JP3043531B2 - Ink storage tank, ink jet head cartridge provided with the ink storage tank, and ink jet recording apparatus provided with the ink jet head cartridge - 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 having an ink storage section for holding ink therein, and a supply section for supplying the ink held in the ink storage section to the outside as necessary. The present invention relates to a storage tank, an ink jet head cartridge provided with the ink storage tank, and an ink jet recording apparatus provided with the ink jet head cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, an ink jet head cartridge (integrated with a recording head having an ejection port for ejecting ink) and an ink storage tank for holding ink supplied to the recording head. Less than,
The ink held in the ink storage unit is moved from the ink storage tank to the ink storage tank by capillary action in the ink flow path in the print head unit and negative pressure in the print head unit generated by ejection of the ink. A predetermined amount is supplied into the unit.

For this reason, the ink storage tank must be able to supply sufficient ink to the recording head and to ensure that the ink held in the ink storage tank is inadvertently supplied to the recording head and does not leak to the outside through a discharge port or the like. It is necessary to have an appropriate ink holding force (negative pressure), and the following known cartridges are known.

(1) An ink absorbing tank made of a porous body impregnated with ink is compressed and stored in an ink storage tank, and a negative pressure is generated in the ink storage tank by the ink absorbing power of the absorbing body (for example, And JP-A-63-87242).

[0005] (2) The ink storage tank is provided with a bladder in which ink is held, and the ink is stored in the ink storage tank by using the restoring force of the bladder against the collapse of the bladder caused by the consumption of the ink in the bladder. A device that generates a negative pressure (for example, JP-A-59-207263).

(3) The ink storage tank is integrally provided with a valve element serving as a supply unit, the valve element is formed with a through hole communicating with the ink storage tank, and further moved by the negative pressure of the recording head unit. (See, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-231759).

(4) An ink storage tank has an ink bag for storing ink and a bladder for generating a negative pressure, and further connects the ink bag with the bladder. (Filling mode), communication between the capsule and the recording head (printing mode), ink bag,
Neither the capsule nor the recording head is in communication (closed mode)
With a three-way valve switchable to During non-printing, the three-way valve is set to the closed mode, and at the time of printing, the three-way valve is switched to the printing mode to use the ink in the capsule. At this time, a negative pressure is generated due to the restoring force of the capsule. When the ink in the capsule is exhausted, the three-way valve is switched to the filling mode, and the capsule is filled with the ink from the ink bag (for example, JP-A-63-172654).

[0008]

However, in each of the above embodiments (1) and (2), although the structure of the ink storage tank is simplified, there is a negative pressure in the ink storage tank. If the value is less than the value, the ink leaks from the discharge port, and when the amount of ink in the ink storage tank decreases due to the discharge of the ink, the negative pressure in the ink storage tank increases, which exceeds a certain range. In this case, the ink is not supplied to the recording head unit, and the ink remains in the ink storage tank. More particularly, (1)
In the case of (2), the ratio of the amount of ink to the volume of the ink storage tank is reduced. In the case of (2), in the case of a cartridge mounted on a serial type recording apparatus, the movement of the carriage mounting the cartridge Since the ink in the ink storage tank vibrates and the inside of the bladder is momentarily pressurized, ink leakage from the ejection port is likely to occur.

Further, in the cases of (3) and (4), although most of the ink in the ink storage tank can be used for recording, the number of components is increased and the structure becomes complicated. In particular, in the case of (3), it is difficult to stably move the valve only by the negative pressure of the recording head portion.
In the case of (4), a means for controlling the switching of the three-way valve is additionally required, so that the overall system has a more complicated configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink storage tank having a simple structure, capable of reliably supplying ink in an ink storage section to a recording head section when required, an ink jet head cartridge having the ink storage tank, and the ink jet head. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a head cartridge.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, an ink storage tank according to the present invention comprises an ink storage section for holding ink therein, and an ink storage section for storing the ink held in the ink storage section as required. In an ink storage tank having a supply unit for supplying outside, the supply unit is closed in a steady state, and a slit that opens when a predetermined pressure difference is generated between the ink storage unit and the outside. A partition made of an elastic member formed, a base member on which a peripheral edge of the partition is attached, and an ink channel formed, and an initial deformation applied to one part of the partition by contacting one part of the partition. And a projection portion.

The supply section is provided with a cover member for covering the partition wall. The projection section is provided on the cover member, and the partition wall has a hollow dome shape in which at least the top has a hemispherical shape. The top may have a slit formed thereon, and the projection may be in contact with one portion of the partition wall within a range of 0 to 35 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the slit.

An ink jet head cartridge according to the present invention includes the ink storage tank according to the present invention, and a recording head connected to the ink storage tank for discharging ink from a discharge port.

The recording head is a full-line type in which discharge ports are formed over the entire width of a recording area of a recording medium, or a recording head that discharges ink using thermal energy. May have an electrothermal converter as an energy generating element for generating the energy.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes the ink jet head cartridge according to the present invention, and means for mounting the ink jet head cartridge, and discharges ink from an ejection port of the recording head unit based on a recording signal. The recording is performed by discharging the ink toward the recording medium.

[0016]

In the ink jet head cartridge according to the present invention configured as described above, in the initial state, the ink storage unit, the supply unit, and the recording head unit are filled with ink. At this time, the projection is in contact with one portion of the partition wall, and the contact portion of the partition wall with the projection portion is initially deformed, but the slit of the partition wall is closed.

When the recording is performed and the ink in the recording head section is consumed, the pressure of the partition wall on the recording head section side is reduced, and the partition wall is recessed toward the recording head section at a contact portion with the projection. With the depression of the partition, the slit of the partition gradually opens, and the ink in the ink storage unit is supplied to the recording head unit side through the slit. When the ink on the ink storage unit side is supplied to the recording head unit side, the difference between the pressure on the recording head unit side and the pressure on the ink storage unit side gradually decreases,
The slit is closed while the shape of the partition wall is restored. Since the partition wall requires the largest force to generate the initial deformation, the deformation due to the pressure change does not occur depending on the elasticity of the partition wall, and it may be difficult to supply the ink to the recording head unit side. Therefore, by providing the partition walls with initial deformation in advance by the projections, the above operation is repeated stably with consumption of ink, and ink is supplied to the recording head unit as needed.

[0018]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, an embodiment of the ink jet head cartridge (hereinafter, referred to as "cartridge") of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view of an embodiment of a cartridge according to the present invention. As shown in FIG.
And an ink tank 3 as an ink storage tank for holding ink to be supplied to the recording head unit 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the recording head section 2 has a plurality of discharge ports 2b formed at a predetermined pitch on a discharge port forming surface 2a facing a recording medium (not shown) at a predetermined interval. And an electrothermal converter (e.g., a heating resistor) 2e for generating energy for ink ejection along a wall surface of each liquid path 2d communicating the common liquid chamber 2c and each ejection port 2b.
Are arranged. The common liquid chamber 2c includes a supply unit 5 described later.
(See FIG. 1). Common liquid chamber 2 from supply unit 5
The ink supplied to c and temporarily stored therein enters the liquid path 2d by capillary action, forms a meniscus at the discharge port 2b, and keeps the liquid path 2d filled. At this time, when the electrothermal transducer 2e is energized via an electrode (not shown) and generates heat, the ink on the electrothermal transducer 2e is rapidly heated, and bubbles are generated in the liquid passage 2d. The ink is ejected from the ejection port 2b by the expansion.

Here, the electrothermal transducer 2e 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 for instantaneously applying discharge pressure may be used. .

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the ink tank 3 supplies the ink bag 4 for holding the ink therein and the ink held in the ink bag 4 to the recording head unit 2 as needed. And a supply unit 5. Ink bag 4
Is made of a flexible material in which polyethylene terephthalate is laminated on a polyethylene film. The outside of the ink bag 4 is at the same pressure as the atmospheric pressure by an atmosphere communication port (not shown) formed on the outer wall of the ink tank 3. Therefore, as the ink in the ink bag 4 runs out, the ink bag 4 is crushed at atmospheric pressure.

Next, the supply section 5 will be described in detail.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the supply unit 5 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the supply unit shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the mounting base 6 on the cylinder is provided integrally with a mounting base 6 b on a cylinder having a smaller diameter than the mounting base 6 on one end surface thereof. An ink flow path 6c communicating between the one end surface and the other end surface is formed.

The open end of a hollow dome-shaped slit bladder 7 made of an elastic material is fitted and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the mounting base 6b. A slit 7a is formed at the top of the slit bladder 7, and the slit 7a
Is closed in a state where the slit bladder 7 is still fitted in the mounting base 6 (steady state), but is opened when the slit bladder 7 is deformed. Ribs 7 extending from the flanges 7b to the tops of the slit bladders 7 are provided at opposing portions of the outer wall of the slit bladder 7.
c and 7d are formed. The ribs 7c and 7d are preferably provided in a range of 35 to 90 degrees with respect to an extension of the slit 7a.

As the slit bladder 7, silicone rubber, SBR, BR, IR, EPM, EPDM, butyl rubber, chloroprene rubber, urethane rubber, fluorine rubber,
Nitrile rubber, acrylic rubber, polysulfide rubber, ethylene rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, SEP rubber (silicone-modified ethylene propylene rubber) and the like are preferably used, and the hardness thereof is preferably in the range of 15 to 70 °, and more preferably 2 to 70 °.
The range of 5 to 50 ° is more preferable. In addition, since these materials come into contact with the ink in the ink tank 3 (see FIG. 1), the materials may change the physical properties (surface tension, viscosity, etc.) of the ink, or have properties that elute into the ink. No. At the same time, it is necessary that these materials do not change their physical properties due to the ink.

A bladder cover 8 for covering the slit bladder 7 is fixed to the mounting base 6 by ultrasonic welding or heat welding. A projection 8b is formed on the inner wall of the bladder cover 8 to be in contact with the slit bladder 7, and the slit 8 is initially deformed by the projection 8b. It is preferable that the position at which the protrusion 8b is formed is within a range of 0 to 35 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the slit 7a. The reason is that, when the slit bladder 7 is dented by a differential pressure described later, the slit bladder 7 is dented at a contact portion with the projection 8b, so that when the formation position of the projection 8b is out of the above range, This is because it becomes difficult for the slit 7a to be opened even when the slit bleder 7 is dented. In addition, the ink bag 4 is attached to the bladder cover 8.
An ink supply path 8a is provided which is connected to the opening of the ink supply path 8 (see FIG. 1).
a to the slit bladder 7 via the slit 7a, and to the recording head unit 2 (see FIG. 1).

Here, the ink used in the present invention will be described.

As the dye used in the ink, water-soluble acid dyes, neutral dyes, basic dyes and reactive dyes described in the color index can be used, and dyes not described in the color index can be used. Any water-soluble dye can be used. The amount of the dye is not particularly limited, but is generally 0.1 to 20% of the total weight of the ink.
%, Preferably from 0.3 to 10% by weight, more preferably from 0.5 to 6% by weight. And
The solvent used for the ink is water, or a mixed solvent of water and a water-soluble organic solvent. Particularly preferred is the above-mentioned mixed solvent, and a polyhydric alcohol having a drying prevention effect of the ink as a water-soluble organic solvent. It contains a kind. The content of the water-soluble organic solvent is generally 2% of the total weight of the ink.
-80% by weight, preferably 3-70% by weight, more preferably 4-40% by weight. As the water, it is preferable to use deionized water instead of general water containing various ions, and the content thereof is 35% by weight or more, preferably 45% by weight or more of the whole ink. In addition, the ink may optionally contain a fungicide, a preservative, a pH adjuster, a viscosity adjuster, a surface tension adjuster, and the like.

Further, the viscosity of the ink at 25 ° C. is in the range of 1 to 20 cP, preferably 1 to 15 cP,
The surface tension is 30 dyne / cm or more, preferably 40 dyne / cm or more.
dyne / cm or more, and a hydrogen ion concentration index (p
H) preferably has physical properties of about 4 to 10.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

In the initial state (steady state) of the cartridge, as shown in FIG. 1, the slit 7a of the slit bladder 7 is closed. The ink pressure is less than 30 mm water head. For this reason, in this state, the balance between the meniscus holding force at the ejection port 2b and the internal pressure of the ink tank 3 is maintained, so that the ink does not easily leak from the ejection port 2b due to a temperature change, a pressure change, or vibration. Absent.
In this state, ink is ejected from the recording head unit 2 to perform recording, whereby ink inside the slit bleder 7 is consumed. Along with this, the ink pressure inside the slit bladder 7 gradually decreases, the differential pressure from the ink pressure inside the ink bag 4 gradually increases, and the
The portion which is in contact with the projection 8b and is given initial deformation is crushed.

When the pressure difference between the inside of the slit bladder 7 and the ink bag 4 exceeds a certain value, the slit 7a of the slit bladder 7 is caused by the collapse of the slit bladder 7, as shown in FIG. The ink in the ink supply path 8a is supplied to the inside of the slit bladder 7 through the slit 7a. When the ink is supplied to the inside of the slit bladder 7 in this manner, the pressure difference between the inside of the slit bladder 7 and the inside of the ink bag 4 gradually decreases.
As the pressure difference between the inside of the slit bladder 7 and the inside of the ink bag 4 decreases, the deformation of the slit bladder 7 is gradually restored. When the deformation of the slit bladder 7 is restored to some extent,
The opened slit 7a is closed and kept in the initial state. As the recording progresses and the ink is consumed, the above operation is repeated, and a good ink supply is achieved.

For the purpose of maintaining or improving the ink discharge state, the discharge port 2 is temporarily stopped by a suction pump or the like.
b, the ink inside the slit bladder 7 and the ink bag 4 are the same as in the case of ink consumption during recording.
Since the pressure difference between the inside and the inside becomes large, the slit bladder 7 is dented and the slit 7a is opened, and ink is supplied from the ink bag 4 into the inside of the slit bleder 7. After the ink is supplied to the inside of the slit bladder 7, the slit 7a is closed as the slit bladder 7 is restored. Therefore, the pressure inside the slit bladder 7 is always in a range that does not affect the ejection.

On the other hand, the negative pressure generated in the recording head is 3
It is preferably in the range of 0 to $ 200 mm head. This is because if the negative pressure is 30 mm water head or more, ink leakage from the discharge port is likely to occur, and if the negative pressure is 200 mm water head or less, problems such as a decrease in ink discharge volume and non-discharge of ink are likely to occur. And more preferably 0
It may be in the range of ~ ─150 mm head.

Factors that determine the negative pressure generated in the recording head include the thickness, elastic modulus (rubber hardness), and radius of the slit bladder 7. Therefore, the material and shape of the slit bladder 7 depend on the recording head. It is necessary to select a suitable one so that the negative pressure is in the above range.

When the cartridge having the above-mentioned slit bladder is mounted on a carriage of a serial type ink jet recording apparatus, since the internal volume of the slit bladder is small, vibration of the slit bladder due to movement of the carriage or the like can be reduced. Although the influence of the impact is not so large, in order to further reduce the impact, it is desirable to minimize the ink volume in the bladder cover which also has an effect as a vibration preventing wall of the slit bladder. In addition, in low temperature environment, the ink around the slit bladder freezes, causing volume expansion, and as a result, the slit bladder is pressed by the frozen ink, preventing the ink inside the slit bladder from leaking from the ejection port. Therefore, it is necessary that the ink volume in the bladder cover is small.

Next, another embodiment of the cartridge of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway side view of another embodiment of the cartridge of the present invention. As shown in FIG.
The cartridge of this embodiment has a configuration in which an ink tank 13 can be attached to and detached from a cartridge body 11 in which a recording head unit 12 and a supply unit 15 are integrated.
When the ink runs out, the ink tank 13 can be replaced.

The inside of the supply section 15 of the cartridge body 11 is a sub-tank 20, in which the sub-tank 20 is fitted into the mounting base of the mounting base 16 as in the embodiment of the cartridge shown in FIG. Slit bladder 1
7, and a dome-shaped portion lid cover 18 that covers the outside of the slit bladder 17 is fixed to the mounting base 16. A through-hole is formed at the top of the bladder cover 18, and when the slit 17 a of the slit bladder 17 is open, ink in the sub tank 20 is supplied to the recording head unit 12 via the inside of the slit bladder 17. Is done. The recording head unit 12 may be the same as that shown in FIG. 1, and a description thereof will be omitted. Sub tank 20
A cylindrical cartridge main body side connecting portion 21 is integrally provided on the side wall of the cartridge main body so as to protrude therefrom.
A stopper 21a extending radially toward the axis of the cartridge body side connection portion 21 is formed at the leading end of the cartridge body over the entire circumference of the cartridge body side connection portion 21.

An elastic member 22 having the same shape as the cross section of the hollow portion is provided in the hollow portion of the cartridge body side connecting portion 21 so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the hollow portion. A compression spring 23 for urging the elastic member 22 in the direction of the stopper 21a is provided, and the elastic member 22 seals the hollow portion. The hollow portion of the cartridge main body side connection portion 21 communicates with the sub tank 20 via a communication hole 24 formed in a side wall of the sub tank 20. For this reason, although the hollow portion of the cartridge body side connection portion 21 is also filled with the ink in the sub tank 20,
As described above, since the hollow portion of the cartridge main body side connection portion 21 is sealed by the elastic member 22, the ink in the sub tank 20 is removed from the cartridge main body side connection portion 21.
Does not leak from Further, in the hollow portion of the cartridge body side connection portion 21, the cartridge body side connection portion 21 is provided.
A hollow needle-like connecting pipe 25 extending in the axial direction of the sub-tank 20 and having a tip directed toward the elastic member 22 is provided through the side wall of the sub-tank 20.

On the other hand, the ink tank 13 is provided with a cartridge main body side guide portion 26 provided in the cartridge main body 11.
And an ink tank-side guide portion 27 that fits into the cartridge body-side guide portion 2.
6 and the ink tank 1
When the cartridge 3 is mounted, an ink tank side connection portion 28 which is a concave portion into which the cartridge body side connection portion 21 can be inserted is provided in a portion of the ink tank 13 facing the cartridge body side connection portion 21. Ink tank side connection 2
An opening communicating with the inside of the ink tank 13 is formed at the bottom of the opening 8, and the opening is closed by a lid member 29 made of the same material as the elastic member 22. This lid member 2
9 has the same shape as the cross section of the opening of the cartridge body side connection portion 21 surrounded by the stopper 21a.
When the ink tank 13 is mounted on the cartridge body 11, the lid member 29 slides the elastic member 22 to the left in the drawing against the spring force of the compression spring 23. At this time, the connecting pipe 25 is configured to sequentially penetrate the elastic member 22 and the lid member 29 so that the tip of the connecting pipe 25 reaches the inside of the ink tank 13.

Further, an ink tank inner bag 30 made of a flexible material is provided inside the ink tank 13, and one end of the ink tank inner bag 30 is connected to an atmosphere communication port 31.
It is in communication with the outside through. Ink tank inner bag 30
Is stored in a compressed state in the ink tank 13 in an initial state (a state in which the ink tank 13 is filled with ink), and the ink is discharged from the recording head unit 12 so that the ink in the ink tank 13 is consumed. , Atmosphere communication port 3
Air flows into the ink tank inner bag 30 through 1 and gradually expands, so that the pressure in the ink tank 13 is kept substantially constant.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

First, the guide portion 27 on the ink tank side is fitted into the guide portion 26 on the cartridge body side, and the ink tank 13 is inserted along the guide portion 26 on the cartridge body side. The side connection portion 21 is fitted, and the elastic member 22 and the lid member 29
And abut. When the ink tank 13 is further inserted, the lid member 29 pushes the elastic member 22 against the spring force of the compression spring 23, and the connecting pipe 25 sequentially passes through the elastic member 22 and the lid member 29. When the ink tank 13 is completely attached to the cartridge body 11, the end of the connecting pipe 25 reaches the inside of the ink tank 13 and the connecting pipe 25
The inside of the ink tank 13 and the inside of the sub-tank 20 communicate with each other via 5. The inside of the cartridge main body side connection portion 21 is filled with ink, and the connecting pipe 25 penetrates the elastic member 22 and the lid member 29 and the sub tank 20.
By connecting the ink tank 13 to the
Does not come into contact with air both when the ink tank 13 is not mounted and when the ink tank 13 is mounted, so that clogging due to drying of the ink in the connecting pipe 25 or the like does not occur.

The ink tank 13 is attached to the cartridge body 11.
Once the is fully installed, recording is possible. The operation at the time of recording is the same as that in the case of the cartridge shown in FIG. 1, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Although the cartridge of this embodiment has been described as an example in which the cartridge is separated between the supply section 15 and the ink tank 13, the separated section is not limited to this, and the recording head section 12 is not limited to this.
And the supply unit 15 may be configured to be separable.

Next, an embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described.

In FIG. 7, a cartridge 101 integrally provided with a recording head unit for discharging ink based on a predetermined recording signal and recording a desired image is the same as that shown in the above-described cartridge embodiment. It has a similar configuration.

A carriage 102 on which a cartridge 101 is mounted is slidably fitted to two guide shafts 103 and 104 in the direction of arrow B, and is rotatably mounted on a pulley 107 fixed to an output shaft of a carriage motor 105. Timing belt 108 wrapped around supported pulley 106
At one site. The cartridge 101 has a configuration in which the timing belt 108 rotates forward and backward when the pulley 107 rotates forward and backward by the driving force of the carriage motor 105, and reciprocates in the direction of arrow B.

The recording paper 109 as a recording medium is guided by a paper pan 110, and is conveyed by a paper feed roller (not shown) pressed by a pinch roller. This conveyance is performed using the paper feed motor 116 as a drive source. The conveyed recording paper 109 is fed to the discharge rollers 11.
The tension is added by 3 and spur 114,
The heater 1 is controlled by a paper pressing plate 112 formed of an elastic member.
Because it is pressed against the heater 11, it is conveyed while being in close contact with the heater 111. Recording paper 109 to which ink ejected from the recording head of cartridge 101 adheres
Is heated by the heater 111, and the attached ink evaporates its moisture and is fixed on the recording paper 109.

The recovery unit 115 is for maintaining the discharge characteristics in a normal state by removing foreign matters and ink having increased viscosity attached to the discharge ports (not shown) of the recording head unit.

The recovery unit 115 has a cap 11
8a is provided to prevent clogging by capping the ejection openings of the recording head unit. An ink absorber 118 is provided inside the cap 118a.

The recording area side of the recovery unit 115 is in contact with the surface of the recording head portion where the ejection openings are formed, and is used to clean foreign matter and ink droplets attached to the surface where the ejection openings are formed. Cleaning blade 11
7 are provided.

In each of the embodiments described above, the cartridge and the ink jet recording apparatus are of the serial type, but the present invention can be applied to a full line type.

The present invention includes a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for ejecting ink, particularly in an ink jet recording system, and uses the thermal energy to form an ink. In the print head and the ink jet printing apparatus of the type which causes the state change of the above, an excellent effect is brought about.

The typical structure and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
No. 796, and the present invention is preferably performed using these basic principles. This recording method can be applied to both so-called on-demand type and continuous type.

The recording method will be briefly described. An electrothermal transducer disposed corresponding to a sheet or a liquid path holding a liquid (ink) and a liquid (ink) corresponding to recording information. By applying at least one drive signal to exceed the nucleate boiling phenomenon and to give a rapid temperature rise to cause the film boiling phenomenon, heat energy is generated, and film boiling is caused on the heat working surface of the recording head. . As described above, since bubbles corresponding to the drive signal applied to the electrothermal converter from the liquid (ink) can be formed one-to-one, it is particularly effective for an on-demand type recording method. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge hole by the growth and shrinkage of the bubble,
Form at least one drop. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. Examples of the drive signal in the form of a pulse include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345.
No. 262 are suitable. If the conditions described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface described above are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, a configuration combining a discharge hole, a liquid flow path, and an electrothermal converter as disclosed in each of the above-mentioned specifications (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path)
In addition, the present invention also includes those having a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bent region as disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4,459,600.

In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 123670/1984 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge hole of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, or absorbs a pressure wave of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective in a configuration based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which the opening to be made corresponds to the discharge section.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which a recording apparatus can record, a full-line type recording head as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification is used in combination. A line configuration or a single full-line recording head integrally formed may be used.

In addition, the print head is replaceable with a print head of a chip type which is electrically connected to the main body of the apparatus and can be supplied with ink from the main body of the apparatus, or is integrated with the print head itself. The present invention is also effective when a cartridge-type recording head provided in a fixed manner is used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like to the recording apparatus of the present invention, since the recording apparatus of the present invention can be further stabilized. More specifically, preheating of the recording head by capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, an electrothermal transducer or another heating element, or a combination thereof. Means and means for performing a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection other than printing are also effective for performing stable printing.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to a mode for recording only the mainstream color such as black, and may be either a mode in which the recording head is integrally formed or a mode in which a plurality of recording heads are combined. However, the present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of multiple colors of different colors or full color by mixing colors.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the description is made using the liquid ink. However, in the present invention, the ink which is solid at room temperature or the ink which becomes soft at room temperature is used. Can be used. In general, in the above-described ink jet device, the temperature of the ink itself is adjusted 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. It is sufficient if the ink is in a liquid state.

In addition, an excessive temperature rise of the head or the ink due to thermal energy is positively prevented by using the energy of the state change from the solid state to the liquid state of the ink, or the purpose is to prevent the evaporation of the ink. Alternatively, an ink that solidifies in a standing state may be used. In any case, the ink is liquefied for the first time by the application of heat energy, such as one in which the ink is liquefied and ejected as an ink liquid by application of the heat energy according to the recording signal, or one which already starts to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The use of an ink having the following properties is also applicable to the present invention.

Such an ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-568.
No. 47 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-71260, while being held as a liquid or solid substance in a concave portion or a through hole of a porous sheet, facing the electrothermal converter. It is good also as a form.

In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

[0068]

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

By providing a partition having a slit in the supply section, the slit is opened only when a predetermined differential pressure is generated between the ink storage section and the outside. The ink inside the unit can be reliably supplied to the outside (recording head unit) when necessary. In addition, by making the protrusion abut on one part of the partition wall and giving initial deformation to the partition wall, the partition wall is easily dented when a pressure difference is generated between the ink storage unit and the outside (recording head unit), Since the ink pressure of the outside (print head unit) is kept within a certain range, the ink can be more stably supplied to the outside (print head unit).

Further, by providing a cover member for covering the partition, when mounted on a serial type ink jet recording apparatus, vibration of the partition due to movement of the carriage and the like can be suppressed, and unnecessary pressure fluctuation of ink can be suppressed. ,
More stable ink supply becomes possible.

In addition, the slit can be reliably opened by the depression of the partition wall by contacting the projection with one part of the partition wall within a range of 0 to 35 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the slit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view of an embodiment of an ink jet head cartridge of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the recording head unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the supply unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a slit of the supply unit shown in FIG. 1 is closed.

5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a slit of the supply unit illustrated in FIG. 1 is opened.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway side view of another embodiment of the ink jet head cartridge of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2, 12 Recording head unit 2a Discharge port surface 2b Discharge port 2c Common liquid chamber 2d Liquid path 2e Electrothermal converter 3,13 Ink tank 4 Ink bag 5,15 Supply unit 6,16 Mounting base 6b Mounting base 6c Ink flow path 7, 17 Slit bladder 7a, 17a Slit 7c, 7d Rib 8, 18 Blader cover 8a Ink supply path 11 Cartridge main body 20 Subtank 21 Cartridge main body side connection portion 21a Stopper 22 Elastic member 23 Compression spring 24 Communication hole 25 Connecting pipe 26 Cartridge main body Side guide part 27 Ink tank side guide part 28 Ink tank side connection part 29 Lid member 30 Ink tank inner bag 31 Atmosphere communication port 101 Cartridge 102 Carriage 103, 104 Guide shaft 105 Carriage motor 106, 107 Pulley 108 Timing base Rot 109 Recording paper 110 Paper pan 111 Heater 112 Paper press plate 113 Discharge roller 114 Spur 115 Recovery unit 116 Paper feed motor 117 Cleaning blade 118 Absorber 118a Cap

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-288239 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/175

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ink storage tank comprising: an ink storage section for holding ink therein; and a supply section for supplying the ink held in the ink storage section to the outside as necessary. The partition is closed in a steady state, and a partition made of an elastic member having a slit formed to open when a predetermined differential pressure is generated between the ink storage unit and the outside, and a peripheral portion of the partition is attached. An ink storage tank, comprising: a base member in which an ink flow path is formed; and a projection that abuts one part of the partition to give an initial deformation to one part of the partition. 2. The ink storage tank according to claim 1, wherein a cover member that covers the partition is provided in the supply unit, and a protrusion is provided on the cover member. 3. The ink storage tank according to claim 1, wherein the partition has a hollow dome shape in which at least a top has a hemispherical shape, and a slit is formed in the top. 4. The ink storage tank according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion contacts one part of the partition wall within a range of 0 to 35 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the slit. 5. An ink jet head cartridge comprising: the ink storage tank according to claim 1; and a recording head connected to the ink storage tank and configured to discharge ink from a discharge port. 6. The ink jet head cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the recording head is of a full line type in which discharge ports are formed over the entire width of the recording area of the recording medium. 7. The recording head according to claim 5, wherein the recording head discharges ink using thermal energy, and has an electrothermal converter as an energy generating element for generating the thermal energy. Inkjet head cartridge. 8. An ink jet head cartridge according to claim 5, further comprising: means for mounting the ink jet head cartridge.
An ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink from a discharge port of the recording head unit toward a recording medium based on a recording signal.