JP3224180B2 - Method and apparatus for refilling ink in ink tank for ink recording head - 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 refill container for refilling an ink container with ink and a method for refilling the ink, and is detachable from a print head used integrally with the print head. The present invention relates to a refilling device and an ink refilling method for effectively refilling an ink container having a plurality of ink storage portions with ink.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the field of ink-jet recording, from the viewpoint of miniaturization of the apparatus and maintenance-free,
2. Description of the Related Art A cartridge-type inkjet unit in which a recording head and an ink tank are integrated has been used.
The ink jet unit is detachable from a scanning carriage provided in the apparatus, and can be easily replaced by a user with a new ink jet unit when the ink in the ink tank ends.

On the other hand, in the field of ink jet recording, there is a high demand for color recording. As a configuration that satisfies the demand for colorization by the ink jet unit as described above, for example, for color printing by arranging the ink jet units in parallel on the carriage in the scanning direction for each color, or for color printing An ink tank containing yellow, magenta, and cyan inks used and a recording head that ejects these inks are arranged side by side in parallel, and a color ink jet unit and a black only ink jet unit are arranged on a carriage. A device that performs printing is employed as a configuration for performing color printing.

On the other hand, ink jet units have recently been
A proposal has been made to solve the problem that the recording head and the ink tank are detachable so that the recording head that is still usable at the time when the ink of the ink jet unit is completed is discarded.

Therefore, it has been proposed to refill the ink tank of such an ink jet unit with ink. Specifically, Graphic Utilities inserts a metal injection needle into a bellows-type ink container,
After a hole is formed in the ink tank portion, a needle is inserted into the hole, and the bellows-type ink container is gradually crushed by human power to pressurize and refill the ink.
In some cases, the ink container is shaped like a syringe and the ink is pressurized and refilled.

[0006] The ink refilling method of such a form is as follows.
There were the following problems. That is, first, the pressurized state of the operator is often excessive due to the manual operation, and the ink supply speed is too fast than the ink permeation speed to the absorber in the tank, so that the ink is transferred from the needle tip to the inside of the tank. Since the ink overflows without being filled or the amount to be filled is unknown, the ink can only be sufficiently filled by overflowing the ink from the hole formed in the ink tank. Second, when an operable needle member is used for injecting ink, the human body may be erroneously injured. Third, in order to refill the ink without causing the ink to overflow, it is necessary to maintain the pressurization in a predetermined state, and the structure for that purpose becomes complicated. Fourth, since the pressurization for refilling the ink is performed manually, the constraint time for the user to refill the ink is long. Fifth, in a bellows type or injection type ink container, the ink leaks out of the needle with a slight impact because the resistance is low before the needle is inserted into the ink tank. Sixth, when the ink refill kit is discarded, it must be performed for each material.

[0007]

It is conceivable that such replaceable ink tanks of the ink jet unit are refilled with ink using an opening serving as a connection portion with a recording head. Even if an ink refilling kit of a bellows type or the like is applied, the above-mentioned problem remains, and particularly, an opening serving as a connection portion of the ink tank with the recording head is extremely wide compared to the needle of the ink refilling device. Therefore, the problem of ink overflow will be further raised. On the other hand, in EP 605 183, an apparatus is provided in which an ink tank and a chamber for containing ink are provided, and the ink is filled with a capillary element. However, in this apparatus, since the ink supply path and the ink filling portion at the time of printing are different, it is necessary to press the sponge body and the capillary element in order to reliably fill the ink. When a different sponge body compression area is generated and ink is used up and an ink cartridge (ink tank) is filled with ink, air may be taken in between these different sponge body compression areas and printing may not be possible. there were. Also, if the sponge body and the capillary element are pressed while the ink is not completely used, the sponge body may be squeezed and the ink may leak out. Furthermore, in the above-described configuration, since the length of the capillary element is long and the flow resistance is large, it takes a long time to fill the ink, or the ink in the chamber containing the ink decreases according to the filling, the pressure in the chamber decreases, and the atmospheric pressure decreases. I try to inhale, but because there is almost no place where the air flows in,
In some cases, filling stopped.

[0008] The present inventors have found that the conventional ink refilling is predominantly performed by an external supply capacity,
Reconfirm that excessive external force or shortage has occurred, and when the ink tank is initially filled, the ink-absorbing porous member stored in the ink tank (at least partially compressed state or before storage) When the current situation of excessively filling the ink under reduced pressure in a state where the ink is stored twice or four times compressed is found, a new finding has been reached.

In other words, in the ink-absorbing porous member filled with ink, even though the inside of the ink tank is communicated with the atmosphere, a certain fine hole in the porous material is attracted by the suction force due to the minute negative pressure due to ink consumption. Come out. Utilizing this phenomenon for refilling the ink tanks has revealed that it is possible to perform reliable ink filling without ink overflow irrespective of the ratio of ink remaining in the ink tanks.

At this time, it is important to consider that the negative pressure generated due to the consumption of ink in the ink tank is caused by the ink absorbing portion (porous material) on the ink supply side of the ink tank when the ink tank is used alone. And a separate member connected to the ink tank), a meniscus is formed by the remaining ink, and all of the ink initially filled in the ink tank is not consumed by recording, and at least the remaining ink is not consumed. Is left in the ink tank.

The present invention has been made on the basis of the above findings, and prevents ink overflow in the conventional ink refilling by making ink refilling dominant by negative pressure generated by ink consumption inside the ink tank. It is a first object of the present invention to provide an epoch-making ink refilling method and apparatus which can leave an ink tank in a refilled state.

Further, the present invention improves the low operability that the operator has to support both the ink tank and the filling device because the conventional refilling of the ink is performed using only the filling device. It is a second object of the present invention to provide an ink refilling device which improves operability, does not overflow, and can optimally fill the ink in the ink tank almost at the beginning of use of the ink tank. I do.

[0013]

In the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, more preferable conditions, that is, to stabilize the head difference of the ink for refilling which is slightly generated at the time of ink refilling, or to set the ink tank at the time of refilling. Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink filling method and apparatus which solves the problem of preventing slight ink adhesion.

Still other objects of the present invention will be understood from the following description.

[0016]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention achieves at least one of the above-mentioned objects, and its main feature is that it is generated by the consumption of ink held by a porous body in an ink tank. With the use of the negative pressure, the refilling of the ink inside the ink tank is prevented without at least preventing the ink from overflowing, and is reliably refilled. Particularly preferably, the ink tank is replenished from the side where the ink is supplied to the recording head, so that the ink in the ink tank can be reliably filled without running out of ink.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a porous member which generates a negative pressure therein.
At least a portion of the ink initially filled in the porous member
Has been consumed, separated from the inkjet recording head
In an ink refilling method for refilling ink into a possible ink tank, the ink tank comprises the ink tank.
Ink supply for supplying ink to the jet recording head
Supply opening, the porous member and the ink supply opening,
And between the porous member and the porous member.
From the porous member toward the ink supply opening
An ink delivering member for guiding the ink in one direction, the Inkuta
Air communication port for communicating the inside of the tank with the atmosphere,
The ink refilling method, the in-the ink tank
A meniscus breaking step of breaking the meniscus of the ink at the end of the ink supply opening side of the click leading member, said Lee
The porous member is generated by ink consumption in a state where the ink derivation member is positioned below the porous member with respect to the direction of gravity while maintaining the communication state between the ink derivation member and the filling ink. Refilling the ink for filling into the ink tank under atmospheric pressure by negative pressure.

The ink meniscus destruction step (or means) according to the present invention means that at least a part of the meniscus formed by the negative pressure inside the ink remaining in the ink tank is at least partially destroyed, and the refill ink is destroyed. Includes all that can be in fluid communication, such as by pressurizing the refill ink or by suctioning the ink in the ink tank, and more preferably,
Bar-shaped body with a small cross-section facing each other at a fine interval (for example,
Breakage can be achieved by inserting the refilling ink, which has risen due to the capillary phenomenon due to the needle-like pair), together with the rod-shaped body into the ink lead-out member of the ink tank. Further, as the destruction step (or means), the ink absorbing member of the ink tank is immersed in the ink for refilling to apply an external vibration force, or the ink tank itself is repeatedly applied to the ink for refilling several times. And those that break the ink meniscus by contact and separation.

The present invention provides a more efficient refill ink,
It can be filled in a state that can be used as ink for recording,
The feature is that, in the ink refilling method described above, the ink lead-out member of the ink tank is located below the ink lead-out member in the direction of gravity, and the porous member of the ink tank is located above the ink lead-out member in the direction of gravity. The ink is supplied from below to above. The filled ink can be reliably filled from the supply side in the ink tank. Further, according to the present invention, in addition to the first object, a one-way fiber bundle member provided with a one-way fiber bundle member for improving a supply property from an ink tank to a recording head is provided by an ink tank or a filling side. By using
Refilling of ink can be made more uniform. In particular, when these ink tanks are in a recording state and the ink supply from the ink tank to the head side is supplied downward (preferably immediately below), the ink remaining in the ink tank becomes uniform when refilling and the ink supply is performed. The refilling method and apparatus of the present invention can work more effectively because it will be concentrated on the side.

In the present invention, the ink tank has a plurality of partitioned ink storage chambers for storing a plurality of different inks, the ink storage chambers each including the porous member, It is assumed that the plurality of ink storage chambers each have the coupling region having the ink lead-out member on the same surface side, and the filling ink is a different ink corresponding to each of the ink storage chambers. By being supplied to each of the ink lead-out members from the divided charging ink supply means, ink refilling to a plurality of different ink tanks can be performed without color mixing at a desired filling ratio without excessive filling. In addition, the first object can be achieved even when refilling a plurality of different inks by reliably performing the operation with a simple operation. Is shall.

In the present invention, the filling level of the refill ink is slightly changed due to a change in the liquid level of the refill ink at the time of refilling the ink. By holding the ink in a container that maintains a liquid level substantially equal to the position where the ink lead-out member receives the filling ink, the refilling is further dominated by the negative pressure due to the ink consumption in the ink tank. Therefore, the ink refill state in the ink tank can be further uniformed.

According to the present invention, in addition to the structure for achieving the first object, the filling ink is supplied at a liquid level below a position where the ink lead-out member receives the filling ink. It is more preferable to adopt a configuration in which air in the ink outlet pipe of the filling ink in the space of the difference between the position and the liquid level is at least temporarily removed from the filling ink path to the ink outlet member . Is
After the air is removed by the removing step, after the ink refilling by the negative pressure is completed, the ink lead-out member moves to a position for receiving the filling ink to form a meniscus of the ink lead-out member. By adopting the configuration, air when refilling ink is supplied at different position levels is eliminated, so that efficient refilling can be achieved without pushing the ink into the ink tank. The ink supply can be interrupted, and the movement of the air is detected and the completion of ink refilling is notified according to the detection result. , Buzzer display, etc.), it is also possible to leave refilling.

The method element of the present invention can be applied to the apparatus of the present invention.

That is, according to the present invention , a negative pressure is generated internally.
With a porous member that can be produced and initially filled in the porous member
Ink at least partially consumed
For ink tanks that can be separated from the
In the ink refilling apparatus for refilling ink by the previous
The ink tank is connected to the ink jet recording head.
An ink supply opening for supplying the ink, the porous
Interposed between the member and the ink supply opening, the porous
In pressure contact with the porous member and forward from the porous member.
Guide the ink in one direction toward the ink supply opening.
Ink lead-out member and the inside of the ink tank are communicated with the atmosphere.
And a air vent, the ink refilling apparatus, the ink lead-out member with said <br/> ink tank holds the ink tank holding unit can be mounted, the ink to be refilled into the inside of the ink tank an ink outlet means for supplying ink to, is provided with the said ink outlet means, the
A means for breaking the meniscus of the ink leading member, the ink tank holding portion above the ink tank
While holding the ink tank in a state where the connection portion with the ink jet recording head is located below with respect to the direction of gravity, the ink lead-out section is provided by the meniscus breaking means.
After the ink and the ink outlet means wood is communicated and an ink holding ink, which comprises refilling the ink at atmospheric pressure by the negative pressure the ink tank occurs by consuming the ink A refill device is provided.

Further features of the present invention can be understood from the following description of the embodiments.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 8 shows ink tank mounting sections 110 and 11 mounted on a carriage of an ink jet recording apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink jet unit 101 provided with the inkjet printer 1 of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C, a housing 10 having a pair of side plates of the ink jet unit 101 and a back plate connecting the pair of side plates.
3 and the housing 1 provided opposite the back plate of the housing 103.
03, which constitutes the storage space for the ink tank
13 and a middle plate 104 for dividing a space surrounded by these plates into two regions, and the divided spaces serve as a mounting portion 110 for the color ink tank and a mounting portion 111 for the black ink tank. . In addition, the front plate 113 is the housing 1
03, which is about 1/3 of the height of the top plate 1
The opening on the 13th side is an ink tank insertion portion from which the ink tank is attached and detached.

At the upper end on the back plate side constituting the housing 103, there is a cover portion 105 projecting toward the mounting portions 110 and 111, and the cover portion 105 generates a sense of insertion resistance when the ink tank is inserted. Part 10 inclined from the insertion side toward the mounting parts 110 and 111 side
5a is provided. The cover portion 105 is provided at a position where it interferes with a corner of the ink tank on the side opposite to the ink supply port side of the ink tank at the insertion side of the ink tank mounted in the mounting portion, and is inserted by the inclination of the 105a. When the resistance at the time increases and the above-mentioned corner reaches the horizontal urging means 105b following the inclined portion 105a, the resistance is released and a click is generated. The urging means 10
5b generates a force for pressing the ink tank mounted in the mounting section from above to below.

At the bottom of the ink jet unit 101 is inserted an ink tank, and the ink in the ink tank is discharged from nozzles Bk, C, M and Y (201Bk and 20B, respectively).
1C, 201M, 201Y)
1 (Y, M, C,
Bk; M and Bk are not shown), and have a predetermined length so that they can be inserted into the ink tank.
And 111 project inside.

As shown in FIG. 8, a filter 109 (Y, M) is provided in an opening inside the housing of the recording head side lead-out pipe 107 disposed on the side of the mounting section 110 where the color ink tank and the black ink tank are mounted. , C, Bk; M,
Bk is not shown), and has a predetermined length so that it can be inserted into the ink supply port of the ink tank.
It protrudes inside 10 and 111.

FIG. 8 shows the flow from the outlet tube 107 to the recording head.
As shown in (d), the ink supply tubes 106 (Y, M,
C, Bk) are provided on the bottom surface of the recording head.

An elastic plate 108 (a, b) having a predetermined thickness is laid around the outlet pipe 107 on the surface of the mounting portion where the outlet pipe 107 is disposed. The elastic plate 108 (a,
As described later, b) is provided so that the rib provided at the ink supply port of the ink tank is pressed against and the ink does not leak into the ink jet unit.

As shown in FIG. 8C, the notch 11 is provided at a position facing the mounting portion 111 of the front plate 113.
2 are provided. This is such that a rib provided on a black ink tank containing black ink can be inserted, so that erroneous insertion between a color ink tank containing yellow, magenta, and cyan is prevented. .

An ink tank containing black ink is mounted on the mounting section 111 of the ink jet unit 101 having such a configuration, and a color ink tank storing yellow, magenta and cyan is mounted on the mounting section 110.

FIGS. 9 (a), 9 (b), 9 (c) and 9 (d)
1 shows a schematic configuration of an ink tank 1 containing black ink, and is a side view, a front view, a bottom view, and an upper cross-sectional view, each of which is partially cut away.

The ink tank 1 includes a housing 2 for storing ink.
A cover member 3 covering the housing 2 and having an air communication opening 5, and a space which is attached to an upper portion of the cover member 3 and serves as a buffer chamber so that ink leakage from the air communication opening 5 does not reach the outside. And an upper part 4 having an air release port at a position different from the position of the air communication opening 5 and a knob 4a used for attaching and detaching to and from the ink jet unit 101. I have.

At the bottom of the ink tank, an ink supply opening 8 into which the outlet pipe 107 (Bk) of the ink jet unit 101 is inserted, and a rib 15 protruding therearound, the ink supply opening 8 and the rib 15 are provided with inclined portions 14a and 14b. A rib 12 is provided on a part of the side surface of the ink tank 1 on the side where the knob 4a is provided, and a notch 112 provided on the front plate 113 of the mounting portion 111 of the ink jet unit 101 is provided. Accordingly, erroneous mounting of the ink tank 1 is prevented. The rib 12 is also used as a guide for mounting the ink tank 1.

In the present invention, the structure in the tank is not limited. However, the present invention is particularly effective when an ink absorbing member is provided in an ink supply section containing an elastic body. The ink absorbing member is preferably made of, for example, a fiber bundle supply member (hereinafter, referred to as an ink lead-out member).

In the case of using the ink lead-out member of the fiber bundle, it is preferable to attach the fiber bundle to the supply pipe with the filter on the recording head in a stable pressed state when attaching and detaching the ink tank. The effect can be obtained in any of the mounting methods of the present invention.

The above-described ink lead-out member is, for example, as shown in FIG.
It takes a form like 7 in (a). In the present invention,
As shown in this figure, the ink lead-out member 7 provided between the ink absorber 6 and the ink supply opening 8 is an ink absorber, and it is preferable that a fiber bundle is arranged at least on a surface facing the ink tank. However, it may be composed only of an ink absorber such as a sponge without a fiber bundle. A support portion 9 for supporting the ink lead-out member 7 in the tank is provided upright corresponding to the ink supply opening 8. A part of the inner surface of the support portion 9 is provided with a slit for communicating the inside and the outside of the ink tank.

The ink lead-out member referred to here is an ink supply member for guiding ink in one direction. In this embodiment, the ink is led from the ink absorber toward the ink supply opening 8.

In this embodiment, the ink holding member which is a porous member disposed in the ink storage portion of the ink tank is
An ink absorber compressed and stored is used. Examples of the ink absorber to be impregnated with the ink include a sponge and the like.

The ink lead-out member 7 is fixed to the holder of the ink jet unit and is kept in pressure contact with the compressed and stored ink absorber 6, so that the ink absorber at the contact portion is always deformed. Due to the deformation of the ink absorber, the capillary force can be increased and the ink can be concentrated near the ink lead-out member 7.

Thus, even when the recording head and the ink tank are separated, ink is always supplied to the ink lead-out member, and a meniscus is formed on the surface of the ink lead-out member on the ink supply opening side. It does not draw in air.

When the recording head and the ink tank are combined to form an ink flow path, it is necessary to promote the flow of the ink into the ink lead-out member and to prevent the ink from being cut off to reduce the residual amount of the ink. As a result, the use efficiency of the ink stored in the ink tank is improved.

When the ink absorbing member is compressed and stored, the ink absorbing member may be pressed against the ink absorbing member as shown in FIG. Therefore, the vicinity of the press contact portion is most deformed, and the ink can be concentrated near the press contact portion.

In the case of using an ink absorber having a low degree of compression at the time of compressing and storing the ink absorber or having a low elastic coefficient, the ink lead-out member is pressed into the ink absorber in order to surely deform the ink absorber. Therefore, a configuration in which the ink is always concentrated is preferable.

The term "press-fitting" as used herein means that the ink lead-out member is pushed into the ink absorber with a force stronger than the pressing force at the time of normal pressure contact to make pressure contact.

In general, in an ink jet recording apparatus, the head pressure at the discharge port of the recording head is properly maintained, and the print quality is deteriorated due to ink leakage from the discharge port of the recording head or defective supply of ink to the discharge port. Prevent drop. In order to stabilize the performance of the ink jet recording apparatus, the pressure of the ink supplied to the ink jet recording head is made negative with respect to the atmospheric pressure (generally, 0 mmAq or less and
mmAq or more, desirably -30 mmAq or less -100 m
(mAq or more).

Incidentally, the negative pressure in the present invention is a back pressure in the ink supply direction during recording from the ink tank to the recording head, and in particular, is a condition for maintaining the recording head at a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure. Back pressure is called negative pressure.

By coupling the ink jet recording head and the ink tank, the filter of the ink jet recording head is brought into close contact with the ink lead-out member with a predetermined pressing force.

The pressing force is determined by the amount of protrusion of the ink introduction section on the recording head side and the distance from the outer surface of the ink tank attached to the recording head to the contact surface of the ink lead-out member that contacts the ink introduction section on the recording head side. It depends on the distance, that is, the depth of the ink supply opening.

By this coupling, an ink flow path is formed from the porous member in the ink tank to the ink introduction section on the recording head side via the ink lead-out member, and ink can be supplied to the recording head. .

Further, an O-ring is provided at the joint between the recording head and the ink tank, and the ink flow path formed by the connection between the ink introduction unit and the ink supply opening can be kept in a sealed state. In addition, it is possible to prevent ink leakage from the connection portion and minimize evaporation of the ink.

The ink lead-out member 7 is usually made of a fiber bundle.
Suitable materials are mainly polyester, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, cellulose, polyurethane and the like, and those which are chemically stable to ink and have good wettability are desirable.

As a criterion for determining good wettability, a small contact angle of ink is generally used. A material having a large contact angle such as a so-called Teflon-based material can be used by performing a hydrophilic treatment. However, from the viewpoint of an increase in the number of manufacturing steps for the hydrophilic treatment and an increase in product cost, it is desirable that the ink has a small contact angle.

As a fiber material other than the above, a fiber such as metal, glass, carbon, or the like may be used, or the respective fiber materials described above may be mixed.

Since the ink lead-out member forms a part of the ink flow path, the ink supply direction must be provided. Then, since it comes into pressure contact with the introduction portion of the recording head, it is necessary to have physical strength enough to maintain the shape. For this purpose, it is preferable that the fibers are bound to form a fiber bundle.

The condition for determining the upper limit of the thickness of the fiber forming the ink lead-out member is the adhesion between the filter provided in the ink introduction section and the ink lead-out member. In this respect, the thickness is desirably 0.05 mm or less. The lower limit of the fiber thickness is desirably 0.01 mm or more in order to facilitate the cost and the formation of the fiber bundle from the viewpoint of employing a configuration in which the ink lead-out member binds the fibers.

As a means for binding the aggregate of fibers, there is a method of curing the outer periphery of the fiber bundle with a resinous binder (binder). Thereby, a hardened region is formed near the outer peripheral portion of the ink lead-out member.

Here, as the resin to be impregnated from the outer periphery of the fiber bundle, polyurethane of polyester polyol,
If suitable for the purpose, for example, a melamine-based binder can be used.

As a means for forming a hardened region for binding the fibers, a method of welding by applying heat or pressure from the outer peripheral portion may be used in addition to the above-mentioned resin binder. Instead of forming the hardened region, the fiber bundle may be covered with another member. However, in the case of forming the above-described cured region, the binder can be impregnated at the same time as the molding, whereas when the fibers are covered and bound, the fibers must be covered in a bound state, Since the molding is performed so as to have a uniform strength, the manufacturing process may be complicated. Therefore, a configuration in which a hardened region is provided seems to be desirable.

Regarding the formation of the fiber bundle, the ink supply direction of the fiber can be maintained, and the fiber is deformed when pressed against the ink introduction portion on the recording head side so that the ink supply becomes impossible or non-uniform. The configuration and method are not limited to those described above.

As shown in FIG. 9D, a rib 13 is formed on the upper member 4 so as to form a predetermined space between the ink absorber 6 and the upper member 4, and the upper member 4 is provided on the front side of the lid member 3. Is provided with a band-shaped convex portion 3a.

The corner 2a of the ink tank engages with the above-mentioned inclined part 105a provided on the cover part 105 provided on the ink jet unit 101. At this time, when the ink tank is inserted, the insertion resistance gradually decreases. The size of the ink tank is taken into consideration so as to increase the positional relationship. Further, the urging means 10 provided on the cover 105
5b, the sense of insertion resistance is instantaneously released, and the user feels a click in his hand, and can reliably confirm insertion. Further, the urging means 105b applies a downward force to the ink tank 1 from above to stabilize the mounting state of the ink tank.

The belt-shaped convex portion 3a engages with a disengagement prevention portion 105c provided at a position different from the above-described inclined portion 105a provided on the cover portion 105 provided on the ink jet unit 101, and disengages when mounted. Produces a preventive action.

As in the present invention, the large effect that the user can surely confirm that the ink tank has been inserted in the direction in which the ink tank can be inserted in a space-saving manner is achieved by the shape of the inclined portion 105a of the cover 105 and the urging means 105b. And the arrangement thereof, and the vertical and horizontal dimensional relationships of the ink tank for achieving the stable and reliable operation, and the reliable prevention of disengagement when the ink tank is removed by the disengagement prevention portion.

Further, a plurality of vertically continuous ribs 13 are provided on the inner side surface of the ink tank, and a predetermined space portion is formed between the side surface of the ink tank and the ink absorber.

In this ink tank 1, the ink supply opening 8 is formed so as to be biased to one of the bottom surfaces of the ink tank as shown in FIG. 9 (c). Therefore, the ink absorber easily adheres to the other bottom surface of the ink tank without any gap. If the ink absorber adheres to the bottom surface of the ink tank without any gap, it is easy for the ink to collect in that portion. If the ink is collected, depending on the position of the ink tank, the ink supply opening or the atmosphere communication may occur. Ink may leak from the openings. A rib is provided on the bottom surface of the ink tank 1 in order to improve such inconvenience and prevent the ink absorber from adhering to the bottom of the ink tank without any gap.

As described above, the presence of the ribs inside the ink tank (and the presence of the slits in the support portion 9) allows the ink supply opening 8 and the atmosphere communication opening 5 to communicate with each other through the air layer. Become.

As described above, by communicating the inside of the ink tank with the outside by the air layer, first, when the sealant sealing the ink supply port is peeled off at the time of distribution of the ink tank, the ink from the ink supply port is removed. Ink can be prevented from escaping and leaking. Secondly, even if the temperature around the ink tank rises during printing, the ink will not be pushed out, and thirdly, ink will stay at the bottom of the ink tank. And the effect of improving ink consumption efficiency is obtained.

In order to reduce the projected area of the ink tank 1 with respect to the recording head and to increase the amount of ink stored, the ink tank 1 has a smaller area at the bottom of the ink tank and a higher height of the ink tank. This is addressed by increasing the ratio. Moreover, the ink tank 1
Are configured so that the ink storage volume is increased by providing a step at a substantially intermediate portion of the ink tank 1. In addition, when the ink tank is mounted on the housing 103 of the ink jet unit, this step has an effect of creating a sense of unity in design as the ink jet unit.

The outer dimensions of the ink tank 1, excluding the upper member 4, are approximately 51.4 mm in height and 38.4 in upper depth.
mm, bottom depth about 34.9 mm, rib 12 depth about 2.7 mm, top width about 16.9 mm, bottom width about 11.1
mm, height from the bottom to the step of the ink tank about 2
It is configured as 4.4 mm. That is, the ink tank is shaped so that the ink tank spreads slightly from the bottom toward the top. That is, the step between the upper and lower parts is almost at half.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 10 (a), (b), (c) and (d), color inks (in this example, yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M) The color ink tank 21 containing these inks is formed integrally with the ink tank containing these inks.

The color ink tank 21 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), the inside of the housing 22 for ink storage is partitioned by substantially T-shaped partition members 36 and 37. The storage amounts of the color inks stored in the respective ink tanks partitioned in this manner are substantially equal to each other. By partitioning the inside of the ink tank in this way, the arrangement of the ink supply ports is gathered near the areas adjacent to each other in the partitioned ink storage section as shown in FIG.

By partitioning the inside of the ink tank as described above, and by providing the ink supply ports in the vicinity of mutually adjacent areas of the ink storage section partitioned into a substantially T-shape, connection with the recording head section is achieved. The space can be extremely small, and the projected area of the ink tank can be reduced. Further, a large storage capacity of the ink in the ink tank can be maintained for the projected area or the connection space.

The dimensions of each part of the ink tank 21 having such a configuration, except for the upper member 24, have a height of about 56.
5mm, top depth about 38.4mm, bottom depth about 3
The height of the ink tank is about 1.5 mm (the depth of the middle part is about 34.5 mm), the upper width is about 19.3 mm, the bottom width is about 18.1 mm, and the height from the bottom to the step of the ink tank is about 29.5 mm. In other words, the upper and lower steps are almost 1
/ 2.

The other main components of the ink tank are substantially the same as those of the ink tank 1 described above. The ink tank 21 has a housing 22 for storing the ink, and covers the housing 22 and has the air communication openings 25 (Y, M, C). A cover member 23 provided with M and C (not shown);
In addition to having a space serving as a buffer chamber so that ink leakage from each air communication opening 25 does not reach the outside, one air opening port is provided in a part thereof at a position different from the position of each air communication opening 25, And an upper member 24 having a knob portion 24a used when attaching and detaching to and from the unit 101.

At the bottom of the ink tank, the outlet pipe 107 (Y, M, C) of the ink jet unit 101 is provided.
Are inserted into the ink supply openings 28 (Y, M, C) and ribs 35 (Y, M, C) protruding therearound,
The ink supply opening 28 (Y, M, C) and the rib 35 (Y,
M, C) with the inclined portion 34a (Y, M, C). Since the ink tank 21 is attached to the ink jet unit 101 by using a rotating operation as described later, the ink supply openings 28 (Y, M, C) abut against the leading end of the lead-out tube 107, so that the ink tank 21 is smoothly placed. The 34a (Y, M, C) side is formed as an inclined surface with a gentle angle so as not to hinder mounting. Particularly, the ink supply openings 28 (Y, Y, Y) of the yellow tank portion and the magenta tank portion where the lead-out portion 107 first enters the ink supply opening by the rotation mounting.
The inclination of M) corresponds to the ink supply opening 28 in the cyan tank portion.
The configuration is gentler than the inclination of C.

As described above, the inclination of the upstream side of the rotation insertion scan of the ink tank is made gentle so that the ink supply openings 28 (Y, M, C) can be connected to the outlet pipe 10 during the rotation operation.
7 (Y, M, C) can be smoothly rotated and inserted in a space-saving manner. Further, as will be described later, the sliding operation of the ink tank toward the near side in the insertion direction at the bottom of the housing immediately before the end of the insertion can be smoothly performed. Will be done.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the inside of the ink tank 21 contains the ink absorbers 26 (Y, M, C), and the ink absorbers 26 (Y, M, C) An ink lead-out member 27 (Y, M, C) is provided between the ink supply opening 28 (Y, M, C). A slit for communicating the inside and the outside of the ink tank is formed in a part of the inner surface of the support portion 29 (Y, M, C) for supporting the ink lead-out member 27 (Y, M, C) in the tank. It is provided in.

The lid member 23 is provided with an ink absorber 26.
A rib 33 is provided so as to form a predetermined space between the cover member 23 and a belt-like convex portion 23 a on the front side of the cover member 23. The belt-shaped convex portion 23a engages with the cover portion 105 provided on the ink jet unit 101 to apply a force to the ink tank 21 in a direction from the upper portion to the lower portion,
Stabilize the mounting state of the ink tank.

Further, a plurality of vertically continuous ribs 31 are provided on the inner side surface of the ink tank, and a predetermined space portion is formed between the side surface of the ink tank and the ink absorber.

In this ink tank 21, the ink supply openings 28 (Y, M, C) are formed so as to be biased to one of the bottom surfaces of the ink tank as shown in FIG. Therefore, the ink absorber easily adheres to the other bottom surface of the ink tank without any gap. If the ink absorber adheres to the bottom of the ink tank without gaps,
Ink tends to accumulate in that portion, and when ink accumulates, ink may leak from the ink supply opening or the air communication opening depending on the posture of the ink tank.
In order to improve such inconvenience and prevent the ink absorber from adhering to the bottom of the ink tank without any gap, a rib 30 is provided on the bottom of the ink tank 21 in each ink storage section.

As described above, the rib 30 is provided inside the ink tank.
The presence of the ribs 31 and the presence of the slits (and the presence of the slits in the support portion 29) allow the ink supply opening 28 and the air communication opening 25 to communicate with each other through an air layer.

As described above, by communicating the inside of the ink tank with the outside by the air layer, firstly, when the sealant sealing the ink supply port is peeled off during the distribution of the ink tank, the ink supply port can be opened. Secondly, the ink can be prevented from being blown out and leaked. Secondly, even when the temperature around the ink tank rises during printing, the ink is not pushed out. There is an effect that ink does not stay at the bottom of the ink and the ink consumption efficiency is improved.

Further, if the ink tank is (Y, M, C)
Equipped with ink for three colors, and has an opening for inserting a connection part that can take out all three colors on the same surface (holder connection surface),
The three color inks are used as ink holding members (ink absorbers).
And an ink holding member of the ink tank in the case of a separation type housed in two members, an ink absorbing member (ink lead-out member) which is present between the holding member and the opening and has a larger capillary force than the holding member. According to the refilling method and apparatus of the present invention, even if the amount of ink that can be accommodated in the absorbent member is different, or the shape and size of the ink holding member or the amount of ink used are different, Can be made equal to the amount before starting use.

That is, even if the user has used up one color, the same amount of ink as that at the time of the initial purchase is always used, and the ink of all colors is used when refilling is completed without refilling other inks. Refilling is possible so that the holding amount becomes uniform.

Next, representative examples using the present invention will be given.
The configuration and effect will be described.

FIG. 4 shows the ink tank mounted on the head holder. Here, 51 (C, M) is an ink holding member which is a porous member, and 52 (C, M) is a press-contact member which is an ink absorbing member filled in a connection portion between the ink holding member and the opening. It is. These are, for example,
As the ink holding member 51 (Y, M, C), an absorbent body using foamed polyurethane, or a press-contact body 52 (Y, M, C)
Examples thereof include polyester fibers sintered with a resin binder and appropriately cut.

FIG. 5 shows a cross section taken along the line AA of the ink tank connected to the head holder. here,
Numeral 61 (Y, M, C) is a columnar structure protruding from the holder, and the end surface thereof can conduct ink when it is press-fitted into the pressure contact body 52 (Y, M, C) which is viewed from the opening surface of the ink tank. It has an ink path 62 (Y, M, C) which is a simple path. Also, in order to enable more stable ink supply, a filter 64 (Y, M,
C).

Normally, when ink is used, the ink is collected from the ink holding member 51 to the pressure contact body 52 having a higher capillary force, and the ink is stable via the ink path 62 as long as the ink is taken out from the end face. Supplied.

However, before the ink supply amount reaches the initial ink injection amount, that is, even if the ink remains in the ink tank, the static negative pressure P generated in the ink holding member 51 and the pressure contact body 52 does not increase. If it becomes too large, air will be drawn from between the pressure contact body 52 and the holding member 51 or between the filter 64 and the pressure contact body 52, and ink will run out. The relationship between the amount of ink used and the static negative pressure P at this time is shown in FIG.
Shown in

In FIG. 3, point B is a point at which the ink runs out. This position is determined by changing the state of contact between the holding member 51 and the press contact body 52 and the state of contact between the filter 64 and the press contact body 52 to take in air. It changes because the ease changes,
Usually, in the case of an ink tank using foamed polyurethane, it is around 100 to 150 mmAq.

FIG. 6 shows a basic configuration of the ink refilling device.

Here, in FIG. 5, the cyan ink (C)
When the static negative pressure generated in the holding member 51C and the pressing body 52C holding the ink reaches the point B in FIG. 3, the ink tank is mounted on the ink refilling device as shown in FIG. When the ink in the refilling device and the residual ink in the ink tank communicate with each other via the pressure contact body 52, the ink stored in the ink storage unit 81 generates a static negative pressure generated by the holding member 51C and the pressure contact body 52C. PB (FIG. 3) sucks up into the ink tank. At this time, the behavior of the static negative pressure on the tank end surface is the H direction opposite to the negative pressure behavior I direction when using the ink in FIG.

However, in this case, the ink is supplied to the holding member 51C.
Since the ink is sucked up until the pressure balance is in an equilibrium state by the pressure contact body 52C, if the ink filling amount is not controlled, the ink tank becomes slightly more pressurized than the static negative pressure PE which is initially required as an ink tank. In the present invention, paying particular attention to this point, the pulling force in the capillary is made variable on the ink surface 82 of the ink storage unit 81 of the ink refilling device. That is, if the static negative pressure initially required for the ink tank is PE, the ink level is set at the ink level position so that the head difference from the pressure contact body 52C becomes a value (E) where the static negative pressure is PE. A sensor 83 serving as a level sensing means is provided, and a cylinder 84 serving as an ink supply means is provided in the ink storage section 81 so that the ink surface 82 is always at this position even if the amount of ink in the ink storage section 81 is reduced. Is provided so that the filling ink can be supplied so that the level of the ink surface 82 is close to the predetermined level.

Further, the columnar structure for connection with the tank in the present invention has the filter 64 shown in FIG. Further, a sensor 83 and a cylinder 8 are provided so that ink is always filled in the ink path 62 by capillary force.
4 (FIG. 6) may be configured so that the air in the ink path 62 can be released by ridge movement.

Further, since the ink refilling device of the present invention has a structure which can be used repeatedly, in the case of a structure without the cylinder 84, it is possible to use the lower limit ink level sensor 89 as shown in FIG. preferable.

Here, the sensor 89 is provided in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the filling ink container 81 of the ink refilling device, and is located above the internal opening leading to the ink outlet pipe. This can prevent air from being drawn into the ink outlet pipe of the ink refilling device, and the suction force on the ink tank side can be reduced by the internal opening of the ink container of the ink refilling device and the ink outlet member of the ink tank. Is greater than the head difference, the air can be prevented from entering the ink tank and hindering the formation of the ink flow path in the region near the lead-out member of the ink tank.

Here, FIG. 6 shows that the tank mounting direction is perpendicular to the ink path 62 and θ1 = 90 °. However, when the shape of the apparatus is to be changed, as shown in FIG. It is also possible to bend the ink path 62 and change the angle as θ2. However, in that case, the head difference E for obtaining an appropriate initial static negative pressure PE is E at 52C and L at 52M, which is different. In order to eliminate this head difference and make E = L, the sensor 8 shown in FIG.
3 and the cylinder 84 must be divided, and 83M and 83C must be provided at different positions as shown in FIG.

In consideration of the complexity of such a device, in this embodiment, a refilling device in a vertically mounted state where θ = 90 ° is preferable.

In recent years, inks have been required to have high penetrating performance due to the demand for high-speed fixing properties of ink jet printers, and inks having low surface tension and viscosity due to the addition of surfactants are also commercially available. When the present apparatus is applied to such a system, the effect of penetrating the ink holding member is increased as compared with normal use, so that the static negative pressure behavior shown in FIG. Will decrease. This decrease acts in the direction of increasing the movement of the ink due to vibration or decompression in the physical distribution, so that the reliability is reduced.

In order to avoid such a decrease, in the present apparatus, when high-permeability ink is used, FIG.
By setting E to a larger value, it is also possible to obtain a desired initial static negative pressure PE.

Here, the connecting columnar structure in the present apparatus has the filter 64 and the ink path 62 shown in FIG. 5, but by making the diameter of the ink path variable, the static negative pressure is reduced. By adjusting the working pressure of PB, the ink refilling speed can be made variable. However, if the diameter is too large, the action of the ink's own weight in the diameter becomes too large, and the ink will run out in the ink path without being refilled up to the initial ink injection amount. In order to prevent such a case, a preferable diameter is φ5 or less.

In the case of such an apparatus, even if the ink use conditions of the three colors are different, the initial configuration is set to PY so that the above-mentioned water head pressures in the ink filling apparatuses of the respective colors become equal.
By setting = PM = PC, it is possible to always supply ink until the required static negative pressure PE is reached.

FIG. 1 shows an example of an ink tank refilling apparatus according to the present invention, in which an ink tank 21 is attached to a filling apparatus main body indicated by reference numeral 500 in the figure. The holder 501 has the same configuration as the housing of the inkjet unit 101 in FIG. 8 described above, and includes a housing 503, a cover 505, a front plate 513, an ink lead-out unit 507 (Y in this case), and an elastic member 508. So that the ink tank 21 can be attached and detached in the same manner as the ink jet unit of FIG.
A positioning unit and the like are provided.

Further, an ink chamber 504, an ink outlet pipe 506, and a pressure bellows 502 serving as pressure means are provided at the bottom of the apparatus main body 500, and ink 510 is contained in the ink chamber. In this example, the case of yellow ink will be described, but the same applies to cyan (C) ink and magenta (M) ink.

Although the ink tank 21 is mounted in FIG. 1, the rubber bellows 50
2c, a rubber cap (not shown) is also attached to the ink lead-out section 507Y to prevent ink leakage during transportation.

When the above two caps are first removed, the ink level 509 and the ink meniscus 506M in the ink outlet tube 506 are balanced by the atmospheric pressure and have the same height. Next, when the used ink tank 21 is mounted, an attempt is made to suck up the ink 510 by the static negative pressure of the ink holding member 26 in the used ink tank 21. However, if the meniscus 506M is present in the ink outlet tube 506, the suction may be hindered. Therefore, as shown in FIG. It is pushed up in the direction of U so that it comes into contact with the ink lead-out member 27Y as shown by 506M '. This allows
The remaining ink (not shown) in the ink tank 21 and the ink chamber 5
04 is connected to the ink 510.

Next, by releasing the finger 511 in the direction of the arrow T2, the opening to the atmosphere is instantaneously performed.

By the above operation, the ink 510 in the ink chamber 504 is removed from the ink holding member 26 in the ink tank 21.
Is reliably sucked up by the static negative pressure. Finally, due to the static negative pressure characteristic that the ink holding member 26 should have, the ink surface 509 is set at a distance of E, for example, 20 mm from the lower surface of the ink lead-out member 27Y.

As shown in FIGS. 12 to 18, the ink tank 1 and the color ink tank 21 configured as described above are connected to the front plate 11 of the ink jet unit 101, respectively.
3 is rotatably mounted on the upper portion 114 using a part of the housing as a guide portion.

Here, from the viewpoint of saving space, the direction in which the ink tank is inserted into the housing is the surface of the ink tank facing the guide portion of the housing and the surface on the opposite side of the housing surface having the guide portion. (See FIG. 12 described later)
Θ) is 5 ° to 45 °. At angles outside this range, there is no substantial difference in required space compared to conventional linear mounting from above or from the side.

12 to 18 show, in particular, how the color ink tank 21 is mounted in order.

That is, as shown in the state I of FIG. 12, the ink tank 21 is picked up from the ink tank insertion portion, which is an opening between the housing 103 and the front plate 113 of the ink jet unit 101, in the vicinity of the knob portion and inserted. At this time, the upper side portion 114 of the front plate 113 is used as a guide portion, and a part of the ink tank is in contact with the upper portion 114 (P1).
The bottom corner of the ink tank abuts against the side surface (P2). Then, the lower corner portion gradually rotates downward while rotating about P1 to reach the state II shown in FIG. Further, the lower corner of the ink tank slides downward to reach the state III (FIG. 14).

At this time, it is very important to make the user's hand feel smooth with respect to the movement of the ink tank for rotational insertion, but in this embodiment, P2
By providing an R shape (about R3) at the corner of the ink tank that abuts on the side surface (inside of the back) of the housing 103 shown in FIG. When the ink tank moves downward due to the sliding of the ink tank at P1 after the P1) is almost rotationally inserted while moving, the P
2 can move smoothly in relation to the movement of P1, and the user feels good.

At the time of state III, the lower corner of the ink tank reaches the inside bottom of the housing 103 (P3),
An inclined portion provided in the lower corner portion on the opposite side of the ink tank so as to be continuous with the R shape contacts the inner wall of the housing 103. In FIG. 14, at the time of the state III, the ink outlet pipe 107Y starts to be inserted into the ink supply opening of the ink tank (note that the ink supply opening of the magenta ink tank adjacent to the yellow ink tank also The ink outlet tube 107M starts to be inserted.) However, if the ink lead-out member having the fiber bundle is provided in the ink lead-out tube 107, the fiber bundle may be damaged by friction between the fiber bundle and the ink supply opening. It is desirable to adjust the dimensions of the housing and the ink tank so that the ink outlet tube and the ink supply opening of the ink tank do not come into contact with each other from state III to state IV described below.

At this time, the tip of the ink lead-out tube 107 comes into contact with the ink supply opening, but in order to improve the mounting, the opening is formed as a slope as shown in FIG. 10 (c).

Since the mounting is performed by the rotation operation, the order of contact with the ink outlet tube is shifted depending on the position of the ink supply opening. Therefore, the slope of the slope becomes gentler as the opening comes into contact first. In other words, yellow and magenta have almost the same slope, and the slope of the cyan opening has the steepest angle.

As described above, the slope for the ink supply opening is provided, the slope on the upstream side in the direction of insertion into the housing is made gentle, and the opposite side is made tight so that the ink tank can be connected to the ink tank at the time of rotation insertion into the housing. Outlet tube 107 to be connected
Can rotate without interfering with the opening just before the opening of the ink tank, and can be designed without expanding the ink supply opening more than necessary.

When the insertion is further continued, the lower portion of the ink tank moves so that the position of P3 in contact with the inside of the housing is shifted toward the insertion side, and the inclined portion of the inclined rib 115 inside 114 provided on the housing 103 is provided. Tilt along.

At this time, the corner on the downstream side in the upper insertion direction of the ink tank coincides with the position of the tip of the inclined portion 105a provided on the cover portion 105 (P5), and a feeling of insertion resistance starts to occur (FIG. 1).
5 state IV).

FIG. 19 shows the relationship between the position of P5 and the insertion resistance in the insertion operation. As shown in this figure, in the above-mentioned states I to III, there is no contact with the housing of P5, so the insertion resistance is zero, and after the state IV, the resistance increases.

The state V (FIG. 16) shows a state in which the insertion is further advanced, and is in a position where the resistance (resistance) has increased from the state IV (see FIG. 19B). At this time, the ink tank is pressed downward by the shape effect of the inclined portion 105a.

State VI (FIG. 17) shows a state in which the angle of the ink tank approaches the end point of the (P5) slope. At this time, as apparent from FIG. 19B, the insertion resistance peaks.

Then, the state is changed to the state VII (FIG. 18) and the mounting is completed. That is, the moment the ink tank passes the inclined portion 105a, the angle of the ink tank enters the urging means 105b,
Since b is horizontal, as shown in FIG. 19B, the sense of resistance that has occurred so far is instantaneously released and transmitted to the user's hand as a feeling of wearing.

At this time, the projections 16 and 216 provided on the ink tank collide with the inner wall of the housing due to acceleration at the time of release, and generate a clicking sound. That is, a certain click feeling is generated for the user. At this time, the ink tank is pressed down by the urging means of the horizontal portion, and is securely mounted.

Next, the detachment prevention portion 200 of the cover 105 will be described with reference to FIG.

The cover 105 is a part that is ultrasonically welded to the housing 103 and is integrated with the housing 103.
(A), (b), (c), (d) and (e) show the state before welding. These figures respectively show the cover 10
5 is a side view, a front view, a bottom view, a top view, and a rear view of FIG.

FIGS. 20 (f) and 20 (g) show the inclined portion 105a of the cover portion 105 and the urging means 1 respectively.
FIG. 5B is a view showing a part No. 05b, and a view showing a detachment prevention part 200. The inclined portion 105a and the urging means 105b shown in FIG. 20 (f) are arranged below the area A in FIG.
The disengagement prevention portion 200 shown in FIG.
It was arranged in the area B of (d). That is, the inclined portion / biasing means and the disengagement prevention portion are separately provided in different regions A and B.

When the projections 3 and 23 arranged on the upper side of the ink tank and on the downstream side in the insertion direction are in the state VI from the state V shown in FIGS.
During the rotation operation in which the tip of the arm portion reaches the tip of the arm portion (FIG. 20 (g)) and the ink tank is pushed in while the corner of the ink tank is in contact with the inclined portion, the protrusions 3 and 23 become It moves from the gentle inclination provided at the tip to the steep inclination, and the insertion of the ink tank ends.

The shape of this arm portion is such that when the ink tank is pulled out, the steeply inclined portion has a shape that produces a sense of resistance, and gives the user the feeling that it has been securely removed. This is to prevent the tank from coming off.

As described above, since the click portion and the positioning portion at the time of insertion and the portion for preventing click and detachment at the time of removal are provided in separate areas, they are integrated as in the prior art. These objects can be achieved with extremely small structures as compared with those of the objects.

The height to the upper side 114 of the front plate 113 is about 22 mm, and when the ink tank is mounted, it abuts against a part of the ink tank. The mounting operation becomes difficult, and if it is lower than that, the function as a support member that supports the ink tank after the ink tank is mounted cannot be sufficiently exhibited.

Next, FIG. 11 shows a connection state between the ink supply opening of the ink tank and the ink outlet of the ink jet unit. FIG. 11 shows the connection of the color ink tank 21 as a representative, but the same applies to the case of the black ink tank.

As shown in FIG. 11, the ink outlet tube 107Y of the ink jet unit 101 is inserted through the ink supply opening 28Y of the ink tank 21 and is brought into contact with the ink outlet member 27Y while being pressed. Become. The ink leading-out member 27 is formed of a one-way fiber bundle for favorably leading out the ink in the absorber 26 of the ink tank to the outside.
When the density of the ink lead-out member 27 in contact with the ink 7 is changed, the flow of the ink in the absorber toward the ink lead-out tube is further improved, and the ink supply property can be improved. The ink outlet portions 107M and 107C are in contact with the ink outlet member 27 in a similar state.

As described above, since the ink tank and the ink jet unit are mounted, a simple and reliable mounting state can be achieved. In addition, using the rotation operation,
The mounting space can be minimized, the projected area of the ink tank itself can be reduced, and the device can be downsized without reducing the ink capacity.

Further, the rib provided around the ink supply opening of the ink tank receives a pressing force by the cover portion 105, and is brought into pressure contact with the elastic member 108 provided on the bottom surface of the ink jet unit to enter the state. As a result, leakage of the ink from the portion to the outside is suppressed.

FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an ink jet recording apparatus on which the ink jet unit of the present invention can be mounted.
The recording is performed by applying ink to No. 2. 22 and 23 are diagrams showing replacement of an ink tank taking a color ink tank as an example in the recording apparatus.
01 is an inkjet unit, 1502 is a color ink tank, and 1503 is a black ink tank.

FIG. 22 is a view showing removal of the color ink tank. First, as shown in FIG. 22A, the user puts his finger on the knob of the ink tank and pulls it forward to remove the ink tank from the ink jet unit.
Pull up and remove as shown in (b).

On the other hand, in the case of mounting, the color ink tank 1502 is inserted into the ink jet unit 1501 from an oblique direction as shown in FIG.
Push and attach as shown in (b).

The ink jet unit mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention releases the fixing lever 1704 as shown in FIG.
As shown by 1701 in (b), the whole unit can be replaced and can be replaced.

FIGS. 25 to 29 show a modified embodiment of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIG. 25 shows a chicken feed type for maintaining the ink level on the ink refilling device side of FIGS. 6 and 7 substantially constant. FIG. 26 is an explanatory view of the embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 27 is an explanatory view of a specific modification in which an ink meniscus destruction step in the ink tank is performed. FIG. 27 is a modification of the main part of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 28 is an explanatory view of an embodiment in which at least the initial ink level of the example of the ink refilling device is set to the same level as the ink refilling portion on the ink tank side, and FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which an ink meniscus destruction step is performed and the detection of the presence or absence of gas is used to determine the end of ink refilling.

The method and apparatus for refilling ink shown in FIG. 25 are the same as the methods and apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, so that the description of the common parts will be omitted and the description of the different parts will be focused on.

The ink chamber 504 in FIG. 25 is provided with a refill ink tank so that the supply pipe end of the chicken feed type refill ink tank contacts the ink surface 509 of the held ink. The replenishment ink tank has an opening at the top which is opened when the ink is filled, and the opening is closed by the cap 114C when the ink is refilled. When the ink in the ink chamber 504 is consumed at the time of refilling the ink, the ink surface 509 slightly lowers and separates from the supply tube end of the ink tank unit. At this time, the end of the supply pipe comes into contact with the outside air, so that the outside air is taken into the ink tank portion, and the ink inside the replenishment ink tank portion flows out by the reaction, thereby raising the ink surface 509. With this rise,
When the ink surface 509 is in contact with the end of the supply pipe, the invasion of outside air into the supply pipe is prevented, so that the liquid level of the ink surface 509 can be maintained substantially constant. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, there is no need to provide a level sensor (it is preferable to provide a configuration that does not reduce the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank unit to zero), and the end of ink refilling described in FIGS. The head difference at the time can be more reliably provided, and the head difference with respect to the refilled ink tank 21 in the ink chamber during ink refill can be made constant, so that the ink refill condition can be made substantially constant. That is, it is possible to more reliably obtain the ink refill amount corresponding to the negative pressure generated by the ink consumption of the ink tank 21.

Next, FIG. 26 will be described. FIG.
1 and 2 are different from each other in that the ink outlet section 507Y is mechanically inserted into the ink outlet member 27Y of the ink tank to be refilled. is there. Ink lead-out unit 50 of this embodiment
7Y can mechanically break at least a part of the meniscus of the ink meniscus by the remaining ink in the ink lead-out member 27Y prior to the above-mentioned meniscus breaking step by the pressurized ink. As a result, the ink filling efficiency of the ink lead-out member 27Y can be increased, and even if there is air between the ink surface 509 and the tip of the ink lead-out portion 507Y, this air is reliably eliminated into the ink tank. As a result, the effect of refilling the ink by the negative pressure can be further stabilized.

FIG. 27 is a main part of a more preferred embodiment in which the ink lead-out section 507Y of the embodiment of FIG. 26 is changed. As an ink refilling device, an external force such as pressure or suction (described later) is used as a method. It is not needed.

In FIG. 27, reference numeral 600 denotes an ink tank to be replenished, and a porous member 601 (having four sides for the shape before being inserted into the tank 600) having a static negative pressure generated by ink consumption therein. When the ink is supplied to the tank, the ink supply member 602 is an ink-absorptive portion for the tank.

The supply pipe 606 as an ink lead-out portion that comes into contact with the ink lead-out member 602 allows the above-described ink refilling in the direction of the arrow 607 by this contact.
The supply pipe 606 is provided at its tip with a small interval (for example, 1 mm or less, preferably about 500 μm) between rods 604 and 605 having a diameter of 1 mm or less (or a width of 1 mm or less).
And are provided facing each other. The rods 604 and 605 have their base ends in contact with the ink in the supply pipe 606, and
Between 04 and 605, the ink rises from the end of the supply pipe 606 due to surface tension, and a small amount of ink is held at the tip of the rod-like body pair 604 and 605.

The rod-shaped members 604 and 605 are inserted into the ink lead-out member 602 as an ink receiving portion of the ink tank to be refilled, thereby mechanically destroying the ink meniscus of the ink lead-out member 602 and simultaneously refilling the ink. A communication state between the ink for use and the remaining ink in the ink tank can be formed. Accordingly, the ink held in the previous ink refilling device is supplied to the porous member 60 of the ink tank by the negative pressure generated by the ink consumption in the ink tank from the ink supply pipe 606 due to the installation of the ink tank.
1 is reliably filled via the ink lead-out member 602.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 27 has the advantage that the necessity of using the above-mentioned pressurizing means is eliminated and the operation of the operator can be made extremely simple.

FIG. 28 shows that the position level LB3 of the liquid level IS of the ink I of the ink refilling device is equal to the position level LB3 of the ink absorbing portion of the ink tank, and the position of the tip of the ink lead-out section 1001 is the same. It is what it was.
In this embodiment, the right ink chamber is provided with the left ink lead-out section 1.
001 and an ink supply path IF (not shown), and has an air communication portion AS, and a pressure means MD for closing the air communication portion AS during operation and performing pressurization for ink destruction. The position level LB3 of the IS is maintained constant at least at the start of refilling. The leading end of the ink lead-out portion 1001 has a recess around the periphery thereof for receiving a relative convex region supporting the ink lead-out member 27Y of the ink tank, and further has an outer wall of a position level LB2 higher than the position level LB3 therearound. A part 1000 is provided. This outer wall portion 1000 has a wall function that does not leak to the outside even if ink is accumulated in a recessed region where the stopper 27YS supporting the ink lead-out member 27Y is separated and opposed. Also,
The ink lead-out section 1001 has a shunt 1002 communicating with the recess. In the ink meniscus destruction process of this embodiment, the ink lead-out member 27 that is in direct contact with the ink
The ink meniscus of Y is destroyed by the pressurized ink. At this time, even if the ink overflows due to several pressurizations, the ink is collected in the recessed area, and is collected via the shunt 1002 so as to be kept at the position level LB3 or less.
The position level of the end of the shunt 1002 with respect to the concave portion and the position level of the concave region are lower than the position level LB3 of the ink level IS.

Therefore, at the initial stage, refilling is achieved by the fact that the ink meniscus is destroyed without passing through the air existing due to the position level difference, and thereafter the ink meniscus is sucked by the above-described negative pressure in the ink tank. You. After that, the ink level IS falls with the ink filling during the ink refilling (the air communication part AS is obviously opened), so that at the end of the refilling, the ink is held in the concave area. Since there is no ink, the ink does not adhere to the stopper 27YS of the ink tank and remains.

Further, in this embodiment, it goes without saying that more favorable effects can be obtained by employing the liquid level control shown in FIGS.

FIG. 29 is different from FIG. 28 in that the ink caused by the difference between the refill ink level LB3 and the position level LB2 of the ink-absorbing portion of the ink tank filled with ink as shown in FIGS. 4 shows a main part of an embodiment of the present invention in which air in the supply path is used as a criterion for ending the meniscus destruction step and ending ink refilling.

In FIG. 29, reference numeral 800 denotes air existing in the ink supply path due to the difference between the position levels, and the ink lead-out member 27 in the ink absorbing portion of the ink tank.
It is in contact with Y. The ink lead-out portion on the ink refilling device side has a “C” -shaped bypass route 801 to the ink refilling ink supply path extending from below to above, and further has an end portion on the ink lead-out member 27Y side. A light emitting element 808 and a light receiving element 807 are provided so as to face each other via a light transmissive ink path area for detecting the presence or absence of air 800 provided in the printer.

The upper joint between the ink supply path for refilling ink and the detour 801 has a characteristic that it can move to the ink supply path side and has a smaller specific gravity than the ink for sealing the upper joint and is easy to float. A valve 809 is provided. One end of the valve 809 is fixed as shown in the drawing, and the other end of the valve 809 has a protruding portion 810 protruding toward the ink supply path. The projecting portion 810 receives a suction force to move the valve 809 to a position where the ink supply path is interrupted by a suction operation described later, and assists the movement of the valve.

The ink path for refilling the ink has suction means (not shown) that can suction in the direction of arrow 803. Below the "C" -shaped bypass, there is a U-turn path for temporarily stagnating the amount of air 800, and as shown by a broken line 806 in the figure, air 800 is temporarily removed from the ink refilling supply path. Can be eliminated.

At the start of the initial refilling of the ink, the air 800 at the position shown in the figure is sucked by the suction means, and at the same time, the valve 809 at the position indicated by the broken line is turned by the arrow 8.
In the direction of 05, the protrusion 810 moves by receiving the suction force,
At the same time, ink meniscus destruction is achieved by the suction from the ink lead-out member 27Y of the ink tank. At this time, the valve 809 shuts off the ink refilling supply path, as shown in the figure.

Therefore, the air 800 moves into the bypass 801 and the ink from the ink tank fills the upper end area of the ink refilling supply path. As a result, the light emitting element 808 and the light receiving element 807 detect the presence of the ink in the translucent area, so that it can be determined that the removal of the air 800 has been completed. It is more preferable to adjust the amount of received light depending on the ink color. Based on this determination result,
The suction by the suction means is stopped, and the ink on the ink refilling device side is released to the atmospheric pressure (not shown). By this process, the negative pressure generated by the ink consumption in the ink tank starts refilling the ink, and the valve 809 loses the suction force. The ink flow also helps the difference in specific gravity with the ink, and the valve 809 floats by itself, sealing the upper end of the “C” -shaped bypass. Therefore, the air 806 collected in the “C” shaped bypass is maintained in this state during recharging. That is, during the ink refilling process, air existing due to the difference in the position level is excluded from the ink refilling supply path. In order to keep the air in the detour, it is more preferable that the inner diameter of the detour is made smaller than the inner diameter of the ink refilling supply path, for example, to make a difference in fluid resistance. Thereby, the reliability can be improved.

Thereafter, when the refilling of the ink tank by the negative pressure is completed, the ink does not move into the ink tank, and the ink is balanced.
The air 806 held in the valve 1 rises and the valve 80
9 also has no force to seal the upper end connection area of the “C” -shaped bypass 801 and starts to float with respect to the ink. Therefore, the air 806 returns to the initial position in the illustrated state further upward from the connection area. Accordingly, the ink in the ink refilling device is separated from the ink tank to achieve ink separation, and the amount of light received by the light receiving element 807 increases. This state is
Even if the ink tank is removed, no ink contamination occurs, indicating that the ink refilling according to the basic invention of the present invention has been completed without being excessive. Therefore, by determining the light receiving element, that is, determining the return of the air 800,
The end of ink refilling can be determined. In this embodiment, the operator is notified of the end of ink refilling in response to the detection of the return of the air 800 from the light receiving element (all known means can be applied). In addition, all of the other embodiments that can determine the presence of the air 800 can be applied to the present embodiment.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 29, the operator only needs to mount the ink tank to be refilled with ink (preferably, the mounting structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used,
At least, it is preferable to adopt a mounting structure having a mechanism for positioning the ink tank when it is used during recording), and the ink refilling is automatically achieved, and it is only necessary to remove the ink tank by the above notification.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in the above embodiments. The ink tank to be refilled with ink may be of a single color or multicolor, and the ink absorbing member may be of a single color. There may be more than one.

[0166]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is not necessary to use hazardous members such as needles for ink injection, without causing ink leakage and without restraining the user for a long time. Ink refill can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing one example of an ink refilling method of the present invention, and is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which an ink tank is assembled to an ink refilling device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the inside of ink refilling is pressurized from the state of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a graph showing a relationship between an amount of ink used in an ink tank and a negative static pressure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a head holder on which an ink tank is mounted.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a state where an ink tank is connected to the ink refilling device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing another example of a state where the ink tank is connected to the ink refilling device of the present invention.

8A and 8B are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet unit to which a detachable ink tank is mounted, wherein FIG. 8A is a side view, FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view in which the side view is broken, FIG. (d) is a bottom view and (e) is a top view.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink tank containing black ink, wherein FIG.
(B) is a partially cutaway front view, (c) is a bottom view,
(D) is a side sectional view in which the upper part is broken.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink tank storing color inks (yellow, cyan, and magenta);
(A) is a partially sectional side view, (b) is a partially broken front view, (c) is a bottom view, and (d) is a partially cutaway side sectional view.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a connection state between an ink supply opening of an ink tank and an ink outlet of an ink jet unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state I in a process of mounting the color ink tank on the inkjet unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state II in a process of mounting the color ink tank on the inkjet unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state III in a process of mounting the color ink tank on the inkjet unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state IV in a process of attaching the color ink tank to the inkjet unit in the example.

FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state V in a process of attaching the color ink tank to the ink jet unit in the example.

FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state VI in a process of attaching the color ink tank to the inkjet unit in the example.

FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state VII in a process of attaching the color ink tank to the inkjet unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the relationship between the position of P5 and the insertion resistance in the color ink tank insertion operation of the embodiment;
(A) is a diagram showing the position of P5 in states I to VII,
(B) is a graph showing the relationship between the position of P5 and the insertion resistance.

20A and 20B are diagrams illustrating a cover in the housing of the inkjet unit, wherein FIG. 20A is a side view of the cover, FIG. 20B is a front view of the cover, FIG. 20C is a bottom view of the cover, and FIG. () Is a top view of the covering portion, (e) is a rear view of the covering portion, (f) is a side view of the inclined portion and the biasing means, and (g) is a side view of a detachment prevention portion.

FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view of an example of an ink jet recording apparatus.

22A and 22B are diagrams illustrating an operation of removing a color ink tank in the inkjet recording apparatus, wherein FIG. 22A illustrates an operation of pulling the ink tank forward, and FIG. 22B illustrates an operation of pulling the ink tank upward.

23A and 23B are diagrams illustrating an operation of mounting a color ink tank in the inkjet recording apparatus, wherein FIG. 23A illustrates an operation of inserting the ink tank, and FIG. 23B illustrates an operation of pressing the ink tank.

24A and 24B are diagrams illustrating detachment of the inkjet unit in the inkjet recording apparatus in a form that can be replaced by the entire inkjet unit. FIG. 24A illustrates an operation of releasing a fixing lever, and FIG. 24B illustrates an operation of removing the inkjet unit. FIG.

FIG. 25 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the ink refilling method of the present invention, showing a chicken feed type.

FIG. 26 is a schematic sectional view showing still another embodiment of the ink refilling method of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a principal part in still another embodiment of the ink refilling method of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a schematic sectional view showing still another embodiment of the ink refilling method of the present invention, showing a main part when at least the initial ink level is made equal to the ink refilling part on the ink tank side. FIG.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of main parts in still another embodiment of the ink refilling method of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 ink tank (black) 2 housing 2 a for ink storage 2 a square 3 lid member 3 a belt-like convex part 4 upper member 4 a knob 5 opening for communicating with atmosphere 6 ink absorber 7 ink lead-out member 8 opening for ink supply 9 support parts 12, 13 Ribs 14a, 14b Inclined portion 15 Rib 21 Color ink tank 22 Ink housing 23 Cover member 23a Band-shaped convex portion 24 Upper member 24a Knob 25 Opening for air communication 26 Ink absorber 27 Ink lead-out member 28 Ink supply opening 29 Support Part 31 Rib 33 Rib 34a Inclined part 35 Rib 36, 37 Partition member 51 Ink holding member 52 Press-contact body 61 Columnar structure 62 Ink path 64 Filter 81 Ink storage part 82 Ink surface 83 Ink level sensing means (sensor) 84 Ink supply means (Cylinder) 89 Sensor 10 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink jet unit 103 Housing 104 Middle plate 105 Cover 105a Inclined part 105b Energizing means 105c Detachment prevention part 106 Ink supply pipe 107 Ink outlet pipe 108 Elastic plate 109 Filter 110 Color ink tank mounting part 111 Black ink tank mounting part 112 Notch Unit 113 Top plate 114 Top plate upper side portion 114C Cap 115 Rib 200 Separation prevention part 201 Recording head unit 201Bk, 201C, 201M, 201Y Nozzle 501 Holder 502 Pressurizing means (Pressurized bellows) 502 Cap 503 Housing 504 Ink chamber 505 Cover 506 Ink outlet pipe 506M, 506M 'Meniscus 507 Ink outlet 508 Elastic member 509 Ink surface 510 Ink 511 Finger 513 Top plate 600 Ink tank 601 Porous member 602 Ink leading-out member 604 Rod-like body 605 Rod-like body 606 Supply pipe 800 Air 801 Detour 807 Light-receiving element 808 Light-emitting element 809 Valve 810 Projection part 1000 Outer wall part 1001 Ink leading-out part 1002 Shunt 1401 Inkjet recording device 1402 Recording material 1501 Inkjet unit 1502 Color ink tank 1503 Black ink tank 1701 Inkjet unit (replaceable type) 1702 Color ink tank 1703 Black ink tank 1704 Fixing lever

Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Sadayuki Sugama 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Takayoshi Tsutsumi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-5-104735 (JP, A) European Patent 605183 (EP, B1) European Patent Application Publication 567308 (EP, A2) West German Patent Application Publication 3401071 (DE, A1) (58) Search Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/175

Claims (12)

(57) [Claims] A porous member for generating a negative pressure therein.
Then, at least the ink initially filled in the porous member is reduced.
Part of the ink jet recording head
Refilling the ink into the separable ink tank by ink. In the ink refilling method, the ink tank is connected to the ink jet recording head.
An ink supply opening for supplying ink, interposed between the porous member and the ink supply opening;
And the porous member is in pressure contact with the porous member.
In one direction from the quality member toward the ink supply opening.
An ink lead-out member for guiding ink, and an atmosphere communication port for communicating the inside of the ink tank with the atmosphere.
When, wherein the ink refilling method for an ink supply of the ink leading member of the ink tank
A meniscus destruction step of destroying the meniscus of the ink at the end on the opening side, and maintaining the communication state between the ink derivation member and the filling ink while moving the ink derivation member relative to the porous member in the direction of gravity. Refilling the filling ink into the ink tank with the porous member under atmospheric communication due to the negative pressure generated by ink consumption while the porous member is in a downward position. . 2. The ink lead-out member is a unidirectional fiber bundle .
The ink refilling method according to claim 1, comprising: 3. The ink tank has a plurality of partitioned ink storage chambers for storing a plurality of different inks, the ink storage chambers each including the porous member, and the plurality of ink storage chambers. The coupling area having the ink lead-out member of each chamber is provided on the same surface side, and the filling ink is a different ink corresponding to each of the ink storage chambers, and the filling ink supply is separated from each other. 3. The ink refilling method according to claim 1, wherein the ink is supplied to each of the ink outlet members from a means. 4. The ink according to claim 1, wherein the filling ink is held in a container that maintains a liquid level substantially equal to a position where the ink absorbing portion receives the filling ink. Refill method. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the meniscus destruction step comprises a step of forming a pair of micro-section rods which are opposed to each other with a minute interval therebetween, and in which the filling ink rises to a tip region of a slit formed by the opposing rods. The ink refilling method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the method is performed by inserting the ink into the ink lead-out member to form a communication state of the ink. 6. The ink supply unit according to claim 6, wherein the filling ink is an ink outlet.
The material is supplied at a liquid level lower than a position where the filling ink is received, and the air in the ink discharge pipe of the filling ink in a space at a difference between the position and the liquid level is supplied to the ink. 6. The ink refilling method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of at least temporarily removing the lead-out member from a filling ink path. Wherein said air, after being eliminated by the eliminating step, the rear negative pressure by the ink refilling ended, the ink leading member is moved to a position for receiving the filling ink the
7. The ink refilling method according to claim 6, wherein a meniscus of the ink lead-out member is formed. 8. A step of detecting the movement of the air, and a step of notifying completion of refilling of the ink according to a result of the detection.
The method for refilling ink according to claim 7, comprising: 9. In the meniscus breaking step, the inside of the ink refilling device is pressurized or sucked to derive the ink.
9. The ink refilling method according to claim 1, wherein the meniscus in the member is destroyed, and the inside of the ink refilling device is returned to atmospheric pressure in the refilling step. 10. A porous member which generates a negative pressure therein.
To reduce the amount of ink initially filled in the porous member.
And a partially consumed ink jet recording head.
Refill ink into the separable ink tank
In the ink refilling device, the ink tank is connected to the ink jet recording head.
An ink supply opening for supplying ink, interposed between the porous member and the ink supply opening;
And the porous member is in pressure contact with the porous member.
In one direction from the quality member toward the ink supply opening.
An ink lead-out member for guiding ink and an air communication port for communicating the inside of the ink tank with the atmosphere.
Wherein the ink refilling apparatus, said ink tank mountable ink tank holder, the ink outlet means for supplying ink to the ink leading member holds the ink to be refilled into the inside of the ink tank Wherein the ink deriving unit is provided in the ink deriving unit,
A means for breaking the meniscus of the timber, and the ink tank holding section the in-the ink tank
The ink tank was held in a state where the connection portion with the jet recording head was located below in the direction of gravity, and the ink of the ink lead-out member and the ink held by the ink lead-out means were communicated by the meniscus breaking means. after the ink tank ink refilling apparatus, wherein a refilling ink at atmospheric pressure by the negative pressure occurring by consuming the ink. 11. The ink tank according to claim 11, wherein the ink tank is
The ink jet recording head
The ink refilling device according to claim 10 , wherein the ink tank holding unit is mounted on a recording head, and the ink tank holding unit has at least a positioning structure of a mounting mechanism for the ink jet recording head. 12. The ink tank holding section is capable of mounting at least one or more ink tanks using a plurality of different inks, and the ink deriving means holds the plurality of different inks, and The ink refilling device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the ink is refilled by the negative pressure in the ink tank in which the same ink as the ink in the tank is mounted.