JP2006044022A - Liquid cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid cartridge capable of improving a volumetric efficiency in storage of a liquid, attaining good storage stability of a liquid, and improving an assembling property and a recycling property. <P>SOLUTION: This liquid cartridge 2 comprises a liquid storage container 30 and a supply structure section 31 having a supply hole 33. The supply structure section 31 has a pressure control means 32 for supplying a liquid to the supply hole 33 while controlling pressure of the liquid in the liquid storage container 30 to be in a predetermined value and an introducing means 34 for introducing air in the liquid storage container 30 along with the consumption of the liquid. The liquid storage container 30 is made of a metallic plate material and is provided with an outlet 46 which communicates with the pressure control means 32 for allowing the liquid to flow out thereto and an inlet 47 which communicates with the introducing means 34 for allowing the air to be introduced thereinto. As a result of the above structure, it is possible to achieve the liquid cartridge having a high volumetric efficiency and the outlet 46 and the inlet 47 can be readily formed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid cartridge with high volumetric efficiency that can store more liquid.

An ink jet recording apparatus, which is a typical example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, supplies ink to an ink ejecting unit from an ink cartridge that stores liquid ink. The ink cartridge includes an ink reservoir, a pressure control valve that controls the internal pressure of the ink reservoir, an introduction passage that introduces air into the ink reservoir as the ink is consumed, and the like. It is provided as a molded product.
JP-A-7-68776 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-68782 JP 7-101072 A

  However, the ink cartridge disclosed in Patent Document 1 is divided into two tanks, and each tank is formed by molding a synthetic resin. Therefore, in order to maintain a predetermined rigidity, the ink cartridge is thick and has a volume. In addition to the poor efficiency, one of the tanks has a problem that the volumetric efficiency is worse because the porous member is filled. Also, in the example disclosed in Patent Document 2, since the material constituting the ink storage chamber is made of synthetic resin, the volume efficiency is poor as described above. Further, in the device disclosed in Patent Document 3, the material of the cartridge is made of synthetic resin, and at the same time, a sponge or the like is put inside the container, so that the volumetric efficiency is also poor.

  In the case where the ink storage chamber is made of synthetic resin as described above, or the pressure control valve or the like attached thereto is used, in order to ensure a predetermined rigidity as a cartridge, for example, a 1.5 mm-thickness is used. Thickness is required, and further reinforcing ribs are provided. Therefore, as described above, there is a problem that the volumetric efficiency is low, the ink storage amount of the ink cartridge is small, the replacement cycle of the ink cartridge is shortened, and it is uneconomical. Moreover, such a so-called disposable type is not recyclable and has problems in terms of saving material resources and reducing costs.

  Furthermore, the ink storage chamber made of synthetic resin has a problem that it is difficult to stabilize the properties of the ink over a long period of time because of its high gas permeability.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and can improve volumetric efficiency in liquid storage, ensure good liquid storage stability, improve assemblability, improve recyclability, and the like. An object is to provide a liquid cartridge.

  In order to achieve the above object, a liquid cartridge according to the present invention is a liquid cartridge for storing a liquid supplied to a liquid ejecting unit, the liquid storage container storing the liquid, and a liquid attached to the liquid storage container. A supply structure part having a supply port for supplying the liquid in the storage container to the liquid ejection unit, and the supply structure part supplies the liquid to the supply port while controlling the pressure of the liquid in the liquid storage container to a predetermined value. A pressure control means for supplying, and an introduction means for introducing air into the liquid storage container as the liquid is consumed. The liquid storage container is formed of a metal plate and communicates with the pressure control means. The gist of the invention is that an outlet for allowing the liquid to flow out to the pressure control means and an inlet for introducing air into the liquid storage container in communication with the introduction means are provided.

  That is, the liquid cartridge is formed in a state where the outlet of the liquid storage container formed of a metal plate communicates with the pressure control means, and the introduction port of the liquid storage container communicates with the introduction means. Therefore, the liquid storage container formed of a metal plate material has a thin-wall structure with its constituent members having a predetermined rigidity, so that a liquid storage amount can be ensured as much as possible and a liquid cartridge with high volumetric efficiency can be obtained. Further, since the metal plate material substantially eliminates the permeation of the liquid and its vapor, the liquid property can be properly maintained and the liquid storage stability can be kept good.

  Furthermore, since the liquid storage container that is a part that fulfills the liquid storage function and the supply structure part that is a part for controlling the pressure in the liquid storage container and introducing air can be configured separately, the volume of the liquid storage container Is set as large as possible and the size of the supply structure is reduced as much as possible, so that a liquid cartridge having a large liquid storage capacity can be formed in a compact form. At the same time, the liquid cartridge of the present invention can be recovered from the user and the metal liquid storage container and the supply structure can be reused. In that case, since the liquid storage container is formed of a metal plate, the rigidity is maintained without changing, and the corrosion resistance is excellent, so that the durability as a container can be set high.

  In the liquid cartridge of the present invention, in the case where the supply structure portion is configured mainly by molding a synthetic resin material, complicated structure portions such as the pressure control means and the introduction means are formed by, for example, injection. Molding can be performed precisely and easily by molding, and other liquid storage containers can be made of metal plate material, ensuring high molding accuracy in a simple process and reducing the manufacturing cost of liquid cartridges. Can do.

  In the liquid cartridge of the present invention, when the outlet and the inlet are provided on the same surface of the liquid storage container, the outlet and the inlet are attached to the supply structure portion in one assembly step. Since it can communicate, the assembly property as a liquid cartridge becomes good, and the operation | work when removing a liquid storage container from a supply structure part conversely is also simplified. Furthermore, since the liquid storage container can be easily removed as described above, recycling can be facilitated, which contributes to saving of material resources and cost reduction. Further, in this case, when the outlet and the inlet are formed by plastic working, the outlet and the inlet can be simultaneously formed by plastic working on a flat portion of a metal plate material. Simplification of manufacturing is realized.

  In the liquid cartridge of the present invention, when the outlet and the inlet are provided on a bottom member that forms an attachment surface for the supply structure in the liquid storage container, the liquid storage container is attached to the supply structure. At the same time, the communication between the outlet and the pressure control means, and the inlet and the inlet means can be established, so that the assemblability on the manufacturing surface is improved. In addition, since the liquid storage container can be easily removed from the supply structure, recycling can be easily performed, which can contribute to saving of material resources and cost reduction.

  In the liquid cartridge of the present invention, when the outflow port and the introduction port are formed by an outflow tube and an introduction tube that are projected from the liquid storage container, the outflow is performed when the liquid storage container is assembled to the supply structure. Since the pipe and the introduction pipe are inserted into the supply structure, the assembly process is simplified. Since the outflow pipe and the introduction pipe are formed of a metal plate material, both pipes can be made thin and the diameter of the pipe can be reduced, and the width of the bottom member is reduced accordingly, and the thickness of the liquid storage container is reduced. Can be small. In addition, the insertion structure as described above facilitates sealing of the insertion portion, and can reliably prevent leakage of liquid, air, water vapor, and the like. Further, on the supply structure side, for example, a cylindrical part for connection is formed in a state of projecting at the time of synthetic resin molding, and the cylindrical part is inserted into the outlet and inlet of the liquid storage container. It is necessary to set the wall thickness of the cylinder portion large in order to give a predetermined rigidity to the tube. As a result, the outer diameter of the tube portion becomes large and the outlet and the introduction port have a large diameter. When the outlet and the introduction port have a large diameter as described above, the width of the bottom member becomes large, and it becomes difficult to form the liquid storage container in a compact manner. In the present invention, this can be avoided.

  In the liquid cartridge according to the present invention, when the outflow pipe and the introduction pipe are formed integrally with the liquid storage container by plastic processing a metal plate constituting the liquid storage container, the outflow pipe and the introduction pipe There is no need to prepare as a separate member, and the structure and manufacturing process can be simplified. In addition, since the outflow pipe and the introduction pipe are formed integrally with the liquid storage container, the attachment rigidity of the outflow pipe and the introduction pipe with respect to the liquid storage container can be increased, which is suitable for coupling and integration with the supply structure section. is there.

  In the liquid cartridge of the present invention, when the bottom member is a flat bottom plate, the outlet and the inlet or the outflow pipe and the inlet pipe constituting them are formed in a flat plate member. The connection structure such as the outflow port and the introduction port to the section is simplified, and a reliable connection without leakage of liquid or gas can be achieved.

  In the liquid cartridge according to the present invention, when the bottom member is joined to the edge of the box-shaped container main body, one of which is opened, through the joint, By joining the bottom member provided with the mouth to the edge of the container main body, the liquid storage container is completed and the manufacturing process is simplified, which is effective for cost reduction.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the liquid cartridge of the present invention will be described.

  The liquid cartridge of the present invention can function for various liquids as described above, and in the embodiments described below, as a typical example, an example applied to an ink jet recording apparatus is shown. Yes.

  1 to 9 show an embodiment of the liquid cartridge of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a peripheral structure of an ink jet recording apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied. This apparatus includes a carriage 3 on which an ink cartridge 2 is mounted and a recording head 10 which is a liquid ejecting unit.

  The carriage 3 is connected to a stepping motor 5 via a timing belt 4 and is guided by a guide bar 6 to reciprocate in the paper width direction of the recording paper 7, that is, the main scanning direction. The carriage 3 has a box shape that opens to the top, and is attached so that the nozzle surface of the recording head 10 is exposed on the surface (the lower surface in this example) that faces the recording paper 7 that is the ejection target, and the ink cartridge. 2 is accommodated.

  Then, ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 2 to the recording head 10 and ink droplets are ejected onto the upper surface of the recording paper 7 while moving the carriage 3 so that images and characters are printed on the recording paper 7 in a dot matrix. Yes. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 8 denotes a nozzle for sealing the nozzle opening of the recording head 10 during printing suspension to prevent drying of the nozzle as much as possible, and suction for cleaning a nozzle opening 11 described later and an ink flow path in the recording head 10. A cap 9 is a wiper blade for wiping the nozzle surface of the recording head 10. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a guide bar 6 is inserted into the carriage 3. Further, reference numeral 9a denotes a waste ink storage unit that stores ink wiped by the wiper blade 9.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the basic structure of the recording head 10. An example of this basic structure will be described with reference to FIG. 2. A flow path unit 13 is disposed at the tip of the recording head 10. The flow path unit 13 includes a nozzle plate 16 having nozzle openings 11 arranged in a row on a nozzle forming surface 16a, a pressure generating chamber 12 that communicates with the nozzle openings 11 and pressurizes ink by a piezoelectric vibrator 14, and the pressure generation The ink storage chamber 17 stores the ink supplied to the chamber 12. The nozzle openings 11 are arranged in a row (sub-scanning direction) perpendicular to the main scanning direction to form a nozzle row 11a.

  The flow path unit 13 includes a nozzle plate 16 having a nozzle forming surface 16a in which the nozzle openings 11 are formed, an ink storage chamber 17 that is a liquid storage chamber in common with the pressure generation chamber 12, and an ink supply path that communicates these. 18 is formed by laminating a pressure generating chamber forming plate 19 in which a space corresponding to the pressure generating chamber 18 is formed and a sealing plate, that is, a vibration plate 20 for sealing the opening of the pressure generating chamber 12 and the ink storage chamber 17. . The nozzle forming surface 16a is a flat surface. As shown in FIG. 2, the flow path unit 13 is joined to the front end surface 27 of the head case 15 using an adhesive.

  The piezoelectric vibrator 14 is a so-called longitudinal vibration mode vibrator that contracts in the longitudinal direction in a charged state upon input of a drive signal and extends in the longitudinal direction in the process of discharging from the charged state. The piezoelectric vibrator 14 is fixed to the base 21 with the other end fixed to the island 20 a of the diaphragm 20 that forms a part of the pressure generating chamber 12. In the present invention, the piezoelectric vibrator 14 in the longitudinal vibration mode may be changed to a piezoelectric vibrator in the flexural vibration mode.

  In the head case 15, a head flow path 24 for introducing the ink of the ink cartridge 2 into the ink storage chamber 17 is formed at a portion corresponding to the ink storage chamber 17. An annular protrusion 23 made of a pipe member is formed at the opening edge of the head channel 24.

  In the recording head 10, the pressure generation chamber 12 expands and contracts in response to the contraction and expansion of the piezoelectric vibrator 14, and ink suction and ink droplet discharge are performed by pressure fluctuations in the pressure generation chamber 12. It has become. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 22 denotes a flexible circuit board that inputs a drive signal to the piezoelectric vibrator 14, and is connected to a control board 25 coupled to the head case 15. In addition, a flexible circuit board 22 that supplies an operation signal from a control device 1a (see FIG. 1) that operates the entire inkjet recording apparatus 1 to the control substrate 25 is connected to the control substrate 25 via a terminal 30a.

  The head case 15 is provided with a flange 15a on the side opposite to the flow path unit 13, and the control board 25 is placed on the flange 15a.

  In the recording head 10, the piezoelectric vibrator 14, the pressure generation chamber 12, and the nozzle opening 11 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2, and the nozzle plate 16 has a pair of two nozzle rows, Multiple pairs are formed. The nozzle openings 11 are arranged in a straight line, and such a nozzle array is denoted by reference numeral 11a.

  The flow path unit 13 is joined to the head case 15 using an adhesive or the like. When wiping the nozzle forming surface 16 a with the wiper blade 9, the wiper blade 9 rubs against the corner of the flow path unit 13 and the wiper blade 9 does not operate smoothly, or the corner of the flow path unit 13 is scratched. In order to prevent sticking, a head cover 26 that protects the peripheral portion of the nozzle forming surface 16a is provided.

  The ink sent from the ink cartridge 2 flows into the ink storage chamber 17 from the head flow path 24, and then is pressurized by the operation of the piezoelectric vibrator 14 in the pressure generation chamber 12, and is applied to the recording paper 7 from the nozzle opening 11. The ink is ejected in the form of ink droplets, and printing proceeds.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the overall shape of an ink cartridge 2 in which an ink storage container 30 for storing ink and a supply structure 31 provided with a pressure control valve, an air introduction path, and the like described later are integrated. is there. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where the ink storage container 30 and the supply structure 31 are separated.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the ink cartridge 2 and the carriage 3, and shows a state immediately before the ink cartridge 2 is mounted on the carriage 3. The supply structure 31 includes a pressure control valve 32 that maintains the pressure in the ink storage container 30 at a predetermined value, a supply port 33 that supplies ink from the pressure control valve 32 to the recording head 10, and an ink storage An air introduction path 34 that introduces air as the ink in the container 30 is consumed, and a check valve 35 disposed near the supply port 33 are provided. These structures 32, 33, 34, and 35 are formed at the same time as necessary shapes when the supply structure 31 is injection-molded with synthetic resin. The supply structure 31 is in the shape of an elongated rectangular parallelepiped as shown in FIGS.

  The ink storage container 30 is composed of a metal plate, and the one shown in FIG. 5 is flat on the opening edge 39 of a box-shaped container body 38 formed by deep-drawing a material plate with a press device. The bottom plate 40 is joined. Various methods can be employed as the joining method, but the one shown in FIG. 5 is “caulking”. That is, it is joined to the opening edge 39 by the caulking portion 41. As another method, as shown in FIG. 6, it can join by welding. Reference numeral 42 in the figure denotes a welded portion between the opening edge 39 and the peripheral edge of the bottom plate 40. The material plate used here is made of stainless steel (SUS) and has a thickness of 0.2 mm.

  The bottom plate 40 is provided with a flat surface shape as described above, the lower surface thereof is the mounting surface 43, and the corresponding flat surface 48 is formed on the upper portion of the supply structure portion 31.

  An outflow pipe 44 and an introduction pipe 45 having a circular cross section projecting toward the outside of the ink storage container 30 are formed on the bottom plate 40 by a pressing device. With these tube structures, an outflow port 46 is formed in the outflow tube 44, and an introduction port 47 is formed in the introduction tube 45. The outflow port 46 and the introduction port 47 are formed on one surface constituted by the bottom plate 40.

  In addition to the stainless steel (SUS), the metal material plate is made of steel, nickel, titanium, aluminum, copper, or an alloy thereof. And the thickness of a raw material board is made into the range of 0.1-0.4 mm in consideration of the difficulty etc. of plastic working. Moreover, it is desirable to perform coating for improving the corrosion resistance and the like as necessary.

  The mounting surface 43 is provided with a circular recess 50 (see FIG. 7), into which the outflow pipe 44 is inserted. An O-ring 51 made of an elastic material such as an elastomer is disposed between the recess 50 and the outer peripheral surface of the outflow pipe 44 to prevent ink leakage.

  The pressure control valve 32 which is a pressure control means is demonstrated.

  As shown mainly in FIG. 7, in order to constitute the pressure control valve 32, a circular recess 52 is provided on the lower surface of the supply structure portion 31, and a valve chamber 53 is formed by the recess 52. A seating surface 56 of the valve 55 is provided on the ceiling surface 54 of the valve chamber 53. The valve 55 is formed at the center of a valve membrane 57 made of an elastic material such as an elastomer, and the outer periphery of the valve membrane 57 is sandwiched between a ring member 58 and a stepped portion 59 of the recess 52. A compression coil spring 61 is inserted between the periphery of the valve 55 and the sealing material 60 as a lid member, and the valve 55 is pressed against the seating surface 56 to seal the valve. Further, a through-hole 62 is provided in the central portion of the valve 55 so that ink can flow from the upper side to the lower side of the valve membrane 57 when the valve 55 is separated from the seating surface 56.

  The sealing material 60 is a flexible synthetic resin film material excellent in gas barrier properties, and is bonded to the lower surface of the supply structure portion 31. A disc-shaped spring seat 63 that supports the compression coil spring 61 is interposed at the center thereof.

  A through-hole 64 is opened in the ceiling surface 54, and this through-hole 64 communicates with the outflow port 46 so that ink flows into the upstream side of the valve 55. A passage 65 communicating with the valve chamber 53 on the downstream side of the valve 55 communicates with the supply port 33 via the check valve 35.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the check valve 35 has a valve 70 inserted in a slidable state in a valve chamber 69 having a circular cross section, and the valve 70 is seated on a seating surface 71 formed on the bottom surface of the valve chamber 69. Thus, the check valve 35 is closed. In order to seat the valve 70 in this way, a compression coil spring 72 is inserted between the upper portion of the valve chamber 69 and the valve 70. Reference numeral 73 is a through hole provided in the central portion of the seating surface 71, and 74 is a flow groove formed in the outer peripheral portion of the valve 70. In addition, an annular seal rubber 76 which is in close contact with a hollow ink supply needle 75 described later and performs a sealing function is fitted in the opening portion of the supply port 33. With the above configuration, the supply port 33 is arranged in a state of opening downward in the lower portion of the supply structure portion 31. The ink supply needle 75 communicates with the recording head 10 via a filter 77 and a passage 78.

  On the other hand, ink in the ink storage container 30 is consumed by ink droplet discharge from the recording head 10, and external air is introduced into the ink storage container 30 according to this ink consumption, and normal ink discharge from the recording head 10. Is supposed to do. For this purpose, the introduction port 47 communicates with an air introduction path 34 as introduction means.

  A circular recess 79 (see FIG. 5) is provided on the surface 48 formed on the upper surface of the supply structure portion 31, and the introduction tube 45 is inserted therein. An O-ring 80 made of an elastic material such as an elastomer is disposed between the recess 79 and the outer peripheral surface of the introduction tube 45 to prevent ink leakage.

  Next, the air introduction path 34 as air introduction means will be described.

  As the ink in the ink storage container 30 is consumed and the ink level is lowered, air is introduced from the air introduction path 34. The structure of the air introduction portion prevents the ink from flowing out to the outside, smoothly introduces the air accompanying a decrease in the ink level, and suppresses the ink from evaporating during the pause of the printing operation. Need to give function.

  As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, a filter chamber 83 is formed by forming a recess in the lower surface of the supply structure portion 31, and a sheet-like restriction filter 84 is arranged in a state in which the filter chamber 83 is partitioned there. Has been. The restriction filter 84 is a member that can flow gas but cannot flow ink. That is, the passage of the air introduced into the ink storage container 30 with the consumption of the ink is allowed, and the passage of the ink liquid in the direction opposite to the air introduced into the ink storage container 30 is prevented. .

  There are several types of restriction filters having such functions, and a typical example is “Gore-Tex” (registered trademark). In order to perform the above function, a membrane having 1.4 billion fine holes provided in a square centimeter is used. The diameter of this fine hole is about 20,000 times the diameter of a fine water droplet, and about 700 times the size of water vapor molecules. Accordingly, it functions to allow water vapor from air and ink to pass but not ink liquid.

  The introduction port 47 communicates with the filter chamber 83 via a flow path 85 provided in the supply structure unit 31. On the other hand, a resistance channel 86 in which the gas channel resistance is set to a predetermined value is provided between the filter chamber 83 and the outside air. The resistance channel 86 is a channel having a closed cross section, and a predetermined channel resistance is set by selecting a channel area, a length, and a curved or bent shape. In this example, it is a meandering flow path. The resistance channel 86 opens to the outside air through an open port 87.

  The supply structure portion 31 is formed by injection molding of a synthetic resin material as described above, and the filter chamber 83, the resistance flow path 86, and the like have a structure in which the lower surface of the supply structure portion 31 is recessed. Therefore, a synthetic resin film material 88 having a gas barrier property is bonded to the lower surface of the supply structure 31 in order to make the air introduction path 34 a sealed path having a closed cross section. This film material 88 is transparent.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the pressure control valve 32 is arranged in such a direction that the flat valve film 57 is substantially parallel to the ink liquid surface, and the supply structure 31 is substantially parallel to the ink liquid surface. An air introduction path 34 (resistance flow path 86) is formed on the lower surface of the. As described above, by arranging the pressure control valve 32 and the air introduction path 34 in the horizontal direction, the vertical dimension of the supply structure 31 can be reduced, and the height of the ink cartridge 2 is reduced accordingly. Or the capacity of the ink storage container 30 can be increased. Note that the resistance channel can also be formed by pressing and compacting a breathable sintered alloy or steel wool.

  When the ink cartridge 2 is attached to the carriage 3, the ink supply needle 75 is relatively inserted into the supply port 33 on the supply port 33 side, and the tip of the ink supply needle 75 pushes up the valve 70 through the passage 73. Then, the valve 70 is separated from the seating surface 71, and the flow groove 74 is opened, so that the valve is opened. At this time, the valve 70 is pushed up against the tension of the compression coil spring 72. By attaching the ink cartridge 2 to the carriage 3 as described above, ink in the ink storage container 30 is supplied to the recording head 10.

  The operation of introducing air according to the above embodiment will be described.

  When the ink cartridge 2 is lowered directly from the state shown in FIG. 5, the ink supply needle 75 passes through the supply port 33 and the communication port 73 and opens the valve 70 against the elasticity of the compression coil spring 72. 30 inks are supplied to the recording head 10.

  When the ink is consumed by the printing operation, the ink liquid level in the ink storage container 30 is lowered. Accordingly, the external air is supplied with the opening 87, the resistance channel 86, the regulation filter 84, the channel. 85, the ink is introduced into the ink storage container 30 through the introduction port 47 and the like. Therefore, ink is normally ejected from the recording head 10. Moreover, since impurities such as dust in the air are captured by the restriction filter 84 during the air introduction, foreign matter does not enter the ink, which is suitable for ink ejection. Furthermore, since the air pressure in the air introduction path 34 is maintained high by the resistance flow path 86, the vaporization of water vapor from the ink when the printing operation is stopped can be suppressed. Since the ink liquid is prevented from passing through the restriction filter 84, the ink does not flow out from the air introduction path 34.

  As shown in FIG. 7, while the ink consumption is continued, the pressure on the recording head 10 side of the valve film 57 is lower than the pressure on the ink storage container 30 side, and this pressure difference causes the spring force of the compression coil spring 61 to be increased. Accordingly, the valve membrane 57 moves downward in FIG. 7, the valve 55 is opened, and the ink flows into the recording head 10 from the through port 62. Thereafter, when the pressure on the recording head 10 side increases, the valve 55 is closed by the spring force of the compression coil spring 61. By continuously opening and closing the valve 55 as described above, the pressure in the ink storage container 30 is maintained lower than the atmospheric pressure according to the tension of the compression coil spring 61.

  The effects of the first embodiment are listed as follows.

  As described above, the outlet 46 of the ink storage container 30 formed of a metal plate material communicates with the pressure control valve 32, and the inlet 47 of the ink storage container 30 communicates with the air introduction path 34. Thus, the ink cartridge 2 is formed. Therefore, the ink storage container 30 formed of a metal plate material has a thin-wall structure with its constituent members having a predetermined rigidity, so that an ink storage amount as high as possible can be ensured and a highly volumetric ink cartridge 2 can be obtained. It is done. Further, since the metal plate material substantially eliminates the permeation of the ink and its water vapor, the ink properties can be properly maintained and the ink storage stability can be kept good.

  Furthermore, since the ink storage container 30 that is a part that performs the ink storage function and the supply structure part 31 that is a part for controlling the pressure in the ink storage container 30 and introducing air can be configured separately, the ink storage can be performed. By setting the volume of the container 30 as large as possible and reducing the size of the supply structure 31 as much as possible, the ink cartridge 2 having a large ink storage capacity can be formed in a compact form. At the same time, the ink cartridge 2 of the present invention can be collected from the user, and the metal ink storage container 30 and the supply structure 31 can be reused. In this case, since the ink storage container 30 is formed of a metal plate material, the rigidity is maintained without changing and the corrosion resistance is excellent, so that the durability as a container can be set high.

  Since the supply structure portion 31 is mainly formed by molding a synthetic resin material, complicated structure portions such as the pressure control valve 32 and the air introduction passage 34 are precisely formed by, for example, injection molding. In addition, the ink storage container 30 other than that can be easily molded, and by molding a metal plate material, high molding accuracy can be secured in a simple process, and the manufacturing cost of the ink cartridge 2 can be reduced. .

  Since the outflow port 46 and the introduction port 47 are provided on the same surface of the ink storage container 30, the outflow port 46 and the introduction port 47 are communicated with the supply structure portion 31 in one assembly process. As a result, the assemblability of the ink cartridge 2 is improved, and the work for removing the ink storage container 30 from the supply structure 31 is simplified. Furthermore, since the ink storage container 30 can be easily removed as described above, recycling is facilitated, which can contribute to saving of material resources and cost reduction. In this case, when the outlet 46 and the inlet 47 are formed by plastic working, the outlet 46 and the inlet 47 can be simultaneously formed by plastic working on a flat portion of a metal plate material. Increases accuracy and simplifies manufacturing.

  The outlet 46 and the inlet 47 are provided on the bottom plate 40 that forms the mounting surface 43 for the supply structure 31 in the ink storage container 30, so that the ink storage container 30 is attached to the supply structure 31 at the same time. Since the communication between the outlet 46, the pressure control valve 32, the inlet 47, and the air introduction path 34 can be established, the assemblability in manufacturing is improved. In addition, since the ink storage container 30 can be easily removed from the supply structure 31, it is easy to recycle and contribute to saving of material resources and cost reduction.

  Since the outflow port 46 and the introduction port 47 are formed by the outflow pipe 44 and the introduction pipe 45 that are projected from the ink storage container 30, the outflow pipe 44 is assembled when the ink storage container 30 is assembled to the supply structure portion 31. And the introduction pipe 45 are inserted into the supply structure 31, so that the assembly process is simplified. Since the outflow pipe 44 and the introduction pipe 45 are formed of a metal plate, both pipes can be made thin and the diameter of the pipe can be reduced. Accordingly, the width of the bottom plate 40 is reduced, and the ink storage container 30 is reduced. Can be reduced in thickness. In addition, the insertion structure as described above facilitates sealing of the insertion portion, and can reliably prevent leakage of ink, air, water vapor, and the like. Further, for example, a connecting cylinder portion is formed on the supply structure portion 31 side so as to protrude during synthetic resin molding, and this cylinder portion is inserted into the outlet 46 and the inlet 47 of the ink storage container 30. In order to give a predetermined rigidity to the tube portion, it is necessary to set the wall thickness of the tube portion large. As a result, the outer diameter of the tube portion increases and the outflow port 46 and the introduction port 47 have a large diameter. Thus, when the outflow port 46 and the introduction port 47 have a large diameter, the width of the bottom plate 40 becomes large, and it becomes difficult to form the ink storage container 30 compactly. In the present invention, this can be avoided.

  Since the bottom member is the flat bottom plate 40, the outlet 46 and the inlet 47, or the outlet pipe 44 and the inlet pipe 45 constituting them are formed on the flat bottom plate 40, and the outlet 46 for the supply structure portion 31. In addition, the connection structure of the inlet 47 and the like can be simplified, and a reliable connection without ink or gas leakage can be achieved.

  Since the bottom plate 40 is joined to the opening edge 39 of the box-shaped container main body 38 opened on one side through the caulking part 41 and the welded part 42, the ink storage container 30 has an outlet 46 and an introduction. By joining the bottom plate 40 provided with the opening 47 to the opening edge 39 of the container main body 38, the ink storage container 30 is completed, the manufacturing process is simplified, and it is effective for cost reduction.

  FIG. 10 shows a second embodiment of the liquid cartridge of the present invention.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the axis of the circular recess 52 forming the pressure control valve 32 is arranged in the vertical direction, that is, the flat valve membrane 57 is substantially parallel to the ink surface, The air introduction path 34 is disposed on the lower surface of the supply structure portion 31. On the other hand, the second embodiment is in a state where the orientation of the pressure control valve 32 and the air introduction path 34 is set to approximately 90 degrees with respect to the first embodiment. Therefore, a circular concave portion 52 forming the pressure control valve 32 is provided on the lateral side surface of the supply structure portion 31 and the axis thereof is substantially horizontal, that is, the flat valve membrane 57 is against the ink surface as shown in FIG. The air introduction path 34 is arranged on the lateral side surface of the supply structure 31. Other than that, it is the same as that of the said Example, and attaches | subjects the same code | symbol to the same part.

  With the above configuration, the dimension in the thickness direction of the supply structure portion 31, that is, the dimension perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. Therefore, as many ink cartridges 2 as possible can be arranged when many ink cartridges 2 are mounted as shown in FIG. Other than that, there exists an effect similar to the said Example.

  11, 12 and 13 show a third embodiment of the liquid cartridge of the present invention.

  In this embodiment, the ink storage container 30 is formed by changing the method of processing a metal material plate. The main case member 90 is formed by bending a substantially rectangular material plate into a U-shaped cross section that is open downward, that is, by plastic working. On the other hand, the sub-case member 91 is formed by bending an elongated strip-shaped material plate into a U-shaped cross section opened upward, that is, plastic processing. The sub case member 91 is formed with the bottom plate 40, and an outflow pipe 44 and an introduction pipe 45 are formed therein by pressing.

  Next, the sub case member 91 is inserted inside the main case member 90 and welded as in the welded portion 42 shown in FIG. 12, or joined by the caulking portion 41 shown in FIG. FIGS. 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views of FIGS. 11A and 11A, showing a portion where the main case member 90 and the sub case member 91 are joined in combination. Other than that, it is the same as the above embodiments, and the same reference numerals are given to the same parts.

  As described above, the outflow pipe 44 and the introduction pipe 45 are integrally formed with the ink storage container 30 by plastic processing of a metal plate constituting the ink storage container 30. There is no need to prepare the tube 45 as a separate member, and the structure and manufacturing process can be simplified. In addition, since the outflow pipe 44 and the introduction pipe 45 are formed integrally with the ink storage container 30, the attachment rigidity of the outflow pipe 44 and the introduction pipe 45 with respect to the ink storage container 30 can be increased. It is suitable for the joint integration. Other than that, there exists an effect similar to each said Example.

  In each of the above embodiments, the bottom plate 40 of the ink storage container 30 is disposed on the lower side as a separate member. For example, the ink storage container 30 shown in FIG. It is also possible to form the outflow pipe 44 and the introduction pipe 45 at the bottom of the container body 38 by plastic working so that the upper open portion of the container body 38 is sealed with a closing plate.

  Each of the above embodiments is intended for an ink jet recording apparatus. However, the ink cartridge obtained by the present invention and the liquid ejecting apparatus equipped with the ink cartridge are intended only for ink for the ink jet recording apparatus. Instead, it is possible to spray glue, nail polish, conductive liquid (liquid metal) or the like. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the ink jet recording apparatus using ink that is one of the liquids has been described. However, the colors used for manufacturing color filters such as recording heads and liquid crystal displays used in image recording apparatuses such as printers. Applied to all liquid ejecting heads for ejecting liquids, such as material ejecting heads, organic EL displays, electrode material ejecting heads used for electrode formation such as FED (surface emitting display), bio-organic ejecting heads used in biochip manufacturing, etc. Is also possible.

1 is a perspective view showing an entire ink jet recording apparatus. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a recording head. It is a perspective view of an ink cartridge. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an exploded ink cartridge. It is sectional drawing of an ink cartridge. It is sectional drawing which shows the welding location of an ink storage container. It is an expanded sectional view of a pressure control valve. It is the figure of the air introduction path which looked at the supply structure part shown in FIG. 5 from the bottom. It is sectional drawing which shows a non-return valve and an ink supply needle. It is sectional drawing of the ink cartridge which shows the other structural example. It is a perspective view which shows the main case member and subcase member of an ink storage container. It is sectional drawing of the state in which the main case member and the sub case member were assembled. It is sectional drawing of the state in which the main case member and the sub case member were assembled.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording device, 1a Control device, 2 Ink cartridge, 3 Carriage, 4 Timing belt, 5 Stepping motor, 6 Guide bar, 7 Recording paper, 8 Suction cap, 9 Wiper blade, 9a Waste ink storage part, 10 Recording head , 11 Nozzle opening, 11a Nozzle row, 12 Pressure generating chamber, 13 Flow path unit, 14 Piezoelectric vibrator, 15 Head case, 15a Flange, 16 Nozzle plate, 16a Nozzle formation surface, 17 Ink storage chamber, 18 Ink supply path, 19 pressure generating chamber forming plate, 20 vibration plate, 20a island part, 21 base, 22 flexible circuit board, 23 annular protrusion, 24 head flow path, 25 control board, 26 head cover, 27 tip surface, 30 ink storage container, 30a Terminal, 31 Supply structure, 3 Pressure control valve, 33 Supply port, 34 Air introduction path, 35 Check valve, 38 Container body, 39 Opening edge, 40 Bottom plate, 41 Caulking part, 42 Welding part, 43 Mounting surface, 44 Outflow pipe, 45 Introduction pipe, 46 Outlet port, 47 inlet port, 48 surfaces, 50 recesses, 51 O-ring, 52 recesses, 53 valve chamber, 54 ceiling surface, 55 valve, 56 seating surface, 57 valve membrane, 58 ring member, 59 step portion, 60 seal material, 61 Compression coil spring, 62 passage, 63 spring seat, 64 passage, 65 passage, 69 valve chamber, 70 valve, 71 seating surface, 72 compression coil spring, 73 passage, 74 flow groove, 75 ink supply needle, 76 Seal rubber, 77 filter, 78 passage, 79 recess, 80 O-ring, 83 filter chamber, 84 regulating filter, 85 flow path, 86 resistance flow path, 87 open Mouth, 88 film material, 90 main case member 91 sub case member

Claims (8)

A liquid cartridge for storing a liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting unit, the liquid storing container storing the liquid, and a supply port attached to the liquid storing container and supplying the liquid in the liquid storing container to the liquid ejecting unit. A supply structure section having
The supply structure section controls the pressure of the liquid in the liquid storage container to a predetermined value and supplies pressure to the supply port, and introduces air into the liquid storage container as the liquid is consumed Means,
The liquid storage container is formed of a metal plate, and communicates with the pressure control means to allow the liquid to flow out of the pressure control means, and communicates with the introduction means to introduce air into the liquid storage container. A liquid cartridge characterized in that an introduction port is provided.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the supply structure portion is configured mainly by molding a synthetic resin material.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the outlet and the inlet are provided on the same surface of the liquid storage container.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the outlet and the inlet are provided on a bottom member that forms a mounting surface for the supply structure portion in the liquid storage container.   5. The liquid cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the outflow port and the introduction port are formed by an outflow pipe and an introduction pipe that are formed so as to protrude from the liquid storage container.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the outflow pipe and the introduction pipe are formed integrally with the liquid storage container by plastic processing a metal plate constituting the liquid storage container.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the bottom member is a flat bottom plate.   The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the liquid storage container has the bottom member joined to an end edge of a box-shaped container main body, one of which is open. .

Images