JP3959072B2 - ink cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink cartridge for supplying ink to an ink jet printer, and more particularly to an ink cartridge capable of adjusting the pressure of an ink storage chamber.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet printer having a structure in which an ink cartridge is attached to a printer body in order to supply ink to a recording head of an ink jet printer is known. The ink cartridge includes at least an ink storage chamber for storing ink and an ink supply port serving as an ink outlet.

Since the ink is a liquid and the ink storage chamber and the ink supply port communicate with each other, the ink leaks from the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is not attached to the printer body as it is. In order to prevent this, an ink cartridge is known that supplies ink by providing a movable film that operates in accordance with a differential pressure generated in accordance with the use of ink, in which the ink containing chamber is in a minute negative pressure state. In this case, it is configured such that air is guided into the ink containing chamber through the air communication hole according to the use of the ink. As an ink cartridge having such a structure, for example, there is an ink cartridge described in Patent Document 1.
No. 00/003877

However, the conventional ink cartridge has the following problems.
In the conventional ink cartridge, since the ink supply unit is provided with a movable film to adjust the ink supply, air may not be properly guided into the ink storage chamber, and thus the negative pressure in the ink storage chamber may fluctuate. was there. That is, the negative pressure in the ink containing chamber was unstable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an ink cartridge capable of generating a stable negative pressure in an ink containing chamber.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an ink cartridge according to the present invention includes a container body formed in a box shape, an ink storage chamber for storing ink, and an ink in the ink storage chamber protruding from a lower surface portion of the container body. In an ink cartridge comprising an ink supply unit that supplies ink from an ink supply hole provided to the outside, and a pressure adjustment unit that adjusts the internal pressure by communicating the ink storage chamber with the atmosphere.
The ink storage chamber, at the inclined shape formed in the partition plate, to have a upper ink storage chamber is divided into upper and lower indoor in a state in which the ink supply hole is oriented vertically downwards and a lower ink storage chamber At the same time, the upper ink storage chamber is provided with a suction pipe that sucks up ink from the bottom of the lower ink storage chamber.
The ink supply unit includes an ink suction pipe that sucks ink from the lowermost part of the upper ink storage chamber, and the ink supply hole that is continuous with the ink suction pipe.
The pressure adjusting unit includes an air communication hole provided on an upper surface that is a surface opposite to a lower surface part on which the ink supply hole of the container main body is provided, and extends from the air communication hole along a peripheral edge of the ink storage chamber. An air introduction pipe for introducing air, and a pressure adjustment chamber communicating with the air introduction pipe and the lower ink storage chamber,
The pressure adjusting chamber is internally provided with a deformable movable film toward the ink chamber side with partitioning between the air inlet tube side and the ink chamber side, the movable Domaku is the air inlet pipe side in the central portion an ink accommodating chamber side has a communicating venting section and said air by vent portion is pressed against the surface to be formed into biased the air inlet pipe side in the air introducing pipe side by an elastic body When the inlet tube side and the ink storage chamber side are shut off and the pressure on the ink storage chamber side decreases as the ink is used, the movable film is deformed to the ink storage chamber side against the urging by the elastic body. In addition, the air introduction part is communicated with the ink storage chamber side by separating the ventilation part from the surface formed on the air introduction pipe side .

  In the ink cartridge according to the present invention, the pressure adjustment chamber includes a cover body on the air introduction tube side, the cover body constitutes a surface of the container body, and the air introduction tube and the pressure adjustment chamber are provided. It has the characteristic that it has an air communication part to communicate.

The ink cartridge according to the present invention, the partition plate one side surface substantially triangular prism shape from the intermediate position are formed in the downward inclined leading near the lower end of the other side of the lower ink containing chamber of the container body It is configured as a feature.

  Furthermore, the ink cartridge according to the present invention is characterized in that the air introduction tube is provided over the entire length of the upper peripheral edge of the ink storage chamber.

According to the ink cartridge of the present invention, the pressure adjusting portion of the container body includes the pressure adjusting chamber that communicates with the air communication hole, and the pressure adjusting chamber internally separates the air introduction tube side from the ink containing chamber side. The movable membrane has a ventilation portion that allows the air introduction tube side and the ink storage chamber side to communicate with each other , and the ventilation portion is urged to the air introduction tube side by an elastic body and is formed on a surface formed on the air introduction tube side. When the pressure is contacted, the air introduction tube side and the ink storage chamber side are cut off and the pressure on the ink storage chamber side decreases as the ink is used. By connecting the air introduction tube side and the ink storage chamber side by separating the ventilation portion from the surface formed on the air introduction tube side, the air can be reliably supplied from the atmosphere according to the pressure fluctuation in the ink storage chamber. So that a stable negative pressure It can be generated in the room. In addition, the partition plate that separates the upper ink storage chamber from the lower ink storage chamber is formed in an inclined shape, and the inlet of the ink supply section is formed at the lowermost portion thereof, so that the ink remaining amount is reduced. In addition, the ink can be stably supplied to the ink supply unit.

  Further, according to the ink cartridge of the present invention, the pressure adjustment chamber includes the cover body on the side of the air introduction pipe, and the cover body constitutes the surface of the container main body, and the air communicating the air introduction pipe and the pressure adjustment chamber. By having the communication portion, the pressure adjusting chamber disposed inside the container body can be easily manufactured and assembled.

Furthermore, according to the ink cartridge according to the present invention, the partition plate is substantially triangular prism shape of the lower ink storage chamber is formed from an intermediate position of one side of the container body down inclined leading near the lower end of the other side As a result, the lowermost end portion of the partition plate is in the vicinity of the lower end portion of the lower ink storage chamber, so that the inlet of the ink supply portion is formed at the lowermost portion of the ink storage chamber, so that the ink in the ink storage chamber is discharged. Almost all can be used.

  Furthermore, according to the ink cartridge of the present invention, the air introduction tube is provided over the entire length of the upper peripheral edge of the ink storage chamber, thereby increasing the distance from the air communication hole to the pressure adjustment chamber. Thus, pressure fluctuations in the pressure regulation chamber due to air pressure fluctuations can be suppressed.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of an ink cartridge in the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing an internal structure of the ink cartridge. In FIG. 2, the handle body 40 and the engaging portion 5 provided outside the container main body 1 appearing in FIG. 1 are omitted.

  As shown in these drawings, the ink cartridge according to the present embodiment includes an ink storage chamber 2 that stores ink in a container body 1 that is formed in a box shape, and ink that supplies ink in the ink storage chamber 2 to the outside. The supply unit 3 is formed. Further, the container body 1 is provided with a pressure adjusting unit 4 that allows the ink containing chamber 2 to communicate with the atmosphere and adjust the internal pressure thereof. Further, a handle body 30 for holding or hanging the ink cartridge by hand is provided on one side surface of the container body 1.

  First, the outer shape of the ink cartridge will be described. The container body 1 is formed in a thin box shape as described above, and includes an engaging portion 5 that is engaged with a holder of the ink jet printer body on one side as shown in FIG. Moreover, the insertion part 6 protrudes in the side surface facing the surface provided with the engaging part 5, and the handle body 40 is inserted in this insertion part 6, and is fixed.

  The handle body 40 is attached to one side upper end portion of the container main body 1 and includes a main body portion 41 formed in a loop shape and a hanging piece 43 extending downward from the lower end of the main body portion 41. Yes. On the other hand, the insertion part 6 is formed in the one side upper end part of the container main body 1, The inside is made into the hollow shape.

  The handle body 40 is attached and fixed to the insertion portion 6 of the container body 1 by being inserted from above. Since the handle body 40 is detachable as described above, the ink cartridge can be attached to the container body 1 as needed when the ink cartridge is suspended or fixed to the holder.

  The drooping piece 42 is formed in an inclined shape so as to approach the container main body 1 downward from the lower end of the main body portion 41, and is formed so that the lower end thereof is disposed at a position close to the container main body 1. As a result, when the ink cartridge is hung by the main body 41, it is possible to make it difficult for the handle body 40 to come off due to an impact during transportation or the like.

  Further, a protrusion 42a is formed on the outside of the lower end portion of the hanging piece 42 to be engaged with and fixed to the holder when the ink cartridge is attached to the holder of the ink jet printer main body. Since the main body 41 has elasticity by being formed in a loop shape, the hanging piece 42 continuous from the main body 41 can also be elastically displaced in a direction approaching or moving away from the container main body 1. By this elastic displacement, the ink cartridge is securely fixed to the holder.

  Next, the internal structure of the ink cartridge will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, inside the container main body 1, an ink storage chamber 2 that stores ink, an ink supply unit 3 that supplies ink to the outside from the ink storage chamber 2, and an ink supply to the ink storage chamber 2. A pressure adjusting unit 4 that takes in air from the atmosphere and supplies it according to use is formed.

The ink storage chamber 2 is formed so as to occupy most of the area inside the container main body 1, and the two chambers, the upper ink storage chamber 10 and the lower ink storage chamber 11, have the ink supply holes 34 facing vertically downward. Provided in the upper and lower portions of the container body 1 in the state of being present . These two rooms are separated by a partition plate 13 that traverses the room. The partition plate 13 is formed in an inclined shape. Therefore, the upper ink storage chamber 10 has a substantially trapezoidal shape , and the lower ink storage chamber 11 has a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape. Further , an opening 12 a is provided at the lowermost portion of the lower ink storage chamber 11, and a suction pipe 12 that sucks up ink from the opening 12 a is formed therein.

The ink supply unit 3 includes an ink suction pipe 30 that sucks up ink from the bottom of the upper ink storage chamber 10, an ink supply pipe 31 that is continuous with the ink suction pipe 30 and communicates with the outside of the container body 1, ink The ink supply hole 34 is continuous with the supply pipe 31 and protrudes from the lower surface of the container body 1.

  Since the partition plate 13 of the ink storage chamber 2 is formed in an inclined shape, the lowermost portion of the upper ink storage chamber 10 where the inlet of the ink suction pipe 30 is disposed is located near the lowermost portion of the ink storage chamber 2. It will be. The ink supply unit 3 sucks ink from the lowermost portion of the upper ink storage chamber 10 by the ink suction tube 30 and supplies the ink to the outside of the container body 1 through the ink supply tube 31.

  The pressure adjusting unit 4 includes an atmosphere communication hole 20 that communicates with the atmosphere, an air introduction pipe 21 that guides air taken from the atmosphere communication hole 20 along the peripheral edge of the ink storage chamber 2, and a communication with the air introduction pipe 21. The pressure adjusting chamber 23 has a valve function that opens and closes in response to pressure fluctuations.

  The air communication hole 20 is formed in the vicinity of the end in the longitudinal direction on the upper surface of the container body 1. The air introduction tube 21 is formed in a substantially L shape at the peripheral edge from the upper surface to the side surface of the ink storage chamber 2, and communicates with the pressure adjustment chamber 23 at the end opposite to the air communication hole 20. An air introduction hole 22 is formed. Thus, by providing a distance between the air communication hole 20 and the air introduction hole 22, the pressure fluctuation can be reduced.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. As shown in this figure, the pressure adjusting chamber 23 is formed as a cylindrical space enclosed in the ink containing chamber 2 from the side surface of the container body 1. An air communication portion 24 a that guides air from the air introduction hole 22 into the pressure adjustment chamber 23 is formed on the side surface side of the container body 1, and the lower ink is disposed on the bottom surface of the pressure adjustment chamber 23 that faces the side surface of the container body 1. An ink communication hole 27 communicating with the storage chamber 11 is formed.

  In addition, a movable film 25 is provided in the pressure adjustment chamber 23, and the pressure adjustment chamber 23 is divided into an air introduction tube 21 side and an ink storage chamber 2 side. The movable film 25 is made of a soft resin material, is formed in a substantially disk shape, and can be easily deformed. In addition, a vent portion 25a is formed at the center, and a vent hole 25b penetrating in the thickness direction is provided.

  In the pressure adjusting chamber 23, a step portion 23 a is formed at an intermediate position in the inner and outer direction of the container body 1 over the entire circumference. The movable film 25 is attached to the pressure adjusting chamber 23 by the peripheral edge portion engaging the stepped portion 23a. In addition, a cylindrical protrusion 23b is formed on the bottom surface of the pressure adjustment chamber 23, and a spring 26, which is an elastic body, is attached to the protrusion 23b. One end of the spring 26 is in contact with the bottom surface of the pressure adjusting chamber 23, and the other end is in contact with the ventilation portion 25 a of the movable film 25, and urges the movable film 25 toward the air introduction pipe 21.

  Further, a cover body 24 constituting the surface of the container body 1 in the pressure adjustment chamber 23 is provided so as to substantially cover the pressure adjustment chamber 23. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the pressure adjustment chamber 23 of the ink cartridge. As shown in this figure, the cover body 24 is formed in a substantially disk shape like the movable film 25, and has an air communication portion 24a for communicating the air introduction tube 21 and the pressure adjusting chamber 23 on the surface thereof. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ventilation portion 25 a of the movable film 25 urged by the spring 26 is pressed against the cover body 24, so that the ventilation hole 25 b is blocked, and the air introduction pipe is formed in the pressure adjustment chamber 23. The 21 side and the ink containing chamber 2 side are blocked. In this state, the air introduction pipe 21 side of the pressure adjusting chamber 23 from the movable film 25 is in a state of communicating with the atmosphere communication hole 20 and therefore is filled with air having the same pressure as the atmospheric pressure. On the other hand, the ink containing chamber 2 side of the pressure adjusting chamber 23 with respect to the movable film 25 is in a state communicating with the ink containing chamber 2, so that the ink in a negative pressure state is filled with respect to the atmospheric pressure.

  Accordingly, the pressures on both sides of the movable film 25 are different, and the pressure is higher on the air introduction tube 21 side. However, as described above, the movable film 25 is urged toward the air introduction tube 21 by the spring 26, and the ventilation portion 25 a of the movable film 25 is formed on the cover body 24 under a pressure difference when ink is not used. The pressure contact state is maintained.

When ink is used, the pressure of the ink in the ink storage chamber 2 decreases accordingly. Accordingly, the pressure difference between the air introduction tube 21 side and the ink storage chamber 2 side in the pressure adjustment chamber 23 becomes large. When this pressure difference becomes large enough to oppose the urging force of the spring 26, the movable film 25 bends toward the ink storage chamber 2 with the central portion as the center. That is, the ventilation portion 25a of the movable film 25 is separated from the cover body 24, and the air introduction tube 21 side and the ink storage chamber 2 side of the pressure adjustment chamber 23 are in communication with each other.

  When the communicating portion 24a of the movable film 25 is opened, air is sent from the high pressure air introduction tube 21 side to the low pressure ink storage chamber 2 side. When air is sent in, the pressure in the ink storage chamber 2 increases and the pressure difference in the pressure adjustment chamber 23 decreases. Then, the movable film 25 is restored from the bent state, and the communication portion 24a comes into contact with the cover body 24 and returns to the original state.

  The movable film 25 is repeatedly opened and closed as the ink in the ink storage chamber 2 is used, and is adjusted so as to keep the pressure in the ink storage chamber 2 constant. Thus, the movable film 25 has a function as a valve for supplying air as the pressure in the ink storage chamber 2 decreases, so that air can be reliably supplied into the ink storage chamber 2, and the ink storage The negative pressure in the chamber 2 can be stabilized.

  Since the lower ink storage chamber 11 communicates with the pressure adjustment chamber 23 via the ink communication hole 27 as shown in FIG. 2, air is first supplied to the lower ink storage chamber 11 when ink is used. When all the ink in the lower ink storage chamber 11 is used, air is also supplied to the upper ink storage chamber 10 via the suction pipe 30. That is, the liquid level in the upper ink storage chamber 10 decreases with the use of ink.

  When ink is further used, the ink level reaches the position of the partition plate 13. The partition plate 13 is formed in an inclined shape, and the inlet of the ink suction pipe 30 is disposed at the lowermost part of the partition plate 13, so that the liquid level is stably secured even when the remaining ink is low, and the ink is supplied. It can be carried out.

  FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge viewed from an angle different from that in FIG. As shown in this figure, a supply valve 33 is provided in the ink supply port 34 of the ink supply unit 3. The supply valve 33 incorporates a spring 32 and a movable portion 33a urged toward the opening by the spring 32. Normally, the movable portion 33a closes the supply valve 33. By attaching the ink cartridge to the holder of the printer main body, the movable portion 33 a is pushed into the container main body 1 against the biasing force of the spring 32, and communicates with the ink storage chamber 2.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the application of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and can be variously applied within the scope of the technical idea.

It is a front view of the ink cartridge in this embodiment. It is a front view showing an internal structure of the ink cartridge. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an ink cartridge. FIG. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge viewed from another angle.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container main body 2 Ink storage chamber 3 Ink supply part 4 Pressure adjustment part 10 Upper ink storage chamber 11 Lower ink storage chamber 12 Suction pipe 13 Partition plate 20 Atmospheric communication hole 21 Air introduction pipe 22 Air introduction hole 23 Pressure adjustment chamber 24 Cover Body 24a Air communication part 25 Movable membrane 25a Ventilation part 25b Vent hole 26 Spring 27 Ink communication hole 30 Ink suction pipe 31 Ink supply pipe 40 Handle part

Claims (4)

An ink storage chamber for storing ink in a container body formed in a box shape, and an ink supply section for supplying the ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside from an ink supply hole provided to protrude from the lower surface portion of the container body ; In an ink cartridge including a pressure adjusting unit that adjusts an internal pressure by communicating the ink containing chamber with the atmosphere,
The ink storage chamber, at the inclined shape formed in the partition plate, to have a upper ink storage chamber is divided into upper and lower indoor in a state in which the ink supply hole is oriented vertically downwards and a lower ink storage chamber At the same time, the upper ink storage chamber is provided with a suction pipe that sucks up ink from the bottom of the lower ink storage chamber.
The ink supply unit includes an ink suction pipe that sucks ink from the lowermost part of the upper ink storage chamber, and the ink supply hole that is continuous with the ink suction pipe.
The pressure adjusting unit includes an air communication hole provided on an upper surface that is a surface opposite to a lower surface part on which the ink supply hole of the container main body is provided, and extends from the air communication hole along a peripheral edge of the ink storage chamber. An air introduction pipe for introducing air, and a pressure adjustment chamber communicating with the air introduction pipe and the lower ink storage chamber,
The pressure adjusting chamber is internally provided with a deformable movable film toward the ink chamber side with partitioning between the air inlet tube side and the ink chamber side, the movable Domaku is the air inlet pipe side in the central portion an ink accommodating chamber side has a communicating venting section and said air by vent portion is pressed against the surface to be formed into biased the air inlet pipe side in the air introducing pipe side by an elastic body When the inlet tube side and the ink storage chamber side are shut off and the pressure on the ink storage chamber side decreases as the ink is used, the movable film is deformed to the ink storage chamber side against the urging by the elastic body. The ink cartridge is characterized in that the air introduction tube side and the ink storage chamber side are communicated with each other by separating the ventilation portion from a surface formed on the air introduction tube side .   The pressure adjustment chamber includes a cover body on the air introduction pipe side, and the cover body constitutes the surface of the container main body and has an air communication portion for communicating the air introduction pipe and the pressure adjustment chamber. The ink cartridge according to claim 1. Claim the partition plate is characterized in that the one formed from the intermediate position of the side surface in the downward inclined leading near the lower end of the other side by a substantially triangular prism shape the lower ink containing chamber of the container main body 1 Or the ink cartridge of 2.   The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the air introduction tube is provided over the entire length of the upper peripheral edge of the ink storage chamber.

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