JP2017035845A - Inspection system and liquid storage container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inspection system of a liquid storage container which enables an inspection of sealability to be conducted at the liquid storage container in a more secure manner, and to provide the liquid storage container in which the inspection is conducted.SOLUTION: An inspection system 31 includes: a protruding part 27; a supply port 28 capable of supplying air; and an air compression part 24 capable of supplying air to an interior part of an ink tank 4. The inspection system 31 determines whether or not the air leaks from the ink tank 4. An atmosphere communication part 15 which may receive the protruding part 27 is formed at the ink tank 4. An inclined surface 17 inclined relative to a surface, on which the atmosphere communication part 15 is formed, is formed at the atmosphere communication part 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an inspection system for inspecting the hermeticity of a liquid storage container before supplying the liquid to the liquid storage container, and a liquid storage container to be inspected.

  The liquid storage container is required to ensure that the space for storing the liquid is sealed. This is because when the airtightness of the space inside the liquid storage container is insufficient, the liquid inside the liquid storage container may leak out of the liquid storage container when the liquid storage container is distributed in the market. Therefore, in order to confirm whether the airtightness of the space inside the liquid storage container is sufficiently secured, the liquid storage container is inspected for the airtightness before the liquid is filled into the liquid storage container. Sometimes.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an inspection in which air is supplied to the inside of the liquid storage container and the pressure immediately after the supply is compared with the pressure after a predetermined time has passed in order to confirm the sealing property of the liquid storage container. Has been. In the inspection disclosed in Patent Document 1, the pressure immediately after supplying air to the inside of the liquid storage container is compared with the pressure after a certain time has elapsed from the supply, and if the pressure is reduced by a certain amount or more, leakage occurs. It is determined that it has occurred. Further, if the pressure does not decrease by a certain amount or more, it is determined that the liquid storage container is sufficiently sealed.

JP 2003-127409 A

  However, in the inspection disclosed in Patent Document 1, a columnar recess formed in the outer wall of the liquid storage container to receive the supply means for supplying air into the liquid storage container extends in the thickness direction of the outer wall. Is formed. Since the recess extending in the thickness direction of the outer wall of the liquid storage container is formed, accuracy is required for the positional relationship between the supply means and the liquid storage container when the supply means is connected to the liquid storage container. The If the positional accuracy between these is insufficient, the connection position of the supply means to the liquid storage container is shifted, and when air is supplied to the inside of the liquid storage container, the air is outside the liquid storage container. There is a possibility of leakage and insufficient supply of air to the liquid storage container. Therefore, the inspection cannot be performed with high accuracy, and there is a possibility that the liquid storage container may be distributed in the market without ensuring the sealing property of the liquid storage container.

  Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid storage container inspection system and a liquid storage container to be inspected, which can more reliably inspect the sealing performance of the liquid storage container. .

  The inspection system of the present invention includes an installation part capable of installing a liquid storage container capable of storing a liquid therein, a protrusion, and a supply port capable of supplying air to the tip of the protrusion, An air supply means capable of supplying air to the inside of the liquid storage container installed in the installation section, and a determination means for determining whether air leaks from the liquid storage container, The liquid storage container is formed with a receiving portion capable of receiving the protruding portion, and the protruding portion is connected to the receiving portion by connecting the outside and the inside of the liquid storage container to the receiving portion. A communication port through which air from the supply port can be supplied to the inside of the liquid storage container is formed, and the determination means has caused air leakage from the liquid storage container. Judgment is made And by the sealed condition inspection of liquid container, the receiving unit is characterized in that the inclined portion inclined with respect to the formed surface of the receiving portion in the liquid container is formed.

  According to the present invention, air can be reliably supplied to the inside of the liquid storage container so as not to leak, and the sealing of the liquid storage container can be inspected. Therefore, when the inspection about the airtightness of the liquid storage container is performed, a more accurate inspection can be performed.

(A) is the perspective view which decomposed | disassembled and showed about the ink tank by which the test | inspection about a sealing performance is performed by the test | inspection system based on 1st Embodiment of this invention, (b) is the perspective view about the assembled ink tank. It is. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of an air communication portion in the ink tank of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a plan view of the periphery of the air communication portion of the ink tank of FIG. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing shown about the ink tank and test | inspection system in each process at the time of performing the test | inspection about the airtightness in the ink tank of FIG. (A) is sectional drawing shown about each positional relationship when an air pressurization part is arrange | positioned in the appropriate position in the air | atmosphere communication part of an ink tank, (b) is an air pressurization part from an appropriate position. It is sectional drawing shown about each positional relationship when it shifted | deviated. (A) is explanatory drawing which showed about the force which acts on an air pressurization part in case the inclination angle of the inclined surface of the atmospheric | air communication part in the ink tank of FIG. 1 is comparatively small, (b) is the inclination angle of an inclined surface. It is explanatory drawing shown about the force which acts on the air pressurization part in case that is comparatively large. (A)-(c) is sectional drawing shown about the circumference | surroundings of an atmospheric | air communication part in case the inclination angle of an inclined surface differs by the inner side and the outer side in the ink tank of FIG. (A)-(c) is sectional drawing of the atmosphere communication part periphery in case the inclination angle of an air pressurization part and the inclination angle of an atmosphere communication part are the same in the ink tank of FIG. 1, (d) ~ (F) is the case where the inclination of the air pressurization part is larger than the inclination of the air communication part, and (g) ~ (i) is the case where the inclination of the air pressurization part is smaller than the inclination of the air communication part. FIG. (A) is a top view of the atmosphere communication part periphery in the ink tank which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (b) is sectional drawing which follows the VIIIB-VIIIB line | wire of (a). FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the air communication part for a modification of the ink tank of FIG. 8.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
An inspection system for inspecting the internal sealing performance of the ink tank (liquid storage container) 4 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the configuration of the ink tank 4 to be inspected will be described.

  FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view showing a state where the ink holding member 1 and the lid member 5 are separated in the ink tank 4 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1B shows an external perspective view of the ink tank 4 in a state where the container and the lid are joined. The ink tank 4 is mainly composed of an ink holding member 1 and a lid member 5.

  An ink absorber 23 is disposed inside the ink tank 4. The ink absorber 23 is configured to be able to absorb and hold ink.

  The ink holding member 1 has an ink storage part 3 for holding ink (liquid), and can store ink therein. An ink supply port 2 that allows the ink storage unit 3 to communicate with the outside is formed on the bottom surface of the ink storage unit 3 that faces the recording medium. A filter 30 is disposed in a flow path communicating with the ink supply port 2 in the ink holding member 1. When the ink stored in the ink holding member 1 is used, the ink passes through the filter 30 and is discharged from the ink supply port 2 and supplied to a recording element substrate (not shown). A filter 30 is provided in the ink supply port 2 in order to prevent foreign matter from entering the ink holding member 1 together with the ink when the ink is supplied to the ink reservoir 3.

  As a material constituting the filter 30, a metal filter such as SUS, a resin filter, a porous filter, or the like can be used. In the present embodiment, a SUS filter is used. In addition, an ink absorber 23 is inserted into the ink reservoir 3 in order to increase the ink holding force of the ink holding member 1.

  The lid member 5 is formed with a thin thickness, and is formed with an atmospheric communication portion 15 having an atmospheric communication port 16 penetrating the wall surface of the lid member 5 at the center.

  FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of the peripheral portion of the air communication portion 15 in the lid member 5. FIG. 2B shows a plan view of the peripheral portion of the atmosphere communication portion 15 in the lid member 5. The atmosphere communication part 15 is configured by forming an atmosphere communication port 16 so that the lid member 5 is partially removed in the thickness direction and penetrates the thinned wall surface.

  In the present embodiment, among the members constituting the ink tank 4, a part of the lid member 5 is formed in a columnar shape extending in the thickness direction of the outer wall at a position close to the inside of the ink tank 4 on the outer wall of the lid member 5. The recess 8 is formed in the lid member 5 by being removed. Further, the outer wall of the lid member 5 has a conical shape such that the diameter of the opening increases toward the outer side in the thickness direction of the ink tank 4 at a position closer to the outer side of the ink tank 4 than the recess 8. A conical surface 9 from which a portion is removed is formed. That is, the air communication portion 15 is formed with a conical surface 9 that intersects the side surface 7 extending along the thickness direction of the wall surface at the outer edge in the thickness direction of the concave portion 8 removed in a columnar shape. ing. The conical surface 9 is formed to be inclined with respect to the side surface 7 extending in the thickness direction of the wall surface forming the recess 8. That is, the air communication part 15 is formed with an inclined surface (inclined part) 17 that is inclined with respect to the surface of the ink tank 4 where the air communication part 15 is formed (the surface on which the receiving part is formed). Here, the surface on which the atmosphere communication portion 15 is formed refers to the surface of the outer surface of the member on which the atmosphere communication portion 15 is formed among the members constituting the ink tank 4.

  Further, at the center position in the radial direction on the bottom surface of the atmosphere communication portion 15, the lid member 5 partially removed in the thickness direction is penetrated in the thickness direction to allow the flow of ink and air. An air communication port 16 is formed as a path. Since the air communication port 16 is formed in the lid member 5, the inside and the outside of the ink tank 4 are formed so as to communicate with each other through the air communication port 16.

  The inclined surface 17 is inclined in the direction in which the member forming the ink tank 4 becomes thinner as the position is closer to the atmosphere communication port 16.

  An air communication groove (groove) 10 is formed outside the air communication portion 15 in the cover member 5 in the radial direction so as to communicate with the air communication portion 15. The atmospheric communication groove 10 is formed so that the distance from the surface of the lid member 5 to the bottom surface of the atmospheric communication groove 10 is shorter than the distance from the surface of the lid member 5 to the bottom surface of the atmospheric communication portion 15. That is, the atmosphere communication groove 10 is formed to be a groove shallower than the atmosphere communication portion 15. The atmosphere communication groove 10 is formed to extend from the outside in the radial direction of the atmosphere communication portion 15 in the lid member 5 in a direction toward the atmosphere communication port 16 formed at the center of the atmosphere communication portion 15.

  In the present embodiment, the atmosphere communication portion 15 is formed on the lid member 5, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the atmosphere communication portion 15 is not limited to the ink holding member 1 other than the lid member 5. It is good also as forming in these parts.

  As described above, since the conical surface 9 is formed in the atmospheric communication portion 15, the inclined surface 17 is formed at a position where the side surface 7 in the atmospheric communication portion 15 and the upper surface 6 of the lid member 5 intersect. . An inclined surface 17 is formed on the outer side in the radial direction of the air communication portion 15 so as to extend and incline in a direction intersecting the surface direction of the upper surface 6 of the lid member 5. The inclined surface 17 is formed so as to surround the outer edge of the atmosphere communication portion 15.

  When supplying ink to the ink tank 4, a supply needle (not shown) is inserted into the ink absorber 23 before joining the ink holding member 1 in which the lid member 5 and the ink absorber 23 are disposed. The Alternatively, a supply needle (not shown) is inserted into the ink tank 4 through the atmosphere communication port 16. A supply port (not shown) through which ink can be supplied to the inside of the ink tank 4 is formed at the tip of the supply needle. By supplying ink into the ink tank 4 from the supply port via the supply needle, the ink can be filled into the ink tank 4.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the ink tank 4 will be described.

  First, the filter 30 is joined to the ink supply port 2 of the ink holding member 1. Subsequently, the ink absorber 23 is placed inside the container by inserting the ink absorber 23 into the ink reservoir 3 which is a recess of the ink holding member 1. When the ink absorber 23 is disposed inside the ink holding member 1, the lid member 5 and the ink holding member 1 are joined. Normally, both the ink holding member 1 and the lid member 5 are formed of a thermoplastic resin. Therefore, a welding method such as an ultrasonic welding method, a transverse vibration welding method, a hot plate welding method, or the like is employed for joining between the ink holding member 1 and the lid member 5. In the present embodiment, the lid member and the container are joined by the transverse vibration welding method.

  The inspection of the sealing property of the ink tank 4 may be performed before the ink is filled into the ink tank, or may be performed after the ink is filled into the ink tank.

  Determination of the sealing property between the ink holding member 1 and the lid member 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The configuration of the inspection system 31 that inspects the airtightness of the ink tank will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the inspection system 31 includes a pump 32 and an air pressurization unit (air supply means) 24. The inspection system 31 includes an ink tank installation unit (installation unit) that can be installed with the ink tank 4 attached. In the state where the ink tank 4 is installed in the ink tank installation section, the sealability of the ink tank 4 is inspected.

  A flow path 33 is connected between the air pressurization unit 24 and the pump 32. The tip of the air pressurizing unit 24 that contacts the atmospheric communication unit 15 of the ink tank 4 is formed in a tapered shape that decreases in diameter toward the ink tank 4. Further, the tip of the air pressurizing unit 24 is provided with a protrusion 27 having a shape protruding in the direction toward the ink tank 4, and air can be supplied to the inside of the ink tank 4 at the tip of the protrusion 27. A supply port 28 is provided. Further, the protruding portion 27 near the tip of the air pressurizing portion 24 that contacts the atmospheric communication portion 15 of the ink tank 4 has elasticity, and is formed of a rubber material in this embodiment. The air pressurization unit 24 is disposed at a position where it can come into contact with the air communication unit 15 of the ink tank 4 when the ink tank 4 is installed in the ink tank installation unit. Further, the air pressurizing unit 24 is configured to be movable in the direction of approaching and separating from the atmospheric communication unit 15 at a position facing the atmospheric communication unit 15.

  When the air pressurization unit 24 comes into contact with the atmospheric communication unit 15 of the ink tank 4, the tip of the air pressurization unit 24 is fitted into the conical surface 9 and the recess 8 of the atmospheric communication unit 15. In the state where the air pressurizing unit 24 is fitted in the conical surface 9 and the concave portion 8 of the atmosphere communication unit 15, the air is supplied into the ink tank 4 through the atmosphere communication unit 15 by driving the pump 32. Can do. When air is supplied into the ink tank 4 by driving the pump 32, the flow path connecting the measuring device 34 and the air pressurizing unit 24 is closed. At this time, the flow path between the measuring instrument 34 and the air pressurizing unit 24 may be closed by a valve or the like.

  Thus, the air pressurizing unit 24 is configured to be able to supply air into the ink tank 4 installed in the installation unit. A protruding portion 27 at the tip of the air pressurizing portion 24 is formed with elasticity, and the protruding portion 27 is fitted into the conical surface 9 and the recessed portion 8 and is in contact with the ink tank 4. Therefore, the protrusion 27 and the conical surface 9 or the recess 8 are in contact with each other without a gap between the air pressure unit 24 and the ink tank 4. Therefore, when the air pressurization unit 24 is arranged with high accuracy, air leakage can be suppressed to a low level, and air can be efficiently supplied into the ink tank 4.

  In addition, the inspection system 31 includes a measuring instrument 34. The measuring device 34 and the air pressurizing unit 24 are connected by a flow path 33. Therefore, the pressure inside the ink tank 4 can be measured by the measuring device 34. As described above, the inspection system 31 includes the measuring instrument (pressure detection means) 34 that can detect the pressure inside the ink tank 4. When the pressure inside the ink tank 4 is detected by the measuring device 34, the flow path connecting the measuring device 34 and the air pressurizing unit 24 is closed. At this time, the flow path between the measuring instrument 34 and the air pressurizing unit 24 may be closed by a valve or the like.

  When air is supplied into the ink tank 4 and the pressure inside the ink tank 4 is measured, first, as shown in FIG. 3A, first, the ink supply port 2 of the ink holding member 1 It is closed by the closing member 29. Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, after the air pressurizing unit 24 is brought into contact with the atmospheric communication unit 15, the pump 32 is driven and air is supplied from the air pressurizing unit 24 to the inside of the ink tank 4. Supply. Thereby, the inside of the ink tank 4 is pressurized. Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, the pressure inside the ink tank 4 is measured. The measurement of the pressure inside the ink tank 4 is performed immediately after the pressure is applied by supplying air into the ink tank 4 and after a predetermined time has elapsed since the air was supplied into the ink tank 4. Done with timing.

  In pressurization by supplying air into the ink tank 4, pressurization is performed while determining whether the pressure in the ink tank 4 has reached a predetermined value. When the pressure value inside the ink tank 4 reaches a predetermined value, the pressurization stops there. When the pressurization is stopped, the state is maintained until a certain time elapses. In this state, the ink supply port 2 is sealed by the closing member 29. Further, in the atmosphere communication unit 15, air is supplied into the ink tank 4 with the air pressurizing unit 24 in contact with no gap. Therefore, the ink tank 4 is in a sealed state. At this time, if the airtightness of the ink tank 4 itself is good, the air supplied into the ink tank 4 has no escape and the pressure inside the ink tank 4 does not decrease. If the airtightness of the ink tank 4 is not good, the air supplied into the ink tank 4 leaks to the outside. As a result, the pressure inside the ink tank 4 decreases, and the pressure value becomes smaller than immediately after the air is supplied into the ink tank 4.

  Therefore, the pressure in the ink tank 4 at the timing immediately after the supply of air to the inside of the ink tank 4 and the timing after a certain time has passed since the supply of air to the inside of the ink tank 4 are there. The pressure is compared. By doing so, it is possible to inspect whether or not air leaks from the inside of the ink tank 4, and as a result, it is possible to inspect the airtightness inside the ink tank 4.

  In this way, the inspection system 31 detects the pressure inside the ink tank 4 at different timings, and compares the detected pressures to determine whether or not air leaks from the ink tank 4. It has. In the present embodiment, the CPU provided in the inspection system 31 functions as a determination unit. In the present embodiment, the CPU is used as the determination unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an external device such as a personal computer may be connected to the inspection system 31 and the external device may function as the determination unit. .

  In addition, by checking whether or not air leaks from the ink tank 4, the ink tank 4 is inspected for sealing. In the inspection, a time difference from when air is supplied to the ink tank 4 is provided, and the pressure inside the ink tank 4 is detected a plurality of times. In the detection of the pressure performed a plurality of times, it is determined whether or not air leaks from the ink tank 4 by comparing the pressure inside the ink tank 4 in each detection.

  In this way, the pressure inside the ink tank 4 is measured immediately after the supply of air to the inside of the ink tank 4 and after a certain time has passed. When the pressure value inside the ink tank is the same as the initial value after the remeasurement, it is determined that the airtightness inside the ink tank 4 is kept high.

  In the present embodiment, when the pressure inside the ink tank after a certain period of time is the same as the pressure inside the ink tank immediately after the supply of air, it is determined that the ink tank is a non-defective product that is kept highly sealed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Not only when the pressure is always the same before and after a certain period of time, but also before the pressure has elapsed for a certain period of time and after a certain period of time When the ink tank is within the range, it may be determined that the ink tank to be inspected is a non-defective product. In other words, if the pressure difference between before and after a certain period of time does not fall within a predetermined range, it is determined that the ink tank to be inspected is not a good product. Also good. For example, in a plurality of detections, it is determined that air leakage from the ink tank 4 has occurred when the difference between the pressures inside the ink tank 4 in each detection exceeds a predetermined threshold. Also good.

  4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of the periphery of the atmosphere communication unit 15 when air is supplied to the inside of the ink tank 4 by the air pressurizing unit 24. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the air communication unit 15 and the air pressurization unit 24 when the position of the air pressurization unit 24 is accurately arranged with respect to a predetermined position of the air communication unit 15. It is shown. FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the air communication unit 15 and the air pressurization unit 24 when the position of the air pressurization unit 24 is deviated from a predetermined position of the air communication unit 15. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the ink tank 4 is formed with an atmospheric communication portion (receiving portion) 15 that can receive the protruding portion 27 at the tip of the air pressurizing portion 24. Further, the atmosphere communication portion 15 is formed with an atmosphere communication port 16 that communicates the outside and the inside of the ink tank 4. The inspection system 31 supplies air from the supply port 28 to the inside of the ink tank 4 through the atmosphere communication port 16 in a state where the protrusion 27 of the air pressurizing unit 24 is received by the atmosphere communication unit 15. Is configured to be possible. Further, when the air pressurization unit 24 is accurately arranged so that the center of the air pressurization unit 24 coincides with the center of the air communication unit 15 of the ink tank 4, the tip of the air pressurization unit 24 is the atmospheric communication unit. 15 abuts without gap. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently supply air into the ink tank 4 with a small amount of air leakage.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4B, even if the position of the air pressurizing unit 24 is shifted with respect to the atmospheric communication unit 15, the air pressurizing unit 24 is not connected between the air pressurizing unit 24 and the atmospheric communication unit 15. The sealed state is maintained. In the present embodiment, an inclined surface 17 is formed in the atmosphere communication portion 15. Therefore, when the tip of the air pressurizing unit 24 comes into contact with the atmospheric communication unit 15, the air pressurization unit 24 and the atmospheric communication unit 15 come into contact over a relatively wide range of the inclined surface 17. In addition, the tip of the air pressure unit 24 is formed of a rubber material. Therefore, when the air pressurization unit 24 comes into contact with the atmospheric communication unit 15, the tip of the air pressurization unit 24 can be deformed according to the shape of the atmospheric communication unit 15 in the contacted part.

  Thereby, even if the position of the air pressurizing unit 24 is shifted from the atmospheric communication unit 15, the tip of the air pressurizing unit 24 deforms following the shape of the atmospheric communication unit 15. Therefore, the air pressurization part 24 and the atmosphere communication part 15 contact | abut without a clearance gap over a comparatively wide range. Therefore, even if the position of the air pressurization unit 24 is shifted from the position of the air communication unit 15, no gap is formed between the air pressurization unit 24 and the air communication unit 15. The atmospheric communication part 15 contacts. Accordingly, the occurrence of air leakage between the air pressurization unit 24 and the atmosphere communication unit 15 is suppressed, and the air can be efficiently supplied into the ink tank 4.

  Next, the influence on the supply of air into the ink tank 4 by the degree of inclination of the inclined conical surface 9 in the inclined surface 17 of the atmosphere communicating portion 15 will be described.

  5A and 5B, the contact state between the tip of the air pressure unit 24 and the inclined surface 17 on the inclined surface 17 when the angle 18 of the inclined surface 17 is small and large. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating is shown. FIG. 5A shows the case where the angle 18 is small, and FIG. 5B shows the case where the angle 18 is large.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the angle of the inclined surface 17 is small, the force acting downward in the vertical direction is large in the load by the air pressurizing unit 24. Therefore, the air pressurization part 24 can improve the sealing property between the front-end | tip part of the air pressurization part 24 and the atmospheric | air communication part 15 with an own load. Since air is supplied in a state in which the tip of the air pressurizing unit 24 and the air communication unit 15 are more reliably sealed and the space between them is in contact with no gap, air can be supplied more efficiently. It can be performed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the angle of the inclined surface 17 is large, the load by the air pressurizing unit 24 easily escapes to the atmosphere communication port 16 side in the atmosphere communication unit 15. Accordingly, the force acting downward in the vertical direction out of the load applied by the air pressure unit 24 is relatively small. Accordingly, there is a possibility that a gap is formed between the tip of the air pressurizing unit 24 and the atmosphere communication unit 15, and when air is supplied to the inside of the ink tank 4, there is a possibility that air leaks from the gap. . Therefore, the angle 18 of the inclined surface 17 is preferably formed small. In the present embodiment, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 17 is set to 42 degrees.

  As a method for preventing the air pressurization unit 24 from moving to the atmosphere communication port side due to the load of the air pressurization unit 24 itself, for example, there is a method shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the inclined surface 17 is inclined in two stages, and the angle 20 of the inner inclined surface is formed smaller than the angle 19 of the outer inclined surface. FIG. 6A shows a cross-sectional view around the air pressurization unit 24 and the atmosphere communication unit 15 in a state where the air pressurization unit 24 and the ink tank 4 are not yet in contact with each other. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view around the air pressure unit 24 and the atmosphere communication unit 15 in a state where the air pressure unit 24 and the ink tank 4 are in contact with each other. FIG. 6C shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the inclined surface in FIG. Since the air communication part 15 is inclined in two stages in this way and the angle of the inner inclined surface is made small, the inclination angle of the part in contact with the air pressurizing part 24 can be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the force acting on the air pressurizing unit 24 toward the inside of the air communication unit 15. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the positional accuracy of the air pressurization unit 24 due to the air pressurization unit 24 moving on the inclined surface 17 due to the load on the atmosphere communication port 16 side by the air pressurization unit 24. . As described above, the inclined surface 17 is formed on the surface (first surface) 21 formed at a position close to the atmosphere communication port 16 and on the surface (first surface) formed at a position far from the atmosphere communication port 16 with a relatively large inclination angle. 2 surface) 22. In the present embodiment, the inclination angle of the surface 22 located on the outer side in the radial direction of the atmospheric communication portion 15 is larger than the inclination angle of the surface 21 located on the inner side in the radial direction of the atmospheric communication portion 15. A surface is formed.

  In FIG. 7, when the angle of the contact portion of the air pressure unit 24 is changed, the inclined surface 17 and the air when the inclined surface 17 and the rubber material 25 of the air pressure unit 24 are joined in each case. Sectional drawing about the contact part between the pressurization parts 24 is shown.

  FIGS. 7A to 7C show a case where the angle 18 of the inclined surface 17 and the angle 26 of the front end portion of the air pressure unit 24 are the same. FIG. 7A shows a state in which the air pressurizing unit 24 is not in contact with the atmospheric communication unit 15 yet. FIG. 7B shows a state in which the air pressurizing unit 24 starts to contact the atmospheric communication unit 15. FIG. 7C shows a state in which the air pressurizing unit 24 is still in contact with the atmospheric communication unit 15. FIGS. 7D to 7F show a case where the angle 26 of the front end portion of the air pressure unit 24 is larger than the angle 18 of the inclined surface 17. FIG. 7D shows a state in which the air pressurizing unit 24 is not yet in contact with the atmospheric communication unit 15. FIG. 7E shows a state in which the air pressurizing unit 24 starts to contact the atmospheric communication unit 15. FIG. 7F shows a state in which the air pressurizing unit 24 is still in contact with the atmospheric communication unit 15. FIGS. 7G to 7I show a case where the angle 26 of the tip of the air pressure unit 24 is smaller than the angle 18 of the inclined surface 17. FIG. 7G shows a state where the air pressurizing unit 24 is not yet in contact with the atmospheric communication unit 15. FIG. 7 (h) shows a state in which the air pressurizing unit 24 starts to contact the atmospheric communication unit 15. FIG. 7 (i) shows a state where the air pressurizing unit 24 is still in contact with the atmospheric communication unit 15.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, when the inclination angle of the inclined surface 17 is the same as the inclination angle of the rubber member 25 of the air pressurization unit 24, the rubber of the air pressurization unit 24 is used. The material 25 and the inclined surface 17 of the atmosphere communication portion 15 are in contact with each other almost simultaneously. As shown in FIGS. 7D to 7F, when the angle 26 of the tip of the air pressurization unit 24 is larger than the angle 18 of the inclined surface 17, the tip of the air pressurization unit 24 is It gradually abuts against the inclined surface 17 from the inside to the outside. As shown in FIGS. 7G to 7I, when the angle 26 of the tip of the air pressurization unit 24 is smaller than the angle 18 of the inclined surface 17, the tip of the air pressurization unit 24 is The inclined surface 17 gradually abuts from the outside toward the inside.

  Usually, the surface or inclined surface of a rubber material has some undulations, and its shape cannot be predicted. Therefore, in reality, the rubber material 25 of the air pressurizing unit 24 contacts the inclined surface 17 with a certain degree of strain. Therefore, in order to ensure that the air communication part 15 of the ink tank 4 and the rubber material 25 of the air pressurizing part 24 come into contact with each other without any gap, the contact surface should be as continuous as possible at the initial stage of contact. The inclined surface 17 and the rubber material 25 are preferably brought into contact with each other. In the present embodiment, the angle 26 of the rubber material is formed at 45 degrees. In this manner, the inclined surface 17 is formed at a position where the side surface of the atmosphere communicating portion 15 and the upper surface of the lid member intersect.

  Further, in the ink tank 4 of the present embodiment, the atmosphere communication groove 10 is formed shallower than the atmosphere communication portion 15. By forming the atmosphere communication groove 10 to be shallow, it is possible to contact the tip of the air pressurizing unit 24 over the entire circumference of the atmosphere communication part 15 at a portion deeper than the atmosphere communication groove 10. Therefore, even if the atmospheric communication groove 10 is formed in communication with the atmospheric communication portion 15, the tip of the air pressurizing unit 24 contacts the inclined surface 17 of the atmospheric communication portion 15 over the entire circumference, so that the ink tank 4 Air can be efficiently supplied into the interior without leakage.

  In addition, after the air pressurization unit 24 is separated, the atmosphere communication groove 10 is reliably communicated with the atmosphere communication port 16. Therefore, air can be supplied to the inside of the ink tank through the atmosphere communication port 16, and the atmosphere communication port 16 can be reliably functioned.

  As described above, according to the inspection system 31 of the present embodiment, the ink tank 4 is inclined with respect to the extending direction of the wall surface so as to become deeper toward the inner edge of the atmosphere communication portion 15 in the radial direction. The inclined surface 17 is formed. Further, the tip of the air pressurizing unit 24 is formed so as to be tapered toward the ink tank 4. Therefore, air can be efficiently supplied to the ink tank 4 without generating a gap between the air pressurizing unit 24 and the atmosphere communication unit 15 in the ink tank 4. Even if the position of the air pressurization unit 24 is displaced with respect to the atmosphere communication unit 15 in the ink tank 4, the tip of the air pressurization unit 24 is more reliably connected via the atmosphere communication port 16 of the ink tank 4. Air can be supplied.

  Further, the ink tank 4 tends to be reduced in size. Along with this, the sizes of the air communication unit 15 and the air pressurizing unit 24 tend to be reduced. In such a case, the air pressurization unit 24 that has been downsized is brought into contact with the air communication port 16 of the downsized air communication unit 15 to supply air, so that the ink tank 4 or the air pressurization unit is supplied. A high dimensional accuracy of 24 is required. Further, high positional accuracy is required when the ink tank 4 and the air pressure unit 24 are arranged. However, in the present embodiment, an inclined surface 17 that is inclined with respect to the extending direction of the wall surface is formed on the outer edge portion in the radial direction of the atmosphere communication portion 15. Therefore, even if the position of the air pressurizing unit 24 is deviated from the atmospheric communication unit 15, the air is reliably supplied to the atmospheric communication port 16 in a state where the atmospheric communication unit 15 is sealed by the air pressurizing unit 24. Can do. Thereby, even if the atmosphere communication portion 15 is reduced by downsizing the ink tank 4, high accuracy is not required for the arrangement, and air can be reliably supplied to the ink tank 4. . In addition, a configuration having another function is added at a position in the vicinity of the atmosphere communication portion 15 of the ink tank 4, and as a result, even when the atmosphere communication portion 15 is further downsized, the atmosphere communication portion 15 can be reliably applied. The air pressurization part 24 can be arrange | positioned so that it may contact. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an ink tank inspection system 31 that does not require accuracy in manufacturing the ink tank 4 and the air pressure unit 24 and can be easily manufactured.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described. The description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different parts will be described.

  FIG. 8 illustrates an ink tank according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8A shows a plan view of the vicinity of the atmosphere communication portion 15 of the ink tank in the second embodiment, and FIG. 8B shows a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIB-VIIIB in FIG. . In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), in the atmosphere communication groove 10 formed so as to be connected to the atmosphere communication portion 15, a portion where the bottom surface 13 and the side surface 12 intersect is formed in a round shape. ing. Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, a portion where the side surface 12 of the atmospheric communication groove 10 and the inclined surface 17 of the atmospheric communication portion 15 intersect at a portion where the atmospheric communication groove 10 and the atmospheric communication portion 15 are connected. Is formed round. In the present embodiment, the portion where the bottom surface 13 of the atmosphere communication groove 10 and the inclined surface 17 of the atmosphere communication portion 15 intersect is not formed in a round shape but is formed in a step shape. In other words, of the connection portion 11 between the atmosphere communication portion 15 and the atmosphere communication groove 10, chamfering is performed only at two sides 14 where the side surface 12 of the atmosphere communication groove 10 and the inclined surface 17 of the atmosphere communication portion 15 intersect to form a curved surface. Is formed. The connecting portion 35 between the bottom surface 13 of the atmosphere communication groove 10 and the atmosphere communication portion 15 is not chamfered and is not formed to be a curved surface.

  Thus, in 2nd Embodiment, when forming the air | atmosphere communication groove | channel 10, the chamfering is performed about the part which the surfaces which form a flow path cross | intersect. At this time, as shown in the present embodiment, chamfering is not performed on the surface where the bottom surface 13 of the atmospheric communication groove 10 and the inclined surface 17 of the atmospheric communication portion 15 intersect. In the present embodiment, chamfering is not performed at the connection portion between the bottom surface formed at the position closest to the space inside the ink tank 4 and the atmosphere communication portion 15 among the surfaces forming the atmosphere communication groove 10. On the other hand, chamfering is performed at the connection portion between the surface forming the atmosphere communication groove 10 other than the bottom surface and the atmosphere communication portion 15. In this way, since chamfering is not performed at the portion where the bottom surface 13 of the atmospheric communication groove 10 and the inclined surface 17 of the atmospheric communication portion 15 intersect, the connection portion to the atmospheric communication portion 15 in the atmospheric communication groove 10 is close to the bottom surface. It is suppressed to be located in the part. Therefore, when the air pressurization unit 24 comes into contact with the atmospheric communication unit 15, the atmospheric communication groove 10 is suppressed from being connected to a position closer to the bottom surface than the air pressurization unit 24. Therefore, when air is supplied into the ink tank 4 in order to inspect the airtightness, it is possible to prevent the air from leaking outside through the atmosphere communication groove 10. Since the air pressurization unit 24 contacts the atmospheric communication unit 15 over the entire circumference at a position closer to the bottom surface of the atmospheric communication unit 15 than the atmospheric communication groove 10, more reliable air leakage from the atmospheric communication unit 15 to the outside is achieved. Can be suppressed. Thereby, air can be supplied more efficiently.

  In addition, when the area of the contact portion where the atmospheric communication portion 15 and the air pressurizing portion 24 abut is sufficiently secured, the bottom surface 13 of the atmospheric communication groove 10 and the inclined surface 17 of the atmospheric communication portion 15 are formed. Chamfering may also be performed at the intersecting portion.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the atmosphere communication groove 10 may be formed so as to be shallower at the connection portion to the atmosphere communication portion 15. That is, the atmospheric communication groove 10 is formed so that the depth at the position where the atmospheric communication groove 10 is connected to the atmospheric communication portion 15 is shallower than the depth at the position away from the atmospheric communication portion 15. By forming the atmospheric communication groove 10 so that the connection portion to the atmospheric communication portion 15 in the atmospheric communication groove 10 is shallow, the area of the portion of the inclined surface 17 of the atmospheric communication portion 15 that comes into contact with the air pressure unit 24 is reduced. Largely secured. Since the area of the abutting portion between the inclined surface 17 and the air pressurizing unit 24 is large, the leakage of air from between the inclined surface 17 and the air pressurizing unit 24 can be suppressed. Since air leakage is suppressed to a low level, air can be supplied more efficiently when air is supplied from the air pressure unit 24 to the ink tank 4.

4 Ink Tank 15 Atmospheric Communication Port 16 Atmospheric Communication Port 17 Inclined Surface 24 Air Pressurization Unit 28 Supply Port 31 Inspection System 32 Pump 34 Measuring Instrument

Claims (10)

An installation section capable of installing a liquid storage container capable of storing liquid therein;
An air supply means provided with a protrusion and a supply port capable of supplying air at a tip of the protrusion, and capable of supplying air into the liquid storage container installed in the installation section;
Determination means for determining whether air leakage has occurred from the liquid storage container,
The liquid storage container is formed with a receiving portion capable of receiving the protruding portion,
By connecting the outside and the inside of the liquid storage container to the receiving portion, air from the supply port is supplied to the inside of the liquid storage container in a state where the protrusion is received by the receiving portion. A communication port that can be
By determining whether or not air leaks from the liquid storage container by the determination means, the sealed state of the liquid storage container is inspected,
The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein an inclined portion inclined with respect to a surface of the liquid storage container on which the receiving portion is formed is formed in the receiving portion.   The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the inclined portion is inclined in a direction in which a member forming the liquid storage container becomes thinner as the position is closer to the communication port.   The inclined portion includes a first surface formed at a position close to the communication port, and a second surface formed at a position far from the communication port and having a larger inclination angle than the first surface. The inspection system according to claim 2.   The inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the determination unit includes a pressure detection unit capable of detecting a pressure inside the liquid storage container.   The determination means provides a time difference after supplying air to the liquid storage container, detects the pressure inside the liquid storage container a plurality of times by the pressure detection means, and the liquid storage container in each detection The inspection system according to claim 4, wherein it is determined whether or not air leaks from the liquid storage container by comparing the internal pressure of the liquid storage container.   The said determination means determines that the leakage of the air from the said liquid storage container has arisen, when the difference between the pressures in the said liquid storage container in each detection exceeds a predetermined threshold value. Inspection system as described in. A groove is formed by being connected to the receiving part of the liquid container,
The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the groove is formed shallower than the receiving portion. Among the surfaces forming the grooves, the chamfering is not performed at the connection portion between the bottom surface formed at a position closest to the space inside the liquid storage container and the receiving portion,
The inspection system according to claim 7, wherein chamfering is performed at a connection portion between the receiving portion and a surface other than the bottom surface among the surfaces forming the groove.   The inspection system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the groove is formed so that a depth at a position connected to the receiving portion is shallower than a depth at a position away from the receiving portion. A liquid in which air is supplied to the inside by an air supply means having a protrusion and a supply port capable of supplying air to the tip of the protrusion, and it is determined whether or not there is leakage of air from the inside. A storage container,
A receiving portion capable of receiving the protruding portion;
Supplying air from the supply port to the inside in a state where the protruding portion is received by the receiving portion by being formed through the portion where the receiving portion is formed and communicating between the outside and the inside. And a communication port that can
The liquid storage container, wherein the receiving portion is formed with an inclined portion inclined with respect to a direction in which a wall surface of the portion where the receiving portion is formed extends.