JP5678500B2 - Liquid container and liquid ejecting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container and a liquid ejecting apparatus.

  As a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a liquid ejecting head, there is an ink jet printer. This printer performs printing by discharging dye ink or pigment ink stored in a cartridge or an ink tank from a recording head.

  The pigment ink is excellent in gas resistance and water resistance, but is different from a dye ink in which a color material is dissolved in a solvent, and is manufactured by dispersing a pigment in a dispersion medium. For this reason, when left for a long time, there is a problem in that the pigment settles due to the difference in specific gravity between the pigment and the dispersion medium, resulting in an ink density difference.

  To solve this problem, as a mechanism for stirring the pigment ink, for example, a metal stirrer formed in a spherical shape is disposed inside, and the stirrer is rolled according to the power of the carriage to stir the ink. is there.

  Further, there has been proposed an ink cartridge in which a metal stirring plate is disposed and the stirring plate is rocked according to the power of the carriage to stir the ink (Patent Documents 1 and 2). These Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe a configuration in which the stirring member is rotatably supported by a pair of support portions (bearings) provided in the ink containing chamber.

JP 2007-230189 A JP 2006-44153 A

However, the configuration of the above document has the following problems.
Patent Document 1 describes a support portion having a retaining portion that prevents the stirring member from slipping out at the tip of the shaft portion. This retaining portion is attached to the shaft portion after the stirring member is attached to the shaft portion. The tip is formed by expanding the diameter by thermal processing, or the retaining portion is formed as a separate part. For this reason, an assembly man-hour increases.
In Patent Document 2, a rotating shaft that is pivotally supported by a bearing is provided on the agitating member, and the shape thereof is complicated, and the number of parts increases because the bearing and the rotating shaft are formed as separate parts.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a liquid container and a liquid ejecting apparatus configured to realize a reduction in assembly man-hours and a reduction in the number of parts. One of them.

  The liquid storage container of the present invention includes a container body that stores liquid in a storage chamber formed in the container, a stirring member that is disposed in the storage chamber and stirs the liquid, and supports the stirring member in a movable manner. And a support structure formed integrally with the container and a pin formed integrally with the container, and the stirring member includes a mounting portion supported by the support structure, and a fulcrum for the mounting portion. And a stirring portion that swings and stirs the liquid, and an insertion hole into which the pin can be inserted. According to this, since the support structure that supports the stirring member that stirs the liquid is formed integrally with the container, the number of parts can be reduced. Further, the stirring member is reliably supported by the support portion in the container, so that the liquid can be satisfactorily stirred and the precipitation of the pigment can be prevented. Moreover, since the rotation to the direction which the stirring member supported by the support part does not intend can be controlled, the stirring efficiency of a liquid improves.

  Further, the liquid container has a shape in which the insertion hole has a major axis and a minor axis, and the length of the insertion hole in the minor axis is longer than the length of the pin in the direction along the minor axis. It may be a thing. According to this, the rotation of the stirring member in the surface direction can be prevented and the moving direction (stirring direction) of the stirring member can be regulated to a desired direction, and the support state of the stirring member can be stabilized. The stirring effect is enhanced. Alternatively, the agitation member can be positioned with respect to the support structure at the time of mounting by these insertion holes and pins, and the assembly becomes easy.

  Furthermore, the liquid container may be one in which the insertion hole is formed with a size that does not hinder the swinging of the stirring member. According to this, the rotation of the stirring member in the surface direction can be prevented and the moving direction (stirring direction) of the stirring member can be regulated to a desired direction, and the support state of the stirring member can be stabilized. The stirring effect is enhanced. Alternatively, the agitation member can be positioned with respect to the support structure at the time of mounting by these insertion holes and pins, and the assembly becomes easy.

  Further, in the liquid container, the mounting portion includes a narrow width portion extending from the stirring portion, and a locking portion provided on the opposite side of the narrow width portion from the stirring portion, The width of the narrow portion in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction in which the mounting portion and the stirring portion are arranged is smaller than the width of the locking portion, and the support structure is a support portion that supports the locking portion. The support part may have a through-hole that protrudes from the wall part of the container into the storage chamber and into which the narrow part can be inserted. According to this, since the support structure that supports the stirring member that stirs the liquid is formed integrally with the container, the support structure is separately formed on the container, or the tip is attached after the stirring member is incorporated. Since it is not necessary to melt, it is possible to reduce the number of assembly steps and the number of parts. Alternatively, the stirring member is reliably supported by the support portion in the container, so that the liquid can be satisfactorily stirred and the precipitation of the pigment can be prevented.

  Furthermore, in the liquid container, the support structure has an opening that communicates the outer periphery of the support portion and the through-hole, and the support portion is configured to face a pair of bowl-shaped support columns. It may be characterized by the following. According to this, the stirring member can be supported by the support portion by inserting the stirring member into the insertion portion through the opening formed by the pair of bowl-shaped support pillars. The attaching work of the stirring member becomes easy.

  Further, in the liquid container, the interval between the through holes in the second direction is wider than the width of the narrow portion in the second direction and narrower than the width of the locking portion in the second direction. It may be characterized by being formed as described above. According to this, the stirring member is supported in a suspended state between the support columns by inserting the narrow portion of the stirring member between the pair of support columns and supporting the locking portion on the support column. Is possible. Thereby, the stirring member is supported so as to be movable, and the liquid in the container can be effectively stirred.

  Further, the liquid storage container is provided with a drop-off prevention portion having a claw shape at the tip of each of the pair of support columns, the opening is formed between the drop-off prevention portions, and the opening in the second direction is formed. The gap may be arranged so as to be narrower than the width of the narrow portion in the second direction. According to this, when the stirring member supported by the support portion moves (swings and slides) along the support column, the narrow width portion of the stirring member abuts against the drop-off prevention portion of the support column. Therefore, the support structure can be surely supported without dropping the stirring member from the support portion.

  Further, the liquid container is characterized in that each of the pair of support columns is formed with an inclined surface that is inclined so as to increase a distance from the other support column adjacent to the tip. It may be a thing. According to this, when the stirring member is supported by the support portion, the stirring member is guided from the opening side into the through portion by the inclined surface formed on each support column, and the stirring member can be easily incorporated into the support portion. .

  Furthermore, the liquid container is provided with a plurality of mounting portions arranged in a line along one side of the stirring portion, and a plurality of the support structures are provided according to the number of the mounting portions. It may be. According to this, regardless of the size of the stirring member, it is possible to stably support the stirring member in the support portion. Thereby, the stirring efficiency of a liquid improves and sedimentation of a pigment can be prevented effectively.

  Further, in the liquid container, the support structure includes a shaft body that protrudes from the wall surface of the container into the storage chamber, and a plurality of drop-off prevention devices that are provided at a distal end of the shaft body and are movable in the radial direction of the shaft body. And the mounting portion may have a locking hole for stirring the liquid and allowing the drop-off preventing portion to be inserted therethrough. According to this, since the support structure that supports the stirring member that stirs the liquid is formed integrally with the container, the support structure is separately formed on the container, or the tip is attached after the stirring member is incorporated. Since there is no need to melt, it is possible to reduce the number of assembling steps and the number of parts. Alternatively, the stirring member is reliably supported by the support portion in the container, so that the liquid can be satisfactorily stirred and the precipitation of the pigment can be prevented.

  Further, in the liquid container, a plurality of the locking holes are provided in a line along one side of the stirring unit, and a plurality of the support parts are provided according to the number of the locking holes. It may be characterized by that. According to this, regardless of the size of the stirring member, it is possible to stably support the stirring member in the support portion. Thereby, the stirring efficiency of a liquid improves and sedimentation of a pigment can be prevented effectively.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the liquid container and the liquid ejecting head are mounted on a carriage that reciprocates along the main scanning direction, and the liquid ejecting apparatus supplies the liquid from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting head. As the liquid container, the liquid container is used. According to this, even if there is a period of not using for a long time, sedimentation of the pigment in the liquid can be prevented and the difference in the concentration of the liquid in the container can be eliminated. Accordingly, it is possible to always supply a liquid in a good state to the liquid ejecting head, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in recording quality.

  Furthermore, the fluid ejecting apparatus may be characterized in that the stirring member is arranged to be movable in the main scanning direction. According to this, the stirring member moves as the carriage moves in the main scanning direction, and the liquid can be stirred not only during recording but also during non-recording by moving the carriage during non-recording. It becomes.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a main part of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a detailed configuration of an ink cartridge. (A) is a top view which shows schematic structure of the stirring plate with which the 1st ink storage part is mounted | worn, FIG.4 (b) is a top view which shows schematic structure of the stirring plate with which the 2nd ink storage part is mounted | worn. (A) is sectional drawing which follows the AA line of FIG. 3, (b) is sectional drawing which follows the BB line of FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a support structure for an ink cartridge. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the movement state of the stirring board in an ink cartridge, (b) is a perspective view which shows the movement state of the stirring board in an ink cartridge. (A) The figure for demonstrating the rotation state of a stirring plate, (b) The figure which shows the modification of a stirring plate and a support structure. FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge C according to a second embodiment. (A) is CC sectional drawing of FIG. 9, (b) is an enlarged view of the support mechanism shown to (a). (A) is DD sectional drawing of FIG. 9, (b) is an enlarged view of the support mechanism shown to (a). The schematic block diagram which shows the modification of a support structure. The schematic block diagram which shows the modification of a support structure. The schematic block diagram which shows the modification of a support structure. The schematic block diagram which shows the modification of a support structure.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing used for the following description, the scale of each member is appropriately changed to make each member a recognizable size.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a main part of an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer 1) according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, a printer (liquid ejecting apparatus) 1 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped frame 2 having an upper opening. A platen 3 is installed on the frame 2, and a printing paper P is fed on the platen 3 in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction in FIG. 1) by a paper feeding mechanism (not shown). Yes.
A guide member 4 is installed on the frame 2 in parallel with the platen 3, and a carriage 5 is inserted into and supported by the guide member 4 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the guide member 4.
The carriage 5 is drivingly connected to a carriage motor 5a through a timing belt 5b, and is reciprocated in the main scanning direction (X-axis direction in FIG. 1) along the guide member 4 by driving the carriage motor 5a. It has become so.

In addition, four ink cartridges (liquid storage containers) C are detachably mounted on the carriage 5. Specifically, the first ink cartridge C1 to the fourth ink cartridge C4 are detachably mounted.
The first ink cartridge C1 contains black ink inside. The second ink cartridge C2 to the fourth ink cartridge C4 contain various color inks therein. The various inks are, for example, so-called pigment inks in which a pigment that is a color material is dispersed in a dispersion medium.
When the first ink cartridge C1 to the fourth ink cartridge C4 are described without being distinguished from each other, they are simply referred to as the ink cartridge C. Further, black ink and various color inks are collectively referred to as ink.

A recording head (liquid ejecting head) 6 is mounted on the surface of the carriage 5 facing the platen 3. An opening of a nozzle row (not shown) is formed on the lower surface of the recording head 6.
Each nozzle row corresponds to each ink, and ink droplets are ejected onto the printing paper P by driving a piezoelectric element (not shown).

A maintenance unit 7 is provided in the frame 2. The maintenance unit 7 is provided in a non-printing area that is within the moving range of the carriage 5 and outside the conveyance path of the printing paper P. In the present embodiment, the maintenance unit 7 is at a home position provided on the right side in FIG. It is arranged.
The maintenance unit 7 seals the recording head 6 with a cap 8 in a non-printing state, and performs head cleaning to prevent drying in the nozzles and printing defects.

(First embodiment of ink cartridge)
Next, the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a detailed configuration of the ink cartridge.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink cartridges C1 to C4 include a case 10 (container) formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The case 10 includes a case main body (container main body) 11 formed in a box shape with one side surface (right wall portion) opened, and a film-like lid portion 12 serving as a right wall portion.
Specifically, the case 10 is formed in a box shape having an opening on the right wall portion side by an upper wall portion 11a, a bottom wall portion 11b, a front wall portion 11c, a back wall portion 11d, and a left wall portion 11e.

  The case main body 11 is provided with a first ink storage chamber 13A and a second ink storage chamber 13B that can store ink formed by sealing the opening of the case main body 11 with the lid 12. Yes. Specifically, the sealed first ink is formed by welding a film-like lid portion 12 to the right wall portion side surfaces of the upper wall portion 11a, the bottom wall portion 11b, the front wall portion 11c, and the back wall portion 11d. A storage chamber 13A and a second ink storage chamber 13B are formed.

An ink injection hole 14 is formed through the upper wall portion 11 a of the case body 11. From the ink injection hole 14, ink is injected into the first ink storage chamber 13A.
The upper wall portion 11a is formed with an air communication hole 15a and a communication groove 15b. The air communication hole 15a is formed to penetrate the upper wall portion 11a and communicates the first ink storage chamber 13A with the outside. The communication groove 15b is formed so as to meander the upper wall portion 11a, and communicates with the air communication hole 15a.
In addition, a part of the ink injection hole 14, the atmosphere communication hole 15a, and the communication groove 15b is sealed with a sealing film 16 attached to the upper wall portion 11a.
The inside of the first ink storage chamber 13A is opened to the atmosphere by the end portion of the communication groove 15b opened to the atmosphere via the sealed atmosphere communication hole 15a and the communication groove 15b.

An ink discharge hole 17 is formed through the bottom wall portion 11 b of the case body 11. The ink discharge holes 17 are continuously formed in a supply portion 18 that is formed to protrude from the outer surface of the bottom wall portion 11 b, and open at the lower surface of the supply portion 18.
A valve mechanism (not shown) is provided in the supply unit 18, and when the ink cartridges C <b> 1 to C <b> 4 are mounted on the carriage 5, an ink needle (not shown) provided on the carriage 5 is inserted into the supply unit 18 to be valved. The mechanism is opened so that the ink in the second ink storage chamber 13B is supplied to the ink needle.

The case main body 11 has a plurality of support pillars (support portions) 21 formed integrally with the case main body 11, and is directed from the left wall portion 11e into the first ink storage chamber 13A and the second ink storage chamber 13B. It is formed to stand upright. Two support columns 21 are formed in each of the first ink storage chamber 13A and the second ink storage chamber 13B, and the two support columns 21 and 21 are spaced apart from each other in the depth direction (Y-axis direction). It is provided side by side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, stirring plates 25 (25A, 25B: stirring members) for stirring ink (liquid: FIG. 6) K are provided in the first ink storage chamber 13A and the second ink storage chamber 13B, respectively. Each is supported by the support part 20 so as to be movable.

  The support portion 20 of the present embodiment protrudes from the left wall portion (wall surface) 11e of the case body 11 into the storage chambers 13A and 13B, and penetrates through the stirring plates 25A and 25B (FIG. 6). And an opening 28 </ b> A (FIG. 6) penetrating the outer periphery and the penetrating portion 28.

  Specifically, the support portion 20 includes two support columns (support shafts) 21 and 21 that protrude from the left wall portion (wall surface) 11e of the case body 11 into the storage chambers 13A and 13B. These two support columns 21 and 21 have a bowl shape, and are arranged at a predetermined interval from each other so as to form the through portion 28 and the opening 28A. The two support columns 21 and 21 are engaged with each other so as to be swingable and slidable in the width direction (X direction) of the case main body 11. The support structure of this embodiment is constituted by such a support portion 20.

FIG. 4A is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the stirring plate mounted in the first ink reservoir, and FIG. 4B is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the stirring plate mounted in the second ink reservoir. FIG.
The stirring plates 25A and 25B are substantially rectangular flat plates made of synthetic resin or metal having a specific gravity larger than the specific gravity of the ink, and are mounted on the stirring unit 26 and the support columns 21 and 21 for stirring the ink. Each has a mounting portion 27. The mounting portion 27 includes a first portion (narrow width portion) 27A extending outward in the surface direction of the stirring portion 26 and a second portion (locking) provided on the opposite side of the first portion 27A to the stirring portion 26 side. Part) 27B. Between the stirring unit 26 and the mounting unit 27, bowl-shaped notches 25a and 25a are formed.

The stirrers 25A and 25B have a width W1 (maximum width) of the stirrer 26 and a first portion in a direction (horizontal direction) orthogonal to a direction (vertical direction) in which the stirrer 26 and the mounting portion 27 are arranged in the plane direction (vertical direction). The width W2 of 27A and the width W3 of the second portion 27B are set to dimensions such that width W2 <width W3 <width W1. In addition, the width W4 of the notches 25a and 25a in the vertical direction (the interval between the stirring unit 26 and the second portion 27B) is larger than the width W5 of the support column 21 (FIG. 6).
The shapes of the stirring plates 25A and 25B are formed along the shapes of the storage chambers 13A and 13B, and can be appropriately changed according to the shapes of the storage chambers 13A and 13B. The thickness of the stirring plates 25A and 25B in this embodiment is about 1 mm, but can be appropriately changed according to the size of the stirring unit 26, the size of the storage chambers 13A and 13B, the viscosity of the ink, and the like.

  5A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the ink cartridge support structure. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing a moving state of the stirring plate in the ink cartridge, and FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing a supporting state of the stirring plate in the ink cartridge.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), the support portions 20 and 20 formed in the storage chambers 13A and 13B, that is, the pair of support columns 21 and 21 constituting each support portion 20 are case bodies. 11 is formed integrally. The support column 21 protrudes perpendicularly from the left wall portion 11e of the case body 11 and supports the stirring plates 25A and 25B. The support column 21 is provided at the tip of the support shaft 22 and outside the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft 22. And a drop prevention portion 23 having a protruding nail shape, and configured to have a bowl shape. The drop-off prevention portion 23 protrudes toward the support column 21 facing the support shaft 22, and an opening 28 </ b> A formed between the drop-off prevention portions 23 and 23 in the opposite support columns 21 and 21 faces each other. This is a communication port between the through portion 28 formed between the support shafts 22 and 22 and the outside. The dropout prevention parts 23, 23 of the support columns 21, 21 prevent the stirring plate 25 (25 </ b> A, 25 </ b> B) from coming off from each support part 20.

Next, the structure of the support part 20 is explained in full detail.
As shown in FIG. 6, the pair of support columns 21 and 21 respectively disposed in the first ink storage chamber 13A and the second ink storage chamber 13B are in a state where the drop-off prevention portions 23 and 23 face each other. These are arranged at a predetermined interval in the facing direction. In the pair of support columns 21, the distance L1 between the drop-off prevention portions 23, 23 facing each other is such that the width W2 of the first portion 27A of the mounting portion 27 in the stirring plates 25A, 25B (FIGS. 4A and 4B). )) Narrower than that (L1 <W2). The spacing L2 between the support shafts 22 and 22 is arranged to be wider than the width W2 of the first portion 27A of the mounting portion 27 and narrower than the width W3 of the second portion 27B. .

The support columns 21, 21 are formed with inclined surfaces 24 that are inclined so that the distance from the other support columns 21 adjacent to the tip ends of the drop-off prevention portions 23, 23 increases. By the inclined surfaces 24 and 24 formed on the support columns 21 and 21, respectively, the stirring plate 25 (25A and 25B) is easily guided from the opening 28A toward the penetrating portion 28 (support shafts 22 and 22).
The mounting portion 27 (first portion 27A) of the stirring plate 25 (25A, 25B) is mounted so as to be fitted between the pair of support columns 21 and 21.

  When the stirring plate 25 (25A, 25B) is fitted between the support columns 21 and 21, the mounting portion 27 is pressed against the distal end side of the support columns 21 and 21 and inserted into the through portion 28 from the opening 28A. In other words, the support pillars 21 and 21 are pushed left and right by the pressed first portion 27A, and the drop prevention portions 23 and 23 bend in a direction away from each other, whereby the stirring plate 25 (25A and 25B) is supported. It is inserted into the through portion 28 between the shafts 22 and 22.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, since the inclined surface 24 is provided on the tip side of each of the support columns 21 and 21, the first portion 27A of the stirring plate 25 (25A, 25B) is replaced with the inclined surface 24, 24, the support plates 21 and 21 are bent in a direction away from each other, and the stirring plates 25 (25A and 25B) are smoothly moved (induced) to the support shafts 22 and 22 side.

  Thereby, the stirring plate 25 (25A, 25B) is supported by the two support columns 21 and 21 in a state where it is suspended in the vertical direction by the respective gravity. In the state where the stirring plate 25 (25A, 25B) is supported by the support columns 21 and 21 due to the arrangement interval of the support columns 21 and 21 and the shape of the stirring plate 25 (25A and 25B), Both side portions of the portion 27 </ b> A do not contact the support shafts 22 and 22 at the same time, and are supported so as to be movable with respect to the support shafts 22 and 22. For this reason, the two agitation plates 25 (25A, 25B) can be swung or slid in the width direction (X direction: FIG. 7A) of the ink cartridge C. 21 is supported. As shown in FIG. 7 (b), the stirring plate 25 (25A, 25B) moves along the support shafts 22, 22, and further movement is restricted by contacting the drop-off prevention portions 23, 23, and the support plate is supported. Omission from the columns 21 and 21 is prevented.

  Accordingly, when an external force is applied to the ink cartridge C and the ink cartridge C is accelerated or decelerated in a direction parallel to the X-axis direction at a predetermined acceleration or deceleration or more, the inertial force applied to the stirring plate 25 and The resultant force of gravity exceeds the pressure received from ink and the like, and the stirring plate 25 (25A, 25B) swings (pendulum motion) in the width direction (X direction) or slides (translates). ing.

  In the related art, after the stirring plate 25 is disposed between the support columns 21 and 21 so that the stirring plate 25 does not fall off from the two support columns 21 and 21 (so as not to come off), the tip portions of the support columns 21 and 21 are disposed. Since the diameter is increased by melting and deforming, it takes time and effort to manufacture. Further, the support pillars 21 and 21 are often provided as separate parts with respect to the case body 11, and in this case, there is a problem that the number of manufacturing steps increases.

In the ink cartridge C in the present embodiment, a pair of support columns 21 and 21 that respectively support the stirring plates 25 (25A and 25B) are formed integrally with the case main body 11. And since it is the structure which can be integrated by inserting the stirring board 25 (25A, 25B) between these support pillars 21 and 21, manufacture is also easy and work labor is reduced.
Therefore, according to the configuration and the manufacturing method of the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of assembly steps and the number of parts.

Next, the operation of the ink cartridge C will be described.
Ink is injected into each ink cartridge C from the ink injection hole 14 by a predetermined initial filling amount.

  When the ink cartridge C is mounted on the carriage 5, the width direction of the ink cartridge C is disposed so as to be parallel to the main scanning direction (X-axis direction) of the carriage 5 as shown in FIG. That is, the stirrers 25A and 25B in the first ink storage chamber 13A and the second ink storage chamber 13B are arranged so that the direction in which the stirring plates 25A and 25B can move coincides with the main scanning direction of the carriage 5.

  Next, when the carriage 5 is accelerated or decelerated along the main scanning direction for the purpose of stirring or printing ink, the stirring plates 25A and 25B provided in the ink cartridge C move according to the movement operation of the carriage 5. start. By these stirring plates 25A and 25B, the ink in the first ink storage chamber 13A and the second ink storage chamber 13B can be efficiently stirred.

  As a result, the ink in the first ink storage chamber 13A and the second ink storage chamber 13B is evenly agitated, and the density distribution of the pigment becomes uniform. Further, since the stirring plates 25A and 25B are provided so as to hang down, the stirring plates 25A and 25B easily move with a small external force, and reciprocate many times.

  The ink in the first ink storage chamber 13A and the second ink storage chamber 13B has a uniform pigment concentration distribution, and ink with a uniform pigment concentration is supplied to the recording head 6 via the supply unit 18. . For this reason, for example, even if printing is performed after a relatively long printing suspension period, a printed matter without color density deviation is created.

  Further, the external force applied to the ink cartridge C is not limited to the inertial force due to acceleration / deceleration accompanying the movement of the carriage 5 in the main scanning direction. When the ink cartridge C is stored for a long time, the stirring plates 25A and 25B in the first ink storage chamber 13A and the second ink storage chamber 13B are moved by shaking each ink cartridge C in the width direction, etc. The ink is agitated. Even when the pigment contained in the ink has settled at the bottom of the first ink storage chamber 13A and the second ink storage chamber 13B due to long-term storage, the lower ends of the stirring plates 25 and 25B are the first ink storage chambers. Since they are close to the bottoms of the storage chamber 13A and the second ink storage chamber 13B, the settled pigment and the like are reliably floated and stirred.

  Thus, according to the structure of this embodiment, since the support part 20 which supports the stirring plate 25 (25, 25B) so that a movement is possible is integrally formed with the case main body 11, it is with respect to the case main body 11. Thus, the support portion 20 is not separately formed, and the assembly man-hour can be reduced.

  In addition, the stir plate 25 is dropped from the support shafts 22 and 22 when the mounting portion 27 (notch portion 25a) of the stir plate 25 is engaged with the drop prevention portions 23 and 23 having the claw shapes of the support columns 21 and 21. This prevents the stirring plate 25 from being reliably supported by the support portion 20. Further, the pair of support columns 21 and 21 constituting the support portion 20 are arranged such that the distance L1 between the opposing drop-off prevention portions 23 and 23 is narrower than the width W2 of the first portion 27A of the stirring plate 25. Therefore, it is difficult to remove the stirring plate 25 once attached to the support portion 20 from the pair of support columns 21 and 21 unless an external force is applied to widen the space between the drop-off prevention portions 23 and 23. For this reason, even when the case main body 11 falls down, the stirring plate 25 is prevented from being detached from the support portion 20, and the stirring plate 25 is reliably supported by the support portion 20.

  Each of the pair of support columns 21 and 21 is formed with an inclined surface 24 that is inclined so as to increase the distance from the other support column 21 adjacent to the distal end side of the drop-off prevention unit 23. For this reason, when the stirring plate 25 is mounted between the support columns 21 and 21 of the support portion 20, the stirring plate 25 is guided between the support shafts 22 and 22 of the support columns 21 and 21 by the inclined surface 24. Cheap.

(Modification)
FIG. 8A is a view for explaining the rotation state of the stirring plate 25A (25B), and FIG. 8B is a view showing a modification of the stirring plate and the support structure.
The stirring plates 25A and 25B according to the present embodiment are held in the ink storage chambers 13A and 13B by a single mounting portion 27 provided at the central portion on the upper end side, so that the mounting portion 27 serves as a fulcrum during stirring. There is a risk of rotating in the surface direction (the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 8A).

  Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 8B, long holes (insertion holes) 26a, 26a are formed in the vicinity of both sides in the width direction of the stirring portions 26 of the stirring plates 25A, 25B, and the long holes 26a, 26a are formed. The pins 19 and 19 are formed at predetermined positions on the case main body 11 facing each other, and the pins 19 and 19 are inserted into the long holes 26a and 26a, whereby the stirring plates 25A and 25B rotate in an unintended direction. It may be configured to prevent this.

  The long holes 26 a and 26 a have an elliptical shape whose long axis is along the vertical direction of the stirring unit 26. For example, when the stirring plates 25A and 25B swing around the mounting portion 27 at the predetermined positions on the support columns 21 and 21, respectively, the lower end side opposite to the mounting portion 27 moves. It is set according to the amount to be done. That is, it is formed in a size that does not hinder the oscillation (range) of the stirring plates 25A and 25B. On the other hand, the short axes of the long holes 26 a and 26 a are set to have a length slightly longer than the diameter of the pin 19. And when attaching, the pins 19 and 19 are simultaneously inserted in the long holes 26a and 26a.

  Thereby, rotation to the surface direction of stirring plate 25A, 25B is prevented, the moving direction (stirring direction) of stirring plate 25A, 25B can be controlled to a desired direction, and the support state of stirring plate 25A, 25B Since the ink is stabilized, the ink stirring effect is enhanced. Further, the long holes 26a and the pins 19 can position the stirring plates 25A and 25B with respect to the support portion 20 at the time of mounting, and assembling becomes easy.

  In this embodiment, when the agitating plate 25 is attached to the support portion 20, the agitating plate 25 is inserted between the supporting columns 21 and 21 by bending the supporting columns 21 and 21 in a direction away from each other. However, the stirring plate 25 may be made of a flexible material and inserted between the support columns 21 and 21 by deforming the stirring plate 25 side.

  Moreover, the stirring plate 25 may be formed of a material that is more flexible than the support portion 20 that supports the stirring plate 25. In this case, when the stirring plate 25 is attached to the support portion 20, the stirring plate 25 can be fitted between the support columns 21 and 21 while the stirring plate 25 side is deformed.

(Second Embodiment of Ink Cartridge)
Next, the ink cartridge C of the second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 9 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the ink cartridge C of the second embodiment.
10A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 9, FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of the support mechanism shown in FIG. 9A, and FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. FIG. 11B is an enlarged view of the support mechanism shown in FIG.

  In the ink cartridges C1 to C4 in the previous embodiment, as the support portion 20 for holding the stirring plates 25A and 25B disposed in the first ink storage chamber 13A and the second ink storage chamber 13B of the case main body 11, A pair of support pillars 21 and 21 were provided in the first ink storage chamber 13A and the second ink storage chamber 13B, respectively.

  In contrast, in the ink cartridges C1 to C4 in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, two sets of ink cartridges C1 to C4 are provided in the first ink storage chamber 13A and the second ink storage chamber 13B of the case body 11, respectively. A total of four support pillars 21a, 21a, 21b, 21b are provided. These four support columns 21a, 21a, 21b, and 21b constitute the support portions 20A and 20B of the present embodiment.

  The support columns 21a and 21a and the support columns 21b and 21b are arranged in the first ink storage chambers 13A and the second ink storage chambers 13B at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction, and the upper ends of the stirring plates 25A and 25B. Each side can be held in a horizontal position. The arrangement interval between the support columns 21a and 21a and the arrangement interval between the support columns 21b and 21b are the same as in the previous embodiment.

On the other hand, the stirring plates 25A and 25B have two mounting portions 27 and 27 on the upper end side of the stirring portion 26 with a predetermined interval therebetween. The stirring plate 25A is held by fitting one mounting portion 27 between the support columns 21a and 21a in the first ink storage chamber 13A and inserting the other mounting portion 27 between the support columns 21b and 21b. ing. The stirring plate 25B is held by fitting one mounting portion 27 into the support columns 21a and 21a in the second ink storage chamber 13B and fitting the other mounting portion 27 into the support columns 21b and 21b. .
In addition, the arrangement | positioning space | interval of the support pillars 21a and 21a and the support pillars 21b and 21b in the stirring plates 25A and 25B is set according to the size in each ink storage chamber 13A and 13B.

  In this way, by using a support structure including a plurality of support columns 21 according to the number of mounting portions 27 of the stirring plate 25, the stirring plate 25 supported by the support structure can be stabilized. The number of mounting portions 27 of the stirring plate 25 and the number of support pillars 21 and 21 corresponding to each mounting portion 27 in the support portions 20A and 20B depend on the size of the stirring plate 25 (width W1: FIG. 9). Is set as appropriate.

  As described above, the preferred embodiments according to the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the examples. It is obvious for those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. It is understood that it belongs to.

12 to 15 are schematic configuration diagrams showing modifications of the support structure.
For example, in each of the embodiments described above, the configuration in which the stirring plates 25A and 25B are supported by the support columns 21 and 21 in a vertical posture with the mounting portion 27 side facing up and the stirring portion 26 side facing down has been described. However, it may be configured to be supported in a horizontal posture. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the support columns 21 and 21 may be arranged vertically with a predetermined interval so that the arrangement of the stirring unit 26 and the mounting unit 27 is in a horizontal state.

  Moreover, in each embodiment shown previously, it becomes the structure by which a pair of support pillars 21 and 21 are mutually arrange | positioned at predetermined intervals in the state which faced the fall prevention parts 23 and 23 which exhibit a nail | claw shape. However, as shown in FIG. 13A, the shaft body 122 protrudes from the left wall portion of the case body into the storage chamber, and the plurality of drop-off prevention portions 123 and 123 provided at the tip of the shaft body 122. The support pillar (support part) 121 comprised may be sufficient. The shaft body 122 includes branch portions 122a and 122b in which the base end side is integrated. The support pillar 121 is in a state in which the claw-shaped (protruding) side of the drop-off preventing portions 123, 123 is directed outward, and the branch portions 122a, 122b are spread toward the distal end side. The prevention parts 123 and 123 are movable in the radial direction. That is, the drop-off prevention parts 123 and 123 (branch parts 122a and 122b) provided at the respective tips of the branch parts 122a and 122b are separated from each other in a normal state and can be brought close to each other by a load of an external force. ing.

  When the stirring plate 25 is fitted into such a support column 121, the drop-off preventing portions 123 and 123 (branching portions 122 a and 122 b) on the tip side of the support column 121 are formed in the mounting portion 27 of the stirring plate 25. The stirring plate 25 is supported by the support column 121 by being inserted into the engagement hole 27a and locking the stirring plate 25 to the branch portions 122a and 122b (FIG. 13B). At this time, the branch portions 122a and 122b are inserted into the engagement hole 27a with the drop prevention portions 123 and 123 being close to each other, and are returned to the original state after passing through the engagement hole 27a. The parts 123 and 123 are locked to the mounting part 27 of the stirring plate 25.

  When the stirring plate 25 is assembled into the support column 121, the branching portions 122a and 122b are bent by the engagement holes 27a so that the dropout prevention portions 23 and 23 are close to each other, so that the dropout prevention portions 123 and 123 are engaged with the engagement holes. The mounting portion 27 is locked to the branch portions 122a and 122b through the inside of 27a. The drop-off prevention parts 123, 123 that have passed through the engagement hole 27a are separated from each other (the bending of the branch parts 122a, 122b is restored), whereby the stirring plate 25 is supported by the support column 121.

  The engagement hole 27a has a substantially circular shape in plan view, and the attachment portion 27 can be engaged with the dropout prevention portions 123 and 123 in a state where the branch portions 122a and 122b are separated from each other. Thus, it is formed in a size (diameter) that is movably supported.

Note that the engagement hole 27a in a plan view may have various shapes such as a square shape and a rectangular shape regardless of the circular shape.
Alternatively, in addition to the support structure having the branch parts 122a and 122b in which the base end side is integrated, the support pillars 21 and 21 in the first embodiment shown above are simply attached to the drop prevention parts 23 and 21 having a claw shape. It is good also as a support structure arrange | positioned so that 23 may mutually reverse.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 14, a pair of engagement holes 126b and 126b are formed in a line along one side 126a of the stirring portion 126 in the stirring plate 25, and the pair of engagement holes 126b and 126b are formed in the pair of engagement holes 126b and 126b. It is good also as a structure which makes the support part 20 support the stirring plate 25 by inserting a pair of support pillars 21 and 21, respectively.

  Alternatively, one support pillar 21 may be provided for each engagement hole 126b. In this case, the drop prevention part 23 is directed upward, and the engagement holes 126b and 126b provided in the stirring plate 25 are engaged with and attached to the drop prevention parts 23 and 23 of the support pillars 21 and 21, respectively. It may be configured.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the second portion 27B of the mounting portion 27 of the stirring plate 25 projects vertically from the left wall portion of the case main body toward the storage chamber side. The support part 131 which has the through-hole 131a inserted and supported by is comprised. In this case, the stirring plate 25 is made of a flexible material, and is inserted into the through hole 131a in a state where the second portion 27B of the mounting portion 27 is curved as shown in FIG. By returning to the original state as shown in (b), the upper surface of the support portion 131 is engaged with the second portion 27B, and the stirring plate 25 is movably supported by the support portion 131.

  Here, the diameter of the through hole 131a is larger than the width W2 (FIG. 4) of the first portion 27A of the mounting portion 27 and narrower than the width W3 (FIG. 4) of the second portion 27B. The through hole 131a may have a length toward the left wall portion 11e. Thereby, the stirring plate 25 becomes movable along the length direction of the through hole 131a.

Even with such a configuration, the stirring plate 25 is reliably supported by the support portion 131, and the stirring plate 25 can be swung (moved) as the carriage moves.
Further, as the configuration of the stirring plate 25 corresponding to the support portion 131, as shown in FIG. 15C, the second portion 27B of the mounting portion 27 has a through hole 131a at the tip side of the second portion 27b in the mounting portion 27. It may be configured to be smaller than the diameter and easily inserted into the through hole 131a, or may be circular in plan view as shown in FIG. Then, a part of the second portion 27 b inserted into the through hole 131 a is engaged with the upper end surface of the support portion 131, whereby the stirring plate 25 is supported by the support portion 131.

In the above-described embodiment, the ink jet printer has been described as an example of the liquid ejecting apparatus. However, the liquid ejecting apparatus is not limited to the ink jet printer, and may be an apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile.
Further, the apparatus for mounting the ink cartridge C is not limited to the liquid ejecting apparatus, and any apparatus that consumes liquid may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid such as ink has been described as an example of the liquid ejecting apparatus. However, the liquid ejecting apparatus ejects or discharges liquid other than ink. Can be applied. The liquid that can be ejected by the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid material in which particles of the functional material are dispersed or dissolved, and a gel-like fluid.

  In the above-described embodiment, as the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting apparatus, not only ink but also a liquid corresponding to a specific application can be applied. By providing the liquid ejecting apparatus with an ejecting head capable of ejecting a liquid corresponding to the specific application, ejecting the liquid corresponding to the specific application from the ejecting head, and attaching the liquid to a predetermined object, A given device can be manufactured. For example, a liquid ejecting apparatus disperses (dissolves) a material such as an electrode material and a color material used in manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, and a surface emitting display (FED) in a predetermined dispersion medium (solvent). It is applicable to a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid (liquid material).

The case where the ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage on which the scanning recording head is mounted as the liquid container has been described as an example. For example, the ink cartridge may be mounted at a position different from the carriage (so-called off-carriage type).
Alternatively, the ink cartridge may be mounted on a line type head (non-scanning type recording head).

In addition, the fluid ejecting apparatus may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a bio-organic matter used for biochip manufacturing, or a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid that is used as a precision pipette as a sample.
In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. May be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid onto the substrate, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as acid or alkali to etch the substrate, or a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects gel. The present invention can be applied to any one of these types of liquid storage containers and liquid ejecting apparatuses.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer (liquid ejecting apparatus), 5 ... Carriage, 6 ... Recording head (liquid ejecting head), 10 ... Case (container), 11 ... Case main body (container main body), 11e ... Left wall part (wall surface), 13A, 13B ... Reservoir, 19 ... Pin, 20, 20A, 131 ... Support part, 21, 21a, 21b, 22, 121 ... Support pillar, 21, 121 ... Support pillar, 23, 123 ... Drop-off prevention part, 24 ... Inclined surface , 25A, 25B ... stirring plate (stirring member), 26, 126 ... stirring portion, 27 ... mounting portion, 27a, 126b ... locking hole, 27A ... first portion (narrow width portion), 27B ... second portion (engagement) 28) penetrating part, 28A ... opening, K ... ink (liquid), L1, L2 ... spacing, W1, W2, W3, W4, W5 ... width, 122 ... shaft body, 126b ... engagement hole, 126a ... One side, 131a ... Through hole, C ... Ink cartridge Di (liquid container)

Claims (13)

A container body for storing liquid in a storage chamber formed in the container;
A stirring member disposed in the storage chamber and stirring the liquid;
A support structure that supports the stirring member in a movable manner and is formed integrally with the container;
A pin integrally formed with the container ,
The agitation member includes a mounting portion which is supported by the support structure, a stirring section for oscillating the mounting portion as a fulcrum for agitating the liquid, and can be inserted the insertion hole of the pin, to have a, that Characteristic liquid container.   The insertion hole has a shape having a major axis and a minor axis, and the length of the insertion hole in the minor axis is longer than the length of the pin in the direction along the minor axis. The liquid container according to 1.   3. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the insertion hole is formed in a size that does not hinder the oscillation of the stirring member.   The mounting part has a narrow part extending from the stirring part, and a locking part provided on the opposite side of the narrow part to the stirring part,
  The width of the narrow portion in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction in which the mounting portion and the stirring portion are arranged is smaller than the width of the locking portion,
  The support structure includes a support portion that supports the locking portion;
  4. The liquid storage according to claim 1, wherein the support part has a through-hole that protrudes from the wall part of the container into the storage chamber and into which the narrow part can be inserted. container. The support structure has an opening communicating the outer periphery of the support portion and the through hole ;
The liquid container according to claim 4 , wherein the support portion is configured by opposing a pair of bowl-shaped support columns. Spacing of the through hole in the second direction, wider than the width of the narrow portion in the second direction, that is formed to be narrower than the width of the locking portion in the second direction The liquid container according to claim 4 or 5 , characterized in that: A drop-off prevention portion having a claw shape is provided at the tip of each of the pair of support columns ,
The opening is formed between the drop-off prevention portions,
The liquid container according to claim 5 , wherein an interval between the openings in the second direction is arranged to be narrower than a width of the narrow portion in the second direction . Each of the pair of support pillars, according to claim 5 or 7, characterized in that inclined surfaces inclined is formed so as to extend the distance between the other of said support column adjacent to each other toward the tip Liquid container. A plurality of the mounting parts are provided in a line along one side of the stirring part,
Liquid container according to any one of claims 1 8, characterized in that the support structure is more provided in accordance with the number of the mounting portion. The support structure includes a support body having a shaft body that protrudes from the wall surface of the container into the storage chamber, and a plurality of drop-off prevention portions that are provided at a distal end of the shaft body and are movable in a radial direction of the shaft body. Have
4. The liquid storage container according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion has a locking hole capable of stirring the liquid and allowing the drop-off preventing portion to be inserted. 5. A plurality of the locking holes are provided in a line along one side of the stirring unit,
The liquid container according to claim 10 , wherein a plurality of the support portions are provided according to the number of the locking holes. In a liquid ejecting apparatus in which a liquid container and a liquid ejecting head are mounted on a carriage that reciprocates along the main scanning direction, and liquid is supplied from the liquid containing container to the liquid ejecting head.
A liquid ejecting apparatus using the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 11 as the liquid container. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the stirring member is arranged to be movable in the main scanning direction.

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