JP2019093588A - cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a cartridge which can be manufactured under an atmospheric pressure atmosphere.SOLUTION: A cartridge comprises: a housing having a first wall and a second wall mutually intersecting with each other; two or more liquid storage chambers arranged inside the housing; and a liquid supply part supplying liquid in the liquid storage chambers to a liquid injection device. The cartridge has two or more pressure reduction passages independently formed for each liquid storage chamber on the first wall and the second wall of the housing. Each pressure reduction passage has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is provided on an inner surface of the first wall of the housing, and connected to each liquid storage chamber. The second end portion is provided on an outer surface of the second wall of the housing, and connected to ambient air. A flow passage of a part of a space between the first end portion and the second end portion is partitioned by a recess formed on the outer surface of the first wall and a film member covering the recess. Each pressure reduction passage is closed by a part of the film member being bonded to the first wall.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge.

  A cartridge containing a liquid is detachably mounted on a liquid ejecting apparatus such as an inkjet printer. In the process of manufacturing such a cartridge, the liquid storage chamber in the cartridge may be depressurized for the purpose of efficiently injecting the liquid into the cartridge or for the purpose of degassing the injected liquid (Patent Document 1) reference).

JP 2000-71472 A

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the end (pressure reduction port) of the passage (pressure reduction path) used for pressure reduction of the liquid storage chamber is closed with a sealing material after pressure reduction. The work of closing the decompression port with a sealing material is performed by removing the decompression device from the decompression port. If this operation is performed in the atmosphere, the air may intrude into the liquid storage chamber, and the air may be redissolved in the degassed liquid. Therefore, the inventors of the present application examined at least a process of removing the decompression device from the decompression port and closing the decompression port with the sealing material in a decompressed atmosphere. However, in order to carry out such a process in a reduced pressure atmosphere, it takes time and costs to manufacture. Therefore, a cartridge that can be manufactured under atmospheric pressure is desired.

  The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized as the following modes.

(1) According to a first aspect of the present invention, a cartridge mounted to a liquid ejecting apparatus is provided. The cartridge has a housing having first and second walls intersecting each other; two or more liquid storage chambers arranged inside the housing; and supplies the liquid in the liquid storage chamber to the liquid ejecting apparatus And a liquid supply unit. The first wall and the second wall of the casing have two or more decompression paths independently formed for each liquid storage chamber. Each of the pressure reducing passages has a first end and a second end, the first end being provided on an inner surface of the first wall of the housing and connected to the liquid storage chamber, A second end is provided on the outer surface of the second wall of the housing and connected to the atmosphere, and a part of the flow path between the first end and the second end is the first wall And a film member covering the recess, and each of the decompression paths is closed by a part of the film member being joined to the first wall It is characterized by
With this type of cartridge, the pressure reducing passage can be closed not at the end of the pressure reducing passage but at the middle of the pressure reducing passage. Therefore, the decompression path can be closed while the decompression device is attached to the end of the decompression path. Therefore, a cartridge that can be manufactured not in a reduced pressure atmosphere but in an air atmosphere can be provided.

(2) In the cartridge of the above aspect, the first wall has a first through hole communicating with the first end and a second through hole communicating with the second end in the bottom of the recess. The opening area of the first through hole may be larger than the opening area of the second through hole. With this type of cartridge, depressurization can be performed efficiently.

(3) The cartridge of the above aspect may be provided with an atmosphere communication passage which causes the liquid storage chamber to communicate with the atmosphere. With this type of cartridge, since the pressure reduction passage and the air communication passage are separately provided, pressure reduction can be performed efficiently at the time of manufacture.

(4) In the cartridge of the above aspect, each of the recesses in each of the pressure reducing paths may be covered by the common film member. With such a configuration, since a plurality of pressure reducing paths can be formed by a common film member, the structure can be simplified.

(5) In the cartridge of the above aspect, the liquid supply unit may include a valve mechanism that is opened by inserting a liquid supply needle provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus. With this type of cartridge, the liquid can be easily injected using a valve mechanism at the time of manufacture.

(6) In the cartridge of the above aspect, a liquid absorber may be disposed in the liquid storage chamber. With this type of cartridge, it is difficult for the liquid to leak from the liquid storage chamber through the pressure reduction passage at the time of pressure reduction.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms other than the form as the cartridge described above. For example, the present invention can be realized in the form of a liquid ejecting apparatus including a cartridge or a liquid ejecting system including a cartridge and a liquid ejecting apparatus.

It is a perspective view showing composition of a fluid injection system. It is a top view of a carriage. It is a perspective view of a carriage. It is a 1st perspective view of a cartridge. It is a 2nd perspective view of a cartridge. It is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge. It is VII-VII sectional drawing of FIG. It is a VIII-VIII sectional view of FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the liquid storage chamber from the upper surface side. It is the top view which looked at the liquid storage chamber from the upper surface. It is XI-XI sectional drawing of FIG. It is XII-XII sectional drawing of FIG. It is a XIII-XIII sectional view of FIG. It is the top view which looked at the cover member top view. It is the top view which looked at the cover member from the lower surface. It is a perspective view which shows the lower surface side of a cover member. It is a perspective view which shows the cross-section of the inside of a cartridge. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the pressure-reduction path with which the cartridge was equipped. It is process drawing which shows the manufacturing method of a cartridge. It is an explanatory view showing an ink injection device and a decompression device.

A. First embodiment:
A1. Configuration of liquid injection system:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a liquid ejection system 100. As shown in FIG. XYZ axes orthogonal to one another are drawn in FIG. The XYZ axes in FIG. 1 correspond to the XYZ axes in the other figures. The XYZ axes are attached as needed to the drawings shown after this. The direction along the X axis is taken as the X direction, the direction along the Y axis as the Y direction, and the direction along the Z axis as the Z direction. Further, one direction in the X direction is taken as the + X direction, and the other direction in the X direction is taken as the −X direction. Further, one direction in the Y direction is taken as the + Y direction, and the other direction is taken as the −Y direction. Further, one direction in the Z direction is taken as the + Z direction, and the other direction is taken as the −Z direction. When the liquid jet system 100 is installed on the XY plane (horizontal plane) parallel to the X direction and the Y direction, the Z direction is the vertical direction, and the + Z direction is the antigravity direction (upper direction), -Z The direction is the gravity direction (downward direction). In the liquid jet system 100, the Y direction is the front-rear direction, and the X direction is the width direction (left-right direction).

  The liquid ejection system 100 includes a cartridge set 30 including a first cartridge 10 and a second cartridge 20, and a liquid ejection device 50. In the liquid jet system 100, the user mounts the two types of cartridges 10 and 20 on the cartridge holder 60 of the liquid jet apparatus 50 in a removable manner. The liquid ejecting apparatus 50 is an inkjet printer capable of printing on a sheet up to about A3 size. The liquid ejecting apparatus 50 has a head 63 capable of ejecting three or more types of liquid. In the present embodiment, the head 63 can eject four types of inks (black ink, yellow ink, magenta ink, cyan ink) different in color.

  The first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 are mounted on the cartridge holder 60 side by side in the X direction. The first cartridge 10 contains one type of liquid. In the present embodiment, the first cartridge 10 contains black ink. The second cartridge 20 contains three types of ink, yellow ink, magenta ink, and cyan ink. That is, the second cartridge 20 has three or more types (four types in the present embodiment) of liquids that can be ejected by the head 63 among the remaining types of liquid excluding one type of liquid contained in the first cartridge 10. Contain multiple types of liquids. Here, the number and type of the cartridges mounted to the cartridge holder 60 are not limited to the present embodiment. For example, two first cartridges 10 and one second cartridge 20 may be attached to the cartridge holder 60. In this case, the configuration of the cartridge holder 60 may be changed according to the number of cartridges. Further, the type of liquid stored in the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 is not limited to the present embodiment. For example, the second cartridge 20 may contain ink of another color (e.g., light magenta or light cyan). Further, the second cartridge 20 may be configured to be able to store two types of liquids, or may be configured to be able to store four or more types of liquids.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus 50 includes a control unit 61 and a carriage 62 having the cartridge holder 60 in addition to the cartridge holder 60. The carriage 62 is provided with the head 63 described above. The head 63 sucks the ink from the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 mounted in the cartridge holder 60 through a liquid supply needle described later, and discharges the ink onto the print medium 64 such as paper or a label ). As a result, data such as characters, figures and images are printed on the print medium 64.

  The control unit 61 controls each part of the liquid ejecting apparatus 50. The carriage 62 is configured to be movable relative to the print medium 64. The head 63 includes an ink discharge mechanism that discharges the ink supplied from the cartridges 10 and 20 mounted in the cartridge holder 60 onto the print medium 64. The control unit 61 and the carriage 62 are electrically connected via the flexible cable 65, and the ink ejection mechanism of the head 63 operates based on a control signal from the control unit 61.

  In the present embodiment, the carriage 62 includes a head 63 and a cartridge holder 60. As described above, the type of the liquid ejecting apparatus 50 in which the cartridge 20 is attached to the cartridge holder 60 on the carriage 62 for moving the head 63 is also referred to as “on carriage type”. In another embodiment, the immovable cartridge holder 60 is configured at a site different from the carriage 62, and the ink from the cartridge 20 mounted on the cartridge holder 60 is supplied to the head 63 of the carriage 62 through a flexible tube. It is good. Such printer types are also referred to as "off-carriage types".

  The liquid ejecting apparatus 50 includes a main scan feed mechanism and a sub scan feed mechanism for relatively moving the carriage 62 and the print medium 64 to realize printing on the print medium 64. The main scan feed mechanism of the liquid ejecting apparatus 50 includes a carriage motor 67 and a drive belt 68. By transmitting the power of the carriage motor 67 to the carriage 62 via the drive belt 68, the carriage 62 reciprocates along the X direction. The sub-scan feed mechanism of the liquid ejecting apparatus 50 includes a transport motor 69 and a platen 80, and transports the print medium 64 in the + Y direction by transmitting the power of the transport motor 69 to the platen 80. The direction in which the carriage 62 reciprocates may be referred to as the main scanning direction, and the direction in which the print medium 64 is transported may be referred to as the sub-scanning direction. In the present embodiment, the main scanning direction is the X direction, and the sub scanning direction is the Y direction. The carriage motor 67 of the main scanning feed mechanism and the transport motor 69 of the sub scanning feed mechanism operate based on a control signal from the control unit 61.

  FIG. 2 is a top view of the carriage 62. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carriage 62. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows the carriage 62 in a state in which the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 are mounted on the cartridge holder 60.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cartridge holder 60 has five wall portions 601, 603, 604, 605, and 606. The recess formed by the five wall portions 601, 603, 604, 605, and 606 serves as a cartridge mounting portion 602 for mounting the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge mounting portion 602 is located on the + X direction side, and the first mounting portion 608 for mounting the first cartridge 10 and the −X direction side for mounting the second cartridge 20. And a second mounting portion 609 for The upper side (+ Z direction side) of the cartridge mounting portion 602 is open, and the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 are attached to and detached from the cartridge holder 60 through the opening. The wall portion 601 is also referred to as “device-side bottom wall portion 601”. The wall portion 603 is also referred to as “first device side wall portion 603”. The wall portion 604 is also referred to as a “second device side wall portion 604”. The wall portion 605 is also referred to as “third device side wall portion 605”. The wall portion 606 is also referred to as “fourth device side wall portion 606”.

  The apparatus-side bottom wall portion 601 forms the bottom surface of the concave cartridge mounting portion 602. The first to fourth device side wall portions 603, 604, 605, 606 rise from the device-side bottom wall portion 601 in the + Z direction, and form the side surface of the concave cartridge mounting portion 602. The first device side wall portion 603 and the second device side wall portion 604 face each other in the Y direction. The first device side wall portion 603 is located on the −Y direction side, and the second device side wall portion 604 is located on the + Y direction side. The third device side wall portion 605 and the fourth device side wall portion 606 face each other in the X direction. The third device side wall portion 605 is located on the + X direction side, and the fourth device side wall portion 606 is located on the −X direction side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge holder 60 further includes a plurality of liquid supply needles 640 and a plurality of contact mechanisms 70 having device-side terminals. In the present embodiment, four liquid supply needles 640 are provided. When the four liquid supply needles 640 are used separately, the codes “640A”, “640B”, “640C”, and “640D” are used. In the present embodiment, two contact mechanisms 70 are provided. When the two contact mechanisms 70 are used separately, reference numerals “70A” and “70B” are used.

  The liquid supply needle 640 is provided in the cartridge mounting portion 602 inside the carriage 62 (the cartridge holder 60). The liquid supply needle 640 has a flow path through which the liquid flows. The liquid supply needles 640 are received by corresponding liquid supplies 180, 280 (FIG. 2) of the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20. Thereby, the liquid stored in the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 is introduced into the flow path inside the liquid supply needle 640. The liquid introduced into the liquid supply needle 640 is supplied to the head 63.

  The liquid supply needle 640 is a member extending in the + Z direction from the apparatus-side bottom wall 601, and has a proximal end 645 and a distal end 642. The proximal end 645 side of the liquid supply needle 640 has a cylindrical shape, and the distal end 642 side has a substantially conical shape whose outer diameter decreases toward the + Z axial direction. The proximal end 645 forms the -Z direction end of the liquid supply needle 640. The tip portion 642 forms the + Z direction side end of the liquid supply needle 640. The leading end portion 642 is formed with an introduction hole for introducing the liquid supplied from the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 into the internal flow path. The liquid supply needle 640 has a central axis C along the Z-axis direction.

  The four liquid supply needles 640A to 640D (FIG. 3) are arranged side by side in the X direction. Three liquid supply needles 640 </ b> A to 640 </ b> C out of four are disposed in the second mounting portion 609. The three liquid supply needles 640A to 640C are inserted into three corresponding liquid supplies 280 of the second cartridge 20, respectively. Thereby, different types of liquids stored in the second cartridge 20 flow in the three liquid supply needles 640A to 640C. In the present embodiment, yellow ink flows through the liquid supply needle 640A, magenta ink flows through the liquid supply needle 640B, and cyan ink flows through the liquid supply needle 640C. One of the four liquid supply needles 640D is inserted into one liquid supply unit 180 of the first cartridge 10. Thus, the liquid (black ink in the present embodiment) stored in the first cartridge 10 flows in the liquid supply needle 640D.

  The contact mechanism 70 is provided on the first device side wall portion 603. The contact mechanism 70A is provided on the circuit board 400 (see FIG. 4) provided on the second cartridge 20 in a state where the second cartridge 20 is mounted on the second mounting portion 609 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "mounted state"). Device-side terminal (device-side terminal group) in contact with the contact portion cp of The contact mechanism 70B has an apparatus-side terminal (apparatus-side terminal group) in contact with a contact portion on a circuit board provided in the first cartridge 10 in the mounted state of the first cartridge 10.

  The cartridge holder 60 further includes an apparatus side engaging portion 632. The device-side engaging portion 632 is provided on the first device-side sidewall portion 603, and is provided on the + Z direction side of the contact mechanism 70. Two device side engagement parts 632 are provided. When the two apparatus side engaging parts 632 are used separately, reference numerals “632A” and “632D” are used. The device-side engaging portion 632 is a protruding piece that protrudes from the first device-side sidewall portion 603 to the cartridge mounting portion 602 side (the + Y direction side). The device-side engaging portion 632A provided in the second mounting portion 609 locks the engaging member 230 (see FIG. 4) of the second cartridge 20 in the mounting state of the second cartridge 20. The device-side engagement portion 632D provided in the first mounting portion 608 locks the engagement member of the first cartridge 10 in the mounted state of the first cartridge 10.

A2. Cartridge configuration:
As the first cartridge 10, cartridges of various configurations can be applied. In the present embodiment, as the first cartridge 10, a cartridge having a configuration described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-248786 is employed. The features of the second cartridge 20 will be described in detail below. Hereinafter, the second cartridge 20 is also simply referred to as a "cartridge 20".

  FIG. 4 is a first perspective view of the cartridge 20. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a second perspective view of the cartridge 20. As shown in FIG. The length (dimension in the Y direction), width (dimension in the X direction), and height (dimension in the Z direction) of the cartridge 20 increase in the order of length, height, and width. In addition, the cartridge 20 has a width (dimension in the X direction) larger than that of the first cartridge 10. Note that the magnitude relationship between the length, width, and height of the cartridge 20 can be arbitrarily changed. For example, the height, length, and width may be increased in this order, or the height, length, and width may be equal. It is good.

  The external shape of the cartridge 20 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The cartridge 20 has six sides. The six surfaces are a bottom surface 201, an upper surface 202, a first side (front) 204, a second side (back) 203, a third side (left) 205, and a fourth side (right) 206. The six surfaces 201 to 206 constitute the housing 21 of the cartridge 20. Each surface 201-206 is planar. The planar shape includes the case where the entire surface is completely flat and the case where a part of the surface is uneven. As shown in FIG. 5, from the bottom surface 201, a portion in which a liquid supply portion 280 and an air communication port 44 described later are formed protrudes. The external shape of each of the surfaces 201 to 206 in plan view is substantially rectangular.

  The bottom surface 201 is a concept including a wall that forms the bottom wall of the cartridge 20 in the mounted state, and can also be referred to as a “bottom wall 201”. Further, the upper surface 202 is a concept including a wall that forms the upper wall of the cartridge 20 in the mounted state, and can also be called "upper wall 202". Also, the first side surface 204 is a concept including a wall that forms the front wall of the cartridge 20 in the mounted state, and can also be referred to as a “front wall 204”. In addition, the second side surface 203 is a concept including a wall that forms the back wall of the cartridge 20 in the mounted state, and can also be referred to as a “back wall 203”. In addition, the third side surface 205 is a concept including a wall that forms the left side wall in the mounted state, and can also be called "left side wall 205". Also, the fourth side surface 206 is a concept including a wall that forms the right side wall in the mounted state, and can also be called "right side wall 206". The “wall” does not have to be formed by a single wall, but may be formed by a plurality of walls.

  The bottom surface 201 and the top surface 202 face each other in the Z direction. The bottom surface 201 is located on the −Z direction side, and the top surface 202 is located on the + Z direction side. In the mounted state, the bottom surface 201 faces the apparatus-side bottom wall portion 601 (FIG. 3) of the cartridge holder 60. The bottom surface 201 and the top surface 202 are horizontal surfaces in the mounted state. The bottom surface 201 and the top surface 202 intersect the first side surface 204, the second side surface 203, the third side surface 205, and the fourth side surface 206 substantially at right angles. The bottom surface 201 and the top surface 202 are surfaces parallel to the X direction and the Y direction. The bottom surface 201 and the top surface 202 are surfaces orthogonal to the Z direction. When a plane parallel to the X direction and the Y direction (plane orthogonal to the Z direction) is an XY plane, the bottom surface 201 and the upper surface 202 are surfaces parallel to the XY plane. In the present embodiment, two surfaces “cross” or “cross” means a state in which the two surfaces are connected to each other and a state in which one surface is extended when the other surface is extended, It means that it is in either state of the state where it intersects when each face is extended. In addition, “facing” the two faces is meant to include both cases where there is no other thing between the two faces.

  The first side surface 204 and the second side surface 203 oppose each other in the Y direction. The first side surface 204 is located on the + Y direction side, and the second side surface 203 is located on the −Y direction side. In the mounted state, the first side surface 204 faces the second device side wall portion 604 (FIG. 3) of the cartridge holder 60. The second side surface 203 faces the first device side wall portion 603 (FIG. 3) of the cartridge holder 60. The first side surface 204 and the second side surface 203 are vertical surfaces in the mounted state. The first side surface 204 and the second side surface 203 intersect the bottom surface 201, the upper surface 202, the third side surface 205, and the fourth side surface 206 substantially at right angles. The first side surface 204 and the second side surface 203 are planes parallel to the X direction and the Z direction. The first side surface 204 and the second side surface 203 are surfaces orthogonal to the Y direction. When a plane parallel to the X direction and the Z direction (plane orthogonal to the Y direction) is an XZ plane, the first side surface 204 and the second side surface 203 are planes parallel to the XZ plane.

  The third side surface 205 and the fourth side surface 206 face each other in the X direction. The third side surface 205 is located on the + X direction side, and the fourth side surface 206 is located on the −X direction side. In the mounted state, the third side surface 205 faces the first cartridge 10. In the mounted state, the fourth side wall 206 faces the fourth apparatus side wall portion 606 (FIG. 3) of the cartridge holder 60. The third side surface 205 and the fourth side surface 206 intersect the bottom surface 201, the upper surface 202, the first side surface 204, and the second side surface 203 substantially at right angles. The third side surface 205 and the fourth side surface 206 are planes parallel to the Y direction and the Z direction. The third side surface 205 and the fourth side surface 206 are planes orthogonal to the X direction. When a plane parallel to the Y direction and the Z direction (plane orthogonal to the X direction) is a YZ plane, the third side surface 205 and the fourth side surface 206 are planes parallel to the YZ plane.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge 20 has a circuit board 400 and a lever-like engaging member 230 locked to the device-side engaging portion 632 A on the second side surface 203. On the surface of the circuit board 400, a cartridge side terminal group 499 is provided. The cartridge side terminal group 499 includes a contact portion cp that contacts the contact mechanism 70 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 602. A storage device electrically connected to the cartridge side terminal group 499 is provided on the back surface of the circuit board 400. The storage device stores information on the cartridge 20. The information on the cartridge 20 includes, for example, information indicating the type of liquid to be stored, information indicating the amount of liquid to be stored, information indicating the consumption amount of liquid, and information indicating the date of manufacture of the cartridge 20. The control unit 61 provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus 50 can read these pieces of information from the storage device provided in the circuit board 400 via the contact mechanism 70 and the cartridge side terminal group 499.

  FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge 20. As shown in FIG. A plurality of (three in the present embodiment) liquids each of which accommodates one type of each of the plurality of types of liquids described above (in the present embodiment, yellow ink, magenta ink, and cyan ink) inside the housing 21 of the cartridge 20 Containment rooms 200A, 200B and 200C are arranged. The three liquid storage chambers 200A to 200C are partitioned by the side wall 24 provided in the housing 21 along the YZ plane so that the liquids do not mix with each other. Yellow ink is stored in the liquid storage chamber 200A, magenta ink is stored in the liquid storage chamber 200B, and cyan ink is stored in the liquid storage chamber 200C. For example, plural types of liquids (yellow ink, magenta ink, cyan ink) contained in the cartridge 20 are dye inks. A filter 210 is fixed to the bottom of each of the liquid storage chambers 200A, 200B, and 200C, and a rectangular liquid absorber 299 is disposed on the filter 210. The liquid absorber 299 is a member for holding (absorbing) the liquid by a predetermined capillary force. The liquid absorber 299 may be, for example, a foamable member such as urethane foam, or a fiber member obtained by bundling polypropylene into fibers. The upper surface 202 of the housing 21 of the cartridge 20 is constituted by a lid member 207 and an upper film member 208 stuck on the lid member 207. Hereinafter, the liquid storage chamber 200A, the liquid storage chamber 200B, and the liquid storage chamber 200C will be referred to as the liquid storage chamber 200 unless they are particularly distinguished. In the present embodiment, the cartridge 20 includes the three liquid storage chambers 200. However, the cartridge 20 may include two liquid storage chambers 200, and may include four or more liquid storage chambers 200. That is, the cartridge 20 may have two or more liquid storage chambers 200.

  7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional configuration in the vicinity of the liquid storage chamber 200A, but the cross-sectional configuration in the vicinity of the liquid storage chamber 200B and the liquid storage chamber 200C is substantially the same as the cross-sectional configuration in the vicinity of the liquid storage chamber 200A. As shown in FIG. 7, when the first cartridge 10 is attached to the cartridge holder 60, the liquid supply needle 640D is inserted into the liquid supply unit 180 of the first cartridge 10. Thereby, the black ink is supplied from the first cartridge 10 to the head 63 through the liquid supply needle 640D. The first cartridge 10 does not have a liquid absorber for holding (absorbing) ink. That is, the first cartridge 10 is a direct solution type cartridge.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the cartridge 20 includes a liquid storage chamber 200 in which the liquid absorber 299 is disposed, a liquid supply unit 280, a bubble trap chamber 212 in which the liquid supply unit 280 is provided, and a thin filter 210. Have. The liquid supply unit 280 is for receiving the liquid supply needle 640 and supplying the ink in the liquid storage chamber 200 to the liquid ejecting apparatus 50. The liquid supply unit 280 is provided at a position closer to the second side surface 203 than the first side surface 204 in the Y direction. In the mounted state, the bubble trap chamber 212 is disposed vertically below the liquid storage chamber 200. The filter 210 is provided between the liquid storage chamber 200 and the bubble trap chamber 212. The filter 210 is made of, for example, a PET non-woven fabric or a stainless non-woven fabric. In the present embodiment, the filter 210 is disposed along the horizontal direction in the mounted state. In the bubble trap chamber 212, no liquid absorber is disposed. The liquid storage chamber 200 is also referred to as a "first chamber", and the bubble trap chamber 212 is also referred to as a "second chamber".

  At the start of use of the cartridge 20, the bubble trap chamber 212 and most of the liquid storage chamber 200 are filled with ink. When the ink in the liquid storage chamber 200 and the bubble trap chamber 212 is consumed through the liquid supply unit 280, the atmosphere is introduced into the liquid storage chamber 200 from the air communication passage 40 described later. That is, the cartridge 20 of the present embodiment is an open air type cartridge.

  The bubble trap chamber 212 has a function of supplying the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber 200 to the liquid supply unit 280, and a function of trapping a bubble. In the bubble trap chamber 212, (1) air bubbles flowing from the liquid storage chamber 200 through the filter 210 at the time of impact occurrence such as falling, or (2) liquid supply when the liquid supply unit 280 receives the liquid supply needle 640. The bubbles that have entered through the portion 280 and (3) the bubbles that have grown in the bubble trap chamber 212 are stored. In this embodiment, since the air bubbles generated or invaded due to any cause are stored in the bubble trap chamber 212 in this manner, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a liquid supply failure.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the mounted state of the cartridge 20, the corresponding liquid supply needle 640 is inserted into the liquid supply portion 280 of the cartridge 20. As a result, the yellow ink, the magenta ink, and the cyan ink are supplied from the liquid storage chamber 200 and the bubble trap chamber 212 to the head 63 through the liquid supply needle 640.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the liquid supply unit 180 and the liquid supply units 280 </ b> A to 280 </ b> C include a valve mechanism 284. The valve mechanism 284 opens and closes the internal flow path of the liquid supply units 180 and 280. The valve mechanism 284 includes, in order from the tip side of the liquid supply units 180 and 280, a seal 287, a valve body 286 opened by contact with the liquid supply needle 640, and a biasing member 285 for closing the valve body 286; including. The liquid supply unit 280 includes a valve chamber 294. The valve body 286 and the biasing member 285 are disposed in the valve chamber 294.

  The seal portion 287 is a substantially annular member. The seal portion 287 is made of, for example, an elastic body such as rubber or an elastomer. The seal portion 287 is press-fit into the inside from the opening at the tip of the liquid supply portion 180, 280. The sealing portion 287 airtightly contacts the outer peripheral surface of the liquid supply needle 640 in the mounted state, thereby suppressing the leakage of the liquid to the outside from the gap between the liquid supply portions 180 and 280 and the liquid supply needle 640. The seal portion 287 also functions as a valve seat in contact with the valve body 286 when the valve is closed.

  The valve body 286 is a substantially cylindrical member. The valve body 286 is biased toward the seal portion 287 by the biasing member 285 in a state (unmounted state) before the cartridges 10 and 20 are mounted to the cartridge holder 60, and the valve body 286 is formed in the seal portion 287. I'm closing the hole. That is, in the unmounted state, the valve mechanism 284 is in the closed state.

  The biasing member 285 is a compression coil spring. In the mounted state of the cartridges 10 and 20, the biasing member 285 is compressed by the liquid supply needle 640 pushing the valve body 286 in a direction away from the seal portion 287, and the valve body 286 is separated from the seal portion 287. Thereby, the valve mechanism 284 is opened. The + Z direction end of the biasing member 285 is in contact with the + Z direction wall 295 of the valve chamber 294. Therefore, when the biasing member 285 is compressed, the valve chamber 294 restricts the movement of the biasing member 285 in the + Z direction.

  In the unused state of the cartridge 20, the opening 288 at the tip of the liquid supply unit 280 is blocked by the film FM1 (FIGS. 5 and 6). The film FM1 is configured to be broken by the liquid supply needles 640A, 640B, and 640C when the cartridge 20 is mounted to the second mounting portion 609 of the cartridge holder 60.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the liquid storage chamber 200 viewed from the top side. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the liquid storage chamber 200 as viewed from above. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI of FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII of FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. FIG. 14 is a plan view of the lid member 207 as viewed from above. FIG. 15 is a plan view of the lid member 207 as viewed from below. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the lower surface side of the lid member 207. As shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the cross-sectional structure of the inside of the cartridge 20. As shown in FIG. Although the lid member 207 is not shown in FIG. 10, the cross section of the lid member 207 is also shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the side wall 24 of the liquid storage chamber 200 is provided with a convex portion 216 projecting toward the inside of the liquid storage chamber 200. The protrusions 216 are respectively provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of side walls 24 opposed in the X direction. The convex portion 216 extends in the vertical direction (Z direction). The convex portion 216 includes a portion that is inclined so that the amount of protrusion increases from the top of the liquid storage chamber 200 toward the bottom 214 of the liquid storage chamber 200. In the present embodiment, more specifically, the “bottom 214” of the liquid storage chamber 200 is a portion of the liquid storage chamber 200 where the liquid absorber 299 is disposed (the absorber chamber 223 (see FIG. 10). The bottom of)).

  The convex portion 216 includes a plurality of first convex portions 217 and a plurality of second convex portions 218. The height of the second convex portion 218 in the vertical direction is higher than that of the first convex portion 217. In other words, the height of the first protrusion 217 in the vertical direction is smaller than that of the second protrusion 218. Further, the portion of the second convex portion 218 whose height is lower than that of the first convex portion 217 has a smaller amount of protrusion into the liquid storage chamber 200 than the first convex portion 217. The plurality of first convex portions 217 and the plurality of second convex portions 218 alternate on the side wall 24 of the liquid storage chamber 200 at a constant interval in the Y direction which is a direction intersecting the vertical direction (Z direction). Is located in As shown in FIG. 11, the surface 217 s of the first convex portion 217 facing the inner side of the liquid storage chamber 200 and the portion of the liquid storage chamber 200 at a portion higher in height than the first convex portion 217 of the second convex portion 218. The surface 218s facing the inner side is substantially on the same virtual plane VP. On the imaginary plane VP, at the boundary between the first convex portion 217 and the second convex portion 218, the amount of protrusion of the second convex portion 218 is slightly smaller, and a small step is formed.

  Due to the configuration of the convex portion 216 described above, the cross-sectional area of the internal space along the horizontal direction of the liquid storage chamber 200 is smaller on the bottom portion 214 side of the liquid storage chamber 200 than on the upper side of the liquid storage chamber 200. ing. Therefore, the liquid absorber 299 disposed in the liquid storage chamber 200 is compressed closer to the bottom surface side than the upper surface side of the liquid storage chamber 200. In the present embodiment, although the cross-sectional area on the side of the bottom portion 214 is made smaller than the top side of the liquid storage chamber 200 by inclining the convex portion 216, the liquid storage chamber can also be obtained by inclining the side wall 24. It is possible to make the cross-sectional area on the bottom portion 214 side smaller than the top side of 200.

  In the present embodiment, a slight space is formed between the liquid absorber 299 and the side wall 24 by contacting the respective convex portions 216 with the liquid absorber 299. Then, these spaces are connected between the first convex portion 217 and the second convex portion 218 having different heights, and are communicated to an atmosphere chamber 224 described later. That is, in the present embodiment, the convex portion 216 is formed on the side wall 24 of the liquid storage chamber 200 so that air or ink can flow to the atmospheric chamber 224 between the liquid absorber 299 and the side wall 24. Space A1 (see FIG. 12) is formed.

  FIG. 10 shows that the filter 210 is disposed in the liquid storage chamber 200A and the liquid absorber 299 is disposed in the liquid storage chamber 200C, and both the filter 210 and the liquid absorber 299 are disposed in the liquid storage chamber 200B. It shows that it is not done. The shape of the bottom portion 214 of the liquid storage chamber 200 is a substantially rectangular shape having a longitudinal direction and a latitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction is along the Y direction, and the short direction is along the X direction. The corners of the rectangular bottom 214 may be rounded. A large opening 215 is formed at the bottom 214 of the liquid storage chamber 200. The opening 215 causes the liquid storage chamber 200 and the bubble trap chamber 212 to communicate with each other. A filter 210 is provided between the liquid storage chamber 200 and the bubble trap chamber 212 so as to cover the opening 215. The liquid storage chamber 200 and the bubble trap chamber 212 are separated by the filter 210. In this embodiment, the capillary force of the filter 210 is greater than that of any part of the liquid absorber 299.

  The outer shape of the filter 210 is rectangular, and its size is larger than the opening 215. A positioning protrusion 219 for positioning the filter 210 is formed on the bottom portion 214 of the liquid storage chamber 200. In the present embodiment, the positioning protrusions 219 are provided diagonally at corner portions of both ends of the opening 215 in the longitudinal direction (Y direction). When the filter 210 is fixed to the bottom 214 of the liquid storage chamber 200, the filter 210 is temporarily welded to the positioning projection 219 outside the opening 215. Thereafter, the filter 210 is welded all around the opening 215.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, the outer size of the filter 210 is larger than the opening 215. However, in the following description, the size (including the length, width, area, etc.) of the filter 210 is not the size of the outer shape of the filter 210, but the size of a portion where the filter 210 exhibits the function as a filter. That is, the size of the portion corresponding to the opening 215 is assumed.

  In the present embodiment, the maximum length L1 along the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the filter 210 is larger than half the length L2 of the liquid absorber 299 along the longitudinal direction of the filter 210. That is, the ratio of the length L1 of the filter 210 to the length L2 of the liquid absorber 299 is 50% or more. The ratio is more preferably 75% or more, and still more preferably 90% or more. Also, this ratio may be 100%. In the present embodiment, this ratio is 93%.

  In this embodiment, the shortest distance from the outermost periphery of the opening 215 to the outer periphery of the bottom 214 is substantially equal in both the longitudinal direction (Y direction) and the lateral direction (X direction) of the filter 210. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink from remaining unevenly at any of both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the bottom portion 214 and both end portions in the lateral direction.

  The liquid storage chamber 200 includes an absorber chamber 223 in which the liquid absorber 299 is disposed, and an air chamber 224 in which the liquid absorber 299 is not disposed. The absorber chamber 223 and the atmosphere chamber 224 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. More specifically, the absorber chamber 223 and the atmosphere chamber 224 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the filter 210. The filter 210 and the opening 215 are disposed in the absorber chamber 223 of the liquid storage chamber 200 and are not disposed in the atmosphere chamber 224.

  In the present embodiment, at least a part of the side surface 291 of the liquid absorber 299 adjacent to the atmosphere chamber 224 is in contact with the atmosphere in the atmosphere chamber 224. The other part of the side surface 291 of the liquid absorber 299 is in contact with a partition rib 225 provided in the vertical direction in the atmosphere chamber 224. The partition rib 225 restricts the movement of the liquid absorber 299 in the absorber chamber 223 to the atmosphere chamber 224 side. As shown in FIG. 11, the height along the vertical direction of the partition rib 225 is lower than the height of the internal space of the liquid storage chamber 200. Therefore, the circulation of the atmosphere in the atmosphere chamber 224 is not hindered by the partition rib 225. Further, a plurality of partition ribs 225 are provided in one atmosphere chamber 224, and they have different lengths in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 13, a connection port 41 for connecting the atmosphere chamber 224 and the atmosphere communication passage 40 is provided in the upper part of the atmosphere chamber 224. In the present embodiment, the connection port 41 is provided at the tip of a cylindrical tube 42 which protrudes downward from the ceiling surface 226 of the atmosphere chamber 224. The tube 42 is formed on the lower surface of the lid member 207 that constitutes the upper surface 202 of the liquid storage chamber 200. The pipe 42 is in communication with the upper surface side of the lid member 207. The atmosphere communication passage 40 (FIG. 12) to which the connection port 41 is connected is a flow passage for connecting the liquid storage chamber 200 to the atmosphere outside the housing 21, and is provided inside the housing 21. As shown in FIG. 12, the atmosphere communication passage 40 extends from the top surface side of the housing 21 to the bottom surface side. The atmosphere communication passage 40 vertically penetrates the inside of the first side surface 204 of the cartridge 20. An atmosphere communication port 44, which is a connection port between the atmosphere communication passage 40 and the atmosphere, is provided on the bottom surface 201 of the housing 21.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the upper surface of the lid member 207 disposed on the liquid storage chamber 200 is provided with a thin flow path which is intricately meandered. This flow path is referred to as a meandering flow path 43. The meandering channel 43 is divided by a groove formed on the upper surface of the lid member 207 and an upper surface film member 208 (see FIG. 6) attached to the upper surface of the lid member 207. One end of the meandering channel 43 communicates with the pipe 42 (FIG. 13) through the recess 45 provided on the upper surface of the lid member 207, and the other end is in the air through the through hole 209 provided on the lid member 207. It is in communication with the communication passage 40 (FIG. 12). Therefore, the atmosphere chamber 224 and the atmosphere communication passage 40 are connected via the meandering channel 43. The connection port 41, the pipe 42, the recess 45, and the meandering channel 43 are all connected to the atmosphere chamber 224 and the atmosphere communication passage 40, and thus constitute part of the atmosphere communication passage 40. It can be said.

  The meandering flow path 43 lengthens the distance from the liquid storage chamber 200 to the air communication port 44, thereby suppressing evaporation of the ink in the liquid storage chamber 200 and discharge from the air communication port 44. ing. Further, since the meandering flow path 43 forming a part of the atmosphere communication path 40 is formed thin, it has a constant capillary force with respect to the ink. Therefore, even if the ink intrudes into the meandering flow path 43, the ink can be suppressed from being discharged from the atmosphere communication port 44 through the atmosphere communication path 40 (the meandering flow path 43). Further, in the present embodiment, even if the ink flows back from the tube 42, the ink is temporarily stored in the recess 45 present between the meandering channel 43 and the tube 42. Therefore, the ink can be prevented from intruding into the meandering channel 43.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, in the present embodiment, on the lower surface of the lid member 207 that constitutes the ceiling surface 226 of the liquid storage chamber 200, a step portion that protrudes downward to a portion corresponding to the absorber chamber 223. 227 are formed. The lower surface of the step portion 227 is planar. Further, the step portion 227 is substantially rectangular in a bottom view. The stepped portion 227 contacts the upper surface of the liquid absorber 299 and compresses the liquid absorber 299 toward the bottom 214 of the liquid storage chamber 200. As a result, the bottom portion 298 (see FIGS. 8 and 17) of the liquid absorber 299 is pressed against the filter 210, and the pores of the bottom portion 298 of the liquid absorber 299 become smaller, and the capillary force of the bottom portion 298 absorbs liquid. The capillary force is greater than the central portion 297 (see FIGS. 8 and 17) in the height direction of the body 299. The thickness of the portion of the bottom portion 298 of the liquid absorber 299 where the air holes are small is several tens of μm or more. In the present embodiment, since the step portion 227 contacts the upper surface of the liquid absorber 299, when the cartridge 20 is turned upside down, the ink accumulated in the vicinity of the lid member 207 from the contact portion is the liquid absorber 299 can be absorbed again.

  In the present embodiment, the maximum width W1 (FIG. 15) of the step portion 227 along the lateral direction (X direction) of the filter 210 is the maximum width W2 (FIG. 10) of the filter 210 along the lateral direction of the filter 210. Greater than. Also, in the present embodiment, the maximum length L3 (FIG. 15) of the step portion 227 along the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the filter 210 is the maximum length L1 (FIG. 15) along the longitudinal direction of the filter 210. 10) Larger than. That is, in the present embodiment, the step portion 227 is larger than the filter 210. Therefore, the liquid absorber 299 can be well compressed toward the filter 210. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, in the present embodiment, a plurality of streak-like cuts 229 are provided in the step portion 227 from the + X direction and the −X direction. These cuts 229 can suppress the occurrence of sink marks when manufacturing the lid member 207. Note that this notch 229 may be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, in the state where the step portion 227 is in contact with the upper surface of the liquid absorber 299, a slight space A2 (FIG. 15) is formed between the lid member 207 and the liquid absorber 299 around the step portion 227. Exists. The space A2 communicates with the atmosphere chamber 224. Therefore, even if air expands at the upper portion of the liquid absorber 299, the air can escape from the air communication passage 40 through the notch 229, the space A2 and the air chamber 224. As a result, the pressure in the liquid storage chamber 200 is increased, and the leakage of the ink from the liquid supply unit 280 side can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a projecting wall 46 is formed on the lower surface of the lid member 207 that constitutes the upper surface 202 of the housing 21. The projecting wall 46 is located in the lid member 207 between the step portion 227 and the connection port 41 (tube 42). Further, the projecting wall 46 is located in the liquid storage chamber 200 between the absorber chamber 223 and the connection port 41 (tube 42). The width along the X direction of the projecting wall 46 is substantially the same as the width of the upper portion of the liquid storage chamber 200. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the upper corner of the liquid absorber 299 contacts the protruding wall 46.

  FIG. 18 is a schematic view for explaining the decompression path 90 provided in the cartridge 20. As shown in FIG. The cartridge 10 has a pressure reduction passage 90 formed independently for each liquid storage chamber 200 on the top wall 202 and the back wall 203 of the housing 21. The pressure reducing passage 90 is a flow passage for performing the pressure reduction in the liquid storage chamber 200 in the manufacturing process of the cartridge 20 and the degassing of the ink in the liquid storage chamber 200. The upper wall 202 corresponds to a "first wall", and the back wall 203 corresponds to a "second wall".

  Each pressure reducing passage 90 has a first end 91 and a second end 92. The first end 91 is provided on the inner surface of the upper wall 202 of the housing 21 and connected to the liquid storage chamber 200. The second end 92 is provided on the outer surface of the back wall 203 of the housing 21 and connected to the atmosphere. A part of the flow path between the first end 91 and the second end 92 of the decompression path 90 has a recess 93 formed on the outer surface of the upper wall 202 and an upper film member 208 covering the recess 93. It is divided by and. Each pressure reduction passage 90 is closed by the upper film member 208 being connected to the upper wall 202 in a state where the liquid is accommodated in the liquid storage chamber 200. More specifically, the upper film member 208 is joined to the rib 113 in the recess 93 formed in the upper wall 202 in a state in which the liquid is accommodated in the liquid storage chamber 200 in each pressure reduction passage 90. Closed by For the sake of convenience, FIG. 18 shows a state in which the upper surface film member 208 is not joined to the rib 113. In the present embodiment, each recess 93 of each decompression path 90 is covered by a common top film member 208, but each recess 93 may be covered by a separate film member. Further, in the present embodiment, the recess 93 of the decompression path 90 and the meandering channel 43 are covered by the common top film member 208, but the recess 93 and the meandering channel 43 are covered by different film members. It is also good.

  The detailed configuration of the recess 93 is shown in FIG. The recess 93 is formed by providing the rectangular rib 110 on the upper surface side of the upper wall 202. The upper wall 202 has a first through hole 94 communicating with the first end 91 and a second through hole 95 communicating with the second end 92 at the bottom of the recess 93. In the present embodiment, one second through hole 95 is formed, and two first through holes 94 are formed. The total of the open areas of the two first through holes 94 is larger than the open area of the second through holes 95.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the second through hole 95 communicates with the second end 92 through an air channel 96 formed in the back wall 203. As shown in FIGS. 6, 9 and 10, the air flow path 96 is provided for each liquid storage chamber 200 (each pressure reduction path 90). Each air flow passage 96 has different lengths in the X direction depending on the positional relationship between the second through hole 95 and the second end 92 which are communicated with each other.

  As shown in FIG. 14, three ribs 111, 112, 113 along the X direction are provided in the Y direction between the first through hole 94 and the second through hole 95. Among these, there is a gap in the X direction between the two ribs 111 and 112 and the rib 110 forming the recess 93. On the other hand, there is no gap in the X direction between the rib 113 and the rib 110 forming the recess 93, and both ends in the X direction of the rib 113 are connected to the rib 110. When the cartridge 20 is manufactured, a plurality of cylindrical projections 115 are formed on the rib 113, and the upper film member 208 is temporarily welded to the rib 110 so that the projections 115 are not crushed. Therefore, when the second cartridge 20 is manufactured, the first end 91, the first through hole 94, the plurality of protrusions 115, the second through hole 95, the air flow path 96, and the second end 92 The liquid storage chamber 200 communicates with the outside atmosphere. When the cartridge 20 is completed, the decompression film 90 is closed by welding the top film member 208 to the rib 113 so as to crush the projection 115. In FIG. 14, for convenience, the protrusions 115 are shown only for the concave portion 93 corresponding to the liquid chamber 200 on the most −X side.

A3. Manufacturing method of cartridge:
FIG. 19 is a process chart showing a method of manufacturing the cartridge 20. As shown in FIG. The following steps are all performed under atmospheric pressure. First, a cartridge body is prepared, and the ink injection device 810 and the decompression device 820 are connected to the cartridge body (step S10). The cartridge main body prepared here is the cartridge 20 in which the liquid is not stored, and the upper film member 208 is temporarily welded to the upper surface 202 so as not to crush the projection 115, that is, the pressure reducing passage 90 is closed. It is a cartridge 20 in the state which is not done. Further, in the cartridge main body, the atmosphere communication port 44 is sealed by the film FM2 (FIG. 17). The film FM2 blocking the air communication port 44 is peeled off by the user when the user mounts the cartridge 20 on the cartridge mounting portion 602.

  FIG. 20 is an explanatory view showing the ink injection device 810 and the decompression device 820. As shown in FIG. The ink injection device 810 used in the present embodiment is configured by connecting an ink tank 811, a pump 812, a valve 813 and an injection needle 814 with a tube or the like. In the ink tank 811, ink to be injected into the cartridge main body is stored. The injection needle 814 is composed of a projecting member provided with a through hole through which the ink can flow. When the injection needle 814 is inserted into the liquid supply unit 280, the injection needle 814 pushes the valve 286 of the liquid supply unit 280, and ink can flow into the liquid supply unit 280 through the injection needle 814. The decompression device 820 used in the present embodiment is configured by connecting a vacuum pump 821, an ink trap 822, a valve 823, and a suction needle 824 by a tube or the like. The suction needle 824 is composed of a protruding member provided with a through hole through which air can flow, and a sealing member. When the suction needle 824 is inserted into the second end 92 of the pressure reducing passage 90, the seal member provided on the suction needle 824 contacts the periphery of the second end 92 to be sealed.

  After connecting the ink injection device 810 and the decompression device 820 to the cartridge body, the vacuum pump 821 of the decompression device 820 is driven to open the valve 823 to decompress the inside of the cartridge body to a predetermined negative pressure (step S20) . At this time, the valve 813 of the ink injection device 810 is in a closed state.

  When the pressure in the cartridge body is reduced, the pump 812 of the ink injection device 810 is driven to open the valve 813 to inject a predetermined amount of ink into the cartridge body (step S30). In this embodiment, since the ink is injected after depressurizing the inside of the cartridge body, the ink can be efficiently filled in the cartridge body.

  When the ink injection is completed, the ink injection device 810 is removed from the cartridge body, and the film FM1 is attached to the opening 288 at the tip of the liquid supply unit 280 (step S40).

  Subsequently, the vacuum pump 821 of the decompression device 820 is driven to decompress the inside of the cartridge body again to degas the ink (step S50). At this time, when the ink flows into the decompression device 820 from the decompression path 90, the ink is captured by the ink trap 822. Therefore, the entry of ink into the vacuum pump 821 is suppressed.

  When the degassing is completed, the depressurizing passage 90 is closed in a state where the depressurization is performed by the depressurizing device 820 (step S60). Specifically, the top film member 208 temporarily welded to the rib 110 (FIG. 14) of the upper wall 202 of the cartridge body is welded to the rib 113 while crushing the projection 115 provided on the rib 113, the pressure reduction path Close 90. When the pressure reducing passage 90 is closed, the pressure reducing device 820 is removed from the cartridge body. The cartridge 20 is completed by the series of processes described above.

  The method of manufacturing the cartridge 20 described above is an example, and for example, the removal of the ink injection device 810 in step S40 and the attachment of the film FM1 may be performed after closing the decompression path 90 in step S60. In addition, each process from step S10 to step S60 described above may be performed simultaneously for the plurality of liquid storage chambers 200 or may be performed sequentially.

A4. Effects of the First Embodiment:
With the cartridge 20 of the present embodiment described above, the decompression path 90 can be closed not at the end of the decompression path 90 (the second end 92) but in the recess 93 in the middle of the decompression path 90. The decompression passage 90 can be closed while the decompression device 820 is attached to the end (second end 92) of the decompression passage 90. Therefore, when the pressure reducing passage 90 is closed, the air does not flow into the pressure reducing passage 90 from the end (second end 92) of the pressure reducing passage 90. As a result, the cartridge 20 can be manufactured not in a reduced pressure atmosphere but in an air atmosphere. Further, in the present embodiment, since the middle of the decompression path 90 can be closed by the simple structure in which the recess 93 is provided in the middle of the decompression path 90, the manufacturing cost of the cartridge 20 can be reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first through hole 94 closer to the liquid storage chamber 200 has an opening area closer to the liquid storage chamber 200 in the first through hole 94 and the second through hole 95 that constitute a part of the decompression passage 90. large. Therefore, the inside of the cartridge 20 can be efficiently depressurized.

  Further, the cartridge 20 of the present embodiment is provided with an air communication passage 40 separately from the pressure reducing passage 90. Therefore, the pressure can be reduced efficiently at the time of production. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the atmosphere communication passage 40 is connected to the liquid storage chamber 200 through the serpentine flow passage 43, the passage resistance is relatively large, and it is time to decompress using the atmosphere communication passage 40. It takes However, as in the present embodiment, since the dedicated pressure reduction passage 90 for pressure reduction is provided, the pressure reduction at the time of manufacture can be performed regardless of the configuration of the air communication passage 40, and the liquid can be efficiently The storage chamber 200 can be depressurized.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the concave portions 93 of the pressure reducing paths 90 are covered by the common top film member 208, the structure of the cartridge 20 can be simplified. In addition, since all the recesses 93 can be covered by one top film member 208, the manufacturing efficiency of the cartridge 20 can be enhanced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the liquid supply unit 280 includes a valve mechanism 284 which is opened by the insertion of the liquid supply needle 640. Therefore, when the cartridge 20 is manufactured, the liquid can be easily injected from the ink injection device 810 using the valve mechanism 284. Further, since the space between the liquid supply unit 280 and the injection needle 814 is sealed by the seal portion 287 provided in the valve mechanism 284, the pressure reduction in the liquid storage chamber 200 through the pressure reduction passage 90 can be easily performed. . Further, in the unused state of the cartridge 20, the ink in the liquid storage chamber 200 can be effectively prevented from leaking from the liquid supply portion 280 by the valve mechanism 284 as well as the film FM1.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the liquid absorber 299 is disposed in the liquid storage chamber 200, leakage of liquid from the liquid storage chamber 200 through the pressure reduction path 90 can be effectively suppressed at the time of pressure reduction for degassing. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the pressure reducing path 90 is provided individually for each liquid storage chamber 200, the pressure reduction state can be easily adjusted to an appropriate pressure for each liquid storage chamber 200.

  Further, in the present embodiment, all the second ends 92 of the decompression path 90 provided for each liquid storage chamber 200 are provided on the same surface (rear wall 203) of the housing 21. Therefore, the structure of the decompression device 820 connected to the second end 92 can be simplified.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, a relatively large filter 210 is disposed between the liquid storage chamber 200 of the cartridge 20 and the bubble trap chamber 212. Therefore, when the cartridge 20 is used, the ink easily flows from the liquid storage chamber 200 to the bubble trap chamber 212 and the liquid supply unit 280. As a result, it is possible to suppress the ink from remaining in the portion of the liquid absorber 299 far from the liquid supply unit 280.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the bottom portion 298 (FIG. 17) of the liquid absorber 299 is compressed more than the central portion 297 in the height direction of the liquid absorber 299, the bottom portion 298 of the liquid absorber 299 is Capillary force can be increased. As a result, a layer of ink is formed on the bottom portion 298 of the liquid absorber 299 in a state where the cartridge 20 is filled with ink. As a result, for example, when an impact is applied to the cartridge 20 by dropping the cartridge 20 or the like, it is possible to suppress the flow of air bubbles from the liquid absorber 299 side to the bubble trap chamber 212 side by the ink layer. . Therefore, even when the size of the filter 210 is large as in the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively suppress the flow of air bubbles from the liquid absorber 299 side to the bubble trap chamber 212 side. Further, since it is possible to suppress the air bubbles from flowing out from the liquid absorber 299 side to the air bubble trap chamber 212 side, the ink is moved from the air bubble trap chamber 212 side to the liquid absorber 299 as the air bubbles enter the air bubble trap chamber 212. Can be suppressed from being excessively returned. As a result, the leakage of the ink from the liquid storage chamber 200 through the atmosphere communication passage 40 can be suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the cross-sectional area of the internal space along the horizontal direction of the liquid storage chamber 200 is smaller on the bottom portion 214 side of the liquid storage chamber 200 than on the upper side of the liquid storage chamber 200, the liquid storage chamber The rectangular liquid absorber 299 can be compressed toward the bottom portion 214 of 200. Therefore, the capillary force of the liquid absorber 299 can be increased toward the bottom 214, and the ink can be smoothly circulated from the top to the bottom 214 in the liquid absorber 299.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the side wall 24 of the liquid storage chamber 200 is provided with a convex portion 216 (FIG. 9) extending along the vertical direction, and the convex portion 216 extends from the top of the liquid storage chamber 200 to the bottom portion 214. It inclines so that the amount of protrusion becomes large as heading. Therefore, since the liquid absorber 299 can be compressed toward the bottom 214 of the liquid storage chamber 200, the capillary force of the liquid absorber 299 can be increased toward the bottom 214. As a result, in the liquid absorber 299, the ink can be smoothly circulated from the top to the bottom 214. Further, by providing the convex portion 216 on the side wall 24, a space is formed between the side surface of the liquid absorber 299 and the side wall 24. Therefore, when the air in the liquid absorber 299 expands due to any cause such as a rise in the outside air temperature, the ink in the liquid absorber 299 leaks into the space between the liquid absorber 299 and the side wall 24. Accordingly, the expansion of the air in the liquid absorber 299 causes the liquid level of the ink in the liquid storage chamber 200 to rise, and the leakage of the ink to the outside of the cartridge 20 can be suppressed. In addition, the ink that has leaked into the space between the liquid absorber 299 and the side wall 24 is absorbed by the liquid absorber 299 again, so that the liquid can be prevented from remaining in the cartridge 10.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the liquid storage chamber 200, the first convex portion 217 and the second convex portion 218 whose height is higher than the first convex portion are alternately arranged on the side wall 24 at an interval. ing. Therefore, the spaces formed by the contact between the convex portion 216 and the liquid absorber 299 can be communicated above the first convex portion 217, and the ink exuded from the liquid absorber 299 flows into the liquid storage chamber 200. It can suppress the existence of bias. As a result, the leakage of the ink to the outside of the cartridge 10 can be suppressed more effectively. Moreover, in the present embodiment, since this space communicates with the atmosphere chamber 224, the liquid exuded from the liquid absorber 299 can flow to the atmosphere chamber having a relatively large volume, and it is possible to suppress leakage to the outside. . Further, when air is discharged from the liquid absorber 299 into the above-mentioned space, the air is discharged to the outside through the atmosphere chamber 224 and the atmosphere communication passage 40. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the ink from leaking from the liquid supply unit 280 side due to the expanded air.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, in the surface 217 s facing the liquid storage chamber 200 side of the first convex portion 217 and in the portion where the height is higher than the first convex portion 217 of the second convex portion 218. Since the surface 218 s facing the liquid storage chamber 200 is on the same virtual plane VP, the side surfaces of the liquid absorber 299 can be compressed well by the first convex portion 217 and the second convex portion 218. . Therefore, the capillary force of the liquid absorber 299 can be gradually increased from the top to the bottom, and the ink can be smoothly distributed toward the bottom.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a positioning protrusion 219 for positioning the filter 210 is formed on the bottom portion 214 of the liquid storage chamber 200. Therefore, the filter 210 can be easily fixed to the bottom 214 of the liquid storage chamber 200.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the capillary force of the bottom portion 298 of the liquid absorber 299 is larger than the capillary force of the central portion 297 in the height direction of the liquid absorber 299. The ink is well retained. As a result, even when the area of the filter 210 is large, air present on the liquid absorber 299 intrudes into the bubble trap chamber 212 side (liquid supply unit 280 side) when an impact is applied to the cartridge 20 due to dropping or the like. It becomes difficult to do. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of ink discharge failure (supply failure).

  Moreover, in the present embodiment, the capillary force of the filter 210 disposed below the liquid absorber 299 is larger than the capillary force of the liquid absorber 299, so that the ink is easily held by the filter 210. As a result, the air in the liquid absorber 299 is less likely to infiltrate on the side of the bubble trap chamber 212. Further, since the ink can be collected on the filter 210, the ink can be prevented from remaining in the liquid absorber 299. However, in other embodiments, the capillary force of the filter 210 may be smaller than the capillary force of the bottom portion 298 of the liquid absorber 299.

  Further, in the present embodiment, on the ceiling surface 226 of the liquid storage chamber 200, a stepped portion 227 that protrudes downward is formed. Therefore, the capillary force of the bottom portion 298 of the liquid absorber 299 can be easily increased.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the maximum width W1 (FIG. 15) of the step portion 227 along the lateral direction of the filter 210 is greater than the maximum width W2 (FIG. 10) of the filter 210 along the lateral direction of the filter 210. large. Therefore, the capillary force of the bottom portion 298 of the liquid absorber 299 can be favorably enhanced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the absorber chamber 223 in which the liquid absorber 299 is disposed, and the air chamber 224 in which the liquid absorber 299 is not disposed are arranged in the horizontal direction in the liquid storage chamber 200, The side surface of the liquid absorber 299 is in contact with the atmosphere in the atmosphere chamber 224. Therefore, the ink leaked from the liquid absorber 299 due to a change in temperature, a change in internal pressure, a change in attitude of the cartridge 10, etc. flows into the air chamber 224 adjacent to the liquid absorber 299 and the ink flowed into the air chamber 224 , Are absorbed again into the liquid absorber 299. Further, in the present embodiment, since the connection port 41 for connecting the atmosphere chamber 224 and the atmosphere communication passage 40 is provided at the upper portion of the atmosphere chamber 224, the ink leaking from the liquid absorber 299 into the atmosphere chamber 224 is the cartridge 10. The possibility of leakage to the outside of the Therefore, according to the cartridge 20 of the present embodiment, the ink is unlikely to leak and the ink can be supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus 50 without waste.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the connection port 41 communicating with the atmosphere is provided at the tip of the pipe 42 protruding downward from the ceiling surface 226 of the atmosphere chamber 224, ink is present in the atmosphere chamber 224. Even if the attitude of the cartridge 10 is changed, the ink does not easily enter the atmosphere communication passage 40. Therefore, the ink can be prevented from leaking out.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the air communication port 44 which is the connection port 41 between the air communication path 40 and the air is provided in the bottom surface 201 of the housing 21, and the air communication path 40 is the upper surface 202 of the housing 21. It extends from the side to the bottom surface 201 side. Therefore, even if the cartridge 20 is turned upside down, the air communication port 44 faces upward, and the ink is unlikely to flow out of the cartridge 10.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the meandering flow path 43 which is a part of the atmosphere communication path 40 has a capillary force with respect to the ink, even if the ink intrudes into the meandering flow path 43, it flows out to the outside. It is difficult to do. In addition, if ink intrudes into the meandering flow path 43, the atmosphere flows from the atmosphere communication path 40 into the meandering flow path 43 together with the consumption of the ink in the liquid storage chamber 200. It is possible to return to the liquid storage chamber 200 through the atmosphere chamber 224 again.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a protruding wall 46 which protrudes downward is provided between the absorber chamber 223 and the connection port 41 on the upper surface 202 of the housing 21. Therefore, even when the cartridge 20 is turned upside down, it is possible to suppress the flow of ink from the absorber chamber 223 side to the connection port 41 side. In addition, since the projecting wall 46 is provided between the absorber chamber 223 and the connection port 41, the liquid absorber 299 can be prevented from moving to the atmosphere chamber 224 side beyond the projecting wall 46. Further, in the present embodiment, since the liquid absorber 299 is in contact with the projecting wall 46, even if the cartridge 20 is turned upside down, the ink accumulated in the vicinity of the lid member 207 is absorbed by the liquid It is possible to return to the liquid absorber 299 from the contact portion of the body 299 and the projecting wall 46.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the ink can be concentrated on the bottom portion 298 of the liquid absorber 299 and the filter 210 arranged below the liquid absorber 299, the ink is arranged from the liquid storage chamber 200 side below. The ink can be smoothly supplied to the bubble trap chamber 212.

B. Other embodiments:
(B1) In the above embodiment, the total opening area of the first through holes 94 formed in the recess 93 of the cartridge 20 is larger than the opening area of the second through holes 95. On the other hand, the number of through holes 94 and 95 and the opening area may not be as described above, and can be set as appropriate.

(B2) In the embodiment described above, the pressure reducing passage 90 and the air communication passage 40 are separately formed in the cartridge 20. On the other hand, for example, the decompression passage 90 and the atmosphere communication passage 40 may be partially shared. For example, the pressure reducing passage 90 may branch from the recess 45 (FIG. 13) as a part of the atmosphere communication passage 40 or the pipe 42. In this case, the connection port 41 is the first end of the decompression path 90. That is, the decompression path 90 may be directly connected to the liquid storage chamber 200 as in the first embodiment, or may be indirectly connected to the liquid storage chamber 200 through a part of the atmosphere communication path 40. It is also good.

(B3) In the above embodiment, the liquid supply unit 280 includes the valve mechanism 284. On the other hand, the liquid supply unit 280 does not include the valve mechanism 284 and supplies the liquid to the cylindrical liquid introduction unit provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus 50 through the filter provided in the opening 288 of the liquid supply unit 280. It may be

(B4) In the above embodiment, the liquid storage chamber 200 is provided with the liquid absorber 299. On the other hand, the liquid storage chamber 200 may directly contain the liquid without the liquid absorber 299.

(B5) In the above embodiment, the second end 92 of the decompression passage 90 is provided on the second side surface 203 of the housing 21. On the other hand, the second end 92 may be formed on the other side intersecting the top surface 202, such as the first side 204, the third side 205, and the fourth side 206.

(B6) The present invention is applicable not only to the printer and its ink cartridge, but also to any liquid ejecting apparatus that consumes a liquid other than ink and a cartridge used for the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, the present invention can be applied as a cartridge used in various liquid ejecting apparatuses as described below.
(1) Image recording apparatus such as a facsimile machine.
(2) A colorant injection device used in the manufacture of color filters for image display devices such as liquid crystal displays.
(3) An electrode material injection device used to form an electrode of an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, a surface emission display (Field Emission Display, FED) or the like.
(4) A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid containing a bioorganic substance used for producing a biochip.
(5) A sample injection device as a precision pipette.
(6) Lubricant injection device.
(7) Injection apparatus for resin liquid.
(8) A liquid injection device that injects lubricating oil at precision points such as watches and cameras at pinpoints.
(9) A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin liquid onto a substrate to form a micro hemispherical lens (optical lens) or the like used for an optical communication element or the like.
(10) A liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects an acidic or alkaline etching solution to etch a substrate or the like.
(11) A liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid consumption head that ejects any other minute amount of droplets.

  The “droplet” refers to the state of the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting apparatus, and includes granular, teardrop-like, and threadlike tails. Further, the "liquid" referred to here may be any material that can be consumed by the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, the “liquid” may be any material in the liquid phase when the substance is in the liquid phase, and is a liquid material in high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, Materials in a liquid state such as liquid resin and liquid metal (metal melt) are also included in the “liquid”. Moreover, not only the liquid as one state of the substance, but also those obtained by dissolving, dispersing or mixing particles of functional materials consisting of solid matter such as pigment and metal particles in a solvent are included in the “liquid”. In addition, typical examples of the liquid include the ink described in the above embodiment, liquid crystal, and the like. Here, the ink includes general aqueous inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the technical features of the embodiment corresponding to the technical features in the respective forms described in the section of the summary of the invention are for solving some or all of the problems described above, or a part of the effects described above It is possible to replace or combine as appropriate to achieve all or all. Also, if the technical features are not described as essential in the present specification, they can be deleted as appropriate.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... 1st cartridge, 20 ... 2nd cartridge, 21 ... Housing | casing, 24 ... Side wall, 30 ... Cartridge set, 40 ... Atmospheric communication path, 41 ... Connection port, 42 ... Tube, 43 ... Meander flow path, 44 ... Atmospheric Communication port, 45: recessed portion, 46: projecting wall, 50: liquid ejection device, 60: cartridge holder, 61: control unit, 62: carriage, 63: head, 64: printing medium, 65: flexible cable, 67: carriage motor , 68: drive belt, 69: transport motor, 70: contact mechanism, 70A: contact mechanism, 70B: contact mechanism, 80: platen, 90: decompression path, 91: first end, 92: second end, 93 ... recessed part 94 first through hole 95 second through hole 96 air flow path 100 liquid injection system 110 to 113 rib 115 projection 180 liquid supply portion 20 , 200A, 200B, 200C: liquid storage chamber, 201: bottom surface, 202: upper surface, 203: second side (rear), 204: first side (front), 205: third side (left side), 206: sixth 4 side surface (right side surface), 207: lid member, 208: upper surface film member, 209: through hole, 210: filter, 212: bubble trap chamber, 214: bottom portion, 215: opening, 216: convex portion, 217: fifth 1 convex part, 217 s ... surface, 218 ... second convex part, 218 s ... surface, 219 ... positioning projection, 223 ... absorbent chamber, 224 ... atmospheric chamber, 225 ... rib, 226 ... ceiling surface, 227 ... stepped portion, 229 ... cut, 230 ... engagement member, 280,280A～280C ... liquid supply section, 284 ... valve mechanism, 285 ... urging member, 286 ... valve, 287 ... seal portion, 288 ... opening, 291 ... side, 2 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... Valve chamber, 295 ... Wall, 297 ... Central part, 298 ... Bottom part, 299 ... Liquid absorber, 400 ... Circuit board, 499 ... Cartridge side terminal group, 601 ... Device side bottom wall part, 602 ... Cartridge mounting part 603: first device side wall portion 604: second device side wall portion 605: third device side wall portion 606: fourth device side wall portion 608: first mounting portion 609 second mounting portion 632, 632 A, 632 D: device side engaging portion, 640, 640 A, 640 B, 640 C, 640 D: liquid supply needle, 642: tip portion, 645: base end portion, 810: ink injection device, 811: ink tank, 812 ... pump, 813 ... valve, 814 ... injection needle, 820 ... decompression device, 821 ... vacuum pump, 822 ... ink trap, 823 ... valve, 824 ... suction needle, A1, A2 ... space, C ... central axis , FM1, FM2 ... film, cp ... contact portion, VP ... virtual plane

Claims (6)

A cartridge attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus,
A housing having first and second walls intersecting each other;
Two or more liquid storage chambers arranged inside the housing;
A liquid supply unit that supplies the liquid in the liquid storage chamber to the liquid ejecting apparatus;
Equipped with
The first wall and the second wall of the housing have two or more decompression paths independently formed for each liquid storage chamber,
Each decompression path is
Has a first end and a second end,
The first end is provided on an inner surface of the first wall of the housing and connected to the liquid storage chamber,
The second end is provided on the outer surface of the second wall of the housing and connected to the atmosphere,
A partial flow passage between the first end and the second end is partitioned by a recess formed on the outer surface of the first wall and a film member covering the recess.
Each of the decompression passages is closed by a part of the film member being joined to the first wall,
cartridge. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein
The first wall has a first through hole communicating with the first end and a second through hole communicating with the second end at the bottom of the recess.
The cartridge wherein the opening area of the first through hole is larger than the opening area of the second through hole. The cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
A cartridge, comprising: an atmosphere communication passage for communicating the liquid storage chamber with the atmosphere. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
The cartridge, wherein each recess of each decompression path is covered by a common film member. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
The liquid supply unit includes a valve mechanism that is opened by inserting a liquid supply needle provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
A cartridge, wherein a liquid absorber is disposed in the liquid storage chamber.

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