JP2019025732A - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an inkjet recording device which can prevent ink leakage without needing to provide an absorber separately.SOLUTION: An inkjet recording device discharges an ink from a recording head to make records and includes: an attachment part 6 for detachably attaching an ink cartridge 5 which supplies the ink to the recording head; joint means connected to the ink cartridge 5 attached to the attachment part 6; and pressure providing means which generates a negative pressure in the joint means 7 in conjunction with removal of the ink cartridge attached to the attachment part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink from a recording head, and more particularly to an ink jet recording apparatus in which an ink containing unit can be attached to and detached from a recording apparatus main body.

  In recent years, as the fields of application of ink jet recording apparatuses that perform recording on a recording medium by ejecting ink droplets from a recording head have become diversified, the forms of recording heads and ink cartridges that store ink have also become diversified. It is becoming. For example, the ink cartridge mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus may be an integrated type in which the recording head and the ink cartridge are integrated, an ink cartridge that is detachable from a holder portion provided with the recording head, or an ink cartridge. There is a separation type that is provided at a position away from the recording head and can supply the recording liquid via a tube or the like.

  Among them, the separation type in which the ink cartridge is separated from the recording head does not need to move the ink cartridge together with the recording head even in a serial system in which recording is performed by moving the recording head. Further, since the separation type ink cartridge can be arranged away from the recording head, it can be arranged relatively freely in the recording apparatus. For these reasons, the separation type ink cartridge has an advantage that the ink cartridge size can be set relatively freely according to the usage method. Further, by using a separate ink cartridge, the degree of freedom in designing the ink jet recording apparatus itself is increased.

  However, since the separation type ink cartridge needs to be attached to and detached from the recording apparatus main body, when the ink cartridge is replaced, the ink leaks from the connection portion (joint portion) between the ink cartridge and the recording apparatus main body. There are concerns.

  Therefore, in the case of an ink jet recording apparatus provided with an ink cartridge capable of generating a negative pressure at the top of the recording head as a countermeasure against ink leakage or color mixing when the ink cartridge is replaced, there is a configuration in which a flexible sub cartridge is separately provided. It has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

  In addition, there is an electromagnetic valve provided in the ink supply path from the ink cartridge to the recording head, and when the ink cartridge is attached or detached, the electromagnetic valve is closed to prevent ink leakage from the joint portion (Patent Document 2). ).

  Further, there is a case where a method of installing an absorber at a location where ink drips is assumed on the assumption that ink drips. For example, when an absorber is placed under the ink cartridge mounting portion and the ink cartridge is taken out, a method of absorbing ink dripping from the joint portion on the recording apparatus main body side, or an absorber near the rubber plug on the ink cartridge side is used. A method of wiping with ink an ink adhering to the tip of the needle when the cartridge is installed and the cartridge is removed is employed.

JP 2004-209896 A JP 2002-166572 A

  However, in the configuration in which the sub cartridge is provided, the apparatus may be increased in size and complexity, and in the configuration in which the electromagnetic valve is opened and closed, it is necessary to perform control for operating the electromagnetic valve when replacing the ink cartridge.

  Moreover, it is necessary to prepare an absorber separately for the structure which installs an absorber, and there is a concern that the number of parts increases and the cost increases.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that can prevent ink leakage by utilizing an ink cartridge removal operation.

  A typical configuration according to the present invention for achieving the above object is an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink from a recording head, and detachably mounts ink containing means for supplying ink to the recording head. A mounting portion for connecting to the recording portion, an ink passage connected to the recording head and connected to the ink storage portion, and removing the ink storage portion attached to the mounting portion. Pressure applying means for generating a negative pressure in the joint means in conjunction with

  According to the present invention, ink leakage can be prevented by utilizing the ink cartridge removal operation.

1 is an external perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an inkjet recording device. (A) is a perspective view of the ink cartridge, and (b) is a perspective view in which a part of the ink cartridge is cut away. It is a perspective view of a cartridge holder. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram when an ink cartridge is attached and detached. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a state of joint means when an ink cartridge is attached and detached. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a state of joint means when an ink cartridge is attached and detached. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a state of joint means when an ink cartridge is attached and detached. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of a pump part.

  Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an example of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective explanatory view of a label printer with an exterior cover removed. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view with the exterior cover removed.

<Overall configuration of inkjet recording apparatus>
In the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment, a roll sheet as a recording medium is loaded into the sheet loading unit 1 and conveyed by sheet conveying means including a suction conveying belt 2 and the like, and image recording is performed on the sheet in the recording unit 3. After that, the sheet is cut by the cutter 4 and discharged.

  The recording unit 3 is based on an ink jet recording system, and four recording heads 3 a that eject ink droplets according to an image signal are arranged in the sheet conveyance direction. The four recording heads 3a eject yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color inks, respectively, and record color images by superimposing and ejecting these color inks on a sheet.

  Each recording head 3a is connected to an ink cartridge 5 which is an ink containing means that contains corresponding yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks. These four ink cartridges 5 are detachably mounted on a cartridge mounting portion provided vertically below the recording head 3a.

<Ink cartridge>
Next, the ink cartridge will be described. The four ink cartridges 5 have the same configuration except that the colors of the inks stored are different.

  FIG. 3A is a perspective view seen from the front of the ink cartridge 5 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view seen from the rear with a part cut away.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the ink cartridge 5 of the present embodiment is an information storage in which the information of the ink cartridge is recorded in an ink cartridge case in which an ink container 5a, a container lid 5b, and a protective member 5c, which are ink containing portions, are combined. It is configured by assembling the element 5d.

  The ink cartridge 5 has an ink storage portion formed by ultrasonically welding a container lid 5b to an ink container 5a. The container lid 5b is coupled to the protective member 5c by heat caulking, ultrasonic welding, or the like. At this time, the welding area between the container lid 5b and the protection member 5c is smaller than the welding area between the ink container 5a and the container lid 5b, and the peeling strength is weakened. As a result, when the ink cartridge 5 is accidentally dropped, the protective member 5c is first peeled off, and a direct impact is applied to the welded portion of the ink container 5a and the container lid 5b to prevent damage. doing.

  The protective member 5c is provided with a plurality of erroneous insertion prevention grooves (incorrect insertion prevention recesses) as erroneous insertion prevention means for preventing erroneous insertion of the ink cartridge 5. That is, a combination of a groove whose end is closed and a groove that is not closed is provided, and a rail that matches each of the grooves is also provided on the recording apparatus main body side, and the combination of grooves is different for each type of ink cartridge. By changing, it is impossible to insert an ink cartridge of a type that should not be connected.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the ink cartridge 5 includes an ink supply port 5e having a cylindrical housing formed in the container lid 5b, and a vertically downward pipe-shaped supply ink communicating with the ink supply port 5e. A flow path 5f is provided. The lower end of the supply ink flow path 5f is open near the bottom surface of the ink container 5a. Thereby, the ink near the bottom surface of the ink container 5a can also be supplied from the ink supply port 5e.

  The container lid 5b is provided with an atmospheric communication port 5g in which a cylindrical housing is formed, and a vertically upward pipe-shaped atmospheric channel 5h communicating with the atmospheric communication port 5g. The upper end of the atmosphere communication port 5g is opened in the vicinity of the upper surface of the ink container 5a, and the atmosphere communication port 5g communicates with the outside, so that the inside of the ink container communicates with the atmosphere.

  Further, the container lid 5b includes an ink remaining amount detection unit 5i that detects the presence or absence of ink in the ink container 5a by an electrical detection method, and is integrally formed by resin injection molding. The ink remaining amount detection unit 5i has a prism shape that refracts and reflects the light emitted from the light emitting unit of the optical sensor provided outside the ink cartridge when there is no ink, and the light refracted and reflected by the prism shape is an optical sensor. Is detected by the light receiving unit. Therefore, since the container lid 5b is provided with the ink remaining amount detecting portion 5i by the prism as an integral molding, a transparent material is used as the resin material.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, rubber stoppers 5j as sealing members are fitted into the housings of the ink supply port 5e and the atmosphere communication port 5g to seal the respective openings. Thereby, the ink container 5a is sealed. A locking member 5k is attached to the housing, and the rubber plug 5j is fixed so as not to fall off the housing.

  A pool portion 5m and an inclined portion 5n are formed on the bottom surface of the ink container 5a so that the ink in the container can be used without waste.

<Ink cartridge mounting part>
The recording apparatus main body is provided with a cartridge holder 6 as a mounting portion for mounting the ink cartridge 5. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cartridge holder 6, and FIGS. 5A and 5B are operation explanatory views when the ink cartridge is attached and detached.

  The cartridge holder 6 has a box shape, and can mount four ink cartridges 5. The mounting configuration of each ink cartridge 5 is the same, and a tray-shaped ejector 6a for guiding both side surfaces of the ink cartridge 5 is provided inside the cartridge holder 6, and the user follows the ejector 6a with the ink cartridge 5 along the ejector 6a. Insert.

  A lever 6b is rotatably provided on the cartridge holder 6 on the front side of the cartridge insertion. The lever 6b is connected to one end of the ejector 6a, and the position of the ejector 6a moves in conjunction with the rotation of the lever 6b.

  When the ink cartridge 5 is mounted in the cartridge holder 6, as shown in FIG. 5A, the lever 6b is opened and the ink cartridge 5 is inserted into the ejector 6a. As shown in FIG. 5B, when the lever 6b is closed, the ink cartridge 5 is pushed by the lever 6b, and the ejector 6a moves to the state shown in FIG. 6 is attached.

  On the other hand, when the ink cartridge 5 is taken out from the cartridge holder 6, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the lever 6 b is opened, the ejector 6 a is pulled out and the ink cartridge 5 is slightly removed from the cartridge holder 6. Pulled out. In this state, the user can remove the ink cartridge 5 by removing it from the cartridge holder 6.

<Joint means>
On the back side of the cartridge holder 6 where the ink cartridge is inserted, joint means for communicating the mounted ink cartridge 5 and the recording head 3a is provided. As shown in FIG. 6, the joint means 7 includes an ink supply joint needle 7a as a supply port joint connected to the ink supply port 5e of the ink cartridge 5, and an air communication port joint connected to the air communication port 5g. And an atmosphere communication joint needle 7b as a part. These joint needles 7a and 7b are hollow needle members having communication holes 7a1 and 7b1 formed at their tips, and are communicated with the inside of the ink container 5a of the ink cartridge 5 by being inserted into the rubber plug 5j of the ink cartridge 5. To do.

  A tube 7a2 is connected to the ink supply joint needle 7a (see FIG. 7), so that the ink cartridge 5 and the recording head 3a can communicate with each other. In addition, a valve 8 is provided in the middle of the tube 7a2, and communication between the ink cartridge 5 and the recording head 3a can be switched between open and closed by opening and closing the valve 8. The ink cartridge is attached and detached with the valve 8 closed.

  On the other hand, the atmosphere communication joint needle 7b is inserted into a rubber plug 5j that seals the atmosphere communication port 5g, whereby the inside of the ink container 5a of the ink cartridge 5 communicates with the atmosphere.

  In addition, when the ink cartridge 5 is attached to the cartridge holder 6, there is provided means for reading information in the information storage element 5d attached to the ink cartridge 5 and sending the information to the recording apparatus main body side.

<Pressurizing means>
In the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment, a pressure applying unit that generates a negative pressure at the joint unit 7 in conjunction with the removal of the ink cartridge 5 mounted on the cartridge holder 6 is provided. 7 and 8 are schematic cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the pressure applying means.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a pump unit 9 as a pressure applying unit is formed at the base of the ink supply joint needle 7a. In this embodiment, the pump part 9 comprised by the bellows shape by the flexible member is provided. The pump portion 9 generates a negative pressure in the ink supply joint needle 7a when the bellows shape expands and contracts and the shape returns from the contracted state.

  The ink supply joint needle 7a and the atmosphere communication joint needle 7b are disposed at a position closer to the ink cartridge side where the ink supply joint needle 7a is inserted than the atmosphere communication joint needle 7b. When the ink cartridge 5 is inserted into the cartridge holder 6, the ink supply joint needle 7a is first inserted into the rubber plug 5j that seals the ink supply port 5e (see FIG. 7A), and then communicates with the atmosphere. The joint needle 7b is inserted through a rubber plug 5j that seals the atmosphere communication port 5g (FIGS. 7A and 7B). The pump portion 9 has such rigidity that the bellows-shaped portion does not shrink when the ink supply joint needle 7a passes through the rubber plug 5j. Therefore, the ink supply joint needle 7a is reliably inserted into the ink supply port 5e and communicated with the ink container with the atmosphere communication port 5g sealed.

  After the ink supply joint needle 7a communicates with the ink container 5a, the atmosphere communication joint needle 7b is inserted into the atmosphere communication port 5g, and the ink container 5a communicates with the atmosphere (FIG. 8A). When the ink cartridge 5 is further inserted from this state, the pump portion 9 is pushed in by the ink cartridge 5 and the bellows-shaped portion is reduced. At this time, the air inside the bellows-shaped member passes through the ink cartridge 5 and is released from the atmosphere communication port 5g of the ink cartridge 5 to the atmosphere. In this way, the ink cartridge 5 is mounted on the cartridge holder 6.

  Next, steps for removing the ink cartridge 5 from the recording apparatus main body will be described. When the ink cartridge 5 is taken out, when the ink cartridge 5 is pulled out from the cartridge holder 6, the atmosphere communicating joint needle 7b is pulled out from the atmosphere communicating port 5g contrary to the insertion. At this time, the ink supply joint needle 7a is not pulled out from the ink supply port 5e and remains in communication with the inside of the ink container. When the ink cartridge 5 is further pulled out, the ink supply joint needle 7a is pulled out from the ink supply port 5e, and the press of the pump unit 9 by the ink cartridge 5 is released. The shape returns (see FIGS. 7A and 7B). Due to the extension of the bellows-shaped portion, a negative pressure is generated in the ink supply joint needle 7a, and the ink in the ink supply joint needle 7a is sucked by the pump portion 9. At this time, since the atmosphere communication joint needle 7b is removed from the atmosphere communication port 5g, the ink container does not communicate with the atmosphere. For this reason, it is suppressed that the ink in an ink container is attracted | sucked by the ink supply joint needle | hook 7a.

  As described above, when the ink cartridge 5 is removed, a negative pressure is generated in the joint means, and the ink in the ink supply joint needle 7a is sucked to effectively prevent ink leakage. For this reason, it is not necessary to install an absorber for ink leakage, and the ink cartridge can be replaced without complicated control.

  In addition, the pump part 9 which made the flexible member the bellows shape in embodiment mentioned above was illustrated. However, the configuration for generating the negative pressure in the joint means need not be limited to the bellows-shaped pump portion. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, an elastic cylindrical bag-like member 10a is connected to the ink supply joint needle 7a, and a compression spring 10b, which is a spring member, is provided inside the bag-like member 10a. It is also possible to configure the pump unit 10 by arranging the above.

  In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 9A, the bag-like member 10a in the expanded state is pressed by the compression spring 10b when the ink cartridge 5 is attached, and the bag-like member 10a is reduced as shown in FIG. 9B. To do. When the ink cartridge 5 is removed from this state, the compression spring 10b expands and the bag-like member 10a expands as shown in FIG. 9A, thereby generating a negative pressure in the ink supply joint needle 7a. Thereby, ink leakage can be prevented when the ink cartridge 5 is removed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sheet loading part 2 ... Conveying belt 3 ... Recording part 3a ... Recording head 4 ... Cutter 5 ... Ink cartridge 5a ... Ink container 5b ... Container cover 5c ... Protection member 5d ... Information storage element 5e ... Ink supply port 5f ... Supply ink Flow path 5g ... Air communication port 5h ... Air flow path 5i ... Ink remaining amount detection part 5j ... Rubber stopper 5k ... Locking member 5m ... Pool part 5n ... Inclined part 6 ... Cartridge holder 6a ... Ejector 6b ... Lever 7 ... Joint means 7a ... Ink supply joint needle 7a1 ... Communication hole 7a2 ... Tube 7b ... Atmospheric communication joint needle 8 ... Valve 9 ... Pump part 10 ... Pump part 10a ... Bag-like member 10b ... Compression spring

Claims (6)

In an inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink from a recording head,
A mounting portion for detachably mounting ink containing means for supplying ink to the recording head;
Joint means comprising an ink flow path communicating with the recording head, connected to the ink containing means attached to the attachment portion;
Pressure application means for generating negative pressure in the joint means in conjunction with removal of the ink storage means attached to the attachment portion;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:   2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure applying unit is a bellows-shaped pump that expands and contracts in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the ink containing unit.   The bellows-shaped pump is contracted by the operation of mounting the ink storage unit on the mounting unit, and the shape is restored from the contracted state by the operation of removing the ink storage unit to generate negative pressure on the joint unit. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2. The ink storage means includes an ink supply port that supplies ink stored in a storage unit to the recording head, and an air communication port that communicates the inside of the storage unit with the atmosphere.
The joint means includes a supply port joint portion that communicates with the ink supply port, and an atmosphere communication port joint portion that communicates with the atmosphere communication port.
In the joint means, when the ink containing means is removed from the mounting portion, the communication between the supply port joint portion and the supply port is released after the communication between the atmosphere communication port joint portion and the atmosphere communication port. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is an ink jet recording apparatus.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure applying unit is configured such that a bag-like member is expandable by a spring member.   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink storage unit mounted on the mounting unit is positioned below the recording head.