JP2006035481A - Liquid container for liquid drop ejector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid container in which liquid does not remain in a liquid pack and an enclosed structure is not required, and to provide a liquid container in which residual quantity of liquid can be checked. <P>SOLUTION: When a link member 75 pivots on a second pivot portion 82, as a fulcrum, a first pivot portion 81 moves in the direction for crushing an ink pack 71. A push plate 73 pivoted on the first pivot portion 81 crushes the entire ink pack uniformly while abutting against the ink pack 71 formed of a flexible material. Consequently, ink is supplied to the recording head side without remaining in the ink pack 71. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container that is used in, for example, an ink jet recording apparatus and configured to supply a liquid such as ink to a recording head side. Specifically, the present invention relates to a crushing structure of a liquid pack that prevents liquid from remaining in a liquid pack in which liquid such as ink is sealed.

  An ink jet recording apparatus, which is one of liquid droplet ejection apparatuses, has recently been used to output image data taken with a digital camera or the like as printed matter on a printing paper because it can form small dots with high density. . Such an ink jet recording apparatus generally includes a recording head mounted on a carriage for ejecting droplets that move in the width direction of the printing paper, and the printing paper in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the recording head. A paper feeding means for relatively moving is provided. Printing is performed by ejecting liquids such as ink as droplets from the recording head while performing paper feed and performing the processing necessary to form dots such as rasterization and halftone processing based on the image data to be printed. Printing is performed by forming dots on the paper.

  Such an ink jet recording apparatus usually includes an ink cartridge for supplying, for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks adjacent to or integrally with a recording head mounted on a carriage. However, when printing a relatively large amount, for example, for offices, a large-capacity ink cartridge is required to stably supply ink. When such a large-capacity ink cartridge is used, there are problems of space and weight, and it is difficult to provide the ink cartridge on the recording head side.

  In view of this, conventionally, there has been provided a recording apparatus in which the ink cartridge is separated from the recording head side, and the ink cartridge is loaded into a cartridge holder disposed on the main body side of the recording apparatus, for example. In such a recording apparatus, a sub tank is arranged on a carriage on which a recording head is mounted, and ink is supplied from each ink cartridge to each sub tank via an ink supply tube, and each recording head is further supplied from each sub tank. Is configured to supply ink.

  However, when ink is supplied through such an ink supply tube, it becomes difficult for the ink in each ink tube to flow due to the length of the ink tube, and there is a problem that the amount of ink supply to the sub tank is insufficient. Resulting in.

  As one means for solving such a problem, forcible ink flow is generated from the ink cartridge to the sub tank by the air pressure applied in the ink cartridge, and necessary and sufficient ink is supplied to the sub tank. Has been done. At this time, since a predetermined pressure is applied to the ink cartridge, there is a feature that even if this pressure is received, there is no leakage of air pressure, no deformation of the case constituting the outer shell of the ink cartridge, and the assembly is simplified. An ink cartridge having the above-described configuration is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

JP 2001-212973 A

  However, in the ink cartridge disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the ink pack is pressed against the rib provided to prevent the deformation of the case by air pressure, the ink is trapped between the ribs. For this reason, there is a problem that a considerable amount of ink remains in the ink pack without being supplied to the sub tank. In some cases, the air pressure does not uniformly pressurize the ink pack. At this time, the ink pack is not uniformly crushed and ink remains in the peripheral portion of the ink pack.

  Further, in such an ink cartridge having a sealed structure, it is difficult to visually confirm the collapse state of the ink pack normally accommodated inside. Therefore, there is a problem that it is impossible to check the remaining amount of ink in the ink pack, and it is difficult to appropriately replace the ink cartridge.

  Furthermore, in order to replenish ink to the recording head, it is necessary to reliably prevent leakage of air pressure. For this reason, whether or not the case is completely sealed is determined by actually applying air pressure after the case is welded. There was also a problem that had to be confirmed.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first object of the present invention made to solve at least a part of such problems is to provide an ink cartridge that does not leave ink in an ink pack and does not require a sealing structure. A second object of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge capable of checking the remaining amount of ink.

  A liquid container for a droplet discharge device of the present invention that achieves the above object is a liquid container used in a droplet discharge device configured to supply a liquid to the droplet discharge head side, and the liquid is contained inside A liquid pack that is sealed and formed of a flexible material, a case that stores the liquid pack, a pressing plate that contacts the liquid pack, and a link member, the link member rotating with the pressing plate. It has the 1st axial support part supported by the axis | shaft so that a movement was possible, and the 2nd axial support part supported by the said case so that rotation was possible, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to such a liquid container for a droplet discharge device, when the link member rotates around the second shaft support portion, the first shaft support portion moves in the direction of crushing the liquid pack. The push plate pivotally supported by the first pivot support portion crushes the entire liquid pack evenly while being in contact with the liquid pack formed of a flexible material. As a result, the liquid is supplied to the liquid droplet ejection head side without remaining in the liquid pack.

  Alternatively, the liquid pack includes a supply port for supplying the liquid to the liquid discharge device, and the first shaft support portion is located farther than the second shaft support portion with respect to the supply port. It may be provided.

  For example, the position of the second shaft support portion is set to the vicinity of the supply port, and the first shaft support portion is provided at substantially the end position of the liquid pack farthest from the supply port. If it carries out like this, a liquid pack will be crushed sequentially from the edge part side of a liquid pack by a push plate. Therefore, it is difficult for the liquid to remain in the liquid pack.

  Moreover, the said link member is arrange | positioned in the position along a pair of side which the said push plate opposes, and is good also as being inserted between the said liquid pack and the said case. In this way, even if the link member rotates with the second shaft support portion as a fulcrum, it can be smoothly rotated without interfering with the liquid pack.

  Here, the pressing plate may be pressed at a predetermined position by a pressing unit. If it carries out like this, by pressurizing the predetermined position of a press plate with a pressurization means, rotation of the link member which used the 2nd axial support part as a fulcrum, and rotation of the push plate which used the 1st support part as a fulcrum Will occur. As a result, the push plate crushes the entire liquid pack while contacting the liquid pack. Therefore, it is difficult for the liquid to remain in the liquid pack.

  Furthermore, the pressing position of the pressing plate by a predetermined pressing means may be a position closer to the position of the first shaft support portion than the position of the second shaft support portion. In this case, the rotation of the link member with the second shaft support as a fulcrum takes priority over the rotation of the push plate with the first shaft support as a fulcrum, because of the rotational moment generated by the pressure applied by the pressurizing means. Occur. As a result, the liquid pack is crushed earlier by the push plate as the position is farther from the supply port, and the liquid pack is crushed sequentially from the end. Accordingly, the liquid is less likely to remain in the liquid pack.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said push plate further has an engaging part engaged with the said case so that fitting / detaching is possible. In this way, while the engaging portion is engaged by fitting with the case, the push plate is restrained from moving by the engaging portion, so when the link member rotates around the second shaft support portion, The push plate securely crushes the liquid pack from the end of the liquid pack. Then, after the engaging portion is disengaged from the case and disengaged, the push plate rotates around the first shaft support portion to crush the entire liquid pack. As a result, the liquid can be supplied to the liquid droplet ejection head side without leaving the liquid in the liquid pack.

  Moreover, the said push plate is good also as at least one part of the said push plate protruding from the outline of the said case. If it carries out like this, according to rotation of the link member which made the 2nd axial support part the fulcrum, when a push plate moves while crushing a liquid pack, a part of protruded push plate will also move similarly. That is, the movement state of a part of the protruding push plate represents the crushing state of the liquid pack. Therefore, the remaining amount of liquid can be known by detecting the movement state of a part of the protruding push plate.

  Or when the said link member rotates centering | focusing on a said 2nd axial support part, it is preferable that at least one part of the said push plate protrudes from the outline of the said case. By doing this, it is possible to detect the crushing state of the liquid pack based on whether or not a part of the push plate protrudes from the case, so that it is easy to detect the remaining amount of liquid.

  The present invention is also a liquid droplet ejection apparatus including a liquid droplet ejection head that ejects liquid droplets, wherein the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 8 It is mounted in a state where it can be supplied to the droplet discharge head side.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing an example of an ink jet recording apparatus as a droplet discharge device using a liquid container for a droplet discharge device according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a carriage. The carriage 1 is guided by a scanning guide member 4 via a timing belt 3 driven by a carriage motor 2 and is in the horizontal direction of the drawing, that is, the width direction of the recording paper. It is configured to reciprocate in the scanning direction. Although not shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet recording head 10 as a droplet discharge head described later is mounted on the surface of the carriage 1 that faces the recording paper.

  In the present embodiment, the carriage 1 is equipped with four sub tanks 6 a to 6 d for supplying ink as a liquid to the recording head 10. The sub tanks 6a to 6d temporarily store each ink therein.

  In each of the sub tanks 6a to 6d, ink is supplied from the ink cartridges 7a to 7d as liquid containers loaded in the cartridge holder 5 disposed in the recording apparatus main body through flexible ink supply tubes 8, 8,. Is supplied. Ink cartridges 7a to 7d contain ink packs filled with black, yellow, magenta and cyan inks, and each ink is supplied from the ink pack to sub tanks 6a to 6d. Function as. As described above, the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is equipped with an ink supply system that supplies ink to the recording head 10. The structure of the ink cartridges 7a to 7d will be described later.

  Next, FIG. 2 schematically shows a configuration of an ink supply system mounted on the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and in this ink supply system, corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference numerals. It explains together.

  In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes an air pressurizing pump constituting a pressurizing unit, and the air pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 11 passes through a pressure regulating valve 12 and a pressure detector 13. The air pressure supply tube 9 supplies the ink pack pressure device 20 (not shown in FIG. 1) provided separately from the ink cartridge. Then, the ink pack pressurizing device 20 represents each of the above-described ink cartridges 7a to 7d (represented by reference numeral 7 representatively in FIG. In some cases, the ink packs stored in each are pressurized with a predetermined pressure, and ink is supplied to the sub tank.

  When the air pressure pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 11 reaches a predetermined value or more, the pressure adjusting valve 12 releases the pressure and maintains the pressure applied by each ink pack pressurizing device 20 within a predetermined range. It has a function.

  The pressure detector 13 detects the air pressure pressurized by the air pressurization pump 11 and functions to control the drive of the air pressurization pump 11. That is, when it is detected that the air pressure pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 11 has reached a predetermined pressure, the driving of the air pressurizing pump 11 is stopped and the air pressure is determined by the pressure detector 13. When it is detected that the pressure has become lower than the pressure, the air pressurization pump 11 is controlled to be driven, and by repeating this, the ink pack pressurization device 20 applies pressure to the ink pack stored in the ink cartridge 7. It functions to maintain the pressure within a predetermined range. The detailed structure of the ink pack pressure device 20 will be described later.

  The ink pressurized in each of the ink cartridges 7a to 7d is sub-tanks 6a to 6d (represented in FIG. 2) mounted on the carriage 1 through the respective ink supply valves 15 and the respective ink supply tubes 8. In the following description, the reference numeral 6 may be used as a representative example.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a float member 31 is disposed inside the sub tank 6, and a permanent magnet 32 is attached to a part of the float member 31. Magnetoelectric conversion elements 33 a and 33 b typified by Hall elements are attached to the substrate 34 and are attached to the side walls of the sub tank 6.

  According to this configuration, the magnetoelectric conversion elements 33 a and 33 b generate an electrical output according to the magnetic force dose by the permanent magnet 32 disposed on the float member 31. That is, the ink amount detecting means is configured to generate an electrical output according to the floating position of the float member 31.

  Therefore, for example, when the amount of ink in the sub tank 6 decreases, the position of the float member 31 accommodated in the sub tank moves in the direction of gravity, and accordingly, the position of the permanent magnet 32 also moves in the direction of gravity. As a result, the electrical output of the magnetoelectric conversion elements 33a and 33b can be sensed as the amount of ink in the sub-tank 6 by the movement of the permanent magnet 32, and the ink output is obtained by the electrical output obtained by the magnetoelectric conversion elements 33a and 33b. The supply valve 15 is opened.

  When the ink supply valve 15 is opened, the ink pressurized in the ink cartridge 7 is individually sent into each sub tank 6 in which the ink amount is reduced. When the ink amount in the sub tank 6 reaches a predetermined capacity, the ink supply valve 15 is closed based on the electrical output of the magnetoelectric conversion elements 33a and 33b. By repeating such an operation, ink is intermittently supplied from the ink cartridge 7 serving as the main tank to the sub tank 6, and almost constant ink is always stored in each sub tank 6.

Each sub tank 6 is configured so that ink is supplied to the recording head 10 via a valve 35 and a tube 36 connected thereto, and an actuator (not shown) provided in the recording head 10 performs printing. By being driven based on the data, the supplied ink is ejected as ink droplets from the nozzle openings 10 a formed on the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 10.

  Next, in the ink jet recording apparatus configured as described above, the structure of the ink cartridge 7 for the recording apparatus used as the main tank and the ink pack pressurizing apparatus 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3A is a plan view of the ink cartridge 7, and FIG. 3B is a side sectional view of the ink cartridge 7 and the ink pack pressurizing device 20.

  The ink case 72 has a substantially box shape made of a resin material or a metal material. In this embodiment, the ink case 72 is composed of two cases, an upper side and a lower side, which are joined together by bonding or welding. The case is configured. Of course, in this embodiment, since the ink cartridge itself is not pressurized with air pressure, the rib as in the conventional example is not required, and the inner surface of the ink case 72 is substantially flat. In the plan view of FIG. 3A, the ink case 72 is shown as a cross-sectional view in order to explain the structure of the ink cartridge 7. A case hole 72 h is provided on the upper side of the ink case 72. The position of the case hole 72h is the pressure position of the ink pack pressure device 20.

  Inside the ink case 72, an ink pack 71 made of a flexible material in which ink is stored, two link members 75, and a push plate 73 are stored. The link member 75 is made of a substantially rod-shaped resin material or metal material. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, one end portion of the link member 75 is supported by a shaft support portion 82 to form an ink case 72. Are connected to the ink case so as to be rotatable. The other end portion is pivotally connected to a substantially square push plate 73 made of a resin material or a metal material by a shaft support portion 81. Moreover, the link member 75 is arrange | positioned in the position which each follows a pair of side which the push board 73 opposes in planar view.

  Each attachment means in the shaft support portions 82 and 81 may use a well-known method such as a method in which one member is projected to form a shaft portion, a method using screws or rivets, and the like.

  The shaft support portion 82 is located on the ink supply port 71 a side of the ink pack 71 and is provided near the bottom surface on the lower side of the inner side wall of the ink case 72. On the other hand, the shaft support portion 81 is located on the side opposite to the ink supply port 71 a and is located substantially near the top surface above the inner side wall of the ink case 72.

  A push plate 73 pivotally supported by the link member 75 at the shaft support portion 81 is positioned between the ink pack 71 and the ink case 72 and is in contact with the ink pack 71. Further, the link member 75 is inserted at a position between the ink pack 71 and the inner side wall of the ink case 72, and the rotation of the link member 75 is prevented by the ink pack 71 when the link member 75 rotates around the shaft support portion 82. It is configured not to be possible.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the ink pack pressurizing device has a pressurizing case 20a, a packing 21, and a pressurizing rod 22, and the pressurizing case 20a has a pneumatic supply tube. 9 is inserted and fixed in a sealed state.

  As apparent from FIG. 3 (b), when pressurized air is supplied through the air pressure supply tube 9, the packing 21 and the pressure case 20a are hermetically sealed, so the pressure rod 22 is shown in the drawing. The air is pushed downward by air pressure, and a predetermined position of the push plate 73 (the position of the case hole 72h shown in FIG. 3A) is pressurized with the applied pressure F.

  Next, how the ink in the ink pack 71 is supplied from the ink supply port 71a by the pressurizing force F indicated by the arrow will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A shows a state when the pressing force F starts to push the pressing plate 73, and FIG. 4B shows a state where the pressing of the pressing force F is in progress and the rotation of the link member 75 is completed. FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram showing the state in which almost no ink is pushed out from the ink pack 71 by the applied pressure F. FIG.

  In FIG. 4A, when the pressing force F pushes the push plate 73, the link member 75 is pivoted more than the rotation moment that the push plate 73 tries to turn counterclockwise on the shaft support portion 81 as a fulcrum. A rotational moment that tends to rotate clockwise with the support 82 as a fulcrum becomes larger. This is because the pressurizing position of the pressurizing force F is set so that the distance from the shaft support 82 is longer than the distance from the shaft support 81. Therefore, prior to the rotation of the push plate 73, the link member 75 rotates in the direction of the arrow indicated by the broken line in the drawing. At this time, the pressing plate 73 is always in contact with the ink pack 71 by the pressure F.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the link member 75 is rotated about the shaft support 82 by the applied pressure F and reaches a position where it contacts the lower inner bottom surface of the ink case 72, The push plate 73 is in a state where the ink pack 71 is crushed from the end opposite to the ink supply port 71a. In other words, the ink pack 71 can be crushed from the end by rotating the link member 75 in advance. This state is also a state in which a predetermined amount of ink in the ink pack 71 is supplied from the ink supply port 71a to the recording head side.

  Thereafter, the link member 75 does not rotate, and the pressing plate 73 rotates while being in contact with the ink pack 71 in the direction of the arrow indicated by the broken line in FIG. Move. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4C, the push plate 73 uniformly pressurizes the ink pack 71 from the end portion and crushes the ink pack 71 so that no ink remains in the ink pack 71.

  As described above, according to the structure of the ink cartridge 7 according to the present embodiment, the ink pack 71 can be uniformly pressurized from the end portion, and therefore, an ink cartridge that does not have the remaining ink as described above can be provided.

  Further, as described with reference to FIG. 3, the ink pack 71 is not directly pressurized by the air pressure, and the ink pack 71 is pressurized by the ink pack pressurizing device 20.

  As described with reference to FIG. 4, when the link member 75 rotates about the shaft support portion 82 and reaches a position where it contacts the lower inner bottom surface of the ink case 72, the ink in the ink pack 71 is discharged. Then, a predetermined amount is supplied from the ink supply port 71a to the recording head. Therefore, it is possible to check the remaining amount of ink by providing an opening in the ink case 72 and detecting the position of the link member 75 or the push plate 73 from the opening.

  As described above, the present invention has been described using the best embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Of course. Hereinafter, a modification will be described.

"First modification"
In the embodiment, as can be seen from the description of FIG. 4, the rotational moment of the push plate 73 with the pivotal support 81 as the fulcrum and the rotational moment of the link member 75 with the pivotal support 82 as the fulcrum are at the position of the applied force F. It depends. Therefore, when the position of the pressurizing force F is close to the shaft support portion 82, the link member 75 may not rotate in advance. Therefore, as a first modification, an engaging portion that engages with the ink case 72 so as to be detachable may be provided on a part of the push plate 73.

  A first modification will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A is a plan view of the ink cartridge 7 according to this modification, and the ink case 72 is shown as a cross-sectional view in the same manner as FIG. 3A in order to explain the internal structure.

  The push plate 73 is provided with an engagement portion 73k on the opposite side to the position of the shaft support portion 81. As shown in FIG. 5B, the engaging portion 73k is fitted to the ink case 72 while forming a planar overlapping portion KS with the case engaging portion 72k provided in the ink case 72. Yes.

  Next, when the pressing plate 73 is pressurized by the pressing force F, the counterclockwise rotation of the pressing plate 73 about the shaft support portion 81 is suppressed by the overlapping portion KS, and conversely, the overlapping portion KS is supported as a fulcrum. As a result, a clockwise rotating moment is generated. As a result, the link member 75 reliably rotates clockwise with the shaft support portion 82 as a fulcrum, and the ink pack 71 is crushed from the end portion.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the pivotal support 81 comes to a position almost in contact with the inner bottom surface of the ink case 72 due to the clockwise rotation of the link member 75, the engaging portion of the push plate 73. 73k disengages from the case engagement portion 72k and disengages. Then, since the pressing plate 73 rotates counterclockwise as indicated by the broken line arrow with the shaft support portion 81 as a fulcrum by the pressure F, the ink pack 71 is crushed so that no ink remains in the ink pack 71. be able to.

"Second modification"
Next, a second modification will be described. In the above embodiment, when the link member 75 rotates about the shaft support portion 82 and reaches a position where it contacts the inner bottom surface of the ink case 72, a predetermined amount of ink is transferred from the ink supply port 71a to the recording head. It has been described that the remaining amount of ink can be measured by detecting the position of the link member 75 or the push plate 73 from the opening provided in the ink case 72 by being supplied. Accordingly, as the ink cartridge according to the second modification, a part of the push plate 73 may be protruded from the ink case 72 in order to make it easier to detect the remaining amount of ink.

  A second modification will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A is a plan view of the ink cartridge 7 according to the present modification, and the ink case 72 is shown as a cross-sectional view as in FIG. 3A in order to explain the internal structure.

  The push plate 73 is provided with a protruding portion 73t on the shaft support portion 81 side. As shown in FIG. 6B, the protrusion 73 t is formed so as to protrude from the outer case of the ink case 72 through an opening (not shown) provided in the ink case 72, and is substantially inside the ink case 72. Located on the top.

  Next, when the pressing plate 73 is pressurized by the pressing force F, the link member 75 is rotated by the pressing force F about the shaft support portion 82 as shown in FIG. In this way, it reaches a position where it contacts the lower inner bottom surface of the ink case 72. At this time, the push plate 73 pushes a predetermined amount of ink from the ink pack 71 to the recording head side from the ink supply port 71a as described above.

  Thereafter, the projecting portion 73 t is positioned substantially on the inner bottom surface on the lower side of the ink case 72. Therefore, when the protrusion 73t comes from the position shown in FIG. 6B to the position shown in FIG. 6C, for example, the protrusion 73t is configured to push a switch or the like (not shown). Thus, the state where a predetermined amount of ink is pushed out can be detected by turning on and off the switch. As a result, if the initial amount of ink stored in the ink pack 71 is known, the remaining amount of ink can be easily detected.

“Third Modification”
In the second modified example, the protrusion 73 t provided on the push plate 73 is configured to always protrude from the initial state where the ink pack 71 is pressurized from the outline of the ink case 72. As a modified example, the protrusion 73 t may be an ink cartridge that does not protrude from the outline of the ink case 72 in the initial pressurization state, that is, in the ink unused state.

  A third modification will be described with reference to FIG. In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 7A, in the initial state in which the pressurizing force F starts to be applied, the protrusion whose length is set to be the longest in the range where it does not protrude from the outline of the ink case 72 is set. A portion 73 t is provided on the push plate 73. Then, when the link member 75 finishes rotating clockwise by the applied pressure F, as shown in FIG. 7B, the protrusion is approximately the protrusion amount LT specified by the length and rotation angle of the link member 75. 73t jumps out of the outline of the ink case 72.

  The amount of ink supplied from the ink pack 71 can be detected by detecting the pop-out amount LT by, for example, optical detection means using laser light. Of course, it is easy to visually determine whether or not the protruding portion 73t has jumped out, and it is possible to detect the remaining amount of ink without providing a separate detecting means.

  Further, in the case of the ink cartridge of the second modified example, the protruding portion 73t protrudes from the outer case of the ink case 72 when the ink is not used. Therefore, when the protrusion 73t is pushed, the push plate 73 pushes the ink pack 71, and the ink is inadvertently pushed out from the ink supply port 71a. In the case of the cartridge, since the protruding portion 73t does not protrude from the ink case 72 when the ink is not used, the ink is not accidentally pushed out.

"Fourth modification"
Next, in the said embodiment, although the press plate 73 was pressurized with the pressurization apparatus using air pressure, it is good also as pressurizing by another means, without using air pressure as a 4th modification. As a fourth modification, for example, a pressure device using a motor may be used.

  FIG. 8 shows a configuration of a pressurizing device in this modification using a motor. Reference numeral 44 denotes a pressurizing body that pressurizes the pressing plate 73 in the same manner as the pressurizing rod 22 described in FIG. The pressurizing body 44 is provided with a gear portion that engages with the worm gear 43. When the worm gear 43 rotates, the pressurizing body 44 moves downward along the guide member (not shown). Then, a pressure plate (not shown) is pressed to crush the ink pack, and ink is supplied to the recording apparatus side. The worm gear 43 is fixed to the rotating shaft of the motor 42 and rotates by the rotation of the motor 42. The motor 42 is driven by a drive circuit 41.

  In this modification, the drive circuit 41 controls the rotational force of the motor 42 so that the pressurizing body 44 pressurizes the push plate with a predetermined pressurizing force. For example, the drive voltage of the motor 42 is controlled so that the rotational torque of the motor 42 becomes a predetermined value. In this way, a force proportional to the rotational torque of the motor 42 is transmitted to the pressurizing body 44 by the worm gear 43, and the pressurizing body 44 can crush the ink pack with a predetermined pressurizing force. Of course, a combination of spur gears instead of worm gears may be used as a method of driving the pressure member 44. Further, the motor 42 may be a normal DC motor, an AC motor, or various motors such as a step motor.

“Fifth Modification”
In the fourth modification and the embodiment, the pressurizing device for pressurizing the ink pack is provided separately from the ink cartridge. However, as a fifth modification, the ink cartridge is not provided with the pressurizing device. A pressure member may be provided inside.

  FIG. 9 shows a fifth modification, in which a weight W having a predetermined weight is fixed to a predetermined position of the push plate 73 by adhesion or the like. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a pressurizing unit such as the pressurizing rod 22 or the pressurizing body 44 outside the ink cartridge, and the pressurizing device as in the above-described embodiment and the fourth modification is not necessary. Thus, the structure of the entire recording apparatus is simplified. Of course, instead of the weight W, a member having a spring property such as a coil spring may be installed between the ink case 72 and the pressing plate 73 and pressurized.

“Sixth Modification”
In the present embodiment and the modification described above, two link members 75 are prepared and arranged at positions along a pair of opposing sides of the push plate 73, but only one of the link members is provided. It is good. By doing so, the structure becomes simple and the ink pack 71 can be made larger.

  In the case where the shaft support portion 81 and the shaft support portion 82 are configured to obtain stable rotation, even if the link member 75 is one on one side, the above-described two link members 75 are provided on both sides. Since it rotates like the case, the link member 75 can be only one side.

“Seventh Modification”
Further, when the ink pack 71 is thick, the rotation angle of the link member 75 becomes large, and the stroke of the pressure rod 22 of the pressure device 20 becomes long. For this reason, there exists a subject that the pressurization apparatus 20 will become large. Therefore, the pressure structure of the ink pack according to the present embodiment may be configured on the top and bottom of the ink pack so as to face each other. In this way, although the number of the push plates 73, the link members 75, or the pressure devices 20 is doubled, it is not necessary to enlarge the pressure device 20.

1 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an ink jet recording apparatus using an ink cartridge for a recording apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of an ink supply system mounted on a recording apparatus according to an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of the ink cartridge in this embodiment, (a) is a top view of an ink cartridge, (b) is a side view of an ink cartridge, and sectional drawing of a pressurization apparatus. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the crushing process of an ink pack. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of the ink cartridge by a 1st modification. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of the ink cartridge by a 2nd modification. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of the ink cartridge by a 3rd modification. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of the pressurization apparatus using a motor in the 4th modification. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of the ink cartridge by a 5th modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Carriage, 2 ... Carriage motor, 3 ... Timing belt, 4 ... Scanning guide member, 5 ... Cartridge holder, 6 ... Sub tank, 6a-6d ... Sub tank, 7 ... Ink cartridge as a liquid container, 7a-7d ... Liquid container 8 ... Ink supply tube, 9 ... Pneumatic supply tube, 10 ... Recording head as droplet discharge head, 10a ... Nozzle opening, 11 ... Air pressure pump, 12 ... Pressure adjustment valve, 13 ... Pressure Detector 15, ink supply valve, 20, ink pack pressurizing device as pressurizing means, 20 a, pressurizing case, 21, packing, 22, pressurizing rod, 31, float member, 32, permanent magnet, 33 a,. Hall element, 34 ... substrate, 35 ... valve, 36 ... tube, 41 ... drive circuit, 42 ... motor, 43 ... worm gear, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... Pressure body, 71 ... Ink pack, 71a ... Ink supply port as supply port, 72 ... Ink case as case, 72k ... Case engaging part, 72h ... Case hole, 73 ... Push plate, 73k ... Engagement , 73t ... projecting part, 75 ... link member, 81 ... shaft supporting part as the first shaft supporting part, 82 ... shaft supporting part as the second shaft supporting part, F ... pressure, KS ... overlapping part, LT ... popping amount , W ... Weight.

Claims (9)

A liquid container used in a droplet discharge device configured to supply liquid to the droplet discharge head side,
A liquid pack enclosing the liquid therein and formed of a flexible material;
A case for storing the liquid pack;
A push plate in contact with the liquid pack;
A link member,
The link member includes a first shaft support portion pivotally supported by the push plate, and a second shaft support portion pivotally supported by the case. Liquid container for equipment. A liquid container for a liquid ejection device according to claim 1,
The liquid pack includes a supply port for supplying the liquid to the liquid discharge device,
The liquid container for a liquid ejection apparatus, wherein the first shaft support portion is provided at a position farther from the supply port than the second shaft support portion. A liquid container for a liquid ejection device according to claim 1 or 2,
The link member is disposed at a position along a pair of opposite sides of the push plate, and is inserted between the liquid pack and the case. A liquid container for a liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A liquid container for a recording apparatus, wherein the pressing plate is pressurized at a predetermined position by a pressing means. A liquid container for a liquid ejection device according to claim 4,
A liquid container for a liquid ejection apparatus, wherein the pressurizing position of the push plate by the pressurizing means is closer to the position of the first shaft support than the position of the second shaft support. A liquid container for a liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The liquid container for a liquid discharge apparatus, wherein the push plate further includes an engaging portion that is detachably engaged with the case. A liquid container for a liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The liquid container for a liquid ejection device, wherein the push plate has at least a part of the push plate protruding from an outer case of the case. A liquid container for a liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A liquid container for a liquid ejection device, wherein at least a part of the push plate protrudes from an outer case of the case when the link member rotates around the second shaft support portion. A droplet discharge apparatus including a droplet discharge head for discharging droplets,
9. A liquid droplet ejection apparatus, wherein the liquid container according to claim 1 is mounted in a state in which the liquid in the liquid pack can be supplied to the liquid droplet ejection head side.

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