JP2006043922A - Ink tank, ink tank holder, method for attaching ink tank, and recording head cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an ink tank being attached removably to a holder as the ink tank is pressed in the same direction and provided with an ink supply opening being coupled under enclosed state while opposing an ink introduction tube on the holder side in which push-in of air and leakage/scattering of ink are prevented at the time of attachment and detachment. <P>SOLUTION: A guide member 121 having a substantially heart-shaped guide face capable of engaging with a pin 122 provided in a holder 151 guides the pin relatively from the heart-shaped protrusion side along one curved portion to engage with the heart-shaped recess at the time of attachment, and guides the pin relatively from the recess along the other heart-shaped curved portion to the protrusion side at the time of detachment. Consequently, a supply opening 104 and an introduction tube 152 are coupled and released through not opposing passages and the joint is not enclosed excepting the coupling position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink tank containing ink to be supplied to an ink jet recording apparatus that performs a recording operation by discharging a liquid such as ink, an ink tank holder for detachably supporting the ink tank, an ink tank attaching / detaching mechanism, and a method And a recording head cartridge having the ink tank holder.

  The ink jet recording apparatus is a so-called non-impact recording apparatus, capable of high-speed recording, recording on various recording media such as paper, plastic sheet, and cloth, and almost no noise during recording. It has the advantage that it does not occur. Therefore, in addition to general printing devices that are connected to image data supply sources such as personal computers, digital cameras, and scanners to form information output terminals, they are integrated into devices such as copiers, facsimiles having communication systems, and word processors. Widely employed in printing apparatuses, and further applied to industrial recording apparatuses (printing apparatuses, printing apparatuses, etc.) combined with various processing apparatuses.

  There are various methods for supplying ink to a recording head applied to such an ink jet recording apparatus. In particular, in a relatively small printing apparatus for personal use or office use, a carriage that carries a printing head and reciprocates (main scan), or an ink for a printing head cartridge that is integrally mounted on the carriage. In many cases, an ink tank is detachably attached to the tank holder, and ink is directly supplied from the ink tank to the recording head.

  As a mounting structure of a conventional ink tank employed in such a configuration and an ink tank holder including an ink jet recording head on which the ink tank is mounted, the structure shown in Patent Document 1 is known.

  In this mounting structure, the ink tank holder is provided with a locking portion on each of the pair of opposing side wall portions of the ink tank storage portion, while the ink tank has the above locking on the pair of opposing side wall portions of the exterior. An elastically deformable lever-shaped elastic piece having an engaging portion that can be engaged with the corresponding portion is provided.

  When the ink tank is mounted, the ink tank is viewed from above with the pair of engaging portions of the ink tank corresponding to the pair of engaging portions with respect to the holder in a posture in which the storage portion opening portion for receiving the ink tank faces upward. Is lowered. The elastic pieces of the ink tank descend while abutting against the pair of side wall portions of the holder while being elastically deformed inward. Then, when the connecting cylinder portion, which is an ink communication member provided in the holder, is connected to the ink supply port of the ink tank, the elastic piece is restored, so that the engaging portion locks the corresponding holder. It will be in the state where it was engaged and fixed. In addition, an ink passage communicating with the recording head is formed inside the connecting cylinder part, and a rubber seal member is mounted outside the connecting cylinder part to prevent ink leakage.

  Further, when the ink tank is removed, both elastic pieces are simultaneously operated with a finger so that the elastic pieces of the ink tank are elastically deformed inward. As a result, after the engagement between the engaging portion provided on the elastic piece and the locking portion of the holder is released, the ink tank is pulled upward.

  By the way, usability is an important theme particularly in personal use or office use ink jet printing apparatuses, and improvement in operability when an ink tank is attached or detached is one of them. That is, it is strongly desirable that the user can easily attach and detach the ink tank and that the operation is easy to understand.

  Patent Document 1 does not mention an operation method when the ink tank is mounted. However, if it is assumed that the top surface of the ink tank is pushed at this time, the operation method differs greatly between the time of mounting and the time of removal, which may be confusing to the user. Further, even if the same operation method as that at the time of removal is performed at the time of mounting, the operation becomes difficult while picking a plurality of specific portions of the ink tank with a plurality of fingers.

  Furthermore, in the ink tank attachment / detachment structure described in Patent Document 1, the ink tank is attached / detached perpendicularly to the seal surface of the rubber seal member on the holder side. At the time of mounting, the rubber seal member is elastically deformed while being in close contact with the periphery of the ink supply port of the ink tank, and performs ink sealing of the connection portion of the ink tank and holder. On the other hand, at the time of removal, the seal member is deformed while being kept in the close contact state and restored.

  For this reason, when the ink tank is installed, the sealed space formed in the connection portion is pressurized, and the air that was originally present in the connection portion when not installed is pushed into the ink tank. May end up. Then, there is a possibility that this air hinders the ink supply operation or is transported as bubbles to the recording head along with the ink flow accompanying the ink supply and reaches the ink discharge port to hinder the ink discharge operation. When the ink is removed, the sealed space is decompressed. If ink remains in the ink tank, the ink is drawn out, and when the communication state is released, the ink to the outside is removed. There is a risk of leakage or ink scattering.

  It is effective to apply the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 for the problem of improving the operability when the ink tank is attached / detached. In this document, a ratchet member that is rotatable in the ink tank mounting direction is applied to the ink tank storage portion on the recording apparatus main body side, and the ink tank is urged in a direction that separates the ink tank from the storage portion when the ink tank is stored. On the other hand, there is disclosed a configuration in which the ink tank includes two engaging members that are sequentially engaged with the ratchet member and interlocked with the ratchet member when the ink tank is put in and out of the storage unit. When the ink tank is stored in the storage portion, the ratchet member rotated in relation to the two engagement members is locked between the two engagement members by the urging force of the urging means. When pulling out the ink tank from the section, the ratchet member is rotated in relation to the two engaging members by the pushing operation of the ink tank and the subsequent pulling operation by the urging force of the urging means. The combined state is to be solved.

  This corresponds to a mechanism commonly used for the operation of a pushbutton switch, also called an alternate operation mechanism, a push-on / push-off mechanism, or simply a lock mechanism. In other words, when the button is pressed in the axial direction of the switch, the contact part of the switch is closed, and even if the pressing force is removed from the button, the contact part does not automatically open and remains closed, and the button is pressed again. When pressed, the contact portion returns to the original free position and is opened.

JP-A-9-11500 JP-A-60-137660

  If the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 having a structure corresponding to such a mechanism is applied, the user only needs to press the ink tank when attaching or detaching the ink tank. It will be easy. That is, the usability of the ink jet recording apparatus is remarkably higher than that requiring an attaching / detaching operation as described in Patent Document 1.

  However, since the ink tank is directly moved in accordance with the ink tank pushing operation by the user when the ink tank is mounted and the detaching operation by the urging means when the ink tank is removed, the one disclosed in Patent Document 2 The connection and the release are performed while facing the ink introduction part. Therefore, it is impossible to solve another problem with the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, that is, the problem of ink intrusion and ink leakage and scattering associated with the mounting operation. Further, since there is a movable member (ratchet member) for mounting and removal, the number of parts and the number of assembly steps are increased. Further, unlike an ink tank having a relatively large ink capacity that is mounted on a fixed portion of the apparatus as disclosed in Patent Document 2, an ink tank having a relatively small ink capacity to be mounted on a carriage is replaced. Since the frequency is considered to be high, there is also a problem regarding the durability of the parts.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention relates to an operation for attaching and detaching an ink tank so that the user can easily understand the operation method, and the operation itself is easy, and the air is not pushed in, or ink leakage and scattering are not caused by the attachment and detachment operation. There is to do.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a mounting mechanism that is simple in configuration and excellent in durability.

For this purpose, the present invention is attached to a mounting object with a pressing operation in a predetermined direction, and can be detached from the mounting object with the pressing operation at the time of mounting, and when the mounting is performed. An ink tank provided with an ink supply unit that is coupled in a sealed state directly to the portion to be mounted,
When performing the attachment and detachment, the ink supply unit includes guide means for performing the coupling and releasing while guiding the ink supply unit in a direction not facing the portion to be attached.

Further, according to the present invention, the ink tank is attached in accordance with the pressing operation of the ink tank in a predetermined direction, and the ink tank is removable in accordance with the pressing operation at the time of the mounting, and the mounting is performed. An ink tank holder comprising an ink introduction part that is coupled in a sealed state to face the ink supply part of the ink tank,
When mounting and removing the ink tank in accordance with the pressing operation, the ink tank is guided so that the connection and the release are performed via a path where the ink supply unit does not face the mounting target portion. It is characterized by having means for doing.

Furthermore, the present invention mounts an ink tank provided with an ink supply unit that can be coupled in a sealed state directly facing a portion to be mounted in accordance with the pressing operation in the predetermined direction, and the pressing at the time of mounting An ink tank attaching / detaching mechanism that is removed in accordance with the operation of
When mounting and removing the ink tank in accordance with the pressing operation, the ink tank is guided so that the connection and the release are performed via a path where the ink supply unit does not face the mounting target portion. It is characterized by having means for doing.

In addition, according to the present invention, an ink tank including an ink supply unit that can be coupled in a sealed state to face a mounting target portion is mounted in accordance with a pressing operation in a predetermined direction, and An ink tank attaching / detaching method for removing in accordance with a pressing operation,
When mounting and removing the ink tank in accordance with the pressing operation, the ink tank is guided so that the connection and the release are performed via a path where the ink supply unit does not face the mounting target portion. It is characterized by doing.

Furthermore, the present invention is attached to a mounting target in accordance with a pressing operation in a predetermined direction, and can be detached from the mounting target in accordance with the pressing operation at the time of mounting. An ink tank having an ink supply unit that can be coupled in a sealed state directly to a portion to be mounted,
A guide member having a substantially heart-shaped guide surface with which a pin provided on the mounting target can be engaged is provided, and the guide member extends along the one curved portion from the convex portion of the heart shape during the mounting. The pin is relatively guided, the ink supply unit is guided in a direction not facing the portion to be mounted, and the coupling is performed by being locked to the pin by the heart-shaped recess,
The guide member relatively guides the pin from the concave portion to the convex portion side along the other curved portion of the heart shape when the guide member is removed, and the ink supply portion is connected to the mounting target portion. It is characterized by guiding in a direction not facing directly.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording head cartridge comprising the ink tank holder and a recording head for ejecting ink.

  In the ink tank attaching / detaching mechanism, the guide means includes a guide member having a guide surface engageable with an engaging portion provided in the ink tank, and / or a guide surface provided in the ink tank. The guide member may include a pin that can be engaged with the guide member, and the guide member may include the guide surface that defines different paths for the mounting and the detachment as the path. In addition, the guide member and / or the pin included in the guide means and the pin and / or the guide member provided in the ink tank engageable with the guide member contact each other when the coupling is performed. It can have possible electrical contacts. Further, the guide member and / or the pin and the electrical device are detected so that the presence or absence of the ink tank or the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is detected according to the presence or absence of electrical continuity at the time of contact. It is possible that an electrical contact is provided.

  The present invention further includes means for detecting whether or not the ink tank is attached or whether or not the ink tank is remaining in accordance with the presence / absence of the electrical continuity using the ink tank attaching / detaching mechanism of this form. It exists in an ink jet recording apparatus.

  According to the present invention, since the ink tank can be attached / detached with the pressing operation in the same direction, the operation can be easily and easily understood, and the space for the attaching / detaching operation can be made compact. In addition, since the ink supply part of the ink tank and the part to be mounted (for example, the ink introduction part of the ink tank holder) are coupled and released via a path that does not face each other, the connection part is sealed except at the coupling position. Thus, no air is pushed in, no ink leaks, and no scattering occurs with the attachment / detachment operation.

  In addition, since the guide to the non-facing path is performed by the engagement of the guide member and the pin, the mechanism becomes simple and an attachment mechanism with excellent durability can be provided. Further, by providing electrical contacts to the guide member and the pin, it becomes possible to detect the ink tank attachment and to check the remaining amount of ink.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In this specification, “record” is not only formed when significant information such as characters and figures is formed, but also manifested so that human beings can perceive it visually. Regardless of whether or not the image, pattern, pattern, or the like is widely formed on the recording medium, or the recording medium is processed.

  The term “ink” should be broadly interpreted in the same way as the definition of “recording”, and is applied to a recording medium to form an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like, Used for ink or recording medium processing (for example, improvement of fixing property by solidification or insolubilization of coloring material in ink applied to the recording medium, improvement of recording quality or color development, improvement of image durability, etc.) Say liquid.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the exterior is removed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the basic external configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus includes an apparatus main body M1000, a feeding unit M3022, a discharge tray M1004, and the like. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the inside of the apparatus main body is composed of a chassis M3019, each recording operation mechanism, and the like, and a recording head cartridge for performing desired recording on the recording sheet conveyed to the recording position is provided in the carriage M4001. It is mounted detachably.

  3 to 7 are views for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state before the ink tank is attached to the holder, and FIG. 4 is a view of FIG. 5 is a side view of the ink tank, FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a guide member provided on the side surface of the ink tank in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ink tank is mounted on the holder, FIG. (B) is a cross-sectional view showing the connection between the ink tank and the ink tank holder for explaining the operation of the ink tank mounting mechanism according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ink tank 101 occupies most of its internal volume and absorbs and holds ink (not shown), and an ink absorber 103 disposed along the bottom surface portion. And an ink supply port 104 for supplying ink to the inkjet recording head 154 on the bottom surface. Here, the ink absorber 103 has higher ink absorption / holding power than the ink absorber 102, and the ink held in the ink absorber 102 is guided and stored in the ink supply port 104 as the ink consumption progresses. It is intended to use up almost all ink.

  The recording head cartridge H1000 has a configuration in which an ink tank holder (hereinafter simply referred to as a holder) 151 that detachably holds the ink tank 101 and an ink jet recording head 154 are integrally formed.

  The holder 151 is provided with an ink introduction part 152 that can introduce ink by contacting the ink supply port 104 and supplies ink to the inkjet recording head 154 via an ink supply path (not shown). Is provided with a seal member 153 that seals a connection portion between the ink supply port 104 and the holder 151. The seal member 153 is a member made of elastic rubber or the like, and is pressed by the ink tank 101 and elastically deforms itself, thereby forming a sealed state of the connection portion.

  In addition, guide members 121 constituting the alternate mechanism of the present example are provided on both side surfaces of the ink tank 101, and pins 122 corresponding to the guide members 121 are provided in corresponding positions on the holder 151, respectively. Yes. Further, the holder 151 is provided with, for example, a metal spring 123 that urges the ink tank 101 in the detaching direction (upward).

  The configuration and operation of the alternate mechanism of this example will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Here, the alternate mechanism employed in the above-described push button includes a mechanism in which the button returns to a predetermined protruding position in a non-pressed state irrespective of the open / closed state of the contact portion, and a contact closed state by a mechanical lock mechanism. Then, there are two types, one in which the button holds the height at a position lower than the protruding position in the open state. In the first embodiment, a configuration corresponding to the latter is employed in order to maintain the ink communication state after completion of the mounting.

  The guide member 121 has a cam groove that relatively guides the pin 122 when the ink tank is attached / detached (which causes the ink tank 101 to perform a predetermined movement), and in this example, a guide surface or path substantially along a heart shape. Form. In FIG. 5, points a to f indicate the relative positions of the pins 122 in the attaching / detaching operation.

  When mounting, the ink tank 101 is first mounted on the holder 151. In this state, the urging force by the spring 123 is not applied to the ink tank 101, so that the guide member 121 or the ink tank 101 is in the position where the pin 122 is at the point a (the heart-shaped convex portion side). Position). When the ink tank 101 is pressed downward in FIG. 3 from this state, the guide member 121 passes through the position where the pin 122 is at the point b, that is, along the one curved portion of the heart shape, and the pin 122 is moved to the point c. Move to a position. At this position, the pin 122 and the guide member 121 come into contact with each other, and further pressing of the ink tank 101 is prevented.

  Thereafter, when the downward pressing operation of the ink tank 101 in FIG. 3 is released, the ink tank 101 moves upward by the upward biasing force of the spring 123 in FIG. Guided by its own shape, the pin 122 moves to a position at a point d (a heart-shaped recess). At this position, the pin 122 and the guide member 121 come into contact with each other, and the ink tank 101 is fixed and locked to the holder 151 against the urging force of the spring 123. In this state, the ink introduction part 152 is inserted facing the ink supply port 104, and the connection part between the two is sealed by the seal member 153 and is in a contact state in which ink can be supplied (FIG. 6).

  On the other hand, when the ink tank 101 is removed, the ink tank 101 is first pressed downward in FIG. Then, the guide member 121 is guided by its own shape, the pin 122 moves from the position at the point d to the position at which the pin 122 is at the point e, and the pin 122 and the guide member 121 abut against each other.

  After that, when the pressing operation of the ink tank 101 in the downward direction in FIG. 6 is released, the ink tank 101 moves upward by the upward biasing force of the spring 123 in FIG. At that time, the guide member 121 moves to the position where the pin 122 is located at the point a through the position where the pin 122 is located at the point f, that is, along the other curved portion of the heart shape. Thereby, the ink tank 101 is released from the guide of the mounting mechanism, and returns to the free state before the pressing operation at the time of mounting.

  As described above, in the attaching / detaching operation using the mounting mechanism of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the ink tank 101 is in a fixed / locked position (position where the pin 122 is at the point d). The pin 122 is attached and detached while passing the position at the point c and the position at the point e, that is, overshooting downward in FIG. Further, the ink tank 101 is attached and detached while moving in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG.

  Here, the guide part 121 has a substantially heart shape because the guide part 121 is pressed by the pin 122 by the urging force of the spring 123 when the pressing force is released at the abutting position of the innermost part during the mounting operation. While returning to the free position before the action, the spring 123 is surely guided toward the fixing / locking position, and when the pressing force is released at the abutting position of the innermost part during the detaching operation, the spring 123 In order to ensure that the guide portion 121 is guided toward the free position before the pressing operation at the time of mounting without the guide portion 121 returning to the fixing / locking position due to the urging force, the cam surface or the guide surface is appropriately determined. Because you get.

  Further, a means for making sure that the pin 122 moves irreversibly (one-way) along different sides of the heart-shaped guide part 121 during the mounting operation and the removing operation, for example, FIG. In this embodiment, it is also effective to add a means for urging the guide member 121 to the left side (urging the ink tank 101 toward the front side in the direction orthogonal to the drawing in FIG. 6).

  In the present embodiment, the ink tank 101 does not simply move linearly during the attachment / detachment operation, but in a direction that intersects the mounting direction and the separation direction, that is, in a direction in which the ink supply port 104 and the ink introduction unit 152 are deviated from the facing position. This is characterized in that the ink tank 101 is guided. The amount of movement in the direction crossing the attaching / detaching direction, that is, the amount of deviation, and the shape and dimensions of the guide member 122 for obtaining the amount are appropriately determined in consideration of the following points.

  FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of the ink introduction part 152 of the holder 151 in FIG. 6 as viewed from above. Reference numerals 171A to 171C denote ridge lines (seal ridge lines) where the seal member 153 and the ink supply port 104 come into contact. The seal ridge line 171A is where the ink tank 101 is located when the pin 122 is at point c in FIG. A state of being installed, 171B is a fixed / locked state after mounting where the ink tank 101 is located when the pin 122 is at point d, and 171C is a state where the ink tank 101 is located when the pin 122 is at point e It is in a state of being removed (withdrawal).

  Here, as in the case of Patent Document 1 or 2, when the ink introduction part is configured to move linearly while facing the ink supply port, the seal member provided around the ink introduction part deforms itself. Thus, immediately after the ink introduction part comes into contact with the ink supply port in the mounting process, the connection part between them is sealed. Then, the connection portion becomes a sealed space before the completion of the attachment by the seal, so that the pressure in the connection portion increases due to a decrease in volume accompanying the progress of the attachment operation. Accordingly, an unnecessary pressure is applied to the ink supply, or the air in the space 172 in FIG. 6 enters the ink tank 101 to obstruct the ink supply operation. There is a risk that the ink will be supplied to (not shown) and the ink ejection operation may be hindered.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, the guide member 121 and the pin 122 are fixed to the ink tank 101 and the holder 151, respectively, and the relative operation of the ink tank 101 with respect to the holder 151 is relative to the guide member 121 with respect to the pin 122. Since the operation is the same as that in FIG. 6, when the pin 122 moves relative to the point c from the point a in FIG. 5, the ink tank 101 moves further downward from the state in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7A, since the seal ridge line 171A does not completely overlap the seal member 153, the space 172 or the connection portion is not sealed, and an increase in internal pressure can be prevented. .

  In addition, if the ink introduction unit is in a state of facing the ink supply port when the abutting position is reached, the space 172 is opposite to the above when the ink tank moves to the fixing / locking position. In addition, the pressure in the connecting portion is suddenly reduced. However, in this embodiment, when the pin 122 relatively moves from the point c to the point d in FIG. 5, that is, when the ink tank 101 moves upward in FIG. 6, the seal member 153 is restored while FIG. Since the transition from the state of the seal ridge line 171A of a) to the state of the seal ridge line 171B gradually proceeds, the decrease in internal pressure can be alleviated.

  Similarly, at the time of removal, if the ink introduction portion is in a state of facing the ink supply port until reaching the abutting position, the ink tank moves from the fixed / engaged position to the abutting position, so that the space 172 or This will cause a sudden rise in the pressure in the connecting portion. However, in this embodiment, when the pin 122 relatively moves from the point d to the point e in FIG. 5, that is, when the ink tank 101 moves upward in FIG. 6, the seal member 153 is compressed while FIG. Since the state of the seal ridge line 171B in (a) shifts to the state of the seal ridge line 171C, the sealed space 172 or the connection portion can be gradually opened to the atmosphere, and the increase in internal pressure can be mitigated.

  Further, when the ink introduction section faces the ink supply port at the abutting position at the time of removal, and the ink tank moves directly in this direction from this state, the seal member seals the space 172 or the connection portion while restoring. Will be. Then, since the inside of the connection portion becomes a sealed space before the completion of the removal due to the seal, the pressure in the connection portion decreases due to the increase in the volume accompanying the progress of the removal operation. Therefore, the ink in the ink tank 101 is drawn out, and there is a possibility that ink leakage or ink scattering to the outside may occur after removal. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7A, the seal ridge line 171C does not completely overlap the seal member 153, so that a sealed space is not formed, which is not preferable. A decrease can be prevented.

  In addition, when ink is present in the space 172 at the fixing / locking position of the ink tank, the ink adheres to the ink supply port 104 and the periphery thereof. This may cause ink leakage or ink scattering when the tank is removed. However, in the case of the present embodiment, as described above, the ink tank 101 temporarily moves downward in FIG. 6 at the initial stage of the detaching operation, so that the ink absorber 103 is further pressed by the ink introduction unit 152 and the ink is retained. While the force is improved, the ink tank is moved so that the space 172 is gradually opened to the atmosphere. Therefore, the ink existing in the space 172 is easily drawn into the ink tank 101, and ink leakage and scattering are more effective. Can be reduced or eliminated.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, by providing the sealing member 153 with the notches 156A and 156B, a more reliable open state of the space 172 or the connection portion to the atmosphere can be obtained, and the above-described operation can be more reliably performed. It can also be.

  The above-described configuration can be applied not only to the attachment / detachment of the ink tank 101 to / from the holder 151 but also to the attachment / detachment of the cap attached to the ink tank 101 during distribution or storage.

  8 and 9 are cross-sectional views showing before and after the cap 111 mounted on the ink tank 101 is mounted.

  The cap 111 is provided with a seal member 112 for suppressing the evaporation of ink in the ink tank 101 at a position corresponding to the ink supply port 104. In addition, pins 113 similar to those provided on the holder 151 are provided at positions corresponding to the guide members 121 as engaging portions that can engage with the guide members 121 of the ink tank 101. That is, the pin 113 of the cap 111 has the same shape as the pin 122 of the holder 151, and the cap 111 is attached to and detached from the ink tank 101 by performing the same operation as described above on the guide member 121 of the ink tank 101. can do.

  In the first embodiment described above, the guide member is provided on the ink tank side and the pin is provided on the holder side. However, the pin is provided on the ink tank side, while the guide member is provided on the holder side in a corresponding direction. This also allows the same function and effect to be obtained by executing the same function as described above. This also applies to the relationship between the ink tank and the cap.

  Further, in the above example, the spring, which is a member that urges the ink tank in the direction of releasing the ink tank, is provided on the holder side, but it can also be provided on the ink tank side. The urging member may be configured separately from the holder or the ink tank and attached at a predetermined position, or may be formed of the same material as that of the holder or the ink tank and integrally formed therewith.

(Second Embodiment)
10 to 13 are diagrams for explaining the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state before the ink tank is attached to the holder, and FIG. 12 is a side view of the tank, FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a guide member provided in the ink tank holder of FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view showing a state where the ink tank is mounted on the holder. In these drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to the corresponding parts in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  This example is different from the first embodiment mainly in that a pin 222 is provided on the ink tank 201 side and a corresponding guide member 221 is provided on the holder 251 side. The pin 222 is provided on a support portion 222A that is erected on the bottom surface of the ink tank near the ink supply port 104, and correspondingly, the holder 251 is provided with a guide member 221 for guiding the pin 222. .

  In this embodiment, the arrangement object of the pin and the guide member is different from that of the first embodiment, and the guide member is turned upside down from that of the first embodiment, and the operation is almost the same. .

  That is, the operation when the alternate mechanism of this example is mounted is the same as in the first embodiment. First, when the ink tank 201 is mounted in the holder 251 in a free state, the pin 222 is positioned at the point a. When the ink tank 201 is pressed downward in FIG. 10 from this state, the ink tank 201 moves to the abutting position where the pin 222 is at the point c through the position where the pin 222 is at the point b. Thereafter, when the downward pressing operation of the ink tank 201 in FIG. 10 is released, the ink tank 201 moves upward by the upward biasing force of the spring 123 in FIG. 10, and the pin 222 is located at the point d. As a result, the holder 251 is fixed and locked.

  Further, the operation when removing the ink tank 201 is the same as that of the first embodiment. When the ink tank 201 is first pressed downward in FIG. 13, the ink tank 201 is moved from the position where the pin 222 is at the point d to the pin 222. Moves to the butting position at point e. When the downward pressing operation of the ink tank 201 in FIG. 13 is released, the ink tank 201 moves upward by the upward biasing force of the spring 123 in FIG. At that time, the ink tank 201 moves to the position of the free state where the pin 222 is at the point a through the position where the pin 222 is at the point f.

  As described above, even in the attaching / detaching operation using the mounting mechanism of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the ink tank 201 is fixed with respect to the position at the time of fixing and locking (the position where the pin 222 is at the point d). The pin 222 is attached and detached while passing the position at the point c and the position at the point e, that is, overshooting downward in FIG. Furthermore, it is guided in the left-right direction in FIG. 12, and is attached and detached while moving in that direction.

  That is, also in the present embodiment, the ink tank 201 does not simply move directly during the attachment / detachment operation, but is a direction that intersects the mounting direction and the separation direction, that is, a direction in which the ink supply port 104 and the ink introduction unit 152 are deviated from the facing position. This is characterized in that the ink tank 201 is guided. The amount of movement in the direction crossing the attaching / detaching direction, that is, the amount of deviation, and the shape and dimensions of the guide member 122 for obtaining the amount are the points described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG. Is appropriately determined in consideration of Moreover, the notch as shown to the same figure (b) may be provided.

  In this embodiment, the same effect as in the above example can be obtained. However, in this example, the alternate operation mechanism is disposed in the vicinity of the ink supply port 104, thereby connecting the ink supply port 104 and the ink introduction unit 152. It becomes possible to make more certain. Further, when the ink tank 201 is mounted on the holder 251, the alternate operation mechanism can also serve as positioning in the left-right direction in FIG.

  Such an arrangement relationship can also be applied to a configuration in which a pin is provided on the ink tank side and a guide member is provided on the holder side as in the first embodiment. Further, the spring can be modified in the same manner as described in the first embodiment, and the cap described in the present embodiment can also be adopted.

(Third embodiment)
FIGS. 14 to 18 are views for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state before the ink tank is attached to the holder, and FIG. 15 is provided in the ink tank. FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the operation when the ink tank is attached to the holder, and FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state where the ink tank is attached to the holder. FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the operation when the ink tank is removed from the holder. In these drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to the corresponding parts in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  This example is different from the first and second embodiments in that the ink tank 301 is attached to and detached from the storage portion of the holder 351 in a substantially horizontal direction. In addition, a guide member 321 constituting an alternate mechanism is provided in the vicinity of the ink supply port 104 on the side surface of the ink tank 301, while a pin 322 that engages with the holder 351 is provided at a corresponding position. . Further, the ink tank 301 is provided with a resin spring 323 that urges the ink tank 301 in the separating direction (right direction in FIG. 14). Further, the upper surface of the ink tank 301 is provided with a convex portion 305 that abuts against the inner surface of the upper wall of the ink tank storage portion of the holder 351 when the ink tank is attached or detached.

  In FIG. 15, points a to f indicate the relative positions of the pins 322 in the attaching / detaching operation. Further, the guide member 321 of this example is provided with a regulating member 324 for allowing the relative movement of the pin 322 from the point f to the point a and preventing the reverse. In the illustrated example, the regulating member 324 is pivotally supported at one end by the guide member 321, and when the pin 322 moves relatively from the point f to the point a, the guide path is opened by performing the rotation. When the relative movement is performed in the opposite direction, the other end abuts against the wall surface of the guide path, thereby preventing the rotation and closing the guide path.

  When the ink tank 301 is attached or detached, unlike the first and second embodiments, the user performs a pressing operation on the ink tank 301 in the horizontal direction (leftward in FIG. 14). However, it is the same with respect to the attachment / detachment of the ink tank or the ink supply port and the ink introduction tube 152 only by performing such an operation, and the attachment without causing the air to be pushed in and the leakage / scattering of the ink occur. There is no removal done either.

  At the time of mounting, first, the ink tank 301 is inserted from the opening on the right side of FIG. In order to smoothly move the inserted ink tank 301, the guide may be guided by a guide (not shown) different from the alternate mechanism which is an attaching / detaching mechanism.

  When the ink tank 301 or the guide member 321 passes the position where the pin 322 is at the point a and further pushes the ink tank 301 to the left, the pin 322 passes through the position at the point b (see FIG. 16), that is, approximately. The pin 222 moves to a position at the point c along the slope of the heart-shaped cam. At this position, the pin 322 and the guide member 321 come into contact with each other, and further movement of the ink tank 101 is prevented. At this time, since the ink tank 301 is guided by the guide member 321, it moves without interfering with the ink introduction part 352. Further, the restriction member 324 is surely guided to the route to the point b.

  Thereafter, when the pressing operation of the ink tank 301 in the left direction in FIG. 14 is released, the ink tank 301 moves to the right due to the urging force of the spring 323 in the right direction in FIG. 14, but in this process, the guide member 321 is moved. Is guided to its own shape, and moves to a position where the pin 322 is at the point d (a heart-shaped recess). At this position, the pin 322 and the guide member 321 abut against each other, and the convex portion 305 of the ink tank 301 abuts against the inner surface of the upper wall of the holder 351, so that the ink tank 301 is fixed to the holder 351 against the urging force of the spring 323. It will be in the locked state (refer FIG. 17). Further, at this time, the ink supply port 104 and the ink introduction part 152 are connected, and the connection part is sealed by the seal member 153 so that ink can be supplied.

  On the other hand, when the ink tank 301 is removed, the ink tank 301 is first moved to the left in FIG. Then, the guide member 321 is guided by its own shape, the pin 322 moves from the position at the point d to the position at which the pin 322 is at the point e, and the pin 322 and the guide member 321 abut against each other. At this time, the ink tank 301 is tilted so that the left side (ink supply port side) is floated by the inner surface of the upper wall of the guide member 321 and the convex portion 305 as shown in FIG. As a result, the ink supply port 104 is released from contact with the ink introduction unit 152.

  After that, when the pressing operation of the ink tank 301 in the left direction in FIG. 18 is released, the ink tank 301 moves in the right direction by the urging force of the spring 323 in the right direction in FIG. At that time, the guide member 321 moves to the position where the pin 122 is at the point a through the position where the pin 322 is at the point f. Thereby, the ink tank 101 is released from the guide of the mounting mechanism, and returns to the free state before the pressing operation at the time of mounting.

  As described above, even in the attaching / detaching operation using the mounting mechanism of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the ink tank 201 is fixed to the position at the time of fixing and locking (the position where the pin 222 is at the point d). The pin 222 is attached and detached while passing through the position at the point c and the position at the point e, that is, overshooting in the right direction in FIG. Further, by guiding in the vertical direction of FIG. 15, the ink tank 301 is attached and detached while moving in the vertical direction of FIG.

  That is, also in the present embodiment, the ink tank 301 is not simply moved directly during the attachment / detachment operation, but is guided in a direction intersecting the attachment direction and the separation direction. That is, when the pin 322 is relatively moved from the point a to the point d in FIG. 15 when the embodiment is mounted, the ink tank 301 moves downward from the state in FIG. Since sliding is performed so that the member 153 does not completely overlap with the member 153, an increase in the internal pressure of the space 372 or the connection portion can be prevented. Further, in the removing operation of the present embodiment, when the pin 322 moves relative to the point a from the point d in FIG. 15, the seal ridge line slides with respect to the seal member 353, and the ink tank 305 is as shown in FIG. Therefore, the internal pressure reduction of the space 372 or the connecting portion can be mitigated. A notch as shown in FIG. 7B may be provided.

  As described above, the present embodiment can achieve the same effect as that of the first embodiment. However, in this example, the alternate operation mechanism, which is an ink tank mounting mechanism, is used to prevent interference between the ink tank 301 and the ink introduction unit 352. It can also be used as a guide to avoid. Similarly to the second embodiment, when the ink tank 301 is mounted on the holder 351, the alternate operation mechanism can also serve as positioning in the left-right direction in FIG.

  In this embodiment, a guide member is provided on the ink tank side and a pin is provided on the holder side. However, as in the second embodiment, a pin can be provided on the ink tank side and a guide member can be provided on the holder side. Thus, the same function and effect can be obtained by executing the same function as described above. Further, the spring can be modified in the same manner as described in the first embodiment, and the cap described in the present embodiment can also be adopted.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIGS. 19 to 21 are views for explaining a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a schematic sectional view showing a state before the ink tank is attached to the holder, and FIG. FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where the ink tank is attached to the holder. In these drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to the corresponding parts in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  In the vicinity of the side surface of the ink tank 401, a guide member 421 constituting the alternate mechanism of this example is provided, and on the one holder 451, a pin 422 corresponding to the guide member 421 is provided at a corresponding position.

  This example differs from the first to third embodiments in that the convex portion 405 disposed on the left side surface of the ink tank 401 is engaged with the hole 455 of the holder 451 provided at the corresponding position, and in the direction of the arrow in FIG. When the user presses the ink tank, the attachment is performed with a rotation operation centered on the engagement portion.

  That is, when mounting, the convex portion 405 and the holder 451 are first engaged. In this state, since no pressing force is applied to the ink tank 401, the ink tank 401 is in a free state, and the pin 422 is positioned at the point a. When the ink tank 401 is pressed in the downward direction in FIG. 19 from this state, the ink tank 401 is rotated with the engaging portion as the center, and the pin 422 passes through the position where the pin 422 is located at the point b. Move to the butting position at. After that, when the downward pressing operation of the ink tank 401 in FIG. 19 is released, the ink tank 401 moves (rotates) slightly by the upward biasing force of the spring 123 in FIG. A position at the point d is reached and the holder 451 is fixed and locked. In this state, the ink tank 401 is substantially horizontal, and the ink introduction part 152 is inserted in a directly-facing manner with respect to the ink supply port 104. The connecting portion between the two is sealed by the seal member 153, and ink can be supplied. The contact state is reached (FIG. 21).

  Further, when the ink tank 201 is removed, when the ink tank 401 is first pressed downward in FIG. 21, the ink tank 401 moves from the position where the pin 422 is at the point d to the abutting position where the pin 422 is at the point e. To do. When the downward pressing operation of the ink tank 401 in FIG. 21 is released, the ink tank 401 moves (rotates) upward by the upward biasing force of the spring 123 in FIG. At that time, the ink tank 401 returns to the position of the free state (FIG. 19) where the pin 422 is at the point a through the position where the pin 422 is at the point f.

  As described above, even in the attaching / detaching operation using the mounting mechanism of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, the ink tank 401 is fixed and locked at the position (the position where the pin 422 is at the point d). The pin 422 is attached and detached while passing the position at the point c and the position at the point e, that is, overshooting downward in FIG. Further, it is guided in the left and right directions in FIGS. 19 and 21, and is detached while moving in those directions.

  That is, in this embodiment, the ink tank 401 is not simply rotated during the attachment / detachment operation, but is guided in a direction intersecting with the attachment direction and the separation direction. That is, there is a feature in that the ink tank 201 is guided in a direction in which the ink supply port 104 and the ink introduction unit 152 are deviated from the position where they face each other. The amount of movement in the direction crossing the attaching / detaching direction, that is, the amount of deviation, and the shape and dimensions of the guide member 122 for obtaining the amount are considered in consideration of the points described with reference to FIG. 7 in the first embodiment. Are appropriately determined.

  That is, when the pin 422 is relatively moved from the point a in FIG. 20 to the point d when the present embodiment is mounted, the ink tank 401 rotates downward from the state in FIG. 19 around the engaging portion. However, since the slide is performed so that the seal ridge line does not completely overlap the seal member 153, an increase in the internal pressure of the space 472 or the connection portion can be prevented. Further, in the removing operation of the present embodiment, when the pin 422 moves relatively from the point d to the point a in FIG. 20, the seal ridge line slides with respect to the seal member 153, and the ink tank 405 is rotated. Therefore, the decrease in internal pressure in the space 472 or the connecting portion can be mitigated.

  The amount of movement, that is, the amount of deviation in the direction intersecting the attaching / detaching direction, and the shape / dimension of the guide member 122 for obtaining the amount are described with reference to FIG. 7A in the first embodiment. It is determined appropriately considering the above points. Moreover, the notch as shown to the same figure (b) may be provided.

  In this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. However, in this example, when the ink tank 401 is mounted on the holder 451, the alternate operation mechanism doubles as positioning in the left-right direction in FIG. It becomes possible.

  In this embodiment, a guide member is provided on the ink tank side and a pin is provided on the holder side. However, as in the second embodiment, a pin can be provided on the ink tank side and a guide member can be provided on the holder side. Thus, the same function and effect can be obtained by executing the same function as described above. Further, the spring can be modified in the same manner as described in the first embodiment, and the cap described in the present embodiment can also be adopted.

(Fifth embodiment)
22 to 24 are views for explaining a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a schematic sectional view showing a state before the ink tank is mounted on the holder, and FIG. 23 is an ink tank holder. FIG. 24 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ink tank is attached to the holder. In these drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to the corresponding parts in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  Metal pins 522A and 522B involved in the operation of the alternate mechanism are provided on both side surfaces of the ink tank 501 of this example, and penetrate the wall of the ink tank 501 so as to contact the ink absorber 102. In the holder 551, guide members 521A and 521B are provided at positions corresponding to the pins 522A and 522B, respectively. The guide members 521A and 521B have substantially the same shape and the pins 522A and 522B have substantially the same shape, and the same operation is performed with respect to the operation of the alternate mechanism.

  The guide members 521A and 521B are provided with electrode pads in the recesses of the substantially heart-shaped cam (points d where the pins 522A and 522B are located corresponding to the locking and fixing positions of the ink tanks). FIG. 23 shows a member corresponding to the member 521B (reference numeral 525B). One pin 522A is electrically connected to the oscillator 526, and the other pin 522B is electrically connected to the detector 527.

  In this embodiment, the arrangement object of the pin and the guide member is different from that of the first embodiment, and accordingly, the guide member is turned upside down from the first embodiment, and the attaching / detaching operation is substantially the same. is there.

  23, FIG. 22 and FIG. 24 corresponding to the guide member 521B will be described with reference to FIG. 23, FIG. 22 and FIG. 24. When the ink tank 501 is first mounted in the holder 551 in a free state, the pin 522B Located at point a. When the ink tank 501 is pressed downward in FIG. 22 from this state, the ink tank 501 moves to the abutting position where the pin 522B is at the point c through the position where the pin 522B is at the point b. Thereafter, when the downward pressing operation of the ink tank 501 in FIG. 22 is released, the ink tank 501 moves upward by the upward biasing force of the spring 123 in FIG. 24, and the position where the pin 522B is at the point d. As a result, the holder 551 is fixed and locked. Only in this position, the pin 522B and the pad 525B come into contact with each other under an appropriate contact pressure due to the upward biasing of the spring 123. Accordingly, at this time, the pin 522B is electrically connected to the detector 527, the pin 522A is electrically connected to the oscillator 526, and the ink can be conducted between the pins 522A and 522B when ink is present in the ink tank.

  When the ink tank 501 is removed, when the ink tank 501 is pressed downward in FIG. 24, the ink tank 501 moves from the position where the pin 522B is at the point d to the abutting position where the pin 522B is at the point e. . At this time, the electrical connection is also disconnected. When the downward pressing operation of the ink tank 501 in FIG. 24 is released, the ink tank 501 moves upward by the upward biasing force of the spring 123 in FIG. At that time, the ink tank 501 moves to the free position where the pin 522 is at the point a after passing through the position where the pin 522B is at the point f.

  As described above, even in the attaching / detaching operation using the mounting mechanism of the present embodiment, the ink tank 501 basically has the pin 222 with respect to the position at the time of fixing and locking (the position where the pin 222 is at the point d). Is attached and detached while passing through a position at point c and a position at point e, that is, overshooting downward in FIG. Furthermore, it is also guided in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 22, and is attached and detached while moving in that direction.

  That is, also in the present embodiment, the ink tank 201 does not simply move directly during the attachment / detachment operation, but is a direction that intersects the mounting direction and the separation direction, that is, a direction in which the ink supply port 104 and the ink introduction unit 152 are deviated from the facing position. This is characterized in that the ink tank 201 is guided. The amount of movement in the direction crossing the attaching / detaching direction, that is, the amount of deviation, and the shape and dimensions of the guide member 122 for obtaining the amount are the points described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG. Is appropriately determined in consideration of Moreover, the notch as shown to the same figure (b) may be provided.

  With the above operation, the present embodiment can achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment, but in this example, the following operation can be performed by providing an electrical contact in the alternate operation mechanism. it can.

  That is, when the ink tank 501 is mounted at a normal position (point d) and ink is present in the ink tank 501, if an electrical pulse is sent from the oscillator 526, the pad 525A, the pin 522A of the guide member 521A, the ink tank The impedance between the guide members 521A and 521B can be measured by the detector 527 by passing through the ink in the 501, the pin 522B, and the pad 525B of the guide member 521B.

  Also, if the ink tank 501 is not sufficiently mounted, the pins 522A and 522B and the pads 525A and 525B are not in contact with each other, and electrical connection is not established. It can be understood that the wearing state is insufficient. That is, it is possible to detect whether or not the ink tank is installed, and to notify the user.

  Further, when the ink in the ink tank 501 is consumed and the conduction state via the ink is lost between the pins 522A and 522B, the fact can be grasped by the detector 527. That is, the presence or absence of ink in the ink tank or the remaining amount of ink can be detected, and information can be provided to the user. Even if there is no ink, since a small amount of ink actually remains in the ink absorber, the impedance is different from the state where the pin 522 and the pad 525 are not in contact with each other as in the case of the mounting failure. . Accordingly, it is possible to distinguish between detection of defective ink tank installation and detection of the remaining amount of ink while using the same electrical system.

  Note that these detection and notification processes can be performed by hardware or software using the measurement of the detector 527, and a display means such as an LED or a sound generation means such as a buzzer can be used as the notification means. . Further, display means such as an LED may be incorporated in series in the energization path so that light emission or the like corresponding to the contact or conduction may be performed. Further, the notification means is not limited to that provided in the recording apparatus, but may be one that displays on a display screen of a host device such as a computer that supplies image data to the recording apparatus. Furthermore, the electrical signal used may not be a pulse signal as described above.

  In this embodiment, a pin is provided on the ink tank side and a guide member is provided on the holder side. However, as in the second embodiment, a guide member can be provided on the ink tank side and a pin can be provided corresponding to the holder side. Thus, the same function and effect can be obtained by executing the same function as described above. Further, the spring can be modified in the same manner as described in the first embodiment, and the cap described in the present embodiment can also be adopted.

(Other)
In the first, second, fourth, and fifth embodiments, a substantially heart-shaped guide member is simply used. However, by having a regulating member as in the third embodiment, an irreversible operation is performed. It may be possible to make the alternate operation more reliable and reliable. Further, as shown in the first embodiment, the guide member may be biased or the pin may be biased in the opposite direction with respect to the path side through which the pin passes during mounting. Furthermore, for example, the pin is in the form of a plunger pin that is elastically supported, and an uneven surface for detent is provided on the surface (a flat surface in each of the above embodiments) on which the tip of the guide member abuts, thereby making the irreversible operation more It is possible to ensure reliable and reliable alternate operation. Further, a roller or the like may be provided on the pin or the contact portion with the guide member so that the movement or guidance can be performed smoothly.

  Moreover, the number and arrangement | positioning site | part of the combination of a guide member and the engagement member engaged with this can be suitably determined if a smooth and reliable alternate operation is possible. For example, it is possible to appropriately select and combine the configurations described separately in the first to fifth embodiments. Alternatively, not only a configuration in which one of the guide member and the engaging member is provided in the ink tank and the other in the holder, but both are provided in the ink tank and the holder so that the corresponding guide member and the engaging member are engaged with each other. Also good.

  In addition, all of the above examples employ an ink tank in which the absorber that is impregnated and held by ink occupies almost the entire internal space, but such an absorber may be partially disposed, or such A configuration in which the ink is stored as it is without the absorber may be used. In other words, the configuration of the mounting mechanism of the present invention can be applied regardless of the internal configuration of the ink tank, and this also applies to the configuration of the holder.

  In the above example, the ink introduction tube provided on the holder side is inserted into the ink supply port of the ink tank. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, on the contrary, the ink supply pipe on the ink tank side may be inserted into the ink inlet on the holder side. In short, any configuration may be used as long as the connection portion is sealed when the ink tank is attached to the holder to obtain an ink communication state, and the present invention can be applied effectively.

  In the above examples, the configuration in which the ink tank is mounted on the recording head cartridge in which the recording head unit and the ink tank holder are integrated has been described. However, the mounting target of the ink tank is not limited to such a configuration. That is, the ink tank holder may be configured separately from the recording head as long as the ink communication state is obtained when the ink tank is mounted and ink can be supplied to the recording head. Further, the present invention can be applied even when an ink tank is mounted on a holder provided at a fixed portion of a recording apparatus as disclosed in Patent Document 2.

  Further, the number of ink tanks or holders, the ink storage mode, and the configuration of the recording head unit or ink jet recording apparatus to which the ink tank is attached are not limited to those described above. Furthermore, the color tone of the ink used may be either a single color or a plurality of colors. Furthermore, in addition to ink as a color material, an ink tank that stores a treatment liquid for improving the fixing property, coloring property, durability and the like on a recording medium may be used.

  In addition, the present invention is a general printing apparatus connected to an image data supply source such as a personal computer, a digital camera, a scanner or the like to form an information output terminal, a copying machine, a facsimile machine having a communication system, a word processor, Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a printing apparatus integrated with the printer or an industrial recording apparatus (printing apparatus, printing apparatus, etc.) combined with various processing apparatuses.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applicable. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the exterior of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and is typical sectional drawing which shows the state before mounting | wearing with the holder of an ink tank. FIG. 4 is a side view of the ink tank of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a guide member provided on the side surface of the ink tank in FIG. 4. It is a typical sectional view showing the state where the ink tank concerning a 1st embodiment was equipped in the holder. (A) And (b) is a cross-sectional view which shows the connection part of the ink tank and ink tank holder for demonstrating operation | movement of the ink tank mounting mechanism which concerns on 1st Embodiment and its modification. It is typical sectional drawing which shows the state before mounting | wearing with the cap for physical distribution or storage which employ | adopted the structure similar to 1st Embodiment. It is typical sectional drawing which shows the state after mounting | wearing with the cap for distribution or storage which employ | adopted the structure similar to 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and is typical sectional drawing which shows the state before mounting | wearing with the holder of an ink tank. It is a side view of the ink tank of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the guide member provided in the ink tank holder of FIG. It is a typical sectional view showing the state where the ink tank concerning a 2nd embodiment was equipped in the holder. It is a figure for demonstrating the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and is typical sectional drawing which shows the state before mounting | wearing with the holder of an ink tank. It is an enlarged view of the guide member provided in the ink tank of FIG. It is a typical sectional view for explaining operation at the time of mounting an ink tank concerning a 3rd embodiment in a holder. It is a typical sectional view showing the state where the ink tank concerning a 3rd embodiment was equipped in the holder. It is a typical sectional view for explaining operation at the time of removing an ink tank concerning a 3rd embodiment from a holder. It is a figure for demonstrating the 4th Embodiment of this invention, and is typical sectional drawing which shows the state before mounting | wearing with the holder of an ink tank. FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of a guide member provided in the ink tank of FIG. 19. It is a typical sectional view showing the state where the ink tank concerning a 4th embodiment was installed in the holder. It is a figure for demonstrating the 5th Embodiment of this invention, and is typical sectional drawing which shows the state before mounting | wearing with the holder of an ink tank. It is an enlarged view of the guide member provided in the ink tank holder of FIG. It is a typical sectional view showing the state where the ink tank concerning a 5th embodiment was attached to the holder.

Explanation of symbols

H1000 Printhead cartridge M1000 device main body M4001 Carriage 101, 201, 301, 401, 501 Ink tank 102 Ink absorber 103 Ink absorber 104 Ink supply port 111 Cap 112 Seal member 113 Pin 121, 221, 321, 421, 521A, 521B Guide member 122,222,322,422,522,522A, 522B Pin 123 Spring 151,251,351,451,551 Holder 152 Ink introduction part 153 Seal member 154 Inkjet recording head 156A, 156B Notch 171A, 171B, 171C Seal Edge line 172,272,372,472,572 Space 305,405 Projection 324 Restriction member 455 Hole 525A, 525B Electrode pad 526 Oscillator 527 Detector

Claims (20)

Attached to a mounting object with a pressing operation in a predetermined direction, and can be removed from the mounting object with the pressing operation at the time of mounting, and when the mounting is performed, An ink tank provided with an ink supply unit coupled in a sealed state to face each other;
An ink tank comprising guide means for performing the coupling and releasing while guiding the ink supply unit in a direction not facing the mounting target portion when performing the mounting and detaching.   An urging unit that exerts an urging force in a direction in which the detachment is performed is provided, and the urging force is also used for urging the ink supply unit to a position where the ink supply unit is combined with the portion to be mounted. Item 2. The ink tank according to Item 1.   The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the guide unit is provided on an opposite side portion across the ink supply unit.   The guide means has a guide member having a guide surface engageable with an engaging portion provided on the mounting target, and / or a pin engageable with a guide member having a guide surface provided on the mounting target. 4. The guide member according to claim 1, wherein the guide member has the guide surface that defines different paths depending on whether the mounting is performed or the removal is performed. 5. Ink tank.   The ink tank according to claim 4, wherein the guide member and / or the pin included in the guide means have an electrical contact.   The mounting target includes an ink tank holder having an ink introduction part for coupling the ink supply part to supply ink to the recording head as the part, and a part for sealing by coupling with the ink supply part The ink tank according to claim 1, further comprising a physical distribution cap having a portion as a part. The ink tank is attached along with the operation of pressing the ink tank in a predetermined direction, and the ink tank can be removed along with the operation of pressing when the ink tank is attached. An ink tank holder having an ink introduction part that is coupled in a sealed state to face the ink supply part,
When mounting and removing the ink tank in accordance with the pressing operation, the ink tank is guided so that the connection and the release are performed via a path where the ink supply unit does not face the mounting target portion. An ink tank holder comprising means for performing   An urging unit that exerts an urging force in a direction in which the detachment is performed is provided, and the urging force is also used for urging the ink supply unit to a position where the ink supply unit is combined with the portion to be mounted. Item 8. The ink tank holder according to Item 7.   The guide means has a guide member having a guide surface engageable with an engaging portion provided in the ink tank, and / or a pin engageable with a guide member having a guide surface provided in the ink tank. The ink tank holder according to claim 7, wherein the guide member has the guide surface that defines different paths depending on whether the mounting is performed or the removal is performed as the path. .   The ink tank holder according to claim 9, wherein the guide member and / or the pin of the guide means has an electrical contact. An ink tank having an ink supply portion that can be coupled in a sealed state directly facing the portion to be mounted is mounted along with the pressing operation in the predetermined direction, and is removed along with the pressing operation during the mounting. An ink tank attaching / detaching mechanism for performing
When mounting and removing the ink tank in accordance with the pressing operation, the ink tank is guided so that the connection and the release are performed via a path where the ink supply unit does not face the mounting target portion. An ink tank attaching / detaching mechanism comprising means for performing   An urging unit that exerts an urging force in a direction in which the detachment is performed is provided, and the urging force is also used for urging the ink supply unit to a position where the ink supply unit is combined with the portion to be mounted. Item 12. The ink tank attaching / detaching mechanism according to Item 11.   The guide means has a guide member having a guide surface engageable with an engaging portion provided in the ink tank, and / or a pin engageable with a guide member having a guide surface provided in the ink tank. 13. The ink tank according to claim 11, wherein the guide member has the guide surface that defines different paths depending on whether the mounting is performed or the removal is performed as the path. mechanism.   The guide member and / or the pin included in the guide means and the pin and / or the guide member provided in the ink tank engageable with the guide member and the pin can contact each other when the coupling is performed. The ink tank attaching / detaching mechanism according to claim 13, further comprising an electrical contact.   The guide member and / or the pin and the electrical contact so that the presence or absence of the ink tank or the presence or absence of the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is detected according to the presence or absence of electrical continuity at the time of the contact. The ink tank attaching / detaching mechanism according to claim 14, wherein the ink tank attaching / detaching mechanism is provided. An ink tank having an ink supply portion that can be coupled in a sealed state directly facing the portion to be mounted is mounted along with the pressing operation in the predetermined direction, and is removed along with the pressing operation during the mounting. An ink tank attaching / detaching method for performing
When mounting and removing the ink tank in accordance with the pressing operation, the ink tank is guided so that the connection and the release are performed via a path where the ink supply unit does not face the mounting target portion. A method for attaching and detaching an ink tank. Attached to the mounting target in accordance with the pressing operation in a predetermined direction, can be detached from the mounting target in accordance with the pressing operation at the time of mounting, and when the mounting is performed, An ink tank having an ink supply unit that can be coupled in a sealed state,
A guide member having a substantially heart-shaped guide surface with which a pin provided on the mounting target can be engaged is provided, and the guide member extends along the one curved portion from the convex portion of the heart shape during the mounting. The pin is relatively guided, the ink supply unit is guided in a direction not facing the portion to be mounted, and the coupling is performed by being locked to the pin by the heart-shaped recess,
The guide member relatively guides the pin from the concave portion to the convex portion side along the other curved portion of the heart shape when the guide member is removed, and the ink supply portion is connected to the mounting target portion. An ink tank characterized by being guided in a direction not facing directly.   The spring according to claim 17, further comprising a spring that exerts a biasing force in a direction in which the removal is performed, wherein the biasing force is also used for biasing the position where the concave portion is locked to the pin. Ink tank.   11. A recording head cartridge comprising the ink tank holder according to claim 7 and a recording head for discharging ink.   16. An ink jet recording apparatus using the ink tank attaching / detaching mechanism according to claim 15, wherein means for detecting whether or not the ink tank is attached or whether or not the ink tank is remaining is detected according to the presence or absence of the electrical continuity. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising the ink jet recording apparatus.

Images