JP2009023108A - Liquid container, recording head and ink-jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink tank which can realize a stable delivery movement during the period from the beginning of using an ink to the complete consumption of it without causing an ink leakage or a poor ink-supply to a recording head while maintaining the internal negative pressure within a predetermined range. <P>SOLUTION: The ink tank is equipped with a flexible film 33 for defining an ink storage chamber 38, a plate member 34 contacting the flexible film 33 from the inside of the ink storage chamber 38, a spring member 35 for urging the plate member 34 in the direction of enlarging the ink storage chamber 38 and a one-way valve 39. The plate member 34 approaches a lug gradually following the consuming of the ink, With contacting the lug, introduction of air into the ink storage chamber 38 from the outside. If the ink storage chamber 38 is enlarged by introducing a certain amount of air, the plate member 34 moves away from the lug, and the introduction of air is blocked. Thereby, the negative pressure level of the ink storage chamber can be held down to a predetermined level, and even if the residual amount of ink gets small, the ink can be supplied to the recording head stably to the last. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid storage container (ink tank) used in a recording apparatus that performs a recording operation by discharging a recording liquid such as ink. In particular, the present invention relates to an ink tank that can generate a suitable negative pressure without providing a porous member or the like for absorbing and holding ink inside the ink tank.

  2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using a recording head that discharges liquid ink is rapidly spreading. Some ink jet recording apparatuses form an image by moving a recording medium with respect to a recording head fixed in the apparatus, but by moving a recording head that discharges ink with respect to the recording medium. Some form an image. In recent recording apparatuses for personal use, the latter configuration is often adopted because downsizing is easily realized.

  In an ink jet recording apparatus having such a configuration, a method for stably supplying ink to a recording head that ejects ink while moving is required. As a conventional ink supply method, for example, a tube supply method for supplying ink from an ink tank fixed in the apparatus to a recording head mounted on a carriage via a flexible tube can be cited. In this case, an intermediate tank (sub tank) that supplies ink directly to the recording head on the carriage is further provided, and ink is supplied from the main tank fixed in the apparatus to the sub tank via the flexible tube. Is also included. However, in such a tube supply system, the recording apparatus itself tends to be large.

  Therefore, in a recording apparatus for personal use, a system in which a recording head and an ink tank that directly supplies ink to the carriage that moves and scans are integrally mounted has been generally adopted in recent years. In this case, the ink tank may be separable from the recording head or not. If the configuration is separable, only the ink tank is replaced when the ink in the ink tank is completely consumed, and if the configuration is not separable, the ink tank and the recording head are integrally replaced. Become.

  The ink supplied to the recording head is once stored in the common liquid chamber, and then enters into a plurality of nozzles continuing to the ejection port by capillary force. Due to this phenomenon, ink is supplied immediately even when ink is consumed from the ejection port. On the other hand, the recording head is also required to have a force for pulling ink in the direction opposite to the discharge port so that the capillary force does not cause the ink to leak from the discharge port. In each nozzle, an appropriate meniscus is held by the balance of the attractive force in the direction opposite to the capillary force, and a stable discharge operation can be repeated.

  As a mechanism for generating an appropriate attractive force as described above, a configuration in which a porous member for absorbing and holding ink is provided inside the ink tank and a negative pressure is generated by the ink absorbing force of the porous member has been conventionally used. Was widely adopted. However, in such a configuration, there is a problem that all of the ink absorbed by the porous member cannot be consumed, and that it cannot be suitably used for pigment ink or ink with high viscosity. Therefore, separately from this, an ink tank having another mechanism for generating a negative pressure while containing ink without an absorbing member has already been proposed and provided.

  For example, ink is filled as it is into a bag-shaped member made of a material such as rubber that has elasticity and generates tension in the direction of expanding the volume, and the ink generated by the tension generated by the bag-shaped member There is one that generates negative pressure.

  Moreover, a bag-like member is formed of a flexible film, and a negative pressure is generated by joining a spring or the like that urges the film in the direction in which the bag-like member expands the volume inside or outside the bag-like member. Some of them are

  Further, Patent Document 1 discloses an ink tank configuration in which a spring member is provided in a flexible hermetic bag-like member that directly stores ink and can be deformed according to the amount of the ink. According to this, since the negative pressure in the sealed bag-shaped member is basically set to a value that balances with the spring force, the spring force increases as the bag-shaped member contracts as the ink is consumed. Internal negative pressure also increases.

  In any of the above mechanisms, the negative pressure tends to gradually increase as the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank decreases.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 2 or Patent Document 3, an ink tank is provided with a hydrophobic film and a tubular vent (boss), and a spherical body is provided in the vent pipe, thereby reducing the internal negative pressure. A mechanism is disclosed in which air is taken into the tank when it increases more than necessary. Specifically, a tubular vent (boss) communicating with the inside of the container from the outside is provided, and a sphere having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the boss is attached to a plurality of protruding ribs provided on the inner wall of the boss. A substantially annular orifice is formed with the boss. Such an orifice is selected to be sized so that the capillary action of the ink retains a small amount of ink in the orifice as a liquid seal. Further, when the negative pressure in the container approaches the limit of the operation range of the recording head, the negative pressure overcomes the capillary action of the ink and the liquid seal is invalidated.

  Patent Document 4 discloses a configuration in which a plate with a hole and a plate with a protrusion are disposed opposite to each other in an ink bag made of a flexible sheet, and a spring member is disposed therebetween. According to this document, the remaining amount of ink decreases, the ink bag shrinks, and when the internal negative pressure exceeds a predetermined value, the protrusion is inserted into the hole, the plate with the hole and the flexible sheet are peeled off, and the air inside the tank It is a mechanism to capture. Further, in this mechanism, when air is taken in, the holed plate and the flexible sheet are brought into close contact with each other, and ink leakage is prevented by an ink meniscus holding force between them, in other words, a liquid seal.

  Furthermore, in Patent Document 5, liquid is stored in a bag-like member made of a flexible sheet, and when the inside of the ink tank reaches a predetermined negative pressure using a one-way valve in the air introduction portion, the valve is opened to introduce air. A configuration to perform is disclosed. According to this configuration, in addition to the effects described in Patent Documents 2 to 4, it is possible to secure a buffer portion that allows air expansion due to environmental changes and to improve the seal reliability of the air introduction portion.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-24900 JP-A-7-125240 JP 7-125241 A JP-A-6-183023 JP 2003-251826 A

  However, in any of the configurations described above, various problems have been induced in each of them, and the ink is stably supplied from the start of use of the ink tank to the completion of consumption, and highly reliable and high-quality recording is performed. It was a difficult situation to maintain.

  For example, in a configuration in which the negative pressure increases in accordance with the remaining amount in the ink tank as in Patent Document 1, ink is stably supplied to the recording head when the negative pressure exceeds a predetermined level. Can no longer do. As a result, it is required to replace the ink tank without completely consuming the ink in the ink tank. Further, in such a configuration, if the recording head is subjected to a suction operation for maintenance in a state where the ink remaining amount in the ink tank is small, there is a possibility that a reverse flow of ink occurs immediately after the suction operation. .

  FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams for explaining the backflow phenomenon. The flexible film 83 provided inside the ink tank 80 and bonded to the plate member 84 moves from the right side to the left side in the drawing as the ink in the ink storage chamber 88 is consumed, and the volume of the ink storage chamber 88 is increased. Will shrink. The ink supply port 90 supplies ink to a recording head (not shown). When performing the suction operation, the cap 70 provided at the tip of the recovery system unit 60 is adsorbed to the ejection port of the recording head. Thereafter, by generating a negative pressure inside the recovery type unit 60, the ink is forcibly discharged from the discharge port of the recording head connected to the ink tank 80 through the liquid supply path 61. The discharged waste ink 62 is discharged to the waste ink tank in the direction of the arrow after the cap 70 is opened after the suction operation is completed.

  However, in the sealed state as shown in the figure, the inside of the ink containing chamber 88 is rapidly depressurized by the suction operation. If the degree of decompression is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the waste ink once stored in the recovery system unit is once again contained in the recording head and then the ink within a short time immediately after the suction operation is completed and before the cap 70 is opened. It flows backward into the storage chamber 88. FIG. 8B shows such a state. The waste ink 62 discharged into the recovery system unit may be thickened by evaporation or contain impurities, which may adversely affect the discharge state of the recording head. Further, when the above suction operation is performed on a plurality of ink tanks using one cap 70, a plurality of ink colors become waste ink 62 mixed in the recovery system unit 60. If it flows back to the recording head, an erroneous color image will be adversely affected. Then, once mixed color ink or ink with changed physical properties is mixed in the ink flow path in this way, a larger amount of suction operation and ink consumption are required to completely discharge the ink.

  On the other hand, in the configurations of Patent Documents 2 to 5, since the negative pressure level is devised so as not to exceed a predetermined level, the ink can be used up to the end and the backflow can be suppressed. However, in the configurations of Patent Documents 2 to 4, since a liquid seal is used, outside air is introduced as soon as the ink is consumed, and the ink containing chamber is returned to atmospheric pressure all at once. Such a rapid pressure change in the ink storage chamber causes the ink remaining in the vicinity of the ejection port to be pushed out or the residual ink to leak out from the annular orifice where no meniscus is formed.

  FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams for explaining ink leakage due to a rapid pressure change inside the ink tank. Here, an ink tank T is shown in which air is introduced into the ink tank T as the ink is consumed. Even in such an ink tank, when the pressure of the gas in the container is extremely increased due to an environmental change (such as a decrease in external air pressure or a temperature increase), as shown in FIG. The ink may be pushed out and ink may leak through the ejection port N or the vent port A.

  On the other hand, if it is the structure which controls opening and closing of a one-way valve like patent document 5, the buffer which uses the air expansion by an environmental change etc. can be ensured to some extent or more. Therefore, it is possible to control the negative pressure level in the ink tank so as not to become higher than a predetermined level without accompanying a rapid pressure change as described above, and the seal of the air introduction part is not a liquid seal. Reliability is improved.

  However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 5, the amount of air taken into the ink tank, that is, the state of the meniscus, varies due to the variation factor of the negative pressure generating mechanism element, that is, the variation in component accuracy. In addition, when air is introduced during the use of ink in the ink tank, an ink area and an air area exist in the ink tank, and the ink can easily move freely in the ink tank. In this case, the ink in the ink tank vigorously swings with the movement of the carriage, and the meniscus state of the ink in the vicinity of the ink discharge port of the recording head becomes unstable, resulting in recording failure. Furthermore, when the amount of ink is small, air may enter the ink supply unit to the recording head due to the inclination of the ink tank, and ink supply failure may occur.

  As described above, the ink tank in which the ink is directly stored in the ink tank without providing the ink absorbing member has been improved by various devices, but still has a problem.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems. Therefore, the objective is to maintain a stable discharge operation from the start of ink use to the end of consumption without causing ink leakage or ink supply failure to the print head while maintaining an internal negative pressure within a predetermined range. It is to provide an ink tank that can be realized.

  Therefore, in the present invention, a flexible film that forms a liquid storage chamber with the inner wall by coupling with the opening peripheral edge of the casing, and a plate that contacts the flexible film from the inside of the liquid storage chamber A member, a spring member for urging the plate member in a direction away from the inner wall, a supply port for leading the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber, and the housing protruding into the liquid storage chamber And a one-way valve that allows introduction of gas from the outside to the liquid storage chamber and prevents derivation of liquid and gas from the liquid storage chamber to the outside. The one-way valve allows the introduction of gas from the outside into the liquid storage chamber by the plate member coming into contact with the protruding portion.

  A flexible film that forms a liquid storage chamber with the inner wall by coupling with the peripheral edge of the housing; a plate member that contacts the flexible film from the inside of the liquid storage chamber; and the plate A spring member that urges the member in a direction away from the inner wall, a supply port for deriving the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber, and the liquid disposed in the supply port can hold the liquid. A meniscus forming member and the casing are arranged to have a protrusion in the liquid storage chamber, permitting introduction of gas from the outside to the liquid storage chamber, and liquid and gas from the liquid storage chamber to the outside A one-way valve that prevents derivation of the gas, wherein the one-way valve allows gas to be introduced into the liquid storage chamber from the outside when the plate member contacts the protruding portion. , The introduction of the liquid storage chamber The meniscus forming member in a preliminary state in which the meniscus forming member the liquid held in the runs out, characterized in that to permit the introduction of gas into the liquid containing chamber.

  In the present invention, even if an environmental change or the like occurs, the negative pressure level in the ink containing chamber can be suppressed to a predetermined level without accompanying a rapid pressure change. Even when the remaining amount of ink becomes small, the remaining ink does not move freely in the ink containing chamber, and the ink can be stably supplied to the recording head to the end.

  Hereinafter, a basic configuration and an operation of an ink tank according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus applicable to the present invention. A plurality of recording media stacked on the paper supply unit M3022 are fed one by one to the recording apparatus main body M1000, and after recording is performed, the recording media are discharged to a paper discharge unit M1004.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic view for explaining the internal configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus. The chassis M3019 holds and protects various mechanisms inside the apparatus. The carriage M4001 is movable in the main scanning direction in the figure with the recording head and the ink tank of this embodiment mounted, and is 1 for the recording medium fed from the paper supply unit M3022. Execute the recording operation for the line. An image is sequentially formed on the recording medium by alternately repeating the recording scanning for one line and the intermittent sub-scanning from the paper feeding unit M3022 toward the paper discharging unit M1044.

  In the present invention, the method for ejecting ink from the recording head is not specified, but the recording head employed in the present embodiment heats ink by an electrothermal conversion element having a heating resistor to cause film boiling. Thus, the ink droplets are ejected from the ejection port by the above action. With such a method, recording can be performed in a non-contact manner on a recording medium, and thus recording on various types of recording media is possible. Further, it is possible to perform a recording operation at a relatively high speed in a state where almost no noise is generated. Note that the recording head of this embodiment is mounted on the carriage M4001 in a state where it is detachably connected to the plurality of ink tanks 30.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the internal structure of an ink tank 30 (liquid storage container) employed in this embodiment. Reference numeral 40 denotes an ink supply port for leading ink from the ink tank 30 to a recording head (not shown). The ink tank 30 and the recording head of this embodiment are detachably mounted on the carriage M4001 in a state where they are separably or non-separably connected.

  The ink tank 30 mainly includes a container housing 31, a spring member 35, a plate member 34, a flexible film 33, a lid member 32, a meniscus forming member 36, a pressing member 37, and an air release valve 39 that is a one-way valve. Consists of The container housing 31 is made of, for example, polypropylene, and includes a meniscus forming member 36 supported by a pressing member 37 at the bottom thereof.

  The meniscus forming member 36 is formed by combining, for example, a capillary member formed of a polypropylene fiber material and having a capillary force, and a filter member (transmission size of about 15 to 30 μm, and the material is, for example, a stainless material or polypropylene). Yes. The meniscus forming member 36 and the inside of the container housing 31 communicate with each other through an ink flow path 42. By forming an ink meniscus in the meniscus forming member 36, the ink storing portion 38 (liquid storing portion) is externally provided. Air bubbles are prevented from entering.

  A flexible film 33 is welded (coupled) to the peripheral edge 43 of the opening inside the container housing 31, thereby defining an ink storage chamber 38. The flexible film 33 is formed of, for example, a film member (thickness of about 20 to 100 μm) including a polypropylene thin film. A spring member 35 is provided on the inner wall of the container housing 31 on the ink storage chamber 38 side, and this biases the flexible film 33 outward from the inside via the plate member 34, thereby containing ink. A negative pressure is generated inside the chamber 38. The spring member 35 and the plate member 34 are made of, for example, a stainless material.

  A lid member 32 is attached to the opening of the container housing 31 to protect the flexible film 33 that is convex outward. The lid member 32 is provided with an air communication portion (not shown), and the outside of the ink storage chamber 38 in the container housing 31 maintains atmospheric pressure.

  In the figure, the ink storage chamber 38 is substantially filled with ink. However, when the ink is gradually consumed by supply to the recording head, the spring member 35 contracts and the plate member 34 is the container housing. In the state substantially parallel to the inner wall of 31, it gradually moves to the left side of the figure. Along with this, the flexible film 33 bends, and the volume of the ink storage chamber 38 gradually decreases. An atmospheric communication valve 39 consisting of a one-way valve is provided on the inner wall portion of the container housing 31 to which the plate member 34 approaches. When the ink in the ink storage chamber 38 is almost completely consumed, the plate member 34 It comes into contact with an atmosphere release valve 39 having a protrusion inside the storage chamber 38.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged view for explaining the detailed structure of the air release valve (valve) 39. The air release valve 39 according to this embodiment includes a seal member 50, a spring 51, a valve cover 53, a communication passage 52, an air communication portion 54, and a valve chamber 55, and allows the introduction of gas from the outside into the ink storage chamber. In addition, the liquid and the gas are prevented from being led out from the liquid storage chamber.

  The valve chamber 55 maintained at atmospheric pressure by the atmospheric communication portion 54 communicates with the ink storage chamber 38 via the communication passage 52. In a normal state, the valve chamber 55 is urged rightward in the drawing by the spring 51 and sealed. The communication path 52 is sealed (sealed) by the member 50. The seal member 50 according to the present embodiment is a resin that receives the urging force of the spring 51 and contacts the inner wall of the container housing 31 so that the ink in the ink storage chamber 38 does not sufficiently leak to the valve chamber 55 side in this state. Or it is comprised with the elastic body. On the other hand, the seal member 50 is disposed so as to protrude from the inner wall surface of the storage container casing 31 toward the ink storage chamber 38, and is separated from the inner wall of the container casing 31 when the plate member 34 comes into contact therewith. The valve chamber 55 and the ink storage chamber 38 are communicated with each other. For the sealing member 50 having such a role, for example, polypropylene can be suitably used as the resin material, and chlorinated butyl rubber or EPDM can be suitably used as the elastic body.

  Note that the structure of the atmospheric communication valve (one-way valve) shown here is a schematic one for explaining the function symbolically, and the illustrated state shows the open state or the closed state of the valve as it is. I don't mean.

  FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams for explaining basic operations accompanying ink consumption in the ink tank of the present embodiment described above. FIG. 3A shows a state where usable ink remains in the ink storage chamber 38 to some extent. From this state, when repeated ink ejection is performed by the recording head, the ink in the ink storage chamber 38 is gradually consumed from the ink supply port 40, and the plate member 34 gradually approaches the left inner wall of the container housing 31. FIG. 3B shows a state where the ink in the ink storage chamber 38 is almost consumed and the plate member 34 is closest to the inner wall. When the ink is further consumed, the plate member 34 comes into contact with the seal member 50 protruding from the inner wall surface and tries to push it out in the direction of the counter-biasing force of the spring 51. In the atmospheric communication valve 39, the reaction force of the spring member 51 is adjusted so that the negative pressure in the ink storage chamber 38 does not exceed the range in which the ink ejection operation of the recording head is normally performed. That is, the seal of the communication path 52 is removed by the pressing force of the plate member 34, the ink storage chamber 38 communicates with the valve chamber 55, and air is introduced into the ink storage chamber 38. FIG. 3C shows a state in which the air release valve 39 is thus operated.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, when air is introduced into the ink storage chamber 38, the plate member 34 moves in the direction of expanding the volume of the ink storage chamber 38 by the amount of the introduced air (right direction in the figure). To do. Accordingly, the plate member 34 is detached from the seal member of the atmosphere release valve 39, and the seal member 50 comes into contact with the inner wall of the container housing 31 again to close the atmosphere release valve 39. As a result, the ink storage chamber 38 is again sealed and the negative pressure is maintained. Along with the introduction of air, the movable region of the plate member 34 is formed again in the ink storage chamber 38, so that the ink remaining in the ink storage chamber 38 can be further consumed from this state. Such introduction of air from the atmosphere communication valve 39 and expansion of the ink storage chamber 38 can be repeated until the ink in the ink storage chamber 38 is almost completely consumed.

  According to the configuration of the present embodiment described above, an appropriate amount of negative pressure is basically maintained inside the ink storage chamber 38 while the air is gradually introduced as the ink is consumed. As a result, it is possible to stably supply the ink in the ink storage chamber 38 to the print head without significant pressure fluctuation.

  4A to 4C show the ink tank when the suction operation is performed in a state where the ink in the ink storage chamber 38 is small with respect to the recording head connected to the ink tank of this embodiment. It is a typical schematic diagram for explaining a state. FIG. 4A shows a state in which the ink in the ink storage chamber 38 is almost consumed, but the atmosphere release valve 39 has not been opened yet. At this stage, the air contained in the ink storage chamber 38 is only a very small amount of air that penetrates (infiltrates) each member and enters during ink injection and during distribution and use. Since the ink in the ink storage chamber 38 is almost consumed, it is preferable to replace the ink tank 30 in this state. However, depending on the sequence setting of the recording apparatus, the suction operation by the recovery system unit 60 is performed in this state. Sometimes it is. FIG. 4A shows a state in which the cap 70 of the recovery type unit 60 is pressed against the discharge port surface of the recording head in order to execute the suction operation.

  FIG. 4B shows the state of the ink tank when the suction operation is executed from the state of FIG. By generating a negative pressure in the recovery system unit 60, the ink remaining in the ink storage chamber 38 is sucked through the ink flow path 42 and becomes waste ink 62. By this suction operation, the volume of the ink storage chamber 38 is reduced, the plate member 34 pushes out the seal member 50, and the atmosphere release valve 39 is opened. When the air release valve 39 is opened, air is introduced into the ink storage chamber 38 and the volume of the ink storage chamber 38 is expanded, as in the recording operation described above. And the plate member 34 leaves | separates from the inner wall of the container housing | casing 31, and the air release valve 39 is obstruct | occluded again.

  When the suction operation is further continued, the introduction of the atmosphere from the atmosphere communication valve 39 and the expansion of the ink storage chamber 38 are repeated, and the air 71 introduced from the atmosphere communication valve is sucked into the recovery system unit 60.

  FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating the state of the ink tank 30 as a result of continuing the suction operation. In the drawing, the ink storage chamber 38, the meniscus forming member 36, and the ink flow path 61 of the recovery unit 60 are all replaced with air. When the ink in the meniscus forming member 36 is discharged, the ink meniscus seal here is also opened, so that air is introduced from the ink supply port 40 through the meniscus forming member 36 into the ink containing chamber 38, and the ink containing chamber 38 is opened to the atmosphere. It becomes a state.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the internal pressure of the ink storage chamber 38 is gradually increased to the atmospheric pressure while the air introduction from the air communication valve 39 and the ink suction are repeated a plurality of times. It becomes equal. Therefore, the backflow caused by a rapid pressure change, which has been a problem in the past, is not invited, and the ink in the ink storage chamber 38 and all the ink supply / discharge paths is preferably sucked and consumed and replaced with air.

  According to the configuration of the present embodiment, even if an environmental change or the like occurs, the negative pressure level of the ink storage chamber can be suppressed to a predetermined level without accompanying a rapid pressure change, as in Patent Document 5. It is. However, air is introduced when the remaining amount of ink becomes small, but as disclosed in Patent Document 5, the remaining ink does not move freely in the ink containing chamber. Therefore, the ink in the ink tank vigorously swings with the movement of the carriage, and air is not mixed into the recording head due to the inclination of the ink tank, and the ink is stably supplied to the recording head to the end. I can do it.

It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the internal structure of the ink tank employ | adopted by embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged view for demonstrating the detailed structure of an air release valve (valve). (A)-(c) is a figure for demonstrating the basic operation | movement accompanying ink consumption in the ink tank of embodiment of this invention. (A) to (c) are states of the ink tank when the suction operation is performed in a state in which the ink in the ink storage chamber becomes small with respect to the recording head connected to the ink tank according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a typical schematic diagram for demonstrating. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus applicable to the present invention. It is a general-view figure for demonstrating the internal structure of an inkjet recording device. (A) And (b) is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the ink leakage accompanying the rapid pressure change inside an ink tank. (A) And (b) is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the backflow phenomenon accompanying suction operation | movement.

Explanation of symbols

30 Ink tank
31 Container housing
32 Lid member
33 Flexible film
34 Plate member
35 Spring member
36 Meniscus forming member
37 Holding member
38 Ink chamber
39 Air release valve
40 Ink supply port
42 Ink flow path
43 Periphery of opening
50 Seal member
51 Spring
52 communication path
53 Valve cover
54 Air communication part
55 Valve chamber
60 recovery units
61 Ink flow path
62 Waste ink
70 cap
71 air

Claims (8)

A flexible film that forms a liquid storage chamber with the inner wall by coupling with the peripheral edge of the opening of the housing;
A plate member in contact with the flexible film from the inside of the liquid storage chamber;
A spring member for urging the plate member in a direction away from the inner wall;
A supply port for leading out the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber;
The casing is disposed so that the liquid storage chamber has a protruding portion, allows introduction of gas from the outside to the liquid storage chamber, and prevents liquid and gas from being led out from the liquid storage chamber. A liquid storage container having a one-way valve;
The one-way valve allows a gas to be introduced into the liquid storage chamber from the outside when the plate member contacts the protruding portion. The one-way valve is
A valve chamber open to the atmosphere;
A communication path connecting the valve chamber and the liquid storage chamber;
A seal member that includes the protrusion, and controls closing and opening of the connection between the communication passage and the valve chamber;
The liquid container according to claim 1, further comprising a spring that biases the seal member so as to block communication between the communication path and the valve chamber.   The seal member opens communication between the communication passage and the valve chamber in a state where the plate member is in contact with the protruding portion, and is connected to the communication passage and the valve chamber in a state where the plate member is not in contact with the protruding portion. The liquid container according to claim 2, wherein communication is closed. A flexible film that forms a liquid storage chamber with the inner wall by coupling with the peripheral edge of the opening of the housing;
A plate member in contact with the flexible film from the inside of the liquid storage chamber;
A spring member for urging the plate member in a direction away from the inner wall;
A supply port for leading out the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber;
A meniscus forming member disposed at the supply port and capable of holding a liquid;
The casing is disposed so that the liquid storage chamber has a protruding portion, allows introduction of gas from the outside to the liquid storage chamber, and prevents liquid and gas from being led out from the liquid storage chamber. A liquid storage container having a one-way valve;
The one-way valve allows the introduction of gas from the outside into the liquid storage chamber by the plate member coming into contact with the protruding portion,
The liquid storage container, wherein the meniscus formation member allows gas to be introduced into the liquid storage chamber in a state in which the liquid held in the liquid storage chamber and the meniscus formation member disappears due to the introduction. The one-way valve is
A valve chamber open to the atmosphere;
A communication path connecting the valve chamber and the liquid storage chamber;
A seal member that includes the protrusion, and controls closing and opening of the connection between the communication passage and the valve chamber;
The liquid storage container according to claim 4, further comprising a spring that biases the seal member so as to block communication between the communication passage and the valve chamber.   The seal member opens communication between the communication passage and the valve chamber in a state where the plate member is in contact with the protruding portion, and is connected to the communication passage and the valve chamber in a state where the plate member is not in contact with the protruding portion. The liquid container according to claim 5, wherein communication is closed.   A recording head connected to the liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supplied from the supply port is discharged from the discharge port.   An ink jet recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium using the recording head.

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