JP2006051780A - Ink tank and ink-jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an ink tank enabling an inks-supplementing port to be easily inserted and extracted while assuring air-tightness certainly, and an ink-jet recorder. <P>SOLUTION: When the inks-supplementing port 30 is inserted into the tube of a gasket 52, the wound-in tip 55 and the wound-in thin wall 54 of the gasket 52 are wound in while contacting with the periphery 30A of the inks-supplementing port 30 and sealing the clearance between the periphery 30A of the port 30 and the the port. Thereby, the inks-supplementing port 30 can be easily inserted and extracted while assuring air-tightness certainly. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink tank capable of refilling ink and an ink jet recording apparatus including the ink tank.

  In an ink tank, there is a case where a slit valve is formed on a side surface of the ink tank so that ink can be replenished, and ink is replenished from the slit valve (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such ink replenishment, an ink replenishment port is inserted into the slit valve, and the slit of the slit valve is made small to maintain the airtightness with the inserted port.

However, in this conventional ink tank, if the slit is made small in order to increase the airtightness, a large force is required when inserting and removing the ink replenishing port. Therefore, the ink replenishing port is secured while ensuring airtightness. It was difficult to insert and remove.
JP 2001-138541 A

  In view of the above-described facts, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink tank and an ink jet recording apparatus in which an ink replenishment port can be easily inserted and removed while ensuring airtightness with certainty.

  The ink tank according to the first aspect of the present invention has an ink replenishing opening in which an ink replenishing opening is formed, an ink storing means for storing ink therein, an opening / closing member capable of opening and closing the opening, and an opening in the opening An elastic sealing member that is formed into a cylindrical shape and seals a gap with the outer peripheral portion of the port by being wound inward while contacting the outer peripheral portion of the port when the ink replenishing port is inserted into the cylinder It is characterized by having.

  According to the ink tank of the present invention, the opening of the ink storing means can be opened and closed by the opening / closing member. When the ink is insufficient in the ink storing means, the ink is stored in the ink storing means when the ink replenishing port is inserted into the cylinder of the elastic seal member and the ink is replenished. Here, when the ink replenishing port is inserted into the cylinder, the elastic seal member is wound inward while being in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the port to seal the gap with the outer peripheral portion of the port. This makes it possible to easily insert and remove the ink replenishment port while ensuring airtightness.

  An ink tank according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the configuration according to the first aspect, the ink tank further includes a biasing unit that biases the opening / closing member toward the closing position of the opening.

  According to the ink tank of the present invention described in claim 2, since the urging means urges the opening / closing member in the direction of the closing position of the opening, it is possible to ensure airtightness when the opening is closed.

  An ink tank according to a third aspect of the present invention is the ink tank according to the second aspect, wherein the opening / closing member is a spherical member, and the elastic seal member gradually has an inner diameter from the inner side to the outer side of the ink storage unit. A tapered portion having a small size is provided, and the spherical member is biased toward the tapered portion by the biasing means.

  According to the ink tank of the present invention described in claim 3, since the spherical member is urged toward the elastic taper portion by the urging means, the opening / closing member and the elastic seal member are securely adhered to ensure airtightness. can do.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink tank according to the second aspect, wherein the opening / closing member is a plate-like member, and the elastic seal member includes an annular rib facing the plate-like member, The shape member is urged toward the annular rib by the urging means.

  According to the ink tank of the present invention, the plate member is urged toward the annular rib by the urging means. Thereby, since a plate-shaped member will be in a line contact state with the front-end | tip part of an annular rib, the pressure of a contact part becomes large and it can improve the airtightness of a plate-shaped member (opening-closing member) and an elastic seal member.

  An ink tank according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the ink tank according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the opening / closing member is moved by the pressing force of the port when the port is inserted by a predetermined amount or more. The opening / closing member is disposed at the opening position of the opening when the port reaches the insertion position at the time of ink replenishment.

  According to the ink tank of the present invention described in claim 5, when the port is inserted more than a predetermined amount, the opening / closing member is moved by the pressing force of the port, and when the port reaches the insertion position at the time of ink replenishment, the opening / closing member Is arranged at the open position of the opening. Thus, airtightness can be more reliably ensured by adopting a configuration in which the opening / closing member moves from the closed position for the first time in a state where the port is inserted in a predetermined amount or more.

  The ink tank according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the ink tank according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the opening / closing member is moved by the ink replenishment pressure from the port, and the opening portion is opened. It is characterized by being arranged in.

  According to the ink tank of the present invention described in claim 6, the opening / closing member is moved by the ink replenishment pressure from the port and is disposed at the opening position of the opening. In this way, the opening / closing member is not moved by the pressing force at the time of insertion of the port, but is moved by the ink replenishment pressure from the port. Since force (biasing force of the opening / closing member) does not act, the force required for inserting the port is small, and the port insertion becomes very easy. Since the airtightness between the elastic seal member and the port is reliably ensured, ink leakage can be prevented even if the ink replenishment pressure is increased.

  An ink tank according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the ink tank according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the elastic seal member has an inner diameter of the port into which the port is inserted. It is smaller than the outer diameter, and at least a part of the inner diameter on the opening side of the insertion port is larger than the outer diameter of the port.

  According to the ink tank of the present invention described in claim 7, since the inner diameter of the insertion port portion into which the port is inserted is smaller than the outer diameter of the port, the elastic seal member has a distal end portion of the port when the port is inserted. Can hit the insertion port and start the winding. In addition, since the inner diameter of at least a part of the opening side of the insertion port is larger than the outer diameter of the port, a space for winding the elastic seal member can be ensured.

  An ink tank according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the ink tank according to the seventh aspect, wherein the elastic seal member includes a winding front end portion in which the insertion port portion is formed on the front end side of the cylindrical shape, The winding front end protrudes over the entire circumference toward the axis of the elastic seal member, and the protruding surface has an arcuate surface shape, and the winding side is closer to the opening than the winding front end. A thin-walled wrapping thin-walled portion extending toward the opening side connected to the outer periphery of the tip is provided.

  According to the ink tank of the present invention as set forth in claim 8, the elastic seal member has the winding tip protruding over the entire circumference toward the axis of the elastic seal member, and the protruding surface has an arcuate surface shape. Therefore, the winding start of the elastic seal member can be made smooth. Further, since the thin-walled winding thin-walled portion is connected to the outer periphery of the winding tip portion and extends toward the opening side, the winding becomes easy.

  An ink jet recording apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is a recording head unit including the ink tank according to any one of the first to eighth aspects and a recording head that discharges ink stored in the ink tank. And an ink replenishing device provided with an ink replenishing port to be inserted into the cylinder, and capable of replenishing ink from the port to the ink tank.

  According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, the recording head of the recording head unit performs printing by discharging the ink stored in the ink tank. If the ink in the ink tank becomes low during printing, the printing is temporarily interrupted, and the ink replenishing port of the ink replenishing device is inserted into the cylinder of the elastic seal member, and the ink from the port into the ink tank Is replenished. Here, when the ink is replenished, since the adhesiveness between the port and the ink tank is reliably secured by the elastic seal member, the ink replenishing pressure can be increased to shorten the ink replenishment time, which is the printing interruption time, Increasing the diameter of the ink can prevent ink leakage.

  When the ink refill port is inserted into the cylinder of the elastic seal member, the seal in the gap between the elastic seal member and the outer peripheral portion of the port is wound inside while the elastic seal member is in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the port. Therefore, it is easy to insert and remove the port.

  As described above, according to the ink tank and the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, there is an excellent effect that the ink replenishment port can be easily inserted and removed while ensuring airtightness.

A first embodiment of an ink tank and an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Overall configuration of inkjet recording apparatus)
The overall configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that an arrow M in the drawing indicates a moving direction (main scanning direction) of the carriage 16, and an arrow S indicates a moving direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording medium P.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 includes a recording medium conveying member 12 in the apparatus main body 11. The recording medium conveying member 12 conveys the recording medium P such as paper in the sub-scanning direction (arrow S direction). A guide member 14 is provided to face the conveyance path of the recording medium P. The guide member 14 has a shaft shape extending along a direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction (arrow S direction) of the recording medium P.

  A carriage 16 is movably supported on the guide member 14. The carriage 16 is movable in the main scanning direction (arrow M direction) while being guided by the guide member 14. A plurality of recording head units 18 (four in this embodiment) are detachably mounted on the carriage 16.

  The recording head unit 18 includes a sub ink tank 20 and a recording head chip 22 that discharges ink stored in the sub ink tank 20. The recording head unit 18 is mounted on the carriage 16 with the nozzle surface 22A of the recording head chip 22 as the lower surface (the surface facing the conveyance path of the recording medium P). A nozzle (not shown) for ejecting ink droplets is formed on the nozzle surface 22A.

  Each recording head unit 18 stores different colors of ink (black (BK), yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C)) for each sub ink tank 20, and for each recording head chip 22. Different colors of ink can be supplied. As a result, ink droplets of different colors can be ejected for each recording head chip 22, so that a full color image can be recorded on the recording medium P.

  A maintenance station 24 is disposed below the guide member 14 and adjacent to the conveyance path of the recording medium P. The maintenance station 24 makes contact with and separates from the nozzle surface 22A of the recording head chip 22 (in this embodiment, moves up and down) to perform maintenance such as capping and ink suction.

  An ink replenishing unit 26 is located near the back of the inkjet recording apparatus 10 as viewed from the maintenance station 24. The ink replenishing unit 26 is provided with a plurality (four in this embodiment) of ink replenishing devices 28, and the ink replenishing device 28 includes an ink replenishing port 30. Each ink replenishing device 28 can replenish ink from the ink replenishing port 30 corresponding to each sub ink tank 20.

  FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the recording head unit 18 and the ink replenishing device 28. As shown in FIG. 2, an exhaust port 32 is provided above the ink replenishing port 30 of the ink replenishing device 28. A positioning pin 34 is provided above the exhaust port 32, and the positioning pin 34 extends in the same direction as the ink replenishment port 30 and the exhaust port 32.

The sub ink tank 20 is provided with a connecting portion 20 </ b> A at a position facing both the ink replenishment port 30 and the exhaust port 32. The connecting portion 20A is provided with an ink replenishing port 36 and a gas suction port 38 (see FIG. 3 for both) so as to face the ink replenishing port 30 and the exhaust port 32, respectively. A positioning hole 40 is provided in the upper portion of the sub ink tank 20 corresponding to the positioning pin 34.
(Configuration of recording head unit)
FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the recording head unit 18. As shown in FIG. 3, the recording head unit 18 includes a main body housing 21 as ink storage means, and can store ink inside the main body housing 21. An ink replenishing port 36 is formed in the main body housing 21.

  A first ink chamber 42 is provided in the upper part of the main body housing 21 on the side of the connecting portion 20 </ b> A. The first ink chamber 42 communicates with the ink replenishing port 36 and the gas suction port 38. A second ink chamber 44 is provided on the side (left side in FIG. 3) opposite to the connection portion 20A side when viewed from the first ink chamber. A porous member 46 is disposed in the second ink chamber 44, and an air communication hole 47 is formed above the second ink chamber 44. A supply chamber 48 is provided in the lower part of the main body housing 21, and the supply chamber 48 communicates with the first ink chamber 42 through a filter 49. A recording head chip 22 is provided below the supply chamber 48, and the recording head chip 22 discharges ink stored in the main body housing 21.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, an ink replenishing opening 51 is formed inside the ink replenishing port 36 (on the left side in the drawing), and an airtight on-off valve 50 is provided. The airtight on-off valve 50 includes a gasket 52 as an elastic seal member. The gasket 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape through the opening 51 and is disposed along the inner peripheral wall inside the ink supply port 36.

  The gasket 52 is held at a predetermined position so that a part of the base end portion 53 whose diameter is reduced compared to the ink replenishing port 36 side is not dropped by the gasket holder 56 having an L-shaped cross section.

  In the gasket 52, the inner diameter 52L of the insertion port portion 52A into which the ink replenishment port 30 is inserted is slightly smaller than the outer diameter 30L of the ink replenishment port 30, and at least a part on the opening 51 side from the insertion port portion 52A. Is larger than the outer diameter 30L of the ink replenishment port 30.

  The gasket 52 includes a winding tip portion 55 in which an insertion port portion 52A is formed on the cylindrical tip side. The winding front end portion 55 protrudes over the entire circumference toward the axis of the gasket 52 (inwardly), and the protruding surface has a circular arc shape, and the end cross section is a substantially circular ring. It is in the shape. On the opening 51 side from the winding tip 55, a thin winding thin portion 54 that is connected to the outer periphery of the winding tip 55 and extends toward the opening 51 is provided. Thereby, the winding space 57 can be ensured inside the winding thin portion 54 on the inner side (left side in the drawing) from the winding front end portion 55.

  The winding tip portion 55 and the thin winding portion 54 of the gasket 52 are wound inside while contacting the outer peripheral portion 30 </ b> A of the ink replenishment port 30 when the ink replenishment port 30 is inserted into the ink replenishment port 36. The gap between the ink replenishment port 30 and the outer peripheral portion 30A is sealed. A taper portion 53 </ b> A is formed on the proximal end portion 53 of the gasket 52 so that the inner diameter dimension gradually decreases from the inner side to the outer side of the main body housing 21.

  The airtight opening / closing valve 50 includes a spherical valve 58 as a spherical member (opening / closing member) behind the gasket 52 when viewed from the ink replenishing port 36. On the further inner side of the spherical valve 58, a coil spring 60 as an urging means constituting a part of the airtight on-off valve 50 is disposed. The spherical valve 58 is urged by the coil spring 60 toward the tapered portion 53 </ b> A that is in the closed position direction (arrow A direction), and is arranged at the closed position 58 </ b> X of the opening 51 in the ink replenishing port 36. . Thus, when the opening 51 is closed, the cylindrical one end side of the gasket 52 is closed by the spherical valve 58.

  The spherical valve 58 can open and close the opening 51. When the spherical valve 58 is disposed at the closing position 58X (normally), it is pressed against the tapered portion 53A that tapers in the urging direction to close the ink flow path (closed). As shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, when the ink spring 60 moves against the urging force of the coil spring 60 and moves away from the tapered portion 53A, an ink flow path is formed. (Open state).

As shown in FIG. 5, the ink replenishment port 30 inserted into the cylinder of the gasket 52 has a cylindrical shape, and a flat plate portion spanning the inner side of the cylindrical shape on the tip side of the ink replenishment port 30. 31 is provided. The flat plate portion 31 includes a protruding portion 31 </ b> A that protrudes to the front end side from the front end surface 30 </ b> B of the cylindrical portion of the ink replenishment port 30.
(Operation of the first embodiment)
Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, at the time of printing, the recording medium conveying member 12 conveys the recording medium P such as paper in the sub-scanning direction (arrow S direction), and the carriage 16 on which the recording head unit 18 is mounted serves as a guide member. 14 while moving in the main scanning direction (arrow M direction). In the recording head unit 18, the recording head chip 22 ejects ink stored in the sub ink tank 20 from the nozzles (not shown) of the nozzle surface 22 </ b> A as fine ink droplets, and prints characters and images on the recording medium P.

  When the ink in the sub ink tank 20 runs short during printing, printing is temporarily interrupted and the carriage 16 moves to a position facing the ink replenishing unit 26. At the position opposite to the ink replenishing portion 26, the ink replenishing port 30 and the exhaust port 32 of the ink replenishing device 28 are inserted into the ink replenishing port 36 and the gas suction port 38 shown in FIG. 3, respectively.

  Here, before the ink replenishment port 30 is inserted (when the opening 51 is closed), as shown in FIG. 4A, the spherical valve 58 is moved by the coil spring 60 to the taper portion 53A side (opening 51). Therefore, the spherical valve 58 and the gasket 52 are securely brought into close contact with each other to close the opening 51, thereby ensuring airtightness.

  When the ink replenishment port 30 is inserted, first, the tip surface 30B of the cylindrical portion of the ink replenishment port 30 comes into contact with the winding front end portion 55 of the gasket 52. From this state, the ink replenishment port 30 is further inserted in the insertion direction ( When pushed in the direction of arrow S), as shown in FIG. 4B, the winding tip 55 and the winding thin portion 54 of the gasket 52 are wound inside while contacting the outer peripheral portion 30 </ b> A of the ink replenishment port 30. . As a result, the gap between the gasket 52 and the outer peripheral portion 30A of the ink replenishment port 30 is sealed.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4A, the gasket 52 has an inner diameter 52L of the insertion port portion 52A into which the ink replenishment port 30 is inserted, which is smaller than the outer diameter 30L of the ink replenishment port 30. When the ink replenishment port 30 is inserted, the leading end surface 30B of the ink replenishment port 30 hits the insertion opening 52A and can start to be entangled. Further, since at least a part of the inner diameter 52M closer to the opening 51 than the insertion opening 52A is larger than the outer diameter 30L of the ink replenishing port 30, the gasket 52 (the winding tip 55 and the winding thin portion 54). The winding space 57 can be secured.

  Further, the gasket 52 has the winding tip 55 projecting over the entire circumference toward the axial center of the gasket 52 and the projected surface has an arcuate shape, so that the gasket 52 can be smoothly started to be wound. can do. Furthermore, since the thin winding thin-walled portion 54 is connected to the outer periphery of the winding leading end portion 55 and extends toward the opening 51, the winding is facilitated.

  When the ink replenishment port 30 is pushed in the insertion direction (arrow S direction) from the state shown in FIG. 4B, the winding tip 55 and the winding thin portion 54 of the gasket 52 are further wound, and FIG. C), the protrusion 31A of the ink replenishment port 30 presses the spherical valve 58 against the urging force of the coil spring 60. Thereby, the spherical valve 58 moves and is separated from the tapered portion 53A, and the airtight on-off valve 50 can be opened. As described above, when the ink replenishment port 30 is inserted by a predetermined amount or more, the spherical valve 58 is moved by the pressing force of the ink replenishment port 30, and the ink replenishment port 30 is at the time of ink replenishment shown in FIG. The spherical valve 58 is disposed at the open position 58Y of the opening 51 in the ink replenishing port 36 when the insertion position is reached. Thus, the spherical valve 58 is moved from the closed position 58X (see FIGS. 4A and 4B) to the open position 58Y only when the ink replenishment port 30 is inserted in a predetermined amount or more. , Airtightness can be ensured more reliably.

  At this time, when the exhaust port 32 is connected to the gas suction port 38 shown in FIG. 3 and a pump (not shown) connected to the exhaust port 32 is driven, the air in the first ink chamber 42 is discharged from the gas suction port 38 to the exhaust port. 32 is sucked through. As a result, the pressure in the sub ink tank 20 is reduced, and as shown in FIG. 4D, ink flows from the ink replenishment port 30 into the main body housing 21 (in the direction of arrow B) via the gasket 52. Ink replenishment is started. The ink to be replenished is stored in the main body housing 21.

  As described above, when the ink replenishment port 30 is inserted into the cylinder of the gasket 52 shown in FIG. 4A, the seal of the gap between the gasket 52 and the outer peripheral portion 30A of the ink replenishment port 30 is Since the gasket 52 is wound inside while contacting the outer peripheral portion 30A of the ink replenishing port 30, airtightness can be reliably ensured and the ink replenishing port 30 can be easily inserted and removed.

  That is, since the winding thin portion 54 of the gasket 52 is thin, the winding by inserting the ink replenishing port 30 is easy, and in the state where the winding leading end portion 55 and the winding thin portion 54 are wound, Since the thickness is increased as a whole, the pressing force with respect to the ink replenishment port 30 is increased and the airtightness is increased. Further, when the ink replenishment port 30 is pulled out, a force is applied in a direction to release the winding state of the winding front end portion 55 and the winding thin portion 54, so that a large force is not required.

  At the time of ink replenishment, since the adhesion between the ink replenishment port 30 and the sub ink tank 20 (see FIG. 3) is reliably ensured by the spherical valve 58, the ink replenishment that becomes a printing interruption time (waiting time). Ink leakage can be prevented even if the ink replenishing pressure is increased to shorten the time or the diameter of the ink replenishing port 30 is increased.

In addition, since the ink replenishment time is shortened, even if the number of replenishments is increased, the influence on the printing process is small, and the structure of the airtight on-off valve 50 is simple. It is also possible to reduce the overall size of the recording apparatus 10. For this reason, the inkjet recording apparatus 10 of this embodiment is also suitable for high-speed printing.
(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the ink tank and the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The overall configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus and the gasket winding structure are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment. About the same member as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the ink replenishment port 30 is cylindrical, and the flat plate portion 31 (see FIG. 5) provided in the first embodiment is not provided.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the airtight on-off valve 50 includes a cylindrical gasket 62 as an elastic seal member, and this gasket 62 is disposed along the inner peripheral wall inside the ink replenishing port 36. . The gasket 62 is held at a predetermined position so that a part of the base end portion 63 whose diameter is larger than the ink replenishing port 36 side is not dropped by the gasket holder 66 having an L-shaped cross section. The winding thin portion 64 on the ink replenishing port 36 side from the base end portion 63 is thin. The winding leading end 65 on the insertion side of the ink replenishing port 30 is inward, its inner diameter is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ink replenishing port 30, the end section is substantially circular, and the ring as a whole. It is in the shape. The inner peripheral portion of the winding tip portion 65 becomes the insertion port portion 62A.

  As a result, the winding leading end portion 65 and the winding thin portion 64 of the gasket 62 are inwardly in contact with the outer peripheral portion 30A of the ink replenishing port 30 when the ink replenishing port 30 is inserted into the cylinder of the gasket 62. It is supposed to get involved. As a result, the gap with the outer peripheral portion 30A of the ink refill port 30 is sealed. An annular rib 63 </ b> A is formed at the base end portion 63 of the gasket 52 so as to protrude to the side opposite to the ink replenishing port 36.

  The airtight opening / closing valve 50 includes a plate-like valve 68 as a plate-like member (opening / closing member) behind the gasket 62 when viewed from the ink replenishing port 36. As shown in FIG. 7, the plate-like valve 68 has a cylindrical shape and includes a base 68A having the same diameter as the ink replenishing port 30 on the gasket 62 side. The protrusion 68B protrudes. When the ink replenishment port 30 is inserted, the valve protrusion 68B comes into contact with the front end surface 30B of the ink replenishment port 30 and is pressed. In the plate-like valve 68, a receiving portion 68 </ b> C that is pressed by the coil spring 60 is provided on the side opposite to the gasket 62 side.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the plate-like valve 68 is urged by the coil spring 60 toward the annular rib 63A in the closing position direction (arrow A direction), and is disposed at the closing position 68X of the opening 51. It has become so.

  The plate-like valve 68 can open and close the opening 51. When the plate-like valve 68 is disposed at the closing position 68X (normally), it is pressed against the annular rib 63A of the gasket 62 to close the ink flow path (closed state). 6 (C) and 6 (D), the ink flow path is formed when it moves against the biasing force of the coil spring 60 and moves away from the annular rib 63A and is disposed at the open position 68Y. (Open state).

  Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the plate-like valve 68 is biased toward the annular rib 63A side of the gasket 62 and is in a closed state. By inserting the ink replenishment port 30, as shown in FIG. 6B, the winding tip portion 65 and the winding thin portion 64 of the gasket 62 are connected to the ink replenishment port 30 as in the first embodiment. It is wound inside while contacting the outer peripheral portion 30A.

  Further, when the ink replenishment port 30 is pushed in the insertion direction (arrow S direction), the winding tip portion 65 and the winding thin portion 64 of the gasket 62 are further wound, and as shown in FIG. A part of the front end surface 30 </ b> B of the replenishment port 30 presses the valve protrusion 68 </ b> B of the plate-like valve 68 against the urging force of the coil spring 60. As a result, the plate-shaped valve 68 moves and is separated from the annular rib 63A of the gasket 62, and the hermetic on-off valve 50 can be opened. When the pressure in the sub ink tank 20 (see FIG. 3) is reduced by a pump (not shown), as shown in FIG. 6D, the ink replenishment port 30 enters the main body housing 21 through the gasket 62 ( Ink flows in (in the direction of arrow B).

In this way, the plate valve 68 is biased toward the annular rib 63A by the coil spring 60, so that the plate valve 68 is in a line contact state with the tip of the annular rib 63A, so that the pressure at the contact portion increases. The airtightness between the plate valve 68 and the gasket 62 can be enhanced.
(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the ink tank and the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The overall configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same members as those of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the ink replenishment port 30 is closed at the tip 30C, and a projection 30D is provided at the tip 30C. A plurality (two in this embodiment) of through holes 30E for ink replenishment are formed near the tip 30C of the outer peripheral portion 30A.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, when the ink replenishing port 30 is inserted into the cylinder of the gasket 62 from the ink replenishing port 36, the winding leading end portion 65 and the winding thin portion 64 of the gasket 62 are replenished with ink. The protrusion 30 </ b> D of the ink replenishment port 30 is brought into contact with the base 68 </ b> A of the plate valve 68.

When the ink replenishment port 30 is further pushed in from this state, the winding tip portion 65 and the winding thin portion 64 of the gasket 62 are further wound, and the plate-like valve 68 is separated from the annular rib 63A of the gasket 62 so as to be airtightly opened and closed. The valve 50 can be opened. When the pressure in the sub ink tank 20 (see FIG. 3) is reduced by a pump (not shown), as shown in FIG. 7D, the ink replenishment port 30 enters the main body housing 21 through the through hole 30E (arrow). Ink flows in (B direction).
(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the ink tank and the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the fourth embodiment, the plate valve 68 is moved by the ink replenishment pressure from the ink replenishment port 30 and is separated from the annular rib 63A of the gasket 62, so that the opening 51 in the ink replenishing port 36 is at the open position 68Y. The point to be arranged is a feature. The overall configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, but a mechanism for making the inside of the main body housing 21 negative is unnecessary. In addition, about the same member as 1st-3rd embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the ink replenishment port 30 has a cylindrical shape with an open end, and the airtight on-off valve 50 provided in the ink replenishment port 36 is the same as that of the third embodiment. is there.

  When the ink replenishing port 30 is inserted, as shown in FIG. 9B, the winding leading end portion 65 and the winding thin portion 64 of the gasket 62 are wound while being in contact with the outer peripheral portion 30 </ b> A of the ink replenishing port 30. Further, when the ink replenishing port 30 is pushed in, the winding leading end portion 65 and the winding thin portion 64 of the gasket 62 are further wound, and the leading end surface 30B of the ink replenishing port 30 is shown in FIG. 9C. Comes into surface contact with the pedestal 68A of the plate valve 68. When ink replenishment is started in this state, the ink replenishment pressure works in the direction opposite to the urging force of the plate valve 68. Therefore, as shown in FIG. It can be opened.

  In this way, the plate valve 68 is not moved by the pressing force when the ink replenishment port 30 is inserted, but the plate valve 68 is moved by the ink replenishment pressure from the ink replenishment port 30. Since the reaction force (the urging force of the plate valve 68) by the coil spring 60 does not act on the ink replenishment port 30 when the ink port 30 is inserted, the force required to insert the ink replenishment port 30 can be small, and the ink replenishment The insertion of the service port 30 becomes very easy. Here, since the airtightness between the gasket 62 and the ink replenishing port 30 is reliably ensured, ink leakage can be prevented even if the ink replenishing pressure is increased.

  In the fourth embodiment, the case of the airtight on-off valve 50 provided with the plate-like valve 68 has been specifically described as an example. However, the ink provided with the airtight on-off valve 50 as illustrated in FIG. It can also be applied to tanks.

  In the first to third embodiments, the spherical valve 58 and the plate-like valve 68 are moved by the ink replenishment pressure from the ink replenishment port 30 by pumping the ink and the opening in the ink replenishment port 36. It is also possible to apply an ink replenishment mechanism disposed at the 51 open position 68Y.

  Moreover, in the said 1st-4th embodiment, although the coil spring 60 is applied as an urging | biasing means, other urging | biasing means, such as a leaf | plate spring, can be applied, for example, and the coil spring 60 does not necessarily need to be.

  Furthermore, in order to facilitate the winding of the gaskets 52 and 62 when the ink replenishment port 30 is inserted, a material harder than the winding thin portions 54 and 64 may be used for the winding tip portions 55 and 65.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an overall configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a recording head unit and an ink replenishing device of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a recording head unit of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a process in which the ink refill port is inserted into the gasket cylinder in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A shows a state where only the tip of the protrusion is inserted. FIG. 4 (B) shows a state in which the winding tip portion and the winding thin portion of the gasket are wound. FIG. 4C shows a state in which the airtight release valve is opened. FIG. 4D shows a state where ink flows. It is a perspective view which shows the port for ink replenishment in 1st Embodiment of this invention. In the second embodiment of the present invention, it is a perspective view showing a process in which an ink replenishment port is inserted into a cylinder of a gasket. FIG. 6A shows a state immediately before insertion. FIG. 6 (B) shows a state where the winding tip portion and the winding thin portion of the gasket are wound. FIG. 6C shows a state in which the airtight release valve is opened. FIG. 6D shows a state where ink flows. It is a perspective view which shows a part of ink replenishment port and airtight on-off valve in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a process of inserting an ink refill port into a gasket cylinder in the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8A shows a state immediately before insertion. FIG. 8 (B) shows a state where the winding tip portion and the winding thin portion of the gasket are wound. FIG. 8C shows a state in which the airtight release valve is opened. FIG. 8D shows a state where ink flows. In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, it is a perspective view showing a process of inserting an ink replenishment port into a gasket cylinder. FIG. 9A shows a state immediately before insertion. FIG. 9 (B) shows a state in which the winding tip portion and the winding thin portion of the gasket are wound. FIG. 9C shows a state where the ink replenishment port has been inserted to a position where it comes into contact with the plate valve. FIG. 9D shows a state where ink flows in due to ink replenishment pressure.

Explanation of symbols

10 Inkjet recording device 18 Recording head unit 20 Sub ink tank (ink tank)
21 Body housing (ink storage means)
22 Recording head chip (recording head)
28 Ink replenishment device 30 Ink replenishment port (ink replenishment port)
30A Outer part 30L Outer diameter of port 51 Opening 52 Gasket (elastic seal member)
52A Insertion Portion 52L Inner Diameter of Insertion Portion 53A Taper Portion 54 Rolling Thin Wall Portion 55 Rolling Tip Portion 58 Spherical Valve
58Y Open position 60 Coil spring (biasing means)
62 Gasket (elastic seal member)
62A Insertion Portion 63A Annular Rib 64 Roll Thin Part 65 Roll Tip 68 Plate Valve (Plate Member (Opening / Closing Member))
68Y Open position A Closed position direction

Claims (9)

An ink storing means for forming an ink replenishing opening and storing ink therein;
An opening and closing member capable of opening and closing the opening;
A cylindrical shape is formed through the opening, and when an ink replenishing port is inserted into the cylinder, it is wound inward while being in contact with the outer periphery of the port to seal a gap with the outer periphery of the port. An elastic seal member;
An ink tank comprising:   The ink tank according to claim 1, further comprising an urging unit that urges the opening / closing member toward a closing position of the opening. The opening and closing member is a spherical member;
The elastic seal member has a taper portion with a gradually decreasing inner diameter dimension from the inner side to the outer side of the ink storing means;
The ink tank according to claim 2, wherein the spherical member is urged toward the tapered portion by the urging means. The opening and closing member is a plate-like member;
The elastic seal member includes an annular rib facing the plate-like member;
The ink tank according to claim 2, wherein the plate member is urged toward the annular rib by the urging means.   When the port is inserted more than a predetermined amount, the opening / closing member is moved by the pressing force of the port, and when the port reaches the insertion position at the time of ink replenishment, the opening / closing member is arranged at the opening position of the opening. The ink tank according to claim 2, wherein the ink tank is an ink tank.   5. The ink tank according to claim 2, wherein the opening / closing member is moved by an ink replenishing pressure from the port and disposed at an opening position of the opening. 6.   The elastic seal member has an inner diameter of an insertion port portion into which the port is inserted smaller than an outer diameter of the port, and an inner diameter of at least a part of the opening side of the insertion port portion is an outer diameter of the port. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the ink tank is larger than the ink tank.   The elastic seal member includes a winding tip portion in which the insertion port portion is formed on the tip end side of the cylindrical shape, and the winding tip portion protrudes over the entire circumference toward the axis of the elastic seal member. In addition, the protruding surface has an arcuate surface shape, and is connected to the outer periphery of the winding front end portion from the winding front end portion to the opening side and extends toward the opening side. The ink tank according to claim 7, further comprising a portion. A recording head unit comprising: the ink tank according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and a recording head that discharges ink stored in the ink tank;
An ink replenishing device comprising an ink replenishing port inserted into the cylinder, and capable of replenishing ink from the port to the ink tank;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:

Images