JP2006123438A - Ink cartridge and inkjet recorder loaded with the ink cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly-reliable ink cartridge which can precisely sense the presence or absence of inks and stably feed inks without leading to the running out of inks while not causing a turbulence of inks, and an inkjet recorder. <P>SOLUTION: The ink cartridge has an ink feed port for feeding inks to an inkjet recording head and an atmospheric air communication opening for making a communication to the air. The cartridge is equipped with a vacuum-generating member hold chamber for holding the vacuum-generating member which absorbs and secures inks, a liquid hold chamber for holding inks, a partition which divides the vacuum-generating member hold chamber and the liquid hold chamber and a communicating section for making the vacuum-generating member hold chamber communicating with the liquid hold chamber. The liquid hold chamber is provided with a valve which can introduce gas into the liquid hold chamber substantially sealed except for the communicating section but can not discharge gas and liquid from the liquid hold chamber. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink cartridge for storing ink to be supplied to an ink jet recording head and an ink jet recording apparatus equipped with the ink cartridge.

  In general, an ink cartridge as a liquid container used in the field of ink jet recording has a holding force for ink stored in the ink cartridge in order to satisfactorily supply ink to a recording head for ejecting ink. A configuration for adjusting the is provided. This holding force is called negative pressure because it is for making the pressure of the ink discharge portion of the recording head negative with respect to the atmosphere.

  Conventionally, even when an ink negative pressure generating member, for example, a porous material such as a sponge, is used, the ink capacity per unit volume of the entire ink cartridge can be increased and a stable ink supply can be realized. An ink cartridge having a storage chamber has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, an optical reflection member formed of a light transmission member is provided in the liquid storage chamber of the ink cartridge, and light is emitted from the light emitting portion outside the ink cartridge to the optical reflection member and reflected by the optical reflection member. A configuration of an ink cartridge that detects the presence or absence of ink by detecting reflected light with a light receiving unit provided outside the ink cartridge has also been proposed (see Patent Document 2).

  FIG. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional ink cartridge using the configuration shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above. The interior of the ink cartridge 110 is partitioned into two spaces by a partition wall 138 having a communication port 140. One space is sealed except for the communication port 140 of the partition wall 138 and the liquid storage chamber 136 that holds the ink 125 in a free state. The other space is a negative pressure generating member that stores the negative pressure generating member 132. It is a storage chamber 134. An air communication port 112 for introducing the atmosphere into the ink cartridge 110 when ink is consumed is provided on the upper wall surface forming the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 134, and the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 134 is also provided. An ink supply port 114 for supplying ink to a recording head (not shown) is formed on the bottom wall surface to be formed. 5A to 5C, the region where the negative pressure generating member 132 absorbs and holds the ink is indicated by a hatched portion and is stored in a space such as the liquid storage chamber 136 in a free state. Ink is indicated by a mesh portion.

  In the ink cartridge 110 having the above structure, when the ink of the negative pressure generating member 132 is consumed by the recording head and the gas-liquid interface position is lowered to the position 161 as shown in FIG. As the ink is consumed, air is introduced from the atmosphere communication port 112 into the negative pressure generating member accommodation chamber 134, and the introduced air further enters the liquid accommodation chamber 136 through the communication port 140 of the partition wall 138. Instead, the ink 125 is filled from the liquid storage chamber 136 into the negative pressure generation member 132 of the negative pressure generation member storage chamber 134 through the communication port 140 of the partition wall 138 (this operation is referred to as “gas-liquid” hereinafter). "Replacement action"). Therefore, even if ink is consumed by the recording head, the negative pressure generating member 132 is filled with ink according to the consumed amount, and the negative pressure generating member 132 holds a certain amount of ink (maintains the gas-liquid interface position 161). As a result, the negative pressure on the recording head is kept substantially constant, so that the ink supply to the recording head is stabilized. Such an ink cartridge having both a small size and a high usage rate has been commercialized by the present applicant and is still in practical use.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5A, an air introduction groove 150 as a structure for promoting air introduction is provided in the vicinity of the communication port 140 between the negative pressure generating member accommodation chamber 134 and the ink accommodation chamber 136. ing. Further, in the vicinity of the atmosphere communication port 112, a space (buffer chamber) 144 without the negative pressure generating member 132 is provided by the rib 142.

  Furthermore, a prism-shaped triangular prism 115 formed integrally with the ink cartridge 110 is disposed on the bottom surface of the liquid storage chamber 136. An optical sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part is disposed in a recording apparatus main body (not shown) below the triangular prism 115, and light is incident on the bottom surface of the triangular prism 115 from the light emitting part. The presence or absence of ink 125 in the liquid storage chamber 136 (ink remaining amount detection) is detected based on the amount of light reflected by the two reflecting surfaces of the prism 115 and returning to the light receiving portion of the optical sensor.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-328710 JP 07-218321 A

  In recent inkjet recording apparatuses, the recording speed has been increased, and the ink supply amount per unit time from the ink cartridge to the inkjet recording head has increased. In the ink cartridge having the above-described configuration, when the ink is continuously supplied in a state where the ink supply amount is increased, the supply of air to the liquid storage chamber corresponding to the ink supply amount cannot catch up and the negative pressure is reduced. The liquid level (gas-liquid interface) in the generating member is lowered, the supply of ink to the negative pressure generating member is not in time, and the ink supply to the recording head is interrupted even though the ink remains in the liquid storage chamber. Bubbles (bubbles) generated when air (gas) is introduced into the liquid storage chamber or when the ink in the liquid storage chamber runs out of ink. If it adheres to the triangular prism, it may not be possible to detect that the ink in the liquid storage chamber has run out, and the remaining amount of ink in the negative pressure generating member cannot be used accurately. The My, there may cause out of ink.

  Here, a mechanism of running out of ink in a conventional ink cartridge will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5A shows the state of gas-liquid exchange when the ink supply amount from the ink cartridge to the ink jet recording head in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus is relatively small, and FIG. 5B shows the ink to the ink jet recording head. FIG. 5C shows the state of gas / liquid exchange when the amount of ink supplied to the inkjet recording head continues to increase.

  In the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 5 (a), the amount of ink supplied to the ink jet recording head is relatively small. Therefore, the amount of ink led out from the liquid storage chamber 136 and the air introduced into the liquid storage chamber accordingly. The amount is balanced. That is, the gas-liquid interface 161 in the negative pressure generating member 132 is maintained at a substantially constant position in the vicinity of the point 151 where the upper end of the air introduction groove 150 contacts the negative pressure generating member 132.

  Next, consider a case where the ink supply amount to the ink jet recording head is further increased. As shown in FIG. 5A, the air passage at the time of gas-liquid exchange is the upper end of the air introduction groove 150 (width line segment in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 5A) and the negative pressure generating member 132. Is a partial area or only the entire line segment (indicated by a point 151 in FIG. 5A). Since the line segment is small, that is, the groove width of the air introduction groove 150 is small, the introduction of air to the ink supply chamber 136 corresponding to the increased ink supply amount cannot catch up. Therefore, not only the amount of ink derived from the ink storage chamber 136 in accordance with the amount of air that can be introduced through the atmosphere introduction groove 150, but also the ink held in the negative pressure generating member 132 in addition to this amount of ink. Is also supplied to the recording head. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, the gas-liquid interface 161 in the negative pressure generating member 132 is lowered. At this time, as shown in the drawing, the gas-liquid interface 161 becomes a so-called mortar shape having a portion corresponding to the ink supply port 114 as the lowest point, and is lowered as a whole gas-liquid interface.

  In this case, the negative pressure is also increased due to the lowering of the gas-liquid interface 161, and it becomes impossible to supply ink with a stable negative pressure to the ink jet recording head, thereby causing printing disturbance and the like. Further, when the ink supply amount increases to an ink supply amount that could not be assumed conventionally, such as 3 to 5 times the conventional supply amount, as shown in FIG. In some cases, the gas-liquid interface 161 continues to further decrease, eventually reaching the ink supply port 114 and causing ink to run out.

  Further, when the atmosphere (gas) is introduced from the atmosphere introduction groove 150, bubbles are generated because the atmosphere passes through the ink 125, but when the ink 125 in the liquid storage chamber 136 runs out, the generated bubbles are generated. In some cases, the ink that has adhered to the triangular prism 115 and the ink in the liquid storage chamber 136 has been exhausted cannot be detected correctly, and the remaining amount of ink cannot be detected accurately. Furthermore, when the ink supply amount is increased, the ink that can be supplied in the negative pressure generating member 132 is used up before the bubbles attached to the triangular prism 115 disappear, and the ink may run out.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to accurately detect the presence / absence of ink even in higher speed ink jet recording, and to stably supply ink without running out of ink, It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly reliable ink cartridge and ink jet recording apparatus that do not cause printing disturbance.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ink cartridge according to the present invention has an ink supply port for supplying ink to an ink jet recording head and an air communication port for communicating with the air, and houses a negative pressure generating member that absorbs and holds ink. A negative pressure generation member storage chamber, a liquid storage chamber for storing ink, a partition wall that partitions the negative pressure generation member storage chamber and the liquid storage chamber, and the negative pressure generation member storage chamber and the liquid storage chamber. An ink cartridge including a communication portion that communicates, wherein gas can be introduced into the liquid storage chamber that is substantially sealed except for the communication portion, but gas and liquid are discharged from the liquid storage chamber. A valve that cannot be used is provided in the liquid storage chamber.

  According to this configuration, a valve that can introduce gas (atmosphere) into the liquid storage chamber but cannot discharge gas and liquid from the liquid storage chamber is provided. Since the valve opens and closes in a desired pressure range and gas can be introduced into the liquid storage chamber, even if the ink supply amount increases, the gas-liquid interface is lowered as in the conventional ink cartridge. Therefore, the gas corresponding to the ink supply amount can be introduced into the liquid storage chamber without increasing the negative pressure.

  Therefore, even in a higher speed ink jet recording apparatus, it is possible to provide a highly reliable ink cartridge that can stably supply ink without running out of ink and does not cause printing disturbance.

  In the ink cartridge according to the present invention, it is preferable that the valve provided in the liquid storage chamber is provided above the liquid storage chamber in a posture during use.

  By adopting such a configuration, the gas introduced into the liquid storage chamber is directly introduced into the air region of the liquid storage chamber without passing through the liquid in the liquid storage chamber, and is thus introduced into the liquid storage chamber. No bubbles are generated by gas. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the presence or absence of ink in the liquid storage chamber, and further, the ink that can be supplied in the negative pressure generating member is used up without being able to detect the absence of ink in the liquid storage chamber. Ink does not run out of ink.

  Furthermore, in the ink cartridge according to the present invention, the valve provided in the liquid storage chamber communicates with the atmosphere through the atmosphere communication port, and is provided in a portion where the negative pressure generation member of the negative pressure generation member storage chamber is absent. It may be provided so as to communicate.

  With such a configuration, the valve is provided in the container of the ink cartridge so as to communicate with a portion (air buffer chamber) of the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber where there is no negative pressure generating member. The valve can be prevented from being damaged at times, and even if the valve opens due to the impact of a drop and the ink comes out of the liquid storage chamber, the ink is absorbed by the negative pressure generating member. Therefore, ink does not leak to the outside of the ink cartridge.

  As described above, the present invention can introduce gas (atmosphere) into a liquid storage chamber, but a valve that cannot discharge gas and liquid from the liquid storage chamber is provided in the liquid storage chamber. The valve is opened and closed in the pressure range, and even if the amount of ink supply required in the liquid storage chamber increases rapidly, the gas corresponding to it can be easily introduced, that is, the gas-liquid exchange is performed smoothly. Thus, the gas-liquid exchange cannot be performed in order to cope with the increased ink supply amount as in the conventional ink cartridge, whereby the gas-liquid interface is lowered and the negative pressure is not increased. Further, since the gas can be directly introduced into the air reservoir region in the liquid storage chamber through the valve, the generation of bubbles can be prevented, and the presence / absence of ink in the liquid storage chamber can be detected with high accuracy. Ink does not run out due to exhaustion of the ink that can be supplied in the negative pressure generating member without detecting that the ink in the storage chamber has run out.

  Therefore, even in a higher-speed ink jet recording apparatus, a highly reliable ink cartridge that performs accurate ink detection, does not run out of ink, stably supplies ink, and does not cause printing disturbance or the like. Can be provided.

  Details of embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In the following embodiments, ink is described as an example of the liquid used in the liquid supply method and the liquid supply system of the present invention. However, the applicable liquid is not limited to ink. For example, In the ink jet recording field, it goes without saying that the processing liquid for the recording medium is included.

  Further, in each of the cross-sectional views shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the region where the negative pressure generating member holds ink is indicated by a hatched portion, and the ink accommodated in the space is indicated by a mesh portion. . Further, all the cross-sectional views shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 show a state in which the consumption of the ink in the negative pressure generating member from the ink cartridge proceeds and the ink from the liquid storage chamber is consumed.

Example 1
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an ink cartridge as one embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an ink cartridge 10 serving as a liquid storage container communicates with the atmosphere via an atmosphere communication port 12 serving as an atmosphere communicating portion provided on an upper wall 18 serving as a lid member, and ink provided on a bottom wall 16. A negative pressure generating member storage chamber 34 that communicates with a recording head (not shown) via an ink supply port 14 as a supply unit, and stores a negative pressure generating member 32 therein, and ink 25 as a liquid are stored in a free state. The negative pressure generation storage chamber 34 and the liquid storage chamber 36 are partitioned by a partition wall (partition wall) 38. A plurality of ribs 42 are integrally formed on the upper wall 18 defining the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 34 so as to protrude into the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 34. It is in contact with the upper surface of the negative pressure generating member 32 housed in the housing chamber 34 in a compressed state. Therefore, the presence of the rib 42 forms an air buffer chamber 44 between the upper wall 18 and the upper surface of the negative pressure generating member 32 as a portion without the negative pressure generating member.

  Further, the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 34 and the liquid accommodating chamber 36 are connected from the liquid accommodating chamber 36 to the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 34 as a communication portion for communicating the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 34 and the liquid accommodating chamber 36. Air (gas) can be introduced into the liquid storage chamber 36 from the ink communication port 41 through which ink is led out and the air buffer chamber 44 of the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 34, and the gas and liquid are discharged from the liquid storage chamber 36. The valve 70 that cannot be used (a valve that can introduce only such gas and that does not discharge gas and liquid is hereinafter referred to as “valve”) is communicated only. The ink communication port 41 is disposed below the partition wall 38 that partitions the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 34 and the liquid storage chamber 36 when the ink cartridge is in use, and the valve 70 is located above the liquid storage chamber 36. In this embodiment, it is arranged so as to face the air buffer chamber 44 formed in the upper portion of the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 34 through the upper portion of the partition wall 38.

  Furthermore, a prism-shaped triangular prism 15 formed integrally with the bottom wall 16 of the ink cartridge 10 is disposed on the bottom surface of the liquid storage chamber 36. The triangular prism 15 is used for detecting the presence or absence of the ink 25 in the liquid storage chamber 36 (detecting the remaining amount of ink). In addition, the ink supply portion including the ink supply port 14 includes a pressure contact body 46 (which is of course not limited to this) having a higher capillary force than the negative pressure generating member 32 and a strong physical strength. One end of the press contact body 46 is provided in contact with the negative pressure generating member 32.

  Next, how the valve 70 provided in the ink cartridge 10 operates in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  2A to 2C show the state of ink consumption in the negative pressure generating member 32 and the liquid storage chamber 36 in a stepwise manner.

(Valve opening / closing operation)
In this embodiment, the negative pressure generating member 32 accommodated in the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 34 can be regarded as having a large number of capillaries, and negative pressure is generated by the meniscus. Normally, the ink cartridge 10 is impregnated with a sufficient amount of ink in the negative pressure generating member 32, which is a member that generates a negative pressure, immediately after the start of use, so that the head height of each of the capillaries is sufficiently high. It is located. As shown in FIG. 2A, when ink is consumed through the ink supply port 14 in a state where the valve 70 disposed on the upper portion of the partition wall 38 is closed, the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 34. The pressure at the bottom of the tube decreases, and the head of each deemed capillary also decreases. That is, as the ink is consumed, the gas-liquid interface 61 of the negative pressure generating member 32 decreases. As the gas-liquid interface 61 in the negative pressure generating member 32 decreases, the negative pressure in the negative pressure generating member 32 also increases. Further, as the negative pressure in the negative pressure generating member 32 increases, the negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber 36 that communicates with the ink supply port 41 also increases.

Here, valve 70, for example, are configured to be opened by a negative pressure -150mmH ₂ O, and reaches the negative pressure -100mmH ₂ O closed. When the consumption of ink proceeds from the state of FIG. 2A and the gas-liquid interface 61 is lowered to a position as shown in FIG. 2B, the valve 70 is opened and the atmosphere (gas) is introduced into the liquid storage chamber 36. Then, an amount of ink commensurate with the introduced gas is supplied into the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 34 via the ink communication port 41, and the gas-liquid interface 61 stops decreasing. At this time, when the amount of ink consumed is equal to or less than the amount of gas that can be introduced, the negative pressure generating member 32 absorbs an excessive amount of ink and raises the gas-liquid interface 61 (see FIG. 2E). ).

By opening the valve 70 as described above, the negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber 36 decreases. When the pressure reaches -100 mmH ₂ O, the valve 70 is closed and the introduction of gas is stopped. Therefore, the negative pressure in the liquid solute 36 is maintained at a desired pressure, for example, −120 mmH ₂ O. Thereafter, with the ink supply to the outside, intermittent opening / closing operation of the valve 70 and control of the negative pressure in the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 34 and the liquid storage chamber 36 corresponding thereto are performed (FIG. 2C). )reference).

Even if the valve 70 is closed after the negative pressure exceeds −100 mmH ₂ O for some reason, the gas-liquid interface 61 of the negative pressure generating member 32 is lowered. Since the negative pressure is still high, as shown in FIG. 2 (d), the negative pressure at the bottom of the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 34 and the negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber 36 are eliminated. The pressure generating member 32 absorbs the ink 25 from the liquid storage chamber 36 via the ink communication port 40, and the gas-liquid is maintained until the negative pressure at the bottom of the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 34 and the negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber 36 are balanced. The interface 61 is raised, and the rise of the gas-liquid interface 61 is stopped when balanced as shown in FIG.

Even if the valve 70 is opened before the negative pressure reaches −150 mmH ₂ O for some reason, the negative pressure generating member is accommodated when the gas-liquid interface 61 is lowered as described above. The negative pressure at the bottom of the chamber 34 and the negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber 36 try to balance each other, and the negative pressure generating member 32 absorbs the ink 25 from the liquid storage chamber 36 via the ink communication port 40, so that the inside of the liquid storage chamber 36. It is in a state of increasing the negative pressure. Since the ink 25 is led out from the liquid storage chamber 36 in such a state, the negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber 36 increases, so that the valve 70 remains open and the liquid storage chamber 36 negative pressure is desired pressure, i.e., when it -100mmH ₂ O, the valve 70 is closed.
By repeating the opening and closing operation of the valve 70 as described above, the ink 25 in the liquid storage chamber 36 is consumed.

  At this time, if the valve 70 is arranged so as not to be immersed in the ink, the safety of the above-described gas introduction operation is ensured. For example, the ink is supplied in a state where the valve 70 is opened for pressure adjustment. Since it is suppressed that it leaks, it is a preferable form. However, even if the valve 70 is placed in a state where the ink is immersed in the ink, a configuration in which the ink does not move to the outside when an operation of introducing gas occurs, for example, a breathable film having water repellent performance This can be dealt with by adding a structure such as

(Environmental changes in inkjet recording equipment)
In the ink cartridge 10 having the sealed liquid storage chamber 36, the expansion and contraction of the gas in the liquid storage chamber 36 with respect to environmental changes (temperature increase or pressure decrease) in the state where the ink cartridge 10 is mounted in the ink jet recording apparatus. May occur, and ink leakage may occur. However, the ink cartridge 10 of the present invention prevents ink leakage by the following operation.

  When the gas in the liquid storage chamber 36 expands from a state (equilibrium state) in which the negative pressure at the bottom of the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 34 and the negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber 36 are balanced, The negative pressure decreases, and the balance between the negative pressure at the bottom of the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 34 and the negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber 36 is lost. However, when the ink 25 moves from the liquid storage chamber 36 to the negative pressure generation member storage chamber 34 via the ink communication port 41, the negative pressure at the bottom of the negative pressure generation member storage chamber 34 and the liquid storage chamber 36. Negative pressure balances and returns to equilibrium again. During this time, the gas-liquid interface 61 in the negative pressure generating member 32 is raised by the ink 25 moved from the liquid storage chamber 36.

  Conversely, when the gas in the liquid storage chamber 36 contracts, the negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber 36 increases, and as in the previous example, the negative pressure at the bottom of the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 34 and the liquid storage chamber. Although the balance of the negative pressure in 36 is lost, the ink absorbed and held in the negative pressure generating member 32 is moved to the liquid storage chamber 36 via the ink communication port 41, thereby the bottom of the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 34. The negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber 36 and the negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber 36 are in balance to achieve an equilibrium state. During this time, the ink that has been absorbed and held in the negative pressure generating member 32 moves to the liquid storage chamber 36, whereby the gas-liquid interface 61 in the negative pressure generating member 32 is lowered.

  As described above, the ink is moved between the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 34 and the liquid storage chamber 36, and the gas-liquid interface 61 in the negative pressure generating member 32 is moved up and down along with the movement, thereby moving the ink to the outside. Prevent ink leakage.

  As described above, the configuration of the ink cartridge according to the present invention opens and closes the valve 70 provided above the liquid storage chamber 36 in a desired pressure range and introduces gas directly into the liquid storage chamber 36. In contrast to a configuration in which gas-liquid exchange is performed via an air introduction groove and an ink communication port like a cartridge (see FIG. 5), the gas-liquid interface is controlled within a desired range, and the gas-liquid interface is lowered and the negative pressure associated therewith. This solves the conventional problem (see FIG. 5) of increase.

  Further, since the valve 70 is disposed at the upper part of the liquid storage chamber 36 and indirectly communicates with the outside via the buffer chamber 44, the valve 70 is connected to the liquid storage chamber via the ink communication port like a conventional ink cartridge. Since the generation of bubbles due to the introduced gas can be prevented, the presence or absence of the ink 25 in the liquid storage chamber 36 can be accurately detected, and the negative pressure can be detected without detecting the absence of the ink 25 in the liquid storage chamber 36. Ink does not run out by using up the ink that can be supplied in the generating member 32.

  Therefore, even in a higher-speed ink jet recording apparatus, highly reliable ink that detects the presence or absence of ink with high accuracy, supplies ink stably without causing ink shortage, and does not cause printing disturbance A cartridge can be provided.

(Example 2)
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid container as an ink cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. Since the basic configuration and operation are the same as those of the ink cartridge disclosed in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The ink cartridge in the present embodiment is different from the ink cartridge in the first embodiment in that the position of the valve 70 disposed above the liquid storage chamber 36 is different. That is, in the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment, the valve 70 provided above the liquid storage chamber 36 is disposed above the partition wall 38 so as to face the air buffer chamber 44 of the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 34. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, it is arranged on the upper wall 18 that defines the liquid storage chamber 36, and is arranged directly as desired.

According to this embodiment, since the valve 70 is provided on the upper wall 18 of the liquid storage chamber 36, the valve 70 can be easily attached to the liquid storage chamber 36 as compared with the ink cartridge of the first embodiment. Accordingly, the productivity is superior to that of the ink cartridge of the first embodiment.
In the first and second embodiments, the valve 70 is provided above the liquid storage chamber 36, but is not limited thereto. The point is that the atmosphere corresponding to the air reservoir region can be directly introduced into the air reservoir region formed above the ink 25 in the liquid storage chamber 36, in other words, the posture of the liquid storage chamber 36 in the posture during use. It will be appreciated that a valve 70 may be provided above.

(Example 3)
Next, a specific example of an ink jet recording apparatus capable of mounting the ink cartridge disclosed in the first and second embodiments will be described.

  For example, four ink cartridges corresponding to four colors of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) can be individually attached to and detached from the recording head unit. By mounting the ink cartridge, the ink introduction port on the recording head side and the ink supply port 4 on the ink cartridge side, which are arranged corresponding to the bottom of the ink cartridge holder, are combined to form an ink communication path between them. In addition, electrical connection to the information storage medium can be performed.

  For example, as the recording head 100, an electrothermal conversion element is provided in a liquid path constituting a nozzle, and thermal energy is applied to the ink by applying an electric pulse serving as a recording signal to the ink. What uses the pressure at the time of the foaming (boiling) produced for ink discharge can be used.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a “printer”) 200 that performs recording by mounting the ink cartridge described above, with the main body cover 201 opened. In FIG. 4, the ink cartridge mounted on the printer 200 is representatively the ink cartridge 10 in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ink jet recording apparatus 200 of the present embodiment includes a main part of a printer such as a mechanism in which a carriage on which a recording head unit and an ink cartridge 10 are mounted moves for scanning. The printer includes a printer main body covered with a cover 201 and other case portions, a paper discharge tray 203 provided before and after the printer main body, and an automatic paper feeder (ASF) 202. An operation unit 213 including a display for displaying the state of the printer in both the closed state and the open state of the main body cover 201, a power switch, and a reset switch is provided.

  In a state where the main body cover 201 is removed, as shown in FIG. 4, the user can see the range in which the recording head unit 100 and the carriage 205 carrying the respective color ink cartridges 10K, 10Y, 10M, and 10C move and the periphery thereof. it can. Actually, when the main body cover 201 is opened, a sequence in which the carriage 1205 automatically moves to a substantially central position (also referred to as “tank replacement position”) shown in FIG. An ink cartridge replacement operation or the like can be performed.

  In the printer 200 of this embodiment, the recording head unit 100 is provided with recording heads (not shown) corresponding to the inks of the respective colors, and the recording heads of the respective colors scan the recording medium such as paper by moving the carriage 205. During this scanning, ink is ejected onto the recording medium to perform recording. That is, the carriage 205 is slidably engaged with the guide shaft 207 extending in the moving direction, and can be moved as described above by the carriage motor and its driving force transmission mechanism. In each recording head corresponding to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow ink, ink is ejected based on ejection data sent from the control circuit on the main body side via the flexible cable 206. Further, a paper feed mechanism such as a paper feed roller and a paper discharge roller is provided, and a recording medium (not shown) fed from the automatic paper feeder 202 can be conveyed to the paper discharge tray 203. The recording head unit 100 is detachably attached to the carriage 205, while each ink cartridge 10 is detachably attached thereto.

  In the recording operation, the recording head scans by the above movement, and during that time, ink is ejected from the respective recording heads to the recording medium to perform recording in a region having a width corresponding to the ejection port in the recording head. During scanning, the paper feeding mechanism feeds a predetermined amount of paper according to the width, thereby sequentially recording on the recording medium. In addition, an ejection recovery unit such as a cap is provided at the end of the moving range of the recording head by the carriage movement described above to cover the surface of each recording head on which the ejection port is provided. As a result, the recording head moves to a position where the recovery unit is provided at predetermined time intervals, and performs recovery processing such as preliminary ejection.

  The number of ink cartridges to be used, the color ink storage mode, and the configuration of the recording head unit or the ink jet recording apparatus to which the ink cartridge is attached are not limited to those described above. Also, the color tone of the ink to be used may be a single color or a plurality of colors. Further, when using a plurality of colors, in addition to the above four colors, in addition to them, or in place of at least a part of them, other colors such as light cyan, light magenta, red, green, blue, etc. are used. It may be. Furthermore, in addition to the ink as the color material, an ink cartridge that contains a processing liquid for improving the fixing property, coloring property, durability, etc. on the recording medium can also be used.

It is a schematic sectional drawing of the liquid storage container as an ink cartridge which concerns on one Example of this invention. In the liquid container shown in FIG. 1, it is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement of the valve | bulb and the change of a gas-liquid interface accompanying consumption of an ink, (a) is comparatively little ink supply amount to an inkjet recording head. (B) shows a state in which the ink consumption in the liquid storage chamber is proceeding in the case, and (b) shows a state in which the ink supply amount suddenly increases, the negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber increases, and the valve is opened. ) Shows a state in which the atmosphere is introduced into the liquid storage chamber, the negative pressure is reduced to a predetermined pressure, and the valve is closed, and (d) shows that the amount of ink corresponding to the introduced gas amount is a negative pressure generating member. (E) shows a state in which the negative pressure generating member and the pressure in the liquid storage chamber are balanced. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the liquid storage container as an ink cartridge which concerns on another Example of this invention. FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus equipped with an ink cartridge according to one embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional ink cartridge, where (a) shows a state of gas-liquid exchange when the ink supply amount to the ink jet recording head is relatively small, and (b) shows an ink supply amount to the ink jet recording head. (C) shows the state of gas-liquid exchange when the amount of ink supplied to the ink jet recording head continues to increase further.

Explanation of symbols

10, 110 Ink cartridge 12, 112 Atmospheric communication port 14, 114 Ink supply port 15, 115 Triangular prism 25, 125 Ink 32, 132 Negative pressure generating member 34, 134 Negative pressure generating member storage chamber 36, 136 Liquid storage chamber 38, 138 Partition wall 40 Ink communication port 42, 142 Rib 44, 144 Air buffer chamber 46, 146 Pressure contact body 61, 161 Gas-liquid interface 70 Valve 140 Communication port 150 Air introduction groove

Claims (8)

An ink supply port that supplies ink to the ink jet recording head, an air communication port that communicates with the air, a negative pressure generation member storage chamber that stores a negative pressure generation member that absorbs and holds ink, and a liquid storage chamber that stores ink An ink cartridge comprising: a partition wall that partitions the negative pressure generating member storage chamber and the liquid storage chamber; and a communication portion that communicates the negative pressure generation member storage chamber and the liquid storage chamber.
A valve that can introduce gas into the liquid storage chamber that is substantially sealed except for the communication portion but cannot discharge gas and liquid from the liquid storage chamber is provided in the liquid storage chamber. An ink cartridge characterized by.   The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the valve provided in the liquid storage chamber is provided above the liquid storage chamber in a posture during use.   The valve provided in the liquid storage chamber is provided so as to communicate with a portion of the negative pressure generation member storage chamber where the negative pressure generation member is absent, which communicates with the atmosphere through the atmosphere communication port. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the ink cartridge is characterized.   The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein ink supplied to the ink jet recording head is stored in the ink cartridge. An ink supply port that supplies ink to the ink jet recording head, an air communication port that communicates with the air, a negative pressure generation member storage chamber that stores a negative pressure generation member that absorbs and holds ink, and a liquid storage chamber that stores ink An ink cartridge comprising: a partition wall that divides the negative pressure generating member storage chamber and the liquid storage chamber; and an ink communication portion that connects the negative pressure generation member storage chamber and the liquid storage chamber.
A valve that can introduce air into the liquid storage chamber that is substantially sealed except for the communication portion, but cannot discharge gas and liquid from the liquid storage chamber, is provided in the liquid storage chamber, An ink cartridge, wherein air is introduced into the liquid storage chamber without passing through the ink stored in the liquid storage chamber.   The ink cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the air introduced into the liquid storage chamber is introduced without passing through the communication portion.   The ink cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the ink cartridge stores ink supplied to the ink jet recording head.   An ink jet recording apparatus equipped with the ink cartridge according to claim 1.

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