JP4389233B2 - Liquid container - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container for storing a liquid to be supplied to a liquid consuming apparatus such as an ink jet recording apparatus.

  A typical example of a conventional liquid consuming apparatus is a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid droplets from an ejecting head. A typical example of the liquid ejecting apparatus is an ink jet recording apparatus that includes an ink jet recording head for image recording. There is. As other liquid ejecting apparatuses, for example, an apparatus having a color material ejecting head used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, an electrode material (conductive paste) used for forming an electrode such as an organic EL display, a surface emitting display (FED), etc. ) An apparatus equipped with an ejection head, an apparatus equipped with a bioorganic matter ejection head used for biochip production, an apparatus equipped with a sample ejection head as a precision pipette, and the like.

  An ink jet recording apparatus, which is a typical example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, is used for many printing including color printing in recent years because noise during printing is relatively low and small dots can be formed with high density. .

  As a liquid supply method for a liquid consumption device represented by an ink jet recording apparatus, there is a method for supplying a liquid from a liquid container storing the liquid to the liquid consumption device. In this system, the liquid container is configured as a cartridge configured to be detachable from the liquid consuming device so that the user can easily replace the liquid container when the liquid in the liquid container is consumed. It is common.

  As a conventional example of such a cartridge-type liquid container, the liquid in the liquid container is pressurized by sending compressed air into the liquid container, and the liquid in the liquid container is sent out of the cartridge using this pressure. Then, there is a type that supplies liquid consumption devices. By pressurizing the liquid in the liquid container and supplying it to the liquid consuming device in this way, for example, when the liquid ejecting unit in the liquid consuming device is higher than the position of the liquid container, or the flow path from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting unit Even when the resistance is high, the liquid can be stably supplied from the liquid container to the liquid ejection unit.

Patent Document 1 listed below describes an ink cartridge of a type that sends compressed air to an internal flexible bag and an ink jet printer to which the ink cartridge is mounted, and a pressure sensor is connected to a pressure pump for pressurizing air. ing. Ink supply is controlled by controlling the pressure pump in accordance with the output of the pressure sensor.
US Pat. No. 6,290,343

  As described above, in the ink cartridge and the ink jet printer described in Patent Document 1, the ink supply is controlled based on the operation of the pressure pump. For this reason, for example, even when the ink cartridge is not properly mounted on the ink jet printer, and the ink is not supplied to the ink jet printer even though the pressure pump is operating, the operation of the pressure pump is not performed. As long as the pressure sensor detects this, it is mistaken that ink is being supplied.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and is a liquid container configured so that a liquid inside a container is sent to the outside by feeding a pressurized fluid into the liquid container. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid container capable of determining whether or not an internal liquid is actually pressurized by a pressurized fluid.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a liquid container that stores therein a liquid to be supplied to a liquid consuming device, a container main body having a liquid delivery port for sending the liquid to the liquid consuming device; A first storage chamber formed in the container body, storing the liquid, a first pressurizing unit capable of pressurizing the liquid in the first storage chamber, and formed in the container body; When the liquid in the first storage chamber is pressurized by the first pressurizing unit in a state where the liquid exists in the first storage chamber and communicates with the first storage chamber and the liquid delivery port, A second storage chamber in which the liquid flows in from the first storage chamber and increases in volume; a pressing member for pressurizing the liquid flowing into the second storage chamber; and a compression spring that biases the pressing member. 2 pressurizing means, The second pressurizing means, in which the pressing member is displaced against the pressing force of the compression spring in accordance with the increase in the amount of liquid in the second storage chamber, the movable body terminal and the fixed side provided in the container body When the liquid flows from the first storage chamber into the second storage chamber and the amount of liquid in the second storage chamber becomes a predetermined value or more, the compression spring includes a contact type switch including a terminal. The movable-side terminal is pulled away from the fixed-side terminal by the pressing member displaced against the pressing force, so that the contact-type switch is switched from on to off, and the contact-type switch is turned on / off. Detecting means for changing an output signal, wherein the pressure applied to the liquid in the first storage chamber by the first pressurizing means is P1, and the liquid in the second storage chamber is applied to the liquid by the second pressurizing means. Added When the pressure is P2, P1> P2, and when the contact type switch of the detection unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the first pressurizing unit is the first pressurizing unit. When the liquid in one storage chamber is pressurized, the movable terminal is pulled off from the fixed terminal and turned off, while when the pressurizing means does not pressurize the liquid in the first storage chamber When the contact state between the movable side terminal and the fixed side terminal is maintained and is turned on, and the remaining amount of the liquid in the first storage chamber is less than a predetermined value, the first pressurizing means performs the first storage. The liquid in the first storage chamber is turned on by maintaining the contact state between the movable side terminal and the fixed side terminal both when the liquid in the chamber is pressurized and when it is not pressurized. It is determined whether the remaining amount is less than a predetermined value, and the first pressurizing means The first storage chamber is configured to be pressurized by the pressure of the pressurized fluid introduced into the container body, which is different from the liquid stored in the first storage chamber. The inlet for introducing the pressurized fluid therein is formed on the same surface as the surface on which the liquid delivery port is formed, and at least a part of the first pressurizing means is the first possible. The pressurizing chamber is made of a flexible film and has a pressurizing chamber capable of changing its volume under the pressure of the pressurizing fluid, and the first storage chamber is configured to be pressurized by changing the volume of the pressurizing chamber. And the first flexible film has at least a part of an inlet side film member that deforms in contact with the pressurized fluid introduced into the container body and a wall that forms the first storage chamber. Configured and pressed by deformation of the inlet port side film member And a storage chamber-side film member that deforms and further includes storage means for storing the liquid storage amount inside the container body, and the data relating to the liquid storage amount stored in the storage means is When the output signal of the detection means changes in a state in which the liquid is being delivered from the liquid delivery port to the liquid consumption device, the predetermined amount is rewritten to a predetermined amount, and the predetermined amount is determined at the design stage of the liquid container. The remaining amount of liquid in the container body when the output signal changes, and the remaining amount of liquid as the predetermined amount is stored in the storage means .

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a reference example of the present invention is a liquid container that stores therein a liquid to be supplied to a liquid consuming device, and a container main body having a liquid delivery port for delivering the liquid to the outside; A first storage chamber formed in the container body, storing the liquid, a first pressurizing unit capable of pressurizing the liquid in the first storage chamber, and formed in the container body; A second storage chamber communicating with the first storage chamber and the liquid delivery port, wherein the pressure in the first storage chamber is transmitted to the liquid inside through the liquid; and the second storage chamber A second pressurizing means for pressurizing the liquid in the chamber and delivering it from the liquid delivery port; and an output signal that changes in response to a change in the pressure of the liquid in the second storage chamber. Detecting means for performing, by the first pressurizing means The pressure applied to the liquid in the first storage chamber is P1, the pressure applied to the liquid in the second storage chamber by the second pressurizing means is P2, and the liquid flow path from the liquid container to the liquid consuming device When the pressure loss in P is P3, P1> P2> P3.

  In the above reference example, preferably, when the pressure of the liquid in the second storage chamber is P, the output signal of the detection means varies depending on whether P> P2 or P <P2.

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes a storage unit that stores a liquid storage amount inside the container body, and the data relating to the liquid storage amount stored in the storage unit changes an output signal of the detection unit. It is rewritten to a predetermined amount at the time.

  Preferably, the first pressurizing means is configured to pressurize the first storage chamber by the pressure of a pressurized fluid introduced into the container body.

  Preferably, the first pressurizing unit includes a pressurizing chamber which is at least partially configured by a first flexible film and has a volume changeable by receiving the pressure of the pressurized fluid. The first storage chamber is configured to be pressurized by the volume change of the chamber.

  Preferably, the first flexible film includes an inlet-side film member that deforms in contact with the pressurized fluid introduced into the container body, and a wall that forms the first storage chamber. A storage chamber-side film member that constitutes at least a portion and is pressed and deformed by deformation of the introduction port-side film member.

  Preferably, P1 is a pressure loss due to a reaction force when the first flexible film is deformed, and P1 ′ is a pressure of the pressurized fluid introduced into the container body. = P1> P2.

  Preferably, the second storage chamber is configured such that the volume thereof changes in accordance with a change in pressure of the liquid inside the second storage chamber, and the output signal of the detection means is a change in volume of the second storage chamber. It changes according to.

  Preferably, the second pressurizing unit is directed to a direction in which the second flexible film constituting at least a part of the wall forming the second storage chamber and the volume of the second storage chamber are reduced. And a pressing member that presses the second flexible film.

  Preferably, P1> P2 ′, where P5 is a pressure loss due to a reaction force when the second flexible film is deformed and P2 ′ is a pressure applied from the pressing member to the second flexible film. + P5, P2′−P5 = P2> P.

  Preferably, the pressure P2 applied to the liquid in the second storage chamber by the second pressurizing unit is P2-MAX˜ in accordance with the amount of the liquid stored in the second storage chamber. It varies between P2-MIN, and P1> P2-MAX> P2-MIN> P3.

  Preferably, the second pressurizing means has a compression spring that generates a force for pressurizing the liquid in the second storage chamber.

  Preferably, P1> P2> P3-P7, where P7 is a water head difference of the liquid container with respect to the liquid ejection unit of the liquid consuming apparatus.

  Preferably, the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber communicate with each other through a narrow communication path.

  Preferably, the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are integrally formed without a narrow channel between them.

  Preferably, the pressurized fluid is supplied from the liquid consuming device.

  Preferably, the liquid consuming device is an ink jet recording device, and the liquid container is an ink cartridge that is detachably attached to the ink jet recording device.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the liquid container configured to send the liquid inside the container to the outside by feeding the pressurized fluid into the liquid container, the liquid inside the liquid container It can be determined whether or not the pressurized fluid is actually pressurized, and the liquid in the second storage chamber can be used up.

  Hereinafter, an ink cartridge for an ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings as an embodiment of a liquid container according to the present invention.

  1 and 2 are views showing the appearance of the ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment, FIGS. 3 and 4 are exploded perspective views of the ink cartridge 1, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge 1 and its exploded view. FIG.

  The ink cartridge 1 has a container body 2, and the container body 2 includes a first case member 2A, a second case member 2B, and a third case member 2C. As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of heat caulking ribs 3 are formed on the peripheral edge portion of the second case member 2B, and these heat caulking ribs 3 are formed on the first case member 2A and the third case member 2C. Inserted into the plurality of through-holes 4, 5, and heat caulked. Accordingly, the first case member 2A is sandwiched between the second case member 2B and the third case member 2C, and these three case members 2A, 2B, and 2C are integrated.

  As shown in FIG. 1C, the container body 2 is provided with an ink delivery port 6 for delivering the ink inside the container body 2 to the outside. As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, the ink outlet 6 is formed in the first case member 2 </ b> A.

  A compressed air introduction port 7 for introducing compressed air into the container body 2 is formed on the same surface as the surface on which the ink delivery port 6 is formed. The compressed air introduction port 7 is formed in the second case member 2B.

  Further, an ink injection port 8 for filling ink when the ink cartridge 1 is manufactured is formed on the same surface as the surface on which the ink delivery port 6 is formed. The ink injection port 8 is formed in the first case member 2A.

  Further, an erroneous attachment prevention block 9 is provided at one corner of the container body 2 including the same surface as the surface on which the ink delivery port 6, the compressed air introduction port 7, and the ink injection port 8 are formed. This erroneous mounting prevention block 9 is designed to prevent the ink cartridge 1 of the correct ink type from being mounted correctly at a predetermined position when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus. A shape other than the cartridge 1 is provided so that it cannot be mounted.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a bottom film 10 is provided between the third case member 2C and the first case member 2A. The bottom film 10 liquid-tightly seals the openings on the bottom surface side of the ink chamber through holes 11 and the sensor chamber through holes 12 formed in the first case member 2A.

  Between the first case member 2A and the second case member 2B, a flexible ink chamber film 13A, a flexible sensor chamber film 13B, and a flexible pressure chamber film 14 are provided. Is provided. The ink chamber film 13A and the sensor chamber film 13B are integrally formed of a single film. The ink chamber film 13A and the sensor chamber film 13B liquid-tightly seal the openings on the upper surface side of the ink chamber through holes 11 and the sensor chamber through holes 12 formed in the first case member 2A. . Further, the pressurizing chamber film 14 hermetically seals the opening of the pressurizing chamber recess 15 formed in the second case member 2B.

  Next, the detection means 16 disposed inside the ink cartridge 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The detection means 16 has an output signal that changes in accordance with a change in the pressure of the ink in the container body 2 that changes depending on whether or not the pressure of the compressed air is actually applied.

  The detection means 16 includes a spring seat member 17 having an outer diameter shape that can be movably inserted into the sensor chamber through-hole 12 formed in the first case member 2A. Through the through hole 17a, the guide projection 18 formed on the second case member 2B is movably mounted. A compression spring 19 is provided between the spring seat member 17 and the second case member 2B, and the spring seat member 17 is urged away from the second case member 2B by the spring force of the compression spring 19. Yes.

  The spring seat member 17 and the compression spring 19 constitute a part of the detecting means 16 and at the same time constitute a pressurizing means for pressurizing ink inside a sensor chamber 42 (FIG. 12) described later. By urging the spring seat member 17 with the compression spring 19 in this way, the pressurizing means can be configured with a simple mechanism.

  The detecting means 16 includes a contact switch 20 that opens and closes by pressure applied from compressed air to the ink in the container body 2. The contact switch 20 includes a movable terminal 20A that is displaced by pressure applied to the ink in the container body 2 from compressed air, and a fixed terminal 20B that is disposed opposite the movable terminal 20A.

  An IC substrate 21 is disposed adjacent to the contact switch 20 on the inner wall surface of the second case member 2B, and the IC substrate 21 is fixed by heat caulking with a fixing rib 22. The IC substrate 21 has each contact 23 with which the movable side terminal 20A and the fixed side terminal 20B come into contact, and each of the movable side terminal 20A and the fixed side terminal 20B formed of a leaf spring member has each contact point by the spring force. 23.

  In addition, the IC substrate 21 includes an antenna member 24, and information is transmitted between the ink jet recording apparatus and the IC substrate 21 in a non-contact manner by the antenna member 24.

  The compressed air inlet 7 formed in the second case member 2 </ b> B communicates with the pressurizing chamber recess 15 via the air flow path 25.

  Moreover, in FIG. 6, the code | symbol 26 shows a film welding part, The film 14 for pressurization chambers is airtightly joined to this film welding part 26. FIG.

  A pressurizing unit is configured by the second case member 2B, the detection means 16, the pressurizing chamber film 14, and the like.

  9 and 10 are enlarged perspective views of the first case member 2A. As shown in FIG. 9, the first case member 2A has a fixing hole 27 for fixing the erroneous mounting prevention block 9. As shown in FIG. It has been drilled. As shown in FIG. 10, a seal rubber 28 is attached to the ink delivery port 6, and a valve body 29 is inserted inside the ink delivery port 6.

  Further, a filter 30 and a check valve 31 are provided in the middle of the passage connecting the ink delivery port 6 and the sensor chamber through-hole 12. In addition, the ink injection port 8 formed in the first case member 2 </ b> A communicates with the ink chamber through-hole 11 through the ink injection channel 32. Further, the ink chamber through hole 11 and the sensor chamber through hole 12 communicate with each other through a narrow communication path 35.

  In FIG. 9, reference numerals 33A and 33B denote film welds, and the ink chamber film 13A and the sensor chamber film 13B are liquid-tightly joined to the film weld 33A and the film weld 33B, respectively.

  In FIG. 10, reference numerals 36 </ b> A and 36 </ b> B denote film welds, and the bottom film 10 is liquid-tightly joined to the film welds 36 </ b> A and 36 </ b> B.

  Further, in FIG. 10, reference numeral 34 denotes a seal portion. In the seal portion 34, the ink injection channel 32 is sealed after the container body 2 is filled with ink.

  A tank unit is configured by the first case member 2A, the ink chamber film 13A, the sensor chamber film 13B, and the like.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a state where the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 11, the compressed air from the pressure pump 101 of the ink jet recording apparatus 100 is introduced into the ink cartridge 1 through the compressed air introduction port 7. As a result, ink is delivered from the ink delivery port 6 of the ink cartridge 1 and supplied to the recording head 102 of the ink jet recording apparatus 100. By supplying compressed air from the ink jet recording apparatus 100, the ink cartridge 1 can be reduced in size and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  An antenna 103 is also provided on the ink jet recording apparatus 100 side adjacent to the antenna 24 provided inside the ink cartridge 1. The output signal of the detection means 16 provided inside the ink cartridge 1 is transmitted from the antenna 24 in the ink cartridge 1 to the antenna 103 on the ink jet recording apparatus 100 side without contact. The detection signal of the detection means 16 received by the antenna 103 is sent to the control unit 104 of the ink jet recording apparatus 100. The control unit 104 controls the driving mechanism 105 such as the pressure pump 101, the recording head 102, and the carriage.

  The IC substrate 21 provided inside the ink cartridge 1 has a function of storing information related to the ink in the ink cartridge 1, and the antenna 24 on the ink cartridge 1 side to the antenna on the ink jet recording apparatus 100 side. Information about the ink stored in the IC substrate 21 is transmitted to the signal 103 together with the detection signal of the detection means 16. As information stored in the IC substrate 21, for example, there is information regarding the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 1.

  In this embodiment, the output signal of the detection means 16 is transmitted to the ink jet recording apparatus 100 by a non-contact method using the antennas 24 and 103. However, the electrical contact provided in the ink cartridge 1 and the ink jet recording apparatus are used. A signal may be transmitted by a contact method in which an electrical contact provided on the 100 side is brought into contact.

  Next, the detection operation of the detection means 16 including the contact type switch 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIGS. 12A, 12 </ b> B, and 12 </ b> C are cross-sectional views schematically showing the ink cartridge 1 in order to explain the detection operation of the detection unit 16. As can be seen from FIG. 12, the inside of the container main body 2 of the ink cartridge 1 includes an ink storage chamber 40 that stores ink, an ink pressurization chamber 41 that is formed above the ink storage chamber 40, and an ink storage chamber 40. A sensor chamber 42 provided in the middle of the flow path connecting the ink delivery port 6 is formed.

  Part of the wall forming the ink storage chamber 40 is made of a flexible ink chamber film 13A, and part of the wall forming the sensor chamber 42 is made of a flexible sensor chamber film 13B. A part of the wall forming the chamber 41 is made of a flexible pressure chamber film 14.

  Since the ink pressurizing chamber 41 is hermetically sealed by the pressurizing chamber film 14, the compressed air introduced into the ink cartridge 1 is placed in the space 43 in which the spring seat member 17, the compression spring 19, and the like are disposed. Air pressure is not transmitted.

  FIG. 12A and FIG. 13A show a state where the ink storage chamber 40 is sufficiently filled with ink and the compressed air is not introduced into the ink pressurizing chamber 41. In this state, since the pressure of compressed air is not applied to the ink in the ink storage chamber 40, the inside of the ink storage chamber 40 is at atmospheric pressure.

  Accordingly, the spring seat member 17 is pressed against the bottom surface of the inner wall of the container body 2 by the spring force of the compression spring 19, and in this state, as shown in FIG. 13 (a), the movable side terminal 20A of the contact type switch 20 and The fixed terminal 20B is in contact. That is, in this state, the contact switch 20 is in an on state (conductive state).

  FIGS. 12B and 13B show the ink pressurizing chamber from the compressed air inlet 7 by the pressurizing pump 101 in the ink cartridge 1 in which the ink storage chamber 40 is sufficiently filled with ink. 41 shows a state of being introduced inside 41.

  In this embodiment, when the pressure actually applied to the ink in the ink storage chamber 40 by the compressed air is P1, and the pressure actually applied to the ink in the sensor chamber 42 by the spring force of the compression spring 19 is P2, The pressure of the compressed air and the spring force of the compression spring 19 are set so that P1> P2.

  More specifically, since the spring force of the compression spring 19 varies depending on the amount of compression, the pressure P2 applied to the ink in the sensor chamber 42 by the spring force of the compression spring 19 is stored in the sensor chamber 42. It varies between P2-MAX and P2-MIN depending on the amount of ink. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the pressure of the compressed air and the spring force of the compression spring 19 are set so that P1> P2-MAX> P2-MIN.

  Thus, the detection means 16 can be reliably operated by making the maximum pressure P2-MAX by the compression spring 19 smaller than the pressure P1 by the compressed air.

  In this embodiment, the pressure loss due to the reaction force during deformation of the ink chamber film 13 </ b> A and the pressure chamber film 14 is P <b> 4, and the compressed air introduced into the ink pressurization chamber 41 from the compressed air introduction port 7. When the pressure is P1 ′, the pressure of the compressed air and the spring force of the compression spring 19 are set so that P1′−P4 = P1> P2. Thereby, even when a reaction force is generated when the ink chamber film 13 </ b> A and the pressure chamber film 14 are deformed, the detection unit 16 can be reliably operated.

  As shown in FIGS. 12B and 13B, the pressure chamber film 14 is pushed and deformed by the pressure of the compressed air introduced into the ink pressure chamber 41 toward the ink storage chamber 40. The deformation of the pressurizing chamber film 14 causes the ink chamber film 13 </ b> A to be pushed and deformed toward the ink storage chamber 40. As a result, the ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is pressurized, and the pressurized ink flows into the sensor chamber 42 via the communication path 35.

  The sensor chamber film 13 </ b> B is deformed upward by the pressure of the ink flowing into the sensor chamber 42, and the spring seat member 17 is pushed up against the spring force of the compression spring 19. Then, as can be seen from FIG. 13B, the movable side terminal 20 </ b> A of the contact switch 20 is pushed up by the pushed-up spring seat member 17. As a result, the movable terminal 20A and the fixed terminal 20B are separated from each other to be in a non-contact state, and the contact switch 20 is turned off (non-conductive state).

  That is, in the detection means 16 of the ink cartridge 1 of the present embodiment, the ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is pressurized by the compressed air, and the pressure of the ink in the pressurized ink storage chamber 40 is within the sensor chamber 42. Transmitted to ink. At this time, if the pressure P of the ink in the sensor chamber 42 is higher than a predetermined value, that is, the pressure P2 applied to the ink in the sensor chamber 42 by the spring force of the compression spring 19, the spring seat member 17 has an upper limit. The contact type switch 20 is turned off by being pushed up to the position.

  In the present embodiment, the spring seat member 17 that is displaced against the spring force of the compression spring 19 due to the increase in the volume of the sensor chamber 42 has reached the limit point (upper limit position) of the displaceable range. The movable side terminal 20A is sometimes displaced in contact with the movable side terminal 20A.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the pressure loss due to the reaction force at the time of deformation of the sensor chamber film 13B is P5 and the pressure applied from the spring seat member 17 to the sensor chamber film 13B is P2 ′, P1> P2 ′ + P5, P2′−P5 = P2> P. Thereby, even when a reaction force is generated when the film 13B for the sensor chamber is deformed, the detection means 16 can be reliably operated.

  In the present embodiment, when the pressure loss in the ink flow path from the ink cartridge 1 to the ink jet recording apparatus 100 is P3, P1> P2> P3. More specifically, the minimum pressure P2-MIN by the compression spring 19 is configured to be larger than the pressure loss P3 of the ink flow path. Thereby, substantially all of the ink existing in the sensor chamber 42 can be reliably delivered from the ink delivery port 6 by the spring force of the compression spring 19.

  Note that the pressure required to pressurize the sensor chamber 42 may be smaller than the pressure required to pressurize the ink storage chamber 40. Therefore, the pressure is generated by the compression spring 19 as in the present embodiment. By doing so, the ink cartridge 1 can be reduced in size and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the water head difference of the ink cartridge 1 with respect to the recording head 102 of the ink jet recording apparatus 100 is P7, P1> P2> P3-P7. Thereby, even when the recording head 102 is located higher than the ink cartridge 1, it is possible to reliably supply ink from the ink cartridge 1 to the recording head 102.

  As the ink is consumed in the ink jet recording apparatus 100, the amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 40 decreases, and the volume of the ink storage chamber 40 gradually decreases. At this time, if the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the pressure of the compressed air applied to the ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is transmitted to the ink in the sensor chamber 42 via the ink. . Therefore, in this state, the state in which the spring seat member 17 is pushed up to the upper limit position against the spring force of the compression spring 19 is maintained, and the contact-type switch 20 is maintained in the OFF state.

  When the ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is further consumed and there is almost no ink in the ink storage chamber 40 as shown in FIG. 12C, the pressure of the compressed air is transmitted to the ink in the sensor chamber 42. It will not be done. Then, as the ink in the sensor chamber 42 is consumed, the spring seat member 17 is lowered, and the pushed-up state of the movable terminal 20A by the spring seat member 17 is released as shown in FIG. As a result, the movable side terminal 20A comes into contact with the fixed side terminal 20B, and the contact type switch 20 is switched from the off state to the on state.

  That is, when the pressure of the compressed air is not transmitted to the ink in the container body 2 and the pressure of the ink in the container body 2 is less than a predetermined value, the contact type switch 20 is turned off.

  In the present embodiment, the movable-side terminal 20A is pushed up by the raised spring seat member 17 so that the contact switch 20 is switched from the on state (conducting state) to the off state (non-conducting state). As a modification, the arrangement of the movable side terminal 20A and the fixed side terminal 20B is reversed upside down, and in the non-pressurized state, the movable side terminal 20A and the fixed side terminal 20B are brought into a non-contact state so as to be pressurized. The movable side terminal 20 </ b> A may be pushed up by the spring seat member 17 that is sometimes lifted to contact the fixed side terminal 20 </ b> B.

  14 and 16 show the ink supply pressure that changes with the consumption of the ink in the ink cartridge 1, and the horizontal axis represents the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 1. Here, the “ink supply pressure” is the pressure of ink delivered from the ink delivery port 6 of the ink cartridge 1.

  14 is a graph when the reaction force at the time of deformation of the ink chamber film 13A and the sensor chamber film 13B is not considered, and FIG. 16 is at the time of deformation of the ink chamber film 13A and the sensor chamber film 13B. It is a graph when the reaction force of is considered.

  As can be seen from FIG. 14, when the ink in the ink cartridge 1 is full (initial state), the pressure P1 of the compressed air becomes the ink supply pressure as it is. The ink supply pressure is maintained at the pressure P1 of the compressed air as long as the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is not less than a predetermined value.

  When the ink remaining amount in the ink storage chamber 40 falls below a predetermined value (in this embodiment, the ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is almost exhausted), the pressure of the compressed air is changed to the ink in the ink cartridge 1. Will not be transmitted. In this state, the ink supply pressure is determined by the spring force of the compression spring 19.

  That is, at the time when the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is reduced to a predetermined value, that is, at the time of ink near end (N / E), the maximum spring pressure P2− by the compression spring 19 that is compressed to the maximum. MAX is the ink supply pressure.

  Then, as the consumption of ink in the sensor chamber 42 progresses, the compression amount of the compression spring 19 decreases, and reaches the spring pressure (minimum spring pressure) P2-MIN when the spring seat member 17 reaches the inner bottom surface of the container body 2. Spring pressure decreases. At this time, almost no ink remains in the sensor chamber 42, and the ink cartridge 1 is in an ink end (I / E) state.

  Also, as can be seen from FIG. 16, in the initial state, the pressure P1 of the compressed air is almost the ink supply pressure. As the ink consumption progresses and the ink in the ink storage chamber 40 decreases, the reaction force of the ink chamber film 13A and the pressure chamber film 14 gradually increases, and the ink supply pressure gradually decreases.

  When the ink remaining amount in the ink storage chamber 40 falls below a predetermined value, the pressure of the compressed air is not transmitted to the ink in the ink cartridge 1. In this state, the ink supply pressure is determined by the reaction force of the compression spring 19 and the sensor chamber film 13B.

  14 and 16 indicates the pressure loss in the ink flow path from the ink cartridge 1 to the recording head 102. By setting the minimum spring pressure P2-MIN of the compression spring 19 to be larger than the pressure loss P3 in the ink flow path, the ink in the sensor chamber 42 can be used up.

  FIG. 15 is a table showing how the output signal of the detection means 16 changes depending on the presence / absence of ink and the operation / stop of the pressure pump. Note that “with ink” in FIG. 15 indicates that the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and “no ink” indicates that the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is a predetermined value. Indicates less than.

  As can be seen from FIG. 15, when the pressure pump 101 is operating in the presence of ink, the detection means 16 is turned off. On the other hand, even when the pressurizing pump 101 is operating, the detection means 16 is turned on when there is no ink. When the pressurizing pump 101 is stopped, the detection unit 16 is turned on regardless of the presence or absence of ink in the ink storage chamber 40.

  In the ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment, by using the operation characteristics of the detection unit 16 described above, the ink cartridge 1 is not properly attached to the ink jet recording apparatus 100 (such as insufficient insertion) as described below. Or a failure of the detecting means 16 can be detected.

  That is, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, when a new ink cartridge 1 is mounted), the detection unit 16 does not turn off even when the pressure pump 101 is operated. In some cases, the mounting failure of the ink cartridge 1 or the failure of the detecting means 16 may be considered. In this case, for example, a message prompting the user to confirm the mounting state of the ink cartridge 1 is displayed. Further, when the detection unit 16 is OFF even though the pressurization pump 101 is in a stopped state, it is determined that the detection unit 16 is out of order.

  As described above, in the ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment, the detection means 16 operates by the pressure actually applied from the compressed air to the ink in the ink storage chamber 40, so that the ink from the ink cartridge 1 Can be reliably determined.

  In addition, in the ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment, when the ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is almost exhausted and the sensor chamber 42 is filled with ink, that is, the ink near end (N / E) is reached. Can be detected. For this reason, it is possible to avoid a situation where the recording paper is wasted due to ink end (I / E) during printing.

  In the ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment, the amount of ink that can be supplied from the ink near end (N / E) time to the ink end (I / E) time is the same as that at the ink near end (N / E) time. It depends on the amount of ink in the sensor chamber 42. Since the predetermined ink amount in the sensor chamber 42 at the time of ink near end (N / E) is determined at the design stage, this ink amount is stored in the IC substrate 21 of the ink cartridge 1, and the detection means 16 uses the ink. When the near end (N / E) is detected, the remaining ink amount is rewritten to the predetermined ink amount, whereby the ink end (I / E) time can be accurately determined. For this reason, although ink is still remaining in the ink cartridge 1, the ink end (I / E) is determined and the ink is wasted, or conversely, the ink end (I / E), it is possible to avoid a situation in which it is mistakenly recognized that sufficient ink is still left and the recording paper is wasted due to ink end (I / E) during printing. .

  Further, the amount of ink consumed from the time when the ink is full to the time when the ink near end (N / E) is determined at the design stage, and by storing this ink amount in the IC substrate 21 of the ink cartridge 1, When the ink near end (N / E) is reached, the information regarding the unit weight of the ink droplets can be corrected based on the number of ink droplet ejections performed so far. Thereby, it is possible to increase the accuracy of the calculation of the ink consumption after the ink near end (N / E), and the time point of the ink end (I / E) can be determined more accurately.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a signal for detecting whether or not the ink in the ink cartridge 1 is pressurized by compressed air, and the time point when the ink remaining amount in the ink cartridge 1 becomes near end (N / E). Since the signal for detecting the same is the same signal output from the detection means 16, the mechanism for detection can be simplified.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the ink in the sensor chamber 42 can be used up by setting the minimum spring pressure P2-MIN of the compression spring 19 to be larger than the pressure loss P3 in the ink flow path.

  FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C show a modification of the above-described embodiment, and the states of FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C are shown in FIG. ), (B), and (c).

  As shown in FIG. 17, in the ink cartridge according to this modification, the ink storage chamber 40 and the sensor chamber 42 are integrally formed without interposing a narrow channel between the two chambers. Further, the ink chamber film 13A and the sensor chamber film 13B are configured as separate bodies, and both the films 13A are arranged so that the pressing direction with respect to the ink chamber film 13A and the pressing direction with respect to the sensor chamber film 13B face each other. , 13B are arranged.

  Also in this modification, the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

It is the figure which showed the external appearance of the ink cartridge as one Embodiment of the liquid container by this invention, (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view, (c) is a front view, (d) is a rear view. (A) is a bottom view of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1, (b) is a side view. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1, with FIG. 3 turned upside down. (A) is sectional drawing of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1, (b) is an exploded view of (a). FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a pressure unit of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a pressure unit of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a pressure unit of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a tank unit of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a tank unit of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a state where the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on an ink jet recording apparatus. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an ink cartridge for explaining the detection operation of the detection means of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1, wherein (a) shows that the ink storage chamber is sufficiently filled with ink and the ink is added. (B) shows a state where compressed air is not introduced into the pressure chamber, and (b) shows a state where compressed air is introduced into the ink pressurizing chamber with respect to an ink cartridge in which the ink storage chamber is sufficiently filled with ink ( c) shows a state in which almost no ink is present in the ink storage chamber. (A), (b), (c) is the figure which expanded and showed the part of the detection means of Fig.12 (a), (b), (c), respectively. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating ink supply pressure that varies with consumption of ink in the ink cartridge illustrated in FIG. 1, and illustrates a case where reaction force during deformation of the ink chamber film and the pressure chamber film is not considered. Yes. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating how the output signal of the detection unit changes depending on the presence / absence of ink and the activation / deactivation of a pressure pump in the ink cartridge illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing ink supply pressure that changes with consumption of ink in the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1, and shows a case where reaction force at the time of deformation of the ink chamber film and the pressure chamber film is taken into consideration. Yes. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an ink cartridge according to a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the like, in which (a) shows that the ink storage chamber is sufficiently filled with ink and the ink pressurizing chamber is compressed air. (B) shows a state where compressed air is introduced into the ink pressurizing chamber with respect to an ink cartridge in which the ink storage chamber is sufficiently filled with ink, and (c) shows a state where ink is stored. It shows a state where there is almost no ink in the chamber.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink cartridge 2 Container main body 2A 1st case member 2B 2nd case member 2C 3rd case member 6 Ink delivery port 7 Compressed air introduction port 8 Ink injection port 9 Incorrect attachment prevention block 10 Bottom film 13A Ink chamber film 13B Sensor chamber Film 14 Pressure film 16 Detection means 17 Spring seat member 19 Compression spring 20 Contact switch 20A Movable side terminal 20B Fixed side terminal 21 IC substrate 24 Antenna 40 Ink storage chamber 41 Ink pressurization chamber 42 Sensor chamber

Claims (1)

In the liquid container that stores the liquid supplied to the liquid consuming device inside,
A container body having a liquid delivery port for delivering the liquid to the liquid consumption device;
A first storage chamber formed inside the container body and storing the liquid;
First pressurizing means capable of pressurizing the liquid in the first storage chamber;
The container is formed inside the container body, communicates with the first storage chamber and the liquid delivery port, and in the state where the liquid exists in the first storage chamber, When the liquid is pressurized, the second storage chamber in which the liquid flows in from the first storage chamber and increases in volume;
2nd pressurizing means having a pressing member for pressurizing the liquid flowing into the second storage chamber and a compression spring for biasing the pressing member, and according to an increase in the amount of liquid in the second storage chamber Second pressing means for displacing the pressing member against the pressing force of the compression spring;
A detecting means provided on the container body and having a contact-type switch including a movable terminal and a fixed terminal, wherein the liquid flows into the second storage chamber from the first storage chamber. When the amount of liquid exceeds a predetermined value, the movable side terminal is pulled away from the fixed side terminal by the pressing member displaced against the pressing force of the compression spring, thereby turning the contact switch from on to off. Detecting means for switching and changing an output signal in accordance with ON / OFF of the contact switch,
When the pressure applied to the liquid in the first storage chamber by the first pressurizing unit is P1, and the pressure applied to the liquid in the second storage chamber by the second pressurizing unit is P2, P1> P2 And
The contact type switch of the detection means is
When the remaining amount of the liquid in the first storage chamber is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the movable side terminal is the fixed side terminal when the first pressurizing unit pressurizes the liquid in the first storage chamber. When the pressurizing means does not pressurize the liquid in the first storage chamber, the contact state between the movable side terminal and the fixed side terminal is maintained and turned on.
When the remaining amount of the liquid in the first storage chamber is less than a predetermined value, both when the first pressurizing means pressurizes the liquid in the first storage chamber and when it does not pressurize The contact state between the movable side terminal and the fixed side terminal is maintained and turned on to determine whether or not the remaining amount of liquid in the first storage chamber is less than a predetermined value,
The first pressurizing means is configured to pressurize the first storage chamber by a pressure of a pressurized fluid introduced into the container body, which is different from the liquid stored in the first storage chamber. And
In the container body, an introduction port for introducing the pressurized fluid into the inside thereof is formed on the same surface as the surface on which the liquid delivery port is formed,
The first pressurizing means includes at least a part made of a first flexible film, and has a pressurizing chamber capable of changing its volume under the pressure of the pressurizing fluid, and by changing the volume of the pressurizing chamber The first storage chamber is configured to be pressurized,
The first flexible film constitutes at least a part of an inlet-side film member that deforms in contact with the pressurized fluid introduced into the container body, and a wall that forms the first storage chamber. And a storage chamber side film member that is pressed and deformed by deformation of the inlet port side film member,
The apparatus further includes storage means for storing a liquid storage amount inside the container body, and the liquid storage amount data stored in the storage means is sent from the liquid delivery port to the liquid consumption device. When the output signal of the detection means changes in a state where the output is changed, the predetermined amount is rewritten to a predetermined amount, and the predetermined amount is determined in the design stage of the liquid container. The liquid container , wherein the liquid remaining amount as the predetermined amount is stored in the storage means .

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