the ink chamber 31 side) of the valve seat portion 48, and a through hole 48a extending in the vertical direction is formed on the axial center portion of the valve seat portion 48. Is formed. The fitting portion 49 is formed with a guide hole 49a that communicates with the through hole 48a and extends downward. The guide hole 49a is formed in a divergent shape whose diameter increases toward the bottom. An annular groove 49b is formed around the guide hole 49a, and the wall portion forming the guide hole 49a can be easily elastically deformed in the direction in which the guide hole 49a expands in diameter. Therefore, when the ink supply pipe 12 is inserted into the guide hole 49a, the adhesion between the guide hole 49a and the ink supply pipe 12 can be improved to prevent ink leakage as much as possible. Even when the ink supply tube 12 is inserted in an inclined state or a deviated state with respect to the guide hole 49a, the wall portion is deformed in the direction in which the guide hole 49a expands. 49a is securely inserted.

  The urging portion 47 includes a cylindrical side wall portion 47a that rises from the outer peripheral side portion of the valve seat portion 48 to the ink chamber 31 side, and an overhang portion 47b that integrally protrudes radially inward from the upper end of the side wall portion 47a. And have. Since the lower surface of the overhang portion 47b is in contact with the valve body 46, the valve body 46 is urged downward by the elastic force of the side wall portion 47a and the overhang portion 47b. Further, an opening 47c is formed inside the overhanging portion 47b, and the side wall portion 47a and the overhanging portion 47b that are integrally formed can be easily elastically deformed.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the valve body 46 includes a bottom portion 50 that contacts the valve seat portion 48, a cylindrical valve side wall portion 51 that extends from the outer peripheral side portion of the bottom portion 50 toward the ink chamber 31, and a bottom portion. 50 and a break portion 52 that protrudes further toward the ink chamber 31 than the valve side wall portion 51.

  An annular protrusion 50 a that protrudes toward the valve seat portion 48 is formed on the lower surface of the bottom portion 50 (the end surface facing the valve seat portion 48). When the urging portion 47 urges the valve body 46 toward the valve seat portion 48, and the annular protrusion 50 a is in close contact with the upper surface of the valve seat portion 48, the through hole 48 a of the valve seat portion 48 has the valve body. The ink supply channel is closed by being blocked by 46. Furthermore, the space above the valve body 46 and the space below are communicated with each other at a circumferentially equal position in the portion of the bottom 50 on the outer peripheral side of the annular protrusion 50a and the inner peripheral side of the valve side wall 51. A plurality of (for example, eight) communication passages 53 are formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the fracture portion 52 is composed of four plate members 52 a, 52 b, 52 c, and 52 d that are combined in a cross shape in plan view, and stands upright at a substantially central portion of the bottom portion 50. Has been. Further, grooves 54 extending in the vertical direction are formed between the four plate members 52a to 52d. And the fracture | rupture part 52 protrudes upwards through the opening 47c inside the overhang | projection part 47b, and the front-end | tip is arrange | positioned in the position a little lower than the thin film part 39, as shown in FIG.

  When the ink cartridge 3 is mounted in the holder 4, the ink supply pipe 12 provided in the holder 4 is inserted into the guide hole 49a. Then, the valve body 46 is pushed up against the urging force of the urging portion 47 by the tip of the ink supply pipe 12, and the valve body 46 moves upward while deforming the urging portion 47. The protrusion 50 a is separated from the valve seat portion 48. At this time, since the thin film portion 39 is broken by the tip of the breaking portion 52 of the valve body 46 that has moved upward, the ink in the ink chamber 31 flows into the cylindrical portion 38 as shown in FIGS. It flows into the valve storage chamber 32 through the internal communication passage. Further, ink is supplied from the ink supply pipe 12 to the inkjet printer 1 side through the communication passage 53 of the valve body 46.

  Similar to the ink supply valve 21 shown in FIG. 5, the air introduction valve 22 includes a valve main body 45 and a valve body 46 accommodated in the valve main body 45. That is, the valve body 46 urged downward by the urging portion 47 is in close contact with the valve seat portion 48 of the valve main body 45 so that the valve body 46 closes the through hole 48a. When the ink cartridge 3 is attached to the holder 4, the air introduction tube 13 is inserted into the guide hole 49 a formed in the valve body 45, the valve body 46 moves upward, and the tubular portion 41 is moved by the breaking portion 52. The thin film portion 42 is broken. Then, the external atmosphere flows into the valve accommodating chamber 33 from the atmosphere introducing pipe 13 through the communication passage 53 of the valve body 46, and further, the ink chamber through the cylindrical portions 40 and 41 and the internal passage of the cylindrical member 43. Atmosphere is introduced into the upper part of 31.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the shutter mechanism 23 is provided in a lower space of the ink chamber 31, and includes a light shielding plate 60 that does not transmit light, a hollow float 61, a light shielding plate 60, and a float 61. A connecting member 62 to be connected and a support base 63 that is provided above the partition wall 30 and pivotally supports the connecting member 62 are provided. The light shielding plate 60 and the float 61 are provided at both ends of the connecting member 62, respectively, and the connecting member 62 is disposed so as to be swingable in a vertical plane parallel to the paper surface of FIG. It is installed.

  The light shielding plate 60 is a thin plate-like member that is parallel to the vertical surface and has a predetermined area. By the way, in a state where the ink cartridge 3 is mounted on the holder 4, the light emitting portion 14 a and the light receiving portion 14 b of the sensor 14 provided on the holder 4 have the same height as the protruding portion 34 formed on the side wall portion of the cartridge body 20. Located in. When the light shielding plate 60 is located in the space within the protruding portion 34, the light shielding plate 60 has transmitted the ink from the light emitting portion 14 a of the sensor 14 and the wall portion of the translucent cartridge body 20 and the ink chamber 31. It is designed to block light. The float 61 is a cylindrical member filled with air, and the specific gravity of the entire float 61 is smaller than the specific gravity of the ink in the ink chamber 31.

  Accordingly, in a state where the ink remaining amount in the ink chamber 31 is large and the entire float 61 provided at one end of the connecting member 62 is located in the ink, the float 61 floats due to buoyancy and the light shielding provided at the other end. The plate 60 is located at a position (solid line in FIG. 4) that blocks light from the light emitting part 14a in the protruding part. However, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 31 decreases and a part of the float 61 is exposed from the ink surface, the buoyancy acting on the float 61 is reduced and the float 61 is lowered. Then, the light shielding plate 60 moves to a position above the inside of the projecting portion 34, where the light shielding plate 60 does not block the light from the light emitting portion 14a (the position of the chain line in FIG. 4). Instead of being blocked by the plate 60, the ink in the ink chamber 31 is transmitted and received by the light receiving portion 14b. In this way, the sensor 14 detects a state in which the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 31 is low.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the cap 24 is fixed to the cartridge body 20 by ultrasonic welding or the like in a state of covering the lower end portion of the cartridge body 20. Two annular projections 65 projecting downward are formed at positions corresponding to the ink supply valve 21 and the air introduction valve 22 at the bottom of the cap 24, respectively, when the ink cartridge 3 is placed on a desk or the like. Ink near the inlets of the ink supply valve 21 and the air introduction valve 22 is less likely to adhere to the surface of the desk.

  Next, an ink filling method for filling ink into the ink cartridge 3 in which the ink chamber 31 has been emptied due to consumption of ink will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 7, the ink cartridge 3 in which the ink chamber 31 is empty is removed from the holder 4. In order to prevent ink from flowing into the valve accommodating chamber 33 via the cylindrical member 43 when the ink chamber 31 is filled with ink, the ink cartridge 3 is provided with an opening on the side of the cylindrical member 43 that communicates with the ink chamber 31. Place it up (placement step). Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the atmosphere communication pipe 13 a separately prepared in the guide hole 49 a of the atmosphere introduction valve 22 is inserted in the direction of the arrow 101 to open the atmosphere introduction valve 22 (valve operation process). Further, the plug member 37 arranged so as to seal the opening 36a of the ink injection hole 36 is arranged in the vicinity of the opening 36b while being separated from the opening 36a in the direction of the arrow 102 (separating step).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the injection needle 75 of the ink injector is inserted in the direction of the arrow 103 with respect to the plug member 37 so that the injection needle 75 is exposed from the planar area of the plug member 37. At this time, the injection needle 75 is inserted until the ink discharge port 75a formed near the tip of the injection needle 75 is positioned on the ink chamber 31 side with respect to the plug member 37 (ink injection preparation step). Next, the ink injector is operated to start the ink injection into the cartridge body 20. As shown in FIG. 10, the injected ink passes through the internal passage of the injection needle 75, passes through the plug member 37, and is discharged from the ink discharge port 75 a into the ink injection hole 36. Further, the injected ink flows into the ink chamber 31 from the opening 36a of the ink injection hole 36 (arrow 104). At this time, as indicated by an arrow 105, the air in the ink chamber 31 is discharged to the outside through the atmosphere introduction valve 22 and the atmosphere communication pipe 13a in accordance with the amount of injected ink. When the ink chamber 31 is filled with ink, the ink injection by the ink injector is stopped (ink injection process). The ink filling amount at this time is such an amount that the liquid level of the ink is close to the opening of the cylindrical member 43 in the ink chamber 31, and even if the liquid level of the ink rises in the next sealing step, the opening It is an amount that does not get over.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the injection needle 75 is pulled out from the plug member 37. At this time, the through hole of the plug member 37 formed by inserting the injection needle 75 is closed by its own elastic force. Thereafter, the plug member 37 disposed in the vicinity of the opening 36b is moved to the upper end of the ink injection hole 36 in the direction of the arrow 106 so as to seal the opening 36a on the peripheral surface (encapsulation step). When the sealing of the opening 36a is completed, the atmosphere communication pipe 13a is pulled out from the guide hole 49a of the atmosphere introduction valve 22, the atmosphere introduction valve 22 is closed, and ink filling is completed.

  According to the first embodiment described above, the ink chamber 31 can be easily filled with ink without processing the cartridge body 20. In addition, since the cartridge body 20 can be repeatedly filled with ink, the running cost can be reduced by reusing the cartridge body 20.

  Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, since the plug member 37 is separated from the opening 36a by the separation step, the ink can be easily injected into the ink injection hole 36 on the ink chamber 31 side with respect to the plug member 37.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, in the plug member 37, the opening 36a is sealed in the peripheral area, and the injection needle 75 of the ink injector is exposed in the plane area. Even when the planar region of the plug member 37 is fatigued after being inserted, ink leakage from the ink injection hole 36 can be prevented in the peripheral surface region that is not fatigued. Thereby, the number of ink fillings of the ink cartridge 3 can be increased, and the running cost can be further reduced.

  Furthermore, since the air communication tube 13a is pulled out after the sealing step of the plug member 37, no pressure remains in the cartridge body 20 that makes the ink meniscus in the nozzle 2a unstable. This contributes to a stable supply of ink.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, only the ink filling method is different from that in the first embodiment. Therefore, the configuration of the ink cartridge 3 to be used is denoted by the same reference numeral as that in the first embodiment. The description is omitted.

  An ink filling method for filling the ink cartridge 3 in which the ink chamber 31 has been emptied after the ink has been consumed will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 12, the ink cartridge 3 in which the ink chamber 31 is empty is removed from the holder 4. Similar to the first embodiment, the ink cartridge 3 is disposed with the opening of the cylindrical member 43 facing upward (arrangement step). The opposite end portion of the pump pipe 91a to which the pump 91 is connected to the other end of the guide hole 49a of the atmosphere introduction valve 22 of the removed ink cartridge 3 is inserted in the direction of arrow 101A to open the atmosphere introduction valve 22 (valve Operation process). Further, the plug member 37 disposed so as to seal the opening 36a of the ink injection hole 36 is spaced apart from the opening 36a in the direction of the arrow 102A and is disposed in the vicinity of the opening 36b (separation step). Then, the pump 91 is driven to suck the air in the ink chamber 31 and reduce the pressure to a predetermined pressure (decompression step). When the decompression of the ink chamber 31 is completed, the pump pipe 91a is pulled out from the guide hole 49a.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the injection needle 75 </ b> A connected to a filling ink tank (not shown) is moved in the direction of the arrow 103 </ b> A with respect to the plug member 37 so that the injection needle 75 </ b> A is exposed from the planar region of the plug member 37. Insert into. At this time, the injection needle 75A is inserted until the ink discharge port 75aA formed near the tip of the injection needle 75A is positioned on the ink chamber 31 side with respect to the plug member 37 (ink injection preparation step). Since the ink chamber 31 is depressurized, as shown in FIG. 14, the ink in the filling ink tank passes through the internal passage of the injection needle 75A, passes through the plug member 37, and enters the ink injection hole 36 from the ink discharge port 75aA. Discharged. Further, the injected ink flows into the ink chamber 31 from the opening 36a of the ink injection hole 36 (arrow 104A). When the ink chamber 31 is filled with ink, the inside of the ink chamber 31 reaches a predetermined pressure, and ink injection stops (ink injection step). In the present embodiment, ink injection is stopped while the inside of the ink chamber 31 is in a negative pressure state.

  Next, the injection needle 75A is pulled out from the plug member 37. At this time, the through hole of the plug member 37 formed by inserting the injection needle 75A is closed by its own elastic force. Thereafter, the plug member 37 disposed in the vicinity of the opening 36b is moved to the upper end of the ink injection hole 36 in the direction of the arrow 106 so as to seal the opening 36a (encapsulation process), and ink filling is completed.

  According to the second embodiment described above, the ink chamber 31 can be easily filled with ink without processing the cartridge body 20.

  In this embodiment, the ink injection is stopped while the ink chamber 31 is still in a negative pressure state. Thereby, dissolution of air in the ink can be suppressed, which contributes to keeping the ink ejection characteristics stable over the long term.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, since only the ink filling method is different from that in the first embodiment, the configuration of the ink cartridge 3 to be used is denoted by the same reference numeral as that in the first embodiment. The description is omitted.

  An ink filling method for filling the ink cartridge 3 in which the ink chamber 31 is emptied after the ink is consumed will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 15, the ink cartridge 3 in which the ink chamber 31 is empty is removed from the holder 4. The removed ink cartridge 3 is disposed with the valve storage chamber 32 facing upward so that the ink does not flow into the valve storage chamber 32 when the ink chamber 31 is filled with ink (arrangement process). Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the air communication pipe 13aB separately prepared in the guide hole 49a of the ink supply valve 21 is inserted in the direction of the arrow 101B to open the ink supply valve 21 (valve operation step). Further, the plug member 37 arranged so as to seal the opening 36a of the ink injection hole 36 is arranged in the vicinity of the opening 36b while being separated from the opening 36a in the direction of the arrow 102B (separation step).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the injection needle 75 of the ink injector is inserted in the direction of the arrow 103 </ b> B with respect to the plug member 37 so that the injection needle 75 is exposed from the planar region of the plug member 37. At this time, the injection needle 75 is inserted until the ink discharge port 75a formed near the tip of the injection needle 75 is positioned on the ink chamber 31 side with respect to the plug member 37 (ink injection preparation step). Next, the ink injector is operated to start the ink injection into the ink chamber 31. As shown in FIG. 18, the injected ink passes through the internal passage of the injection needle 75, passes through the plug member 37, and is discharged into the ink injection hole 36 from the ink discharge port 75a. Further, the ink ejected from the ink ejection port 75a flows into the ink chamber 31 from the opening 36a of the ink injection hole 36 (arrow 104B). At this time, as indicated by an arrow 105B, the air in the ink chamber 31 is discharged to the outside through the ink supply valve 21 in accordance with the amount of injected ink. When the ink chamber 31 is filled with ink, the ink injection by the ink injector is stopped (ink injection process).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the injection needle 75 is pulled out from the plug member 37. At this time, the through hole of the plug member 37 formed by inserting the injection needle 75 is closed by its own elastic force. Thereafter, the plug member 37 disposed in the vicinity of the opening 36b is moved to the lower end of the ink injection hole 36 in the direction of the arrow 106B so as to seal the opening 36a (encapsulation step). When the sealing of the opening 36a is completed, the atmospheric communication pipe 13aB is pulled out from the guide hole 49a of the ink supply valve 21, the ink supply valve 21 is closed, and ink filling is completed.

  According to the third embodiment described above, the ink chamber 31 can be easily filled with ink without processing the cartridge body 20. In the present embodiment, by filling the ink so as to flow out from the atmosphere communication pipe 13aB, almost the entire volume in the ink chamber 31 can be filled with the ink, and the filling efficiency is high.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fourth embodiment, only the ink filling method is different from that in the first embodiment. Therefore, the configuration of the ink cartridge 3 to be used is denoted by the same reference numeral as that in the first embodiment. The description is omitted.

  An ink filling method for filling ink into the ink cartridge 3 in which the ink chamber 31 has been emptied due to consumption of ink will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the ink cartridge 3 in which the ink chamber 31 is empty is removed from the holder 4. The removed ink cartridge 3 is arranged with the opening 36a of the ink injection hole 36 facing upward so that the ink does not flow into the ink injection hole 36 when the ink is filled (arrangement step: see FIG. 15). Next, as shown in FIG. 20, the plug member 37 disposed so as to seal the opening 36a of the ink injection hole 36 is disposed in the vicinity of the opening 36b while being spaced apart from the opening 36a in the direction of the arrow 102C (see FIG. 20). Separation step).

  Next, the communication needle 13 </ b> C for communicating with the atmosphere is inserted in the direction of the arrow 101 </ b> C with respect to the plug member 37 so that the communication needle 13 </ b> C is exposed from the planar area of the plug member 37. At this time, the communication needle 13C is inserted until the communication port 13aC formed in the vicinity of the tip of the communication needle 13C is positioned on the ink chamber 31 side with respect to the plug member 37. Further, the injection needle 75 of the ink injector is inserted in the direction of the arrow 103 </ b> C with respect to the plug member 37 so that the injection needle 75 is exposed from the planar region of the plug member 37. At this time, the injection needle 75 is inserted until the ink discharge port 75a formed near the tip of the injection needle 75 is positioned on the ink chamber 31 side with respect to the plug member 37 (ink injection preparation step). Next, the ink injector is operated to start the ink injection into the ink chamber 31. As shown in FIG. 21, the injected ink passes through the internal passage of the injection needle 75, passes through the plug member 37, and is injected into the ink injection hole 36 from the ink discharge port 75a. Further, the ink thus injected flows into the ink chamber 31 from the opening 36a of the ink injection hole 36 (arrow 104C). At this time, as indicated by an arrow 105C, the air in the ink chamber 31 flows to the outside through the internal passage of the communication needle 13C according to the amount of injected ink. When the ink chamber 31 is filled with ink, the ink injection by the ink injector is stopped (ink injection process).

  Next, the communication needle 13 </ b> C and the injection needle 75 are pulled out from the plug member 37. At this time, the through hole of the plug member 37 formed by inserting the communication needle 13C and the injection needle 75 is closed by its own elastic force. Thereafter, the plug member 37 disposed in the vicinity of the opening 36b is moved to the lower end of the ink injection hole 36 so as to seal the opening 36a, and the ink filling is completed (see a sealing process: FIG. 19).

  According to the fourth embodiment described above, the ink chamber 31 can be easily filled with ink without processing the cartridge body 20.

  In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the communication port 13aC is disposed in the vicinity of the plug member 37 and the ink discharge port 75a is disposed in the vicinity of the opening 36a when ink is injected. Thereby, the amount of ink injected into the ink chamber 31 can be increased.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fifth embodiment, since only the ink filling method is different from that in the first embodiment, the configuration of the ink cartridge 3 to be used is denoted by the same reference numeral as that in the first embodiment. The description is omitted.

  An ink filling method for filling ink into the ink cartridge 3 in which the ink chamber 31 has been emptied due to consumption of ink will be described with reference to FIG. First, the ink cartridge 3 in which the ink chamber 31 is empty is removed from the holder 4. The removed ink cartridge 3 is arranged with the opening 36a of the ink injection hole 36 facing upward so that the ink does not flow into the ink injection hole 36 when the ink is filled (arrangement step: see FIG. 15). Next, as shown in FIG. 22, the plug member 37 disposed so as to seal the opening 36a of the ink injection hole 36 is removed (elastic member removing step). Then, the ink stored in the filling ink tank 92 is directly injected from the opening 36b of the ink injection hole 36 from which the plug member 37 has been removed. The injected ink flows down from the opening 36a of the ink injection hole 36 into the ink chamber 31 (ink injection process). Next, the plug member 37 is disposed at the upper end of the ink injection hole 36 so as to seal the opening 36a, thereby completing the ink filling (sealing step: see FIG. 19). The removed plug member 37 may be used again, or a new one may be used.

  According to the fifth embodiment described above, the ink chamber 31 can be easily filled with ink without processing the cartridge body 20.

  In the first to fifth embodiments, the ink injection hole 36 has a cylindrical shape, but the shape of the ink injection hole is not limited to this. Hereinafter, a modified example of the ink injection hole will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 23, an ink injection hole 36 </ b> E that extends vertically for injecting ink into the empty ink chamber 31 is formed between the two valve storage chambers 32 and 33. As shown in FIG. 24, a stepped portion 36cE is formed in the middle of the ink injection hole 36E, and the ink injection hole 36E is a large-diameter hole portion on the inlet side with the stepped portion 36cE as a boundary. 36dE and a small-diameter hole portion 36eE having a smaller diameter than the large-diameter hole portion 36dE. Both the large-diameter hole portion 36dE and the small-diameter hole portion 36eE are formed in a straight shape in which the hole diameter does not change.

  An opening for communicating the ink injection hole 36E and the ink chamber 31 formed in the cartridge main body 20 near the ridge where the side wall surface and the back end surface intersect at the tip of the small diameter hole 36eE of the ink injection hole 36E. 36aE is formed. The small diameter hole portion 36eE of the ink injection hole 36E is press-fitted with a resilient rubber-made plug member 37E, and the upper end surface of the plug member 37E is in contact with the back end surface of the small diameter hole portion 36eE. . Therefore, the opening 36aE formed at the corner of the tip is securely sealed by the plug member 37E.

  According to this modification, when the stopper member 37E is moved to the small diameter hole portion 36eE in the sealing process at the time of ink filling, the outer periphery of the stopper member 37E is compressed, so that the injection needle 75 is inserted many times. Even if there is a gap at the insertion site of the plug member 37E, the density of the plug member 37E can be increased and the opening 36aE can be reliably sealed.

  In this modified example, it is effective to form the tip of the small-diameter hole 36eE in a tapered truncated cone shape from the viewpoint of further improving the sealing performance by the plug member 37E.

  In addition, in the first to fifth embodiments and modifications, from the viewpoint of providing an ink cartridge having excellent long-term storage stability and stable ink ejection characteristics, after ink filling is completed, It is preferable to add in common a step of opening at least one of the ink supply valve 21 or the air introduction valve 22 to further reduce the inside of the ink chamber 31 to a negative pressure. As a result, most of the air remaining in the ink chamber 31 and each flow path can be removed, and the air is hardly dissolved in the ink. Therefore, even when used after long-term storage, the air is deaerated. Thus, ink in a state where no bubbles are generated can be supplied to the inkjet head 2.

  Although the first to fifth embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made as long as they are described in the claims. is there. For example, in the first embodiment, the plug member 37 is movable between the opening 36a and the opening 36b in the ink injection hole 36. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. The plug member 37 may not be moved.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the opening 36a is sealed in the peripheral surface region of the plug member 37, and the injection needle 75 is exposed from the planar region of the plug member 37. However, the configuration is limited to such a configuration. Instead, the opening 36 a may be sealed in the peripheral surface region of the plug member 37, and the injection needle 75 may be exposed from the peripheral surface region of the plug member 37, or the opening 36 a may be formed in the planar region of the plug member 37. The injection needle 75 may be configured to be sealed and exposed from the planar region of the plug member 37.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, in the ink injection preparation step, the injection needle is such that the ink discharge port 75 a formed near the end of the injection needle 75 is positioned on the ink chamber 31 side with respect to the plug member 37. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and may be a configuration in which the injection needle 75 is inserted so that the ink discharge port 75 a is directly positioned in the ink chamber 31.

It is a schematic block diagram of the inkjet printer with which the ink cartridge with which the ink filling method which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention was performed was mounted | worn. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the ink cartridge illustrated in FIG. 1, in which FIG. 1A is a plan view, FIG. 1B is a left side view, and FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1 from the downward direction. It is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the ink supply valve shown in FIG. 4, in which (a) is a closed state, and (b) is a opened state. It is a perspective view of the valve body shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which showed the state of the ink cartridge in the arrangement | positioning process of the ink filling method which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the state of the ink cartridge in the valve | bulb operation process of the ink filling method which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and a separation process. It is sectional drawing which showed the state of the ink cartridge in the ink injection preparation process of the ink filling method which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the state of the ink cartridge in the ink injection | pouring process of the ink filling method which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the state of the ink cartridge in the sealing process of the ink filling method which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the state of the ink cartridge in the separation process of the ink filling method which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and a pressure reduction process. It is sectional drawing which showed the state of the ink cartridge in the ink injection preparation process of the ink filling method which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the state of the ink cartridge in the ink injection | pouring process of the ink filling method which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the state of the ink cartridge in the arrangement | positioning process of the ink filling method which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the state of the ink cartridge in the valve operation process of the ink filling method which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and a separation process. It is sectional drawing which showed the state of the ink cartridge in the ink injection preparation process of the ink filling method which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the state of the ink cartridge in the ink injection | pouring process of the ink filling method which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the state of the ink cartridge in the sealing process of the ink filling method which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the state of the ink cartridge in the ink injection preparation process of the ink filling method which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the state of the ink cartridge in the ink injection | pouring process of the ink filling method which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the state of the ink cartridge in the ink injection | pouring process of the ink filling method which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the modification of the ink cartridge in 1st-6th embodiment. It is an enlarged view of the circular part shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

3 Ink Cartridge 20 Cartridge Main Body 21 Ink Supply Valve 23 Air Introducing Valve 31 Ink Chamber 36 Ink Injection Hole 36a Opening 36d Tip 37 Plug Member 75 Injection Needle 75a Ink Ejection Port

Claims (9)

An ink outflow passage for discharging the ink stored therein, an air communication passage communicating with the atmosphere, an ink tank having an ink inflow passage for flowing in ink, an ink valve for opening and closing the ink outflow passage; An ink filling method for filling ink into an ink cartridge comprising an atmospheric valve for opening and closing the atmospheric communication path and an elastic member sealing the ink inflow channel,
An arrangement step of arranging the ink cartridge so that the ink does not flow into the atmosphere communication path when the ink tank is filled with ink;
A valve operation step of opening the atmospheric valve;
An ink injection preparation in which an ink injection tube for injecting ink passes through the elastic member and at least an ink discharge port provided in the ink injection tube is positioned on the ink tank side with respect to the elastic member Process,
And an ink injection step of injecting ink from the ink injection tube into the ink tank. An ink outflow passage for discharging the ink stored therein, an air communication passage communicating with the atmosphere, an ink tank having an ink inflow passage for flowing in ink, an ink valve for opening and closing the ink outflow passage; An ink filling method for filling ink into an ink cartridge comprising an atmospheric valve for opening and closing the atmospheric communication path and an elastic member sealing the ink inflow channel,
A pressure reducing step for reducing the pressure in the ink tank;
An ink injection preparation in which an ink injection tube for injecting ink passes through the elastic member and at least an ink discharge port provided in the ink injection tube is positioned on the ink tank side with respect to the elastic member Process,
And an ink injection step of injecting ink from the ink injection tube into the ink tank. An ink outflow passage for discharging the ink stored therein, an air communication passage communicating with the atmosphere, an ink tank having an ink inflow passage for flowing in ink, an ink valve for opening and closing the ink outflow passage; An ink filling method for filling ink into an ink cartridge comprising an atmospheric valve for opening and closing the atmospheric communication path and an elastic member sealing the ink inflow channel,
An arrangement step of arranging the ink cartridge so that the ink does not flow into the ink outflow passage when the ink tank is filled with ink;
A valve operation step of opening the ink valve;
An ink injection preparation in which an ink injection tube for injecting ink passes through the elastic member and at least an ink discharge port provided in the ink injection tube is positioned on the ink tank side with respect to the elastic member Process,
And an ink injection step of injecting ink from the ink injection tube into the ink tank. A separation step of separating the elastic member from the opening when the elastic member is arranged to seal the opening in the ink tank in the ink inflow channel;
In the ink injection preparation step, the ink injection pipe passes through the elastic member, and at least an ink discharge port provided in the ink injection pipe is disposed on the ink inflow channel side with respect to the elastic member. The ink filling method according to claim 1, wherein the ink filling method is performed. After the ink injection step, further comprising a sealing step of arranging the elastic member so as to seal the opening;
In the ink injection preparation step, the surface of the elastic member that exposes the ink injection tube is different from the surface region of the elastic member that seals the opening in the sealing step. The ink filling method according to claim 4, wherein the ink filling method is arranged. An ink outflow passage for discharging the ink stored therein, an air communication passage communicating with the atmosphere, an ink tank having an ink inflow passage for flowing in ink, an ink valve for opening and closing the ink outflow passage; An ink filling method for filling ink into an ink cartridge comprising an atmospheric valve for opening and closing the atmospheric communication path and an elastic member sealing the ink inflow channel,
An ink injection tube for injecting ink passes through the elastic member, and at least an ink discharge port provided in the ink injection tube is disposed on the ink tank side with respect to the elastic member, The atmosphere communication pipe for communicating with the air communication pipe is arranged such that at least a tip portion of the atmosphere communication pipe penetrates the elastic member and a communication port provided in the atmosphere communication pipe is positioned closer to the ink tank than the elastic member. An ink injection preparation step disposed in
And an ink injection step of injecting ink from the ink injection tube into the ink tank. A separation step of separating the elastic member from the opening when the elastic member is arranged to seal the opening in the ink tank in the ink inflow channel;
In the ink injection preparation step, the ink injection pipe penetrates the elastic member, and at least an ink discharge port provided in the ink injection pipe is positioned inside the ink inflow channel with respect to the elastic member. And the atmosphere communication pipe passes through the elastic member, and at least a communication port provided in the atmosphere communication pipe is located inside the ink inflow channel with respect to the elastic member. The ink filling method according to claim 6. After the ink injection step, further comprising a sealing step of arranging the elastic member so as to seal the opening;
In the ink injection preparation step, the surface region of the elastic member that exposes the ink injection tube and the atmosphere communication tube is different from the surface region of the elastic member that seals the opening in the sealing step. The ink filling method according to claim 7, wherein the ink injection tube is disposed. An ink outflow passage for discharging the ink stored therein, an air communication passage communicating with the atmosphere, an ink tank having an ink inflow passage for flowing in ink, an ink valve for opening and closing the ink outflow passage; An ink filling method for filling ink into an ink cartridge comprising an atmospheric valve for opening and closing the atmospheric communication path and an elastic member sealing the ink inflow channel,
An arrangement step of arranging the ink cartridge so that the ink does not flow into the ink inflow passage when the ink tank is filled with ink;
An elastic member removing step of removing the elastic member;
An ink injection step of injecting ink from the opening of the ink inflow channel;
And a sealing step for sealing the ink inflow channel.

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