JP2018012228A - ink cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink cartridge in which negative-pressure control of an entire ink supply system using one ink holding body provided in an ink container of the ink cartridge is carried out, ink does not leak from a discharge port, and a production cost is reduced.SOLUTION: An ink cartridge includes an ink storage chamber for storing ink, an ink discharge port for discharging the ink, an atmosphere opening, a negative-pressure forming chamber which communicates with the atmosphere opening and communicates with the ink storage chamber, and a negative-pressure generating member housed in the negative-pressure forming chamber. The negative-pressure generating member includes a protrusion part, which is integrally arranged and protrudes upward in a vertical direction from an upper surface part of the negative-pressure generating member when the negative-pressure generating member is not compressed by an inner surface of the negative-pressure forming chamber, and is compressed in an ink discharge port direction more strongly than a peripheral part around the protrusion part by an inner surface rib of a top plate of the negative-pressure forming chamber when the negative-pressure generating member is stored in the negative-pressure forming chamber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink cartridge mounted on an ink jet printer, and more particularly to an ink cartridge that performs negative pressure control by an ink holder (negative pressure generating member) such as a sponge provided in the ink cartridge.

  Some printing apparatuses are called an ink jet system that performs recording on a recording medium by ejecting ink that is a recording liquid from a printing mechanism (head). In an ink jet printing apparatus, as a method for supplying ink to a printing mechanism, a method is known in which a replaceable ink cartridge is detachably mounted and ink is supplied directly to the printing mechanism. The negative pressure in the ink cartridge is controlled so that the ink in the ink cartridge is supplied following the ink suction of the head mechanism.

  As a method for controlling the negative pressure in the ink cartridge, an ink cartridge having an ink holding body (negative pressure generating member) such as a sponge having a capillary force in an ink chamber of the ink cartridge is known. Patent document 2 is disclosed.

JP 2000-33715 A JP 2015-145089 A

  Examples of the printing mechanism of the above-described ink jet recording apparatus include a piezoelectric method and a thermal method. In any of the printing mechanisms, ink is ejected from the ink tank to the ink jet head by the ink ejection and suction action by driving the ink jet head. Although the control is performed so that the driving force of the ink jet head varies depending on the printing mechanism, it is necessary to control the negative pressure of the entire ink supply system adapted to the driving force of the ink jet head.

  Patent Document 1 includes two ink holding bodies (negative pressure generating members) such as sponges in an ink chamber of an ink cartridge, and further includes an ink holding body in an ink supply port so that the two holding bodies are brought into pressure contact with each other. In addition, the negative pressure of the entire ink supply system is controlled, and ink leakage from the ink discharge port is prevented by the capillary force of the ink holding member in the ink supply port portion.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 includes an ink holding body (negative pressure generating member) such as a sponge in an ink chamber of an ink cartridge, and further includes an ink holding body in an ink supply port so as to reduce the negative pressure of the entire ink supply system. In addition to controlling, ink leakage from the ink discharge port is prevented by the capillary force of the ink holding member in the ink supply port.

  Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 both include an ink holder (negative pressure generating member) in the ink chamber, controls the negative pressure in the ink chamber, and uses an ink holder (contact filter) provided in the ink discharge port. According to the knowledge of the present inventors, negative pressure control when a plurality of ink holders are provided is to prevent ink leakage from the ink discharge port and control the negative pressure of the entire ink supply system. However, it is important to form a pressure-contact surface that is uniformly pressed so that no gap is formed on the pressure-contact surface of the holding body, but it is difficult to uniformly press-insert a plurality of holding bodies into the ink container. There is a problem that wrinkles or gaps are generated between the plurality of ink holders, resulting in an ink path, a desired negative pressure control cannot be performed, and excessive ink supply or ink leakage from the ejection port occurs. In particular, the shorter the length of the ink discharge port that protrudes from the inside of the ink container, the more likely the problem described above occurs. In addition, a plurality of ink holders having different sizes not only lead to an increase in production cost, but insertion of a plurality of ink holders having different sizes into the ink container requires production time and leads to an increase in production cost. There's a problem.

  As a result of earnest research on the above problems, the present inventor has found that a plurality of ink holding bodies (negative pressures) can be used without using a contact filter (ink holding body) as a separate member at the ink discharge port in the negative pressure control in the ink container. Negative pressure control configuration using a negative pressure generating member (ink holding member) in the ink container so as to control the negative pressure in the ink container without using the generating member) and prevent ink leakage from the ink discharge port. And found the present invention.

  The object of the present invention is to control the negative pressure of the entire ink supply system using one member of the ink holding member (negative pressure generating member) provided in the ink container of the ink cartridge, so that there is no ink leakage from the discharge port and the production cost. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink cartridge with reduced toner.

  This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous specific examples of the present invention.

  That is, the first invention of the present invention communicates with an ink containing chamber for containing ink, an ink discharge port for discharging the ink, an air opening port, and the air opening port, and communicates with the ink containing chamber. An air communication comprising at least a negative pressure forming chamber and a negative pressure generating member accommodated in the negative pressure forming chamber, wherein the ink discharge port is provided on the bottom side of the negative pressure forming chamber and communicates with the atmosphere opening port The ink cartridge is provided on the upper side of the negative pressure generating chamber, and the negative pressure generating member is not compressed by the inner surface of the negative pressure generating chamber. In the state accommodated in the negative pressure forming chamber, the protruding portion is projected by the inner rib of the top plate of the negative pressure forming chamber. Stronger than the surrounding area An ink cartridge, characterized by being compressed in the ink discharge port direction.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a negative pressure forming chamber that accommodates ink and a negative pressure generating member, an ink discharge port that discharges the ink, an atmosphere opening port, and an air communication portion that communicates with the atmosphere opening port. The ink discharge port is provided on the bottom side of the negative pressure forming chamber, and the air communication portion communicating with the atmosphere opening port is provided on the upper side of the negative pressure forming chamber, When the negative pressure generating member is not compressed by the inner surface of the negative pressure generating chamber, the negative pressure generating member has a shape integrally provided with a protruding portion protruding upward in the vertical direction on the upper surface portion of the negative pressure generating member, In the state accommodated in the negative pressure forming chamber, the protruding portion is compressed in the ink discharge port direction more strongly than the peripheral portion around the protruding portion by the inner rib of the top plate of the negative pressure forming chamber. Ink cartridge characterized by It is a cartridge.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the negative pressure generating member according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention is disposed such that the protruding portion is positioned vertically above the ink discharge port. This is an ink cartridge.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the negative pressure generating member according to any one of the first to third aspects is characterized in that the peripheral portion is inclined toward the protruding portion. It is.

An ink cartridge according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an ink storage chamber that stores ink, an ink discharge port that discharges ink, an air release port, and an air release port that communicates with the ink storage chamber. A pressure forming chamber and a negative pressure generating member accommodated in the negative pressure forming chamber, the ink discharge port is provided on the bottom side of the negative pressure forming chamber, and the air communication portion communicating with the atmosphere opening port generates negative pressure An ink cartridge provided on the upper side of the chamber, wherein the negative pressure generating member protrudes vertically upward from the upper surface of the negative pressure generating member when not compressed by the inner surface of the negative pressure generating chamber In a state in which the protrusion is housed in the negative pressure forming chamber, the protruding portion is stronger than the peripheral portion around the protruding portion by the inner rib of the top plate of the negative pressure forming chamber. The configuration is compressed in the direction . Since the present invention is configured as described above, when the negative pressure generating member is housed in the negative pressure generating chamber, each outer surface of the negative pressure generating member is in pressure contact with the inner wall of the negative pressure forming chamber. At this time, the protruding portion of the negative pressure generating member is strongly compressed by the inner wall at the upper part of the negative pressure forming chamber as compared with the peripheral portion thereof, so that part of the bottom surface of the negative pressure generating member is also strongly compressed by the pressure. . This compression increases the capillary force at a part of the bottom surface of the negative pressure generating member and the negative pressure of the negative pressure generating member near the ink discharge port. Therefore, even if the negative pressure generation member is not provided near the ink discharge port. Ink leakage from the ink discharge port can be prevented, and an increase in production cost for providing a plurality of negative pressure generating members can be eliminated.

  An ink cartridge according to a second aspect of the present invention communicates with a negative pressure forming chamber that accommodates ink and a negative pressure generating member, an ink discharge port that discharges ink, an air opening port, and an air opening port. An ink cartridge having at least an air communication portion, an ink discharge port provided on the bottom side of the negative pressure forming chamber, and an air communication portion connected to the atmosphere opening port on the upper side of the negative pressure forming chamber, In a state where the negative pressure generating member is not compressed by the inner surface of the negative pressure generating chamber, the negative pressure generating member has a shape integrally provided with a protruding portion protruding upward in the vertical direction on the upper surface portion of the negative pressure generating member. In the state accommodated in the chamber, the projecting portion is compressed more strongly in the direction of the ink ejection port than the peripheral portion around the projecting portion by the inner rib of the top plate of the negative pressure forming chamber. Since the present invention is configured as described above, when the negative pressure generating member is housed in the negative pressure generating chamber, each outer surface of the negative pressure generating member is in pressure contact with the inner wall of the negative pressure forming chamber. At this time, the protruding portion of the negative pressure generating member is strongly compressed by the inner wall at the upper part of the negative pressure forming chamber as compared with the peripheral portion thereof, so that part of the bottom surface of the negative pressure generating member is also strongly compressed by the pressure. . This compression increases the capillary force at a part of the bottom surface of the negative pressure generating member and the negative pressure of the negative pressure generating member near the ink discharge port. Therefore, even if the negative pressure generation member is not provided near the ink discharge port. Ink leakage from the ink discharge port can be prevented, and an increase in production cost for providing a plurality of negative pressure generating members can be eliminated. Moreover, it can also contribute to size reduction.

  In addition, the ink cartridge according to the third aspect of the present invention is configured such that the negative pressure generating member is disposed so that the protruding portion is positioned vertically above the ink discharge port. Since the present invention has the above-described configuration, the negative pressure of the negative pressure generating member in the vicinity of the ink discharge port can be more reliably increased.

  In addition, the ink cartridge according to the fourth aspect of the present invention has a configuration in which the peripheral portion of the upper surface of the negative pressure generating member is inclined toward the protruding portion of the upper surface of the negative pressure generating member. Since the present invention is configured as described above, even when a horizontal force is applied to the protruding portion when the negative pressure generating member is stored in the negative pressure forming chamber, it does not tilt in one direction. The negative pressure of the negative pressure generating member can be increased more reliably.

It is sectional drawing of the ink cartridge in one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded view in which only the ink case of the ink cartridge in FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view. 2 is a negative pressure generating member of the first embodiment of the present invention housed in the ink cartridge in FIG. 1. It is a negative pressure generation member of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a negative pressure generation member of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the ink cartridge in other embodiment of this invention.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and can be appropriately selected.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the ink cartridge 1 of the present embodiment includes an ink storage chamber 11 that stores ink 2, an ink discharge port 12 that discharges ink 2, an air release port 21, and an air release port. At least a negative pressure forming chamber 13 communicating with the ink containing chamber 11 and a negative pressure generating member 14 accommodated in the negative pressure forming chamber 13, and the ink discharge port 12 is a bottom portion of the negative pressure forming chamber 13. The ink cartridge 1 is provided on the upper side of the negative pressure forming chamber 13, and the negative pressure generating member 14 is provided on the inner surface of the negative pressure forming chamber 13. In the state that is not compressed by the negative pressure generating member 14, the upper surface portion of the negative pressure generating member 14 is integrally formed with a protruding portion 15 that protrudes upward in the vertical direction. Part 15 is negative pressure forming chamber Has a compressed strongly the ink discharge port 12 direction configuration than in the peripheral portion 16 in the periphery of the projecting portion 15 by the inner surface ribs 26 of the third top plate 20.

  The negative pressure generating member 14 is a liquid absorber such as a sponge, for example, and is accommodated so that the entire surface is in close contact with the inner surface of the negative pressure forming chamber 13 in a compressed state. At this time, since the suction force is increased by reducing the pores of the compressed negative pressure generating member 14, the ink 2 can be stored inside the ink cartridge 1.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the protruding portion 15 provided on the upper surface of the negative pressure generating member 14 protrudes upward from the peripheral portion 16, and therefore, when accommodated in the negative pressure forming chamber 13. It is compressed more strongly than the peripheral part 16. By this compression, the suction force of the lower portion of the protrusion 15 can be increased, so that an appropriate negative pressure can be obtained without newly providing a contact filter or the like in the vicinity of the ink discharge port 12. For this reason, it is desirable to set the negative pressure generating member 14 so that the protrusion 15 is positioned above the ink discharge port 12 in the vertical direction. More preferably, the area of the protrusion 15 is larger than the area of the ink discharge port 12. It is desirable to set a wide range.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the peripheral portion 16 may be inclined toward the protruding portion 15. With this configuration, when the negative pressure generating member 14 is accommodated in the negative pressure forming chamber 13, even if a horizontal force is applied to the protruding portion 15, the negative pressure generating member 14 does not tilt in one direction. The negative pressure of the negative pressure generating member 14 can be increased more reliably. The peripheral portion 16 may be flat or curved as long as it is inclined toward the protruding portion 15, and the shape of the protruding portion 15 may be flat or curved according to the peripheral portion 16.

  The length of each side of the negative pressure generating member 14 is 1.1 to 1.3 times, more preferably 1.15 to 1.25 times the length of the corresponding inner surface of the negative pressure forming chamber 13. It is desirable to do. If it is less than 1.1 times, the compression is weak, so that a sufficient negative pressure cannot be obtained. If it is more than 1.3 times, there is a possibility that the holding force of the ink 2 will be reduced due to wrinkling during compression, It is necessary to devise a method for inserting the negative pressure generating member 14.

  An air communication portion 23 is provided on the inner surface of the top plate 20 of the negative pressure forming chamber 13, and communicates with the atmosphere opening port 21 provided on the outer surface of the top plate 20 of the negative pressure forming chamber 13, whereby the outside of the ink cartridge 1. Thus, air can be introduced into the negative pressure forming chamber 13 and air can be introduced as the ink 2 is ejected from the ink ejection port 12. At this time, if the inflow of air into the negative pressure forming chamber 13 is large, the discharge amount of the ink 2 is too large or ink leakage occurs. It is desirable to set the resistance against air inflow as appropriate.

  Inside the ink case 10, an ink storage chamber 11 is provided next to the negative pressure forming chamber 13 via a partition wall 17. The ink storage chamber 11 stores the ink 2 injected from the ink injection port 24 provided in the top plate 20 of the negative pressure forming chamber 13, and is negative through a communication path 18 provided below the partition wall 17. Ink 2 can be caused to flow into the pressure forming chamber 13, and at this time, air introduced from the atmosphere opening port 21 to the negative pressure forming chamber 13 can be caused to flow into the ink containing chamber 11 through the communication path 18. (Gas-liquid exchange). The ink inlet 24 is closed by the ink inlet stopper 25 after the ink 2 is injected into the ink storage chamber 11.

  When the ink cartridge 1 is attached to a printer (not shown), the engaging portion 3 is attached by engaging with a printer side engaging portion (not shown), and the lever 4 is pressed to engage. Is released and the ink cartridge 1 can be removed. After the mounting is completed, the circuit board 5 and the printer-side circuit board (not shown) are electrically connected, communication is performed between the ink cartridge 1 and the printer, and various controls such as printing are performed. To be done.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the ink cartridge 1 of the present embodiment includes a negative pressure forming chamber 13 that houses the ink 2 and the negative pressure generating member 14, an ink discharge port 12 that discharges the ink 2, and an air release port 21. And an air communicating portion 23 communicating with the atmosphere opening port 21, the ink discharge port 12 is provided on the bottom side of the negative pressure forming chamber 13, and the air communicating portion 23 communicating with the atmosphere opening port 21 is the negative pressure forming chamber. In the ink cartridge 1 provided on the upper side of the negative pressure generating member 13, when the negative pressure generating member 14 is not compressed by the inner surface of the negative pressure forming chamber 13, it is perpendicular to the upper surface of the negative pressure generating member 14 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In a state in which the projecting portion 15 projecting upward is provided and accommodated in the negative pressure forming chamber 13, the projecting portion 15 is surrounded by the inner surface of the negative pressure forming chamber 13 from the peripheral portion 16 around the projecting portion 15. Strongly compressed And it has a configuration that is.

  The ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment is miniaturized so that it can be used in a mobile printer, and the ink 2 is absorbed by the negative pressure generating member 14 in the negative pressure forming chamber 13 to store the ink 2. Is not provided separately. Further, by performing the injection of the ink 2 from the ink discharge port 12, the arrangement space of the ink injection port can be saved.

  In this embodiment as well, the negative pressure generating member 14 of the present invention is used, and an appropriate negative pressure can be obtained without providing a plurality of negative pressure generating members 14, thereby preventing ink leakage from the ink discharge ports. be able to. Further, it is possible to eliminate an increase in production cost for providing a plurality of negative pressure generating members, and to contribute to a reduction in the number of parts and a reduction in size.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ink cartridge 2 ... Ink 3 ... Engagement part 4 ... Lever 5 ... Circuit board 10 ... Ink case 11 ... Ink storage chamber 12 ... Ink ejection port 13 ... Negative pressure formation chamber 14 ... Negative pressure generating member 15 ... Protrusion part 16 ... Peripheral part 17 ... Partition wall 18 ... Communication path 20 ... Top plate 21 ... Air release port 22 ... Air communication path 23 ... Air communication part 24 ... Ink injection port 25 ... Ink injection port plug 26 ... Inner rib

Claims (4)

An ink storage chamber for storing ink, an ink discharge port for discharging the ink, an air opening port, a negative pressure forming chamber communicating with the air opening port and communicating with the ink containing chamber, and the negative pressure forming chamber A negative pressure generating member accommodated in the ink discharge port, wherein the ink discharge port is provided on the bottom side of the negative pressure forming chamber, and an air communication portion communicating with the atmosphere opening port is provided on the upper side of the negative pressure forming chamber. An ink cartridge provided,
When the negative pressure generating member is not compressed by the inner surface of the negative pressure generating chamber, the negative pressure generating member has a shape integrally provided with a protruding portion protruding upward in the vertical direction on the upper surface portion of the negative pressure generating member, In the state accommodated in the negative pressure forming chamber, the protruding portion is compressed in the ink discharge port direction more strongly than the peripheral portion around the protruding portion by the inner rib of the top plate of the negative pressure forming chamber. An ink cartridge characterized by that. A negative pressure forming chamber that accommodates ink and a negative pressure generating member; an ink discharge port that discharges the ink; an atmosphere opening; and an air communication portion that communicates with the atmosphere opening; An ink cartridge provided on the bottom side of the negative pressure forming chamber and having an air communication portion communicating with the atmosphere opening port on an upper side of the negative pressure forming chamber;
When the negative pressure generating member is not compressed by the inner surface of the negative pressure generating chamber, the negative pressure generating member has a shape integrally provided with a protruding portion protruding upward in the vertical direction on the upper surface portion of the negative pressure generating member, In the state accommodated in the negative pressure forming chamber, the protruding portion is compressed in the ink discharge port direction more strongly than the peripheral portion around the protruding portion by the inner rib of the top plate of the negative pressure forming chamber. An ink cartridge characterized by that.   3. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the negative pressure generating member is disposed such that the protruding portion is positioned vertically above the ink discharge port. 4. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the negative pressure generating member has a shape in which the peripheral portion is inclined toward the protruding portion.

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