JP3319132B2 - Ink cartridge and image recording apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention
A printer that forms an ink image on a recording medium such as recording paper,
The present invention relates to an ink cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an apparatus body such as a copying machine and a multifunction peripheral, and an image recording apparatus using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image recording apparatus using an ink jet system has excellent features such as quiet operation noise, low apparatus cost and running cost, and easy development into a color image output apparatus. Have. Therefore, as a character or image recording device such as a computer,
The product is being actively developed and widely used in the market. In the market of the image recording apparatus using the ink jet system, it is expected that color compatibility, low price, and high printing quality will become the trends in the future.

In order to maintain the performance of the recording head, the image recording apparatus of the ink jet type has a mechanism for sucking or discharging ink from nozzles to remove bubbles, dust, thickened ink and the like mixed in the ink. are doing. More specifically, a rubber cap communicating with a suction pump is pressed against the nozzle surface, and the pump is operated to suck ink from the nozzle and to impregnate the ink absorbing material provided in a corner of the apparatus main body. The system is a commonly known technique.

[0004] When a color-compatible ink jet image recording apparatus in which three color (YMC) color inks are mounted in addition to black ink, the recovery amount of waste ink is simply quadrupled in the above-described conventional ink system. This increases the size of the main body of the apparatus.

[0005] In response to this problem, US Pat.
As described in JP-A-95,824 and JP-A-2-29345, the ink cartridge is provided with a waste ink collecting chamber, and the ink cartridge is replaced so that the waste ink is discarded. One that achieves miniaturization and prevention of contamination inside the machine has been proposed.

[0006]

In order to further reduce the cost in addition to the color ink, even if the waste ink is collected in the ink cartridge, the conventional ink system requires the same number of pumps as the number of recording heads of each color. Or a nozzle cap is required, which is a factor that hinders cost reduction.

Further, when aiming at higher printing quality,
In order to realize the bleeding of the ink and the improvement of the water resistance, it is effective to use an ink developed by giving priority to these performances. (For example, an ink in which a pigment as a colorant and an emulsion resin are dispersed) However, such an ink is alkaline in order to secure the dispersion stability of the pigment and the solubility of the resin component, and is also thickened and solidified. It is difficult to handle, for example, it is easy and the resolubility of the thickened and solidified ink is extremely poor. In other words, when such ink is used, it is very difficult to secure the reliability and durability of the device main body in the conventional technology in which the ink path of the nozzle cap, the pump, and the like directly touching the ink is provided in the device main body. .

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an ink cartridge having the following features and an image recording apparatus using the same, and as described above, meets the demands for color compatibility, low cost, and high printing quality. On the other hand, an effective configuration is proposed from the viewpoint of an ink cartridge.

(1) An ink holding chamber for supplying ink to the ink jet recording head and a waste ink collecting chamber are provided.
What is claimed is: 1. An ink cartridge detachable from an apparatus main body, comprising: a detachable concave nozzle cap for covering a nozzle surface of the recording head; and a communicating means between the nozzle cap and the waste ink recovery chamber. .

(2) An ink cartridge, wherein at least one wall surface of the waste ink collecting chamber has a flexible portion.

(3) At least a part of the communication means includes:
An ink cartridge comprising a member having a lower elastic modulus than a member forming a housing of the ink cartridge.

(4) At least a part of the communication means includes:
An ink cartridge exposed on the surface of the ink cartridge.

(5) An ink cartridge characterized by comprising an absorbing member for absorbing ink inside the waste ink collecting chamber.

(6) The ink cartridge, wherein the concave nozzle cap has an opening to the atmosphere.

(7) The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the inside of the concave nozzle cap has liquid repellency to ink.

(8) An ink holding chamber for supplying ink to the ink jet recording head, a waste ink collecting chamber for collecting ink sucked from the nozzles, and a detachable concave nozzle cap for covering the nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head. In an image recording apparatus including an ink cartridge having the nozzle cap and communication means for the waste ink recovery chamber, a mechanism for changing an internal pressure of the waste ink recovery chamber, an opening / closing mechanism for the concave nozzle cap, An image recording apparatus comprising an atmosphere opening mechanism of the communication means.

(9) An ink holding chamber for supplying ink to the ink jet recording head, a waste ink collecting chamber for collecting ink sucked from the nozzles, and a detachable concave nozzle cap for covering the nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head. An image recording apparatus comprising an ink cartridge having the nozzle cap and a communication means for the waste ink recovery chamber, a mechanism for changing an internal pressure of the communication means, an opening / closing mechanism for the concave nozzle cap, An image recording apparatus, comprising: an air release mechanism.

[0018]

An ink cartridge having an ink holding chamber and a waste ink recovery chamber which is detachable from the apparatus main body, has a detachable concave nozzle cap for covering a nozzle surface of an ink jet recording head, the nozzle cap and the waste ink recovery. Since the communication means is provided with the chamber, the pressure change is generated inside the waste ink collection chamber or the communication means, so that at least all parts of the ink system which directly contact the ink can be replaced. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the mechanism of the apparatus main body and to ensure the reliability of ink such as a pump.

[0019]

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

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the structure of an ink cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
1 is a structural explanatory view of an ink jet recording head to which an ink cartridge of the present invention is mounted.

FIG. 1 shows an ink cartridge 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Inside this, an ink holding chamber 2 and a waste ink collecting chamber 3 are formed. The ink holding chamber 2 is filled with ink, and this ink is
The ink is supplied to the ink jet recording head 10 through the ink supply pipe 12. As shown in FIG. 1, when the ink holding chamber 2 is located at a position higher than the ink jet recording head 10 (in the antigravity direction), in order to reliably prevent the ink from leaking from the nozzles 11, The internal pressure needs to be lower than the atmospheric pressure (negative pressure is maintained).
Specifically, a method of enclosing a sponge-like member having a large number of fine spaces for generating an appropriate negative pressure by the action of a capillary force inside the ink holding chamber, or mounting a spring inside the ink holding chamber 2 , Which expands the internal volume,
A method of always maintaining a negative pressure has been implemented.

The structure of an ink jet recording head that supplies ink from the ink holding chamber 2 having such a structure and discharges ink droplets toward a recording medium will be described with reference to FIG. Nozzle forming member 2 formed with a plurality of nozzles 11
2, a plurality of pressure chambers 14 corresponding to the plurality of nozzles 11 and a flow path forming member 13 in which a common ink flow path 21 is formed, and a stainless sheet having a thickness of 3 to 20 (μm) or a thickness of 1
A diaphragm 15 in which a polymer having a thickness of 0 (μm) or less is laminated on a stainless sheet having a thickness of 20 to 30 (μm) and a thin portion and a thick portion are formed by etching or the like is used as the base member 1.
6 are stacked. The opening area of the nozzle 11, the thickness of the nozzle forming member 22, its cross-sectional shape, and the accuracy of the shape of the flow path forming member forming the pressure chamber 14 have a great influence on the ink discharge characteristics (ink discharge speed and amount). Therefore, in order to ensure excellent printing quality, high-precision processing technology with little variation is required. Due to such requirements, the nozzle forming member 22 and the flow path forming member 13 are formed by a precision press working method, an electroforming method of nickel or the like, or an anisotropic etching processing of a silicon wafer or the like.

The pressure generating element 17 corresponding to the plurality of pressure chambers 14 and joined to the vibration plate 15 is a laminated piezoelectric element in which a piezoelectric material and an electrode material are alternately laminated. They are,
After being fixed to the support member 18, it is cut into a desired shape by dicing or the like. At this time, the support member 18 having the conductive film formed on the surface of the insulating member is also cut so as to divide the conductive film.
Is formed. The common electrode 20 is joined so as to cross the plurality of pressure generating elements 17 that have been cut. By applying a pulse signal between these electrodes,
The pressure generating element 17 generates a mechanical displacement, and
4 can be selectively enlarged or reduced. In this way, the ink supplied to the inside of the pressure chamber 14 receives the pressure and selectively ejects ink droplets from the nozzles 11.

Returning to FIG. 1, the structure of the ink cartridge 1 according to the present invention will be described. The ink cartridge 1 according to the first embodiment has a communication member 8 that allows the waste ink recovery chamber 3 having a wall surface formed by the flexible member 4 to communicate with the nozzle cap 6. In addition, an air release communication member 9 that communicates the nozzle cap 6 with the air release port 53 is provided. Further, the nozzle cap 6 having a concave cross section and detachable from the nozzle surface is mounted on the convex joint of the ink cartridge 1 via the nozzle cap support member 7 having the long hole joint, and the nozzle 30 is The two-mode stable support of the open state from the surface and the closed state of the nozzle surface is enabled.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a main part of an image recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The image recording apparatus shown in this embodiment is a serial type inkjet recording apparatus that performs printing (printing) by reciprocating motion of an inkjet recording head.

The recording paper 100 which is separately supplied one by one is
When the paper feed roller 102 operates, the sliders 103, 1
It is transported in the direction of arrow Yk along 03 ′. The paper feed roller 102 is connected to a paper feed motor 104 via a transmission mechanism at one end.

Reference numeral 101 denotes a carriage for mounting the ink jet recording head 10 and the ink cartridge 1 shown in FIG. The drive signal is transmitted to the carriage 101 by the connector cable 105, and is applied to the pressure generating element from a signal terminal formed on the outer wall of the inkjet recording head. The carriage 101 includes a drive belt 106
And are slidable with the two guide shafts 107 and 107 '. 108 is the carriage 10
This is a drive motor disposed near one end of one reciprocating movement path, and a pulley 109 is attached to this rotating shaft. Similar pulleys are also provided at the other end of the reciprocating movement path of the carriage 101, and these pulleys 10
9, the drive belt 106 is stretched. With this configuration, the rotational driving force of the driving motor 108 is converted into a linear driving force by the driving belt 106, transmitted to the carriage 101 coupled to the driving belt 106, and reciprocates the inkjet recording head in the width direction of the recording paper 100. Can be done. Such a carriage 1
The reciprocating motion of 01 is accurately controlled by the linear encoder 110 (the signal receiver is provided on the carriage).

As shown in FIG. 3, a carriage 10 on which the ink jet recording head and the ink cartridge 1 are mounted is mounted.
When the cam 1 is at the home position (a portion surrounded by a broken line: ht), the cam 50 comes into contact with the flexible member 4 constituting the wall surface of the waste ink collecting chamber 3 shown in FIG. At one end of the rotating shaft of the cam 50, a transmission mechanism with the cam driving motor 150 is provided, so that when the cam driving motor 150 rotates, the flexible member 4 shown in FIG. 1 can be pressed. Reference numeral 51 denotes a cap detaching lever for opening and closing the nozzle cap 6 shown in FIG. 1, and reference numeral 52 denotes an atmosphere opening cap. These are configured so that the carriage 101 performs its function by further moving in the direction indicated by the arrow Ym. These members are desirably formed of rubber or the like, and the air release cap 52 includes a spring 152 on a sliding shaft in order to secure the pressing force.

FIGS. 4A to 4C show a first embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment. (A) to (c) are as follows: (a): volume reduction process of the waste ink recovery chamber (b): pressure reduction process of the waste ink recovery chamber (ink suction process) (c): steady state recovery process of the waste ink recovery chamber Is shown. In the following description of the operation, it is assumed that the ink jet recording head performs serial scanning together with the ink cartridge to perform printing.

In the process shown in FIG. 4A, the ink cartridge 1 is moved to the home position (non-printing area), and the cam 50, the cap attaching / detaching lever 51, and the atmosphere opening cap 52 are placed in an operable state. I have. When the cam 50 rotates in such a state, the flexible member 4 constituting the wall surface of the waste ink recovery chamber 3 is bent and deformed. At this time,
Since the volume of the waste ink recovery chamber 3 is reduced, the internal air flows out of the nozzle cap 6 that is open from the nozzle surface through the communication member 8 as indicated by an arrow Ya in FIG. .

In the step shown in FIG. 4B, the volume of the waste ink collecting chamber 3 is minimized by the operation of the cam 50. At this time, the cap attaching / detaching lever 51 and the atmosphere opening cap 52 operate to close the nozzle surface and close the atmosphere opening port 53. (Cap removal lever 51
The operation of the air release cap 52 works by the ink cartridge 1 moving in the direction shown by the arrow Ym. After that, the cam 50 is moved to the waste ink collecting chamber 3.
When rotated in a direction to increase the volume of the waste ink, the waste ink collecting chamber 3
The internal pressure of the nozzle cap decreases and the closed space between the nozzle cap 6 and the nozzle surface communicating therewith also becomes a negative pressure, so that ink can be sucked from the nozzle. In this way, bubbles, dust, thickened ink, etc. can be discharged from the nozzle,
It is possible to realize stable maintenance of ink ejection. Also,
The ink discharged from the nozzle is supplied to the ink cartridge 1
Since the waste ink is stored in the waste ink recovery chamber 3 provided in the printer, the waste ink can be discarded by exchanging the ink cartridge 1, which can contribute to downsizing of the apparatus main body. Further, in the present embodiment, since the ink absorbing material 5 is provided inside the waste ink collecting chamber 3, the collected ink is impregnated into the ink absorbing material 5, so that even if the ink cartridge moves in the printing state, the waste ink is moved. Backflow can be prevented.

In the process shown in FIG. 4C, the atmosphere opening cap 52 opens the atmosphere opening port 53.
An air flow indicated by an arrow Ya shown in FIG. 3C flows through the open-to-atmosphere communicating member 9 into the closed space defined by the nozzle cap 6 and the nozzle surface. Thus, the negative pressure in the closed space is returned to the atmospheric pressure, and the nozzle cap 6 can be easily opened without causing the ink to be wet on the nozzle surface.

Further, since the inside of the nozzle cap 6 shown in the present embodiment has liquid repellency to ink, the ink remaining in the cap is not affected by the arrow Yi shown in FIG.
As shown in a, it can be collected in the waste ink collection chamber 3 together with the air flow.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the structure of an ink cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The ink holding chamber 2, the ink jet recording head 10, and the nozzle cap 6 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

In the ink cartridge according to the second embodiment, at least a part of the nozzle cap 6 having a concave cross section detachable from the nozzle surface and the communication member 8 communicating the waste ink recovery chamber 3 has elasticity. And is exposed on the arc-shaped surface of the ink cartridge 1. In addition, an air release communication member 9 that communicates the nozzle cap 6 with the air release port 53 is provided. Further, a second air opening 54 is laid to communicate with the waste ink recovery chamber 3.

FIGS. 6A to 6C show the second embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment. (A) to (c) show (a): a capping process of the nozzle surface and the air opening port. (B): a waste ink recovery process. (C): an air opening process of the nozzle surface and the air opening port. In the following description of the operation, it is assumed that the ink jet recording head performs serial scanning together with the ink cartridge to perform printing.

In the process shown in FIG. 6A, the ink cartridge 1 has moved to the home position (non-printing area) and has been placed near the operable positions of the pressing rotor 56 and the atmosphere opening cap 52. Ink cartridge 1
Moves relatively slowly in the direction of arrow Ym1, so that cap removal lever 51 comes into contact with cap support member 7, and nozzle cap 6 seals the nozzle surface.

In the process shown in FIG. 6B, when the ink cartridge 1 further moves in the direction of arrow Ym1 shown in FIG. 6A, the pressing rotor 56 is exposed on the arc-shaped surface of the ink cartridge 1. Press the communication member 8 which is
The atmosphere opening cap 52 closes the atmosphere opening port 53. The communication member 8 shown in the present embodiment is made of a member (silicon tube or the like) which is softer than the housing member forming the ink cartridge 1 and has a suitable elasticity, so that the pressing rotor 56 moves in the direction of the arrow Rc. By rotating, a continuous negative pressure can be generated inside. The closed space formed by the nozzle cap 6 and the nozzle surface communicating therewith gradually becomes negative pressure, and ink can be sucked from the nozzles. Thus, the first of the present invention
As in the case of the first embodiment, air bubbles, dust, thickened ink and the like can be discharged from the nozzles, so that stable maintenance of ink ejection can be realized. Further, the ink discharged from the nozzles is stored in the waste ink recovery chamber 3 provided in the ink cartridge 1, so that the waste ink can be discarded by replacing the ink cartridge 1, thereby contributing to downsizing of the apparatus main body. . Further, also in the present embodiment, since the ink absorbing material 5 is provided inside the waste ink collecting chamber 3, the collected ink is impregnated into the ink absorbing material 5 so that even if the ink cartridge reciprocates in the printing state. In addition, the backflow of waste ink can be prevented.

In the process shown in FIG. 6C, the ink cartridge 1 is returned in the direction shown by the arrow Ym2. Thus, the air release cap 52 is removed, and the air release port 53 is opened.
Is opened, and air passes through the open-to-atmosphere communication member 9 as shown by an arrow Ya in FIG.
Flows into the closed space defined by the nozzle surface. In this manner, the negative pressure in the closed space is returned to the atmospheric pressure, and the nozzle cap 6 can be easily opened without causing ink wet stains on the nozzle surface.

Also in this embodiment, since the inside of the nozzle cap 6 has liquid repellency to the ink, the ink collected in the cap is removed by the arrow Yi shown in FIG.
As shown in a, it can be collected in the waste ink collection chamber 3 together with the air flow.

[0041]

According to the present invention, there is provided an ink system for sucking ink from a nozzle to maintain stable ink ejection.
Since at least all the parts that directly touch the ink can be replaced together with the ink cartridge, the mechanism of the apparatus main body can be simplified. Further, as described in the problem to be solved by the present invention, even when ink with poor handling properties is used, the reliability and durability of the apparatus main body can be improved by the structure of the present invention in which the pump, the ink circulation path and the like are detachable. Can be dramatically improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the structure of an ink cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a structural explanatory view of an ink jet recording head to which the ink cartridge of the present invention is mounted.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of the image recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (A) to (c) are as follows: (a): volume reduction process of the waste ink recovery chamber (b): pressure reduction process of the waste ink recovery chamber (ink suction process) (c): steady state recovery process of the waste ink recovery chamber Show

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the structure of an ink cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view of an ink cartridge showing a second embodiment according to the present invention. (A) to (c) show (a): a capping process of the nozzle surface and the air opening port. (B): a waste ink recovery process. (C): an air opening process of the nozzle surface and the air opening port.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 ink cartridge 2 ink holding chamber 3 waste ink recovery chamber 4 flexible member 5 ink absorbing material 6 nozzle cap 7 cap support member 8 communication member 9 open air communication member 10 ink jet recording head 11 nozzle 14 pressure chamber 17 pressure generating element 50 cam Reference Signs List 51 Cap detaching lever 52 Air release cap 53 Air release port 54 Second air release port 100 Recording paper 101 Carriage 102 Paper feed roller

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] An ink holding chamber for supplying ink to an ink jet recording head; a waste ink collecting chamber; a concave nozzle cap for detachably covering a nozzle surface of the recording head; An ink cartridge comprising communication means. 2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein at least one wall surface of the waste ink collecting chamber has a flexible portion. 3. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of said communication means is made of a member having a lower elastic modulus than a member constituting a housing of said ink cartridge. 4. An ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of said communication means is exposed on an ink cartridge surface. 5. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising an absorbing member for absorbing ink inside the waste ink collecting chamber. 6. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the concave nozzle cap has an air opening. 7. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the inside of the concave nozzle cap has liquid repellency to ink. 8. An ink holding chamber for supplying ink to an ink jet recording head, a waste ink collecting chamber for collecting ink sucked from a nozzle, a detachable concave nozzle cap for covering a nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head, What is claimed is: 1. An image recording apparatus comprising: an ink cartridge having a nozzle cap and a communication unit for communicating with said waste ink collection chamber, a mechanism for changing an internal pressure of said waste ink collection chamber, an opening and closing mechanism for said concave nozzle cap, and said communication. An image recording apparatus, comprising: an air release mechanism. 9. An ink holding chamber for supplying ink to an ink jet recording head, a waste ink collecting chamber for collecting ink sucked from a nozzle, a detachable concave nozzle cap for covering a nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head, An image recording apparatus comprising an ink cartridge having the nozzle cap and a communication unit for the waste ink recovery chamber, wherein a mechanism for changing an internal pressure of the communication unit, an opening / closing mechanism for the concave nozzle cap, and the communication unit An image recording apparatus, comprising: