JP2011079187A - Liquid ejector and liquid storage container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink-jet printer sufficiently agitating ink in an ink cartridge in an off-carriage type liquid ejector. <P>SOLUTION: The off-carriage type ink-jet printer 1 ejecting ink stored in the ink cartridge 2 from a recording head 9, includes a passage forming body 17 provided inside an ink storage chamber 21 and having an upper opening 25 and a lower opening 24 arranged in a mutually upper and lower positional relationship; a flexible part 18 provided at a part of a side face of the passage forming body 17; check valves 19, 20 arranged on the upper opening 25 side and the lower opening 24 side rather than the flexible part 18 inside a passage 26 formed by the passage forming body 17 to allow the flow of ink in one direction of the passage 26; and a coil spring 29 and a diaphragm pump 30 deforming the flexible part 18 in an increase direction of increasing the volume of the passage 26 and a decrease direction of decreasing it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus and a liquid container.

In an ink jet printer, ink stored in an ink tank is supplied to an ink head by an ink supply mechanism configured by a suction pump or the like, and is ejected from the ink head onto a paper surface serving as a recording portion. There are two main types of ink used in jet printers. One is dye-based ink and the other is pigment-based ink.

In general, pigment-based inks have superior weather resistance and gas resistance as compared with dye-based inks, and have excellent properties such that recorded images are hardly deteriorated. However, in the case of pigment-based inks, dyes are dissolved in a solution while dye-based inks are suspended in a state where the pigment is dispersed in the solution. Have. For this reason, in an inkjet printer using pigment-based ink, it is necessary to stir the pigment-based ink in the ink cartridge and stir the pigment precipitated downward to uniformly disperse it throughout. In view of such necessity, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 5, a configuration for stirring the ink in the ink cartridge and stirring the precipitated pigment has been proposed.

Patent Document 1 includes a volume member that changes in volume in an ink pack, and stirs ink by changing the volume of the volume change member. However, there is a problem that sufficient stirring cannot be performed even if the volume of the volume changing member is changed. In Patent Document 2, air is introduced into the ink cartridge from the lower side, and the ink is stirred by the rising of the bubbles.
However, stirring with bubbles has a problem that the range in which stirring can be performed is narrow and sufficient stirring cannot be performed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151561 performs stirring of ink by moving a stirring member in an ink pack. However, where the pigment is precipitated downward in the direction of gravity,
In the swing member, there is a problem that the pigment precipitated downward cannot be sufficiently moved upward and the pigment cannot be uniformly dispersed. Further, in Patent Documents 4 and 5, in a so-called on-carriage type ink jet printer in which an ink cartridge is mounted on a carriage, the agitating member provided in the ink cartridge is moved by using the movement of the carriage, and the ink is moved. The structure which stirs is disclosed. However, in a so-called off-carriage type ink jet printer having a configuration in which an ink cartridge is mounted on a frame body of an ink jet printer and the ink is supplied to the ink head via a flexible tube, the ink cannot be stirred. There is. In an off-carriage type ink jet printer, the ink cartridge does not move after being mounted on the ink jet printer. Therefore, it is more necessary to stir the precipitated pigment than in the on-carriage type ink jet printer.

JP 2005-254565 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-19137 JP 2005-66520 A JP 2008-273043 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-216761

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of sufficiently stirring the liquid in the liquid container in the off-carriage type liquid ejecting apparatus, and also for stirring the liquid stored inside. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of sufficiently performing the above.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a liquid ejecting apparatus in which a liquid container is mounted in a stationary state and ejects liquid stored in the liquid container from a liquid ejecting head, the interior of the liquid container of the liquid container A flow path forming body having an upper opening and a lower opening that are arranged in a vertical relationship with each other, a flexible portion provided on a part of a side surface of the flow path forming body, and a flow path formation Non-return check that is arranged in the flow path formed by the body and is arranged on the upper opening side and the lower opening side of the flexible part, respectively, and allows the liquid to flow in one direction of the flow path. Suppose that it has a valve and the flexible part deformation | transformation means which deform | transforms a flexible part into the increase direction which increases the volume of a flow path, and the decrease direction which decreases.

By configuring the liquid ejecting apparatus in this manner, the flexible portion deforming means deforms the flexible portion in an increasing direction for increasing the volume of the flow path and a decreasing direction for decreasing the volume. Thereby, a flow can be generated in the liquid in the liquid storage chamber, and the liquid in the liquid storage chamber can be stirred.

In addition to the above invention, in the liquid ejecting apparatus, the check valve allows a flow from the lower opening to the upper opening of the liquid.

By configuring the liquid ejecting apparatus in this way, the liquid taken in from the lower opening flows from the lower side to the upper side in the flow path and flows out from the upper opening to the liquid storage chamber. Therefore, the lower liquid in the liquid storage chamber can be efficiently moved upward. That is, the liquid that has settled to the lower side of the liquid storage chamber can be moved upward, and the lower liquid and the upper liquid can be effectively stirred.

In addition to the above invention, in the liquid ejecting apparatus, the flexible portion deforming means applies an urging force to the flexible portion in either the increasing direction or the decreasing direction, and the flexible portion. Thus, it is provided with urging means for repeatedly applying an urging force larger than the urging force in a direction against the urging force by the elastic means.

By configuring the liquid ejecting apparatus in this manner, the flexible portion can be deformed in the vertical direction with a simple configuration.

In addition to the above invention, the liquid ejecting apparatus is a pump in which the urging means increases or decreases the air pressure of the air chamber formed on the lower surface side of the flexible portion, and the pump supplies the liquid from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting head. It is assumed that the pump is used for supplying.

By configuring the liquid ejecting apparatus in this way, the means for operating the urging means is individually (dedicated)
Therefore, an increase in the number of parts of the liquid ejecting apparatus can be suppressed.

In addition to the above invention, in the liquid ejecting apparatus, the elastic body applies an urging force in the increasing direction to the flexible portion, and the urging means deforms the flexible portion in the decreasing direction by the rotation of the eccentric cam. I will do it.

By configuring the liquid ejecting apparatus in this manner, the flexible portion can be deformed in the decreasing direction by rotating the eccentric cam, and therefore the flexible portion can be deformed in the vertical direction with a simple configuration. Can do.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid stored in a liquid container from a liquid ejecting head, which can be mounted without moving the liquid container, is used as a liquid container. A flow path forming body having an upper opening and a lower opening arranged in a vertical relationship with each other provided in the interior of the storage chamber, a flexible section provided on a part of a side surface of the flow path forming body, In the flow path formed by the flow path forming body, disposed opposite to the upper opening side and the lower opening side of the flexible part, respectively, and reverse to allow liquid flow in one direction of the flow path A liquid storage container having a stop valve can be mounted, and has a flexible portion deformation means for deforming the flexible portion in an increasing direction for increasing the volume of the flow path and a decreasing direction for decreasing the volume.

By configuring the liquid ejecting apparatus in this manner, the flexible portion deforming means deforms the flexible portion in an increasing direction for increasing the volume of the flow path and a decreasing direction for decreasing the volume. Thereby, a flow can be generated in the liquid in the liquid storage chamber, and the liquid in the liquid storage chamber can be stirred.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a liquid storage container that is mounted in a state that does not move to the liquid ejecting apparatus and stores liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head of the liquid ejecting apparatus is provided inside the liquid accommodating chamber. Formed by a flow path forming body having an upper opening and a lower opening that are arranged in a vertical relationship with each other, a flexible portion provided on a part of a side surface of the flow path forming body, and the flow path forming body Are disposed between the flexible portion and the upper opening, and between the flexible portion and the lower opening, respectively, and allow the liquid to flow in one direction of the flow path. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a check valve and includes a flexible portion deforming unit that deforms the flexible portion in an increasing direction for increasing the volume of the flow path and a decreasing direction for decreasing the volume.

By configuring the liquid storage container in this manner, the flexible portion is deformed in the increasing direction in which the volume of the flow path is increased and decreased in the decreasing direction by the flexible portion deforming means, and flows into the ink in the liquid storage chamber. Occurs. That is, the ink in the liquid storage chamber can be stirred.

1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a cutting line BB shown in FIG. 1, showing an internal structure of the ink cartridge and a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge mounting portion. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a cutting line AA shown in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the ink cartridge of the ink jet printer which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and the schematic structure of an ink cartridge mounting part. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the ink cartridge of the inkjet printer which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and the schematic structure of an ink cartridge mounting part.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, an ink jet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) 1 according to a first embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an overall schematic configuration of the printer 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the ink cartridge 2 as a liquid container and a schematic configuration of a mounting portion between the ink cartridge 2 and the printer 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. In the following description, in FIG. 1, the direction indicated by the arrow X in the figure is the front (front side), the opposite side is the rear (rear side), the direction indicated by the arrow Y in the figure is the left (left side), The description is made with the opposite direction as the right side (right side).

(Overall configuration of printer 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes an exterior housing 3, a platen 4, a guide shaft 5, a carriage 6, a timing belt 7, a carriage motor 8, a recording head 9 as a liquid ejecting head, a decompression pump 10, and the like. ing.

The exterior housing 3 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box, and a cartridge holder 11 is provided at the right end in FIG. An ink cartridge 2 in which pigment ink is stored is detachably mounted as a liquid container in the cartridge holder 11. The ink cartridge 2 is mounted corresponding to each ink color. In the present embodiment, for example, an ink cartridge 2K that stores black ink, an ink cartridge 2Y that stores yellow ink, an ink cartridge 2M that stores magenta ink, and an ink cartridge 2C that stores cyan ink. Is installed.

The platen 4 is installed in the exterior casing 3 along the main scanning direction (left-right direction) of the recording head 9 and is conveyed by a paper feed mechanism (not shown).
It is a member for supporting. The recording paper is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction (forward) that is a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction.

The guide shaft 5 is formed in a rod shape and is installed in the exterior housing 3 along the main scanning direction parallel to the platen 4. The carriage 6 is inserted so as to be movable with respect to the guide shaft 5 at a position facing the platen 4 and can reciprocate in the main scanning direction.

The carriage 6 is connected to a carriage motor 8 via a timing belt 7. The carriage motor 8 is supported by the exterior housing 3, and the carriage motor 8
Is driven, the carriage 6 is driven via the timing belt 7 and is reciprocated along the guide shaft 5 in the main scanning direction.

The recording head 9 is provided for each ink color, that is, the ink cartridges 2K, 2Y, 2M, 2C.
Ink jet nozzles (not shown) corresponding to each are provided. The carriage 6 has a sub tank 12K corresponding to each ink color (ink cartridge 2K, 2Y, 2M, 2C).
, 12Y, 12M, 12C. Sub tanks 12K, 12Y, 12M, 12
C is configured to temporarily store the ink supplied from the ink cartridges 2K, 2Y, 2M, and 2C and supply the ink to the recording head 9 with the pressure adjusted.

The decompression pump 10 is provided for each of the ink cartridges 2K, 2Y, 2M, and 2C.
That is, the decompression pump 10K corresponding to the ink cartridge 2K and the ink cartridge 2
The decompression pump 10Y corresponding to Y and the decompression pump 10M corresponding to the ink cartridge 2M
And a decompression pump 10C corresponding to the ink cartridge 2C. The decompression pumps 10K, 10Y, 10M, and 10C have a function of supplying ink in the ink cartridges 2K, 2Y, 2M, and 2C to the sub tanks 12K, 12Y, 12M, and 12C. Cartridges 2K, 2Y, 2M, 2C and sub tank 12K
, 12Y, 12M, 12C. The decompression pump 10 repeats the decompression operation (repetition of the decompression operation and the atmosphere release operation), and operates a diaphragm pump 30 described later, whereby ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 2 to the sub tank 12.

(Internal structure of ink cartridge 2)
Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the internal structure of the ink cartridge 2 and the structure of the ink cartridge mounting portion 14 which is a portion where the ink cartridge 2 on the printer 1 side is mounted will be described.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of one of the four ink cartridges 2 mounted on the cartridge holder 11 and the ink cartridge mounting portion 14 on the printer 1 side where the ink cartridge 2Y is mounted. FIG. 2 schematically shows a structure taken along a cutting line BB in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows a state where the ink cartridge 2 is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting portion 14. Other ink cartridges 2 (2K, 2M,
2C) and these ink cartridge mounting portions 14 have the same configuration. That is, the cartridge holder 11 is provided with the configuration of the ink cartridge mounting portion 14 shown in FIG. 2 for each ink cartridge 2. In FIG. 2, the arrow X direction is drawn in front of the printer 1, and the arrow Z direction is drawn above the printer 1. Further, FIG. 2 is drawn so that the front side toward the paper surface is the left side of the printer 1 and the back side of the paper surface is the right side.

(Configuration of ink cartridge 2)
The ink cartridge 2 includes a container body 15, a connection portion 16, a flow path forming body 17, and a flexible portion 1.
8 and two check valves 19, 20 and the like. The container body 15 is formed of a polyethylene resin or the like and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is flattened in the left-right direction. The inside of the container body 15 is configured as an ink storage chamber 21 as a liquid storage chamber. The ink storage chamber 21 stores pigment ink (liquid). The ink cartridge 2 is mounted on the cartridge holder 11 with the flat direction of the container body 15 facing the left and right directions.

A connection portion 22, which will be described later, provided on the cartridge holder 11 side is inserted into the connection portion 16 so that the connection portion 22 can enter the ink storage chamber 21. The part where the connection part 22 of the connection part 16 is inserted is formed of, for example, an elastic rubber material.
The portion where the connecting portion 22 is inserted is in close contact with the connecting portion 22, and the ink is not leaked from the inserting portion.

As shown in FIG. 3, the flow path forming body 17 includes left and right side plate portions 15A and 15B of the container body 15,
The bottom plate portion 15C and the wall portion 23 that connects the left and right side plate portions 15A and 15B on the inner side (the ink storage chamber 21 side). The flow path forming body 17 forms a flow path 26 (see FIG. 2) separated from the ink storage chamber 21 by the wall portion 23 except for the openings 24 and 25. That is, the flow path forming body 17 forms a flow path 26 that connects the opening 24 and the opening 25 in the ink containing chamber 21.

The opening 24 is disposed at a position along the bottom surface 21 </ b> A of the ink containing chamber 21, and the opening 25
Is disposed at a position above the opening 24. Specifically, the opening 25 is disposed at a position higher than 3/4 × H from the bottom surface 21A, for example, when the height of the ink storage chamber 21 is H.

A flexible portion 18 is provided in a part of the bottom plate portion 15 </ b> C that forms the side portion of the flow path forming body 17. The flexible portion 18 is formed of, for example, a rubber sheet, and a through hole is formed in a part of the bottom plate portion 15C, and the flexible portion 18 is stretched (closed by the flexible portion 18) in the through hole. Bottom plate part 15
The flexible part 18 is provided in a part of C.

Check valves 19 and 20 are disposed in the flow path 26. The check valve 19 is disposed between the opening 24 and the flexible part 18 and allows the ink to flow from the outside of the opening 24 (on the ink storage chamber 21 side) to the back side of the flow path 26. It has become. The check valve 20 includes a flexible portion 18 and an opening portion 25.
And the outside of the flow channel 26 from the flow channel 26 side through the opening 25 (the ink containing chamber 2).
1 side) is allowed to flow ink.

(Structure of ink cartridge mounting portion 14)
The ink cartridge mounting portion 14 includes a support portion 27 that supports the ink cartridge 2 from below, a packing 28, a coil spring 29 as an elastic body, a connection portion 22, a diaphragm pump 30 as a liquid supply pump, A flow path 31, a flow path 32, and the like are provided.

As for the support part 27, the bottom face part of the cartridge holder 11 is comprised as the support part 27, for example. A packing 28 and a coil spring 29 are provided on the upper surface of the support portion 27. The packing 28 has an annular shape and the support portion 2 so that the ring releasing direction is the vertical direction.
7 is arranged. The packing 28 is made of, for example, a rubber material. Further, when the ink cartridge 2 is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting portion 14, the packing 28 contacts the lower surface portion 15 </ b> D around the flexible portion 18 of the ink cartridge 2 and surrounds the flexible portion 18 with the packing 28. It is arranged to be able to. Coil spring 29
Is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the packing 28 so that when the ink cartridge 2 is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting portion 14, it comes into contact with the flexible portion 18 and can bias the flexible portion 18 upward. Is provided.

A connecting portion 22 is provided at a position facing the connecting portion 16 of the ink cartridge 2 mounted on the ink cartridge mounting portion 14. The connection part 22 is a tube body in which a hollow part is formed, and the upper tip part is formed in a needle shape so that it can be inserted into the connection part 16. A lower end surface 16 </ b> A of the connection portion 16 is in contact with the support portion 27. Accordingly, the ink cartridge 2 is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting portion 14 in a state of being supported by the support portion 27 via the packing 28 and the connection portion 16.

The diaphragm pump 30 is provided inside the support portion 27. The diaphragm pump 30 includes a diaphragm 33, an air chamber (air chamber) 34 and a liquid reservoir chamber 35 that are disposed above and below the diaphragm 33, a coil spring 36, and the like. The air chamber 34 of the diaphragm pump 30 is connected to the decompression pump 10 via an air flow path 37 and a pipe 38. In addition, a through hole 40 is formed in the upper portion of the air chamber 34 so as to pass through the upper surface of the support portion 27 and communicate with an air chamber 39 formed in the inner peripheral portion of the packing 28. The air chamber 39 is formed on the lower side of the flexible portion 18, and is a space surrounded by the upper surface of the flexible portion 18, the packing 28, and the support portion 27 except for the portion of the through hole 40.
It is a space sealed from the outside space.

Corresponding to the repetition of the decompression operation of the decompression pump 10 (repetition of the decompression operation and the atmosphere release operation), the air chamber 34 also repeatedly changes to the decompression state (changes between the decompression state and the atmosphere release state),
In response to this change, the diaphragm 33 is deformed in the vertical direction. The coil spring 36 is
Diaphragm 33 is urged downward. When the air chamber 34 is in a reduced pressure state, the diaphragm 33 is deformed upward against the urging force of the coil spring 36. In addition, the air chamber 34
When the is opened to the atmosphere, the diaphragm 33 is deformed downward by the urging force of the coil spring 36.

The connection part 22 and the liquid reservoir chamber 35 are connected by a flow path 31. In addition, the liquid reservoir chamber 35
And the ink supply tube 13 are connected by a flow path 32. The flow path 31 is provided with a check valve 41 that allows a flow from the connection portion 22 toward the liquid reservoir chamber 35, and the flow path 32 allows a flow from the liquid reservoir chamber 35 toward the ink supply tube 13. A check valve 42 is provided. Therefore, the ink in the ink storage chamber 21 is sucked out from the connecting portion 22 to the flow path 31 side and sent to the liquid reservoir chamber 35 due to deformation of the diaphragm 33 (operation of the diaphragm pump 30). Further, the ink is sent out from the liquid storage chamber 35 to the flow path 32 and sent toward the sub tank 12 through the ink supply tube 13.

The ink cartridge mounting portion 14 is mounted with the ink cartridge 2 biased downward so that the packing 28 can be in close contact with the lower surface portion 15D when the ink cartridge 2 is mounted. It has become. Ink cartridge mounting portion 14
In the state where the ink cartridge 2 is mounted, the connection portion 22 is inserted into the connection portion 16 so as to enter the ink storage chamber 21.

(Agitation of ink in the ink storage chamber 21)
Next, the agitation operation of the ink stored in the ink storage chamber 21 of the printer 1 configured as described above will be described.

The diaphragm pump 30 is operated by driving the decompression pump 10 in conjunction with the start of the recording operation. The decompression pump 10 repeats the decompression operation at a predetermined timing in accordance with the amount of ink ejected from the recording head 9 and the like, and operates the diaphragm pump 30.

As described above, the air chamber 34 of the diaphragm pump 30 communicates with the air chamber 39 formed below the flexible portion 18 via the through hole 40. Therefore, the diaphragm pump 3
When 0 operates and the air pressure in the air chamber 34 changes, the air chamber 39 also changes between the reduced pressure state and the open air state according to this change. That is, when the air chamber 39 is in a decompressed state, the flexible portion 18 is deformed so as to bend downward against the urging force of the coil spring 29. The decompression pump 10 and the diaphragm pump 30 are configured so that the flexible portion 18 is coil spring 29 in a decompressed state.
The suction force is set so that it can be displaced against the biasing force. On the other hand, the air chamber 3
When 9 is open to the atmosphere, the flexible portion 18 is deformed so as to bend upward by the biasing force of the coil spring 29. The upper surface side of the flexible portion 18 faces the flow path 26. Therefore, the volume of the flow path 26 changes as the flexible portion 18 deforms in the vertical direction. That is, due to the operation of the diaphragm pump 30, the air pressure in the air chamber 39 formed on the lower side of the flexible portion 18 increases and decreases, and the flexible portion 18 deforms in the vertical direction, so that the volume in the flow path 26 is increased. Increase or decrease.

As described above, the check valves 19 and 20 are configured to allow ink flow from the opening 24 toward the opening 25. Therefore, when the diaphragm pump 30 changes from the open state to the decompressed state and the volume of the flow path 26 increases, the ink in the ink storage chamber 21 flows into the flow path 26 from the opening 24. On the other hand, when the diaphragm pump 30 is changed from the decompressed state to the open state to the atmosphere and the volume of the flow path 26 is reduced, the flow path 26 is operated by the check valves 19 and 20.
The ink inside flows out from the opening 25 into the ink containing chamber 21. That is, by operating the diaphragm pump 30, it is possible to form an ink flow that flows from the opening 24 and flows out from the opening 25 into the ink storage chamber 21.

The opening 24 is disposed at a position along the bottom surface 21 </ b> A of the ink storage chamber 21. The opening 25 is arranged above the opening 24. Therefore, the ink on the bottom surface portion 21A side can be moved upward by taking the ink on the bottom surface portion 21A side into the flow path 26 from the opening portion 24 and flowing it out from the opening portion 25. Accordingly, the ink in the ink storage chamber 21 can be stirred so that the ink pigment does not precipitate on the bottom surface portion 21A. As described above, the opening portion 25 is disposed at a position higher than 3/4 × H from the bottom surface portion 21A. Therefore, the ink in the ink storage chamber 21 can be sufficiently stirred throughout. The height and position at which the opening 25 is disposed, and the height and position at which the opening 24 is disposed are preferably set in view of the size of the ink storage chamber 21, the amount of ink, the viscosity, and the like.

In the above-described embodiment, the coil spring 29 is disposed between the flexible portion 18 and the support portion 27. However, instead of the coil spring 29, as shown by a dotted line in FIG. The coil spring 29 </ b> A may be disposed in the interior 26 (above the flexible portion 18). In this case, the coil spring 29 </ b> A is stretched and provided on the flow path forming body 17 and the flexible portion 18 so that an urging force acts on the flexible portion 18 upward.

In the above-described embodiment, the diaphragm pump 30 is operated by the decompression pump 10, but a rod or the like that can reciprocate in the vertical direction is attached to the diaphragm 33, and the diaphragm 33 is directly attached by the reciprocating movement of the rod. It may be configured to operate.

(Embodiment 2)
Instead of the configuration of the printer 1 according to the first embodiment described above, as described below,
The printer 1 may be configured as shown in FIG. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

In the printer 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the flexible portion 18 resists the biasing force of the coil spring 29 as an elastic body by increasing or decreasing the air pressure in the air chamber 39 by the operation of the diaphragm pump 30. Thus, it can be deformed in the vertical direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the air pressure in the air chamber 39 </ b> A formed below the flexible portion 18 by the exhaust pressure of the decompression pump 10 without communicating the air chamber 34 and the air chamber 39 </ b> A. It is good also as a structure which deform | transforms the flexible part 18 up and down against the urging | biasing force of the coil spring 43 by increasing / decreasing these.

The air chamber 39A communicates with the exhaust part of the decompression pump 10 via the exhaust pipe 38A and the air flow path 37A. Similarly to the air chamber 39, the air chamber 39A is formed below the flexible portion 18 and supports the flexible portion 18, the packing 28, and the support except for the portion of the through hole 40A communicating with the air flow path 37A. The space surrounded by the upper surface of the portion 27, and the packing 28
It is a space sealed from the outside space.

The coil spring 43 as an elastic body is disposed in the flow path 26 so that a biasing force acts downward on the flexible portion 18. The flexible portion 18 is displaced upward against the urging force of the coil spring 43 when the air pressure in the air chamber 39 increases due to the exhaust pressure of the decompression pump 10. Exhaust of the decompression pump 10 is performed in response to a decompression operation repeated at a predetermined timing of the decompression pump 10. Accordingly, in response to the pressure reducing operation of the pressure reducing pump 10, the flexible portion 18 is deformed in the vertical direction, thereby forming an ink flow that flows in from the opening 24 and flows out from the opening 25 in the ink containing chamber 21. The ink in the ink storage chamber 21 can be agitated.

The coil spring 43 is disposed in the flow path 26, but the coil spring 4
Instead of 3, a coil spring 43 </ b> A may be disposed between the flexible portion 18 and the support portion 27 as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 4. In this case, the coil spring 43 </ b> A is provided to be stretched between the flexible portion 18 and the support portion 27 so that an urging force acts downward on the flexible portion 18.

(Embodiment 3)
Instead of the configuration of the printer 1 according to the second embodiment described above, as described below,
The printer 1 may be configured as shown in FIG. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

The printer 1 according to the above-described second embodiment is configured to deform the flexible portion 18 by the exhaust pressure of the decompression pump 10, but as shown in FIG. It is good also as a structure which deform | transforms upwards against the urging | biasing force of the coil spring 43 by rotating. In the case of such a configuration, the periphery of the flexible portion 18 is surrounded by the packing 2.
8 is not required to be sealed, the configuration of the ink cartridge mounting portion 14 can be simplified.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the check valves 19 and 20 are configured to allow ink flow from the opening 24 toward the opening 25. In contrast, the check valves 19 and 20 are connected to the opening 2.
Alternatively, the ink flow may be allowed to flow from 5 toward the opening 24. In such a configuration, by operating the diaphragm pump 30, it is possible to form a flow of ink that flows in from the opening 25 and flows out from the opening 24 in the ink storage chamber 21. The opening 24 is disposed at a position along the bottom surface 21 </ b> A of the ink storage chamber 21. Therefore,
As the ink flows out from the opening 24, the pigment precipitated on the bottom surface 21A side can be stirred upward.

(Main effects of the embodiment)
As described above, the printer 1 as the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present embodiment is mounted so that the ink cartridge 2 as the liquid container does not move with respect to the exterior housing 3 (immobilized state). Pigment ink is ejected as a liquid stored in the ink cartridge 2 from a recording head 9 as a liquid ejecting head. The printer 1 includes a flow path forming body 17 having an upper opening 25 and a lower opening 24 that are provided in an ink storage chamber 21 as a liquid storage chamber of the ink cartridge 2 and arranged in a vertical relationship with each other. A flexible portion 18 provided on a part of the side surface of the flow path forming body 17 and a flow path 26 formed by the flow path forming body 17.
A check valve 19 disposed on the upper opening 25 side and the lower opening 24 side of the flexible portion 18 and allowing the ink flow in one direction of the flow path 26. 20, and a flexible portion deforming means configured by the diaphragm pump 30, the coil spring 29, and the like that deforms the flexible portion 18 in an increasing direction for increasing the volume of the flow path 26 and a decreasing direction for decreasing the volume.

The printer 1 configured as described above is deformed by the diaphragm pump 30 (the decompression pump 10 and the eccentric cam 44) into an increasing direction in which the flexible portion 18 increases the volume of the flow path 26 and a decreasing direction in which the volume is decreased. As a result, a flow can be generated in the ink in the ink storage chamber 21. That is, the ink in the ink storage chamber 21 can be agitated.

Further, in the printer 1, the check valves 19 and 20 have a lower opening 2 with respect to the ink in the flow path 26.
4 is configured to allow a flow from 4 toward the upper opening 25.

In the printer 1 configured as described above, the ink taken in from the lower opening 24 flows from the lower side to the upper side in the flow path 26 and flows out from the upper opening 25 into the ink containing chamber 21. Therefore, the lower ink in the ink storage chamber 21 can be efficiently moved upward. That is, the pigment of the ink precipitated on the lower side in the ink storage chamber 21 can be moved upward, and the ink on which the pigment has been precipitated can be effectively stirred.

In addition, the printer 1 has a coil spring 29 as an elastic body that applies a biasing force to the flexible portion 18 in either the increasing direction or the decreasing direction as the flexible portion deforming means.
(29A, 43, 43A) and the coil spring 29 (29A, 4)
3, 43A) has a diaphragm pump 30 (decompression pump 10, eccentric cam 44) as an urging means for repeatedly applying an urging force larger than the urging force in a direction against the urging force by the third, 43A).

By configuring the printer 1 in this way, the flexible portion 18 can be deformed in the vertical direction with a simple configuration.

In addition, the printer 1 has a diaphragm pump 30 or a decompression pump 10 that is a pump that increases or decreases the air pressure of an air chamber formed on the lower surface side of the flexible portion 18 as an urging means.

By configuring the printer 1 in this way, the means for operating the urging means is individually (dedicated)
Therefore, an increase in the number of parts of the printer 1 can be suppressed.

The printer 1 also includes a coil spring 43 (43A) that applies an urging force in the increasing direction to the flexible portion 18 as an elastic body, and an eccentric cam 44 that deforms the flexible portion 18 in the decreasing direction as an urging means. Have

By configuring the printer 1 in this way, the flexible portion 18 can be deformed in the vertical direction with a simple configuration.

As described above, the printer 1 as the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present embodiment prevents the ink cartridge 2 as the liquid container from moving with respect to the exterior housing 3 (in an immobile state).
In addition, pigment ink as a liquid that is stored when the ink cartridge 2 is mounted is ejected from a recording head 9 as a liquid ejecting head. The ink cartridge 2 includes a flow path forming body 17 having an upper opening 25 and a lower opening 24 that are arranged in a vertical relationship with each other and are provided inside an ink storage chamber 21 as a liquid storage chamber, A flexible portion 18 provided on a part of the side surface of the formed body 17 and a flow path 26 formed by the flow path forming body 17 and on the side of the upper opening 25 and the lower opening in the flexible portion 18. The printer 1 includes check valves 19 and 20 that are respectively disposed on the side of the flow path 24 and allow the flow of ink in one direction of the flow path 26. The printer 1 increases the volume of the flow path 26 with the flexible portion 18. Flexible portion deformation means for deforming in the increasing direction and decreasing direction is provided.

The printer 1 configured as described above is deformed by the diaphragm pump 30 (the decompression pump 10 and the eccentric cam 44) into an increasing direction in which the flexible portion 18 increases the volume of the flow path 26 and a decreasing direction in which the volume is decreased. As a result, a flow can be generated in the ink in the ink storage chamber 21. That is, the ink in the ink storage chamber 21 can be agitated.

As described above, the ink cartridge 2 as the liquid container according to the present embodiment serves as a flexible portion deforming unit that deforms the flexible portion 18 in an increasing direction for increasing the volume of the flow path 26 and a decreasing direction for decreasing the volume. For example, a printer 1 as a liquid ejecting apparatus including a diaphragm pump 30 and a coil spring 29 is mounted so as not to move with respect to the printer 1 (non-moving state), and ejected from a recording head 9 as a liquid ejecting head. Pigment ink is stored as a liquid. The ink cartridge 2 is provided inside an ink storage chamber 21 as a liquid storage chamber, and has a flow path forming body 17 having an upper opening 25 and a lower opening 24 that are arranged in a vertical relationship with each other. A flexible portion 18 provided on a part of the side surface of the flow path forming body 17 and a flow path 26 formed by the flow path forming body 17 between the flexible portion 18 and the upper opening 25, And check valves 19 and 20 that are arranged between the flexible portion 18 and the lower opening 24 and allow the ink to flow in one direction of the flow path 26.

By configuring the ink cartridge 2 in this way, the flexible portion 18 is deformed by the flexible portion deforming means in the increasing direction in which the volume of the flow path 26 is increased and in the decreasing direction in which the volume is decreased. Flow occurs in the ink. That is, the ink in the ink storage chamber 21 can be agitated.

The liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention has been described as the ink jet printer 1 that ejects ink. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a liquid material in which particles of a functional material are dispersed, a fluid such as a gel, and a fluid ejected as a fluid. The present invention can also be embodied as a fluid ejecting apparatus capable of ejecting a solid that can be produced from a recording head (liquid ejecting head).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer (liquid ejecting apparatus) 2 ... Ink cartridge (liquid container) 9 ... Recording head (liquid ejecting head) 10 ... Decompression pump (biasing means, pump, flexible part deformation means) 17 ... Flow path forming body 18 ... Flexible part 19 ...
Check valve 20 ... Check valve 21 ... Ink storage chamber (liquid storage chamber) 23 ...
15C (side surface) 24 ... Opening (lower opening) 25 ... Opening (upper opening) 26 ... Flow path 29 ... Coil spring (elastic body, flexible part deformation means)
29A ... Coil spring (elastic body, flexible part deformation means) 30 ... Diaphragm pump (biasing means, pump, flexible part deformation means) 43 ... Coil spring (elastic body, flexible part deformation means) 43A ... Coil spring ( Elastic body, flexible part deformation means)
44 ... Eccentric cam (biasing means, flexible part deformation means)

Claims (7)

A liquid ejecting apparatus that is mounted in a state where the liquid container does not move and ejects liquid stored in the liquid container from a liquid ejecting head,
A flow path forming body that is provided inside the liquid storage chamber of the liquid storage container and has an upper opening and a lower opening that are arranged in a vertical relationship with each other;
A flexible portion provided on a part of the side surface of the flow path forming body;
In the flow path formed by the flow path forming body, disposed on the upper opening side and the lower opening side of the flexible part, respectively, and in one direction of the flow path A check valve that allows the liquid flow;
Flexible part deformation means for deforming the flexible part in an increasing direction for increasing the volume of the flow path and a decreasing direction for decreasing the volume;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1,
The check valve allows the flow of the liquid from the lower opening to the upper opening;
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The flexible part deforming means includes:
An elastic body that applies a biasing force to the flexible portion in either the increasing direction or the decreasing direction;
An urging means for repeatedly applying an urging force larger than the urging force to the flexible portion in a direction against the urging force by the elastic means;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3,
The biasing means is a pump that increases or decreases the air pressure of an air chamber formed on the lower surface side of the flexible portion,
The pump is a pump used for supplying the liquid from the liquid container to the liquid jet head;
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3,
The elastic body causes the urging force in the increasing direction to act on the flexible part,
The biasing means deforms the flexible portion in the decreasing direction by rotation of an eccentric cam;
A liquid ejecting apparatus. A liquid ejecting apparatus that can be mounted in a state in which the liquid container does not move, and ejects the liquid stored in the liquid container from the liquid ejecting head,
As the liquid container, a flow path forming body having an upper opening and a lower opening arranged in a vertical relationship with each other provided in the liquid storage chamber, and a part of a side surface of the flow path forming body And a flexible portion provided in the flow path forming body and disposed on the upper opening side and the lower opening side of the flexible portion, respectively. A liquid container having a check valve that allows the flow of the liquid in one direction of the path can be mounted,
A flexible part deforming means for deforming the flexible part in an increasing direction for increasing the volume of the flow path and a decreasing direction for decreasing the volume of the flow path in a state where the liquid container is mounted;
A liquid ejecting apparatus. A liquid container that is mounted in a state that does not move to the liquid ejecting apparatus and stores liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head of the liquid ejecting apparatus,
A flow path forming body that is provided inside the liquid storage chamber and has an upper opening and a lower opening that are arranged in a vertical relationship with each other;
A flexible portion provided on a part of the side surface of the flow path forming body;
In the flow path formed by the flow path forming body, disposed between the flexible portion and the upper opening, and between the flexible portion and the lower opening, respectively. A check valve that allows the flow of liquid in one direction of the path;
Have
Being mounted on a liquid ejecting apparatus including a flexible portion deforming means for deforming the flexible portion in an increasing direction for increasing the volume of the flow path and a decreasing direction for decreasing the volume;
A liquid container characterized by the above.

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