JP2790347B2 - Ink tank cartridge - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink tank cartridge which is detachable from an ink jet recording apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium (hereinafter, also referred to as recording paper or simply paper) such as paper or an OHP sheet has been proposed in a form in which a recording head according to various recording methods is mounted. ing. The recording head includes a wire dot type, a thermal type, a thermal transfer type, an ink jet type, and the like.

In particular, the ink-jet method, which directly ejects ink onto recording paper, has attracted attention as a quiet recording method with low running cost.

In such an ink jet recording apparatus, an ink tank serving as an ink supply source is detachably attached to the apparatus main body, and is used by being replaced by an operator's hand in order to facilitate ink replenishment accompanying ink consumption for recording. I can do it.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] When such an ink tank is mounted on the apparatus main body, it is general that the ink tank is held by appropriate fasteners. In the mounted state, the inside of the ink tank and the ink supply system on the apparatus main body side communicate with ink.

However, when the relationship between the holding position by the fastener and the position where ink communication is performed is not appropriate, or particularly when there is play in the fastener portion, the ink communication is performed even though the ink tank is in the holding state. For example, air may be taken into the supply system without securing the state.

In addition, the applicant adds information relating to itself to the ink tank, for example, information indicating that the ink tank is mounted or information relating to the color and density of the stored ink, and adds Has been proposed in the past, but if the position where the reading is performed is not properly determined, information reading may be impossible or erroneous determination may occur.

Means for Solving the Problems According to the present invention, a hollow needle constituting an ink supply path for supplying ink to a recording head, an ink discharge pipe for discharging waste ink not used for recording by the recording head, An ink tank cartridge having an ink tank cartridge storage portion having a pair of electrode terminals and an engaging member, and being detachably attached to an ink jet recording apparatus for setting an operation by receiving information from the ink tank cartridge. A substantially rectangular ink tank cartridge main body, an ink container housed inside the ink tank cartridge main body for storing the ink, and an ink container arranged on the front side in the mounting direction of the ink tank cartridge main body. Forming a supply unit, wherein the hollow needle is connected by insertion to And a waste ink collecting body that is housed inside the ink tank cartridge body and can collect the waste ink, and is provided on the front side in the mounting direction of the ink tank cartridge body to supply the waste ink. An opening capable of receiving the ink discharge tube for collection by the waste ink collection body, and a predetermined resistance value as the information provided on the upper surface of the ink tank cartridge main body and connectable to the pair of electrode means. And an engaged portion provided on the ink tank cartridge main body, and the hollow needle and the connecting portion are provided in accordance with the mounting of the ink tank cartridge in the ink tank cartridge accommodating portion. And the connection between the ink discharge tube and the opening are made, and then the pair of electrode terminals and the electric resistance resistor are connected. After Le and is connected, wherein the ink tank cartridge with the engaging member and the engaged member is engaged with is arranged for the respective components to be mounted.

[Operation] According to the present invention, at the position where the ink tank cartridge is held in the apparatus main body, the ink communication with the ink supply system is performed prior to the position. Can be secured. Further, since the information related to the ink tank cartridge can be read prior to the holding, no reading or erroneous determination occurs near the holding position. Further, since the ink communication is performed prior to the reading, even if the recording operation is started immediately in response to the reading, the inconvenience of taking in the air of the ink supply system does not occur. Even if the cartridge is pulled out, this can be detected before the ink communication is cut off. Therefore, if the operation is stopped, the same disadvantage does not occur.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which an apparatus cover is removed.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a chip-shaped recording head, and 2 denotes a carriage on which the recording head 1 is mounted and which can be moved by the recording head 1 for scanning. On the carriage 2, as will be described later, a support member for detachably mounting the recording head 1, and a cover member for forming a part of the recording head 1 and protecting a substrate on which a head drive circuit and the like are printed. (Indicated by a chain line in the figure).

The recording head 1 has 64 ejection ports arranged at the front end thereof, and each of these ejection ports is provided with an ink liquid passage communicating with the ejection port. Further, a common liquid chamber for supplying ink to these liquid paths is provided behind the portion where the ink liquid paths are provided. In the ink passage corresponding to each of the 64 ejection openings, an electrothermal conversion element for generating ejection energy used for ejecting ink droplets from the ejection openings, and an electrode for supplying electric power thereto Wiring is provided.

These electrothermal transducers and electrode wires are formed on a substrate made of silicon or the like by a film forming technique, and further, a resin, a partition wall made of a glass material, a top plate, or the like is laminated on the substrate to form the discharge port. , An ink liquid path, and a common liquid chamber. A drive circuit for driving the electrothermal transducer on the basis of a print signal is provided in the form of a printed circuit board further behind the above configuration of the print head 1.

In the carriage 2, a connector board 12 is provided via a connector 9 behind the above-described recording head 1. The connector board 12 is provided with a connector 9 for connecting to the recording head 1 and a connector for connecting a flexible cable from the apparatus main body control circuit.
In addition, a capacitor, a resistor, and the like are attached to the connector board 12, which compensates for a drop in the power supply voltage supplied through the flexible cable and noise in the signal. Further, the connector board 12 is supported on a slide member as will be described later, and is configured to slide with the opening and closing operation of the cover member and connect the connector 9 to a terminal of the recording head 1.

The carriage 2 is slidably and rotatably engaged with the guide shaft 3 via the engaging portion 2a, and the guide shaft 3 is arranged so that the recording shaft is perpendicular to the direction in which the recording medium such as recording paper is conveyed. It is provided over an area longer than the width of the paper. Further, the carriage 2 is connected to a part of a belt (not shown) stretched in parallel with the guide shaft 3, and the belt is driven by a carriage motor (not shown) so that the carriage 2 moves along the guide shaft 3 of the carriage 2. Movement, that is, scanning movement of the recording head 1 becomes possible. Further, the carriage 2 and the recording head 1 obtain a force for rotating around the guide shaft 3 by their own weight, and use this force as an urging force to slide on the paper holding plate provided on the carriage 2. The paper pressing plate 8 described later is urged via the member. As a result, the recording head 1 can take a predetermined distance from the recording paper according to the thickness of the recording paper to be used.

The recording paper 6 fed by a paper feed cassette (not shown) or manually is fed to the apparatus main body through a paper feed port formed by a paper upper guide 7a and a paper lower guide 7b. A paper holding plate 8 having a curvature extending from the paper guide 7a is continuous with the paper guide 7a. The paper holding plate 8 is provided so as to press the recording paper against the paper feed roller 5,
It is made of a material such that the frictional force generated between the paper feed roller 5 and the recording paper during this pressing is smaller than that generated between the paper feed roller 5 and the recording paper. The paper lower guide 7b is parallel to the paper holding plate 8 and the paper feed roller 5
Extend to the portion where the is disposed.

As a result, the recording paper 6 fed from the paper feed port is conveyed by one line toward the upper part of the apparatus as the paper feed roller rotates. At this time, the recording paper 6 slides on the plate-shaped platen 7 while the distance between the recording head 1 and the recording head 1 is regulated to a predetermined size by the paper pressing plate 8 and the platen 7.

The recording head 1 discharges ink droplets to a recording area of the recording paper 6 facing the recording head 1 in accordance with the scanning movement, thereby causing a 1
The recording for one line is performed, and the recording is sequentially performed for each line by the recording and the conveyance of the recording paper for one line.
Characters, images, etc. are formed. Recorded recording paper 6
Is discharged onto a discharge tray (not shown) by a discharge roller 4 and spurs 40A and 40B provided above the recording paper conveyance path. Five pairs of spurs 40A and 40B are provided corresponding to the discharge rollers 4, and a spur cleaner is inserted between the spurs in each spur pair. The members supporting the spurs and the spur cleaner are omitted in FIG. The spur 40A exerts a pressing force on the discharge roller 4 via the recording paper, and the spur 40B regulates the recording paper conveyance path between the spur 40A and the platen 7. The paper discharge roller 4 is rotationally driven so as to have a higher peripheral speed than the paper feed roller 5, whereby the recording paper 6 in the portion constituting the recording area is pulled upward, and the recording paper 6 rises from the platen 7. And the like in the recording area can be avoided.

A series of components for the ejection recovery process are provided near the home position in an area that is continuous with the scanning area of the print head 1. That is, the blade 26 for removing water droplets, dust, and the like on the discharge port surface where the discharge port is provided by the wiping operation, and similarly, the absorbing member for removing water droplets and the like mainly on the discharge port surface by absorbing them. 25, and a cap 13 for capping the discharge port surface for sealing, empty discharge, and ink suction. These members are configured to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the movement area of the recording head 1 while being integrally supported by the moving support member 14, and perform respective operations at appropriate timing. Also cap
The ink suction in 13 is performed by a pump 24 communicating with the cap 13 via the hollow portion of the moving support member 14 and a tube. At the time of capping with the cap 13, the hole formed in the cap arm 17 attached to the side surface of the holding member of the cap 13 engages with the projection provided on the carriage 2 so that the recording head 1 moves backward. Rotation is prevented, and capping of the discharge port surface of the cap 13 is ensured.

The operations of the respective rotation and ejection recovery mechanisms of the paper feed roller 5 and the discharge roller 4, that is, the cap 1
3, the reciprocating movement of the blade 26 and the absorbing member 25 integrated, pump
The suction operation by 24 is performed using the rotational driving force of feed motor 21. That is, the rotational driving force of the feed motor 21 attached to a part of the apparatus body frame is first transmitted to the transmission switching gear train 19. In this gear train 19,
The selection of each gear is switched by the operation of the carriage 2, that is, the movement of a selection gear (not shown) in conjunction with various operations such as scanning movement by the recording head 1, movement to the home position and the ejection recovery device, and stop at these positions. Is performed. Accordingly, the rotation of each gear in the gear train 19 is transmitted to the paper feed roller 5 and the paper discharge roller 4 via the feed intermediate gear 20 and finally transmitted to the integral cap 13 and the like via the cam 16. Then, it is transmitted to the pump 24 via the pump gear 22 and the pump cam 23.

The ink is supplied to the recording head 1 from an ink tank cartridge (hereinafter, referred to as “ink cartridge”) 27 mounted on the recording apparatus main body via a flexible tube that can follow the operation of the carriage 2. The moving position of the carriage 2 is determined based on an engagement position between a home position sensor 11 provided on the carriage 2 and a home position detection flag provided near an end of a moving area of the carriage 2. Is detected by counting the number of steps.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a top cover, which is a part of the cover of the apparatus, is attached to the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and particularly shows a spur and a spur cleaner in detail. ing.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 51 denotes a top cover which forms a part of the cover of the apparatus of the present embodiment, and 43 denotes a spur 40B rotatably supporting a spur 40B located on the upstream side among a pair of spurs arranged in the recording paper conveyance path. It is a spur shaft to do. The spur shaft 43 is supported by a shaft support member 51A provided on the back surface of the top cover 51, as described in detail in FIG. With such a structure of supporting the spurs, conventionally, spurs individually mounted on the cover are likely to be displaced due to warpage of the cover, whereas the platen 7 between a plurality of spurs 40B is provided.
The displacement in the direction can be almost eliminated.
As a result, the distance between each spur 40B and the plantain 7 can be kept uniform, and good recording paper conveyance can be performed.

The spur 40A and spur cleaner 41 on the downstream side are rotatably supported by a spur holder 42, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and the spur holder 42 is rotated by a spur shaft 43. It is movably supported by a shaft, and is urged in the direction of the paper discharge roller 4 by a coil spring 44 disposed between the top cover 51 and the holder 42. By this bias, spur 40A
Presses the discharge roller 4 via the recording paper.

The top cover 51 is attached to the main body of the recording apparatus via bosses 51B provided at both ends on the back side of the top cover 51 and the spur shaft 43 described above. That is, in mounting the top cover 51 to the apparatus main body, first, the boss fastening 51B is fitted to the boss 50A provided on the side frame 50 erected at both ends of the apparatus, and then this fitting part is While rotating the top cover 51 as a rotation axis, both end portions of the spur shaft 43 are fitted to a shaft fixing 50B similarly provided on the side frame 50 by so-called patching. The position where the shaft fastening 50B is provided is a portion close to the platen 7. With such a configuration in which the top cover 51 is mounted on the apparatus main body, in particular, with the configuration in which the spur shaft 43 is fitted to a fixed portion near the platen 7 of the apparatus main body, the distance between the spur 40B and the platen 7 is made uniform and accurate. Can be put out. As a result, the floating of the recording paper on the conveyance path from the paper holding plate 8 to the paper discharge roller 4 and the spur 40A is prevented, and the conveyance can be performed satisfactorily.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are perspective views showing in detail the spur and the support structure of the spur cleaner shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, the spur cleaner 41
The rotation shaft 41A is fitted to the holder 42 by being fitted into a shaft hole 42C of the holder 42. The shaft hole 42C is a fool hole larger than the diameter of the rotating shaft 42A, and a fitting opening for fitting the shaft 41A is slightly smaller due to the diameter of the shaft 41A. As a result, the spur cleaner 41 is
The rotation axis can be displaced within a range permitted by the size of C, but does not separate from the holder. The shaft portion of the spur 40A on the downstream side facing the discharge roller 4 is rotatably fitted into the spur retaining portion 42B of the holder 42.

The spur 40B on the upstream side facing the platen 7 is first slidably and rotatably fitted to the spur shaft 43, and the position thereof is aligned with the position of the spur holder 42 in the spur holder 42. While holding the spur shaft 43, the spur holder 42
It is rotatably fitted to A.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG.
A support member erected at both ends on the back side of the top cover 51.
Fit to the shaft fixing part 510A of 51A. At the same time, as shown in detail in FIG. 3, the projection 42D formed on the spur holder 42 is locked against a resilient force by a locking member 51C standing upright on the back side of the top cover 51. Insert into part 510C. Accordingly, the position of the spur holder 42 in the top cover 51, that is, the spurs 40A and 40B and the spur cleaner 41
Of the top cover 51 is determined. At this time, the spur holder 42 can rotate about the spur shaft 43 as a rotation axis within a range in which the protrusion 42D can move inside the locking portion 510C. However, when the top cover 51 is mounted on the apparatus main body, as described above, the rotation direction is urged in one direction by the spring 44, whereby the spur 40 </ b> A presses the paper discharge roller 4.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the spur holder as viewed from the back side in FIG. 3, and the illustration of the spur cleaner is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the spurs 40A and 40B are mounted such that the respective teeth 400A and 400B are shifted in the longitudinal direction of the spur shaft 43. This allows these teeth 400A and 400B
Since the contact position of the spur cleaner 41 that comes into contact with the spurs is shifted, the ability of the spur cleaner 41 to absorb the ink adhered to the teeth is improved as compared with the case where both teeth abut at the same position.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are a front view and a side view of the spur 40A (40B), respectively.

As shown in these figures, the teeth 400A (400B) are formed in two rows, and are formed so that the teeth are alternately shifted from each other. As a result, when the teeth are formed in two rows, the force for pressing the cleaner 41 is smaller than when the teeth are formed in one row, and the durability of the cleaner is improved. Further, the width of pressing the recording paper is wider than in the case of one row, and the pressing is stable and reliable.

In addition, by alternately forming two rows of teeth, the pitch of the teeth in the entire spur is reduced, and the leading end of the recording paper is moved between the spur and the platen or between the spur and the discharge roller as the recording paper is conveyed. When we enter in the middle, we do not produce paper turning etc.
Paper entry is stable.

Note that the number of rows of teeth is not limited to two, and a plurality of rows of three or more rows may be used if possible. For example, in the case of three columns, 1
It is also possible to shift between the teeth of the second row so that the teeth of the second and third rows have the same pitch.

Further, the spur having the structure shown in FIG. 6 has a simple die-cutting structure in its manufacture.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a modification of the spur shown in FIG. As with the spur shown in FIG.
The rows are alternately shifted between the rows. The difference from the spur is that these two rows of teeth are formed at a predetermined interval. According to this structure, since the slide structure exists in the die-cutting structure, the die-cutting becomes relatively complicated, but it is relatively easy to form a plurality of rows of three or more rows of teeth.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the recording apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and particularly shows the spurs 40A and 40B and the spur cleaner 41.
The details are shown in

As described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, etc., the spurs 40A, 40
The position of B is fixed by the spur holder 42,
A spur cleaner 41 is also provided between these spurs,
Is held by According to this configuration, when the paper discharge roller 4 is driven to rotate, the spur 40A presses and engages with the roller.
Rotates, and this rotation is transmitted to the spur 40B via the rotation of the spur cleaner 41 engaging with both the spurs 40A and 40B, and the spur 4
0B also rotates. Thus, the spur facing the platen 7
The rotation of 40B has effects such as preventing paper folding when the leading end of the recording paper enters between spur 40B and platen 7. At this time, the peripheral speed of the rotation of the spur 40B is
Although it is desirable for the recording paper conveyance to be equal to 0A and the discharge roller 4, the spurs 40A and 40B and the spur cleaner 4
According to the structure of 1, the spur cleaner 41 functions as an idler, and this is realized.

The urging force for engagement between the spurs 40A and 40B and the spur cleaner 41 is obtained by the weight of the spur cleaner 41. That is,
The rotation of the cleaner 41 is axially supported by the rotation shaft 41A of the spur cleaner 41 engaging the shaft hole 42C of the holder 42, but because the rotation shaft 41A of the shaft hole 42C has a fool hole shape. The position of the rotating shaft 41A can be displaced within this range. Therefore,
The position of the rotating shaft 41A is determined by the engagement between the spur cleaner 41, which is biased by its own weight, and the spurs 40A, 40B. In other words, the urging force in the engagement between the spur cleaner 41 and the spurs 40A and 40B is obtained solely by the own weight of the spur cleaner 41.

According to the above configuration, to generate the urging force,
No special members such as springs are required, and the engagement state is achieved on any circumference of the cleaner 41, so that the accuracy of the diameter of the spur cleaner 41 does not need to be so high, and the cost for these configurations is reduced. Can be kept low.

The spur and cleaner configuration described above is effective when the relationship between the positions of the three axes and the weight of the cleaner is within a predetermined range. In the case of more than that, for example, when the spur 40B is rotationally driven by the recording paper accompanying the recording paper conveyance, the rotation causes the spur cleaner 41 to float up, and the spur cleaner and the spur become in a poorly engaged state. There is. In such a case, the ink adhering to the spur 40B is not sufficiently absorbed, and the recording paper conveyed later may be stained.

 FIG. 9 shows an example of a structure that addresses the above points.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the shaft hole 42C has an elongated hole shape that is slidably and rotatably fitted to the rotating shaft 41A. The parallel lines in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole form a part of the circumference concentric with the spur 40A.
The positional relationship between the spur 40A and the spur cleaner 41 is determined so that the spurs 40A and the spur cleaner 41 have a predetermined amount of overlap in their engagement. That is, when the spur 40A is engaged with the spur cleaner 41, the teeth of the spur 40A enter the surface of the cleaner 41.

According to the above configuration, first, by having a predetermined amount of overlap in engagement, a predetermined engagement state can be obtained even if the accuracy of the diameter of the cleaner 41 is not so high.

Further, by forming the shaft hole 42C into a predetermined long hole shape, a force for urging the spur cleaner 41 in the direction of the spur 40B is generated by the rotation of the spur 40A, and a predetermined amount is also provided when the spur cleaner 41 and the spur 40B are engaged. Can overlap. As a result, the load on the entire system due to the formation of the overlap between the spur cleaner 41 and the spurs 40A and 40B can be reduced as compared with the case where the overlap is simply formed. Further, even when the spurs are driven in both of the spurs 40A and 40B, the spur cleaner 41 is prevented from rising due to the elongated hole shape.

Also in this configuration, the cleaner 41 functions as an idler. As a result, the spur 40B also rotates with the rotation of the paper discharge roller 4 and does not stop rotating when the recording paper is conveyed, so that the spur stop does not significantly stain the recording paper.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 9, the platen 7 of the spur 40B
Is different from the configuration shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the platen 7 has a stepped shape after a predetermined position on the downstream side of the position facing the recording head 1. The spur 40B shown in FIG. 9 is positioned such that the tooth portion enters the recessed portion by about 1.5 mm. As a result, the recording paper conveyed on the platen 7 is shifted in a direction away from the recording head 1 at a portion downstream of the portion facing the recording head 1. Due to the deviation and the tension generated on the recording paper due to the deviation, it is possible to prevent the recording paper from floating, turning over, etc. in the vicinity of the recording head 1.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the periphery of the carriage of the apparatus according to this example.

Here, reference numeral 110 denotes a discharge port having a plurality of openings on a surface facing the recording medium, a liquid path communicating with the discharge port, and a discharge energy generating element such as an electrothermal converter disposed in correspondence with the liquid path. It is a head chip provided with a common liquid chamber or the like for supplying ink by commonly communicating with the liquid path. Reference numeral 120 denotes a head wiring board provided with a wiring portion for supplying power to the ejection energy generating element of the head chip 110, and an end portion thereof serves as a connector 126. 130 is head chip 110 and head wiring board 120
This is a supporting substrate for supporting. The recording head 1 having such a configuration is attached to the carriage 2 in a direction indicated by an arrow V in the drawing.

In the carriage 2, reference numeral 210 denotes a carriage body, and a side support plate 212 for supporting the side surface of the head support substrate 130 and a pin 214 serving as a rotation axis of the head cover 250.
Etc. Reference numeral 230 denotes a connector having the connector 9 connected to the connector 126 of the head 1, a connector connected to a flexible cable for transmitting and receiving signals between the recording apparatus main body-side controls, and the above-described resistor for reducing noise. A connector slider which holds the substrate 12 and is slidable with respect to the carriage body 210 in the direction F in the figure.

The head cover 250 protects the recording head 1, particularly its wiring board 120, from inadvertent contact by an operator's hand or the like, and is rotatable around the pins 214 in a direction to cover the recording head 1 and in a direction to open it. is there. This head cover 25
0 and the connector slider 230 so that the head cover 25
By moving the connector slider 230 in the F direction with the rotation of 0, the connector portion of the connector slider 230 and the connector 126 of the head 1 are coupled / separated. Also,
When the head cover 250 and the projection 252 are coupled to the cover retainer 216 of the main body 210, the recording head 1 is fixed to the carriage 2.

Next, a manner of fixing the recording head 1 to the carriage 2 will be described.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are a side sectional view and a plan view showing the carriage 2 with the recording head 1 mounted thereon, with its head cover 250 and connector slider removed.

Here, reference numeral 218 denotes a spring member integrally provided on the carriage main body 210 protruding for temporarily fixing the recording head 1, and latches the attached recording head 1 by a claw 218A at the tip thereof. Reference numeral 219 denotes a locking portion for fixing the lower portion of the recording head 1, and reference numeral 220 denotes a locking portion for fixing the front and rear of the recording head 1 which engages with a projection 132 provided integrally with the support substrate 130. Reference numeral 221 denotes a side support plate 21 at a position where the side support plate 21
Two side fixing protrusions 222 provided on the side 2 are side surface fixing protrusions similarly provided at positions to be engaged with lower portions of the side surfaces. 223
A spring member protrudes from the carriage body 210 so as to face the projection 222, and urges the recording head 1 against the projection 222 when the recording head 1 is mounted.

In FIG. 11 (B), 228 is a rail for sliding the connector slider 230, and 229 is a projection for preventing the connector slider from falling off.

Reference numeral 227 denotes a groove for arranging a head-side end of an ink supply tube communicating with an ink cartridge 27 described later.

12 (A) and (B) are a side sectional view and a plan view showing the state of the carriage when the head 1 is covered by the head cover 250 with the connector slider 230 removed for simplification.

Here, reference numeral 254 denotes a pin receiving portion for receiving the pin 214 provided on the carriage body 210 and for rotating the head cover 250 about the pin 214 when engaged. Reference numeral 256 denotes a side surface fixing spring member projecting below the upper surface of the head cover 250 so as to bias the side surface of the recording head 1 and press the recording head 1 against the projection 221 of the side support plate 212. Reference numeral 257 denotes a support protruding from the head cover 250 to support the side support plate 212 against the urging force.

Reference numeral 259 denotes an upper fixing projection provided on the head cover 250 for urging the recording head 1 downward and pressing the recording head 1 against the lower fixing locking portion 219 when the head cover projection 252 is engaged with the cover retainer 216. . Reference numeral 262 denotes a projection that engages with a connector slider 230 described later and moves the cover 250 as the cover 250 rotates.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the fixed or positioned state of the recording head 1 having the above configuration.

As is apparent from the figure, the recording head 1 has a head cover.
The spring member 256 provided on the carriage 250 and the spring member 223 provided on the carriage body 210 are urged toward the side support plate 212 and are pressed by the pair of projections 221 and 222 to be supported at these three points. Is fixed and positioned without displacement or falling in the left-right direction, that is, the direction orthogonal to the drawing.

Further, the recording head 1 is pressed by the lower fixing locking portion 219 of the carriage body 210 by the projection 259 of the head cover 250, so that the recording head 1 is fixed and positioned in the vertical direction. Further, the fixing or positioning of the recording head 1 in the front-rear direction is performed by the locking portion 220 of the carriage body 210 disposed at a position sandwiching the protruding portion 132 of the head 1, which is provided on a connector slider 230 described later. The movement of the connector slider 230 for coupling the connector portion 9 and the head-side connector 126 urges the recording head 1 in the forward direction.
132 is locked by the front locking portion 220, so that the fixed and positioned state in the front-rear direction is ensured.

14 (A), (B) and (C) are a side sectional view showing a state where the head cover 250 is opened, a side sectional view showing a state where it is closed, and a plan view showing a closed state, respectively.

Here, 12 is the connector board described above, 9 is a connector that can be connected to the connector 126 of the recording head 1, and 232 is a connector that is connected to a flexible cable for making an electrical connection with the control unit of the apparatus main body. Reference numeral 234 denotes a rising portion on which a cam portion 236 that engages with the connector slider moving projection 262 is formed.

First, the recording head 1 is mounted as described above with the head cover 250 opened, and necessary operations such as connection of an ink supply system are performed. Before or after that, as shown in FIG. 14A, the connector slider moving projection 262 of the head cover 250 is moved to the cam portion 236 of the connector slider rising portion 254.
And the pin receiving portion 254 is engaged with the pin 214 of the carriage body 210. In this state the head cover
250 can rotate around the pin 214, and with the rotation, the protrusion 262 can relatively slide while holding the engagement in the cam portion 236. In this state, the connector slider 230 is at a position retracted with respect to the recording head 1, and the connector 9 is not engaged with the connector 126.

When the head cover 250 is rotated clockwise in the figure from the state shown in FIG. 14 (A), the projection 262 also rotates about the pin 214, so that the pin 262 is connected to the connector via the cam portion 236. The slider 230 is moved to the recording head 1 side. Then, the head cover 250 is completely closed, and the protrusion 252 of the head cover 250 is
FIGS. 14 (B) and (C) engaged with the cover retainer 216 of FIG.
In the state shown in (1), the connector 9 of the connector slider 230 is engaged with the connector 126 of the recording head 1, and an electrical connection is made. Further, the recording head 1 is fixed in this state as described above.

In the above-described configuration, the connection of the connector portions is easily performed with the operation of simply closing the head cover 250 serving as the protective cover of the recording head 1 from the open state. Conversely, when the head cover 250 is opened, the connector section is detached, so that the operation of removing the recording head 1 becomes easy. The operation portion used when rotating the head cover 250 is a portion indicated by a reference numeral 250A in FIG. 14A, but the projection 262 and the projection 262 are determined from the distance from the rotation center (pin 214) to the operation portion 250A. Since the distance to the engaging portion of the cam portion 236 is smaller, the operator can use a small force to cover the head cover.
As well as rotating the connector 250, the connector 9 can be connected to and disconnected from the connector 126 by applying a large force to the connector 9, so that reliable connection / disconnection can be performed.

Further, since the recording head 1 is fixed and released in accordance with the operation of the head cover 250, not only is it extremely easy to fix or position the recording head 1, but also it is easy to remove it. When the head cover 250 is closed, the wiring board 120 of the head 1 is covered by the head cover 250 as shown in FIG. 14 (C), so that it is not possible to make an easy contact with this portion. However, contact with the recording head 1 may occur in a state where the electrical connection is disconnected, so that the recording head 1 can be prevented from being damaged.

In addition, if the electrical connection is made by an operation of inserting the recording head from above in consideration of operability such as attachment and detachment of the recording head, it is easy to arrange the connector portion on the bottom side. However, if ink leaks from the connection portion of the ink supply system, it is effective not to dispose the connector on the bottom side of the carriage in order to protect the connector from now on. According to the configuration according to the present example, the connector portion can be reliably protected from ink leakage without sacrificing the operability of attaching and detaching the recording head 1.

Next, the configuration of the ink cartridge 27 according to the present embodiment and the mounting portion on the main body side where the ink cartridge 27 is mounted will be described.

FIGS. 15A and 15B show a configuration example of a mounting portion on the main body side.

First, in FIG. 15A, reference numeral 302 denotes a cartridge insertion portion for receiving the ink cartridge 27. 304
Is a contact holder holding leaf spring contacts 306A and 306B as means for reading information provided in the ink cartridge 27, and is inserted by engaging the latch portion 308 with the hole 310 of the insertion portion 302. It is combined with the part 302. Reference numeral 312 denotes a connector for connecting the contacts 306A and 306B to the main body control unit.

Reference numeral 314 denotes a hollow needle member that penetrates into the supply ink storage bag stored in the ink cartridge 27, and has a hole 316 for ink introduction at its tip. An ink supply tube is attached to the other end of the needle 314, and the tube is further connected to a common liquid chamber in a head chip 110 provided in the recording head 1. It should be noted that a remaining ink amount detecting means can be provided in the middle of the ink supply system.

Reference numeral 318 denotes a waste ink pipe, and the ink cartridge 27
And waste ink is introduced into the ink absorber contained therein. The waste ink is, for example, ink discharged in an ink supply system or refresh processing of ink in a common liquid chamber, or ink discharged in a recovery processing.

Reference numeral 320 denotes a click as a fastener for the ink cartridge 27, and one click is provided on each side of the insertion portion 302. As shown in FIG. 15 (B), the click 320 engages with the insertion portion
When the cartridge 27 is inserted by elastically bending, the insertion of the cartridge 27 is received.
When the cartridge 22 returns to the original shape, the cartridge 27 is held at that position.

FIG. 16 shows a configuration example of an ink cartridge 27 according to this example.

Here, reference numeral 340 denotes an ink bag containing the supply ink, for example, provided with a rubber stopper 342. This stopper 342
The needle 314 is inserted into the, and further penetrates inward to establish ink communication. Reference numeral 344 denotes an ink absorber for receiving the waste ink.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing each part for mutually connecting the ink cartridge 27 and the main body. Here, reference numeral 346 denotes a wiring pattern provided on the top surface of the ink cartridge 27, and the conduction pattern between the contacts 306A and 306B via the wiring pattern 346.
In response to the non-conduction, the main body control unit can detect whether or not the ink cartridge is mounted. Further, by using a resistance pattern having a resistance value determined according to the color and density of the ink containing the pattern, the main body control unit can also read the information.

In this example, when the ink cartridge 27 is inserted, the needle 314 penetrates the stopper 342 and the hole 316 reaches the inside of the ink bag 340, so that the ink is communicated with the insertion position (), and the contacts 306A and 306B. The insertion position () where is connected to the wiring pattern 346 and the insertion position () where the click 320 and the concave portion 332 are engaged to hold the ink cartridge 27 are located in this order in the insertion direction. The position and dimensions of the joint are defined. That is, if the operator
When 27 is inserted, first, the needle 314 enters the inside of the ink bag 340, and when it further enters, the contacts 306A and 306B are connected to the resistance pattern 346. Are engaged.
In this case, since the ink cartridge 27 also stores waste ink, it is desirable that the waste ink pipe 318 be located in the ink cartridge 27 at the position.

The above positional relationship is as shown in FIG. In addition,
In FIG. 18, the position where the ink cartridge 27 finally strikes in the insertion direction is a range from the click to the concave portion 332 where the cartridge 27 can be moved in the holding position due to the play between the click 320 and the concave portion 332, or the click to the concave portion. Three
This is a range from when the cartridge 32 is engaged to when the cartridge 27 is further inserted and the cartridge 27 hits the innermost part of the insertion part 302.

If such a positional relationship is not adopted, an inconvenience as shown in FIG. 19 occurs.

That is, in the relationship shown in FIG. 7A, even if the cartridge is held, the control unit of the apparatus main body may determine that the cartridge is not inserted because the information on the cartridge cannot be read through the contacts 306A and 306B. is there. Fig. (B)
In the relationship shown in (1), the contact connection is made prior to the ink communication, so that the main body control unit determines that the cartridge is already mounted, starts a predetermined operation, and air is taken into the ink supply system from the needle 314. There is a risk. The same applies to the relationship shown in FIG. 9C. In addition, if the operator stops the insertion operation by confirming the click sound, no ink communication can be obtained.

According to the relationships shown in FIGS. 9D and 9E, the needle 314 may come off or the connection of the contact may become unstable within the range even though the cartridge is held.

On the other hand, according to the relationship shown in FIG. 18, since the ink communication, the contact connection, and the cartridge holding are performed in this order when the cartridge is inserted, the operator can simply confirm the holding with the cartridge by a click sound or the like. do it.
In addition, even if the main body control section immediately starts operating in response to the contact connection, no inconvenience such as air being taken into the ink supply system occurs, and conversely, even if the cartridge 27 is pulled out during the operation of the main body control section. Since the main body control unit can detect this before the ink communication is cut off, the same disadvantage does not occur if the operation is stopped.

FIG. 20 (A) relates to a further improvement of the above configuration. In the illustrated example, the wiring pattern is divided into two, and the pattern on the front side in the cartridge insertion direction is a pattern 346A for short-circuiting between the contacts 306A and 306B. A resistance pattern having a resistance value determined according to the ink color, density, etc. on the pattern on the rear side
There is as 346B.

FIG. 20 (B) shows the range in which ink communication is performed, the range in which the contacts 306A and 306B are in contact with the pattern 346A, the range in which only the pattern 346B is in contact, and the range in which the cartridge is held. Show the relationship.

Here, is a limit position at which ink communication is performed as described above, a limit position at which the cartridge 27 is held,
Is the innermost position where the cartridge 27 abuts. Also, The limit position on the near side in the insertion direction where the contacts 306A and 306B come into contact with the pattern 346A and are short-circuited, The contacts 306A and 306B deviate from the pattern 346A, and the pattern 346B
Is the limit position on the near side in the insertion direction where the resistance value is read only by contact with Where: At or near the location, especially in this example click
It is desirable to set the position near the cartridge insertion direction position where the engagement between the 320 and the concave portion 332 is released and the cartridge 27 is easily removed.

The relationship between the positions is as shown, and the same effect as in the case of FIG. 18 can be obtained. However, in this example, a further excellent effect can be obtained by performing the following operation.

FIG. 21 (A) shows a main part of a control system according to this example. Here, reference numeral 400 denotes a main body control unit, which has a CPU for performing the processing shown in FIG. 21 (B) and other controls of the entire apparatus, a ROM storing programs and the like corresponding to the processing procedure, a working RAM, and the like. It can be in the form of a microcomputer. 410 is a detector for detecting the resistance value between the contacts 306A and 306B. When the resistance value is "0", the pattern between the contacts is the above pattern.
A short circuit at 346A indicates that the ink cartridge 27 is not mounted when infinite, and indicates that the ink cartridge 27 is properly held when the value is a predetermined value. Reference numeral 420 denotes a notification unit that enables display of a message or the like, output means of a voice or the like, or a combination thereof. Further, I is an operation stop signal of each unit.

FIG. 21 (B) shows an example of the operation procedure of this embodiment, and this procedure can be started at an appropriate timing during the recording operation in addition to when the apparatus is turned on or when the ink cartridge 27 is replaced.

When this procedure is started, first, a resistance value is read in step S1. Where if this is infinite cartridge
Since it is the case where the cartridge 27 is not mounted, the process proceeds to step S3, the operation of each unit is held in a stopped state, and in step S5, a notification urging the operator to insert the cartridge 27 is issued.

On the other hand, if the resistance value is “0”, the cartridge 27 is in a state where the cartridge 27 is easily pulled out, and the process proceeds to step S7, where the operation of each part is stopped, and then the cartridge is provided to the operator in step S9.
Encourage operation to ensure that 27 is retained.

Further, if the resistance value is a predetermined value, since the cartridge 27 has already been securely held, information (ink color etc.) related to the cartridge corresponding to the resistance value is recognized, and a setting process corresponding to this is performed. (Step S11).

That is, when the operator inserts the cartridge 27 but the click 320 does not come into engagement with the concave portion 332, or when the operator disengages the cartridge 27 for some reason, the cartridge is not completely held, and the cartridge is dropped. Easy to occur. In such a case, since the contacts 306A and 306B are connected to the pattern 346A, the main body control section 400 cannot read the information unique to the cartridge 27, and the main body side control section 400 recognizes such a situation. Then, the operation of the apparatus is turned off, and the operator can be prompted to insert the cartridge 27 reliably. Therefore, the danger of the cartridge 27 falling out of the apparatus can be notified to the operator in advance.

As long as the supply ink communication, the information reading position of the cartridge, and the cartridge holding position can basically have the above-described positional relationship, an appropriate configuration may be adopted for the cartridge and the insertion portion thereof. Of course you can. For example, the holding of the cartridge need not necessarily be by clicks and recesses. The reading of the information relating to the ink cartridge is not electrical, but may be optical, for example. Further, in the above example, waste ink is introduced into the cartridge, but the cartridge may be one that only supplies ink.

(Others) The present invention brings about an excellent effect particularly in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a valve jet system among ink jet recording systems. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

As for the representative configuration and principle, it is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to a sheet or a liquid path holding a liquid (ink). Applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recording information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer, thereby causing the electrothermal transducer to generate thermal energy, thereby causing the recording head to emit heat energy. This is effective because a film in the liquid (ink) corresponding to the driving signal can be formed one by one by causing film boiling on the heat acting surface. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. U.S. Pat. No. 44
Those described in JP-A-63359 and JP-A-4345262 are suitable. Further, when the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As a configuration of the recording head, in addition to a combination configuration (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which is disposed in a bending region, is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, recording can be performed reliably and efficiently regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which a recording apparatus can record. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the print head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as a configuration of the printing apparatus in the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, Performing a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from printing is also effective for performing stable printing.

Regarding the type or number of print heads to be mounted, for example, in addition to one provided for single color ink, a plurality of print heads are provided corresponding to a plurality of inks having different print colors and densities. May be used.

In addition, the form of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention may be used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, or a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. It may be something.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, at a position where an ink tank in the form of a cartridge serving as an ink supply source is held in the apparatus main body, ink communication with the ink supply system is performed prior to the position. Therefore, the ink communication state can be secured near the holding position of the ink tank. Further, since the information relating to the ink tank can be read prior to the holding, no reading or erroneous determination occurs near the holding position. Further, since ink communication is performed prior to reading, even if the recording operation is started immediately in response to the reading, there is no inconvenience such that air is taken into the ink supply system. Even if is pulled out, this can be detected before the ink communication is cut off,
A similar inconvenience does not occur if the operation is stopped.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ink jet recording apparatus to which a cartridge according to the present invention can be mounted, with its top cover removed, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the same with the top cover mounted, FIG. 3 and FIG. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration example of a spur and a spur cleaner of the apparatus according to the present embodiment. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the spur holder in Fig. 3 as viewed from the back side. Figs. B) is a front view and a side view of the spur of the device according to the present example, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the spur shown in FIGS. 6 (A) and (B), and FIG. FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of an apparatus according to the present embodiment, FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating another configuration example of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the cartridge of the present invention can be mounted, and FIG. FIG. 11 (A) is a perspective view showing a configuration example of FIG. FIGS. 12A and 12B are a side sectional view and a plan view showing the carriage when the recording head is mounted, with the head cover and the connector slider removed, and FIGS. 12A and 12B show the recording head and the head cover. FIG. 13 is a side sectional view and a plan view showing the attached carriage with the connector slider removed, FIG. 13 is an explanatory view for explaining a fixed or positioned state of the recording head, and FIGS. 14 (A), (B) and (C). ) Is a side sectional view showing the carriage with the head cover opened,
FIGS. 15A and 15B are side cross-sectional views showing the cartridge in the closed state, and FIGS. 15A and 15B are configuration examples of the ink cartridge mounting portion in the apparatus in which the cartridge of the present invention can be mounted. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the ink cartridge according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 17 is a perspective view for explaining each part that performs mutual coupling between the ink cartridge and the main body. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the coupling positions of the respective parts related to the coupling in the present example and the insertion position, and FIGS. 19 (A) to (E) show the coupling positional relationships as in the present example. FIGS. 20 (A) and (B) are partially enlarged views of the ink cartridge and an explanatory view of the connection position, showing an improved example of FIGS. 17 and 18; 12 view (A) and (B), respectively, is a flow chart illustrating a block diagram and an operation example thereof showing a control system for the configuration shown in FIG. 20. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Recording head, 2 ... Carriage, 4 ... Discharge roller, 5 ... Paper feed roller, 6 ... Recording medium (recording paper), 7 ... Platen, 9 ... Connector, 12 ... Connector board , 13 ... Cap, 24 ... Pump, 27 ... Ink cartridge, 40A, 40B ... Spur, 41 ... Spur cleaner, 42 ... Spur holder, 43 ... Spur shaft, 50 ... Side frame, 51 ... … Top cover, 120… Head wiring board, 126… Connector, 130… Head support board, 210… Carriage body, 212… Side support plate, 214… Cover pivot pin, 216… Cover fastening , 230: Connector slider, 232: Connector, 236: Cam part, 250: Head cover, 262: Projection for moving the connector slider, 302: Cartridge insertion part, 304: Contact holder, 306A, 306B ... Contact point, 314: Needle, 318: Waste ink Ip, 320… Click, 332… Recess, 340… Ink bag, 346,346A, 346B …… Wiring pattern.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-62-184856 (JP, A) JP-A-63-147649 (JP, A) JP-A-57-201682 (JP, A) 176540 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 2/175

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A hollow needle for forming an ink supply path for supplying ink to a recording head; an ink discharge pipe for discharging waste ink not used for recording by the recording head; a pair of electrode terminals; A substantially rectangular ink tank cartridge, comprising: an ink tank cartridge accommodating section having a member; and an ink tank cartridge configured to be detachably attached to an ink jet recording apparatus for setting an operation by receiving information from the ink cartridge. A main body, an ink container housed inside the ink tank cartridge main body for storing the ink, and an ink supply portion of the ink container arranged on the front side in the mounting direction of the ink tank cartridge main body, wherein the hollow needle Are connected by insertion so that the ink can be supplied; and A waste ink recovery body that is housed inside the ink tank cartridge body and is capable of recovering the waste ink; and a waste ink recovery body that is provided on the front side in the mounting direction of the ink tank cartridge body and allows the waste ink recovery body to recover the waste ink. An opening capable of receiving the ink discharge pipe; and an opening provided on an upper surface of the ink tank cartridge main body;
An electrical resistance label having a predetermined resistance value as the information that can be connected to the pair of electrode terminals; and an engaged portion provided on the ink tank cartridge main body. According to the mounting of the ink tank cartridge, after the connection between the hollow needle and the connection portion is performed and the connection between the ink discharge tube and the opening is performed, the pair of electrode terminals and the electric resistance label are provided. Wherein the respective components are arranged such that the engagement member and the engaged member are engaged with each other and the ink tank cartridge is mounted.