JP4420489B2 - Ink cartridge for ink jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink cartridge that is detachably mounted on a carriage of an ink jet recording apparatus that includes a carriage provided with a recording head that ejects ink droplets.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-132635 discloses a carriage-mounted ink cartridge in which a through hole communicating with an ink supply port is covered with a filter and a porous material impregnated with ink is placed on the pressure contact position. Disclosed in.
[0003]
This type of ink cartridge is extremely thin to limit the wall thickness of the container body in order to accommodate as much ink as possible in a limited volume, but is thick to ensure bonding with the recording head. In the vicinity of the ink supply port to be formed, the shape is complicated and the thickness is not uniform. For this reason, when the cartridge is formed by polymer injection molding, there is a problem that the shape accuracy of the ink flow path is lowered due to the decrease in molding accuracy due to sink marks, and bubbles cannot be sufficiently discharged.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an on-carriage type ink that can accurately form the vicinity of the ink supply port and can well discharge bubbles. To provide a cartridge.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve such a problem, an ink cartridge according to the present invention includes a plurality of ink storage chambers that are arranged in a row and contains a porous material impregnated with ink, and the bottom surface of the ink storage chamber. An ink cartridge having a plurality of cylindrical ink supply ports arranged in a line in an arrangement direction of the ink storage chamber, wherein the porous material is formed so as to protrude from the ink storage chamber so as to correspond to the ink supply port. A protrusion for compressing, and a planar shape seen from the top surface side is a long and narrow shape having the longitudinal direction of the ink storage chamber as a major axis, and an outer peripheral edge of the top surface of the protrusion A filter attached to a ridge provided on the projection, and a through hole provided on one side of the long axis of the projection and communicating with the ink supply port, and the top surface of the projection is By being in a lower position than the ridges, A portion formed between the top surface and the filter, and a portion having a slope gradually deepening from the other side of the long axis toward the through hole on the one side along the long axis. The provided flow path is formed in the protrusion, the ink supply port is formed by a plurality of cylindrical recesses, and the cylindrical shape is positioned on the bottom surface side than the diameter of the cylindrical recess on the protrusion side. The diameter of the recess is large, and the center axis thereof is shifted in the short axis direction of the protrusion, which is the arrangement direction of the ink storage chambers.
[0006]
[Action]
The inclined surface smoothes the flow of ink from the ink storage chamber to the ink supply port, reduces the thickness of the protrusion that is thicker than the main body as much as possible, and suppresses the occurrence of sink marks during molding.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, details of the present invention will be described below based on the illustrated embodiment.
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention which is formed so as to be able to accommodate two types of ink, magenta and cyan, and five types of yellow.
[0008]
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an ink cartridge main body formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape so as to be able to accommodate as much ink as possible by using polypropylene which is slightly inferior in strength but having a slightly low strength of water vapor. Ink storage chambers 2a, 2c that store dark magenta and cyan inks, and wide ink storage chambers 2b, 2d, and 2e that store a larger amount of magenta, cyan light ink, and yellow ink than these. Are formed through the partition walls 3... And foams 5 made of a porous material are loaded into the storage chambers 2 a to 2 e and impregnated with ink.
[0009]
Cylindrical ink supply ports 4a to 4e communicating with the ink storage chambers 2a to 2e are formed so as to protrude so that the outer circumferences are substantially in contact with one end side of the bottom surface 6 near the recording head of the ink storage chambers 2a to 2e. Has been.
[0010]
This type of ink cartridge is formed in the same size so as to have compatibility, and further, the ink storage chambers 2a to 2e are narrow so as to correspond to the respective ink supply needles protruding at equal intervals on the recording head. Regardless of the size, the ink supply ports 4a to 4e are formed on the bottom surface 6 at equal intervals.
[0011]
For this reason, the ink outflow holes 8a to 8e and the ink supply ports 4a to 4e provided in the foam compression protrusions 7a to 7e protruding into the ink supply chambers 2a to 2e are cross-sectioned by abutting the upper and lower molds. By forming a circular concave portion whose diameter increases toward the lower portion in a so-called crank shape by shifting its central axis in the vertical direction, it is equally spaced regardless of the difference in width of each of the ink storage chambers 2a to 2e. The ink supply ports 4a to 4e are formed so as to communicate with each other.
[0012]
On the other hand, in the ink storage chambers 2a to 2e, foam compression projections 7a to 7e that help discharge the ink of the foam 5 are cross-sectioned so that they can extend along the narrow ink storage chambers 2a to 2e. It is formed in an oval shape.
[0013]
These protrusions 7a to 7e have gaps between them even when the ink supply ports 4a to 4e are located on the other adjacent ink storage chamber side so that the ink supply ports 4a to 4e are formed at equal intervals. It is formed so that an extremely thick part is not partially generated. Each of the protrusions 7a to 7e is a cross section that gradually deepens from the other end to the ink supply port 4 toward the through holes 8a to 8e that form connection channels with the ink supply ports 4a to 4e provided at one end in the longitudinal direction. A triangular channel 9 is provided.
[0014]
The flow path 9 is such that the end side of the cartridge is substantially linear with the ink supply ports 4a to 4e, and the center side is from one end side where the ink supply ports 4a to 4e are formed as shown in FIG. It may be formed as a flat surface extending to the other end side, or may be formed as a circular arc surface 9b having a convex shape on the ink supply port side as shown in FIG. 4 (b), and further, as shown in FIG. 4 (c). It is formed as an arcuate surface 9c that protrudes toward the storage chambers 2a to 2e. In particular, the inclined surface 9c shown in FIG. 4C has a large effect of accelerating the flow of ink from the lower surface of the filter 10 to be described later to the ink supply ports 4a to 4e, so that the discharge of bubbles is improved.
[0015]
Further, the inclined surface 9a has the thickness of the protrusions 7a to 7e that are thicker than the main body 1, in addition to the effect of smoothing the flow of ink from the ink storage chambers 2a to 2e to the ink supply ports 4a to 4e. Since it can be made as thin as possible, the thickness of the projecting portions 7a to 7e projecting inward is made as uniform as possible to suppress the occurrence of sink marks during molding, and further, the filter 10 attached to the upper edge of the inner end. The effective area can be enlarged. By facilitating the flow of ink and increasing the area of the filter 10, it is possible to improve the ability to discharge bubbles generated under the filter 10. Note that reference numeral 11 in the drawing denotes a mismounting prevention protrusion protruding from the outside of the cartridge body 1.
[0016]
On the other hand, the lid 13 that seals the opening of the ink cartridge main body 1 presses the porous member accommodated in the ink accommodating chambers 2a to 2e, that is, the foam 5 as shown in FIG. The vertical ribs 14 of the strip are formed so as to protrude for each of the ink storage chambers 2a to 2e at intervals.
These vertical ribs 14 are formed so that the portions near the ink supply ports 4 a to 4 e are higher than the other portions, and cooperate with foam compression protrusions 7 a to 7 e protruding into the ink storage chamber 2. By reducing the pores of the foam 5 in the lever portion, the ink that is uniformly absorbed in the foam 5 by the strong capillary action obtained is collected in the region of the ink supply ports 4a to 4e along with the reduction of the ink.
[0017]
The lid 13 is formed with an ink filling port 15 and an air communication port 16 penetratingly formed in a portion near the center and the ink supply port 4 so as to correspond to the ink storage chambers 2a to 2e. A narrow groove 18 is formed on the upper surface of 13 for each of the ink storage chambers 2a to 2e. The narrow end 18 extends to the through holes 17a to 17e provided on the other half of the upper surface of the lid body. It is formed in a maze shape.
[0018]
In the unused state, the upper surface of the narrow groove 18 is sealed with an air-tight film 50 (FIG. 1C) to prevent ink evaporation. When the ink cartridge is used, the other half 50b of the film covering the ink cartridge is peeled off. As a result, the ink storage chambers 2a to 2e are opened to the atmosphere, and ink can be supplied to the recording head. In this state, ink evaporation is prevented by the large flow path resistance of the capillary formed by the remaining portion 50a and the long narrow groove 18. Furthermore, by arranging the through holes 17a to 17e at the ends of the narrow grooves 18 so that one is a vertex, the attached film 50b can be easily peeled off at this portion. It is configured.
[0019]
On the other hand, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention configured as an ink cartridge for storing a single color ink such as black. 5 and 6, the ink cartridge main body 21 is provided with an ink supply port 24 at one end of the bottom surface 26 near the recording head, and a form corresponding to the ink supply port 24 is formed in the ink storage chamber 22. A protrusion 27 for compressing 31 is formed to protrude.
[0020]
The protrusion 27 is formed as an oblong shape that extends from the recording head side to the other end side of the ink containing chamber 22, and a through hole 28 that communicates with the ink supply port 24 is provided at one end on the recording head side. ing. Between the through hole 28 and the ink supply port 24, the uneven thickness portion 27 a of the protrusion 27 is leveled, and the flow gradually increases toward the ink supply port 24 toward the through hole 28. A passage 29 is provided so that air bubbles generated under the filter 30 can be discharged to the outside through the hole 28.
[0021]
The flow path 29 is formed so that the end side of the cartridge is substantially straight with the ink supply port 24, and the center side is formed as a flat surface 29a as shown in FIG. 7A, or as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7C, the ink supply port side is formed as a convex arc surface 29b, and as shown in FIG. 7C, the ink storage chamber 22 side is formed as a convex arc surface 29c.
By the way, a single color ink cartridge has a relatively wide width compared to a plurality of color ink cartridges. Therefore, a filter 30 having a sufficient width can be attached to the protrusion 27, but when a pressure is applied from the foam 31. It is easy to bend, and there arises a disadvantage that the flow path resistance is increased.
[0023]
For this reason, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the top surface 32 of the protrusion 27 is formed to be lower by a peripheral ridge 33 provided on the outer periphery so that the center forms an ink flow path. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, at least one of the island-shaped ridges 34, 34 is slightly higher than the peripheral ridge 33 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In this embodiment, the filter 30 is bent. The large filter 30 attached on the protrusion 27 is configured not to be bent by the pressure of the foam 31 filled in the ink containing chamber 22. ing.
[0024]
Further, in order to shorten the vertical distance from the filter 30 to the ink supply port 24 on the back surface, the recording necessary for the ink supply port 24 and the recording head to reliably engage with the lower surface of the ink cartridge main body 21. A concave portion 35 for receiving the engaging portion of the head is provided, and the inner volume of the ink containing chamber 22 is configured to be as large as possible by making the concave portion 35 the minimum necessary size. The filter 30 is placed on a protrusion formed on the surface of the peripheral protrusion 33, and is attached by melting the protrusion while pressing the filter 30 against the protrusion.
[0025]
The lid 43 for sealing the opening of the main body 21 is provided with ribs 44 for compressing the foam 31 on the inner surface of the lid 43 as in the above-described embodiment, and on the surface thereof. A narrow groove 48 having one end communicating with the air communication port 47 and the other end opening in the peelable region of the film is provided.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a protrusion having a through hole communicating with the ink supply port at one end is formed to protrude into the ink containing chamber, and is inclined so as to deepen from the other end of the protrusion toward the through hole. Since the flow path is formed, the bubbles accumulated under the filter can be easily discharged on the smooth flow of ink by the inclined flow path, and the difference in thickness between the cartridge body and the protrusion The thickness of this region, which tends to become a complicated shape due to the above, can be equalized as much as possible to suppress the occurrence of sink marks during injection molding, and the ink cartridge can be configured with high shape accuracy.
[0027]
Even if the area of the filter attached to this portion is enlarged in order to filter bubbles while reducing the channel resistance against ink by providing island-like ridges on the top of this protrusion, it is porous The ink flow path can be reliably ensured by suppressing the bending due to the pressure contact with the member.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIGS. 1A to 1C are perspective views showing the structure of the upper surface of the ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention before the film is attached, and the perspective view showing the structure of the back surface, respectively. It is a perspective view which shows the state which stuck the film sticking.
FIGS. 2A to 2C are a top view showing an inner surface of an ink cartridge main body according to an embodiment of the present invention, and sectional views taken along lines AA and BB, respectively.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are a plan view of a lid and a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge in the vicinity of an ink discharge hole, respectively.
FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams showing another embodiment of the flow path communicating with the ink supply port, respectively.
FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b) are perspective views showing the structure of the upper surface of a single color ink cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention before film attachment, It is a perspective view which shows a structure.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are a side view and a cross-sectional view taken along line AA showing the main part of the ink cartridge, respectively.
FIGS. 7A to 7C are diagrams showing another embodiment of the flow path communicating with the ink supply port, respectively.
FIGS. 8A to 8C are a plan view showing the structure of the bottom surface of the cartridge with the filter removed, and a cross-sectional structure taken along lines AA and BB attached to the filter. FIG. It is a figure expanded and shown in a state.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are views showing enlarged cross-sectional structures taken along lines CC and DD in FIG. 7, respectively.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 21 Ink cartridge bodies 2a to 2e, 22 Ink storage chambers 4a to 4e, 24 Ink supply ports 7a to 7e, 27 Protrusions 8, 28 Through holes 9, 29 Flow channels 9a to 9c inclined so as to gradually deepen, 29a-29c Slope 33 Perimeter ridge 34 Island-like ridge

Claims (5)

A plurality of ink storage chambers containing a porous material impregnated with ink and arranged in a row; and a plurality of cylindrical chambers provided on the bottom surface of the ink storage chamber and arranged in a row in the arrangement direction of the ink storage chambers In an ink cartridge having an ink supply port,
A projecting portion that is formed to protrude into the ink containing chamber so as to correspond to the ink supply port and compresses the porous material, and the planar shape viewed from the top surface side is the longitudinal direction of the ink containing chamber. A protrusion that is a long and thin shape with a long axis;
A filter attached to a protrusion provided on the outer peripheral edge of the top surface of the protrusion;
A through hole provided on one side of the long axis of the protrusion and communicating with the ink supply port;
Since the top surface of the protrusion is at a position lower than the ridge, the portion formed between the top surface and the filter, and the one from the other side of the long axis along the long axis And a channel having a portion having a slope gradually deepening toward the through-hole on the side, is formed in the protrusion.
The ink supply port is formed by a plurality of cylindrical recesses, and the diameter of the cylindrical recess located on the bottom surface side is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical recess located on the protrusion side, and the center axis thereof is the ink. An ink cartridge for an ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the ink cartridge is displaced in a short axis direction of the protrusion, which is an arrangement direction of the storage chambers .   The ink cartridge for an inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface is a flat surface.   The ink cartridge for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface is an arc surface having a convex shape on the ink supply port side. The ink cartridge for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface is an arcuate surface that protrudes toward the ink storage chamber.   2. The ink cartridge for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is formed so as to have a space between a partition partitioning the ink storage chamber.

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