JP3800032B2 - Ink storage tank - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink storage tank that stores ink supplied to a recording head that discharges ink droplets in response to a print signal.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, ink used in an ink jet recording apparatus is obtained by uniformly dispersing dispersed particles such as pigments in a solvent and mixing them. Such ink does not print for a long period of time, and when placed in a state where the ink does not circulate in the ink reservoir, the dispersed particles descend and precipitate due to the specific gravity difference between the solvent and the dispersed particles. .
[0003]
In order to keep the concentration constant against the precipitation of such dispersed particles, it has been studied to provide a stirring device. For example, in the ink jet printing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-229140, in order to effectively stir ink having high viscosity or pigment having a high specific gravity, a stirring blade and an ink jet vane are provided in the ink storage unit. A rotation shaft for imparting rotation is provided and rotated by a drive motor from outside the ink storage unit.
[0004]
However, the above apparatus employs a structure in which the ink storage unit is provided with a stirring blade and a rotary shaft, so that the ink storage unit is enlarged and a drive mechanism for the stirring blade and the rotary shaft is required, and the device itself is complicated. There is a problem of becoming. In addition, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage unit is below a certain level, the function of the stirring blade is reduced by half, and there is a problem that a sufficient stirring effect cannot be expected.
[0005]
In order to solve such a problem, for example, an electrostatic ink jet recording apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-286562 has been devised. In this recording apparatus, a pair of opposed stirring electrodes are arranged inside the ink storage unit, and the polarity is changed by applying an AC voltage for a certain period of time. As a result, even when the charged toner is precipitated in the ink storage unit, the charged toner precipitated due to the change in the polarity of the stirring electrode repeatedly moves to the low voltage side, and the precipitated charged toner has a stirring action, so that the ink with a constant concentration is obtained. It becomes.
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the ink jet recording apparatus also requires a control controller that changes the polarity by providing a pair of stirring electrodes in the ink storage unit and applying an AC voltage to the stirring electrode from the outside of the ink storage unit. For this reason, the structure of the ink storage unit and the device itself is complicated, and the cost of the device and the ink storage unit itself cannot be avoided, and is not suitable for a replaceable ink cartridge.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the ink inside can be stirred only by the flow path structure and shape, thereby effectively preventing ink settling without substantially complicating the head structure and increasing the cost. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink storage tank.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an ink storage tank of the present invention is an ink storage tank that stores ink supplied to a recording head that discharges ink droplets in response to a print signal, and includes a flow path portion through which ink flows. And a stirring means for stirring the ink by changing the direction of the ink flowing through the flow path section is provided in the vicinity of the flow path section, and the stirring means is a protruding protrusion. The gist of 1
[0008]
That is, the ink storage tank includes a flow path portion through which ink flows, and is provided in the vicinity of the flow path portion with stirring means for stirring the ink by changing the direction of the ink flowing through the flow path portion. Since the agitation means is a protrusion formed so as to protrude, the ink in the ink storage tank is automatically agitated when flowing through the flow path. Therefore, unlike the prior art, ink sedimentation can be effectively prevented with a simple structure without complicating the structure of the ink storage unit and the recording apparatus itself and increasing the cost.
[0009]
In the ink storage tank of the present invention, when the agitation means is provided in the vicinity of the flow path portion that includes a plurality of ink chambers and communicates from the upstream ink chamber to the downstream ink chamber, or when the agitation means flows. In the case where the ink storage tank is provided on the downstream side of the path portion, ink settling can be effectively prevented in the ink storage tank having a plurality of ink chambers.
[0010]
In the ink storage tank of the present invention, when the downstream opening area of the flow path portion is set to be smaller than the upstream opening area, the flow rate of the ink passing through the flow path portion is increased, and the stirring effect is increased. improves.
[0011]
In the ink storage tank of the present invention, the stirring means has an inclined surface so that the ink flows from the bottom to the top of the ink storage tank in use, or the stirring means has the downstream ink. If the chamber has an inclined surface whose inclination angle gradually increases toward the upper side so as to generate a vortex of ink, the ink can be effectively prevented from settling with a simple structure.
[0012]
The ink storage tank of the present invention is an ink storage tank that is mounted on a carriage that reciprocates along a recording medium and stores ink supplied to a recording head that discharges ink droplets in response to a print signal. An inclined surface with respect to the moving direction of the carriage is formed in the ink chamber for storing ink, and the inclined surface is formed on the bottom surface of the ink chamber, and the inclined angle of the inclined surface gradually increases toward the upper side. Is the second gist.
[0013]
That is, the ink storage tank has an inclined surface with respect to the carriage moving direction formed in the ink chamber for storing ink, and the inclined surface is formed on the bottom surface of the ink chamber, and the inclined surface gradually increases toward the upper side. Since the inclination angle is large, the ink that swings in the ink movement direction in the ink chamber as the carriage reciprocates is caused to flow upward and downward along the inclined surface to form a vortex, and automatically To be stirred. Therefore, unlike the prior art, ink sedimentation can be effectively prevented with a simple structure without complicating the structure of the ink storage unit and the recording apparatus itself and increasing the cost.
[0014]
In the ink storage tank of the present invention, when the inclined surface is formed on the bottom surface of the ink chamber, the ink can be effectively stirred even if the ink in the ink chamber is reduced.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a peripheral structure of an ink jet recording apparatus to which an ink storage tank of the present invention is applied. This apparatus includes an ink cartridge (hereinafter referred to as “cartridge”) 1 to which the present invention is applied and a carriage 75 to which a recording head 73 is attached.
[0017]
The carriage 75 is connected to a stepping motor 79 via a timing belt 77, and is guided by a guide bar 78 to reciprocate in the paper width direction (main scanning direction) of the recording paper 76. The carriage 75 has a box shape that opens to the top, is attached so that the nozzle surface of the recording head 73 is exposed on the surface facing the recording paper 76 (the lower surface in this example), and the cartridge 1 is mounted. It has become.
[0018]
Then, ink is supplied from the cartridge 1 to the recording head 73 and ink droplets are ejected onto the upper surface of the recording paper 76 while moving the carriage 75 to print images and characters on the recording paper 76 in a dot matrix. .
[0019]
2 and 3 are exploded perspective views showing the cartridge 1. The cartridge 1 includes a flat rectangular container body 2 having an opening on one side (the right side in FIG. 2) and a lid 3 that seals the opening. Both the container body 2 and the lid 3 are made of synthetic resin.
[0020]
FIG. 4 shows a state in which the container body 2 is viewed from the opening side. An ink supply port 4 is formed on the front end surface (lower surface in this example) of the container body 2, and locking members 5 and 6 are integrally formed with the container body 2 on the left and right side surfaces in FIG. Is formed. The ink supply port 4 accommodates a valve body (not shown) that opens when an ink supply needle is inserted. 2 and 3, reference numeral 2 </ b> B denotes a recess that accommodates storage means (not shown) provided at the lower portion of the locking member 5 on the ink supply port 4 side.
[0021]
The interior of the container main body 2 is divided into two vertically by a wall 10 extending so as to be slightly inclined downward toward the ink supply port 4 in a substantially horizontal direction. A region below the wall 10 is formed in a first ink chamber 11 in which ink is stored.
[0022]
The region above the wall 10 is partitioned by a frame-like portion 14 including the wall 10 with a substantially constant gap from the inner wall surface of the container body 2. The gap formed between the frame-shaped portion 14 and the inner wall surface of the container body 2 and the wall 12 provided on the valve housing chamber 8 side of the frame-shaped portion 14 through the first through hole 67. Atmospheric communication passages 13 and 13 ′ are formed to communicate the ink chamber 11 with the atmosphere. The lid 3 is fused to the wall 12 and the outer peripheral wall of the container body 2 to form an air communication path 13 ′.
[0023]
The inside of the frame-like portion 14 is divided into left and right by a wall 15 extending in the vertical direction in which a communication port 15A through which ink flows is formed at the bottom. An area located on the right side of the figure divided by the wall 15 is formed in a third ink chamber 16 that sucks up the ink in the first ink chamber 11 and temporarily stores it. A region located on the left side of the figure is formed in the third ink chamber 17 in which a differential pressure valve composed of a membrane valve 52, a spring 50, and the like is accommodated.
[0024]
The region corresponding to the third ink chamber 16 of the first ink chamber 11 is connected between the third ink chamber 16 and the vicinity of the bottom surface 2A of the container body 2 so that the ink in the first ink chamber 11 is transferred to the third ink chamber. A communication channel 18 to be introduced into the chamber 16 is formed. A rectangular region surrounded by a wall 19 is formed in the lower part of the communication channel 18, and communication ports 19 </ b> A and 19 </ b> B are formed in the lower part and the upper surface of the wall 19, respectively.
[0025]
The communication channel 18 forms a groove-like recess 18A on the surface of the container body 2 (hereinafter, the surface opposite to the opening side of the container body 2 is referred to as “the surface of the container body 2”). It is formed by sealing with an airtight film (not shown).
[0026]
The upper part of the communication channel 18 communicates with the third ink chamber 16 through the communication port 47, and an opening (not shown) is formed in a rectangular region surrounded by the lower wall 19. The first ink chamber 11 communicates with the first ink chamber 11. As a result, the first ink chamber 11 and the buffer chamber communicate with each other via the communication flow path 18 so that the ink in the first ink chamber 11 can be introduced into the third ink chamber 16.
[0027]
In addition, an ink injection port 20 used when injecting ink into the first ink chamber 11 is formed on the bottom surface 2 </ b> A of the container body 2 at a location facing the communication flow path 18. Further, an air discharge port 21 for discharging air when ink is injected is formed in the vicinity of the ink injection port 20.
[0028]
The third ink chamber 17 is formed with a wall 22 that extends in the lateral direction with a predetermined distance from the upper surface 14 </ b> A of the frame-like portion 14. The third ink chamber 17 is partitioned by a substantially arc-shaped wall 24 continuous with the wall 22, and a portion surrounded by the wall 24 forms a differential pressure valve storage chamber 33 and a filter storage chamber 34. It is an area.
[0029]
Further, the wall 25 forms the differential pressure valve housing chamber 33 on the surface side in the thickness direction of the region facing the region surrounded by the substantially arcuate wall 24 and forms the filter housing chamber 34 on the opening side. It is divided into two in the thickness direction. Inside the filter housing chamber 34, a cylindrical filter mounting portion 31 for fixing the filter 55 by welding the filter 55 is formed. The wall 25 is provided with an ink circulation port 25 </ b> A that guides the ink that has passed through the filter 55 to the differential pressure valve housing chamber 33.
[0030]
A partition wall 26 having a communication port 26 </ b> A is formed between the lower wall of the substantially arc-shaped wall 24 and the wall 10, and a downstream side (left side in FIG. 4) from the wall 26 is a fourth ink chamber 23. Is formed. A partition wall 27 is provided between the substantially arc-shaped wall 24 and the frame-like portion 14 and has a communication port 27A at the lower portion and extending in the vertical direction, thereby forming an ink flow path 28A.
[0031]
Further, an arcuate wall 30 is formed which is continuous with the upper end of the wall 27 and is connected to the substantially arcuate wall 24 and the wall 22. A region surrounded by the arc-shaped wall 30 is formed in the ink circulation space 9.
[0032]
A through hole 29 having a shape in which a large circle and a small circle are connected is formed across the arcuate wall 30 forming the ink circulation space 9. The large circle side of the through hole 29 communicates with the upper portion of the ink flow path 28 </ b> A, and the small circle side of the through hole 29 passes through the communication port 24 </ b> A provided at the tip of the substantially arcuate wall 24. 34 communicates with the upper part. Thereby, the ink flow path 28 </ b> A and the filter housing chamber 34 communicate with each other through the through hole 29.
[0033]
Then, the ink that has flowed from the third ink chamber 16 through the communication ports 15A, 26A, and 27A into the ink flow path 28A flows through the ink circulation space 9 and flows into the great circle side of the through hole 29. Next, the ink that has flowed into the through hole 29 flows from the small circle side of the through hole 29 into the filter housing chamber 34 through the communication port 24A.
[0034]
Here, the direction of the ink that has passed through the communication port 15A is changed to the downstream side of the communication port 15A through which ink flows from the third ink chamber 16 on the upstream side toward the third ink chamber 17 on the downstream side. The stirring member 7 which stirs is provided.
[0035]
The stirring member 7 and its peripheral structure will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5 which is an enlarged view. The communication port 15 </ b> A is formed at the lower end portion of the wall 15 that partitions the third ink chamber 16 and the third ink chamber 17, and the ink in the third ink chamber 16 is at the bottom of the third ink chamber 16 and the third ink chamber 17. It flows to the third ink chamber 17 along the wall 10 that forms the shape. The communication port 15A is formed such that the opening area on the downstream side is smaller than the opening on the upstream side, so that the flow velocity of the ink flowing through the communication port 15A can be increased.
[0036]
The stirring member 7 is formed so as to protrude from the wall 10 forming the bottom of the third ink chamber 17 at a position downstream of the communication port 15A. The agitating member 7 is formed with an upwardly inclined surface 7A at a portion facing the downstream opening of the communication port 15A so that the flow of ink that has passed through the communication port 15A is directed upward. As a result, the ink flowing through the communication port 15A and flowing into the third ink chamber 17 flows from the bottom to the top.
[0037]
The inclined surface 7A is formed so that the inclination angle gradually increases toward the upper side. As a result, the ink that has flowed upward along the inclined surface 7 </ b> A can generate a vortex in the third ink chamber 17.
[0038]
On the other hand, the lower portion of the differential pressure valve housing chamber 33 and the ink supply port 4 are formed by a flow path including a groove-like recess 35 formed on the surface side and an air-tight film (not shown) covering the recess 35. It is communicated. As a result, the ink that has flowed into the filter housing chamber 34 is filtered by the filter 55, passes through the through hole 25 </ b> A, passes through the differential pressure valve housing chamber 33, and flows from the flow path formed by the recess 35 to the ink supply port 4. It has become.
[0039]
On the other hand, on the surface of the container body 2, a narrow groove 36 that meanders so that the flow resistance is as high as possible, and a wide groove 37 that communicates with the narrow groove 36 and surrounds the differential pressure valve housing chamber 33 and the narrow groove 36. And are formed. A rectangular recess 38 is formed on the surface of the container body 2 in a region corresponding to the third ink chamber 16.
[0040]
A frame portion 39 and a rib 40 are formed in the rectangular recess 38 in a state of being lowered one step. An air ventilation chamber in which the inside of the rectangular recess 38 communicates with the atmosphere via the narrow groove 36 and the groove 37 by stretching a gas-permeable air-permeable film (not shown) on them. Is formed.
[0041]
A through hole 41 is formed in the inner surface of the recess 38 and communicates with an elongated region 43 defined by a wall 42 in the third ink chamber 16. Further, a narrow groove 36 communicates with a region of the concave portion 38 on the surface side of the air permeable film. Further, a through hole 44 is formed at the end of the elongated region 43 opposite to the through hole 41. The through hole 44 is a valve housing chamber 8 that is an atmosphere release valve chamber through a communication groove 45 formed on the surface side of the container body 2 and a through hole 46 that is formed to communicate with the groove 45. It is communicated to.
[0042]
The valve storage chamber 8 is open on the cartridge insertion side (lower side in this embodiment), and is formed so that an identification piece and a valve operating rod provided in the recording apparatus main body can enter, and an upper portion of the operating chamber is An air release valve that opens by an approach and maintains a normally open valve state is accommodated.
[0043]
FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional structure in the vicinity of the filter housing chamber 34 and the differential pressure valve housing chamber 33 described above. The right side in the figure is the surface side of the container body 2 where the differential pressure valve housing chamber 33 is located. The differential pressure valve housing chamber 33 contains a spring 50 and a membrane valve 52 made of an elastically deformable material such as an elastomer and having a through hole 51 in the center. The membrane valve 52 has an annular thick portion 52A around it, and is fixed to the container body 2 via a frame portion 54 formed integrally with the thick portion 52A. One end of the spring 50 is in contact with the spring receiving portion 52B of the membrane valve 52, and the other end is in contact with and supported by the spring receiving portion 53A of the lid 53 that covers the differential pressure valve housing chamber 33. .
[0044]
In the figure, reference numerals 56 and 57 denote air-tight films attached to the surface side and the opening surface side of the container body 2. The air barrier film 56 is welded to the walls 10, 15, 22, 24, 30, 42, the frame-like portion 14, and the partition walls 26, 27, 32.
[0045]
With such a configuration, the ink that has passed through the ink circulation port 25 </ b> A through the filter 55 is blocked by the membrane valve 52. When the pressure of the ink supply port 4 decreases in this state, the negative pressure causes the membrane valve 52 to move away from the valve seat portion 25B against the biasing force of the spring 50, and the ink passes through the through hole 51 and is formed in the recess 35. The ink flows into the ink supply port 4 through the flow path.
[0046]
When the ink pressure at the ink supply port 4 rises to a predetermined value, the membrane valve 52 is elastically contacted with the valve seat portion 25B by the urging force of the spring 50, and the ink flow is blocked. By repeating such an operation, the ink can be discharged from the ink supply port 4 while maintaining a constant negative pressure.
[0047]
FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional structure of the valve accommodating chamber 8 for air communication. A through hole 60 is formed in a wall defining the valve housing chamber 8, and a pressing member 61 made of an elastic member such as rubber is inserted into the container body 2 so as to be movable around the periphery. Yes. A valve body 65 supported by the elastic member 62 and constantly urged to the through hole 60 is disposed at the front end of the pressing member 61. In this example, the elastic member 62 is a plate spring whose lower end is fixed by a projection 63 and whose central portion is regulated by a projection 64.
[0048]
On the other hand, an arm 66 is disposed on the opposite side of the pressing member 61. The arm 66 is fixed to the container body 2 via a rotation fulcrum 66A located on the inner side of an operating rod 70 described later on the side in which the cartridge 1 is inserted (the lower end in this example). The arm 66 has an extraction side (upper side in this example) that protrudes obliquely into the entry path of the operating rod 70. A convex portion 66 </ b> B for repressing the pressing member 61 is formed at the tip of the arm 66. With such a configuration, when the valve body 65 is opened, the through hole 67 provided in the upper portion of the first ink chamber 11 is connected to the recess 38 for communicating with the atmosphere through the through hole 60.
[0049]
With such a configuration, when the cartridge 1 is loaded in the cartridge holder 71 having the operating rod 70 standing on the lower surface as shown in FIG. 8, the operating rod 70 contacts the inclined arm 66 and the cartridge 1 The convex portion (pressing member) 61 is inclined toward the valve body 65 together with the pressing. As a result, the valve body 65 is separated from the through hole 60, and the atmospheric communication recess 38 is opened to the atmosphere through the through hole 46, the groove 45, the through hole 44, the region 43, and the through hole 41 described above.
[0050]
When the cartridge holder 71 is pulled out, the arm 66 loses the support of the operating rod 70, so that the valve body 65 blocks the through hole 60 by the urging force of the leaf spring 62, and the ink containing area and the atmosphere are separated. Cut off communication. In the figure, reference numeral 72 denotes an ink supply needle for supplying ink to the ink jet recording head 73.
[0051]
In the state where all the members such as the valve are incorporated in the container main body 2 as described above, an airtight film is stuck on the surface so as to cover at least the region where the recess is formed. As a result, a capillary serving as an air communication path is formed on the surface side by the recess and the film.
[0052]
In addition, an airtight film 56 is attached to the opening of the container body 2 by heat welding or the like so as to be airtight with respect to each wall described above. Then, the lid 3 is placed on the top and fixed by welding or the like. Thereby, it seals so that the area | region divided by each wall may communicate only through a communicating port or opening.
[0053]
Further, the opening side of the valve accommodating chamber 8 is similarly sealed with an air-shielding film 56 ′ by heat welding, and the cartridge 1 is finished. By adopting a structure in which the ink containing area is sealed with the air-shielding film 56 or the like in this way, not only the container body 2 can be easily formed, but also the ink-swinging film 56 can prevent the ink from swinging due to the reciprocating movement of the carriage. It is possible to maintain the ink pressure as constant as possible by absorbing it by the film deformation.
[0054]
Next, an ink injection tube is inserted into the ink injection port 20, and sufficiently deaerated ink is injected with the air discharge port 21 opened. After the injection is completed, the ink injection port 20 and the air discharge port 21 are sealed with a film or a plug.
[0055]
Since the cartridge 1 configured as described above is stored after being disconnected from the atmosphere by a valve or the like, the degree of deaeration of the ink is sufficiently maintained.
[0056]
Then, when the cartridge 1 is loaded into the cartridge holder 71, the ink supply port 4 enters the position where the ink supply needle 72 is inserted, and the through hole 60 is opened by the operating rod 70 as described above, so that the ink containing area is set. The valve of the ink supply port 4 communicates with the atmosphere and is also opened by the ink supply needle 72.
[0057]
When the cartridge 1 is normally mounted on the cartridge holder 71, printing is performed and ink is consumed by the recording head 73, the pressure of the ink supply port 4 drops below a specified value. Is released. Further, when the pressure of the ink supply port 4 increases, the membrane valve 52 is closed. In this way, the ink maintained at a predetermined negative pressure flows into the recording head 73.
[0058]
When the consumption of ink in the recording head 73 proceeds, the ink in the first ink chamber 11 flows into the third ink chamber 16 through the communication channel 18. The bubbles that have flown here rise due to buoyancy, and only ink flows into the third ink chamber 17 via the lower communication port 15A.
[0059]
At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the ink that has passed through the communication port 15 </ b> A from the third ink chamber 16 flows along the inclined surface 7 </ b> A of the stirring member 7 while increasing the flow velocity, and flows upward while changing the direction. . Then, the flow is blocked by the arc-shaped wall 24 formed in the third ink chamber 17, and a vortex is generated in the third ink chamber 17 to stir the ink.
[0060]
Then, the stirred ink in the third ink chamber 17 passes through the communication port 26A of the wall 26 defining the filter housing chamber 34, passes through the fourth ink chamber 23, and flows into the ink flow path 28A.
[0061]
The ink that has flowed through the ink flow path 28 </ b> A flows into the ink circulation space 9. The ink that has passed through the ink circulation space 9 flows from the large circle side to the small circle side of the through hole 29, passes through the communication port 24 </ b> A, and flows into the upper portion of the filter housing chamber 34.
[0062]
Next, the ink flowing into the filter housing chamber 34 is filtered by the filter 55, passes through the through hole 25A, and flows into the differential pressure valve housing chamber 33. As described above, the ink is supplied at a predetermined negative pressure by the opening / closing operation of the membrane valve 52. It flows into the supply port 4.
[0063]
Here, since the first ink chamber 11 is communicated with the atmosphere via the atmosphere communication passages 13 and 13 ′ and the through hole 67 and is maintained at the atmospheric pressure, a negative pressure is generated and the ink flows. It will not interfere.
[0064]
Thus, in the cartridge 1, the stirring member 7 that stirs ink by changing the direction of the ink is provided on the downstream side of the communication port 15 </ b> A through which ink flows from the third ink chamber 16 toward the third ink chamber 17. Therefore, the ink in the cartridge 1 is automatically stirred when flowing through the communication port 15A. Therefore, unlike the prior art, ink sedimentation can be effectively prevented with a simple structure without complicating the structure of the ink storage unit and the recording apparatus itself and increasing the cost.
[0065]
10 and 11 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this example, an inclined surface 32 is formed on the bottom surface of the third ink chamber 17 with respect to the moving direction of the carriage 75 (arrow B in the figure). The inclined surface 32 is formed such that the inclination angle gradually increases toward the upper side.
[0066]
As a result, the ink that swings in the movement direction of the carriage 75 in the third ink chamber 17 as the carriage 75 reciprocates is caused to flow in the vertical direction along the inclined surface 32 to become a vortex, and automatically To be stirred. Further, since the inclined surface 32 is formed on the bottom surface of the third ink chamber 17, even if the ink in the third ink chamber 17 is reduced, it is effectively stirred. Other than that, it is the same as that of the said embodiment, and the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same part. This cartridge also has the same effects as the above embodiment.
[0067]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first ink storage tank of the present invention, the ink flow path portion is provided, and the ink is stirred by changing the direction of the ink flowing in the flow path portion in the vicinity of the flow path portion. Since the stirring member is provided, the ink in the ink storage tank is automatically stirred when flowing through the flow path portion. Therefore, unlike the prior art, ink sedimentation can be effectively prevented with a simple structure without complicating the structure of the ink storage unit and the recording apparatus itself and increasing the cost.
[0068]
According to the second ink storage tank of the present invention, since the inclined surface with respect to the carriage moving direction is formed in the ink chamber for storing ink, the carriage moves in the ink chamber as the carriage reciprocates. The ink that oscillates in the direction causes a flow in the vertical direction along the inclined surface, and is stirred automatically. Therefore, unlike the prior art, ink sedimentation can be effectively prevented with a simple structure without complicating the structure of the ink storage unit and the recording apparatus itself and increasing the cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of an ink cartridge to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the ink cartridge.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a state of an opening of a container body.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a peripheral structure of a stirring member.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a cross-sectional structure of the negative pressure generating means accommodating chamber.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing a cross-sectional structure of a valve accommodating chamber for air communication.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cartridge holder.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the ink cartridge.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an ink cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA showing the ink cartridge.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Ink cartridge
2 Container body
3 lid
4 Ink supply port
5,6 Locking member
7 Stirring member
8 Valve storage chamber
9 Ink distribution space
10 walls
11 First ink chamber
12 walls
13 Atmospheric communication passage
14 Frame-shaped part
14A top surface
15 walls
15A communication port
16 Second ink chamber
17 Third ink chamber
18 Communication channel
18A recess
19 Wall
19A, 19B Communication port
20 Ink inlet
21 Air outlet
22 Wall
23 4th ink chamber
24, 25 walls
25A ink distribution port
25B Valve seat
26, 27 division wall
26A, 27A Communication port
28 Ink flow path
29 Through hole
30 walls
30A recess
31 Filter mounting part
32 Inclined surface
33 Differential pressure valve storage chamber
34 Filter chamber
35 recess
36 narrow groove
37 groove
38 recess
39 Frame
40 ribs
41 Through hole
45 grooves
46 Through hole
47 Communication port
50 Spring
51 Through hole
52 Membrane valve
52A Thick part
52B, 53A Spring receiving part
53 lid
54 Frame
55 Filter
56,56 ', 57 Airtight film
60 Through hole
61 Pressing member
62 Elastic member
63, 64 protrusions
65 Disc
66 arm
66A Rotation fulcrum
66B Convex
67 through hole
70 working rod
71 Cartridge holder
72 Ink supply needle
73 Recording head
75 Carriage
76 Recording paper
77 Timing belt
78 Guide bar
79 Stepping motor

Claims (7)

An ink storage tank that stores ink supplied to a recording head that discharges ink droplets in response to a print signal, the ink storage tank including a flow path portion through which ink flows, and the flow path portion flowing in the vicinity of the flow path portion Stirring means for stirring the ink by changing the direction of the ink is provided,
The ink storage tank, wherein the agitation means is a protruding portion formed to protrude.   The ink storage tank according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of ink chambers, wherein a stirring unit is provided in the vicinity of a flow path portion communicating from the upstream ink chamber to the downstream ink chamber.   The ink storage tank according to claim 2, wherein the stirring means is provided on the downstream side of the flow path.   The ink storage tank according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the downstream opening area of the flow path portion is set to be smaller than the upstream opening area.   The ink storage tank according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the agitation means has an inclined surface so that ink flows upward from below the ink storage tank in use.   The ink storage tank according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the agitation unit has an inclined surface that gradually increases in inclination angle toward the upper side so as to generate a vortex of ink in the ink chamber on the downstream side. . An ink storage tank that stores ink supplied to a recording head that is mounted on a carriage that reciprocates along a recording medium and that discharges ink droplets in response to a print signal. The carriage is disposed in an ink chamber that stores ink. An inclined surface with respect to the moving direction of is formed,
The inclined surface is formed on the bottom surface of the ink chamber;
An ink storage tank, wherein the inclined surface gradually increases in inclination angle toward the upper side.

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