JP2012035429A - Liquid storage container and liquid consumption device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid storage container and a liquid consumption device which can stir a liquid uniformly up to a corner part of the liquid storage container.SOLUTION: An ink cartridge includes a liquid storage chamber for storing the liquid, a liquid stirring part having a space communicated with the atmosphere in its inside, and deformable to change a volume of the liquid storage chamber, an atmospheric release valve for blocking or communicating the space from/with the atmosphere, and a pressure regulating pump connected to the liquid stirring part via the atmospheric release valve, and for regulating pressure in the space, and the liquid stirring part is deformed by regulating the pressure in the space, and stirs the liquid.

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container and a liquid consumption device.

  As a liquid consuming device that discharges liquid from a liquid ejecting head, there is an ink jet printer. This printer performs printing by discharging dye ink or pigment ink stored in a cartridge or an ink tank from a recording head.

  The pigment ink is excellent in gas resistance and water resistance, but is different from a dye ink in which a color material is dissolved in a solvent, and is manufactured by dispersing a pigment in a dispersion medium. For this reason, when left for a long time, there is a problem that the pigment settles due to the difference in specific gravity between the pigment and the dispersion medium, and the ink density difference occurs.

  To solve this problem, as a mechanism for stirring the pigment ink, for example, a metal stirrer formed in a spherical shape is arranged inside, and the stirrer is rolled according to the power of the carriage to stir the ink. There is.

  Further, Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which a diaphragm valve is provided between an ink tank and a recording head, and the valve is opened and closed to cause ink flow in the ink tank and stir the ink. . Further, a rib and a step for regulating the flow direction are provided in the ink tank.

  In Patent Documents 2 and 3, a small chamber whose volume can be changed is provided on the flow path from the ink tank to the recording head. By changing the volume of the small chamber, the ink in the container is caused to flow to stir the ink. The structure to be described is described.

JP 2007-106104 A JP 2006-192758 A JP 2004-351865 A

  In the above-described conventional configuration, the ink is indirectly stirred by a device provided outside the ink tank, and the ink in the liquid storage container cannot be uniformly stirred to the corner.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid container and a liquid consuming device capable of uniformly stirring liquid to the corners of the liquid container. I am trying.

  The liquid storage container of the present invention has a casing, a liquid storage chamber provided in the casing, in which the liquid is stored, and a space that can communicate with the atmosphere inside, and changes the volume of the liquid storage chamber. A deformable liquid stirrer and a pressure adjusting pump connected to the liquid stirrer to adjust the pressure in the space, and the liquid stirrer is adjusted by adjusting the pressure in the space. The liquid is deformed and the liquid is stirred.

  Conventionally, when the non-printing state continues for a long time, the pigment settles due to a difference in specific gravity between the pigment and the dispersion medium, and a liquid concentration difference occurs in the liquid-containing molten chamber. For example, since the liquid stirring section that can be deformed so as to change the volume of the liquid storage chamber is provided, the liquid can be stirred. That is, it is possible to directly agitate the liquid inside the housing by deforming the pressure inside the space provided inside by the pressure adjusting pump. For this reason, the liquid can be evenly stirred up to the corner of the liquid storage chamber, and the liquid can be stored in a uniform pigment concentration state with no bias in the pigment concentration distribution.

The liquid stirring unit may include a film-like flexible member and an elastic member disposed in the space when the space is formed.
According to this, by using the film-like flexible member, it can be deformed in response to the pressure change in the space quickly, and the control of the pressure adjusting pump becomes easy. When the pressure in the space is reduced, the flexible member and the elastic member are compressed and deformed. When the pressure reduction in the space is released, the flexible member is restored to the original state by the elastic force of the elastic member. The liquid can be directly stirred by the deformation operation of the liquid stirring unit. In this case, a decompression pump can be used as the pressure adjustment pump.

Moreover, it is good also as a structure which a liquid stirring part consists of a film-form elastic member which forms the said space.
According to this, since the liquid agitation part is made of a film-like elastic member that forms a space, it is compressed and deformed when the pressure in the space is reduced, and self-recovers when the pressure in the space is released. The liquid can be directly stirred by the deformation operation of the liquid stirring unit. Also in this configuration, a pressure reducing pump can be used as the pressure adjusting pump.

Further, the liquid stirring unit may be provided at the bottom of the liquid storage chamber.
According to this, it is possible to efficiently stir by winding up the liquid pigment settled on the bottom of the liquid storage chamber.

Further, the liquid stirring unit may be provided at a corner of the liquid storage chamber.
According to this, it becomes easy to make the liquid which stays easily in the corner | angular part of a liquid storage chamber flow, and can be stirred efficiently.

Further, the housing is provided with the liquid storage chamber and a small chamber in which the liquid stirring unit is disposed, and the small chamber and the liquid storage chamber have a connection port formed in the small chamber. It is good also as a structure connected via.
According to this, by disposing the liquid stirring unit in the small chamber communicating with the liquid storage chamber, when the inside of the small chamber becomes negative pressure due to the compressive deformation of the liquid stirring unit, the liquid in the liquid storage chamber passes through the connection port. As a result, the liquid is aspirated into the small chamber and the liquid agitating unit returns to the original state, so that the liquid in the small chamber is discharged into the liquid storage chamber through the connection port. Since the flow direction of the liquid in the liquid storage chamber is defined by the liquid discharged from the connection port, the liquid stirring efficiency is improved.

Moreover, it is good also as a structure by which the air release valve which interrupts | blocks or connects the said space and air | atmosphere between the said liquid stirring part and the said pressure control pump is provided.
According to this, after reducing the pressure in the space of the liquid stirring unit with the atmosphere release valve closed, the liquid stirring unit is deformed, and then opening the atmosphere release valve to open the atmosphere to the liquid stirring unit. Can be restored to its original state. For this reason, since it is not necessary to pressurize the space with a pressure adjusting pump, a pump that exhibits only a pressure reducing action may be used.

The volume of the small room may be reduced toward the connection port.
According to this, the flow velocity of the liquid flowing out from the inside of the small chamber into the liquid storage chamber can be increased.

Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with the stirring member which is supported so that a movement is carried out in a hanging state in the said liquid storage chamber, and stirs the said liquid.
According to this, when the liquid storage container is provided in the on-carriage type liquid consuming device, the stirring member supported so as to be movable in the suspended state in the liquid storage chamber is caused by the inertial force (external force) accompanying the movement of the carriage. Will move. As a result, the liquid can be efficiently stirred during recording without the need for a drive source. In addition, a synergistic effect with the liquid stirring unit can be expected.

Moreover, it is good also as a structure by which the said stirring member is arrange | positioned in the position which does not oppose the said connection port.
According to this, it is possible to prevent the stirring member from obstructing the flow of the liquid discharged from the connection port.

Moreover, it is good also as a structure by which the rib which guide | induces the said liquid to the corner | angular part of the said liquid storage chamber is provided in the said liquid storage chamber.
According to this, it is possible to effectively move the liquid retained in the corners of the liquid storage chamber, and the entire liquid storage chamber can be uniformly stirred.

The load of the pressure adjusting pump may be detected to detect the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid storage chamber.
According to this, since the load of the pressure adjusting pump increases when the liquid in the liquid storage chamber decreases, it is possible to measure the remaining amount of liquid from the pressure difference between when there is liquid and when there is no liquid.

In addition, a check valve that has a pair of the connection ports and allows only the flow of the liquid from the liquid storage chamber to the small chamber is provided in one connection port, and the other connection port from the small chamber It is good also as a structure provided with the non-return valve which accept | permits only the flow of the said liquid to the said liquid storage chamber.
According to this, since the flow direction of the liquid in the liquid storage chamber is defined, the stirring efficiency of the liquid is improved.

The liquid consuming device of the present invention includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid and a liquid containing container that contains the liquid, and the liquid consuming device that supplies the liquid from the liquid containing container to the liquid ejecting head. The liquid container may be configured.
Conventionally, when the non-printing state continues for a long time, the pigment settles due to a difference in specific gravity between the pigment and the dispersion medium, and a liquid concentration difference occurs in the liquid-containing molten chamber. For example, it has a liquid stirring part that can be deformed so as to change the volume of the liquid storage chamber, and the liquid can be directly stirred by changing the pressure in the space by adjusting the pressure adjustment pump. It has become. For this reason, the liquid can be evenly stirred up to the corner of the liquid storage chamber, and a liquid having a uniform pigment concentration with no bias in the pigment concentration distribution can be supplied to the liquid ejecting head. As a result, the print quality can be improved and stabilized.

The liquid storage container and the liquid jet head are mounted, and the carriage includes a carriage that reciprocates along a main scanning direction. The liquid storage container includes a stirring member provided in the liquid storage container. It is good also as a structure arrange | positioned so that a movement is possible.
According to this, as the carriage moves in the main scanning direction, the stirring member provided in the liquid storage container moves to stir the liquid. Thereby, the liquid of a uniform pigment density | concentration can be rapidly and easily by the synergistic effect of a liquid stirring part and a stirring member.

The pressure adjusting pump may be a pump that is disposed between the liquid container and the liquid ejecting head and supplies the liquid from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting head.
According to this, since the pressure adjustment pump serves both as a pressure adjustment operation for deforming the liquid stirring unit and an operation of supplying the liquid from the liquid container to the liquid jet head, the number of parts can be reduced and the size can be reduced. Can be achieved.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining a main part of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a stirring plate mounted in the ink storage chamber 13. Sectional drawing which follows the AA line of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a moving state of a stirring plate in an ink cartridge. The top view explaining the principal part of the inkjet recording device (henceforth the printer 40) based on 2nd Embodiment is a top view which shows the whole structure of the off-carriage printer in 2nd Embodiment. The side view which shows schematic structure of the ink cartridge in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 9 is a side view schematically showing a modified example of the ink cartridge.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing used for the following description, the scale of each member is appropriately changed to make each member a recognizable size.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a main part of an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer 1) according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, a printer (liquid consuming device) 1 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped frame 2 having an upper opening. A platen 3 is installed on the frame 2, and a printing paper P is fed on the platen 3 in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction in FIG. 1) by a paper feeding mechanism (not shown). Yes.
A guide member 4 is installed on the frame 2 in parallel with the platen 3, and a carriage 5 is inserted into and supported by the guide member 4 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the guide member 4.
The carriage 5 is drivingly connected to a carriage motor 5a through a timing belt 5b, and is reciprocated in the main scanning direction (X-axis direction in FIG. 1) along the guide member 4 by driving the carriage motor 5a. It has become so.

In addition, four ink cartridges C (liquid storage containers) are detachably mounted on the carriage 5. Specifically, the first ink cartridge C1 to the fourth ink cartridge C4 are detachably mounted.
The first ink cartridge C1 contains black ink inside. The second ink cartridge C2 to the fourth ink cartridge C4 contain various color inks therein. The various inks are, for example, so-called pigment inks in which a pigment that is a color material is dispersed in a dispersion medium.
When the first ink cartridge C1 to the fourth ink cartridge C4 are described without being distinguished from each other, they are simply referred to as the ink cartridge C. Further, the black ink and various color inks are collectively referred to as ink K.

A recording head 6 (liquid ejecting head) is mounted on the surface of the carriage 5 facing the platen 3. An opening of a nozzle row (not shown) is formed on the lower surface of the recording head 6.
Each nozzle row corresponds to each ink K, and droplets of ink K are ejected onto the printing paper P by driving a piezoelectric element (not shown).

A maintenance unit 7 is provided in the frame 2. The maintenance unit 7 is provided in a non-printing area that is within the moving range of the carriage 5 and outside the conveyance path of the printing paper P. In the present embodiment, the maintenance unit 7 is at a home position provided on the right side in FIG. It is arranged.
This maintenance unit 7 seals the recording head 6 with a cap 8 in a non-printing state, and performs head cleaning to prevent drying in the nozzles and printing defects.

Next, the ink cartridge C according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ink cartridge C includes a case 10 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The case 10 includes a case main body 11 formed in a box shape with one side surface (right wall portion) opened, and a film-like lid portion 12 serving as a right wall portion.
Specifically, the case 10 is formed in a box shape having an opening on the right wall portion side by an upper wall portion 11a, a bottom wall portion 11b, a front wall portion 11c, a back wall portion 11d, and a left wall portion 11e.

  In the case body 11, an ink storage chamber 13 (liquid storage chamber) capable of storing ink formed by sealing the opening of the case body 11 with the lid portion 12 is provided. Specifically, a sealed ink storage chamber is formed by welding a film-like lid portion 12 to the side surfaces of the upper wall portion 11a, the bottom wall portion 11b, the front wall portion 11c, and the back wall portion 11d on the right wall portion side. 13 is formed.

An ink injection hole 14 is formed through the upper wall portion 11 a of the case body 11. From the ink injection hole 14, the ink K is injected into the ink storage chamber 13.
The upper wall portion 11a is formed with an air communication hole 15a and a communication groove 15b. The atmosphere communication hole 15a is formed to penetrate the upper wall portion 11a and communicates the ink storage chamber 13 with the outside. The communication groove 15b is formed so as to meander the upper wall portion 11a, and communicates with the air communication hole 15a.
In addition, a part of the ink injection hole 14, the atmosphere communication hole 15a, and the communication groove 15b is sealed with a sealing film 16 attached to the upper wall portion 11a.
The inside of the ink storage chamber 13 is opened to the atmosphere by the end of the communication groove 15b opened to the atmosphere via the sealed atmosphere communication hole 15a and the communication groove 15b.

  An ink discharge hole 17 is formed through the bottom wall portion 11 b of the case body 11. The ink discharge holes 17 are continuously formed in a supply portion 18 that is formed to protrude from the outer surface of the bottom wall portion 11 b, and open at the lower surface of the supply portion 18.

  A valve mechanism (not shown) is provided in the supply unit 18, and when the ink cartridge C is mounted on the carriage 5, an ink needle (not shown) provided on the carriage 5 is inserted into the supply unit 18 to operate the valve mechanism. The valve is opened, and the ink K in the ink storage chamber 13 is supplied to the ink needle.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the ink cartridge in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, an ink stirring unit 30 for stirring the ink in the ink storage chamber 13 is provided inside the case main body 11 of the ink cartridge C. The ink stirring unit 30 is provided in a part of the case main body 11, and is specifically disposed at a corner portion on the bottom side formed by the bottom wall portion 11b and the back wall portion 11d.

  The ink stirring part 30 is provided so as to connect the bottom wall part 11b and the back wall part 11d, the left wall part 11e, and the lid part 12 (FIG. 2), and is a wall part that stands vertically from the bottom wall part 11b. There is an ink stirring chamber (small chamber) 32 formed by 31a and a wall portion 31b provided so as to be slightly inclined from the back wall portion 11d toward the bottom wall portion 11b side.

  The wall 31a is formed with a first connection port 33a (first connection port) near the wall 31b and a second connection port 33b (second connection port) near the bottom wall 11b. The ink stirring chamber 32 and the ink storage chamber 13 are connected (communication) via the connection ports 33a and 33b. The sizes and the like of these connection ports 33a and 33b are set as appropriate.

  In the ink stirring chamber 32, an ink stirring body 36 (liquid stirring portion) including a flexible film 34 (flexible member) and a spring 35 is provided. The ink stirring body 36 sucks the ink in the ink storage chamber 13 from the connection ports 33a and 33b into the ink stirring chamber 32, and sucks the sucked ink into the ink storage chamber 13 from the connection ports 33a and 33b again. By causing the ink to flow out, the ink in the ink storage chamber 13 is agitated.

The entire periphery of the film 34 is fixed to the bottom wall portion 11b, has a generally dome shape in a normal state, and forms a space 37 that can communicate with the atmosphere inside.
The spring 35 is disposed inside the film 34 in a posture in which the central axis is perpendicular to the bottom wall portion 11b. One end is fixed to the bottom wall portion 11b and the other end side is connected to the film 34. .
In the present embodiment, the film 34 of the ink stirring body 36 is divided into two, a space 38 in which the ink stirring chamber 32 communicates with the ink storage chamber 13 and a space 37 that is completely separated.

  A communication port 19 that opens into the space 37 of the ink stirring body 36 is formed through the bottom wall portion 11 b of the case body 11. A pressure adjusting pump 29 and an air release valve V are connected to the communication port 19 via a tube 28. A decompression pump is used as the pressure adjustment pump 29 of the present embodiment.

  The case main body 11 has a plurality of support columns (support portions) 21 formed integrally with the case main body 11, and is formed so as to stand up from the left wall portion 11 e toward the ink storage chamber 13. Has been. Two pairs of support pillars 21 and 21 are formed in the ink storage chamber 13, and two support pillars 21 and 21 are provided side by side with a predetermined interval in the depth direction (Y-axis direction) in each pair. ing.

  Two stirring plates 25 (25A, 25B: stirring members) that stir the ink are provided in the ink storage chamber 13, and each of them is hooked on the pair of support columns 21A, 21A and the support columns 21B, 21B. Is engaged. By these two sets of support columns 21A and 21A and support columns 21B and 21B, the respective stirring plates 25A and 25B are supported in the ink storage chamber 13 so as to be movable (oscillated and slidable) in the width direction (X direction). ing.

  The stirring plates 25A and 25B are arranged on the upper wall portion 11a side of the ink stirring body 36 (wall portion 31b) and at positions not facing the connection ports 33a and 33b of the ink stirring portion 30. As a result, the ink flows from the ink storage chamber 13 into the space 38 or from the space 38 into the ink storage chamber 13 via the connection ports 33a and 33b of the ink stirring unit 30 without obstructing the flow of ink. Can be stirred.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a stirring plate mounted in the ink storage chamber.
As shown in FIG. 4, the stirring plate 25A (25B) is a substantially rectangular flat plate made of synthetic resin or metal having a specific gravity greater than that of the ink K (FIG. 6), and stirs the ink. The agitation unit 26 includes a mounting unit 27 that is mounted on the support columns 21A (21B) and 21A (21B). The mounting portion 27 has a first portion 27A extending from the stirring portion 26 and a second portion 27B provided on the opposite side of the first portion 27A to the stirring portion 26 side. And between these stirring part 26 and mounting part 27, bowl-shaped notch parts 25a and 25a which engage with two support pillars 21A (21B) and 21A (21B) are formed, respectively. .
Here, the dimensions of the stirring plates 25A and 25B are such that the width W1 of the stirring portion 26, the width W2 of the first portion 27A in the mounting portion 27, and the width W3 of the second portion 27B are: width W2 <width W3 ≦ width W1. Is set to be

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the support column 21 (21A, 21A, 21B, 21B) protrudes vertically from the left wall portion 11e of the case main body 11 and supports the stirring plate 25A (25B) and the support shaft 22 And a drop-off prevention portion 23 having a claw shape that is provided at the tip of the shaft 22 and prevents the stirring plate 25A (25B) from being detached from the support shaft 22.

The pair of support columns 21A and 21A (support columns 21B and 21B) disposed in the ink storage chamber 13 are disposed at a predetermined interval in a state where the drop-off prevention units 23 and 23 face each other. The agitating plate 25A (25B) is fitted between the opposing support columns 21A, 21A (21B, 21B).
The support columns 21A and 21A (21B and 21B) are arranged such that the distance L1 between the opposed support shafts 22 and 22 is narrower than the width W2 of the first portion 27A in the stirring plates 25A and 25B (L1 <W2). ing. Further, the support shafts 22 and 22 are arranged such that the distance L2 between the support shafts 22 and 22 is wider than the width W2 of the first part 27A of the mounting portion 27 and narrower than the width W3 of the second part 27B.

On the distal end side of the support column 21A (21B), an inclined surface 24 is formed which is inclined so as to increase the distance from another adjacent support column 21A (21B) toward the distal end side. The inclined surface 24 formed on each of the support columns 21A (21B) and 21A (21B) facilitates the stirring plate 25A (25B) to be guided to the support shaft 22 side.
The pair of support columns 21A (21B) and 21A (21B) are mounted such that the mounting portion 27 (first portion 27A) of the stirring plate 25A (25B) is fitted.

  Therefore, the stirring plate 25A (25B) is supported by the two support columns 21A (21B) and 21A (21B) in a state where it is suspended in the vertical direction by gravity. Due to the arrangement interval of the support columns 21 and 21 and the shape of the stirring plate 25, both sides of the first portion 27 </ b> A of the mounting portion 27 are supported by the support shafts 22 and 21 when the stirring plate 25 is supported by the support columns 21 and 21. At the same time, the support shafts 22 and 22 are supported so as to be movable.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a moving state of the stirring plate in the ink cartridge.
As shown in FIG. 6, the stirring plate 25A (25B) swings or slides in the width direction (X direction) of the ink cartridge C along two support columns 21 (one is not shown). It is supported so that it can do.

  Therefore, an external force is applied to the ink cartridge C by the movement of the carriage 5 (FIG. 1) in the main scanning direction, and the ink cartridge C accelerates or decelerates in a direction parallel to the X-axis direction at or above a predetermined acceleration or deceleration. Then, the resultant force of inertia and gravity applied to the stirring plate 25 exceeds the pressure received from the ink K, and the stirring plate 25 swings (pendulum motion) in the width direction (X direction) or slides. Or move (translate).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ink cartridge C of the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of ribs 39 that stand vertically from the left wall portion 11 e in the vicinity of the corner of the ink storage chamber 13. The rib 39 is formed integrally with the case body 11. In the present embodiment, three ribs for guiding to the corner of the ink storage chamber 13 are provided, and are provided so as to follow a diagonal line in an inclined posture with respect to the wall of the case main body 11. By providing such a rib 39 in the ink storage chamber 13, it is possible to spread the ink discharged from the ink stirring unit 30 during ink stirring to every corner of the ink storage chamber 13.

[Action of ink cartridge]
Next, the operation of the ink cartridge C will be described focusing on the ink stirring operation.
Ink K is injected into each ink cartridge C from the ink injection hole 14 by a predetermined initial filling amount.

  In order to stir the ink stored in the ink cartridge C, first, the pressure adjustment pump 29 is driven with the atmosphere release valve V closed. Then, the space 37 that has been made a sealed space is decompressed by the suction force, and the volume of the space 38 in the ink stirring chamber 32 is reduced while the volume of the space 37 is reduced by compressing and deforming the film 34 and contracting the spring 35. Will increase. That is, the space 38 has a negative pressure, and the ink in the ink storage chamber 13 is sucked into the space 38 from the connection ports 33a and 33b through the connection ports 33a and 33b.

Next, after the decompression operation by the pressure adjusting pump 29 is stopped, if the space 37 is opened to the atmosphere by opening (opening) the atmosphere release valve V, the deformed film 34 is elastically acting by the spring 35. Will quickly return to the original state. Then, the ink in the space 38 is pushed out from the connection ports 33 a and 33 b and flows out to the bottom side of the ink storage chamber 13.
If the film 34 cannot be completely restored to its original state only by opening to the atmosphere, the pressure is pumped in the space 37 by the pressure adjusting pump 29 so that the film 34 is restored to the dome shape before deformation. .

  The pigment that has settled at the bottom of the ink storage chamber 13 is stirred up by the ink pushed out from the ink stirring unit 30. By the action of the ink stirring unit 30, the ink flows along the circumferential direction of the ink storage chamber 13. At that time, ink is guided to the corner portion of the ink storage chamber 13 by the rib 39, and the ink (pigment) staying at the corner portion is pushed out by the flowing ink.

  Further, when the ink cartridge C is mounted on the carriage 5, as shown in FIG. 1, the width direction of the ink cartridge C is arranged so as to be parallel to the main scanning direction (X-axis direction) of the carriage 5. That is, the stirring plates 25A and 25B in the ink storage chamber 13 are arranged so that the direction in which the stirring plates 25A and 25B can move coincides with the main scanning direction of the carriage 5.

  When the carriage 5 is accelerated or decelerated along the main scanning direction for the purpose of stirring or printing the ink K, the stirring plates 25A and 25B provided in the ink cartridge C move according to the movement operation of the carriage 5. start. By these stirring plates 25A and 25B, the ink K in the ink storage chamber 13 can be efficiently stirred.

  As a result, the ink K in the ink storage chamber 13 is evenly stirred, and the pigment concentration distribution is also uniform. Further, since the stirring plates 25A and 25B are provided so as to hang down, the stirring plates 25A and 25B easily move with a small external force, and reciprocate many times.

  The ink K in the ink storage chamber 13 is in a state in which the pigment concentration distribution is not biased, and the ink K having a uniform pigment concentration is supplied to the recording head 6 via the supply unit 18. For this reason, for example, even if printing is performed after a relatively long printing suspension period, a printed matter without color density deviation is created.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the space 37 of the ink agitator 36 is deformed so as to change the volume of the space 37 by reducing the pressure or opening the space 37 to the atmosphere. The pressure adjustment pump 29 performs a pressure reduction operation and an air release operation repeatedly to suck ink from the ink storage chamber 13 to the ink stirring chamber 32 (space 38) and to discharge (discharge) ink from the space 38 to the ink storage chamber 13. ) Is effective because the ink in the ink storage chamber 13 can be directly agitated. Further, since the ink stirring unit 30 is disposed at the corner of the bottom of the ink cartridge C, the pigment or the like that has settled on the bottom of the case body 11 is reliably floated and stirred. As a result, the ink in the ink storage chamber 13 is evenly agitated, and the pigment concentration distribution becomes uniform.

  In addition, by causing ink to flow out from the space 38 of the ink stirring chamber 32 to the ink storage chamber 13, it is possible to cause the ink to flow into the ink cartridge C, and evenly distribute the ink to the corners of the ink storage chamber 13. It is possible to stir.

  Further, the ink stirring operation by the ink stirring unit 30 of the present embodiment described above can be performed regardless of whether printing is in progress or not. Stirring during non-printing to prevent sedimentation of the pigment due to standing for a long time, of course, but even during printing, while the ink is present in the ink cartridge C, the print quality is improved and stabilized. Therefore, the ink agitation unit 30 performs ink agitation.

  In addition, since a plurality of ribs 39 are provided in the case main body 11, the ink discharged from the ink stirring unit 30 reaches all the corners of the ink storage chamber 13, and the ink easily stagnates at the corners of the case main body 11. The fluidity of the is increased and a higher stirring effect is obtained.

The pressure adjusting pump 29 of the present embodiment has both pressure reduction and pressurization actions.
For example, when the film 34 is made of an elastic member such as rubber and is made of a material that can be self-reset by being released into the atmosphere after deformation, a pump that exhibits only a pressure reducing action may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the two stirring plates 25A and 25B are provided in the ink cartridge C so as to hang down. Therefore, the ink cartridge C easily swings with a small inertia force (external force) due to the movement of the carriage 5. Move back and forth many times. By these stirring plates 25A and 25B, the ink stirring effect is enhanced.

  Further, the external force applied to the ink cartridge C is not limited to the inertial force due to acceleration / deceleration accompanying the movement of the carriage 5 in the main scanning direction. When the ink cartridge C is stored for a long period of time, the stirring plates 25A and 25B in the ink storage chamber 13 are moved by shaking each ink cartridge C in the width direction and the ink K is stirred. Further, by using together with the ink stirring unit 30 described above, even if the pigment contained in the ink K has settled at the bottom of the ink storage chamber 13 due to long-term storage, the stirring plates 25A and 25B Since the lower end is close to the bottom of the ink storage chamber 13, the settled pigment and the like are reliably floated and stirred.

  In the present embodiment, the wall 31b constituting the ink stirring chamber 32 of the ink stirring unit 30 is inclined with respect to the back wall 11d, and the ink stirring chamber 32 is tapered toward the connection ports 33a and 33b. Make. That is, the volume of the ink stirring chamber 32 is reduced toward the connection ports 33a and 33b. Thereby, the flow velocity of the ink discharged from the space 38 is increased, and the ink stirring efficiency is improved.

Of the connection ports 33a and 33b that connect the ink storage chamber 13 and the ink stirring chamber 32 of the ink stirring unit 30, for example, the connection port 33a positioned above is connected to the ink stirring chamber 32 from the ink storage chamber 13 to the ink stirring chamber 32. A check valve (not shown) that allows only inflow is provided, and a check valve (not shown) that allows only outflow of ink from the ink stirring chamber 32 to the ink storage chamber 13 is provided at the connection port 33b positioned below. May be. Then, the ink in the ink storage chamber 13 flows into the ink stirring chamber 32 through the connection port 33a, and the ink in the ink stirring chamber 32 flows out into the ink storage chamber 13 through the connection port 33b. Become. Ink in the ink stirring chamber 32 may flow out into the ink storage chamber 13 through the connection port 33a, but ink in the ink storage chamber 13 flows into the ink stirring chamber 32 through the connection port 33b. There is nothing. Thereby, the flow direction of the ink is defined, and the stirring efficiency of the ink is improved.
In addition, you may reverse the effect | action of the non-return valve provided in the connection port 33a and the connection port 33b. Or you may provide a non-return valve only in any one of the connection port 33a and the connection port 33b.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating a main part of an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer 40) according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the off-carriage printer in the second embodiment.
The printer 100 of the present embodiment is schematically configured to include a printer main body 105, an ink cartridge C, and a carriage 104 on which a sub tank 102 (liquid container) and a recording head 103 (liquid ejecting head) are mounted.

The printer main body 105 includes a carriage moving mechanism (not shown) that reciprocates the carriage 104, a paper feeding mechanism (not shown) that conveys recording paper (not shown), and a capping mechanism that is used for cleaning the recording head 103. 114, a wiping member WP used for the wiping process of the recording head 103, and a plurality of ink cartridges C storing (accommodating) ink to be supplied to the recording head 103 are provided.
The capping mechanism 114 has a cap 115 that seals the recording head 103 when not printing.

The carriage moving mechanism includes a guide shaft 108 installed in the width direction of the printer main body 105, a pulse motor 109, a drive pulley 110 that is rotated by the pulse motor 109 connected to the rotation shaft of the pulse motor 109, and a drive The pulley 110 is an idle pulley 111 provided on the opposite side of the printer body 105 in the width direction, and a timing belt 112 that is bridged between the drive pulley 110 and the idle pulley 111 and connected to the carriage 104. It is composed of
Under such a configuration, by driving the pulse motor 109, the carriage 104 reciprocates in the main scanning direction along the guide shaft 108.

  The paper feed mechanism 66 is composed of a paper feed motor and a paper feed roller (none of which is shown) that is rotationally driven by the paper feed motor, etc., and is linked to the recording (printing / printing) operation of the recording paper. It is sent out sequentially on the platen.

  The sub tank 102 is provided with an ink inlet (not shown) that communicates with the ink chamber 127 inside. An ink supply tube 134 that supplies ink stored in the ink cartridge C is connected to the ink inlet, and the ink that has passed through the ink supply tube 134 flows into the ink chamber 127. The printer 100 according to the present embodiment includes two ink cartridges C, and each is connected to the corresponding sub tank 102 via the ink supply tube 134. The number of ink cartridges C is not limited to this.

FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of the ink cartridge according to the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, an ink stirring unit 130 is provided in the ink cartridge C provided outside the carriage 104.
The ink agitation unit 130 in this embodiment is a stroke of the case main body 11 and is arranged at the corner formed by the bottom wall portion 11b and the back wall portion 11d as in the previous embodiment. There is a difference in that the direction of the ink stirring member 36 is horizontal. Further, since the printer 100 of the present embodiment is an off-carriage type, the stirring plate 25 is not provided in the ink cartridge C.

The ink stirrer 36 is disposed in a film 34 that is generally fixed to the back wall 11d and has a generally dome shape in a normal state, and a space 37 formed inside the film 34, and the back wall 11d. And a spring 35 having one end fixed to the back wall 11d and the other end connected to the film 34.
Further, in the present embodiment, the connection port 33a is formed in the wall portion 31a that stands vertically from the bottom wall portion 11b, and the wall portion that inclines from the back wall portion 11d to the wall portion 31a toward the bottom wall portion 11b side. A connection port 33b is formed in 31b.

  A communication port 19 that opens into the space 37 of the ink stirring body 36 is formed through the back wall portion 11 d of the case body 11. An ink supply tube 134 that connects the ink cartridge C and the sub tank 102 mounted on the carriage 104 is connected to the communication port 19. Diaphragms 116 are respectively disposed on two ink supply tubes 134 and 134 that connect the two ink cartridges and the two sub tanks 102. By independently driving the diaphragms 116 and 116, the respective ink cartridges C can respectively Ink is supplied into the sub tank 102. On the ink supply tubes 134 and 134, air release valves V and V are further arranged on the ink cartridges C and C side of the diaphragms 116 and 116, respectively. With such a configuration, the spaces 37 and 37 can be decompressed and opened to the atmosphere collectively with respect to the respective ink agitation units 30 and 30 in the ink cartridges C and C, respectively.

  That is, in this embodiment, the operation of supplying ink from the ink cartridges C and C to the corresponding sub tanks 102 and 102, and the ink agitation unit for agitating the ink stored in the ink cartridges C and C The operation of driving 30 is realized by the diaphragms 116 and 116.

[Action of ink cartridge]
In order to stir the ink stored in the ink cartridge C in the present embodiment, first, the diaphragms 116 and 116 are driven with the air release valve V closed to depressurize the space 37 of the ink stirrer 36. Ink is made to flow from the ink storage chamber 13 into the space 38 by compressing and deforming the ink stirring member 36.

  Next, after the pressure reducing operation by the pressure adjustment pump 29 is stopped, the atmosphere release valve V is opened to open the space 37 to the atmosphere, and the deformed ink stirring body 36 is returned to the original state. Then, the ink in the space 38 is pushed out from the connection ports 33 a and 33 b and flows out into the ink storage chamber 13. In the present embodiment, the ink in the space 38 is blown out to the bottom of the ink storage chamber 13 through the connection port 33a and is blown out upward of the ink storage chamber 13 through the connection port 33b.

  By providing check valves (not shown) at the connection ports 33a and 33b, ink is sucked from the ink storage chamber 13 only from the connection port 33b, and ink is discharged from the connection port 33a to the ink storage chamber 13 only. It may be configured. Thereby, the flow direction of the ink is defined, the flow rate of the ink discharged from the connection port 33a is increased, and the pigment settled on the bottom of the ink storage chamber 13 can be wound up, so that the stirring efficiency is improved. .

  The function of the check valve provided in each connection port 33a, 33b is reversed, and the ink in the ink storage chamber 13 is sucked into the ink stirring chamber 32 (space 38) from the connection port 33b, and the ink in the space 38 is drawn. May be discharged into the ink storage chamber 13 from the connection port 33a.

As described above, in the off-carriage printer 100 as in the present embodiment, the ink agitation unit 30 is provided in each ink cartridge C, and the ink is agitated regardless of whether printing is performed or not. Sedimentation of the pigment due to leaving it or the like can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to improve and stabilize the printing quality.
The size ratio and the arrangement position of the ink stirring unit 30 in the ink cartridge C are not limited to those shown in the drawings, and can be changed as appropriate.

In the present embodiment, the decompression operation for driving the ink agitating body 36 of the ink agitating unit 30 is also used for the diaphragms 116 and 116 that supply ink from the ink cartridges C and C to the sub tanks 102 and 102. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the printer 100 from increasing in size as the number of parts increases.
As described above, the ink supply operation to the sub tank 102 and the ink agitation operation in the ink cartridge C can be realized by one drive source, so that the apparatus can be reduced in size and cost.

  As described above, the preferred embodiments according to the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the examples. It is obvious for those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. It is understood that it belongs to.

  For example, the arrangement position, size, and number of the ink stirring unit 30 in the ink cartridge C shown in the previous embodiment are the highest ink stirring efficiency according to the size of the ink storage chamber 13 and the type of ink. Is appropriately set so as to obtain

FIG. 9 is a side view schematically showing a modified example of the ink cartridge.
As shown in FIG. 9A, an ink stirring unit 30 may be provided at a substantially central portion of the bottom of the ink cartridge C (ink storage chamber 13). In this case, by forming the ink suction connection ports 42a and 42a in the side wall portions 41a and 41a and forming the ink discharge connection port 42b in the upper wall portion 41b, suction from two directions becomes possible. The ink staying at the bottom of the ink storage chamber 13 can be efficiently sucked and stirred.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, an ink stirring unit 30 may be provided at each corner on both sides in the Y direction at the bottom of the ink cartridge C (ink storage chamber 13). In this case, by forming the ink suction connection port 42a in the side wall 41a and forming the ink discharge connection port 42b in the upper wall 41b, the ink staying at the bottom of the ink storage chamber 13 can be reduced to two. The ink can be efficiently stirred by being sucked by the two ink stirring portions 30 and discharged upward.

  In the previous embodiment, the configuration in which the ink stirring unit 30 includes the film 34 and the spring 35 has been described. However, when the pressure adjustment pump 29 has not only a pressure reducing function but also a pressure function, the spring 35 is omitted. It is possible to reduce the number of parts. In other words, when the ink stirring portion 30 deformed due to the reduced pressure is returned to its original state, the entire deformed film 34 can be quickly returned by pressurizing the space 37 of the ink stirring body 36.

When ink in the ink cartridge C is consumed and reduced by printing, the pressure in the ink storage chamber 13 becomes negative. Therefore, the load when the pressure inside the ink cartridge C is reduced by the pressure adjusting pump 29 is detected, and the remaining amount of ink can be measured from the pressure difference between when ink is present and when it is not present. Is possible.
When ink is present in the ink cartridge C, the pressure in the space 37 of the ink stirring unit 30 is easily reduced. However, when ink is not present, the pressure is difficult to be reduced, and the load on the pressure adjustment pump 29 is increased.

In the previous embodiment, the ink stirring chamber 32 is formed by partitioning a portion of the ink cartridge with a plurality of walls, but the ink stirring body 36 may be exposed in the ink storage chamber 13. good. That is, it is only necessary to have a member that can change the volume of the ink storage chamber 13 in the ink storage chamber 13.
However, as described in the previous embodiment, the flow direction of ink is defined by partitioning one stroke of the ink cartridge with a wall having a plurality of connection ports (preferably with check valves). Therefore, it is advantageous to obtain the effect of stirring the entire ink storage chamber 13 evenly.

  Further, the ink cartridge C may be configured to include the case main body 11, the ink pack disposed in the case main body 11, and the ink stirring unit 30 (ink stirring body 36). The ink may be agitated by pressing the bag-type ink pack storing the ink with an external ink agitator 36.

  Further, the sizes of the connection ports 33a and 33b that connect the ink stirring chamber 32 and the ink storage chamber 13 of the ink stirring unit 30 may be different from each other. For example, the suction side connection port may be formed larger than the discharge side connection port.

In the previous embodiment, the inside of the ink stirring chamber 32 is tapered so that the flow rate of the ink discharged into the ink storage chamber 13 is accelerated. However, the shape of the connection ports 33a and 33b is different. You may make it the taper shape diameter-reduced toward the ink storage chamber 13 side from the ink stirring chamber 32 side. As a result, the flow velocity can be increased while suppressing the pressure loss.
The same effect can be obtained by adjusting the number of connection ports (opening ratio).

  In the above-described embodiment, the liquid consuming device that ejects a liquid such as ink has been described as an example of the liquid consuming device. However, the liquid consuming device ejects and discharges liquid other than ink. Can be applied. The liquid that can be ejected by the liquid consuming device includes a liquid or gel-like fluid in which particles of the functional material are dispersed or dissolved.

  In the above-described embodiment, as the liquid ejected from the liquid consuming apparatus, not only ink but also a liquid corresponding to a specific application can be applied. By providing the liquid consuming apparatus with an ejection head capable of ejecting a liquid corresponding to the specific application, ejecting the liquid corresponding to the specific application from the ejection head, and attaching the liquid to a predetermined object, A given device can be manufactured. For example, a liquid consuming device disperses (dissolves) a material such as an electrode material and a color material used in manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, and a surface emitting display (FED) in a predetermined dispersion medium (solvent). It is applicable to a liquid consuming apparatus that ejects a liquid (liquid material).

Although the case where the ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage on which the scanning recording head is mounted as the liquid container has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the ink cartridge may be mounted at a position different from the carriage (so-called off-carriage type).
Alternatively, the ink cartridge may be mounted on a line type head (non-scanning type recording head).

In addition, the fluid ejecting apparatus may be a liquid consuming apparatus that ejects a bio-organic material used for biochip manufacturing, or a liquid consuming apparatus that ejects a liquid that is used as a precision pipette as a sample.
In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid consumption devices that pinpoint lubricant oil to precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. May be a liquid consuming device for injecting a liquid onto the substrate, a liquid consuming device for injecting an etching solution such as acid or alkali to etch the substrate, etc., or a fluid jet device for injecting a gel. The present invention can be applied to any one of these liquid consuming devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,100 Printer (liquid consumption apparatus), 5,104 Carriage, 6 Recording head (liquid ejecting head), 13 Ink storage chamber (liquid storage chamber), 19 Communication port, 25 (25A, 25B) Stirring member, 29 Pressure adjustment Pump, 32 Ink stirring chamber (small chamber) 33a, 33b, 42a, 42b Connection port, 34 Film (flexible member), 35 Spring (elastic member), 36 Ink stirring body (liquid stirring portion), 37, 38 Space , 39 Rib, C Ink cartridge (liquid container), K ink, V Air release valve

Claims (16)

A housing,
A liquid storage chamber provided in the housing, in which a liquid is stored, and a liquid stirring section that has a space that can communicate with the atmosphere inside and is deformable to change the volume of the liquid storage chamber;
A pressure adjusting pump that is connected to the liquid stirring unit and adjusts the pressure in the space;
The liquid agitation unit is deformed by adjusting the pressure in the space, and agitates the liquid. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the liquid stirring unit includes a film-like flexible member that forms the space, and an elastic member that is disposed in the space. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the liquid agitating unit is made of a film-like elastic member that forms the space. The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the liquid agitation unit is provided at a bottom of the liquid storage chamber. The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the liquid agitation unit is provided at a corner of the liquid storage chamber. In the housing, the liquid storage chamber and a small chamber in which the liquid stirring unit is disposed are provided,
The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the small chamber and the liquid storage chamber communicate with each other through a connection port formed in the small chamber.   The atmosphere release valve which interrupts | blocks or connects the said space and air | atmosphere is provided between the said liquid stirring part and the said pressure control pump, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Liquid container. The liquid container according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein a volume of the small room is reduced toward the connection port. The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein the liquid storage container is provided so as to be movable in a suspended state in the liquid storage chamber, and further provided with a stirring member that stirs the liquid. The liquid container according to claim 9, wherein the stirring member is disposed at a position not facing the connection port. 11. The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein a rib for guiding the liquid to a corner of the liquid storage chamber is provided in the liquid storage chamber. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein a load of the pressure adjustment pump is detected to detect a remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid storage chamber. A check valve that has a pair of connection ports and allows only the flow of the liquid from the liquid storage chamber to the small chamber is provided at one connection port, and the liquid from the small chamber to the other connection port. The liquid storage container according to claim 6, further comprising a check valve that allows only the liquid to flow into the storage chamber. In a liquid consuming apparatus that includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid and a liquid storage container that stores the liquid, and that supplies the liquid from the liquid storage container to the liquid ejecting head.
The liquid consumption apparatus using the liquid storage container as described in any one of Claim 1 to 13 as said liquid storage container. A carriage mounted with the liquid container and the liquid ejecting head and reciprocating along a main scanning direction;
The liquid consuming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the liquid container includes a stirring member provided in the liquid container so as to be movable in the main scanning direction. The pressure adjusting pump is a pump that is disposed between the liquid container and the liquid ejecting head and supplies the liquid from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting head. Liquid consuming equipment.

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