JP2006167949A - Ink cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink cartridge in which the function as a valve element can be sustained while preventing leakage of ink even when a valve member is impressed in a direction different from a normal direction or when it is impressed with a stroke longer than a normal stroke. <P>SOLUTION: As an ink cartridge is attached to a recorder, a valve member 65 is pushed up and the sidewall part 72 is pulled and elongated. Since a guide rod 66 projecting from the valve member 65 is guided along a rib 70, the sidewall part 72 is elongated substantially uniformly over the entire circumference even if the valve member 65 is impressed while inclining to the normal direction and the valve member 65 rarely come out of a bulging part 73. When the valve member 65 is impressed excessively, the bulging part 73 abuts against the wall face 70a at the lower end of the rib 70 thus preventing the valve member 65 from coming out of the bulging part 73. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink cartridge that is detachably attached to a recording apparatus.

  With respect to an ink cartridge for supplying ink to a recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer, Patent Document 1 discloses an ink cartridge that can prevent ink leakage from the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is detached from the recording apparatus. ing. The ink cartridge includes an ink chamber that stores ink, an ink supply port that supplies the ink stored in the ink chamber to the outside, and an ink guide chamber that is formed between the ink chamber and the ink supply port. ing.

  A valve member is accommodated in the ink guide chamber, and a cylindrical packing is fitted in the ink supply port. The valve member is urged in a direction in which it is elastically contacted with the cylindrical packing by a compression spring to block the ink flow path, thereby preventing ink leakage from the ink chamber side. When the ink cartridge is installed in the recording apparatus, the ink supply needle enters the cylindrical packing, and an ink flow path is formed by pushing the valve member toward the ink chamber against the bias of the compression spring, The ink can be supplied.

  However, in the ink cartridge described above, since the valve member is moved using the compression spring, there is a problem that the internal structure of the ink cartridge becomes complicated in order to attach the compression spring. Also, since the compression spring is made of metal, it cannot be disposed of together with the resin ink cartridge. When disposing of the ink cartridge, it is necessary to remove the compression spring from the ink cartridge. There is a problem that the disposal cost becomes high.

  Therefore, in order to solve this problem, the applicant of the present invention, instead of the compression spring, surrounds the outer periphery of the valve member and has a side wall portion having elasticity that can be expanded and contracted in the moving direction of the valve member. A support member in which an overhanging portion is integrally formed of a rubber-like elastic material so as to be bent inward from one end and come into contact with the surface of the valve member on the side opposite to the side wall portion. Has been proposed earlier than the present application.

This support member eliminates the need to attach a compression spring to the ink cartridge, so that the internal structure of the ink cartridge can be prevented from becoming complicated. In addition, since the support member can be made of an elastic material such as rubber, it is not necessary to take out the support member from the ink cartridge even when the ink cartridge is disposed of, thereby suppressing an increase in the disposal cost. It can be done.
JP 2001-113723 A (FIG. 4 etc.)

  When the ink cartridge having the above-described support member is mounted on the recording apparatus, the valve member blocking the ink flow path is pressed by the hollow ink extraction tube on the recording apparatus side, and the side wall portion of the support member is The ink flow path was opened by extending the valve member against the urging force and moving the valve member. Therefore, it is necessary to secure a space for extending the side wall portion of the support member.

  However, the valve member may be pressed in a direction different from the normal direction or may be pressed larger than a predetermined stroke due to mischief or improper installation of an ink cartridge. In this case, a part of the side wall portion of the support member extends excessively, the valve member comes out of contact with the protruding portion and jumps out of the support member into the space, and the valve member returns to the original closed position. In other words, the ink leaks to the outside or the water in the ink evaporates.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and even if the valve member is pressed in a direction different from the normal direction or is pressed larger than the normal stroke, the function as the valve member is achieved. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink cartridge that can prevent the ink from leaking to the outside or the moisture in the ink from evaporating.

  In order to achieve this object, an ink cartridge according to claim 1 is detachably attached to a recording apparatus main body, includes an ink chamber for storing ink, and a communication chamber for communicating the ink chamber with the outside; A valve member disposed in a communication chamber so as to be movable between a first state that blocks communication between the ink chamber and the outside and a second state that opens the communication; and an outer periphery of the valve member that surrounds the valve member. A side wall portion having elasticity that can be expanded and contracted in the moving direction, an overhang portion so as to bend inward from one end of the side wall portion and contact the surface of the valve member on the side opposite to the side wall portion; A support member that has an opening penetrating and formed parallel to the moving direction of the valve member at the protruding portion, and that integrally forms the side wall portion and the overhang portion, and biases the valve member to the first state; , Projecting from the valve member in parallel with its moving direction, It has passed through the guide rod, and a guide means comprising the guide rod and a movement direction parallel to slidably guided to the guide portion of the valve member.

  The ink cartridge according to claim 2 is the ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the support member has a valve seat portion with which the valve member abuts, and the valve seat portion, the side wall portion, and the overhang portion. Are integrally molded with a rubber-like elastic material.

  The ink cartridge according to claim 3 is the ink cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication chamber includes an internal flow path that communicates with the ink chamber on an extension in a moving direction of the valve member. The guide part is comprised by the inner surface of the said internal flow path.

  The ink cartridge according to claim 4 is the ink cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication chamber includes an internal flow path communicating with the ink chamber on an extension in a moving direction of the valve member. The guide portion is configured by a rib that protrudes from the inner surface of the internal flow path toward the guide rod.

  The ink cartridge according to claim 5 is the ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the valve member moves in a direction in which the side wall portion is extended, the protruding portion is separated from the valve member. It further includes a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the valve member before coming off.

  The ink cartridge according to claim 6 is the ink cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the side wall portion of the support member has a cylindrical shape surrounding the outer periphery of the valve member, and the opening of the overhang portion is The valve member has a smaller diameter, and the interval between the protruding portion and the restricting portion is configured to be approximately equal to or smaller than the thickness of the valve member in the direction parallel to the moving direction. .

  An ink cartridge according to a seventh aspect is the ink cartridge according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the restricting portion is constituted by a wall surface facing the valve member in a moving direction of the valve member.

  The ink cartridge according to claim 8 is the ink cartridge according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the communication chamber includes an internal flow path communicating with the ink chamber on an extension in a moving direction of the valve member. The guide portion is configured by a rib projecting from the inner surface of the internal flow path toward the guide rod, and the restricting portion is configured by a surface of the rib on the valve member side.

  According to the ink cartridge of claim 1, the valve member in the communication chamber that communicates between the ink chamber and the outside in a state where the ink cartridge is not attached to the recording apparatus is surrounded by the side wall portion of the support member, The surface opposite to the side wall is brought into contact with the protruding portion of the support member, and is biased to the first state in which the communication between the ink chamber and the outside is blocked. On the other hand, when attached to the recording apparatus, the valve member moves in a direction in which the side wall portion extends against the urging force, and enters a second state in which the ink chamber communicates with the outside.

  Here, the projecting portion is formed with an opening penetrating and formed parallel to the moving direction of the valve member, and a guide rod penetrating the opening projects parallel to the moving direction of the valve member. When this is mounted on the recording device, the guide rod is guided along the guide portion so as to be slidable in parallel with the moving direction of the valve member. Therefore, even if the valve member is pressed in a direction different from the normal direction, Even so, since the movement direction of the valve member is regulated by the guide portion, the side wall portion can be extended almost uniformly over the entire circumference. Therefore, there is an effect that the valve member can be normally functioned without the fact that only a part of the side wall portion extends as in the conventional case, and the valve member does not easily come out of the protruding portion.

  According to the ink cartridge of claim 2, in addition to the effect produced by the ink cartridge of claim 1, the support member has a valve seat portion with which the valve member abuts, and the valve seat portion and the side wall portion. And since the overhang | projection part is integrally shape | molded and provided with the rubber-like elastic material, the number of parts can be reduced. Therefore, there is an effect that the manufacturing process of the ink cartridge can be simplified.

  Further, the valve seat portion can be made of an elastic material to improve the adhesion with the valve member, and when the valve member is seated on the valve seat portion, the valve seat portion can be reliably shut off from the outside. is there.

  According to the ink cartridge of the third aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the ink cartridge of the first or second aspect, the communication chamber has an internal flow path communicating with the ink chamber on the extension of the movement direction of the valve member. The provision and the guide portion are constituted by the inner surface of the internal flow path, so that the internal configuration can be simplified.

  According to the ink cartridge of the fourth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the ink cartridge according to the first or second aspect, the communication chamber has an internal flow path communicating with the ink chamber on the extension of the movement direction of the valve member. The guide portion is constituted by a rib that protrudes from the inner surface of the internal flow path toward the guide rod, so that a flow path is secured between the inner surface of the internal flow path and the guide rod, and the guide rod is There is an effect that the guide can be accurately guided close to the rib.

  According to the ink cartridge of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the ink cartridge according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the valve member is detached from the overhanging portion when pressed more than a predetermined stroke. The movement of the valve member can be restricted before by the restricting part, and the valve member can be prevented from coming off from the overhanging part. Therefore, even if the valve member is pressed more than the regular stroke, the function as the valve member can be maintained, and the ink can be prevented from leaking to the outside or the moisture in the ink from evaporating. There is.

  According to the ink cartridge of the sixth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the ink cartridge of the fifth aspect, the valve member is detached from the overhanging part due to some reason, and the regulating part and the overhanging part are Even if the valve member may jump out into the space between, the opening is configured smaller than the valve member, and the interval between the overhanging portion and the regulating portion is the moving direction of the valve member The valve member that has popped out is in a state of closing the opening while being pressed by the restricting portion, and can be maintained in a shut-off state from the outside. There is an effect.

  According to the ink cartridge of the seventh aspect, in addition to the effect exhibited by the ink cartridge of the fifth or sixth aspect, the restricting portion is constituted by the wall surface facing the valve member in the moving direction of the valve member. By setting the distance from the wall surface to the valve member to a predetermined size, the wall surface can function as a restricting portion, and the internal structure of the ink cartridge can be simplified.

  According to the ink cartridge of the eighth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the ink cartridge of the fifth or sixth aspect, the communication chamber has an internal flow path communicating with the ink chamber on the extension of the movement direction of the valve member. The guide portion is configured by a rib projecting from the inner surface of the internal flow path toward the guide rod, and the restricting portion is configured by a surface of the rib on the valve member side. Can be formed of a common member. Therefore, there is an effect that the number of parts constituting the ink cartridge can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ink cartridge 1 and an ink jet recording apparatus 2 in which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The ink cartridge 1 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from an ink jet recording apparatus 2 including a recording head 7 that ejects ink, and stores ink to be supplied to the recording head 7.

  The ink cartridge 1 includes a hollow box-shaped main body case 1a having an open upper surface and a lid 1b for sealing the open upper surface of the main body case 1a. The ink supplied to the recording head 7 is formed inside the main body case 1a. Stored in the ink chamber 16 (see FIG. 2). The ink jet recording apparatus 2 is provided with a plurality of ink cartridges filled with four color inks of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

  The ink jet recording apparatus 2 includes a mounting unit 3 that detachably mounts the ink cartridge 1, a tank 5 that stores ink supplied from the ink cartridge 1 via a flexible ink supply tube 4, and a tank 5 that stores the ink. A recording head 7 for discharging the stored ink toward the recording paper 6, a carriage 8 on which the tank 5 and the recording head 7 are mounted and reciprocating in the horizontal direction, and a carriage shaft that serves as a guide for reciprocating movement of the carriage 8 9, a transport mechanism 10 for transporting the recording paper 6, and a purge device 11.

  The mounting portion 3 includes a base portion 3a and guide portions 3b standing from both sides of the base portion 3a. The ink stored in the ink cartridge 1 is stored in the base portion 3a sandwiched between the guide portions 3b. A hollow protruding ink extraction tube 12 for extraction and an air supply path 13 for supplying air into the ink cartridge 1 are provided.

  An ink supply tube 4 is connected to one end side of the ink extraction tube 12, and the ink extraction tube 12 communicates with the tank 5 via the ink supply tube 4. One end of an air supply tube 15 is connected to the air supply path 13 and the other end communicates with the air.

  The recording head 7 is provided with a plurality of nozzle holes on the surface facing the recording paper 6, and by driving an actuator made of a piezoelectric element, ink stored in the tank 5 from the nozzle holes is directed toward the recording paper 6. Discharged. In the actual recording operation, recording is performed on the recording paper 6 while the carriage 8 on which the recording head 7 is mounted moves back and forth.

  Further, the recording head 7 is disposed above the mounting portion 3, and the ink in the nozzle hole has a negative pressure (back pressure) due to a water head difference between the ink cartridge 1 mounted in the mounting portion 3 and the nozzle hole. ) Is given.

  The purge device 11 is disposed outside the recording range and faces the recording head 7, and includes a purge cap 11a that covers the nozzle hole forming surface of the recording head 7, and a waste ink tube 11b that communicates with the purge cap 11a. And a pump 11c for sucking ink from the nozzle holes via the waste ink tube 11b.

  When executing the purge process, the carriage 8 is moved to the purge process execution position, and the nozzle hole forming surface of the recording head 7 is covered with the purge cap 11a. In this state, the pump 11c is driven to suck the defective ink containing bubbles and the like accumulated inside the recording head 7. The sucked defective ink is stored in a waste ink tank (not shown) through the waste ink tube 11b. The recording operation and the purge process are controlled under a CPU (not shown) that is a central processing unit mounted on the inkjet recording apparatus 2.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the structure of the joint part (A part of FIG. 1) attached to the ink jet recording apparatus 2 of the ink cartridge 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the joint portion showing a state before being attached to the ink jet recording apparatus 2 and FIG. 3 is a state after being attached.

  The ink cartridge 1 includes a main body case 1a having a bottom wall 1c and a peripheral wall 1i that form an ink chamber 16, an open top surface, a lid member 1b that covers the open top surface of the main body case 1a, and a bottom surface of the main body case 1a. The cap member 1e that caps the wall 1c is formed, and the ink cartridge 1 is formed by welding the lid member 1b and the cap member 1e to the main body case 1a. The cap member 1e is formed with two exposure holes 1f and 1g for exposing valve devices 23 and 24, which will be described later, to the outside.

  On the lower surface of the bottom wall 1 c, there are a supply side communication chamber 30 opened to supply the ink in the ink chamber 16 to the outside and an atmosphere side communication chamber 50 opened to introduce the atmosphere into the ink chamber 16. Is formed. Both communication chambers 30 and 50 are defined in cylindrical walls 1h and 1k that are integrally formed so as to protrude from the lower surface of the bottom wall 1c.

  In addition, an ink supply port 1 d for communicating between the supply side communication chamber 30 and the ink chamber 16 is formed in the bottom wall 1 c in the supply side communication chamber 30, and the bottom wall 1 c in the atmosphere side communication chamber 50 is formed. Is formed with an air inlet 1 j that communicates between the atmosphere-side communication chamber 50 and the ink chamber 16. The atmosphere introduction port 1j is formed to have substantially the same diameter as the atmosphere side communication chamber 50. A hollow cylindrical member 62 is formed to protrude into the ink chamber 16 on the upper surface of the bottom wall 1c corresponding to the air introduction port 1j.

  The hollow cylindrical member 62 includes a first internal flow path 62a that is continuously extended from the atmosphere introduction port 1j toward the ink chamber 16 in a tapered shape in a sectional view, and the first internal flow path 62a. A second internal flow path 62b extending continuously in a strip shape toward the ink chamber 16 is provided inside, and the atmosphere side communication chamber is provided via the first internal flow path 62a and the second internal flow path 62b. 50 is opened above the ink liquid level in the ink 16.

  A plurality of ribs 70 projecting toward a guide rod 66 of a valve member 65, which will be described later, are formed in succession on each inner surface of the upper portion of the first internal flow path 62a and the atmosphere side communication chamber 50 adjacent thereto. Yes. The interval T1 between the wall surface 70a at the lower end of the rib 70 and a protruding portion 73 of the support member 63 described later is such that the protruding portion 73 is in the state where the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus 2, as shown in FIG. The rib 70 is configured to be spaced from the wall surface 70a at the lower end of the rib 70 (smaller than T1).

  In addition, a predetermined number of ribs 71 are formed on the inner surface of the supply side communication chamber 30 so as to protrude from the lower surface of the bottom wall 1c toward an extension portion 37 of a support member 46 described later housed in the supply side communication chamber 30. Has been. As shown in FIG. 3, the interval T <b> 2 between the wall surface 71 a at the lower end of the rib 71 and the overhang portion 37 is such that the overhang portion 37 is mounted on the inkjet recording apparatus 2 and the wall surface at the lower end of the rib 71. 71a and an interval (smaller than T2) are provided.

  Further, valve devices 23 and 24 are arranged in the communication chambers 30 and 50, respectively. The supply-side valve device 23 includes a support member 46 that is integrally manufactured from a rubber-like elastic member, and a valve member 54 that is made of a resin material. The support member 46 has a substantially cylindrical outer shape, and is integrally formed with a valve seat portion 46a, an urging portion 46b closer to the ink chamber 16 than the valve seat portion 46a, and a mounting portion 33 on the outer periphery of the valve seat portion 46a. Configured. The valve member 54 is urged by the urging portion 46b in a direction in contact with the valve seat portion 46a and is accommodated in the urging portion 46b.

  The attachment portion 33 is formed larger than the outer diameter of the urging portion 46b. In addition, the communication chamber 30 has a stepped surface 44 whose diameter increases outward to accommodate the attachment portion 33. The support member 46 is fixed by sandwiching the mounting portion 33 between the cap member 1 e and the stepped surface 44.

  The valve seat portion 46a has an opening 41 penetrating in the axial direction at the center thereof, an insertion port 35 below the opening 41, and a tapered guide path 40 below the opening 41. The insertion port 35 is formed in a size that allows the ink extraction tube 12 to be inserted in close contact when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the mounting portion 3.

  The urging portion 46b has a side wall portion 36 that rises in a cylindrical shape from the outer periphery of the valve seat portion 46a toward the ink chamber 16, and is inwardly connected to the side wall portion 36 so as to contact the ink chamber 16 side of the valve member 54. The opening 37a is formed in the center of the overhanging portion 37, and the diameter d1 of the opening 37a is larger than the diameter d2 of the projection member 57a of the valve member 54 described later (see FIG. 4). Is also made smaller.

  The urging portion 46b urges the valve member 54 by the elastic force of the side wall portion 36 and the overhanging portion 37 in the direction in which the valve member 54 is brought into contact with the valve seat portion 46a. The part 46a is closely attached. Further, the ink extraction tube 12 is inserted into the insertion hole 35 to push up the valve member 54 toward the ink chamber 16, whereby the side wall portion 36 extends to push up the overhang portion 37, and the bottom portion of the valve member 54 and the valve seat portion 46 a. A gap for the ink flow path is formed between the two.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the valve member 54 is continuous across the bottom 57, the valve side wall 56 extending vertically and vertically from the outer periphery of the bottom 57, and the bottom 57 and the valve side wall 56. The communication path 58 is formed. The bottom portion 57 has a projecting member 57a that protrudes toward the valve seat portion 46a and is formed in an annular shape on the end surface facing the valve seat portion 46a at a position that is closer to the center side than the communication passage 58 and outside the opening 41. Have. The protruding member 57a elastically deforms the valve seat portion 46a by pressing of the urging portion 46b, and comes into close contact with the upper surface of the valve seat portion 46a. A diameter d2 of the protruding member 57a is configured to be larger than a diameter d1 of the opening 37a that opens at the center of the overhang portion 37 described above.

  On the other hand, similarly to the valve device 23, the valve device 24 includes a support member 63 integrally made of a rubber-like elastic member and a valve member 65 made of a resin material. As with the support member 46, the support member 63 is configured by integrally forming a valve seat portion 63a, a biasing portion 63b, and an attachment portion 63e. The urging portion 63b includes a side wall portion 72 that rises in a cylindrical shape from the outer periphery of the valve seat portion 63a toward the ink chamber 16 as in the case of the urging member 46b of the support member 46, and a valve member that is connected to the side wall portion 72. 65 is formed by an overhanging portion 73 projecting inward so as to contact the ink chamber 16 side, and has an opening 74 at the center of the overhanging portion 73. The diameter d3 of the opening 74 has a valve member 65 described later. The protrusion member 57a is smaller than the diameter d4 (see FIG. 4). In addition, since the function of these structures is the same as that of the support member 46, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The valve seat portion 63a is formed with a through-hole 63c through which an operation member 67 of a later-described valve member 65 is inserted, and the lower portion of the valve seat portion 63a has a cylindrical shape so as to surround the through-hole 63c. The seal part 63d is integrally formed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the valve member 65 has a guide rod 66 at the upper part, an operation member 67 at the lower part, and a valve part 68 at a substantially central part. Similar to the valve member 54 shown in FIG. 4, the valve portion 68 includes a bottom portion 57, a valve side wall portion 56, a communication passage 58, and a protruding member 57 a on the bottom surface of the bottom portion 57. In addition, since the valve part 68 is comprised similarly to the valve member 54, about the same structure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The guide rod 66 has a cylindrical shape that rises vertically from the bottom portion 57, passes through the opening 74 of the urging portion 63 b at an interval, and is positioned in a state surrounded by the rib 70.

  The operation member 67 is a protrusion that extends vertically downward from the bottom portion 57 and penetrates through the through hole 63c with an interval for air circulation between the operation member 67 and the through hole 63c of the valve seat portion 63a. It protrudes downward.

  An ink extraction tube 12 protrudes from the ink supply side of the mounting portion 3 to which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted. A porous elastic body 3c such as a sponge is formed around the lower portion of the ink extraction tube 12. It is buried in. The porous elastic body 3c is provided in order to absorb the leaked ink in case the ink leaks from the ink supply side.

  At the upper end of the ink extraction tube 12, a communication port 12a that connects the inner flow path and the outer periphery thereof in the radial direction is formed in a notch shape, and when the ink extraction tube 12 comes into contact with the valve member 54, the ink extraction tube 12 Communication between the 12 internal flow paths and the ink chamber 16 is ensured.

  On the atmosphere introduction side, a recess 3 d is formed corresponding to the seal portion 63 d formed on the support member 63 of the ink cartridge 1, and the atmosphere supply path 13 is positioned in the recess 3 d at a position shifted from the lower end of the operation member 67. Is formed. As shown in FIG. 3, when the ink cartridge 1 is attached to the attachment portion 3, the recess portion 3d is fitted with the seal portion 63d, and the tip of the seal portion 63d is elastically deformed to be in close contact with the bottom portion of the recess portion 3d. Then, the atmosphere supply path 13 and the atmosphere introduction port 1j are sealed with respect to the outside so as to be in a communication state.

  Next, the state of the ink cartridge 1 when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the mounting portion 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIG. 2, in a state before the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the mounting portion 3, the operation member 67 projects downward from the bottom surface of the cap 1 e on the atmosphere introduction side, and the lower end thereof is the seal portion. The valve member 65 is urged by the urging part 63b and is in close contact with the valve seat part 63a. On the other hand, similarly, on the ink supply side, the valve member 54 is urged by the urging portion 46b and is in close contact with the valve seat portion 46a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the ink cartridge 1 is attached to the attachment portion 3, the tip of the ink extraction tube 12 pushes up the valve member 54 on the ink supply side, and accordingly, the urging portion 46b. The side wall portion 36 is extended and the valve member 54 is separated from the valve seat portion 46a, whereby the valve device 23 is opened. Therefore, the ink stored in the ink chamber 16 includes the ink supply port 1d, the supply-side communication chamber 30, the opening 37a that opens to the overhang portion 37, the communication path 58 of the valve member 54 (see FIG. 4), and ink extraction. The ink is supplied into the ink extraction tube 12 through the communication port 12 a of the tube 12.

  On the other hand, on the air introduction side, the valve seat 63a of the support member 63 is moved downward with the tip of the operation member 67 in contact with the bottom of the recess 3d and the valve member 65 is fixed. 65 is pushed up, and accordingly, the side wall portion 72 of the urging portion 63b is expanded, and the valve device 24 is opened by the valve member 65 being separated from the valve seat portion 63a. At this time, the guide rod 66 of the valve member 65 moves along the longitudinal edge of the rib 70 as a guide portion. Therefore, even if the valve member 65 tries to move in a direction inclined from the vertical direction, the movement is not caused. Since it is regulated by the rib 70, the valve member 65 can be moved in a substantially vertical direction.

  Thus, when the valve device 24 is opened, the air supply path 13, the gap between the operation member 67 and the through hole 63 c, the communication path 58 (see FIG. 5) of the valve member 65, the guide rod 66 and the overhang portion 73. The inside of the ink chamber 16 communicates with the outside through the gap between the opening 74 opening, the atmosphere communication chamber 50, the rib 70 of the first internal flow path 62a, and the second internal flow path 62b.

  Next, a case where the valve members 54 and 65 are pushed up larger than the normal stroke due to inappropriate mounting or mischief of the ink cartridge 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  Since the support members 46 and 63 that support the valve members 54 and 65 are made of rubber-like elastic members, when the valve members 54 and 65 are pushed up, the side walls 36 and 72 are pulled and extended. Accordingly, the overhang portions 37 and 73 are inclined and the openings 37a and 74 of the overhang portions 37 and 73 are enlarged. When the side wall portions 36 and 72 are further pushed up in a state where they are extended by a predetermined amount, the valve members 54 and 65 further incline the projecting portions 37 and 73 to further expand the openings 37a and 74 and jump out of the openings 37a and 74. End up. As a result, it is impossible to return the valve members 54 and 65 to the positions where they are in close contact with the valve seat portions 46a and 63a.

  In the ink cartridge of this embodiment, the lower end wall surfaces 71a and 70a of the ribs 71 and 70 act as a restricting portion that restricts excessive movement of the valve members 54 and 65. That is, before the openings 37a and 74 are larger than the valve members 54 and 65 and the valve members 54 and 65 are disengaged from the overhang portions 37 and 73, as shown in FIG. Spaces T1 and T2 between the upper surfaces of the overhang portions 37 and 73 and the lower end wall surfaces 71a and 70a of the ribs 71 and 70 are set so as to contact the lower end wall surfaces 71a and 70a of the ribs 71 and 70.

  Therefore, even if the valve members 54 and 65 are pushed up excessively, the valve members 54 and 65 can be prevented from jumping out from the openings 37a and 74, and the valve devices 23 and 24 are left in an open state, so that the ink is discharged to the outside. And the ink does not thicken due to evaporation of water or the like in the ink. The ink leaks not only from the valve device 23 on the ink supply side, but also when the ink cartridge falls over while it is being carried and the ink enters the first and second internal flow paths 62a and 62b. When the valve device 24 on the atmosphere introduction side is opened as described above, ink may leak from the valve device. Similarly, water or the like may evaporate from the valve device 23 on the ink supply side.

  When the valve members 54 and 65 are pushed up in a direction inclined from the vertical direction (that is, the normal direction), a part of the side wall portions 36 and 72 is pulled greatly and the openings 37a and 74 are deformed in the corresponding directions. Thus, the valve members 54 and 65 easily protrude from the openings 37a and 74. In the valve device 24 on the atmosphere introduction side of this embodiment, as described above, since the guide rod 66 and the rib 70 are guided in the substantially vertical direction, only a part of the side wall portions 36 and 72 is large. Therefore, the valve members 54 and 65 can be prevented from jumping out of the openings 37a and 74 by this structure. In the present embodiment, this is performed in the valve device 24 on the atmosphere introduction side, but a guide rod is also provided in the valve device 23 on the ink supply side to guide the ink supply port 1d or the rib 71. You can also.

  Further, the support members 46 and 63 are manufactured to be smaller than a predetermined design dimension due to manufacturing errors or the like, or the side walls 36 and 72 are not sufficiently extended with respect to the pushing force of the valve members 54 and 65. Even if the valve members 54 and 65 are pushed vigorously and the valve members 54 and 65 jump out of the openings 37a and 74, in the ink cartridge of the present embodiment, the valve devices 23 and 24 are as follows. Preventing the open state.

  As described above, the diameters d2 and d4 of the protrusions 57a of the valve members 54 and 65 are formed larger than the diameters d1 and d3 of the openings 37a and 74, and the intervals T1 and T2 are equal to the distances of the valve members 54 and 65. The height from the protrusion 57a to the upper end of the valve side wall portion 56 (that is, the thickness parallel to the moving direction of the valve member 54) is substantially equal to or slightly smaller than that. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, when the valve members 54, 65 jump out of the openings 37 a, 74, the side walls 36, 72 contract, and the overhangs 37, 73 extend along the lower surfaces of the valve members 54, 65. As a result, the valve members 54 and 65 are sandwiched between the upper surfaces of the overhang portions 37 and 73 and the lower end wall surfaces 71a and 70a of the ribs 71 and 70, so that the valve members 54 and 65 are restored. The openings 37a and 74 are closed by the lower surface of the. Therefore, even if the valve members 54 and 65 jump out of the openings 37a and 74, the valve devices 23 and 24 are left open (although they cannot normally be restored), and the ink leaks to the outside. Etc. disappear.

  The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It can be easily guessed.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the movement of the valve members 65 and 54 is regulated by the ribs 70 and 71 has been described. However, instead of the rib 70, as shown in FIG. The movement of the valve member 54 may be restricted by applying the overhang portions 37 and 73 to the ceiling wall surface 30 a of the supply side communication chamber 30.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the inner surface of the first internal flow path 62a is formed in a cylindrical shape with a slight gap from the outer periphery of the guide bar 66, and the guide bar 66 is formed on the inner surface of the first internal flow path 62a. You may make it guide so that sliding is possible along.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the lower end wall surface of the rib 72 hanging from the ceiling wall of the supply side communication chamber 30 is directly opposed to the valve member 54 through the opening 37a of the overhang portion 37, and the valve member 54 is raised. In some cases, the rib 72 may enter the opening 37a of the overhang portion 37 and directly contact the valve member 54 to prevent excessive movement of the valve member 54. Furthermore, the upper end of the guide rod 66 of the valve member 65 may be brought into direct contact with the ceiling wall surface 73 of the atmosphere side communication chamber 50 to prevent excessive movement of the valve member 65. In this case, a communication path 66a is provided in one of the both surfaces so that communication with the atmosphere can be ensured when the ceiling wall surface 73 and the guide rod 66 are in contact with each other.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the openings 37a and 74 for communicating the inside and outside of the support members 46 and 63 are opened in the moving direction of the valve members 54 and 65 for the purpose of circulating ink and the atmosphere. The positions at which 37a and 74 are provided are not limited to such positions. For example, if the inside and outside of the support members 46 and 63 that accommodate the valve members 54 and 65 can communicate with each other, for example, the side walls of the support members 46 and 63 are provided. You may comprise so that it may provide in the parts 36 and 72. FIG. In such a case, the communication hole 58 of the valve members 54 and 65 becomes unnecessary.

  Further, the atmosphere introduction path 13 of the mounting portion can be protruded in a hollow cylindrical shape like the ink supply pipe 12 and the valve device 24 on the atmosphere communication side can have the same structure as the valve device 23 on the ink supply side. . Further, the ink supply pipe 12 can be shaped so as not to protrude from the mounting portion, and the valve device 23 on the ink supply side can have the same structure as the valve device 24 on the atmosphere communication side.

It is the schematic which showed the inkjet recording device which mounts the ink cartridge of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state before the ink cartridge is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the ink cartridge is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus. It is the figure which showed the valve member, (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view, (c) is AA sectional view, (d) is a bottom view. It is the figure which showed the valve member, (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view, (c) is a bottom view. It is sectional drawing of the ink cartridge explaining the operation state of a valve apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the ink cartridge explaining the operation state of a valve apparatus. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the ink cartridge of the 2nd example. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the ink cartridge of the 3rd example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink cartridge 2 Inkjet recording device 16 Ink chamber 50 Air | atmosphere side communication chamber 65 Valve member 70 Rib 70a Rib lower end wall surface 73 Overhang part 72 Side wall part 62a First internal flow path 62b Second internal flow path 63a Valve seat part 63b Support member 66 Guide rod 74 Opening

Claims (8)

In an ink cartridge that is detachably attached to the recording apparatus main body and includes an ink chamber for storing ink,
A communication chamber communicating the ink chamber with the outside;
A valve member disposed in the communication chamber so as to be movable between a first state in which communication between the ink chamber and the outside is blocked and a second state in which the communication is released;
A side wall portion that surrounds the outer periphery of the valve member and has elasticity that can be expanded and contracted in the moving direction of the valve member, and bends inward from one end of the side wall portion to the surface of the valve member opposite to the side wall portion. The valve member has an overhanging portion so as to abut, and an opening formed through the overhanging portion in parallel to the moving direction of the valve member, and the side wall portion and the overhanging portion are integrally formed. A support member that biases the first state to the first state;
A guide rod that protrudes from the valve member in parallel with the moving direction and penetrates the opening; and a guide means that guides the guide rod to be slidable in parallel with the moving direction of the valve member. An ink cartridge characterized by having   The ink according to claim 1, wherein the support member has a valve seat portion with which the valve member abuts, and the valve seat portion, the side wall portion, and the overhang portion are integrally formed of a rubber-like elastic material. cartridge. The communication chamber includes an internal flow path that communicates with the ink chamber on an extension of the movement direction of the valve member,
The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is configured by an inner surface of the internal flow path. The communication chamber includes an internal flow path that communicates with the ink chamber on an extension of the movement direction of the valve member,
The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is configured by a rib that protrudes from an inner surface of an internal flow path toward the guide rod.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a restricting portion that restricts movement of the valve member before the overhanging portion is detached from the valve member when the valve member moves in a direction in which the side wall portion extends. 5. The ink cartridge according to any one of items 1 to 4. The side wall portion of the support member has a cylindrical shape surrounding the outer periphery of the valve member, and the opening of the overhang portion has a smaller diameter than the valve member,
The ink according to claim 5, wherein a distance between the protruding portion and the restricting portion is configured to be substantially equal to or smaller than a thickness of the valve member in a direction parallel to the moving direction. cartridge.   The ink cartridge according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the restricting portion is configured by a wall surface facing the valve member in a moving direction of the valve member. The communication chamber includes an internal flow path that communicates with the ink chamber on an extension of the movement direction of the valve member,
The guide portion is constituted by a rib that protrudes from the inner surface of the internal flow path toward the guide rod,
The ink cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the restriction portion is configured by a surface of the rib on the valve member side.

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