JP2015174226A - Liquid housing container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid housing container which can reduce residual amount of liquid not supplied outside from a liquid supply section due to air intruding the inside of the container, and thus remaining in the container.SOLUTION: An ink cartridge 1 comprises: an ink housing chamber 47; an ink supply section 31 capable of supplying ink to the outside; and a buffer chamber 48 which communicates with the ink housing chamber 47 via a communication path 62, and which communicates with the ink supply section 31 via ink supply holes 58. The ink housing chamber 47 comprises: a negative pressure generating mechanism 53; and an air introducing mechanism 54. The buffer chamber 48 comprises a division wall 95 on a side wall part 37, and a space between the division wall 95, the side wall part 37, and a bottom wall portion 40 is constituted as a bypass flow channel 66. Accordingly, ink reaches the ink supply holes 58 via the bypass flow channel 66 and arrives in the ink supply section 31, even when air intrudes the buffer chamber 48 and forms bubbles Q causing clogging.

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container that can reduce the remaining amount of liquid that remains without being supplied to the outside.

Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid container such as a cartridge that stores ink to be supplied to a printer.
2. The cartridge of Patent Document 1 communicates with a main storage unit, an ink supply unit capable of supplying ink to the outside, a main storage unit via a communication hole, and a secondary communication unit communicating with the liquid supply unit via an ink liquid supply hole. A housing part is provided. The main container is provided with a negative pressure generating mechanism that generates a negative pressure in the cartridge so that the ink stored in the cartridge does not leak outside. The main container is provided with an air release hole for introducing the air into the inside in order to prevent the negative pressure of the liquid container from excessively rising when the ink amount is reduced by supplying ink to the printer. Yes.

The ink tank of Patent Document 2 includes an ink storage chamber, an absorber chamber communicating with the ink storage chamber, an ink supply port that can be supplied to the outside, and an ink introduction path that extends from the absorber chamber and is connected to the ink supply port. Prepare. A porous absorbent member is accommodated in the absorber chamber so that the ink contained in the cartridge does not leak out. The absorber chamber is provided with an air communication hole for introducing the air into the interior. In Patent Document 2, air introduced through the air communication hole as ink is supplied from the absorber chamber is introduced into the ink storage chamber, whereby ink is supplied from the ink storage chamber to the absorber chamber. The gas-liquid exchange operation is performed.

JP 2011-206936 A JP 2005-342934 A

In the liquid storage containers described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the air introduced into the liquid storage container becomes bubbles and moves to the sub storage section or the ink introduction path and becomes clogged, the remaining amount of ink is zero (ink end In some cases, the ink does not reach the ink supply port, but the ink cannot be supplied to the outside.

In view of such a point, there is a demand for a liquid container that can reduce the remaining amount of liquid that remains without being supplied from the liquid supply unit to the outside due to air that has entered the inside. In addition, in the liquid container, it is desired to reduce the size, reduce the cost, save resources, facilitate manufacturing, improve usability, and the like.

SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the first liquid storage unit capable of storing a liquid, the first liquid supply unit capable of supplying the liquid to the outside, and the first liquid storage unit communicated via a liquid communication hole. And a second liquid storage part that communicates with the first liquid supply part via the first liquid supply hole, and a negative pressure generating mechanism located in the first liquid storage part. Has a first wall portion, and a first bypass channel is formed in the first wall portion.

According to the aspect of the invention, since the second liquid storage unit includes the first bypass flow path, air enters the second liquid storage unit to form bubbles, between the liquid communication hole and the first liquid supply hole. Even when the liquid is clogged, the liquid reaches the first liquid supply hole via the first bypass flow path and reaches the liquid supply section. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the remaining amount of liquid that remains without being supplied from the first liquid supply unit to the outside due to the air in the first liquid storage unit.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the second liquid storage portion has a second wall portion facing the first wall portion, and the first bypass flow path extends from the first wall portion to the second wall portion. It can be set as the flow path formed adjacent to the partition protruded toward the wall part and the first wall part. In this way, it is easy to form a bypass channel. In this way, since a narrow corner that becomes an entrance corner along the partition is formed between the first wall and the partition, even when the amount of liquid is small, the liquid is separated into the partition by capillary action. Flowing along. Therefore, the liquid can reach the first liquid supply port.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the second liquid storage portion includes a second wall portion that faces the first wall portion, and the first bypass flow path extends from the second wall portion to the first wall portion. It can be a groove that sinks in the direction toward the wall. In this way, it is easy to form a bypass channel.
In this way, a narrow corner that becomes a corner along the length of the groove is formed between the bottom surface and the side surface of the groove, so that even if the amount of liquid is small, the liquid is a capillary phenomenon. Flows along the partition wall. Therefore, the liquid can reach the first liquid supply port.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the second liquid storage portion has a second wall portion facing the first wall portion, and the first bypass flow path extends from the first wall portion to the second wall portion. It can be set as the flow path formed adjacent to two adjacent protrusions among the plurality of protrusions protruding toward the wall and the first wall. If it does in this way, the corner | angular part used as a corner will be formed between the 1st wall part and each protrusion. Therefore, even when bubbles are clogged in the second liquid storage unit, the liquid flows through the plurality of corners by capillary action and reaches the first liquid supply port.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the first flow path cross-sectional area of the first bypass flow path is a second flow that is the difference between the flow path cross-sectional area of the second liquid storage portion and the first flow path cross-sectional area. Desirably smaller than the road cross-sectional area. That is, it is desirable to make the second flow path cross-sectional area of the second liquid storage container excluding the bypass flow path larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of the bypass flow path. In this way, when fine bubbles grow in the bypass channel and coalesce with other bubbles to enlarge, the enlarged bubble cannot remain in the bypass channel, and the second liquid storage unit Move to the area outside the bypass channel. Therefore, the bypass channel is not clogged with bubbles, and the ink flow is not hindered.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the third flow path cross-sectional area of the liquid communication hole is smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of the second liquid storage unit and larger than the second flow path cross-sectional area. desirable. In this way, when air bubbles are present in the second liquid storage part, the air bubbles are moved to the first liquid storage part side through the liquid communication hole before entering the first bypass flow path. Can do.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the second liquid storage portion includes a third wall portion that intersects the first wall portion, and a fourth wall that intersects the first wall portion and faces the third wall portion. And the third wall portion,
The first liquid supply hole, which is a through-hole penetrating the third wall portion, is formed, a second bypass flow path is formed on a surface of the third wall portion facing the fourth wall portion, and the first The 2 bypass flow path is a recess that is recessed in the direction from the fourth wall portion toward the third wall portion, and the second bypass flow path extends from the first liquid supply hole to the first wall portion. Can be. In this way, even when the bubbles are present at the position where the first liquid supply hole is closed in the second liquid container,
The liquid reaches the first liquid supply hole via the second bypass flow path formed of a recess (groove).

According to an aspect of the present invention, the second liquid storage portion includes a third wall portion that intersects the first wall portion, and a fourth wall that intersects the first wall portion and faces the third wall portion. And the third wall portion,
The first liquid supply hole, which is a through-hole penetrating the third wall portion, is formed, a second bypass flow path is formed on a surface of the third wall portion facing the fourth wall portion, and the first The two bypass flow paths are formed adjacent to two adjacent convex portions among the plurality of convex portions protruding from the third wall portion toward the fourth wall portion, and the third wall portion. It can be a flow path. In this way,
A corner portion serving as a corner is formed between the third wall portion and each convex portion (projection). Therefore, even when bubbles are present at the position where the first liquid supply hole is closed in the second liquid storage part, the liquid flows through the plurality of corners by the capillary phenomenon and reaches the first liquid supply port.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the first bypass channel and the second bypass channel are connected in a region where the first wall portion and the third wall portion intersect. In this way, even when bubbles are clogged in the second liquid storage unit, the liquid flows through the first bypass channel and the second bypass channel and reaches the first liquid supply hole. Therefore, the ink in the second liquid storage unit can be reliably supplied to the first liquid supply hole.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the liquid remaining amount detecting mechanism located in the first liquid storage portion is provided, and the liquid remaining amount detecting mechanism is a remaining amount of the liquid stored in the first liquid storage portion. It is desirable to be able to detect a state in which the amount is reduced. In this case, if it is informed that the remaining amount of the liquid is low when the state in which the remaining amount of the liquid is reduced is detected, the liquid remaining in the second liquid container after the notification is used. Supply can be continued to allow a grace period until the liquid supply container is replaced.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the negative pressure generating mechanism includes a flexible part, a support part that supports the flexible part, and an elastic part that biases the support part. . In this way,
The liquid can be prevented from leaking outside from the liquid container. Also, if the negative pressure generation mechanism prevents the liquid from leaking to the outside, it will remain in the liquid container without being used compared to the case where the liquid is retained by the foam material to prevent the liquid from leaking. The amount of remaining ink can be reduced.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is desirable to include an air introduction mechanism located in the first liquid storage unit. In this way, an increase in the internal negative pressure associated with ink consumption can be suppressed, so that the remaining amount of ink can be reduced.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the first liquid supply unit includes a filter having a meniscus pressure resistance greater than the absolute value of the negative pressure generated by the negative pressure generation mechanism, and a biasing structure that biases the filter. It is desirable to include. In this way, the filter is exposed to the outside,
By bringing the filter into contact with the liquid introduction pipe of the liquid ejecting apparatus, the liquid can be supplied from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting apparatus. Thereby, the height of the liquid container can be set low.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the second liquid supply unit capable of supplying the liquid to the outside communicates with the first liquid storage unit through the liquid communication hole, and the second liquid supply unit communicates with the first liquid storage unit through the second liquid supply hole. A third liquid storage section communicating with the two liquid supply section, and a third bypass channel may be formed in the third liquid storage section. If it does in this way, the liquid in a 1st liquid storage part can be supplied outside from two liquid supply parts, and the quantity of the liquid which can be stored in a liquid storage container can be increased.

It is a perspective view of an inkjet printer and a holder. 1 is an external perspective view of an ink cartridge to which the present invention is applied. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an ink cartridge. FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of a case main body. It is a side view at the time of seeing a case main body and a film from the lid side. It is explanatory drawing of an air introduction mechanism. It is a disassembled perspective view and sectional drawing of an ink supply part. It is explanatory drawing of the bypass flow path provided in the buffer chamber. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an ink cartridge according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an ink cartridge according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of ink cartridges of Examples 4 to 6. FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an ink cartridge of Example 7. 10 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge of Example 8. FIG.

An ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG.
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a main part of an ink jet printer on which an ink cartridge to which the present invention is applied is mounted, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view when a holder to which the ink cartridge is mounted is viewed obliquely from above. FIG. The ink cartridge (liquid supply container) 1 of this example is mounted and used in an ink jet printer (liquid ejecting apparatus) 2.

(inkjet printer)
As shown in FIG. 1A, the inkjet printer 2 includes a print head 3, a transport mechanism 4 that transports the recording paper P along a transport path passing through a print position by the print head 3, and a print head at the print position. 3 includes a head moving mechanism 5 that reciprocally moves 3 in a width direction X orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording paper P, and a control unit 6 that performs a printing operation. The conveyance direction of the recording paper P is the front Y1 in the front-rear direction Y of the printer, and the print head 3 is in front Y of the control unit 6.
Located at 1. Hereinafter, the three directions orthogonal to each other will be described as the width direction X, the front-rear direction Y, and the up-down direction Z of the inkjet printer 2, respectively.

The transport mechanism 4 includes a transport roller 10 and a transport motor 11 serving as a drive source for the transport roller 10. The head moving mechanism 5 drives a carriage 12 on which the print head 3 is mounted, a pair of pulleys 13 for moving the carriage 12, a timing belt 14 spanned between these pulleys 13, and one pulley 13. A carriage motor 15 for rotating the timing belt 14 is provided. The control unit 6 drives and controls the print head 3, the transport motor 11, and the carriage motor 15. The control unit 6 and the carriage 12 are connected by a flexible cable 16.

When print data is supplied from an external device to the ink jet printer 2, the control unit 6 performs a paper feed operation for transporting the recording paper P by a predetermined paper feed amount by the transport mechanism 4 and a print head 3 by the head moving mechanism 5. The print data is printed by alternately repeating the printing operation of ejecting ink onto the recording paper P by driving the print head 3 while moving the X in the width direction X.

Here, the carriage 12 includes a holder 18 to which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted. As shown in FIG. 1B, the holder 18 includes a cartridge storage chamber 19 in which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted from above. The cartridge storage chamber 19 is partitioned into a plurality of slots 21 by a partition plate 20 extending in the front-rear direction Y. In this example, the cartridge storage chamber 19 is partitioned into four slots 21. In each slot 21, an ink cartridge 1 that supplies black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink to the print head 3 is mounted. Each slot 21 has an ink introduction part 22,
A contact mechanism 23 and a detection mechanism 24 are provided.

The ink introduction part 22 includes a cylindrical part 25 projecting upward from the bottom surface of each slot 21, and a device-side filter 26 disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical part 25. The device side filter 26 is formed of a porous member such as a metal mesh, a metal nonwoven fabric, or a resin filter. An ink flow path 27 communicating with the print head 3 is formed inside the cylindrical portion 25 (FIG. 7B).
reference). Ink from each ink cartridge 1 mounted in each slot 21 is supplied to the print head 3 via the apparatus-side filter 26. The contact mechanism 23 is electrically connected to the control unit 6 via the flexible cable 16. The detection mechanism 24 is connected to each slot 2
1 detects the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 1 attached to 1. The detection mechanism 24 includes a light emitting unit that emits inspection light toward the ink cartridge 1 and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light of the inspection light from the ink cartridge 1.

(ink cartridge)
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the ink cartridge 1. The ink cartridge 1 includes a case 30 having a constant width and having a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. The case 30 is made of a resin such as polypropylene. Note that, in a posture to be mounted on the printer, the direction corresponding to the width direction X of the ink jet printer 2 is the width direction X of the ink cartridge 1, and the direction corresponding to the front and back direction Y of the ink jet printer 2 is the front and rear direction Y of the ink cartridge 1. The direction corresponding to the vertical direction Z of the ink jet printer 2 is defined as the vertical direction Z of the ink cartridge 1. The direction corresponding to the front Y1 of the inkjet printer 2 is the front Y1 of the cartridge, and the opposite direction is the rear Y2.

A cylindrical ink supply unit (first liquid supply unit) 31 is provided on the rear portion of the bottom surface 30 a of the case 30. An inclined surface 30c is provided between the bottom surface 30a and the front surface 30b of the case 30, and a circuit board 32 is attached to the inclined surface 30c. A terminal group 32a is provided on the surface of the circuit board 32, and a storage device (not shown) such as an EEPROM is mounted on the opposite surface. The terminal group 32a and the storage device are electrically connected.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1B, when the ink cartridge 1 is installed in the slot 21, the ink introduction part 22 of the holder 18 is inserted into the inner peripheral side of the ink supply part 31. When the ink cartridge 1 is installed in the slot 21, the contact mechanism 23 of the holder 18 is in electrical contact with the terminal group 32 a of the circuit board 32. Circuit board 32 and contact mechanism 2
When 3 is connected, various information can be transmitted between the control unit 6 and the ink cartridge 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge 1. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the case body. FIG. 5 is a side view of the case body and the film as viewed from the lid side. As shown in FIG. 3, the case 30 includes a case main body 35 and a lid body 36 arranged in the width direction X. The case body 35 includes a side wall portion 37 extending in the front-rear direction Y and the up-down direction Z, and an annular wall portion 38 that protrudes from the outer peripheral edge of the side wall portion 37 toward the lid body 36 at a constant height in the width direction X. . The annular wall portion 38 includes a bottom wall portion 40 extending in the front-rear direction Y at the lower end portion of the side wall portion 37 along the outer peripheral edge of the side wall portion 37, a rear wall portion 41 extending upward from the rear end portion of the bottom wall portion 40, A ceiling wall portion 42 extending forward Y1 from the upper edge of the rear wall portion 41, a front wall portion 43 extending downward from the front edge of the ceiling wall portion 42, and a rearward Y2 downward from the lower edge of the front wall portion 43 An inclined wall portion 44 extending at an inclination and continuing to the front edge of the bottom wall portion 40 is provided. The ink supply unit 31 protrudes downward from the rear portion of the bottom wall portion 40. The outer surface of the inclined wall portion 44 is an inclined surface 30c to which the circuit board 32 is attached.

The concave portion surrounded by the side wall portion 37 and the annular wall portion 38 is an ink storage portion 4 in which ink is stored.
5 (liquid container). The ink containing portion 45 is separated from the ink containing chamber (by the partition wall 46).
The first liquid storage section 47 is partitioned into a buffer chamber (second liquid storage section) 48 having a smaller capacity than the ink storage chamber 47. The buffer chamber 48 is elongated in the longitudinal direction Y along the bottom wall portion 40 of the annular wall portion 38. The partition wall 46 includes a ceiling wall 49 inclined downward toward the front Y1 and a side wall 50 extending in the vertical direction Z. The side wall 50 continues the ceiling wall 49 and the bottom wall portion 40 at the front end side portion of the ceiling wall 49. In the ink storage chamber 47, a negative pressure generation mechanism 53, an air introduction mechanism 54, and an ink remaining amount detection mechanism (liquid remaining amount detection mechanism) 5
5 is arranged.

As shown in FIG. 4, the bottom wall portion 40 has a plurality of ink supply holes (first liquid supply holes) 58, a pair of communication holes 59 and 60, and a rectangular opening from the rear Y2 toward the front Y1. Part 61
Is formed. Of the pair of communication holes 59, 60, the rear communication hole 59 is the rear Y of the side wall 50.
The front communication hole 60 is formed in the front Y1 of the side wall 50. In addition, a communication path (liquid communication hole) 62 having a pair of communication holes 59 and 60 at both ends is provided on the bottom surface 30 a of the bottom wall portion 40. The communication passage 62 includes a concave portion 63 formed in a range including the pair of communication holes 59 and 60 in the lower surface portion of the bottom wall portion 40, and a rectangular film 64 that seals the lower end opening of the concave portion 63. The communication path 62 has a buffer chamber 48 and an ink storage chamber 47.
Is in communication. An ink remaining amount detection mechanism 55 is attached to the opening 61.

The ink stored in the ink storage chamber 47 is supplied to the buffer chamber 48 through the front Y1 communication hole 60, the communication path 62, and the rear Y2 communication hole 59. As shown in FIG. 5, a bypass channel 66 is provided in the buffer chamber 48.

Here, the plurality of ink supply holes 58 are open to the buffer chamber 48. The ink supply unit 31 is provided below the buffer chamber 48, and the buffer chamber 48 and the ink supply unit 31 communicate with each other through the ink supply hole 58. Therefore, the ink supplied from the ink storage chamber 47 to the buffer chamber 48 is supplied to the ink supply unit 31 via the ink supply hole 58.

As shown in FIG. 3, a film 68 is welded to the annular end surface of the annular wall portion 38 and the distal end surface of the partition wall 46. The film 68 is made of nylon or polypropylene and has flexibility. The film 68 is welded after being processed into a shape that is expanded along the inner peripheral surface of the ink containing chamber 47 so that the film 68 is easily displaced following the change in the volume of the ink in the ink containing chamber 47. .

The lid body 36 has a flat plate shape. The lid body 36 is fixed to the annular end surface of the annular wall portion 38 so as to cover the film 68. A through hole 69 is formed in the lid body 36.

(Negative pressure generation mechanism)
The negative pressure generating mechanism 53 generates a negative pressure in the ink containing portion 45 to prevent ink from leaking outside. As shown in FIG. 3, the negative pressure generating mechanism 53 includes a film 68, a coil spring 71, and a pressure receiving plate 72. The pressure receiving plate 72 is made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene or a metal such as stainless steel. The coil spring 71 has a truncated cone shape, and a lower bottom portion is fixed to the side wall portion 37 of the case main body 35 in a state where the axis L thereof is directed in the width direction X. Pressure receiving plate 72
Is arranged between the coil spring 71 and the film 68.

The upper bottom portion of the coil spring 71 is in contact with the pressure receiving plate 72, and the coil spring 71 is connected to the pressure receiving plate 7.
The film 68 is urged toward the outside of the case body 35 through 2. That is, the coil spring 71 urges the film 68 through the pressure receiving plate 72 in the direction in which the volume of the ink containing portion 45 is increased, thereby generating a negative pressure in the ink containing portion 45.

(Atmospheric introduction mechanism)
The air introduction mechanism 54 is configured such that when the amount of ink in the ink storage unit 45 decreases, the ink storage unit 45
Air is introduced into the interior. This prevents the negative pressure in the ink storage unit 45 from rising excessively. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the air introduction mechanism 54. FIG. 6A shows a state before the atmosphere is introduced into the ink storage unit 45 by the atmosphere introduction mechanism 54, and FIG. 6B shows a state where the atmosphere is introduced into the ink storage unit 45 by the atmosphere introduction mechanism 54. FIG. 6C shows the air introduction mechanism 54.
Shows a state after the atmosphere is introduced into the ink containing portion 45.

As shown in FIG. 5, the air introduction mechanism 54 includes the rear wall portion 4 of the annular wall portion 38 of the case body 35.
1 and the ceiling wall portion 42, that is, provided at the upper end portion of the rear end of the ink storage chamber 47. As shown in FIG. 6, the air introduction mechanism 54 has the air holes 7 provided in the film 68.
5 (see FIG. 3) and a valve unit 76. The air vent 75 of the film 68 is the film 68.
And the lid 36 and the outside through the through hole 69 of the lid 36.

The valve unit 76 includes a valve seat 77, a valve body 78, and a spring member 79. In the valve seat 77,
An air introduction port 77a is provided. The film 68 is welded to the valve seat 77 at the peripheral portion of the air vent 75 so that the air vent 75 overlaps the air introduction port 77a. Air inlet 7
7 a passes through the valve seat 77, and communicates the ink storage chamber 47 and the vent hole 75. The valve body 78 includes a valve portion 80 and a lever portion 81. The valve portion 80 is at a position where the air inlet 77 a of the valve seat 77 can be sealed, and the lever portion 81 extends in a region between the pressure receiving plate 72 and the side wall portion 37. Further, the valve body 78 is rotatable around a support shaft 82 provided on the valve seat 77. The spring member 79 urges the valve body 78 to a blocking position 78A where the valve portion 80 closes the atmosphere introduction port 77a.

When the inside of the ink containing portion 45 is filled with ink, as shown in FIG. 6A, the valve body 78 is disposed at the blocking position 78A. As the ink in the ink container 45 is consumed, the film 68 that is in contact with the ink is received by the coil spring 71 via the pressure receiving plate 72.
It is displaced in a direction approaching the side wall 37 of the case body 35 against the urging force. Here, as shown in FIG. 6B, the pressure receiving plate 72 reaches the vicinity of the side wall portion 37 and the lever portion 81 of the valve body 78.
Is pushed to the side wall 37 side, the valve body 78 rotates around the support shaft 82 against the urging force of the spring member 79, and the valve section 80 opens to the open position 78B where the air introduction port 77a is opened. Moving. As a result, air is introduced into the ink containing chamber 47 through the vent hole 75 and the air introduction port 77 a of the film 68.

When the pressure receiving plate 72 moves in a direction away from the side wall portion 37 due to the introduction of air, FIG.
As shown, the pressure receiving plate 72 is separated from the lever portion 81 of the valve body 78. Then, the valve body 78 returns from the opening position 78B to the blocking position 78A by the biasing force of the spring member 79. In this way, the air introduction mechanism 54 primarily introduces the air when the negative pressure in the ink storage unit 45 increases,
The pressure in the ink container 45 is maintained in an appropriate pressure range.

(Remaining ink detection mechanism)
The ink remaining amount detection mechanism 55 is disposed at a position near the buffer chamber 48 at the bottom of the ink storage chamber 47. As shown in FIG. 3, the ink remaining amount detection mechanism 55 includes a prism 84 and can optically detect a state in which the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink storage chamber 47 is reduced.

When the ink cartridge 1 is installed in the slot 21 of the inkjet printer 2,
The prism 84 is irradiated with inspection light from the detection mechanism 24. Here, when the periphery of the prism 84 is filled with ink, the inspection light passes through the prism 84. On the other hand, prism 8
When the periphery of 4 is not present, the inspection light is reflected by the prism 84. Therefore, when the detection mechanism 24 detects the reflected light of the inspection light, the ink jet printer 2 can detect a state in which the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink storage chamber 47 is reduced.

(Ink supply unit)
FIG. 7A is an exploded perspective view of the ink supply unit 31, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the ink supply unit 31. FIG. 7B shows a state in which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the inkjet printer 2 and the ink supply unit 31 is in contact with the ink introduction unit 22 of the slot 21.

The ink supply unit 31 includes a recess 85 provided in the bottom wall portion 40 of the case body 35.
A bottom opening 85 of the ink supply hole 58 is formed in the bottom surface 85 a of the recess 85, and the ink supply unit 31 communicates with the buffer chamber 48 through the plurality of ink supply holes 58.

A filter 86 is welded to the opening edge of the recess 85 in the bottom wall portion 40 so as to cover the opening of the recess 85. That is, the outer peripheral edge of the filter 86 is welded to the opening edge of the recess 85. The filter 86 is a porous member using foamed resin or synthetic fiber, and has a meniscus pressure resistance larger than the absolute value of the negative pressure generated by the negative pressure generation mechanism 53. The meniscus pressure resistance is a pressure that can withstand the ink meniscus without being destroyed. Between the bottom surface 85a of the recess 85 and the filter 86, a leaf spring 87 and a foam 88 are arranged in this order from the top to the bottom.

The plate spring 87 includes a support plate portion 89 in which a plurality of flow holes 89a are formed, and two urging plate portions 90 that are bent in the front-rear direction Y from the end of the support plate portion 89 and intersect each other. 91
Is provided. The leaf spring 87 abuts the urging plate portions 90 and 91 on the bottom surface 85 a of the recess 85, and abuts the support plate portion 89 on the foam 88. The leaf spring 87 is a foam 88 and a filter 8.
6 is urged in a direction away from the bottom surface 85 a of the recess 85.

The foam 88 is a porous member using foamed resin or synthetic fiber. The foam 88 supplies the ink supplied from the buffer chamber 48 through the flow holes 89 a provided in the support plate portion 89 of the leaf spring 87 by diffusing into the filter 86 in a planar shape.

Here, as shown in FIG. 7A, the filter 86 has a central portion 86 a formed in a planar shape and protrudes downward from the peripheral edge portion 86 b of the filter 86. Central part 86a
In contact with the foam 88 from above. In a state where the ink cartridge 1 is mounted in the slot 21, the apparatus-side filter 26 of the ink introduction part 22 of the slot 21 comes into surface contact with the central part 86 a of the filter 86. At this time, the filter 86 is brought into close contact with the apparatus-side filter 26 by the urging force of the leaf spring 87. Accordingly, the ink in the ink cartridge 1 is transferred from the ink flow path 27 through the filter 86 and the apparatus-side filter 26 to the print head 3.
Can be supplied stably.

(Bypass channel)
FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram of the bypass channel 66 provided in the buffer chamber 48. FIG.
b) is an explanatory diagram of a state in which bubbles are clogged in the buffer chamber. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. The side wall 37 of the buffer chamber 48 has a bottom wall portion 4 of the annular wall 38.
A partition wall 95 extending in the front-rear direction Y is provided between 0 and the ceiling wall 49 in parallel with the bottom wall portion 40. The partition wall 95 protrudes from the side wall portion 37 toward the film 68. As shown in FIG. 5, the partition wall 95 is the frontmost ink supply hole 58 among the plurality of ink supply holes 58 in the front-rear direction Y (the ink supply hole 58 formed at a position closest to the rear communication hole 59). It is formed so as to be located above the area from the front Y1 to the front side portion of the rearmost ink supply hole 58 (the ink supply hole 58 formed farthest from the rear side communication hole 59) from the front end of the front end of the front end. ing.
As shown in FIG. 8, the width dimension (protrusion dimension from the side wall portion 37) of the partition wall 95 is shorter than that of the bottom wall portion 40 and the ceiling wall 49.

Here, the bypass channel 66 is a space surrounded by the side wall portion 37, the bottom wall portion 40, and the bottom wall portion. Height dimension H of bypass channel 66 (separation dimension between partition wall 95 and bottom wall portion 40)
One of the width dimension W of the bypass channel 66 (the width dimension of the partition wall 95) is 1 mm or less. Further, the chamfer dimension of the corner of the bypass channel 66, that is, the corner between the side wall 37 and the bottom wall portion 40 and the corner between the side wall 37 and the partition wall 95 is set to R1 (radius 1 mm) or less. Yes.

Furthermore, the bypass flow path cross-sectional area (first flow path cross-sectional area) S1 of the bypass flow path 66 in the ink flow direction (front-rear direction Y) is equal to the flow path cross-sectional area of the buffer chamber 48 in the ink flow direction and the bypass flow path. It is smaller than the difference channel cross-sectional area (second channel cross-sectional area) S2 of the difference of the cross-sectional area S1. Further, the communication channel cross-sectional area (third channel cross-sectional area) S3 (see FIG. 4) in the ink flow direction of the communication channel 62 that communicates the buffer chamber 48 and the ink storage chamber 47 is the differential channel cross-sectional area S2. Smaller than the bypass channel cross-sectional area S1.

(Ink supply operation)
As shown in FIG. 1B, when the ink cartridge 1 is installed in the slot 21 of the inkjet printer 2, the ink introduction part 22 of the slot 21 is inserted into the ink supply part 31 of the ink cartridge 1, and the ink introduction part 22. The central portion 86a of the apparatus-side filter 26 and the filter 86 of the ink cartridge 1 are brought into close contact with each other (see FIG. 7B). As a result, ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 1 to the print head 3. That is, the ink stored in the ink storage chamber 47 is supplied to the buffer chamber 48 via the communication path 62,
The ink is supplied from the buffer chamber 48 to the ink supply unit 31. From the ink supply unit 31,
The ink is supplied to the print head 3 via the ink introduction part 22 and the ink flow path 27 of the ink jet printer 2.

When ink is used by printing and the ink in the ink storage chamber 47 is reduced, the film 68 and the pressure receiving plate 72 of the negative pressure generating mechanism 53 are reduced along with the reduction.
Displace to the side. Thereafter, when the pressure receiving plate 72 approaches the side wall portion 37 and pushes the lever portion 81 of the air introduction mechanism 54 toward the side wall portion 37, the air is introduced into the ink containing chamber 47 through the air introduction mechanism 54 ( (Refer FIG.6 (b)). This suppresses the negative pressure in the ink storage chamber 47 from becoming excessively large. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the supply of ink to the ink jet printer 2 being performed through the filter 86 from being hindered by the negative pressure in the ink supply chamber.

Here, the air introduced from the air introduction mechanism 54 becomes a bubble Q and rarely enters the buffer chamber 48 from the ink storage chamber 47 via the communication path 62. Such bubble Q
Is clogged in the middle of the buffer chamber 48 and obstructs the flow of ink from the communication path 62 toward the ink supply hole 58.

In such a case, in this example, the buffer chamber 48 includes a bypass channel 66. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8B, even when the bubble Q is clogged in the buffer chamber 48, the ink I reaches the ink supply hole 58 via the bypass channel 66 and reaches the ink supply unit 31. .
That is, the buffer chamber 48 is provided with a partition wall 95, so that the buffer chamber 48 is provided.
Since the bypass channel 66 having a channel cross-sectional area smaller than the channel cross-sectional area is formed, the bubbles Q that have entered the buffer chamber 48 cannot enter the bypass channel 66, and the ink I is bypassed. Circulates the channel 66. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the ink I from reaching the ink supply hole 58 and being unable to supply the ink I to the outside even though the remaining amount of the ink I has not reached zero (ink end).

In this example, one of the height dimension H of the bypass channel 66 and the width dimension W of the bypass channel 66 is 1 mm or less. Further, the chamfer dimension of the corner of the bypass channel 66 is set to R1 or less. Accordingly, even when the ink I is reduced, the bypass flow channel 66 is used.
Ink I flows through the bottom wall portion 40 and the corners of the side wall 37 and the corners of the side wall 37 and the partition wall 95 by capillary action, so that the ink I reaches the ink supply hole 58.

Further, in this example, the bypass channel cross-sectional area S1 of the bypass channel 66 is equal to the buffer chamber 48.
The difference between the flow path cross-sectional area and the bypass flow path cross-sectional area S1 is smaller than the differential flow path cross-sectional area S2. Therefore, when the fine bubbles Q contained in the ink I grow in the bypass channel 66 and merge with other bubbles Q to enlarge, the enlarged bubble Q can remain in the bypass channel 66. Without
The buffer chamber 48 moves to a region outside the bypass channel 66. Therefore, the bypass channel 66 is not clogged with the bubbles Q, and the flow of the ink I is not hindered.

In this example, the communication channel cross-sectional area S3 of the communication channel 62 is smaller than the difference channel cross-sectional area S2 of the difference between the channel cross-sectional area of the buffer chamber 48 and the bypass channel cross-sectional area S1, and the bypass channel It is larger than the cross-sectional area S1. Therefore, when the bubble Q exists in the buffer chamber 48, the bubble Q can be moved to the ink storage chamber 47 side via the communication path 62 before entering the bypass flow channel 66.

Here, the ink cartridge 1 of this example has an ink remaining amount detection mechanism 55 in the ink storage chamber 47.
Is provided. Therefore, if it is notified that the remaining amount of ink I is low when the ink printer 2 detects that the remaining amount of ink has decreased, the ink I remaining in the buffer chamber 48 after the notification is notified. Thus, the supply of the ink I can be continued to give a grace period until the cartridge is replaced.

In addition, since the ink cartridge 1 of this example includes the negative pressure generating mechanism 53, the ink I can be prevented from leaking out of the ink cartridge 1. Further, since the negative pressure generating mechanism 53 prevents the ink from leaking out, it is used in the ink cartridge 1 as compared with the case where the ink I is prevented from leaking out by holding the ink I with the foam material. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the remaining amount of ink remaining.

Furthermore, since the ink cartridge 1 of this example includes the air introduction mechanism 54 and can suppress an increase in internal negative pressure due to consumption of ink, the ink remaining amount can be reduced.

In this example, the ink supply unit 31 includes a filter 86 having a meniscus pressure resistance larger than the absolute value of the negative pressure generated by the negative pressure generation mechanism 53 and a leaf spring 87 that biases the filter 86. Is exposed to the outside, and the filter 86 is brought into contact with the device-side filter 26 of the ink introduction unit 22 of the ink jet printer 2, whereby ink can be supplied from the ink cartridge 1 to the print head 3. Thereby, the height of the ink cartridge can be set low.

(Example 2)
FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the case main body 35 of the ink cartridge 1A according to the second embodiment when viewed obliquely from the front Y1, and FIG. 9B is a view of the case main body 35 viewed from the lid 36 side. FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 9B. In FIG. 9A, a part of the ceiling wall 49 is notched for easy understanding of the configuration of the bypass channel 66. FIG. 9C shows a state in which the film 68 is welded to the case main body 35.
The ink cartridge 1A of this example is different from the ink cartridge 1 of Example 1 in the configuration of the bypass flow path, but the other configurations are the same. Accordingly, the bypass flow path will be described, and the corresponding components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 9, a groove 101 extending in the front-rear direction Y along the bottom wall portion 40 of the annular wall portion 38 is provided at the lower end edge of the side wall portion 37 of the buffer chamber 48. Groove 101 is film 6
It is depressed in the direction from 8 toward the side wall 37. In the front-rear direction Y, the groove 101 extends from the front Y1 of the front end of the front ink supply hole 58 (the ink supply hole 58 formed closest to the rear communication hole 59) among the plurality of ink supply holes 58. , The most recent ink supply hole 58 (
It is formed so as to be located on the side of the region up to the front side portion of the ink supply hole 58) formed at the position farthest from the rear communication hole 59.

A space in the groove 101 serves as a first bypass flow path 102. The height dimension H1 of the first bypass passage 102 (width dimension W of the groove 101) and the width dimension W1 of the first bypass passage 102 (groove 1)
One of the depth dimensions (01) is 1 mm or less. Further, the bypass channel 66
The chamfer dimension of the corner between the bottom surface and the side surface of the groove 101 is R1 or less. Furthermore, the first bypass channel cross-sectional area S1 of the first bypass channel 102 is smaller than the difference channel cross-sectional area S2 of the difference between the channel cross-sectional area of the buffer chamber 48 and the first bypass channel cross-sectional area S1. In addition, the communication channel cross-sectional area S3 of the communication channel 62 that communicates the buffer chamber 48 and the ink storage chamber 47 is smaller than the differential channel cross-sectional area S2 and larger than the first bypass channel cross-sectional area S1.

Further, the bottom wall portion 40 of the buffer chamber 48 is formed with a recess 103 (groove) cut out from the film 68 side at a certain depth. The recess 103 extends in the front-rear direction Y along the edge of the bottom wall portion 40 on the film 68 side. The recess 103 is recessed in a direction from the ceiling wall 49 constituting the ceiling of the buffer chamber 48 toward the bottom wall portion 40. In the front-rear direction Y, the concave portion 103 is from the front Y1 with respect to the front end of the front ink supply hole 58 (the ink supply hole 58 formed closest to the rear communication hole 59) among the plurality of ink supply holes 58. It is formed so as to reach the front side portion of the rearmost ink supply hole 58 (the ink supply hole 58 formed farthest from the rear communication hole 59). Further, the recess 103 is formed of the plurality of ink supply holes 58.
It is formed so as to partially overlap all the ink supply holes 58 formed on the film 68 side.

A space in the recess 103 serves as a second bypass flow path 104. Therefore, the second bypass flow path 104 communicates with all the ink supply holes 58 formed on the film 68 side among the plurality of ink supply holes 58. One of the height dimension H2 (depth dimension of the recess 103) of the second bypass channel 104 and the width dimension W2 (width dimension W of the recess 103) of the second bypass channel 104 is set to 1 mm or less. . Further, the corner of the second bypass flow path 104, that is,
The chamfer dimension of the corner on the side wall 37 side of the recess 103 is set to R1 or less. The corner of the recess 103 on the film 68 side is an angle at which the bottom wall portion 40 and the film 68 intersect, and is a right angle.

Further, the second bypass channel cross-sectional area S4 of the second bypass channel 104 is smaller than the difference channel cross-sectional area S5 of the difference between the channel cross-sectional area of the buffer chamber 48 and the second bypass channel cross-sectional area S4. Further, the communication channel cross-sectional area S of the communication channel 62 that allows the buffer chamber 48 and the ink storage chamber 47 to communicate with each other.
3 is smaller than the differential flow path sectional area S5 and larger than the second bypass flow path sectional area S4.

In the ink cartridge 1A of this example, the same effect as that of the ink cartridge 1 of Example 1 can be obtained. In this example, the second bypass channel 104 and the ink supply hole 58 are also provided.
Therefore, the ink can easily reach the ink supply hole 58 via the second bypass flow path 104.

(Example 3)
FIG. 10A is a side view of the case main body 35 of the ink cartridge 1B according to the third embodiment as viewed from the lid 36, and FIG. 10B is a view around the ink supply hole 58 of the ink cartridge 1B according to the third embodiment. FIG. The ink cartridge 1B of this example is different from the ink cartridge 1 of Example 1 in the configuration of the bypass flow path, but the other configurations are the same. Accordingly, the bypass flow path will be described, and the corresponding components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

In this example, a plurality of protrusions 111 protruding toward the film 68 are provided on the side wall 37 of the buffer chamber 48. In the front-rear direction Y, the plurality of protrusions 111 extend from the front Y1 of the frontmost ink supply hole 58 (the ink supply hole 58 formed at a position closest to the rear communication hole 59) among the plurality of ink supply holes 58. The rearmost ink supply hole 58 (the ink supply hole 58 formed farthest from the rear communication hole 59) is formed so as to be located on the side of the region up to the rear portion.

The bypass flow path 112 includes two adjacent protrusions 111 and the side wall portion 3 among the plurality of protrusions 111.
7 is a space formed adjacent to 7. Height dimension H of bypass channel 112 (space between two adjacent projections 111) and width dimension W of bypass channel 112 (projection dimension of projections 111)
Is either 1 mm or less. Further, the chamfer dimension of the corner of the bypass channel 112, that is, the corner between the side wall 37 and each projection 111 is set to R1 or less.

Further, the bypass channel cross-sectional area S1 of the bypass channel 112 formed between the two adjacent protrusions 111 is the difference between the channel cross-sectional area of the buffer chamber 48 and the bypass channel cross-sectional area S1 in the ink flow direction. Is smaller than the differential flow path cross-sectional area S2. In addition, the communication passage flow passage cross-sectional area S3 (third flow passage cross-sectional area) in the ink flow direction of the communication passage 62 that allows the buffer chamber 48 and the ink storage chamber 47 to communicate with each other is smaller than the differential flow passage cross-sectional area S2. Channel cross section S1
Bigger than.

In the ink cartridge 1B of this example, the same effect as that of the ink cartridge 1 of Example 1 can be obtained.

Example 4
FIG. 11A is a partially enlarged view around the ink supply hole 58 of the ink cartridge 1D of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 11B is a partially enlarged view around the ink supply hole 58 of the ink cartridge 1E of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 11C shows the ink supply hole 5 of the ink cartridge 1F of the sixth embodiment.
FIG. In FIG. 11, the ceiling wall 49 is partially cut away for easy understanding of the configuration of the bypass flow path.

The ink cartridge 1D of the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except for the configuration of the bypass channel 116. Therefore, the bypass channel 116 will be described and other description will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 11A, the ink cartridge 1D according to the fourth embodiment includes a buffer chamber 48.
Are provided with a plurality of convex portions 115 (protrusions) projecting toward the ceiling wall 49. In the front-rear direction Y, the plurality of convex portions 115 are located at the front Y1 of the front ink supply hole 58 (the ink supply hole 58 formed closest to the rear communication hole 59) among the plurality of ink supply holes 58.
To the rear end portion of the rearmost ink supply hole 58 (the ink supply hole 58 formed farthest from the rear communication hole 59).

The bypass channel 116 is a space formed adjacent to two adjacent convex portions 115 and the bottom wall portion 40 among the plurality of convex portions 115. Therefore, the bypass channel 116 and the ink supply hole 58
Are communicating. One of the height dimension H of the bypass flow path 116 (projection dimension of the convex part 115) and the width dimension W of the bypass flow path 116 (separation dimension of two adjacent convex parts 115) is 1 mm or less. . Further, the chamfer dimension of the corner of the bypass channel 116, that is, the corner between the bottom wall portion 40 and each convex portion 115 is set to R1 or less.

Further, the bypass channel cross-sectional area S4 of the bypass channel 116 formed between two adjacent convex portions 115 is equal to the channel cross-sectional area of the buffer chamber 48 and the bypass channel cross-sectional area S4 in the ink flow direction. It is smaller than the difference flow path cross-sectional area S5. In addition, a communication channel cross-sectional area S3 (third channel cross-sectional area) in the ink flow direction of the communication channel 62 that connects the buffer chamber 48 and the ink storage chamber 47 is smaller than the differential channel cross-sectional area S5, and is bypassed. Channel cross section S4
Bigger than.

In the ink cartridge 1D of this example, the same effect as that of the ink cartridge 1 of Example 1 can be obtained. In this example, since the bypass channel 116 and the ink supply hole 58 communicate with each other, the ink can easily reach the ink supply hole 58 via the bypass channel 116. In addition, the ink cartridge 1D of this example includes a bypass channel 66 similar to the ink cartridge 1 of Example 1, and a first bypass channel 102 similar to the ink cartridge 1A of Example 2.
Alternatively, it may be configured to include a bypass flow path 112 similar to that of the ink cartridge 1B of the third embodiment. Further, the present embodiment may be configured not to include the bypass channel 66, the first bypass channel 102, or the bypass channel 112.

(Example 5)
The ink cartridge 1E of Example 5 shown in FIG. 11B has the same configuration as the ink cartridge 1 of Example 1 except for the configuration of the bypass flow path 119. Therefore, the bypass flow path 119 will be described and other description will be omitted. The ink cartridge 1 </ b> E of Example 5 includes a plurality of recesses 118 (grooves) that are recessed from the ceiling wall 49 toward the bottom wall portion 40 in the bottom wall portion 40 of the buffer chamber 48. Each recess 118 is linear, and extends from the side wall 37 to the film 6.
8 extends in the width direction X via the ink supply hole 58.

A space in the recess 118 is a bypass channel 119. Height dimension H of bypass channel 119 (
One of the depth dimension of the groove 101) and the width dimension W of the bypass channel 119 (the dimension of the groove 101 in the front-rear direction Y) is 1 mm or less. Further, the chamfer dimension of the corner of the bypass channel 119, that is, the corner between the bottom surface and the side surface of the groove 101 is set to R1 or less. Further, the bypass channel cross-sectional area S4 of the bypass channel 119 is smaller than the difference channel cross-sectional area S5 of the difference between the channel cross-sectional area of the buffer chamber 48 and the bypass channel cross-sectional area S4. Further, the communication passage cross-sectional area S3 of the communication passage 62 that allows the buffer chamber 48 and the ink storage chamber 47 to communicate with each other is smaller than the differential flow passage cross-sectional area S5 and larger than the bypass flow passage cross-sectional area S4.

In the ink cartridge 1E of this example, the same effect as that of the ink cartridge 1 of Example 1 can be obtained. In this example, since the bypass channel 119 and the ink supply hole 58 communicate with each other, the ink can easily reach the ink supply hole 58 via the bypass channel 119. In addition, the ink cartridge 1E of this example includes a bypass channel 66 similar to the ink cartridge 1 of Example 1, and a first bypass channel 102 similar to the ink cartridge 1A of Example 2.
Alternatively, it may be configured to include a bypass flow path 112 similar to that of the ink cartridge 1B of the third embodiment. Further, the present embodiment may be configured not to include the bypass channel 66, the first bypass channel 102, or the bypass channel 112.

(Example 6)
The ink cartridge 1F of Example 6 shown in FIG. 11C has the same configuration as the ink cartridge 1 of Example 1 except for the configuration of the first bypass channel 122 and the second bypass channel 124. Therefore, the first bypass channel 122 and the second bypass channel 124 will be described, and other descriptions will be omitted. The ink cartridge 1 </ b> F of Example 6 includes a groove 121 extending in the front-rear direction Y along the bottom wall portion 40 at the lower end edge of the side wall 37 of the buffer chamber 48. The groove 121 is depressed in the direction from the film 68 toward the side wall 37. The groove 121 is a region in the front-rear direction Y from the front Y1 of the frontmost ink supply hole 58 of the plurality of ink supply holes 58 to the rear Y2 of the rearmost ink supply hole 58. It is formed to be located on the side.

A space in the groove 121 serves as a first bypass flow path 122. The height dimension H1 of the first bypass channel 122 (width dimension W of the groove 121) and the width dimension W1 of the first bypass channel 122 (groove 1)
Any one of the depth dimensions (21) is 1 mm or less. Further, the chamfer dimension of the corner of the first bypass channel 122, that is, the corner between the bottom surface and the side surface of the groove 121 is R1 or less. Furthermore, the first bypass channel cross-sectional area S1 of the first bypass channel 122 is smaller than the difference channel cross-sectional area S2 of the difference between the channel cross-sectional area of the buffer chamber 48 and the first bypass channel cross-sectional area S1. In addition, the communication channel cross-sectional area S3 of the communication channel 62 that communicates the buffer chamber 48 and the ink storage chamber 47 is smaller than the differential channel cross-sectional area S2 and larger than the first bypass channel cross-sectional area S1.

Further, the bottom wall portion 40 of the buffer chamber 48 is formed with a recess 123 (groove) cut out from the film 68 side at a certain depth. The recess 123 extends in the front-rear direction Y along the edge of the bottom wall portion 40 on the film 68 side. The recess 123 is recessed in a direction from the ceiling wall 49 constituting the ceiling of the buffer chamber 48 toward the bottom wall portion 40. In the front-rear direction Y, the concave portion 123 is located from the front Y1 with respect to the front end of the front ink supply hole 58 (the ink supply hole 58 formed closest to the rear communication hole 59) among the plurality of ink supply holes 58. It is formed so as to reach the front side portion of the rearmost ink supply hole 58 (the ink supply hole 58 formed farthest from the rear communication hole 59).

A space in the recess 123 serves as a second bypass passage 124. Second bypass passage 124
Height dimension H2 (depth dimension of recess 123) and width dimension W2 of second bypass channel 124 (
One of the width dimensions W) of the recesses 123 is 1 mm or less. Further, the chamfer dimension of the corner of the second bypass flow path 124, that is, the corner of the recess 123 on the side wall 37 side is set to R1 or less. The corner of the recess 123 on the film 68 side is an angle at which the bottom wall portion 40 and the film 68 intersect, and is a right angle. Further, the second bypass channel cross-sectional area S4 of the second bypass channel 124 is smaller than the difference channel cross-sectional area S5 of the difference between the channel cross-sectional area of the buffer chamber 48 and the second bypass channel cross-sectional area S4. In addition, the communication channel cross-sectional area S3 of the communication path 62 that connects the buffer chamber 48 and the ink storage chamber 47 is smaller than the differential flow channel cross-sectional area S2 and larger than the second bypass flow channel cross-sectional area S4.

Further, the bottom wall portion 40 of the buffer chamber 48 is provided with a plurality of recesses 125 (grooves) that are recessed from the ceiling wall 49 toward the bottom wall portion 40. Each recess 125 is linear,
The side wall portion 37 extends from the film 68 in the width direction X via the ink supply hole 58.

A space in the recess 125 is a third bypass channel 126. The end of the third bypass channel 126 on the side wall 37 side intersects the first bypass channel 122 and is connected to each other. The end of the film 68 of the third bypass passage 126 intersects the second bypass passage 124 and is connected to each other. The height dimension of the third bypass passage 126 (the depth dimension of the recess 125) is the same as the height dimension H2 of the second bypass passage 124. One of the height dimension H2 of the third bypass passage 126 and the width dimension W3 of the third bypass passage 126 (the dimension in the front-rear direction Y of the recess 125) is 1 mm or less. Further, the chamfer dimension of the corner of the third bypass channel 126, that is, the corner between the bottom surface and the side surface of the recess 125 is set to R1 or less. In addition, the third
The bypass channel cross-sectional area S6 of the bypass channel 126 is smaller than the difference channel cross-sectional area S7 of the difference between the channel cross-sectional area of the buffer chamber 48 and the bypass channel cross-sectional area S6. The buffer chamber 48
The communication passage cross-sectional area S3 of the communication passage 62 that communicates with the ink storage chamber 47 is smaller than the differential flow passage cross-sectional area S2 and larger than the bypass flow passage cross-sectional area S6.

Also in the ink cartridge 1F of this example, the same effect as that of the ink cartridge 1 of Example 1 can be obtained. Further, in this example, the first bypass channel 122 and the third bypass channel 126 are connected, the second bypass channel 124 and the third bypass channel 126 are connected, and the third
The bypass channel 126 and the ink supply hole 58 communicate with each other. Accordingly, the ink is supplied to the ink supply hole 58 via the first bypass flow path 122 and the third bypass flow path 126, and the ink supply hole 58 via the second bypass flow path 124 and the third bypass flow path 126. To be supplied. Therefore, the ink can easily reach the ink supply hole 58.

(Example 7)
12A is a perspective view of the case main body 35 of the ink cartridge 1G according to the seventh embodiment when viewed obliquely from the front Y1, and FIG. 12B is a view of the case main body 35 viewed from the lid 36 side. FIG. In FIG. 12A, a part of the ceiling wall 49 is cut out to make the configuration of the bypass flow path easy to understand. The ink cartridge 1G of this example is different from the ink cartridge 1 of Example 1 in the configuration of the bypass flow path 132, but the other configurations are the same. Omitted.

As shown in FIG. 12B, the ink cartridge 1G according to the seventh embodiment has a buffer chamber 48.
The plurality of convex portions 131 (projecting from the bottom wall portion 40 toward the partition wall 46)
A projection). Each convex portion 131 is linear and extends in the width direction X from the side wall portion 37 toward the film 68 via the opening portion of the ink supply hole 58.

The bypass channel 132 is a space formed adjacent to two adjacent convex portions 131 and the bottom wall portion 40 among the plurality of convex portions 131. Therefore, the bypass channel 132 and the ink supply hole 58
Are communicating. One of the height dimension H of the bypass flow path 132 (protrusion dimension of the convex part 131) and the width dimension W of the bypass flow path 132 (separation dimension of the adjacent two convex parts 131) is 1 mm or less. . Further, the chamfer dimension of the corner of the bypass flow path 132, that is, the corner between the bottom wall portion 40 and each convex portion 131 is set to R1 or less.

Furthermore, the bypass channel cross-sectional area S4 of the bypass channel 132 formed between the two adjacent convex portions 131 is equal to the channel cross-sectional area of the buffer chamber 48 and the bypass channel cross-sectional area S4 in the ink flow direction. It is smaller than the difference flow path cross-sectional area S5. In addition, a communication channel cross-sectional area S3 (third channel cross-sectional area) in the ink flow direction of the communication channel 62 that connects the buffer chamber 48 and the ink storage chamber 47 is smaller than the differential channel cross-sectional area S5, and is bypassed. Channel cross section S4
Bigger than.

Also in the ink cartridge 1G of this example, the same effect as that of the ink cartridge 1 of Example 1 can be obtained. In this example, since the bypass flow path 132 and the ink supply hole 58 communicate with each other, the ink can easily reach the ink supply hole 58 via the bypass flow path 132. In addition, the ink cartridge 1E of this example includes a bypass channel 66 similar to the ink cartridge 1 of Example 1, and a first bypass channel 102 similar to the ink cartridge 1A of Example 2.
Alternatively, it may be configured to include a bypass flow path 112 similar to that of the ink cartridge 1B of the third embodiment. Further, the present embodiment may be configured not to include the bypass channel 66, the first bypass channel 102, or the bypass channel 112.

(Example 8)
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 1H according to the eighth embodiment as viewed from below the front Y1. Since the ink cartridge 1H according to the eighth embodiment has a configuration corresponding to that of the ink cartridge 1 according to the first embodiment, the corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals and omitted.

In the ink cartridge 1H of this example, the two ink cartridges 1 of the first embodiment are arranged in parallel in the width direction X and connected. Then, the ink cartridge 1H of this example has the ink containing chamber 47 of the ink containing portion 45 configured inside the case 30 connected in the width direction X so as to be integrated, and in the integrated ink containing chamber 47, A negative pressure generation mechanism 53, an air introduction mechanism 54, and an ink remaining amount detection mechanism 55 are arranged. In addition, one circuit board 32 is mounted in front Y1 of the ink remaining amount detection mechanism 55. The capacity of the ink container 45 of the ink cartridge 1H can be set to be twice or more that of the ink container 45 of the ink cartridge 1.

On the other hand, the buffer chamber 48 includes a first buffer chamber 141 and a second buffer chamber 142 arranged in parallel in the width direction X. Each of the buffer chambers 141 and 142 is provided with a bypass channel 66 shown in FIG. 5 in the same manner as the ink cartridge 1 of the first embodiment. Below each buffer chamber 141, 142, each buffer chamber 141 serves as an ink supply unit 31.
, 142 are provided with a first ink supply unit 143 and a second ink supply unit 144, respectively.

The communication path 62 that allows the ink storage chamber 47 and the buffer chamber 48 to communicate with each other includes a branch path 145 that branches in the width direction X at the lower surface portion of the bottom wall portion 40. Ink is supplied from the ink storage chamber 47 to the first buffer chamber 141 via the communication path 62, and ink is supplied to the second buffer chamber 142 from the ink storage chamber 47 via the communication path 62 and the branch path 145. The Communication path 6
An ink remaining amount detection mechanism 55 is attached to the front Y1 of the second position.

The ink cartridge 1H of this example has two slots 2 for the ink jet printer 2.
1, and supplies ink to the print head 3. Also in the ink cartridge 1H of the present example, the buffer chambers 141 and 142 each include the bypass flow channel 66, so that the same effect as that of the ink cartridge 1 of the first embodiment can be obtained. Therefore, the ink storage chamber 4
7 prevents the ink from reaching the ink supply hole 58 and being unable to supply the ink to the outside even though the remaining amount of ink has not reached zero. can do. In addition, the ink cartridge 1H of the present example may be configured to apply any of the bypass channels of Examples 2 to 7 in addition to the bypass channel 66 similar to the ink cartridge 1 of Example 1.

Although a plurality of components are disclosed in each of the above-described embodiments, all the components are not essential, and are described in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems or in the present specification. In order to achieve part or all of the effects achieved, some components may be changed and deleted as appropriate.
Alternatively, replacement with other components can be performed. In addition, in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems or achieve some or all of the effects described in the present specification, some or all of the technical features included in one embodiment All may be combined with some or all of the technical features included in other embodiments to form an independent form of the invention.

1 · 1A to 1H ··· Ink cartridge (liquid container) 2 ·· Inkjet printer 3 ·· Print head 4 ·· Transport mechanism 5 ·· Head movement mechanism 6 ·· Control unit 10 ··· Transport Roller, 11 .... Conveyance motor, 12 .... Carriage, 13 .... Pulley, 14 .... Timing belt, 15 .... Carriage motor, 16 .... Flexible cable, 18 .... Holder, 19 .... Cartridge storage chamber, 20 ....・ Partition plate, 21 ..Slot, 22 ..Ink introduction part, 23 ..Contact mechanism, 24 ..Detection mechanism, 25 ..Cylindrical part, 26 ..Device side filter, 27. ..Case, 30a
30b ... Front, 30c ... Inclined surface 31 ... Ink supply part 32 ... Circuit board 32a
..Terminal group, 35 ..Case body, 36 ..Cover, 37 ..Side wall part, 38 ..Annular wall part,
40 ·· Bottom wall portion, 41 · · Rear wall portion, 42 · · Ceiling wall portion, 43 · · Front wall portion, 44 · ·
· Inclined wall portion, 45 · · Ink storage portion, 46 · · Partition wall, 47 · · Ink storage chamber, 48
..Buffer chamber, 49 .. Ceiling wall, 50 ..Side wall, 53 ..Negative pressure generation mechanism, 54 ..Air introduction mechanism, 55 ..Ink remaining amount detection mechanism, 58 ..Ink supply hole, 59 .. Rear communication hole, 60 ..Front communication hole, 61 ..Opening portion, 62 ..Communication passage, 63 ..Recess, 64 ..Rectangular film, 66 ..Bypass flow path, 68 .. Film, 69. Through hole, 72 ... Pressure receiving plate, 75 ... Ventilation hole, 76 ... Valve unit, 77 ... Valve seat, 77a ... Air inlet, 78 ...
.Valve body, 78A..Valve blockade position, 78B..Valve open position, 79..Spring member, 8
0..Valve part, 81..Lever part, 82..Support shaft, 84..Prism, 85..Concave part of ink supply part, 85a..Bottom surface, 86..Filter, 86a..Center part of filter, 86
b. Peripheral part of filter, 88 ... Foam, 89 ... Supporting plate part, 89a ... Distribution hole,
90 ..Biasing plate part, 95 ..Bulk, 101 ..Groove, 102 ..First bypass flow path, 103
.. Recess, 104 .. Second bypass channel, 111 .. Projection, 112 .. Bypass channel, 1
15 .. Convex part, 116 .. Bypass channel, 118 .. Concave part, 119 .. Bypass channel, 1
21 .. Groove, 122 .. First bypass flow path, 123 .. Recessed part, 124 .. Second bypass flow path, 125 .. Recessed part, 126 .. Third bypass flow path, 131.・ Bypass channel, 141... First buffer chamber, 142... Second buffer chamber, 143... First ink supply section, 144... Second ink supply section, 145. L · · Axis, P ·· Recording paper, Q ·· Bubble, S1 ·· Bypass channel cross-sectional area, S2 ·· Differential channel cross-sectional area, S3 ·· Communication channel cross-sectional area, S4 ··· Second bypass Cross-sectional area of the flow path, S5... Cross-sectional area of the differential flow path, S6... Cross-sectional area of the third bypass flow path, S7.
・ Longitudinal direction, Y1 ・ ・ Front, Y2 ・ ・ Back, Z ・ ・ Vertical direction

Claims (14)

A first liquid storage section capable of storing a liquid;
A first liquid supply unit capable of supplying the liquid to the outside;
A second liquid storage portion communicating with the first liquid storage portion via a liquid communication hole, and communicating with the first liquid supply portion via a first liquid supply hole;
A negative pressure generating mechanism located in the first liquid storage portion,
The second liquid storage part has a first wall part,
A liquid container having a first bypass channel formed in the first wall. The liquid container according to claim 1,
The second liquid storage portion has a second wall portion facing the first wall portion,
The first bypass flow path includes a partition wall protruding from the first wall portion toward the second wall portion,
A liquid container comprising a flow path formed adjacent to the first wall portion. The liquid container according to claim 1,
The second liquid storage portion has a second wall portion facing the first wall portion,
The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the first bypass channel is a groove that is recessed in a direction from the second wall portion toward the first wall portion. The liquid container according to claim 1,
The second liquid storage portion has a second wall portion facing the first wall portion,
The first bypass flow path is formed adjacent to two adjacent protrusions among the plurality of protrusions protruding from the first wall portion toward the second wall portion, and the first wall portion. A liquid container characterized by being a flow path. The liquid container according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The first flow path cross-sectional area of the first bypass flow path is smaller than the second flow path cross-sectional area of the difference between the flow path cross-sectional area of the second liquid storage portion and the first flow path cross-sectional area. A liquid container. The liquid container according to claim 5,
The liquid container according to claim 3, wherein a third flow path cross-sectional area of the liquid communication hole is smaller than a flow path cross-sectional area of the second liquid storage portion and larger than the first flow path cross-sectional area. In the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The second liquid storage portion includes a third wall portion that intersects the first wall portion, and a fourth wall portion that intersects the first wall portion and faces the third wall portion,
The first liquid supply hole which is a through hole penetrating the third wall portion is formed in the third wall portion,
A second bypass flow path is formed on a surface of the third wall portion facing the fourth wall portion,
The second bypass flow path is a recess that sinks in a direction from the fourth wall portion toward the third wall portion,
The liquid storage container, wherein the second bypass channel extends from the first liquid supply hole to the first wall portion. In the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The second liquid storage portion includes a third wall portion that intersects the first wall portion, and a fourth wall portion that intersects the first wall portion and faces the third wall portion,
The first liquid supply hole which is a through hole penetrating the third wall portion is formed in the third wall portion,
A second bypass flow path is formed on a surface of the third wall portion facing the fourth wall portion,
The second bypass flow path is formed adjacent to two adjacent convex portions among the plurality of convex portions protruding from the third wall portion toward the fourth wall portion, and the third wall portion. A liquid container characterized by being a flow path. The liquid container according to claim 7 or 8,
The liquid storage container, wherein the first bypass channel and the second bypass channel are connected in a region where the first wall and the third wall intersect. In the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A liquid remaining amount detection mechanism located in the first liquid storage unit,
The liquid remaining amount detection mechanism is configured to be able to detect a state in which the remaining amount of the liquid stored in the first liquid storage portion is reduced. In the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The negative pressure generating mechanism includes a flexible part, a support part that supports the flexible part, and an elastic part that biases the support part. The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
An air introduction mechanism located in the first liquid storage unit. The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The first liquid supply unit includes a filter having a meniscus pressure resistance larger than the absolute value of the negative pressure generated by the negative pressure generating mechanism, and a biasing structure for biasing the filter. container. The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
A second liquid supply part capable of supplying the liquid to the outside, a third liquid communication part communicating with the first liquid storage part via a liquid communication hole, and a second liquid supply part via a second liquid supply hole. A liquid container;
With
A liquid storage container, wherein a third bypass channel is formed in the third liquid storage part.