JP2019155688A - system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide means which can increase an amount of an ink, which can be stored, to a volume of a cartridge.SOLUTION: A compound machine comprises an ink cartridge 30 having a storage chamber 32, and a tank 103 having a storage chamber 121 which supplies an ink to a recording head. The storage chamber 32 has a first chamber 51 and a second chamber 52 which are partitioned by a partition wall 38 which extends downward from an upper wall 39, and a third chamber 53 which communicates the first chamber 51 and the second chamber 52 with each other below the partition wall 38. The storage chamber 121 has a fourth chamber 114 which is positioned below a lower end of the partition wall 38, and a fifth chamber 115 which is positioned above the fourth chamber 114 and has a communication port 124. In the state that a maximum amount of ink is stored in the storage chamber 32, and a liquid level of the ink stored in the first chamber 51 and a liquid level of the ink stored in the second chamber 52 have the same height, a volume from the liquid level of the ink stored in the second chamber 52 to the lower end of the partition wall 38 is smaller than a volume of the fourth chamber 114.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a system in which ink flows between a cartridge and a tank.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, in the liquid container (cartridge) that can be mounted on the device side, the position of the liquid storage chamber that opens to the atmosphere in the atmosphere-opening channel that communicates with the outside is the inner surface of the bottom wall of the liquid storage chamber. A liquid container that is near is disclosed.

JP 2007-253328 A

  The liquid container described above is provided with an air chamber in the middle of the air opening flow path. For example, when the liquid level in the liquid storage chamber falls due to fluctuations in temperature or atmospheric pressure, the liquid may enter the atmosphere open flow path. Leakage is prevented. However, in order to reliably prevent the liquid from leaking to the outside, the volume of the air chamber must be increased. If it does so, the quantity of the liquid which can be accommodated with respect to a liquid container will decrease.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide means capable of increasing the amount of ink that can be stored relative to the volume of the cartridge.

  (1) In the system according to the present invention, a cartridge having a first storage chamber for storing ink can be connected to the cartridge, and the first storage chamber for storing ink flowing out from the first storage chamber of the connected cartridge. The present invention relates to a system including a tank having two storage chambers, and a recording head that discharges ink stored in the second storage chamber of the tank from nozzles. The first storage chamber includes a first chamber and a second chamber partitioned by a partition extending downward from an upper wall partitioning the first storage chamber, and the first chamber and the second chamber below the partition. And a third chamber communicating with each other. The second chamber has a first atmosphere communication port communicating with the atmosphere. The third chamber has an outlet through which ink flows out from the first storage chamber. The second storage chamber has an inlet that communicates with the outlet and a supply port that supplies ink to the recording head in a state where the cartridge is connected, and is positioned below the lower end of the partition wall. A fourth chamber and a fifth chamber located above the fourth chamber and having a second atmosphere communication port communicating with the atmosphere. In the recording head, the lower surface where the nozzle opens is located above the lower end of the partition. A state in which the maximum amount of ink is stored in the first storage chamber, and the liquid level of the ink stored in the first chamber and the liquid level of the ink stored in the second chamber are the same height. The volume from the liquid level of the ink stored in the second chamber to the lower end of the partition wall is smaller than the volume of the fourth chamber.

  According to the above configuration, the tank having the fourth chamber located below the lower end of the partition wall with respect to the cartridge whose height at the lower end of the partition wall is lower than the liquid level of the ink stored in the first chamber. Thus, the maximum amount of ink that can be stored in the first storage chamber of the cartridge can be increased. In addition, when the cartridge storing the maximum amount of ink is connected to the tank, the volume from the liquid level of the ink stored in the second chamber to the lower end of the partition wall is smaller than the volume of the fourth chamber. The position of the ink level after the ink has moved from the first storage chamber to the second storage chamber is the lower end of the partition wall. As a result, the lower surface of the recording head can be disposed above the lower end of the partition wall, so that the degree of freedom of the layout of the recording head is increased.

  (2) Preferably, the volume from the liquid level of the ink stored in the second chamber to the lower end of the partition wall is smaller than the volume above the upper end of the supply port in the fourth chamber.

  According to the above configuration, when the ink level is immediately above the supply port of the fourth chamber, the ink is moved from the first storage chamber to the second storage chamber after the cartridge is replaced, The position of the liquid level is the lower end of the partition wall.

  (3) Preferably, the volume from the liquid level of the ink stored in the second chamber to the lower end of the partition wall is higher than a predetermined height position between the supply port and the inflow port in the fourth chamber. Is smaller than the volume.

  According to the above configuration, when the ink level is at a predetermined height position in the fourth chamber, the ink is moved from the first storage chamber to the second storage chamber after the cartridge is replaced, and then the ink in the tank is The position of the liquid level is the lower end of the partition wall.

  (4) Preferably, the volume of the fifth chamber is larger than the volume of the second chamber.

  According to the above configuration, the ink that has moved from the first storage chamber to the second storage chamber due to a change in temperature or atmospheric pressure is reliably stored in the fifth chamber.

  (5) Preferably, the lower surface of the recording head is positioned below the upper end of the first chamber.

  According to the above configuration, the first storage chamber can be disposed at a position above the lower surface of the recording head.

  (6) In the system according to the present invention, a cartridge having a first storage chamber for storing ink can be connected to the cartridge, and the first storage chamber for storing ink that has flowed out of the first storage chamber of the connected cartridge. A tank having two storage chambers, a recording head that discharges ink stored in the second storage chamber of the tank from nozzles, and a controller. The controller executes initial ink introduction for introducing the ink stored in the first storage chamber into the nozzles of the recording head when the cartridge and the tank are connected. The first storage chamber includes a first chamber and a second chamber partitioned by a partition extending downward from an upper wall partitioning the first storage chamber, and the first chamber and the second chamber below the partition. And a third chamber communicating with each other. The second chamber has a first atmosphere communication port communicating with the atmosphere. The third chamber has an outlet through which ink flows out from the first storage chamber. The second storage chamber has an inlet that communicates with the outlet and a supply port that supplies ink to the recording head in a state where the cartridge is connected, and is positioned below the lower end of the partition wall. A fourth chamber and a fifth chamber located above the fourth chamber and having a second atmosphere communication port communicating with the atmosphere. In the recording head, the lower surface where the nozzle opens is located above the lower end of the partition. A state in which the maximum amount of ink is stored in the first storage chamber, and the liquid level of the ink stored in the first chamber and the liquid level of the ink stored in the second chamber are the same height. The volume from the liquid level of the ink stored in the second chamber to the lower end of the partition wall is larger than the volume of the fourth chamber, and the volume of the fourth chamber and the amount of ink required to introduce the initial ink Is less than the sum of

  According to the above configuration, the tank having the fourth chamber located below the lower end of the partition wall with respect to the cartridge whose height at the lower end of the partition wall is lower than the liquid level of the ink stored in the first chamber. Thus, the maximum amount of ink that can be stored in the first storage chamber of the cartridge can be increased. Further, when the cartridge in which the maximum amount of ink is stored is connected to the tank and the initial introduction is executed, the volume from the liquid level of the ink stored in the second chamber to the lower end of the partition wall is the volume in the fourth chamber. Since the volume is larger than the sum of the volume of the fourth chamber and the amount of ink required for the initial ink introduction, the initial introduction is executed and the ink is moved from the first reservoir chamber to the second reservoir chamber. The position of the ink liquid level is the lower end of the partition wall. As a result, the amount of ink that can be stored in the cartridge can be increased, and the degree of freedom in the layout of the recording head can be ensured.

  According to the present invention, in a system having a cartridge, the amount of ink that can be stored can be increased with respect to the volume of the cartridge.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer unit 11 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic view in which the ink cartridge 30 and the tank 103 are connected and the ink level in the second chamber 52 is at the lower end of the partition wall 38. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 in the same posture as the usage posture in which the maximum amount of ink is stored in the storage chamber 32. FIG. 4 is a schematic view in which the ink cartridge 30 and the tank 103 are connected and the ink level in the second chamber 52 is above the lower end of the partition wall 38. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram in which the ink cartridge 30 and the tank 103 are connected, and the ink level in the second chamber 52 is below the lower end of the partition wall 38. FIG. 6 is a schematic view in which the ink cartridge 30 and the tank 103 are connected, and the ink level in the fourth chamber 114 is directly above the supply port 128. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the carriage 22, the cap 44, and the pump 45 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic view in which the ink cartridge 60 and the tank 103 are connected, and the ink level in the second chamber 52 is above the lower end of the partition wall 38. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram in which the ink cartridge 60 and the tank 103 are connected, and the ink level in the second chamber 52 is at the lower end of the partition wall 38. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the ink cartridge 30 and the tank 103 according to the modification are connected.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the embodiment of the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. Further, the vertical direction 7 is defined based on the posture (the posture of FIG. 1 and may be referred to as “use posture”) installed on the horizontal plane so that the multifunction device 10 can be used. The front-rear direction 8 is defined with the direction in which the sheet 12 is fed from the feed tray 15 as the rear, and the left-right direction 9 is defined when the multifunction machine 10 is viewed from the front. In the present embodiment, in the use posture, the up-down direction 7 corresponds to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 correspond to the horizontal direction. The front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 are orthogonal to each other.

[First Embodiment]
[Overall configuration of MFP 10]
The multifunction machine 10 includes a printer unit 11 that records an image on a sheet 12 by an inkjet recording method. The multifunction machine 10 may have various functions such as a facsimile function, a scan function, and a copy function. The multifunction machine 10 is an example of a system. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer unit 11 includes a feed tray 15, a discharge tray 16, a feed roller 23, a transport roller pair 25, a discharge roller pair 27, a recording unit 24, and a platen 26. Have

[Feeding tray 15, discharge tray 16, feeding roller 23]
As shown in FIG. 1, the feeding tray 15 supports a plurality of sheets 12 each stacked. The discharge tray 16 is disposed above the feeding tray 15. The discharge tray 16 supports the sheet 12 discharged by the discharge roller pair 27 from between the recording unit 24 and the platen 26. The feeding roller 23 is driven by a motor (not shown) to feed the sheet 12 supported on the feeding tray 15 to the conveyance path 17.

[Conveyance path 17]
The conveyance path 17 indicates a space formed by the guide members 18 and 19, the recording unit 24, the platen 26, and the like. The guide members 18 and 19, the recording unit 24, and the platen 26 face each other at a predetermined interval inside the printer unit 11. The transport path 17 is a path that makes a U-turn while extending upward from the rear end of the feed tray 15 and reaches the discharge tray 16 via a position facing the recording unit 24. The conveyance direction is indicated by a one-dot chain line arrow in FIG.

[Conveying roller pair 25]
The conveyance roller pair 25 is disposed upstream of the recording unit 24 in the conveyance direction. The conveyance roller pair 25 includes a conveyance roller 25A and a pinch roller 25B that face each other. The transport roller 25A is driven by a motor (not shown). The pinch roller 25B rotates with the rotation of the transport roller 25A. The sheet 12 is nipped between the conveying roller 25A and the pinch roller 25B that are normally rotated by transmission of the forward driving force of the motor, and is conveyed along the conveying direction.

[Discharge roller pair 27]
The discharge roller pair 27 is disposed downstream of the recording unit 24 in the transport direction. The discharge roller pair 27 includes a discharge roller 27A and a spur 27B that face each other. The discharge roller 27A is driven by a motor (not shown). The spur 27B rotates with the rotation of the discharge roller 27A. The sheet 12 is sandwiched between the discharge roller 27A and the spur 27B that rotate in the forward direction when the normal driving force of the motor is transmitted, and is conveyed along the conveying direction.

[Recording unit 24, platen 26]
As shown in FIG. 1, the recording unit 24 and the platen 26 are disposed between the conveyance roller pair 25 and the discharge roller pair 27 in the conveyance direction. More specifically, the recording unit 24 and the platen 26 are disposed downstream of the conveyance roller pair 25 in the conveyance direction and upstream of the discharge roller pair 27 in the conveyance direction. Further, the recording unit 24 and the platen 26 are disposed to face each other in the up-down direction 7.

  The recording unit 24 includes a carriage 22 and a recording head 21 mounted on the carriage 22. The carriage 22 reciprocates in the left-right direction 9 when a driving force of a motor (not shown) is transmitted. A plurality of nozzles 29 are opened on the lower surface 28 of the recording head 21. The recording head 21 ejects ink droplets from the nozzles 29 by vibrating a vibration element such as a piezoelectric element. In the process of moving the carriage 22, the recording head 21 selectively ejects ink droplets onto the sheet 12 supported by the platen 26, thereby recording an image on the sheet 12. The lower surface 28 of the recording head 21 in the use posture is above the ink surface in the ink cartridge 30 and the tank 103 in the vertical direction 7.

  An ink tube 20 and a flexible flat cable (not shown) are connected to the carriage 22. The ink tube 20 connects the tank 103 and the recording head 21. More specifically, the ink tube 20 supplies the ink stored in each ink cartridge 30 (an example of a cartridge) mounted on the tank 103 to the recording head 21. The ink tube 20 is a bundle of four tubes through which ink of each color (black, magenta, cyan, yellow) circulates. The flexible flat cable electrically connects the control board that controls the operation of the multifunction machine 10 and the recording head 21.

[Tank 103]
As shown in FIG. 2, the tank 103 stores the ink supplied from the ink cartridge 30. In the tank 103, at least a region (prism) facing a liquid level sensor 55 described later in the wall constituting the tank 103 has a light-transmitting property that transmits light output from the liquid level sensor 55.

  The tank 103 has a box shape having a storage chamber 121 therein. The storage chamber 121 is an example of a second storage chamber. The storage chamber 121 communicates with the ink tube 20 through the supply port 128. The supply port 128 is formed near the lower wall that defines the lower end of the storage chamber 121. The supply port 128 is located below the connecting pipe 107 in the up-down direction 7. As a result, the ink stored in the storage chamber 121 flows out from the supply port 128 and is supplied to the recording head 21 through the ink tube 20.

  A communication port 124 is formed in the upper wall of the storage chamber 121. The communication port 124 passes through the upper wall of the storage chamber 121. The storage chamber 121 communicates with the outside of the tank 103 through the communication port 124. The communication port 124 may be blocked by a semipermeable membrane. The communication port 124 is an example of a second atmosphere communication port.

  A connecting pipe 107 extends in the front-rear direction from the side wall of the storage chamber 121. The connecting pipe 107 is made of a tubular resin. The internal space of the connecting pipe 107 communicates with the storage chamber 121 through the inlet 108 that penetrates the side wall of the tank. The projecting tip of the connecting pipe 107 is open. The connecting pipe 107 is disposed at a position corresponding to the ink supply unit 34 (see FIG. 2) of the ink cartridge 30 attached to the multifunction machine 10.

[Liquid level sensor 55]
The liquid level sensor 55 outputs a low level signal to the control board when the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 121 is higher than the boundary position P1. On the other hand, the liquid level sensor 55 outputs a high level signal to the control board when the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 121 is not more than the boundary position P1. The liquid level sensor 55 is a sensor that optically detects the liquid level of the ink in the storage chamber 121 using a prism having a different reflectance depending on whether or not the ink is in contact with the side wall of the storage chamber 121.

  The liquid level sensor 55 may employ another known configuration. For example, an actuator having a detected portion may be provided in the storage chamber 121, and the position of the detected portion may be changed by rotating the actuator if the ink level is less than the boundary position P1. Whether the liquid level of the ink is less than the boundary position P1 can be determined based on whether or not the detected portion of the actuator is detected by the optical sensor. Further, as the liquid level sensor 55, an electrode rod inserted into the storage chamber 121 may be employed. Further, the liquid level sensor 55 may be omitted.

[Ink cartridge 30]
The ink cartridge 30 is a container that stores ink. As shown in FIG. 2, the ink cartridge 30 includes a housing 31 and an ink supply unit 34. The housing 31 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Note that the outer shape of each ink cartridge 30 in which different color inks are stored may be the same or different. The housing 31 includes a rear wall 40, a front wall 41, an upper wall 39, a lower wall 42, and a side wall 37. The internal space of the housing 31 is a storage chamber 32.

  The ink supply unit 34 protrudes rearward from the vicinity of the lower end of the rear wall 40. The ink supply unit 34 is a cylindrical member. The internal space of the ink supply unit 34 communicates with the storage chamber 32 through an outlet 33 that penetrates the rear wall 40. The protruding end of the ink supply unit 34 opens to the outside of the ink cartridge 30. Although not shown in each figure, the opening at the protruding end of the ink supply unit 34 is closed by a seal member, a valve, or the like, and may be configured to be opened when used.

  A partition wall 38 is provided in the storage chamber 32. The partition wall 38 extends downward from the upper wall 39 of the housing 31 toward the lower wall 42. The partition wall 38 is continuous with the side wall 37. The lower end of the partition wall 38 is located higher than the internal space of the ink supply unit 34. A space exists between the lower end of the partition wall 38 and the lower wall 42.

  By the partition wall 38, the storage chamber 32 is partitioned into three rooms in the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8. A space between the partition wall 38 and the front wall 41 and above the lower end of the partition wall 38 is referred to as a first chamber 51. A space between the partition wall 38 and the rear wall 40 and above the lower end of the partition wall 38 is referred to as a second chamber 52. A space below the lower end of the partition wall 38 is referred to as a third chamber 53. Therefore, the outflow port 33 communicating with the internal space of the ink supply unit 34 is in the third chamber 53. Through the third chamber 53, ink can flow between the first chamber 51 and the second chamber 52. There are no partition walls between the first chamber 51 and the third chamber 53 and between the second chamber 52 and the third chamber 53, and the first chamber 51 and the third chamber 53 are one. The space is continuous, and the second chamber 52 and the third chamber 53 are continuous as one space. In FIG. 2, the boundaries of the first chamber 51, the second chamber 52, and the third chamber 53 are indicated by broken lines.

  In the second chamber 52, a communication port 35 is formed in the upper wall 39. The communication port 35 passes through the upper wall 39 of the housing 31. The second chamber 52 communicates with the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the communication port 35. The communication port 35 may be blocked by a semipermeable membrane. The communication port 35 is an example of a first atmosphere communication port.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the connecting tube 107 of the tank 103 is inserted into the internal space of the ink supply unit 34 of the ink cartridge 30, thereby connecting the ink cartridge 30 and the tank. In the state where the ink cartridge 30 and the tank are connected, ink can flow between the storage chamber 32 of the ink cartridge 30 and the storage chamber 121 of the tank 103 through the internal space of the ink supply unit 34.

  Hereinafter, in a use posture in which the ink cartridge 30 and the tank 103 are connected and the multifunction machine 10 is used, the storage chamber 121 of the tank 103 is positioned below the lower end height of the partition wall 38 of the ink cartridge 30. The description will be divided into the fourth chamber 114 and the fifth chamber 115 above the fourth chamber 114. In the present embodiment, no partition wall or the like is provided between the fourth chamber 114 and the fifth chamber 115, and the fourth chamber 114 and the fifth chamber 115 are continuous as one space. The inlet 108 and the supply port 128 are in the fourth chamber 114. The communication port 124 is in the fifth chamber 115.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lower surface 28 of the recording head 21 is positioned below the upper end of the first chamber 51 of the ink cartridge 30 in the use posture. Further, the lower surface 28 of the recording head 21 is located above the lower end of the partition wall 38 of the ink cartridge 30.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the new ink cartridge 30, the maximum amount of ink is stored in the storage chamber 32. In the storage chamber 32 of the ink cartridge 30 in the same posture as the usage posture, it is assumed that the height of the ink level in the first chamber 51 and the level of the ink level in the second chamber 52 are the same. In this state, the height of the ink level in the first chamber 51 and the second chamber 52 when the new ink cartridge 30 is connected to the tank 103 and is in the use posture is defined as a position P2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the storage chamber 32 of the ink cartridge 30, when the liquid level of the ink stored in the second chamber 52 is at the position P2, from the position P2 in the second chamber 52 to the lower end of the partition wall 38. Is smaller than the volume V4 of the fourth chamber 114 of the storage chamber 121 of the tank 103 (V2a <V4). Further, the volume V5 of the fifth chamber 115 of the storage chamber 121 of the tank 103 is larger than the volume V2 of the second chamber 52 of the storage chamber 32 of the ink cartridge 30 (V5> V2).

  Hereinafter, the ink when a new ink cartridge 30 is connected to the unused multifunction device 10 and when the ink is discharged from the recording head 21 to become cartridge empty or ink empty will be described with reference to FIGS. The state of ink in the cartridge 30 and the tank 103 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the maximum amount of ink that can be stored is stored in the storage chamber 32 of the new ink cartridge 30. Further, ink is not stored in the storage chamber 121 of the tank 103 of the unused multifunction device 10. The term “no ink is stored in the storage chamber 121” means a state in which no ink has yet flowed from the ink cartridge 30 into the storage chamber 121. When ink is stored in the storage chamber 121 and then removed from the storage chamber 121, the ink remaining in the storage chamber 121 is not regarded as ink stored in the storage chamber 121.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the ink cartridge 30 and the tank 103 are connected, the ink can flow between the storage chamber 32 and the storage chamber 121 through the internal space of the connection pipe 107. As a result, the ink stored in the storage chamber 32 flows out to the storage chamber 121 due to the water head difference. Since the first chamber 51 is not in air communication with the outside, the ink does not flow out from the first chamber 51 unless the ink level falls below the lower end of the partition wall 38 in the storage chamber 32.

  Since the second chamber 52 of the storage chamber 32 communicates with the outside through the communication port 35, when the ink in the third chamber 53 flows out from the outlet 33, the ink stored in the second chamber 52 is third. Move to chamber 53. As shown in FIG. 4, when the ink flows out from the third chamber 53, the ink level in the second chamber 52 is lowered.

  When ink flows into the storage chamber 121 of the tank 103, the ink level rises in the storage chamber 121. When the ink level exceeds the boundary position P1, the signal output from the level sensor 55 changes from a high level signal to a low level signal.

  Further, when the ink flows out from the third chamber 53 of the storage chamber 32, the ink level in the second chamber 52 is lowered, and the ink level reaches the same height as the lower end of the partition wall 38. Since the volume V2a from the position P2 in the second chamber 52 to the lower end of the partition wall 38 is smaller than the volume V4 of the fourth chamber 114 of the storage chamber 121 of the tank 103 (V2a <V4), the volume V2a is stored in the second chamber 52. Even if all of the ink moved to the third chamber 53, the ink level in the storage chamber 121 (the level shown in FIG. 5) does not reach the fifth chamber 115. That is, there is still a water head difference between the ink level in the second chamber 52 and the ink level in the storage chamber 121. Therefore, ink further flows out from the third chamber 53 to the storage chamber 121.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the ink level in the storage chamber 32 falls below the lower end of the partition wall 38, the air in the second chamber 52 flows from the space between the ink level and the lower end of the partition wall 38. The ink having the same volume as the air that has entered the first chamber 51 flows into the second chamber 52 from the first chamber 51. As a result, the ink level in the second chamber 52 rises. That is, air and ink are replaced between the first chamber 51 and the second chamber 52 (hereinafter also referred to as gas-liquid replacement). When such gas-liquid replacement occurs, ink flows out from the third chamber 53 to the storage chamber 121, and when the ink level in the storage chamber 121 rises to the lower end of the partition wall 38, the ink liquid in the second chamber 52. The head difference is eliminated between the surface and the liquid level of the ink in the storage chamber 121, and the movement of the ink from the third chamber 53 to the storage chamber 121 is completed. Further, the liquid level in the first chamber 51 at this time is below the position P2.

  Since the lower surface 28 of the recording head 21 is located above the lower end of the partition wall 38 of the ink cartridge 30, a new ink cartridge 30 is connected to the tank 103, and ink from the storage chamber 32 to the storage chamber 121 is transferred. When the movement is completed, the ink level in the second chamber 52 of the ink cartridge 30 is lower than the lower surface 28 of the recording head 21. As a result, a negative pressure is generated with respect to the ink meniscus formed in the opening of the nozzle 29 on the lower surface 28 of the recording head 21, so that the ink meniscus is not easily destroyed in the opening of the nozzle 29.

  When the ink is discharged from the recording head 21, the ink level in the storage chamber 121 of the tank 103 is lowered, and the ink level in the second chamber 52 and the ink level in the storage chamber 121 are lowered. Water head difference occurs. Due to this water head difference, the ink moves from the third chamber 53 to the storage chamber 121, and gas-liquid replacement occurs between the first chamber 51 and the second chamber 52. Every time ink is discharged from the recording head 21 until the ink level in the first chamber 51 reaches the lower end of the partition wall 38, the same ink movement and gas-liquid replacement occur.

  When the liquid level of the ink in the storage chamber 32, that is, the liquid level of the first chamber 51 and the liquid level of the second chamber 52 both descend from the lower end of the partition wall 38, the communication port 35 and the lower end of the partition wall 38 and the ink liquid level. The first chamber 51 is always in communication with the outside through the space between the first chamber 51 and the outside. Therefore, when ink is discharged from the recording head 21 and a water head difference occurs, the ink flows out from the third chamber 53 to the storage chamber 121. When the ink level in the third chamber 53 reaches the outlet 33, that is, the boundary position P1, the ink cannot move from the third chamber 53 to the storage chamber 121.

  When ink is further discharged from the recording head 21, the ink level in the storage chamber 121 is lowered from the boundary position P1. As a result, the signal output from the liquid level sensor 55 changes from the low level signal to the high level signal. The controller mounted on the control board supplies the ink stored in the storage chamber 32 of the ink cartridge 30 to the tank 103 in response to receiving the high level signal after receiving the low level signal from the liquid level sensor 55. The notification of the cartridge empty indicating that it cannot be performed is notified to the user through, for example, a display of the multifunction device 10.

  After receiving the high level signal from the liquid level sensor 55, the controller counts the amount of ink discharged from the recording head 21. When the ink amount count reaches a predetermined threshold value, a notification of ink empty indicating that further image recording cannot be executed is notified to the user through a display or the like. Further, the controller may prohibit acceptance of an instruction for further image recording. As shown in FIG. 6, the predetermined threshold is set so that the ink level in the storage chamber 121 of the tank 103 is just before reaching the upper end of the supply port 128. By reporting the intake, the liquid level of the ink in the storage chamber 121 is lowered from the upper end of the supply port 128 and air is prevented from entering the supply port 128.

[Effects of First Embodiment]
According to the first embodiment, the height of the lower end of the partition wall 38 is lower than the lower end of the partition wall 38 with respect to the ink cartridge 30 at a position lower than the liquid level of the ink stored in the first chamber 51. Since the tank having the fourth chamber 114 is provided, the maximum amount of ink that can be stored in the storage chamber 32 of the ink cartridge 30 can be increased. When the ink cartridge 30 storing the maximum amount of ink is connected to the tank 103, the volume V2a from the liquid level of the ink stored in the second chamber 52 to the lower end of the partition wall 38 is the fourth chamber 114. Therefore, the position of the liquid level of the ink after the ink has moved from the storage chamber 32 to the storage chamber 121 becomes the lower end of the partition wall 38 (V2a <V4). As a result, the lower surface 28 of the recording head 21 can be disposed above the lower end of the partition wall 38, so the degree of freedom of layout of the recording head 21 is increased.

  Further, since the volume V5 of the fifth chamber 115 of the tank 103 is larger than the volume V2 of the second chamber 52 of the ink cartridge 30 (V5> V2), the temperature and atmospheric pressure of the environment in which the multifunction machine 10 is used vary. Even if the ink moves from the storage chamber 32 of the ink cartridge 30 to the storage chamber 121 of the tank 103, the moved ink is reliably stored in the fifth chamber 115.

  Further, since the lower surface 28 of the recording head 21 is located below the upper end of the first chamber 51 of the ink cartridge 30 connected to the tank 103, the ink cartridge 30 is located above the lower surface 28 of the recording head 21. The storage chamber 32 can be arranged. Thereby, the height of the multifunction machine 10 in the vertical direction 7 can be reduced.

[Modification]
In the first embodiment, the volume V2a from the liquid level of the ink stored in the second chamber 52 to the lower end of the partition wall 38 is smaller than the volume V4 of the fourth chamber 114, but the volume V2a is in the fourth chamber 114. The volume may be smaller than the upper volume V4a from the upper end of the supply port 128 (a region indicated by hatching in FIG. 6) (V2a <V4a).

  When it is in an incremental state, as shown in FIG. 6, the ink level in the storage chamber 121 of the tank 103 is near the upper end of the supply port 128 (just above the upper end). When the ink cartridge 30 is replaced when the ink cartridge is in an incomplete state, the ink moves from the storage chamber 32 of the replaced new ink cartridge 30 to the storage chamber 121 of the tank 103.

  Since the volume V2a is smaller than the volume V4a, the ink flows out from the second chamber 52 of the storage chamber 32, the ink level drops in the second chamber 52, and the ink level is the same as the lower end of the partition wall 38. Even when the liquid level reaches, there is still a water head difference between the ink level in the second chamber 52 and the ink level in the storage chamber 121. Therefore, when the ink movement is completed after the ink cartridge 30 is replaced, the ink liquid level in the second chamber 52 is below the lower surface 28 of the recording head 21 because it is at the lower end of the partition wall 38.

  Further, the volume V2a may be smaller than the upper volume V4b from a predetermined height position P3 (see FIG. 6) between the supply port 128 and the inflow port 108 in the fourth chamber 114 (V2a <V4b). Thereby, after the ink cartridge 30 is replaced and the ink moves from the storage chamber 32 to the storage chamber 121, the position of the ink level in the storage chamber 121 of the tank 103 becomes the same position as the lower end of the partition wall 38.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7, in the second embodiment, the multifunction machine 10 includes a cap 44 that covers the lower surface 28 of the recording head 21 and a pump 45 that applies a negative pressure to the internal space of the cap 44. The multifunction machine 10 includes an ink cartridge 60 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 instead of the ink cartridge 30. The ink cartridge 60 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the ink cartridge 30, but the volume V2a is larger than the volume V4 (V2a> V4). The volume V2a is smaller than the sum of the volume V4 and the ink amount Vip required for the initial ink introduction (V2a <(V4 + Vip)). Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Details will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the cap 44 is directly below the recording head 21 when the recording head 21 mounted on the carriage 22 that reciprocates in the left-right direction 9 is positioned outside the recording area. The cap 44 is movable in the vertical direction 7 so that a driving force of a motor (not shown) is transmitted to the cap 44 so as to be in contact with and away from the lower surface 28 of the recording head 21. When the pump 45 is driven in a state where the cap 44 is in contact with the lower surface 28 of the recording head 21, gas or liquid is sucked from the nozzle 29 of the recording head 21 into the internal space of the cap 44. The gas or liquid sucked into the internal space of the cap 44 is discharged to the outside of the cap 44 through a drain tube (not shown).

  The ink cartridge 60 is attached as a packaged product in the new multifunction device 10, for example. Therefore, a user who has purchased a new multifunction device 10 uses the ink cartridge 60 as an ink cartridge that is initially mounted on the multifunction device 10.

  When the ink cartridge 60 is connected to the tank 103, the controller executes initial ink introduction. There is no ink in the tank 103 of the new multifunction device 10. Further, no ink is present in the ink tube 20 or the nozzle 29 of the recording head 21. Even if ink used for inspection at the time of manufacture remains in the ink tube 20 or the nozzle 29 of the recording head 21, the remaining ink is not used for image recording and is discharged in the initial introduction.

  When the ink cartridge 60 and the tank 103 are connected, the ink stored in the storage chamber 32 flows out to the storage chamber 121 due to a water head difference. As shown in FIG. 8, when there is no head difference between the ink level in the second chamber 52 and the ink level in the storage chamber 121, the ink moves from the second chamber 52 to the storage chamber 121. Ends. Since the volume V2a is larger than the volume V4 (V2a> V4), when the movement of the ink from the third chamber 53 to the storage chamber 121 is completed, the ink level in the second chamber 52 is lower than the lower end of the partition wall 38. Is also above.

  When the controller performs the initial ink introduction, the cap 44 comes into contact with the lower surface 28 of the recording head 21, and the pump 45 is driven, so that gas or ink from the nozzles 29 of the recording head 21 flows into the internal space of the cap 44. Sucked into. When ink flows from the storage chamber 121 of the tank 103 into the ink tube 20 and is discharged from the recording head 21, the ink level in the storage chamber 121 of the tank 103 is lowered, and the ink in the second chamber 52 is discharged. The water head difference is generated between the liquid level of the liquid and the liquid level of the ink in the storage chamber 121. Due to this water head difference, the ink moves from the third chamber 53 to the storage chamber 121.

  When the controller drives the pump 45 for a predetermined time, a predetermined amount of ink is discharged from the recording head 21. This predetermined amount of ink is the ink amount Vip required for initial ink introduction. Since the volume V2a is smaller than the sum of the volume V4 and the ink amount Vip required for the initial ink introduction (V2a <(V4 + Vip)), the liquid level of the ink in the second chamber 52 in the process in which the initial ink introduction is executed. Reaches the lower end of the partition wall 38. Then, while gas-liquid replacement occurs between the first chamber 51 and the second chamber 52, the ink in the storage chamber 32 of the ink cartridge 60 flows into the storage chamber 121 of the tank 103 until the initial introduction is completed.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the initial ink introduction is completed, the ink level in the second chamber 52 of the ink cartridge 30 becomes the lower end of the partition wall 38. As a result, the amount of ink that can be stored in the ink cartridge 60 can be increased, and the degree of freedom in the layout of the recording head 21 can be ensured. The initial ink introduction may be started after the ink cartridge 60 is connected to the tank 103 and after the controller receives the low level signal after receiving the high level signal from the liquid level sensor 55.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, the partition wall 38 that partitions the first chamber 51 and the second chamber 52 faces the front wall 41 and the rear wall 40 of the housing 31, but the shape of the partition wall 38 and the first chamber The arrangement of 51 and the second chamber 52 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the first chamber 51 and the second chamber 52 may be partitioned by two partition walls 36 </ b> A and 36 </ b> B that are separated in the front-rear direction 8 and face each other. In this case, the first chamber 51 is formed as two spaces between the rear wall 40 and the partition wall 36A and between the front wall 41 and the partition wall 36B. The second chamber 52 is formed between the two partition walls 36A and 36B. Further, the two partition walls 36 </ b> A and 36 </ b> B may not be continuous with the side wall 37. For example, the first chamber 51 and the second chamber 52 may be partitioned by a cylindrical partition extending downward from the upper wall 39, and the internal space of the cylindrical partition may be the second chamber 52.

10 ... Multifunction machine (system)
21... Recording head 28 .. lower surface 29... Nozzle 30 .. ink cartridge (cartridge)
32 ... Reservoir (first reservoir)
33 ... Outlet 35 ... Communication port (first air communication port)
36A, 36B, 38 ... partition wall 51 ... first chamber 52 ... second chamber 60 ... ink cartridge (cartridge)
103 ... Tank 108 ... Inlet 113 ... Third chamber 114 ... Fourth chamber 121 ... Storage chamber (second storage chamber)
124 ... Communication port (second air communication port)
126 ... Inlet 128 ... Supply port

Claims (6)

A cartridge having a first storage chamber for storing ink;
A tank having a second storage chamber in which the cartridge is connectable and storing the ink flowing out of the first storage chamber of the connected cartridge;
A recording head that discharges ink stored in the second storage chamber of the tank from nozzles,
The first storage chamber includes a first chamber and a second chamber partitioned by a partition extending downward from an upper wall partitioning the first storage chamber, and the first chamber and the second chamber below the partition. A third chamber in communication,
The second chamber has a first atmosphere communication port communicating with the atmosphere.
The third chamber has an outlet through which ink flows out from the first storage chamber,
The second storage chamber is
A fourth chamber having an inlet communicating with the outlet and a supply port for supplying ink to the recording head and positioned below a lower end of the partition wall in a state where the cartridge is connected;
A fifth chamber located above the fourth chamber and having a second atmosphere communication port communicating with the atmosphere;
In the recording head, the lower surface where the nozzle opens is located above the lower end of the partition,
A state in which the maximum amount of ink is stored in the first storage chamber, and the liquid level of the ink stored in the first chamber and the liquid level of the ink stored in the second chamber are the same height. In the system, the volume from the liquid level of the ink stored in the second chamber to the lower end of the partition is smaller than the volume of the fourth chamber.   2. The system according to claim 1, wherein a volume from a liquid surface of the ink stored in the second chamber to a lower end of the partition wall is smaller than an upper volume from the upper end of the supply port in the fourth chamber.   The volume from the liquid level of the ink stored in the second chamber to the lower end of the partition wall is smaller than the volume above the predetermined height position between the supply port and the inflow port in the fourth chamber. Item 4. The system according to Item 1.   The system according to claim 1, wherein a volume of the fifth chamber is larger than a volume of the second chamber.   The system according to claim 1, wherein a lower surface of the recording head is located below an upper end of the first chamber. A cartridge having a first storage chamber for storing ink;
A tank having a second storage chamber in which the cartridge is connectable and storing the ink flowing out of the first storage chamber of the connected cartridge;
A recording head that discharges ink stored in the second storage chamber of the tank from a nozzle;
A system comprising a controller,
The controller executes initial ink introduction for introducing the ink stored in the first storage chamber into the nozzle of the recording head when the cartridge and the tank are connected.
The first storage chamber includes a first chamber and a second chamber partitioned by a partition extending downward from an upper wall partitioning the first storage chamber, and the first chamber and the second chamber below the partition. A third chamber in communication,
The second chamber has a first atmosphere communication port communicating with the atmosphere.
The third chamber has an outlet through which ink flows out from the first storage chamber,
The second storage chamber is
A fourth chamber having an inlet communicating with the outlet and a supply port for supplying ink to the recording head and positioned below a lower end of the partition wall in a state where the cartridge is connected;
A fifth chamber located above the fourth chamber and having a second atmosphere communication port communicating with the atmosphere;
In the recording head, the lower surface where the nozzle opens is located above the lower end of the partition,
A state in which the maximum amount of ink is stored in the first storage chamber, and the liquid level of the ink stored in the first chamber and the liquid level of the ink stored in the second chamber are the same height. The volume from the liquid level of the ink stored in the second chamber to the lower end of the partition wall is larger than the volume of the fourth chamber, and the volume of the fourth chamber and the amount of ink required to introduce the initial ink A system that is smaller than the sum.

Images