JP2801149B2 - Ink tank and ink tank holder - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink tank and an ink tank holder used in an ink jet recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium by discharging ink, and more particularly, to an ink tank containing ink used for recording and this ink. The present invention relates to an ink tank holder that detachably holds a tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, paper, cloth, plastic sheet, O
2. Description of the Related Art A recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “recording paper”) such as a sheet for HP uses various recording methods, for example, a recording head based on a wire dot method, a heat-sensitive method, a thermal transfer method, and an ink jet method. It has been proposed as a form that can be mounted.

[0003] Among such recording apparatuses, as a low-noise non-impact recording method, a recording head of an ink jet recording method in which ink is ejected from ejection ports (nozzles) arranged on recording elements to perform recording on recording paper. (Hereinafter, also referred to as an “inkjet recording apparatus”) can perform a high-density and high-speed recording operation.

[0004] The ink jet recording apparatus has a configuration corresponding to a unique function of a system or the like to which the apparatus is applied, a use form, and the like. In general, an ink jet recording apparatus includes a carriage on which a recording head ink tank is mounted, a conveying unit for conveying recording paper, and a control unit for controlling these.

Then, the recording head for ejecting ink droplets from the plurality of ejection ports is serially scanned in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the recording paper conveyance direction (sub scanning direction).
On the other hand, during non-recording, the recording paper is intermittently conveyed (pitch-fed) by an amount equal to the recording width. By using a recording head in which a number of nozzles for ejecting ink are arranged on a straight line parallel to the sub-scanning direction, the recording head
By performing scanning twice, printing is performed with a width corresponding to the number of nozzles.

In addition, the ink jet recording apparatus has a low running cost, can be downsized, and can easily cope with color image recording using a plurality of color inks. Above all, a line type recording apparatus using a line type recording head in which a large number of ejection ports are arranged in the width direction of the recording paper can further increase the recording speed.

For the above-mentioned reasons, the ink jet recording apparatus is used as an output terminal of an information processing system, for example, a printer as an output terminal such as a copying machine, a facsimile, an electronic typewriter, a word processor, a workstation, or a personal computer, a host computer, an optical disk. It is used and commercialized as a handy or portable printer included in a device, a video device, and the like.

On the other hand, as an energy generating element for generating energy for discharging ink from a discharge port of a recording head, an element using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element or irradiating electromagnetic waves such as a laser to generate heat is used. There is a method in which an ink droplet is ejected by the action of the heat, or a method in which a liquid is heated by an electrothermal conversion element having a heating resistor.

[0009] Among them, a recording head of an ink jet recording system in which ink droplets are ejected by utilizing thermal energy can perform high-resolution recording because ejection ports can be arranged at a high density. Among them, a recording head using an electrothermal transducer as an energy generating element is easy to miniaturize, and has the advantages of IC technology and micro-machining technology, which have recently made remarkable progress in technology in the semiconductor field and remarkable improvement in reliability. It is advantageous because it can be utilized more than enough, high-density mounting is easy, and the manufacturing cost is low.

[0010] An ink tank for supplying ink to the recording head is schematically constituted by an ink absorber, a container for accommodating the ink absorber, and a lid member for sealing the same.

The recording head includes a chip type integrated with the ink tank and a recording head detachably connected to the ink tank. In either case, the positioning of the recording head and the ink tank, or the positioning of the recording head cartridge and the carriage in which these members are integrated, is an important matter relating to print quality. One of these positioning means uses an engagement hole and an engagement pin. By engaging both, an accurate positioning can be performed.

The above-mentioned detaching mechanism for positioning the recording head and the ink tank or for positioning the recording head cartridge and the carriage requires a small-sized ink jet recording apparatus so that it can be detached and mounted in a smaller space. And a mechanism for moving the ink tank or the recording head cartridge in a plurality of directions by operating a lever or the like.

[0013]

However, in the case where the ink tank or the recording head cartridge is attached and detached by moving the ink tank or the recording head cartridge in a plurality of directions, the space required for attachment / detachment is small, which contributes to downsizing of the ink jet recording apparatus. The attaching and detaching operation was relatively complicated. Therefore, it is important to obtain a configuration that is small in size, has a simpler operation or a simpler mechanism, does not cause any inconvenience when attaching and detaching, and does not reduce the positioning accuracy.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an ink tank, an ink tank holder, which can be attached and detached with a simpler operation and mechanism without lowering the positioning accuracy, and which can be further downsized.
An object of the present invention is to provide a carriage and an ink jet recording apparatus provided with the carriage.

[0015]

An ink tank for achieving the above object is detachable from a holder provided with an ink jet head, and is capable of storing ink used for recording supplied to the head. In the ink tank for ink jet, the ink tank main body, a supply port arranged at a bottom portion in use state of the ink tank, for supplying the ink to the head, and an atmosphere inside the ink tank. An air communication portion communicating with the first engagement portion, a first engagement portion provided on a part of one side surface of the ink tank, for engaging with a first engagement portion formed on the holder, and the first engagement portion. A latch lever provided with a second engagement portion that is elastically provided on the other side surface with respect to the side surface provided with the second engagement portion formed on the holder. Features .

[0016] The latch lever may have an operation portion used at least when the ink tank is removed from the holder. Further, the latch lever may be elastically displaced toward the ink tank main body at the time of the attaching / detaching operation.

The ink tank may contain a negative pressure generator for holding the ink.
A configuration may be adopted in which a negative pressure generator for holding the ink is accommodated in the ink tank main body, and a fibrous body composed of a fibrous member is disposed in the supply unit. Further, the ink tank may be configured to contain black ink, and the ink tank has a three-chamber configuration in which the interior is divided into three, and the supply unit and the supply unit are provided in each chamber. An air communication section may be provided, and each chamber may contain ink of each color of yellow, cyan, and magenta. The three chamber supply units may be arranged in a direction from the one side surface to the other side surface.

With the ink tank mounted, the second
The engagement portion may be configured to be provided relatively above the first engagement portion.

The latch lever may be configured as a lever member having a shape inclined or curved upward from a region near the bottom of the other side surface, and the latch lever may be a region near the bottom of the ink tank. And the second engagement portion is disposed between the fulcrum portion and an operating portion provided at the tip of the latch lever. It may be configured. Further, the second engagement portion is located inside the second engagement portion of the holder when the ink tank is mounted on the holder, and is not protruded outward. Alternatively, the second engagement portion may be arranged outside the latch lever.

The two sides connecting one side and the other side of the ink tank may be provided with projections which can be in contact with a part of the holder. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which an inclined surface is provided at a ridge portion where a bottom surface in the use state of the ink tank and one side surface provided with the first engagement portion intersect.

The ink tank holder of the present invention has an opening through which an ink tank for storing ink used for recording is inserted, and holds the ink tank detachably, and has an ink jet head. And an ink communication pipe that communicates with an ink supply port disposed at a bottom portion in use of the ink tank, and a first communication port provided on a part of one side surface of the ink tank.
A first engaging portion that engages with the engaging portion; and a second engaging portion of a latch lever provided on the ink tank on another surface facing the side on which the first engaging portion is provided. And a second locking portion.

A projection provided on two sides connecting one side and the other side of the ink tank slides on two sides connecting the side where the first locking part and the second locking part are provided. A configuration in which a concave step is provided may be used. Further, the ink tank holder may be configured such that a biasing means for biasing the ink tank upward is provided at a bottom portion in a use state.

The ink tank holder is detachably mounted on a carriage of the ink jet apparatus. The ink tank holder has a mounting engagement portion for the carriage and is mounted on the ink jet apparatus. In the state, the mounting engagement portion of the ink tank holder may be located relatively lower than the second engagement portion of the ink tank. Further, the inside of the ink tank holder is divided into two regions, and a first locking portion and a second locking portion are provided in each of the divided regions,
In one area, an ink tank containing one color of ink is detachable, and in the other area, an ink tank integrally comprising a plurality of chambers containing a plurality of types of ink is detachable. It may be a configuration. The ridge between the bottom surface of the ink tank holder and the side surface on which the first locking portion is provided may have an inclined surface. Further, in each of the regions of the ink tank holder, the inside of which is divided into two regions, a ridge portion between a bottom surface of each region and a side surface provided with the first locking portion may be configured as an inclined surface. good.

[0024] The ink tank holder may be provided integrally with an ink jet head, and the ink jet head and the ink supply pipe may communicate with each other. Further, a terminal portion for receiving an electric signal transmitted to the ink jet head may be provided on one side surface of the ink tank holder. Further, on the side surface of the ink tank holder where the second locking portion is provided, there is provided a holder operation unit used when attaching and detaching the ink tank holder to and from a carriage of an ink jet device, The operation unit disposed on the latch lever of the ink tank may be arranged adjacent to the operation unit with the ink tank mounted. Still further, the inkjet head may include an electrothermal converter as an energy generating element, and cause the ink to be discharged by causing film boiling of the ink by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which the holder operation unit of the ink tank holder and the operation unit of the ink tank are located on a side surface intersecting the scanning direction of the carriage. Further, the holder operation section of the ink tank holder may be located below the operation section of the ink tank.

[0025] The ink tank holder may be configured to detachably hold the ink tank while being mounted on the carriage.

The ink tank according to the present invention is detachable from a holder provided with an ink jet head and is capable of storing ink used for recording supplied to the head. A main body, a supply port arranged at a bottom portion in use of the ink tank for supplying the ink to the head, an air communication portion communicating the atmosphere in the ink tank, and the ink; Provided on one side of the tank,
A first engaging portion that engages with a first locking portion formed on the holder, and the holder elastically provided on another surface different from the one surface on which the first engaging portion is provided. And a latch lever provided with a second engaging portion that engages with the second engaging portion formed on the first and second engaging portions. The ink supply port is provided with the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion. And is located between the two.

[0027] The latch lever may be configured to have at least an operation unit used when the ink tank is removed from the holder. Further, the latch lever may be elastically displaced toward the ink tank main body at the time of the attaching / detaching operation.

The ink tank may contain a negative pressure generator for holding the ink.
A negative pressure generator for holding the ink may be housed in the ink tank body, and a fibrous body made of a fibrous member may be provided in the supply unit.

The ink tank may contain black ink. The ink tank has a three-chamber configuration in which the interior is divided into three chambers. Each of the chambers is provided with the supply section and the atmosphere communication section, and each chamber has a yellow, cyan, and magenta color. May be stored. Here, said 3
The supply units of the chambers may be arranged in a direction from the one side surface to the other side surface.

With the ink tank mounted, the second
The engagement portion may be configured to be provided relatively above the first engagement portion.

[0031] The latch lever may be constituted by a lever member having a shape inclined or curved upward from a region near a lower portion of the other surface. Further, the latch lever is integrally provided in a region near a lower portion of the ink tank, and is configured to be elastically displaceable with the portion as a fulcrum, and an operating portion provided at a tip of the fulcrum portion and the latch lever. And the second engagement portion may be arranged between the second engagement portion and the second engagement portion. Further, the second engagement portion may be configured so as to be located inside the second engagement portion of the holder when the ink tank is mounted on the holder, and not to protrude outward. . Furthermore, the second engagement portion may be arranged outside the latch lever.

The other surface of the ink tank is a surface facing the one surface of the ink tank, and connects the other surface to the other surface.
The side surface may have a configuration in which a protrusion capable of forming a contact state with a part of the holder is provided.

[0033] An inclined surface may be provided at a ridge portion where a bottom surface of the ink tank in use and a surface provided with the first engagement portion intersect.

[0034]

When the ink tank constructed as described above is mounted on the ink tank holder, first, a claw-shaped projection as a first engagement portion provided on a part of one side surface of the ink tank is provided on the ink tank holder. A latch as a second engaging portion of a latch lever elastically supported on the other side opposite to the one side, and is aligned with and fitted to a retaining hole as a first locking section formed on the first side. The pawl is engaged with an engagement hole serving as a second locking portion of the ink tank holder. This allows
Opposite side surfaces of the ink tank are held by the ink tank holder, and the ink tank is accurately and reliably positioned and mounted. In addition, since the ink tank is accurately and reliably positioned in the ink tank holder, the supply port of the ink tank can be reliably connected to the ink communication pipe as the ink removing means of the ink tank holder, and no ink leakage occurs. .

At this time, the ink tank is first obliquely inserted into the opening of the ink tank holder in order to align the claw-shaped projections. With the configuration in which the inclined surface is formed at the ridge portion with the side surface, the positioning between the claw-shaped projection and the retaining hole can be easily performed only by inserting the ink tank along the inclined surface. In other words, the ink tank is inserted obliquely into the ink tank holder, and then the latch claw and the engagement hole are engaged with each other. Therefore, the ink tank rotates around the side where the claw-shaped protrusion is provided while rotating the ink tank. Mounted on the tank holder. This reduces the space required for mounting the ink tank.

The provision of the operating portion on the latch lever facilitates the operation for removing the ink tank from the ink tank holder. In addition, the operating portion of the latch lever is operated to bend to the side opposite to the engagement hole, that is, the latch lever is elastically deformed toward the ink tank body side, so that the latch claw and the engagement hole for the removal operation are formed. Can be easily released. Further, since the displacement direction of the latch claw is on the ink tank main body side, the latch lever is not deformed more than necessary, so that the latch lever is unlikely to be damaged.

The configuration in which the negative pressure generator for holding the ink in the ink tank is accommodated ensures that the ink holding in the ink tank is stable and that the ink supply to the ink jet head is sufficiently satisfied. to enable. Furthermore, the configuration in which the fibrous body composed of the fibrous members is arranged in the ink supply section of the ink tank makes it possible to more stably lead out the ink in the ink tank, and the ink is supplied from the ink jet head. It is possible to maintain good ejection characteristics. In addition, black ink is stored in the ink tank, thereby enabling black printing. In addition, color printing is enabled by dividing the inside into three chambers and storing yellow, cyan, and magenta inks. I do. The combination of these tanks enables full-color recording. In the case of a three-chamber configuration that enables color recording, the supply ports of the respective chambers are arranged in a direction from one side provided with the claw-shaped projections to the other side provided with the latch lever. That means that it is located between the action points for securing and maintaining the holding state with respect to the ink tank holder,
The state of connection with the ink supply pipe is ensured.

In a configuration in which the latch claw serving as the second engagement portion is located relatively above the claw-shaped projection serving as the first engagement portion when the ink tank is mounted, the moving distance for mounting the ink tank is set. And the operability is improved. Further, the downward acting force when the ink tank is mounted on the ink tank holder can be maintained in the engaged state of the latch claw, so that the mounting reliability can be improved.

When the latch lever is supported by the bottom of the ink tank and is inclined or curved upward and outward, when the ink tank is removed from the ink tank holder, the engagement between the latch claw and the engagement hole is released. Then, the latch lever comes into contact with the inner wall of the ink tank holder, and the other end surface of the ink tank rises along the inclination or curve of the latch lever. Thereby, the other end side of the ink tank protrudes from the ink tank holder, and the ink tank can be easily removed.

A latch lever is integrally provided near the bottom of the ink tank, and is elastically displaced with the latch lever as a fulcrum. A latch claw is disposed between the fulcrum and the operating portion at the tip of the latch lever. That is, the operability can be expected to be improved, and the attachment / detachment operation of the ink tank can be easily and reliably performed. A latch claw is disposed outside the latch lever so as to be engaged inward with an engagement hole serving as a second engagement portion of the ink tank holder. Since the pawl is not protruded outside the engaging hole, it is difficult for the latch pawl itself to be pushed and released from the engaged state due to an unexpected situation, and the reliability of mounting is reduced. Can be secured.

In the case where the projections are formed on both side surfaces of the ink tank, the mounting can be assisted by engagement of the projections with a part of the holder. In addition, the positioning engagement between the latch claw and the engagement hole can be easily performed.

The ink tank holder having the above configuration is
A claw-shaped protrusion as a first engagement portion provided on a part of one side surface of the ink tank is provided on a first side of the ink tank holder.
Align and fit into the retaining hole as the engaging part,
Next, a latch claw as a second engagement portion of the latch lever elastically supported on the other side opposite to the one side is engaged with an engagement hole as a second engagement portion of the ink tank holder. Thereby, the opposite side surfaces of the ink tank can be securely held by the ink tank holder, and the ink tank is accurately and reliably positioned and mounted. In addition, since the ink tank holder accurately and reliably positions and holds the ink tank, the ink supply port of the ink tank and the ink communication pipe as the ink take-out means of the ink tank holder can be reliably connected, and no ink leakage occurs. .

In the case where the urging means for urging the bottom surface on the other end side of the ink tank toward the opening of the ink tank holder is provided on the bottom wall of the opening of the ink tank holder, the ink tank is moved from the ink tank holder to the ink tank holder. At the time of removal, when the engagement between the latch claw and the engagement hole is released, the other end of the ink tank is protruded by the urging force of the urging means. Accordingly, the amount of protrusion of the ink tank from the ink tank holder is further increased, and detachment of the ink tank is further facilitated.

The recessed steps which can be engaged with the projections provided on both side surfaces of the ink tank can assist in mounting the ink tank, align the claw-shaped projections with the retaining holes, and set the latch claw. And the engagement hole can be easily aligned.

A plurality of ink tanks are mounted on one ink tank holder by providing a partition plate on the ink tank holder and dividing the opening of the ink tank holder into a plurality of regions. This is because, for example, when printing in color, the amount of consumption differs depending on the color of the ink, so if the ink tank is set for each color of ink, the ink can be used efficiently. In this case, erroneous mounting of the ink tank is prevented by forming inclined surfaces corresponding to each other on the ink tank and the ink tank holder.

Positioning the mounting engagement portion of the ink tank holder detachable from the carriage relatively below the latch claw of the ink tank can be achieved by arranging the latch claw regardless of the presence of the mounting engagement portion. The above operation can be performed, so that a configuration in which the ink tank is attached and detached while the ink tank holder is mounted on the carriage is made possible.

In the case where the ridge portion between the bottom surface of the ink tank holder and one side surface provided with the engagement hole is formed as a slope, including the form in which the inside of the ink tank holder is divided, the ink tank is not used. It can correspond to the slope of the ridge of the bottom surface of the ink tank that can be adopted when inserted obliquely into the opening of the ink tank holder and one side surface on which the claw-like projections are formed. Just by inserting the ink tank, the positioning of the claw-shaped protrusion and the retaining hole can be easily performed. In other words, the ink tank is inserted obliquely into the ink tank holder, and then the latch claw and the engagement hole are engaged with each other. Therefore, the ink tank rotates around the side where the claw-shaped protrusion is provided while rotating the ink tank. Mounted on the tank holder. This reduces the space required for mounting the ink tank.

In a configuration in which a terminal portion for receiving a transmitted electric signal is provided on one side surface of the ink tank holder, the terminal portion is located downstream of the mounting of the ink tank holder with respect to the carriage. Can be directly received by the terminal section, so that the electrical connection state of the carriage to the signal transmission section can be ensured.

Further, in the case where a knob is provided on the outer surface of the ink tank holder on the outer wall side, when the ink tank holder mounted on the carriage is removed from the carriage,
Since the ink tank holder can be pulled up by hooking a finger on the knob, the ink tank holder can be easily removed. Also, since the latch claw engagement hole is located corresponding to the latch lever operated when the ink tank is removed from the ink tank holder, by disposing the latch claw engagement hole and the knob at different positions from each other. When removing the ink tank from the ink tank holder,
Erroneous operation when removing the ink tank holder from the carriage is prevented.

On the other hand, a fixing area for attaching and detaching the ink tank is provided with a protruding area protruding outward. Since the ink tank holder provided with the portion has a protruding area, the area around the protruding area is a concave portion relative to the protruding area. Therefore, by utilizing the area serving as the concave portion and providing an operation section operated by the operator when attaching and detaching to and from the carriage, a space for the operator to insert a finger when attaching and detaching is specially provided. Need not be provided. Therefore, the structure of the operation unit for attaching and detaching to and from the carriage is simplified. In particular, by providing this operation portion at the upper end of the region that becomes the concave portion, the operation becomes easier.

On the other hand, when the operating portion is provided on a surface having a fixing portion which is held by the carriage when mounted on the carriage and in a region farthest from the fixing portion, a force is applied to the operating portion. In this case, the moment acting on the fixed portion increases. That is, the holding and release of the fixing portion can be performed with a small force, so that the attaching / detaching operation with respect to the carriage is facilitated.

Further, in the case where the operation unit for attaching and detaching the ink tank and the operation unit for attaching and detaching to and from the carriage are provided on the same side in the moving direction of the carriage,
Since the operation unit is concentrated, the operation is simplified when attaching or detaching the ink tank or the ink tank holder. In addition, if there is a space on the side where the operation unit is provided so that the operator can operate, the carriage can be attached and detached at any position. In this case, when the frequency of attaching and detaching the ink tank is compared with the frequency of attaching and detaching the ink tank holder, the frequency of attaching and detaching the ink tank is larger, so that the operation unit for attaching and detaching the ink tank is attached to and detached from the carriage. Providing the ink tank above the operation unit makes it easier to attach and detach the ink tank. In particular, when a plurality of ink tanks are detachable, arranging the operation units of the respective ink tanks on the same straight line makes the design more cohesive and enables further downsizing.

In the configuration in which the ink tank holder is integrally provided with the ink jet head, the ink jet head can be replaced together with the replacement of the ink tank holder. Therefore, it is possible to cope with a situation where the ink jet head is damaged. . Also, the ink tank holder can be easily attached and detached in a small space.

As the ink tank holder detachable from the carriage, any ink tank holder may be used as long as it has a positioning means, a terminal portion and a guide member, as long as they have the same positional relationship with respect to them.
That is, the ink tank holder that holds one ink tank or the ink tank holder that holds a plurality of ink tanks can be freely selected and detached. Therefore, when it is desired to switch from mono color to color or from color to mono color, it is only necessary to replace the ink tank holder.

Further, in the case where a cover portion that covers a part of the upper surface of the ink tank holder in a state where the ink tank holder is mounted is provided on a surface facing the outer surface on the one end wall side of the ink tank holder. The portion serves as a guide when inserting the ink tank, and the direction in which the ink tank holder is inserted into the carriage is regulated, so that the positioning of the ink tank holder and the positioning means of the carriage becomes easier. In addition, the cover makes it difficult for other members or the operator's finger to touch the terminal of the carriage, so that the terminal of the carriage is protected.

Employing a structure in which the ink supply port is located in a region between the claw-shaped projection and the latch lever can cooperate with each other to contribute to the connection between the ink supply port and the ink supply pipe. Therefore, it is possible to reliably secure the action force by the above, and it is possible to enhance the reliability of mounting.

By adopting the structure of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a heavy load from being applied to the carriage or a mechanism for supporting the carriage when the ink tank or the ink tank holder is attached or detached, thereby preventing operational problems. Further, the space required for attaching and detaching the ink tank and the ink tank holder can be reduced, and as a result, a small-sized ink jet recording apparatus can be realized. Further, since the positioning of the ink tank holder is also performed accurately, the positioning of the recording head is also performed accurately, which contributes to the provision of an ink jet recording apparatus having high reliability and excellent recording quality.

[0058]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a carriage 2 has a recording head cartridge 1 removably mounted thereon, and has a guide shaft 5 and a guide rail 12 fixed at both ends to a frame 4 and arranged in parallel with each other.
The recording medium P is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium P, and
Are slidably supported in a direction parallel to the plane of The carriage 2 is a part of a carriage drive belt 11 wrapped around a drive pulley 13 fixed to an output shaft of a carriage drive motor 10 and a driven pulley (not shown) rotatably supported. When the carriage drive motor 10 is driven, the carriage drive belt 11 rotates, and the carriage 2 reciprocates in the above-described direction.

The recording head cartridge 1 includes a nozzle section 50 (see FIG. 5) as a recording head for ejecting ink based on a recording signal which is an electric signal for ink ejection, a monocolor holder 60 (see FIG. 5). The mono-color holder 60 detachably holds the ink tank 30 containing the ink. The nozzle unit 50 is provided at the bottom (the lower end in the figure) of the recording head cartridge 1, and the ink is ejected downward in the figure. The recording signal to the nozzle unit 50 is transmitted to the carriage 2
Is transmitted from a control board (not shown) for controlling the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus via a flexible cable 3 provided in the printer. The flexible cable 3 is arranged along the moving direction of the carriage 2 and forms a loop as the carriage 2 moves. The recording head cartridge 1 and the carriage 2 will be described later in detail.

On the other hand, the recording medium P has a frame 4 at both ends.
Is mounted on a pressure plate 8 which is rotatably supported on the platen. Pressure plate 8
Is biased toward the pickup roller 9 by a biasing means (not shown), and the recording medium P stacked on the pressure plate 8 is pressed against the pickup roller 9. When the pickup roller 9 is rotated by a paper feed command,
The recording medium P is sent out by the frictional force between the pickup roller 9 and the recording medium P. The pressure plate 8 has a separating means (not shown) such as a separating claw used in a conventional automatic sheet feeding apparatus. Only one recording medium P at the uppermost position is sent out by the operation of the separating means.

The recording medium P sent out by the pickup roller 9 is conveyed below the carriage 2 while being nipped by the conveyance roller 6 having both ends supported by the frame 4 and the pinch roller 7 provided on the base 14. . Recording is performed on the recording medium P at this position. Further, on the downstream side of the carriage 2 with respect to the transport direction of the recording medium P, a paper discharge roller 15 and a spur 16 are disposed so as to face each other. The sheet is sandwiched between the spur 16 and discharged. The above-described pickup roller 9, transport roller 6, and paper discharge roller 15 are driven using a paper feed motor (not shown) as a drive source.

In the following description, the upstream side with respect to the transport direction of the recording medium P is referred to as a back side, its surface is referred to as a back surface, the downstream side is referred to as a near side, and the surface is referred to as a front surface.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is housed in a housing. As shown in FIG. 2, an outer case is formed by a lower case 18 and an upper case 17, and the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is housed therein.

An upper case 17 is provided at the back side of the upper case 17.
Is provided so as to be openable and closable.
The upper case 17 has an opening at a position corresponding to the pressure plate 8, and the top cover 19 is opened to open the top cover 19.
Is a tray for setting the recording medium P on the pressure plate 8. Further, the upper case 17 has an opening from the central portion to the front surface, and the recording head cartridge 1 or the ink tank 30 can be detached from the opening. Therefore, when the recording head cartridge 1 or the ink tank 30 is replaced, the carriage 2 is moved to the center of the moving range by a predetermined operation. A head cover 20 that covers a part of the upper surface and the front surface of the opening is provided on the front side of the replacement opening of the recording head cartridge 1 or the ink tank 30 so as to be openable and closable. When the tank 30 is not replaced, the head cover 20 is closed to protect the recording head cartridge 1.

Next, the carriage will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carriage 2 of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

The carriage 2 has a frame shape as a whole, and a recording head cartridge 1 (see FIG. 1) is mounted in a hollow portion thereof. Two bearings 2a are integrally provided on the back surface of the carriage 2, and the guide shaft 5 is inserted into each of the bearings 2a. On the front surface of the carriage 2, a guide rail holding portion 2b and a carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c are integrally provided as two holding portions. The guide rail holding portion 2b is provided on the cable holder 21 side, and the carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c is provided on the head guide 22 side. Guide rail clamping portion 2b and carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c
Are composed of two members protruding from each other at an interval in the vertical direction with a plate-like guide rail 12 interposed therebetween. As described above, the carriage 2 is supported by the two bearing portions 2a, the guide rail holding portion 2b, and the carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c. Accordingly, the carriage 2 is supported so as to be parallel to the base 14 (see FIG. 1), and the nozzle portion 50 (see FIG. 5) of the recording head cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 2 and the recording medium P
(See FIG. 1) is kept substantially constant.

However, the carriage deformation preventing stopper 2
c is larger than the distance between the two members forming the guide rail holding portion 2b, and the carriage 2 is substantially a carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c.
It is supported at three points except for. This is because, in order to support the carriage 2 in parallel with the base 14, considering the sliding load of the carriage 2, it is sufficient to support the carriage 2 at three points that are not aligned on the same straight line. Further, the carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c is provided.
In order to prevent unnecessary displacement or deformation of the carriage 2 due to a load applied to the guide rail holding portion 2b and each bearing portion 2a when the recording head cartridge 1 is attached to and detached from the carriage 2, and to prevent a malfunction in operation. It is. Also,
The carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c is
The reason for this is that a force is applied to the head guide 22 when the recording head cartridge 1 is attached to or detached from the carriage 2 as described later.

The flexible cable 3 is routed through a predetermined path, and a cable terminal 3a provided at the end thereof is provided.
Is located inside the illustrated right side wall of the carriage 2,
It is fixed by a cable retainer 21. When the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, the cable terminal portion 3 a comes into contact with the head terminal portion 53 (see FIG. 5) of the recording head cartridge 1, so that the electric connection with the recording head cartridge 1 is established. Is made.

The cable retainer 21 is formed by bending a conductive plate-shaped member such as stainless steel. The upper end of the cable retainer 21 is provided with a cover 21a that projects more inward of the carriage 2 than the cable terminal 3a. Has become. Further, a part of the cable retainer 21 is in contact with the GND pattern of the flexible cable 3. That is, the cable retainer 21 is grounded via the flexible cable 3. This is because when an operator attaches or detaches the recording head cartridge 1 to / from the carriage 2, static electricity or the like accumulated on the operator's finger or the like or accumulated in the recording head cartridge 1 is discharged to the cable presser 21 to GND. This prevents discharge of the static electricity or the like to the cable terminal portion 3a, thereby preventing damage to the control substrate of the ink jet recording apparatus.

Further, by forming the cover 21a on the cable holder 21, the cable terminal 3a is connected to the cover 2a.
1a, and the cable terminal 3a
It is difficult for the operator's finger or the like to touch the touch panel. As a result, the above-mentioned static electricity or the like is easily discharged to the cable retainer 21, and the cable terminal 3a itself is protected by the cover 21a.

On the surface of the carriage 2 where the cable terminal portion 3a is located, two head positioning protrusions 2d, 2d
e is provided integrally. One of the head positioning projections 2d has a rectangular shape and is provided on the back side of the cable terminal portion 3a. The other positioning projection 2e has a circular tip with a conical shape, and is provided on the front side of the cable terminal 3a. In a state where the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, one of the head positioning projections 2d is fitted into the head positioning notch 53a (see FIG. 5) of the recording head cartridge 1 and the other is positioned, as described later. The protrusion 2e fits into the head positioning hole 53b (see FIG. 5) of the recording head cartridge 1, and accurate positioning of the recording head cartridge 1 with respect to the carriage 2 is performed. As is clear from the above explanation,
The head positioning projections 2d and 2e constitute the positioning means of the carriage 2, and the head positioning notch 53a and the head positioning hole 53b constitute the positioning means of the recording head cartridge 1.

Further, a contact spring 23 is provided at a portion of the carriage 2 which faces the cable terminal portion 3a, and a head guide 2 made of resin is provided at the tip of the contact spring 23.
2 is fixed. That is, the head guide 22 is elastically supported by the carriage 2. Head guide 2
2, when the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, as described later, the recording head cartridge 1 is fitted to the head pressing portion 60 b (see FIG. 6) of the recording head cartridge 1, and the recording head is driven by the spring force of the contact spring 23. The cartridge 1 is urged toward the cable terminal portion 3a. By arranging the cable terminal portion 3a and the head guide 22 to face each other, the contact between the cable terminal portion 3a and the head terminal portion 53 is ensured. And Further, the head guide 22 connects the recording head cartridge 1 to the carriage 2.
It also plays the role of a guide when mounting it on.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a double torsion type torsion coil spring is used as the contact spring 23, and two coil portions are supported by a support rod integrally formed with the carriage 2. At the same time, the metal shaft member 24 supported by the carriage 2 is sandwiched between the ends extending from the respective coil portions. Thus, when a load is applied to the contact spring 23, the load applied to the carriage 2 is dispersed, and the deformation of the carriage 2 is prevented. Further, when the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, the pressing force of the contact spring 23 on the recording head cartridge 1 is set to about 2 kgf in order to more reliably make contact between the cable terminal portion 3 a and the head terminal portion 53. .

As described above, the cover 21a is formed on the cable retainer 21 and the cable terminal 3a is formed.
When the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, the head terminal 22 of the recording head cartridge 1 is provided.
The surface on the side of the recording head cartridge 3 is inserted under the cover 21a, and the front end of the cover 21a is used as a spindle.
Will be attached while rotating. Therefore, the cover portion 21a serves as a guide when the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted, and the recording head cartridge 1 can be mounted in a small space.

The cover 21a is connected to the cable terminal 3a.
When the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted without penetrating the cover terminal 21a below the surface of the recording head cartridge 1 on the side of the head terminal portion 53, the base plate 51 of the recording head cartridge 1 The recording head cartridge 1 hits the cover 21a before contacting the cable terminal 3a, and the recording head cartridge 1
To prevent damage.

Next, the recording head cartridge 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the recording head cartridge 1 of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from a direction in which the head terminal portion 53 is visible. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the recording head cartridge 1 of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. ,
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the head terminal unit viewed from a direction in which a surface opposite to the head terminal unit is visible. 7 is a bottom view of the recording head cartridge 1 of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the nozzle section 50 of the recording head cartridge 1 shown in FIG.

This recording head cartridge 1 is a mono-color cartridge, and as shown in FIGS.
The nozzle unit 50 for ejecting ink and the monocolor holder 60 having a box shape having an opening on the upper surface are integrated with each other. The tank 30 is detachably mounted.

As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 8, the nozzle portion 50 has a base plate 5 made of a metal plate such as aluminum.
1, a grooved member 52 having a plurality of liquid passages 50d and grooves forming the common liquid chamber 50c is fixed.
A plurality of ejection ports 50b, which are opening ends of the respective liquid paths 50d, are formed on the ejection port face 50a facing the recording medium P (see FIG. 1). Each liquid path 50d is formed at a predetermined pitch, and the base plate 5 corresponds to each liquid path 50d.
An electrothermal converter (heating resistor, etc.) 50e for generating energy for ink ejection is provided on 1. The common liquid chamber 50c communicates with the ink tank 30 (see FIG. 5), and ink is supplied from the ink tank 30 to the common liquid chamber 50c. Each electrothermal transducer 50e is electrically connected to the head terminal 53 shown in FIG. 5 via a wiring (not shown).

The head terminal section 53 is connected to the base plate 51.
The wiring connected to each of the electrothermal transducers 50e is connected to the head terminal section 53 by wire bonding. Also,
As shown in FIG. 7, the base plate 51 is attached at an angle of 1 to 4 degrees with respect to the transport direction of the recording medium P.
Therefore, the rows of the ejection ports 50b are also inclined by 1 to 4 degrees with respect to the transport direction of the recording medium P.

The ink supplied from the ink tank 30 to the common liquid chamber 50c and temporarily stored enters the liquid path 50d by capillary action, forms a meniscus at the discharge port 50b, and fills the liquid path 50d. Keep. At this time, when the electrothermal transducer 50e is energized and generates heat based on the recording signal transmitted to the head terminal section 53, the electrothermal transducer 50e
The ink on the upper side is rapidly heated to cause film boiling, and bubbles are generated in the liquid passage 50d, and the expansion of the bubbles causes the ink to be discharged from the discharge port 50b. Here, the electrothermal transducer 50e is shown as an energy generating element for generating energy. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a piezoelectric element that generates mechanical energy that instantaneously applies discharge pressure may be used.

When the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, a rectangular head positioning is formed on the base plate 51 in accordance with the positions of the head positioning projections 2 d and 2 e (see FIG. 3) of the carriage 2. Protrusion 2d
Are formed, and a head positioning notch 53a into which a circular head positioning protrusion 2e is fitted is formed.

The base plate 51 is fixed to one end wall of the monocolor holder 60 by heat welding, ultrasonic welding, or the like. A step 60a is formed at the end of the upper surface of the monocolor holder 60 on the base plate 51 side, and is one step lower than other parts. When the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, the stepped portion 60a
Cover 21a of cable holder 21 (see FIG. 3)
The recording head cartridge 1 can easily be roughly positioned by being sunk below the bottom.

A mechanism for attaching and detaching the recording head cartridge 1 to and from the carriage 2 is provided on the outer surface of the monocolor holder 60 on the side opposite to the base plate 51, that is, on the other end wall side when the carriage 2 is mounted. A head pressing portion 60b, which is a fixed portion held by the head guide 22 (see FIG. 3) of the carriage 2, and a head attaching / detaching operation portion 60c, which is an operation portion for attaching / detaching to / from the carriage 2, are formed. The head pressing portion 60b is a concave portion formed to be inclined from the lower end to the upper end of the surface of the monocolor holder 60 opposite to the base plate 51. An upper portion of the head pressing portion 60b is a recessed head guide engaging portion 64. When the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, the head guide 22 of the carriage 2 is moved to the head guide engaging portion 64. 6
4 is engaged. The recording head cartridge 1 is positioned and fixed to the carriage 2 by the engagement of the head guide 22 with the head guide engaging portion 64.
The head attachment / detachment operation unit 60c
Is provided at the upper end of the area farthest from the head pressing portion 60b on the surface on which the head pressing portion 60b is provided, and when the recording head cartridge 1 is removed from the carriage 2, It is intended to be easily removed by pulling up.

Each of the head pressing portion 60b and the head attaching / detaching operation portion 60c serves as a guide for the latch lever 32a, and a latch lever guide groove 60h described later (FIG. 1).
1) is provided in a region that becomes a concave portion relative to a protruding region formed by the above. As a result, the limited volume of the recording head cartridge 1 is effectively used, and a fixed portion held by the head guide 22 of the carriage 2 and an operation portion for attachment / detachment to / from the carriage 2 can be obtained with a minimum space. .

Here, the operation of attaching and detaching the recording head cartridge 1 to and from the carriage 2 will be described.

The recording head cartridge 1 is moved to the carriage 2
First, as shown in FIG. 9, the side of the recording head cartridge 1 on which the base plate 51 (see FIG. 5) is provided is connected to the cable presser 2 provided on the carriage 2.
Inserting diagonally in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure, while inserting under the cover 21a. As a result, the rising surface of the step portion 60a (see FIG. 5) of the recording head cartridge 1 abuts against the end surface of the covering portion 21a, and the recording head cartridge 1
Approximate positioning is performed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the recording head cartridge 1 is pushed downward. At this time, the head pressing portion 60b of the recording head cartridge 1 (see FIG. 6)
Is the head guide 22 of the carriage 2 (see FIG. 3).
And each head positioning projection 2 of the carriage 2
The recording head cartridge 1 is smoothly mounted on the carriage 2 while d and e are fitted in the head positioning notch 53a and the head positioning hole 53b of the recording head cartridge 1. When the recording head cartridge 1 is completely mounted, the head guide 22 engages with the head guide engaging portion 64 (see FIG. 6), and the recording head cartridge 1
Is fixed. Further, the head terminal portion 53 of the recording head cartridge 1 is pressed by the cable terminal portion 3a of the carriage 2 by the pressing force of the head guide 22, and the electrical connection between the two is ensured.

The recording head cartridge 1 is moved to the carriage 2
When detaching the carriage 2, the head attachment / detachment operation unit 60c of the carriage 2 is pulled upward. Thereby, the engagement between the head guide 22 and the head guide engaging portion 64 is released, and the head pressing portion 60b rides on the head guide 22.
When the head pressing portion 60b rides on the head guide 22, the recording head cartridge 1 is in an oblique state with the head attaching / detaching operation portion 60c side protruding from the carriage 2. Then, by picking a portion protruding from the carriage 2, the recording head cartridge 1
Easily removed from

On the surface provided with the head pressing portion 60b, the head attaching / detaching operation portion 60c is provided at a position farthest from the head pressing portion 60b. The moment acting when the engaging portion 64 comes off the head guide 22 increases. Thus, the recording head cartridge 1 can be detached with a small force, and while the recording head cartridge 1 is securely held, the detachment of the recording head cartridge 1 becomes easier. In order to be able to remove the recording head cartridge 1 with a smaller force, a head pressing portion 60b is provided on the back side with respect to a center line of the recording head cartridge 1 parallel to the moving direction of the carriage 2, And,
That is, the head attachment / detachment operation unit 60c is provided at the end on the near side.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the recording head cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the recording head cartridge 1 shown in FIG. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 12, an ink intake pipe 60d protrudes from the bottom wall of the monocolor holder 60, and an ink flow path 60e opening to the ink intake pipe 60d.
Communicates with the common liquid chamber 50c of the nozzle unit 50 (see FIG. 8). A seal ring 61 made of an elastic member such as rubber is fixed around the ink intake tube 60d. A filter 62 is attached to the open end of the ink intake tube 60d to prevent foreign matter from being taken into the nozzle unit 50.

The base plate 5 of the mono color holder 60
Overhangs 60f are formed at both corners of the upper end on one side, and a tank projection guide 60g, which is a semicircular recess, is formed near the overhangs 60f. On the other hand, a guide for a later-described latch lever 32a (see FIGS. 5 and 6) when the ink tank 30 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) is mounted on the inner wall of the monocolor holder 60 opposite to the base plate 51. Lever guide groove 60
h is formed. Further, at the ridge where the bottom wall of the monocolor holder 60 and the wall on the base plate 51 side intersect,
An inclined surface 60k is formed.

Here, the ink tank 30 mounted on the recording head cartridge 1 will be described. FIG.
FIG. 14 is a plan view of the ink tank 30 mounted on the recording head cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 5, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ink tank 30 shown in FIG.

The ink tank 30 has a container 32 for holding ink, and a lid member 31 which covers and seals the container 32 and has an air communication port (not shown).

At the bottom of the container 32, the monocolor holder 6
An ink supply port 32b into which the 0 ink intake pipe 60d (see FIG. 12) is inserted is formed, and a cylindrical support portion 32c is provided upright around the ink supply port 32b. Ink supply port 32b
Before the ink tank 30 is mounted on the monocolor holder 60, the ink is sealed with a sealing material (not shown) to prevent ink leakage.

An ink absorber 33 made of sponge or the like is housed in the container 32, and the ink is absorbed and held by the ink absorber 33. Support 32
c, an ink supply member 35 composed of a unidirectional fiber bundle
Are inserted and supported, and the ink absorber 33 is in close contact with the upper end surface of the ink supply member 35. The ink absorbed by the ink absorber 33 is supplied to the ink supply member 3.
5 to the ink supply port 32b. When the ink tank 30 is mounted on the mono color holder 60, as shown in FIG.
The zero ink intake pipe 60d is inserted so that they communicate with each other, and ink is supplied to the nozzle unit 50 via the ink flow path 60d. At this time, the seal ring 61 provided around the ink supply port 32b is in close contact with the outer edge of the ink supply port 32b, and ink leakage is suppressed.

In order to connect the ink supply port 32b and the above-mentioned air communication port via an air layer, a rib 34 is provided at a predetermined position inside the container 32 and the lid member 31.
(FIG. 14 shows only the ribs 34 of the lid member 31) to form the ink absorber 33, the container 32, and the lid member 3.
1 and a supporting space 32
A slit (not shown) that communicates the inside and the outside of the container 32 is provided in a part of the inner surface of c. As described above, by communicating the inside and the outside of the ink tank 30 through the air layer, when the sealing material sealing the ink supply port 32b is peeled off, the ejection of the ink from the ink supply port 32b can be prevented. Leakage can be prevented. Further, even when the ambient temperature of the ink tank 30 rises during printing,
The ink in the ink tank 30 is not pushed out. Further, since the ink does not stay on the inner wall of the container 32, there is no possibility that the ink leaks from the ink supply port 32b or the air communication port, and the ink consumption efficiency is improved.

On the other hand, as an external structure of the ink tank 30, the container 32 has a claw-shaped projection on a surface which comes into contact with the inner wall of the mono-color holder 60 on the base plate 51 side when the ink tank 30 is mounted on the mono-color holder 60. 32d is integrally provided. The retaining claw 32d fits into a tank retaining hole 60i (see FIG. 12) formed in the monocolor holder 60, and serves as a guide when the ink tank 30 is mounted on the monocolor holder 60. When the ink tank 30 is mounted on the mono color holder 60, the ink tank 3
Serves to hold 0.

The bottom wall of the container 32 and the retaining claw 3
The ridge where the surface on which 2d is formed intersects has an inclined surface 32f.
Are formed. The angle and shape of the inclined surface 32f are substantially equal to the angle and size of the inclined surface 60k (see FIG. 12) of the monocolor holder 60.

Further, a latch lever 32a having a lower end portion elastically supported is integrally provided on the other end surface which is the outer wall opposite to the retaining claw 32d. The latch lever 32a is inclined upward and outward of the ink tank 30, and the latch lever guide groove 60 of the monocolor holder 60 is provided.
h (see FIGS. 11 and 12), and when the ink tank 30 is mounted on the monocolor holder 60, the ink tank 30 is pressed by the latch lever guide groove 60 h and FIG.
And the latch claw 32e formed on the latch lever 32a is bent in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG.
h is engaged with the latch claw engagement hole 60j. In this embodiment, the latch lever 32a is formed integrally with the container 32.

The lid member 31 has a stepped portion 31a one step lower than the upper surface of the lid member 31 at the end of the upper surface on the side where the retaining claw 32d is formed. When the ink tank 30 is mounted on the monocolor holder 60, the ink tank 30 is inserted so that the stepped portion 31a is inserted under each overhanging portion 60f of the monocolor holder 60 (see FIGS. 11 and 12). Approximate positioning is performed. The tank projection 31b fitted to the tank projection guide 60g of the monocolor holder 60 is also provided.
Are formed.

Next, the operation of attaching and detaching the ink tank 30 to and from the monocolor holder 60 will be described.

The ink tank 30 is connected to the monocolor holder 60.
First, the sealant sealing the ink supply port 32b is peeled off. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 16, the ink tank 30 is inserted obliquely in the direction of the arrow from the side where the retaining claw 32d is formed, and the ink tank 30 is inserted.
Of the ink tank 30 is hooked into the tank retaining hole 60i of the monocolor holder 60 (see FIG. 12), and the stepped portion 31a of the monocolor holder 60 is inserted under the overhanging portion 60f of the monocolor holder 60. Approximate positioning of the tank 30 is performed. When the ink tank 30 is inserted into the monocolor holder 60, the inclined surface 32g is formed in the ink tank 30, so that the inclined surface 32g is used as a guide so as to be substantially parallel to the bottom wall of the monocolor holder 60. Then, it is easy to make the step 31a of the ink tank 30 penetrate under each overhang 60f of the monocolor holder 60.
Also, the mono color holder 60 and the ink tank 30
In addition, since the inclined surfaces 60k and 32g corresponding to each other are formed, different types of ink tanks cannot be mounted on the monocolor holder 60, and erroneous mounting of the ink tanks is prevented.

Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the ink tank 3 is moved so that the latch lever 32a moves along the latch lever guide groove 60h (see FIGS. 11 and 12).
Push 0 down. Then, the ink tank 30 substantially rotates around the portion inserted into the monocolor holder 60,
The latch lever 32a is pressed by the latch lever guide groove 60h while being bent inward, and the latch claw 32e (see FIG. 14) of the latch lever 32a is inserted into the latch claw engaging hole 60j (see FIG. 12) of the monocolor holder 60. Engage. Thereby, the ink tank 30 is fixed to the monocolor holder 60. In addition, since the latch claw 32e engages with the latch claw engagement hole 60j, a click sensation is generated.

The ink tank 30 is connected to the mono color holder 60
To remove the latch claw 32a, the latch lever 32a is pushed inward to release the engagement between the latch claw 32e and the latch claw engagement hole 60j. Since the lower end of the latch lever 32a is elastically supported and is inclined upward and outward of the ink tank 30, when the engagement between the latch claw 32e and the latch claw hole 60j is released, FIG. Try to return to the state shown in. Therefore, the base slope of the latch lever 32a slides up along the latch lever guide groove 60h, and the ink tank 30 is automatically lifted on the latch lever 32a side to be in an oblique state. Then, the ink tank 30 can be easily removed from the monocolor holder 60 by picking the raised portion.

As described above, by attaching and detaching the ink tank 30 to and from the monocolor holder 60 by substantially rotating the ink tank 30, attachment and detachment in a small space becomes possible. In addition, at the time of wearing,
By using the inclined surface 32f of the ink tank 30 as a guide, the stepped portion 31a is inserted into the overhanging portion 60f of the monocolor holder 60, so that the insertion direction of the ink tank 30 into the monocolor holder 60 is restricted. Is done. Further, the ink tank 30 has a tank protrusion 31.
b, and the mono-color holder 60 is provided with the tank projection guide portion 60g.
The insertion position of the ink tank 30 into the monocolor holder 60 is also restricted, and the ink tank 30 is rotated about the tank protrusion 31b.

Thus, the ink tank 30 is mounted without interfering with the filter 62 (see FIGS. 11 and 12) of the monocolor holder 60, and there is no possibility that the filter 62 will be damaged when the ink tank 30 is mounted.
Further, since the ink tank 30 is attached to and detached from the mono-color holder 60 by being rotated, the space for attaching and detaching the ink tank is small, and the size of the ink jet recording apparatus can be reduced.

In the example described above, the latch lever 3 is used to remove the ink tank 30 from the monocolor holder 60.
2a, the latch lever 3 of the ink tank 30
Although the phenomenon that the end on the 2a side is lifted is utilized, in addition to this, the other end of the ink tank 30 (the latch lever 32) is used.
a) is attached to the bottom wall of the mono-color holder 60.
As a biasing means for biasing toward the opening, a pop-up spring 68 as shown in FIG. 18 may be provided, and the spring force may be used to lift the end of the ink tank 30 on the side of the latch lever 32a. The pop-up spring 68 is a leaf spring fixed to the bottom wall of the hollow portion of the mono-color holder 60, and a free end extending from the nozzle portion 50 side of the mono-color holder 60 to the latch lever guide groove 60h side is curved. Looking upwards. Thereby, the latch claw 32e
Is disengaged from the latch pawl engaging hole 60j, the end of the ink tank 30 on the latch lever 32a side is lifted upward by the spring force of the pop-up spring 68, and the amount of protrusion from the monocolor holder 60 increases. Therefore, taking out of the ink tank 30 becomes easier.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show the procedure for attaching and detaching the ink tank 30 to and from the recording head cartridge 1 alone. Of course, even when the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2 (see FIG. 3). The operation of attaching and detaching the ink tank 30 is possible.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a state where the ink tank 30 is mounted on the recording head cartridge 1 and the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2. As is apparent from FIG. 19, the latch lever 32a serving as an operation unit when the ink tank 30 is attached / detached, and the head attachment / detachment operation unit 60c serving as an operation unit when the recording head cartridge 1 is attached / detached. Both directions are arranged on the same side. Thereby, the operator can easily recognize each operation unit, and the operation can be unified, so that the operability is improved. Moreover, it is possible to provide an operation unit that is very cohesive in terms of design. Further, when the ink tank 30 is attached or detached or the recording head cartridge 1 is attached or detached, only the side provided with the latch lever 32a and the head attaching / detaching operation section 60c needs to have a space for the operator to operate. Therefore, if the carriage 2 is located at such a position, the ink tank 30 or the recording head cartridge 1 can be attached and detached at an arbitrary position.

Although the latch lever 32a and the head attaching / detaching operation section 60c are arranged adjacent to each other, the operation for removing the ink tank 30 is an operation for pushing the latch lever 32a inward, and the recording head cartridge 1 is removed. Since the operation is an operation of lifting the head attaching / detaching operation unit 60c, an erroneous operation is avoided due to a difference in the operation method. Further, since the position of the latch lever 32a and the position of the head attaching / detaching operation section 60c are arranged stepwise, it is easy to recognize the difference in the functions. In this case, comparing the frequency of attaching and detaching the ink tank 30 and the frequency of attaching and detaching the recording head cartridge 1, the frequency of attaching and detaching the ink tank 30 is higher.
The position of the head 2a (the part where the operator places a finger) is disposed above the position of the head attaching / detaching operation unit 60c.

In the above-described example, the recording head cartridge 1 is of a mono-color type. However, in the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment, a color recording head cartridge may be used.

FIG. 20 shows a color recording head cartridge mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the two ink tanks mounted thereon together with the two ink tanks. This color recording head cartridge 101
Is a black ink tank 1 containing black ink
30 and a color ink tank 140 containing three color inks of yellow, magenta, and cyan have a detachable structure, and discharge four color inks. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, the nozzle unit 150 also has a black ejection port group 150B, a yellow ejection port group 150Y, a magenta ejection port group 150M, and a cyan ejection port group 150B corresponding to each color ink. It is divided into a discharge port group 150C. Further, a partition plate 165 is integrally provided on the bottom wall of the color holder 160 in order to divide an area where the respective ink tanks 130 and 140 are mounted.

The base plate 151 and the head terminal section 153 are provided in the monocolor recording head cartridge 1 (FIG. 5).
(See Reference). Color holder 160
Is also different from the monocolor holder 60 (see FIG. 5) in detail, but the outer shape is substantially the same.
In particular, the shape of the portion related to the carriage 2 (see FIG. 3) and the position of the head attaching / detaching operation section 160c serving as a hook portion of a finger when removing the color recording head cartridge 101 from the carriage 2 are the same, and are the same as those for the mono color. The color recording head cartridge 101 can be attached to and detached from the same carriage 2 as the carriage 2 on which the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted. That is, the user can freely select and use the mono-color recording head cartridge 1 and the color recording head cartridge 101 in one inkjet recording apparatus.

The color recording head cartridge 101 and the ink tanks 130 and 140 will be described below. However, since the portion related to the carriage 2 is the same as that of the recording head cartridge 1 for monocolor, the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 22 shows the color recording head cartridge 101 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which 140 is mounted. Also,
FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 22, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line EE of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 22, the black ink tank 130 and the color ink tank 140 are mounted on the color holder 160 adjacent to each other. The combined shape of the black ink tank 130 and the color ink tank 140 is substantially the same as the shape of the monocolor ink tank 30 (see FIG. 13). Further, as shown in FIG. 23, the black ink tank 130 has a container 132 for holding black ink, and a lid member 131 which covers and seals the container 132 and has an air communication port 131b formed therein.

The color holder 16 is provided at the bottom of the container 132.
An ink supply port 132b into which an ink intake pipe 160d for black ink of 0 is inserted is formed, and a cylindrical support portion 132c stands upright around the ink supply port 132b. Before the black ink tank 130 is mounted on the color holder 160, the ink supply port 132b is sealed with a sealing material (not shown) to prevent ink leakage.

The ink absorber 133 is provided inside the container 132.
Is stored, and the black ink is absorbed and held by the ink absorber 133. Support 132c
Includes an ink supply member 135 formed of a unidirectional fiber bundle.
Are inserted and supported, and the ink absorber 133 is in close contact with the upper end surface of the ink supply member 135. The ink absorbed by the ink absorber 133 is guided to the ink supply port 132b via the ink supply member 135.
When the black ink tank 130 is mounted on the color holder 160, the color holder 160 is inserted into the ink supply port 132b.
Is inserted into the ink intake pipe 160d, and the ink is supplied to the black ink ejection port group 150B (see FIG. 21) of the nozzle unit 150 via the ink flow path composed of the color holder 160 and the liquid path cover 166. (See FIG. 23)
In the figure, a route to the nozzle unit 150 is not shown due to a cut surface relationship.) At this time, the ink supply port 13
A seal ring 161 provided around 2b is in close contact with the outer edge of the ink supply port 132b, and ink leakage is suppressed.

For the same purpose as the ink tank 30 for monocolor, the ink supply port 132b and the air communication port 13b are connected.
1b is connected to a predetermined portion of the inside of the container 132 and the inside of the lid member 131 by a rib 13
4 (only the rib 134 of the lid member 131 is shown in FIG. 23) to form a predetermined space between the ink absorber 133 and the container 132 or the lid member 131.
A slit (not shown) for communicating the inside and the outside of the container 132 is provided in a part of the inner surface of the support portion 132c.

On the other hand, as a structure for attaching and detaching the black ink tank 130 to and from the color holder 160, the container 132
When the black ink tank 130 is mounted on the color holder 160, the base plate 151 of the color holder 160
A stopper claw 132d is integrally provided on a surface that comes into contact with the inner wall on the side. The retaining claw 132d fits into a tank retaining hole 160i formed in the color holder 160, and serves as a guide when the black ink tank 130 is mounted on the color holder 160, and the black ink tank 130 When mounted on the holder 160, the black ink tank 130 is held. A latch lever 132a having a lower end portion elastically supported is integrally provided on the outer wall opposite to the retaining claw 132d.

According to the position of the latch lever 132a,
A latch lever guide groove 167 for the black ink tank 130 is formed in the color holder 160. When the black ink tank 130 is mounted on the color holder 160, the latch lever 132a is inserted along the latch lever guide groove 167. I will do it. When the black ink tank 130 is mounted on the color holder 160, the latch lever 132a is pressed by the latch lever guide groove 167 and flexes inward, and the latch lever 132a is bent.
The latch claw 132e formed on the latch lever guide groove 167 is engaged with the latch claw engagement hole 167a formed on the latch lever guide groove 167.

Further, an inclined surface 160k similar to that of the monocolor holder 60 (see FIG. 12) is also provided in an area of the color holder 160 where the black ink tank 130 is mounted.
Are formed, and the inclined surface 132g corresponding to the inclined surface 160k is also formed in the black ink tank 130.

[0124] The lid member 131 is provided on the upper end thereof on the side where the retaining claw 132d is formed.
A step portion 131a which is one step lower than the upper surface of No. 1 is formed. Correspondingly, the color holder 160 also
An overhang 160f similar to the overhang 60f (see FIG. 11) of the monocolor holder 60 is formed.

The attachment / detachment of the black ink tank 130 to / from the color holder 160 is performed by using the mono-color ink tank 30.
Is performed in the same manner as described above. That is, when the black ink tank 130 is mounted, first, the black ink tank 130 of the color holder 160 is removed from the side where the retaining claw 132d is formed.
Is inserted obliquely into the portion where the color holder 160 is to be mounted, and the step 131a is inserted under the overhang 160f (see FIG. 22) of the color holder 160 on the side of the black ink tank 130, and the retaining claw 132d is attached to the color holder 160.
In the tank retaining hole 160i. Thereafter, the black ink tank 130 is pushed downward and rotated about the side where the retaining claw 132d is formed, so that the latch claw 132e of the latch lever 132a is engaged with the latch lever guide groove 167 and the latch claw engagement hole 167a. . When removing the black ink tank 130,
Push the latch lever 132a inward,
What is necessary is just to release the engagement between 2e and the latch claw engagement hole 167a.

The color ink tank 140 has basically the same structure as that of the black ink tank 130. As shown in FIG. 24, a container 142 for accommodating three color inks and a lid member 141 for covering the container 142 are provided. And
Also, when mounting on the color holder 160, the cover member 14
1, a step portion 141a formed at the same position as the black ink tank 130 is inserted obliquely so as to extend under the overhang 160f (see FIG. 22) on the color ink tank 140 side.

The interior of the container 142 contains two partition plates 14 arranged in parallel with each other to accommodate three color inks.
By 2f, the space is partitioned into three spaces having substantially the same capacity. These three spaces are arranged along the direction in which the color ink tank 140 is inserted when the color ink tank 140 is mounted on the color recording head cartridge 101. In each of these spaces, an ink absorber 143Y that absorbs and holds yellow ink, an ink absorber 143M that absorbs and holds magenta ink,
And an ink absorber 143C that absorbs and holds cyan ink. Then, as shown in the bottom view of FIG. 25, the ink supply ports 142 opened in each space.
bY, 142bM and 142bC are also formed along the insertion direction of the color ink tank 140.

The individual configuration of each space is the same as that of the black ink tank 130, and the description is omitted. An air communication port (not shown) for the lid member 141 is also provided.
However, it is basically the same as the black ink tank 130 except that it is formed for each space and that each space is sealed from each other, and the description thereof is omitted.

The ink supply ports 142bY, 142b
bM, 142bC, the color holder 16
0 is provided with three ink intake tubes 160d '(in FIG. 24, the ink intake tube for magenta ink is not shown due to the cut surface relationship). Each of the ink intake pipes 160 d ′ is connected to the nozzle section 15 via an ink flow path formed by the liquid path cover 166.
The predetermined discharge port groups 150Y, 150M, and 150C (see FIG. 21) communicate with each other. In FIG. 24, only the path for the yellow ink is shown as the path to the nozzle 150 of each ink flow path due to the cut surface. Also, the seal ring 161 ′ is
Although provided for each 0d ', the one for magenta ink is not shown in FIG.

On the other hand, as with the black ink tank 130, the structure for attaching and detaching the color ink tank 140 to and from the color holder 160, as shown in the side view of FIG.
In addition to the above-mentioned step portion 141a, the latch lever 142
a and a retaining claw 142d. Latch lever 1
42a is a color holder 160 as shown in FIG.
The latch claw 142 e formed on the latch lever 142 a is engaged with the latch lever guide groove 167 when the color ink tank 140 is mounted on the color holder 160. And engages with the latch engagement hole 167a 'formed in the'. The retaining claw 142d shown in FIG. 26 is formed at the lower end of the surface opposite to the surface on which the latch lever 142a is provided. A tank retaining hole (not shown) into which the retaining claw 142d is fitted is formed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 24, an inclined surface 160k 'similar to that of the monocolor holder 60 (see FIG. 12) is formed also in a region of the color holder 160 where the color ink tank 140 is mounted. Color ink tank 1
40 also has an inclined surface 142g corresponding to the inclined surface 160k '.
Are formed.

In the same manner as the operation for attaching and detaching the color ink tank 140 to and from the color holder 160, the side on which the retaining claw 142 d is formed is inserted into the color holder 160, and the portion is centered. The latch lever 142a is pushed inward and removed. Here, when the color ink tank 140 is mounted on the color holder 160, each of the ink supply ports 142bY, 142bM,
Since 2bC is formed along the direction of insertion of the color ink tank 140, the ink supply ports 142bY, 142bM,
42bC is sequentially coupled to the ink intake tube 160 'from the side where the retaining claws 142d are formed.
A stable connection between the color ink tank 140 and the color recording head cartridge 101 can be obtained.

In order to make it easier to remove the ink tanks 130 and 140, the color holder 160
Alternatively, a pop-up spring similar to that shown in FIG. 18 may be provided.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a state where the black ink tank 130 and the color ink tank 140 are mounted on the color recording head cartridge 101 and the recording head cartridge 101 is mounted on the carriage 2. As is clear from FIG.
Since the reference numerals 0 and 140 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the carriage 2, the latch lever 132 a serving as an operation unit for attaching / detaching the black ink tank 130 and the operation unit for attaching / detaching the color ink tank 140 are provided. The latch lever 142a and the head attachment / detachment operation unit 160c, which is an operation unit when the color recording head cartridge 101 is attached / detached, are arranged on the same side in the moving direction of the carriage 2. Thus, similarly to the recording head cartridge 1 for monocolor (see FIG. 19), the operability of attaching and detaching the ink tanks 130 and 140 and the color recording head cartridge 101 is improved, and the design is very coherent. It will be. In addition, since the positions of the heads of the latch levers 132a and 142a are arranged on the same straight line, the space is effectively used, and the compact color recording head cartridge 101 can be obtained.
The arrangement of the latch levers 132a and 142a and the head attaching / detaching operation section 160c is also similar to that of the mono-color recording head cartridge 1 in that each latch lever 13a
The 2a, 142a and the head attaching / detaching operation section 160c are arranged stepwise, and it is easy to recognize the difference in their functions.

The inclined surfaces 132g and 142g of the black ink tank 130 and the color ink tank 140
Of the color holder 160, the inclined surfaces 160k and 160k ′ of the color holder 160 are also different from each other.
If the angle and the shape are adjusted to the inclined surfaces 132g and 142g, the erroneous mounting of the black ink tank 130 and the color ink tank 140 can be prevented.

The present invention provides an excellent effect particularly in an ink jet recording head and a recording apparatus in which a flying liquid droplet is formed by utilizing thermal energy among the ink jet recording methods to perform recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to an electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which This is effective because heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, causing film boiling on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, and as a result, air bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding one-to-one to this drive signal can be formed. It is. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. 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 liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if 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 the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, The present invention also includes a configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.

In addition, JP-A-59-123670, which discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, or absorbs a pressure wave of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which an opening corresponds to a discharge unit.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, a combination of a plurality of recording heads disclosed in the above-mentioned specification can be used. Either a configuration that satisfies the length or a configuration as a single recording head integrally formed may be used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as components of the printing apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If you list these specifically,
Capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means for the printhead, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection other than recording Is also effective for performing stable recording.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or below and which softens at room temperature, or which is liquid, In general, in the ink jet method, the temperature of the ink itself is controlled within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. What is necessary is just liquid thing.

In addition, the temperature rise due to thermal energy can be positively prevented by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or solidified in a standing state for the purpose of preventing evaporation of the ink. Either ink may be used, or in any case, the ink may be liquefied by application of heat energy according to the recording signal and ejected as a liquid ink, or may already start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The use of an ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time by thermal energy is also applicable to the present invention. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-5684.
No. 7 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-71260, in which the porous sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter while being held in a liquid or solid state in the concave portions or through holes of the porous sheet. It is good. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as a form of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to one provided integrally or separately as an image output terminal of an information processing device such as a word processor or a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader, A facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function may be employed.

[0146]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

When the ink tank constructed as described above is mounted on the ink tank holder, first, a claw-like projection as a first engaging portion provided on a part of one side surface of the ink tank is attached to the ink tank holder. A latch as a second engaging portion of a latch lever elastically supported on the other side opposite to the one side, and is aligned with and fitted to a retaining hole as a first locking section formed on the first side. The pawl is engaged with an engagement hole serving as a second locking portion of the ink tank holder. Thereby, the opposite side surfaces of the ink tank are held by the ink tank holder, and the ink tank is accurately and reliably positioned and mounted. In addition, since the ink tank is accurately and reliably positioned in the ink tank holder, the supply port of the ink tank can be reliably connected to the ink communication pipe as the ink removing means of the ink tank holder, and no ink leakage occurs. . At this time, the ink tank is first inserted obliquely into the opening of the ink tank holder in order to align the claw-shaped protrusions. Since the inclined surface is formed on the ridge, the positioning of the claw-shaped protrusion and the retaining hole can be easily performed only by inserting the ink tank along the inclined surface. In other words, the ink tank is inserted obliquely into the ink tank holder, and then the latch claw and the engagement hole are engaged with each other. Therefore, the ink tank rotates around the side where the claw-shaped protrusion is provided while rotating the ink tank. Mounted on the tank holder. This reduces the space required for mounting the ink tank. The configuration in which the operating portion is provided on the latch lever facilitates the operation when removing the ink tank from the ink tank holder. In addition, the operating portion of the latch lever is operated to bend to the side opposite to the engagement hole, that is, the latch lever is elastically deformed toward the ink tank body side, so that the latch claw and the engagement hole for the removal operation are formed. Can be easily released. Further, since the displacement direction of the latch claw is on the ink tank main body side, the latch lever is not deformed more than necessary, so that the latch lever is unlikely to be damaged.

The construction in which the negative pressure generator for holding the ink in the ink tank is accommodated ensures that stable ink holding in the ink tank and ink supply to the ink jet head are sufficiently satisfied. to enable. Furthermore, the configuration in which the fibrous body composed of the fibrous members is arranged in the ink supply section of the ink tank makes it possible to more stably lead out the ink in the ink tank, and the ink is supplied from the ink jet head. It is possible to maintain good ejection characteristics. In addition, black ink is stored in the ink tank, thereby enabling black printing. In addition, color printing is enabled by dividing the inside into three chambers and storing yellow, cyan, and magenta inks. I do. The combination of these tanks enables full-color recording. In the case of a three-chamber configuration that enables color recording, the supply ports of the respective chambers are arranged in a direction from one side provided with the claw-shaped projections to the other side provided with the latch lever. That means that it is located between the action points for securing and maintaining the holding state with respect to the ink tank holder,
The state of connection with the ink supply pipe is ensured.

In a configuration in which the latch claw as the second engagement portion is positioned relatively higher than the claw-shaped projection as the first engagement portion in the state where the ink tank is mounted, the moving distance for mounting the ink tank is different. And the operability is improved. Further, the downward acting force when the ink tank is mounted on the ink tank holder can be maintained in the engaged state of the latch claw, so that the mounting reliability can be improved.

In addition, since the latch lever is supported by the bottom of the ink tank and is inclined or curved upward and outward, the other end surface of the ink tank may be inclined or bent when detached from the ink tank holder. Since it rises along the curve and projects from the ink tank holder, removal from the ink tank holder can be facilitated.

Further, when a plurality of inks are contained in the ink container, the supply ports corresponding to the respective inks are arranged along the direction from one end to the other end, so that the ink can be mounted on the ink tank holder. At this time, the supply port and the ink removing means of the ink tank holder are sequentially coupled with the rotation of the ink tank, so that the coupling between the two can be kept stable.

A latch lever is integrally provided in the vicinity of the bottom of the ink tank, and is elastically displaced using the latch lever as a fulcrum. A latch claw is disposed between the fulcrum and the operating portion at the tip of the latch lever. That is, the operability can be expected to be improved, and the attachment / detachment operation of the ink tank can be easily and reliably performed. A latch claw is disposed outside the latch lever so as to be engaged inward with an engagement hole serving as a second engagement portion of the ink tank holder. Since the pawl is not protruded outside the engaging hole, it is difficult for the latch pawl itself to be pushed and released from the engaged state due to an unexpected situation, and the reliability of mounting is reduced. Can be secured.

In the case where the projections are formed on both side surfaces of the ink tank, the mounting can be assisted by the engagement of the projections with a part of the holder. In addition, the positioning engagement between the latch claw and the engagement hole can be easily performed.

The ink tank holder having the above configuration is
A claw-shaped protrusion as a first engagement portion provided on a part of one side surface of the ink tank is provided on a first side of the ink tank holder.
Align and fit into the retaining hole as the engaging part,
Next, a latch claw as a second engagement portion of the latch lever elastically supported on the other side opposite to the one side is engaged with an engagement hole as a second engagement portion of the ink tank holder. Thereby, the opposite side surfaces of the ink tank can be securely held by the ink tank holder, and the ink tank is accurately and reliably positioned and mounted. In addition, since the ink tank holder accurately and reliably positions and holds the ink tank, the ink supply port of the ink tank and the ink communication pipe as the ink take-out means of the ink tank holder can be reliably connected, and no ink leakage occurs. .

In addition, an urging means for urging the bottom surface on the other end side of the ink tank toward the opening of the ink tank holder is provided on the bottom wall of the opening, so that the engagement between the latch claw and the engaging hole is achieved. Is released, the amount of protrusion of the ink tank becomes larger, and removal of the ink tank can be further facilitated.

The recessed steps that can be engaged with the projections provided on both side surfaces of the ink tank can assist in mounting the ink tank, align the claw-shaped projections with the retaining holes, and set the latch claw. And the engagement hole can be easily aligned.

Further, by providing a partition plate in the ink tank holder and dividing the opening of the ink tank holder into a plurality of areas, a plurality of ink tanks can be mounted in one ink tank holder, and ink can be efficiently used. Can be used for In this case, erroneous mounting of the ink tank can be prevented by forming inclined surfaces corresponding to each other on the ink tank and the ink tank holder.

Positioning the mounting engagement portion of the ink tank holder detachable from the carriage relatively below the latch claw of the ink tank can be achieved by using the latch claw regardless of the presence of the mounting engagement portion. The above operation can be performed, so that a configuration in which the ink tank is attached and detached while the ink tank holder is mounted on the carriage is made possible.

In the case where the ridge portion between the bottom surface of the ink tank holder and one side surface provided with the engagement hole is formed as a slope, including the case where the inside of the ink tank holder is divided, It can correspond to the slope of the ridge of the bottom surface of the ink tank that can be adopted when inserted obliquely into the opening of the ink tank holder and one side surface on which the claw-like projections are formed. Just by inserting the ink tank, the positioning of the claw-shaped protrusion and the retaining hole can be easily performed. In other words, the ink tank is inserted obliquely into the ink tank holder, and then the latch claw and the engagement hole are engaged with each other. Therefore, the ink tank rotates around the side where the claw-shaped protrusion is provided while rotating the ink tank. Mounted on the tank holder. This reduces the space required for mounting the ink tank.

In a configuration in which a terminal portion for receiving a transmitted electric signal is provided on one side surface of the ink tank holder, the terminal portion is located downstream of the mounting of the ink tank holder with respect to the carriage. Can be directly received by the terminal section, so that the electrical connection state of the carriage to the signal transmission section can be ensured.

Further, by providing an operation portion on the outer surface of the outer wall side of the ink tank holder, the ink tank holder can be easily removed, and the latch claw engaging hole and the knob can be located at different positions. By arranging, it is possible to prevent erroneous operations when removing the ink tank from the ink tank holder and when removing the ink tank holder from the carriage.

On the other hand, a fixing area for attaching and detaching the ink tank has a protruding area protruding outward, and an operation for attaching and detaching to and from the carriage is performed in an area which becomes a concave portion relative to the protruding area. By providing the unit, there is no need to provide a special space for an operator to insert a finger when attaching or detaching the carriage, so that the structure of the attaching / detaching operation unit for the carriage is simplified, and the ink tank holder is made smaller. It can be. In particular, by providing this operation portion at the upper end of the region to be the concave portion, the operation can be performed more easily.

Further, by providing the operation portion on the surface having the fixed portion which is held by the carriage when mounted on the carriage and in the region farthest from the fixed portion, the operation portion can be securely held by the carriage. The attachment / detachment to / from the carriage can be performed with a small force, and the attachment / detachment operation to the carriage can be facilitated.

Further, by providing an operation unit for attaching and detaching the ink tank and an operation unit for attaching and detaching to and from the carriage on the same side in the moving direction of the carriage, the operation units are concentrated and the ink tank is concentrated. In addition, the operation is simplified when attaching or detaching the ink tank holder. If there is a space on the side where the operation unit is provided for the operator to operate, the carriage can be attached and detached regardless of the position of the carriage. In this case, by providing the operation unit for attaching / detaching the ink tank above the operation unit for attaching / detaching to / from the carriage, it is possible to more easily attach / detach the ink tank which is frequently attached / detached. In particular, when a plurality of ink tanks are detachable, arranging the operation units of the respective ink tanks on the same straight line makes the design more cohesive and enables further downsizing.

In the configuration in which the ink tank holder is integrally provided with the ink jet head, the ink jet head can be replaced together with the replacement of the ink tank holder, so that it is possible to cope with a situation where the ink jet head is damaged. . Also, the ink tank holder can be easily attached and detached in a small space.

As an ink tank holder that can be attached to and detached from the carriage, any ink tank holder having a positioning means, a terminal portion, and a guide member may be any ink tank holder as long as they have the same positional relationship with each other. A color recording head and a monocolor recording head can be freely selected and used. In particular, when the ink tank holder provided with the operation unit is mounted, the operation unit for attaching and detaching the ink tank, that is, the latch lever, and the operation unit for attaching and detaching the ink tank holder,
Since they are arranged on the same side with respect to the moving direction of the carriage, uniformity of operation can be achieved, operability can be improved, and design can be excellent.

Further, by providing a cover for covering a part of the upper surface of the ink tank holder with the ink tank holder mounted on the surface facing the outer surface of the one end wall side of the ink tank holder, The positioning of the carriage positioning means can be made easier. In addition, the cover makes it difficult for other members or the operator's finger to touch the terminal of the carriage, so that the terminal of the carriage is protected.

Employing a configuration in which the ink supply port is located in a region between the claw-shaped projection and the latch lever can cooperate with the ink supply port and the ink supply pipe to contribute to the connection state. Therefore, it is possible to reliably secure the action force by the above, and it is possible to enhance the reliability of mounting.

By adopting the structure of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a high load from being applied to the carriage or the mechanism for supporting the carriage when attaching or detaching the ink tank or the ink tank holder, thereby preventing operational problems. Further, the space required for attaching and detaching the ink tank and the ink tank holder can be reduced, and as a result, a small-sized ink jet recording apparatus can be realized. Further, since the positioning of the ink tank holder is also performed accurately, the positioning of the recording head is also performed accurately, which contributes to the provision of an ink jet recording apparatus having high reliability and excellent recording quality.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the inkjet recording apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 is housed in a housing.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a carriage of the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a head guide of the carriage shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a monocolor recording head cartridge mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, viewed from a direction in which a head terminal portion is visible in a state where an ink tank is mounted.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a recording head cartridge for a mono color mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, viewed from a direction in which a surface opposite to a head terminal portion can be seen in a state where an ink tank is mounted. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a mono-color recording head cartridge mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

8 is an enlarged perspective view of a nozzle portion of the recording head cartridge shown in FIG.

9 is a perspective view showing a first step of a procedure for mounting a printhead cartridge on a carriage in the ink jet printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a second step of a procedure for mounting a print head cartridge on a carriage in the ink jet printing apparatus shown in FIG.

11 is a plan view of the recording head cartridge shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a recording head cartridge shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A.

13 is a plan view of an ink tank mounted on the recording head cartridge shown in FIG.

14 is a cross-sectional view of the ink tank shown in FIG. 13 taken along line BB.

15 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an ink supply port of the ink tank shown in FIG. 14 is connected to a monocolor holder.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a first step of a procedure for mounting an ink tank on a recording head cartridge.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a second step of the procedure for mounting the ink tank on the recording head cartridge.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a print head cartridge in which a pop-up spring is provided on a bottom wall of a monocolor holder, corresponding to the line A′-A ′ of the print head cartridge shown in FIG. 11;

19 is a perspective view showing a state where the recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 6 is mounted on the carriage shown in FIG. 3;

20 is a perspective view showing a color recording head cartridge mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, together with two ink tanks welded to the color recording head cartridge.

21 is a bottom view of the color recording head cartridge shown in FIG.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of the color recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 20, showing a state where two ink tanks are mounted.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line DD shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken along line EE shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the color ink tank shown in FIG. 20;

26 is a side view of the color ink tank shown in FIG.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a state where the color recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 22 is mounted on the carriage shown in FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording head cartridge 2 Carriage 2a Bearing part 2b Guide rail holding part 2c Carriage deformation prevention stopper 2d, 2e Head positioning protrusion 3 Flexible cable 3a Cable terminal part 4 Frame 6 Transport roller 7 Pinch roller 8 Pressure plate 9 Pickup roller 10 Carriage drive motor 11 Carriage drive belt 12 Guide rail 13 Drive pulley 14 Base 15 Paper discharge roller 16 Spur 17 Upper case 18 Lower case 19 Top cover 20 Head cover 21 Cable press 21a Covering part 22 Head guide 23 Contact spring 24 Shaft member 30 Ink tank 31, 131, 141 lid member 31a, 131a, 141a step portion 31b tank projection 32, 132, 142 container 32a, 132a, 142a latch lever 3 2b, 132b, 142bY, 142bM, 142b
C Ink supply port 32c, 132c Support portion 32d, 132d, 142d Retaining claw 32e, 132e, 142e Latch claw 32f, 132g, 142g Inclined surface 33, 133, 143Y, 143M, 143C Ink absorber 34, 134 Rib 35, 135 Ink supply members 50, 150 Nozzle portion 50a Discharge port surface 50b Discharge port 50c Common liquid chamber 50d Liquid path 50e Electrothermal converter 51, 151 Base plate 52 Grooved members 53, 153 Head terminal portion 53a Head positioning notch 53b Head positioning hole 60 monocolor holder 60a stepped portion 60b head pressing portion 60c head attaching / detaching operation portion 60d, 160d, 160d 'ink intake tube 60e ink flow channel 60f, 160f overhanging portion 60g tank protrusion guide portion 60h, 167, 167 'Latch lever guide groove 60i, 160i Tank retaining hole 60j, 167a, 167a' Latch pawl engaging hole 60k, 160k, 160k 'Inclined surface 61, 161, 161' Seal ring 62 Filter 64 Head guide engaging portion 68 Pop-up Spring 101 Color recording head cartridge 130 Black ink tank 140 Color ink tank 142f Partition plate 150Y, 150M, 150C, 150B Discharge port group 160 Color holder 165 Partition plate 166 Liquid path cover P Recording medium

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takeshi Iwasaki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hideaki Kawakami 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Takashi Nojima 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Akira Kita 3-30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Invention Person Hideki Yamaguchi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Toshihiko Ushida 3-30-2 Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Keiichiro Tsukuda 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-59-198311 (JP, A) JP-A-60-96481 (JP, A) JP-A-60-120064 ( JP, A) JP-A-60-192642 (JP, A) JP-A-60-192643 (JP, A) JP-A-60-204342 (JP A) JP-A-2-187366 (JP, A) JP-A-2-217257 (JP, A) JP-A-5-57906 (JP, A) JP-A-5-162298 (JP, A) (58) Survey Field (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 2/175 B41J 2/05 B41J 2/21

Claims (44)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ink-jet ink tank which is detachable from a holder having an ink-jet head and is capable of storing ink used for recording supplied to the head. It is placed on the bottom part when the tank is in use,
A supply port for supplying the ink to the head; an atmosphere communication portion communicating with the atmosphere in the ink tank; and a holder formed on a part of one side surface of the ink tank. A first engagement portion that engages with the first engagement portion; and a second engagement portion formed on the holder and elastically provided on another side surface with respect to the side surface on which the first engagement portion is provided. And a latch lever having a second engaging portion that engages with the portion. 2. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the latch lever has an operation unit used at least for removing the ink tank from the holder. 3. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the latch lever is elastically displaced toward the ink tank main body at the time of attachment / detachment operation. 4. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein a negative pressure generator for holding the ink is accommodated in the ink tank. 5. The ink tank main body contains a negative pressure generator for holding the ink, and the supply section is provided with a fibrous body composed of a fibrous member. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein 6. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the ink tank contains black ink. 7. The ink tank has a three-chamber configuration in which the interior is divided into three sections, the supply section and the atmosphere communication section are arranged in each chamber, and yellow,
2. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein inks of cyan and magenta are stored. 8. The ink tank according to claim 7, wherein the supply units of the three chambers are arranged in a direction from the one side surface to the other side surface. 9. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the second engagement portion is provided relatively higher than the first engagement portion when the ink tank is mounted. 10. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the latch lever is a lever member that is inclined or curved upward from a region near the bottom of the other side surface. 11. The latch lever is integrally provided in a region near the bottom of the ink tank, is configured to be elastically displaceable with the portion as a fulcrum, and is provided at the fulcrum portion and a tip of the latch lever. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the second engagement portion is disposed between the operation portion and the operation portion. 12. The second engagement portion is located inside the second engagement portion of the holder when the ink tank is mounted on the holder, and is not protruded outward. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein: 13. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the second engagement portion is disposed outside the latch lever. 14. The device according to claim 1, wherein two side surfaces connecting one side surface and the other side surface of the ink tank are provided with protrusions that can form a contact state with a part of the holder. Ink tank. 15. An inclined surface is provided at a ridge portion where a bottom surface of the ink tank in a use state and one side surface on which the first engagement portion is provided intersects.
The ink tank according to any one of the above. 16. An ink tank holder having an opening into which an ink tank for storing ink used for recording is inserted, detachably holding the ink tank, and having an ink jet head. An ink communication pipe that communicates with an ink supply port disposed at a bottom portion in a use state; and a first engagement portion that engages with a first engagement portion provided on a part of one side surface of the ink tank. And a second engaging portion that engages with a second engaging portion of a latch lever provided on the ink tank, on another surface facing the side where the first engaging portion is provided. An ink tank holder characterized by the following. 17. A projection provided on two sides connecting one side and the other side of the ink tank is sliding on two sides connecting the side where the first locking part and the second locking part are provided. 17. The ink tank holder according to claim 16, wherein a recessed step that moves is provided. 18. The ink tank holder according to claim 16, wherein an urging means for urging the ink tank upward is provided at a bottom portion of the ink tank holder in a use state. . 19. The ink tank holder is detachably attached to a carriage of an ink jet apparatus. The ink tank holder has a mounting engagement portion for the carriage, and is mounted on the ink jet apparatus. 17. The ink tank holder according to claim 16, wherein the mounting engagement portion of the ink tank holder is located relatively lower than the second engagement portion of the ink tank in the state in which the ink tank holder is moved. 20. The interior of the ink tank holder is divided into two regions, a first locking portion and a second locking portion are provided in each of the partitioned regions, and one region is provided with one locking portion. An ink tank containing the color inks is detachable, and an ink tank integrally comprising a plurality of chambers containing a plurality of types of ink is detachable in the other area. The ink tank holder according to claim 16. 21. The ink tank holder according to claim 16, wherein a ridge between a bottom surface of the ink tank holder and a side surface on which the first locking portion is provided has an inclined surface. 22. Each area of the ink tank holder whose interior is divided into two areas has a bottom surface for each area and the first
17. The ink tank holder according to claim 16, wherein a ridge with a side surface on which the locking portion is provided is formed as an inclined surface. 23. The ink tank holder according to claim 16, wherein the ink tank holder is provided with an ink jet head integrally, and the ink jet head and the ink supply pipe are communicated with each other. 24. A terminal portion for receiving an electric signal transmitted to the ink jet head on one side surface of the ink tank holder.
2. The ink tank holder according to 1. 25. A side surface of the ink tank holder on which the second locking portion is provided, provided with a holder operation unit used when attaching and detaching the ink tank holder to and from a carriage of an ink jet apparatus. 17. The ink tank holder according to claim 16, wherein an operation unit disposed on a latch lever of the ink tank is disposed adjacent to the operation unit when the ink tank is mounted. 26. An ink jet head comprising an electrothermal transducer as an energy generating element, wherein the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal transducer causes film boiling in the ink to discharge the ink. An ink tank holder according to claim 23. 27. The ink according to claim 25, wherein the holder operation unit of the ink tank holder and the operation unit of the ink tank are located on a side surface intersecting the scanning direction of the carriage. Tank holder. 28. The ink tank holder according to claim 25, wherein the holder operation section of the ink tank holder is located below the operation section of the ink tank. 29. The ink tank holder according to claim 19, wherein the ink tank holder detachably holds the ink tank while being attached to the carriage. 30. An ink jet ink tank which is detachable from a holder provided with an ink jet head and is capable of storing ink used for recording supplied to the head, wherein the ink tank main body and the ink are provided. It is placed on the bottom part when the tank is in use,
A supply port for supplying the ink to the head, an atmosphere communication portion that communicates with the atmosphere in the ink tank, and a first lock formed on the holder provided on one surface of the ink tank. A first engaging portion engaged with the first engaging portion, and a second engaging portion formed on the holder and elastically provided on another surface different from the one surface on which the first engaging portion is provided. A latch lever provided with a second engaging portion to be engaged, and wherein the ink supply port is located between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion. An ink tank characterized by the following. 31. The ink tank according to claim 30, wherein the latch lever has at least an operation unit used to pull out the ink tank from the holder. 32. The ink tank according to claim 30, wherein the latch lever is elastically displaced toward the ink tank main body during an attaching / detaching operation. 33. The ink tank according to claim 30, wherein a negative pressure generator holding the ink is stored in the ink tank. 34. A negative pressure generator for holding the ink is accommodated in the ink tank main body, and a fibrous body constituted by a fibrous member is disposed in the supply section. The ink tank according to claim 30, wherein: 35. The ink tank according to claim 30, wherein black ink is contained in the ink tank. 36. The ink tank has a three-chamber configuration in which the interior is divided into three chambers. The supply section and the air communication section are arranged in each chamber, and yellow, cyan, and cyan are provided in each chamber. 31. The ink tank according to claim 30, wherein ink of each color of magenta is stored. 37. The ink tank according to claim 36, wherein the supply units of the three chambers are arranged in a direction from the one side surface to the other side surface. 38. The ink tank according to claim 30, wherein the second engagement portion is provided relatively above the first engagement portion when the ink tank is mounted. 39. The ink tank according to claim 30, wherein the latch lever is a lever member that is inclined or curved upward from a region near a lower portion of the other surface. 40. The latch lever is provided integrally in a region near a lower portion of the ink tank, is configured to be elastically displaceable with the portion as a fulcrum, and is provided at the fulcrum portion and a tip of the latch lever. 31. The ink tank according to claim 30, wherein the second engaging portion is disposed between the operating portion and the operating portion. 41. The second engagement portion is located inside the second engagement portion of the holder when the ink tank is mounted on the holder, and is not protruded outward. The ink tank according to claim 30, wherein: 42. The ink tank according to claim 30, wherein the second engagement portion is disposed outside the latch lever. 43. The other surface of the ink tank is a surface facing the one surface of the ink tank, and two side surfaces connecting the one surface and the other surface are provided with protrusions which can form a contact state with a part of the holder. The ink tank according to claim 30, wherein the ink tank is arranged. 44. An inclined surface is provided at a ridge where a bottom surface of the ink tank in a use state and a surface provided with the first engagement portion intersect.
The ink tank according to any one of the above.