JPH0615845A - Ink tank for ink jet recording - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To stabilize the emission of ink in a recording head by increasing the impregnation amount of ink by allowing the interior of an ink tank to communicate with the atomosphere regardless of the posture of the ink tank and eliminating the leakage of ink, reducing the residual amount of ink at the time of the exhaustion of the ink by enhancing the compression ratio of an ink absorbing member toward an ink supply side and easily generating internal negative pressure. CONSTITUTION:A tank case 101 is packed with an ink absorbing member 17 in such a state that the compression ratio on an ink supply side becomes high and a communication member 18 having a small diameter is inserted in the almost center part of the ink absorbing member 17 and the ink absorbing member 17 is allowed to communicate with the atmosphere through the internal communication ports 403 and passages 401 formed to the communication member 18.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink tank for supplying ink to an ink jet recording means for ejecting ink for recording, and an ink jet recording apparatus equipped with the ink tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording device having a function such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, or a recording device used as an output device such as a composite electronic device including a computer and a word processor, a workstation, etc. Image (including characters etc.) on the recording material (recording medium) such as paper or plastic thin plate based on
Is configured to record. The recording apparatus can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a laser beam type, etc., depending on the recording method.

In a serial type recording apparatus which employs a serial scan system in which main scanning is performed in a direction intersecting a conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of a recording material, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position and then the recording material is recorded. An image is recorded (main scanning) by a recording unit mounted on a carriage that moves along the material, and a predetermined amount of paper is fed (conveyed material to be recorded) after the recording for one line is completed, and then, again. The recording of the entire recording material is performed by repeating the operation of recording (main scanning) the image of the next row on the recording material that has stopped. On the other hand, in a line type recording apparatus that records only by sub-scanning in the conveying direction of the recording material, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, and the paper is continuously recorded while recording one line at a time. Feeding (pitch feeding) is performed to record the entire recording material.

Of the above-mentioned recording apparatuses, the ink-jet recording apparatus (ink-jet recording apparatus) performs recording by ejecting ink from a recording unit (recording head) onto a recording material, and the recording unit can be made compact. Easy, high-definition images can be recorded at high speed, plain paper can be recorded without requiring special processing, running costs are low, and the non-impact method reduces noise. In addition, it is easy to record a color image using multicolor inks. Among them, the line type using a full multi type recording means in which a large number of ejection openings are arranged in the paper width direction can further speed up recording.

In particular, an ink jet type recording means (recording head) for ejecting ink by utilizing heat energy,
Through the semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, vapor deposition, and sputtering, the electrothermal converter formed on the substrate, the electrode,
By forming the liquid passage wall, the top plate, and the like, it is possible to easily manufacture a liquid discharge device having a high-density liquid passage arrangement (ejection port arrangement), and to further reduce the size. On the other hand, there are various requirements for the material of the recording material,
In recent years, ordinary recording materials such as paper and resin thin plates (OHP)
Etc.), thin paper and processed paper (paper with punched holes for filing, perforated paper, paper of arbitrary shape, etc.) have been required to be used.

In a conventional ink jet recording apparatus, particularly when an ink tank for supplying ink to a recording head is mounted on a carriage, the ink tank is of a type in which a rubber bag is filled with ink, or inside a container. A method of impregnating a filled sponge (ink absorber) with ink is used.

[0007]

However, the conventional ink tank for ink jet recording has the following problems to be solved. First, in the method of filling the rubber bag with ink, it is necessary to have a configuration in which the rubber bag is sequentially crushed from the supply side (the side connected to the recording unit) as the ink is consumed. The tip (supply side) must be made substantially cylindrical and the ink volume in the ink tank (hereinafter referred to as the working volume) must be small, which is a disadvantage. Since the ink is not crushed, there is a problem that the amount of remaining ink is large and the amount of ink used in the ink tank (hereinafter referred to as usage efficiency) is small.

On the other hand, in the method of impregnating the sponge with ink, it is necessary to use an open type container having an atmosphere communication port in the container. Therefore, during storage, the ink expands outside the sponge due to the expansion of air inside the sponge. However, there is an inconvenience that ink is leaked from the atmosphere communication port by being pushed out. Therefore, in order to eliminate this inconvenience, use 2 sponges.
If you try to increase the ink holding force (negative pressure generating force) by compressing up to 3 times, it takes a lot of time to assemble the sponge,
Workability will be reduced. Moreover, when filling ink,
There is a problem that air will be mixed in if vacuum injection is not performed, which results in the disadvantage that the number of manufacturing steps increases and the manufacturing cost increases, and that when the ink holding power is increased, it remains in the sponge. There is an inconvenience that the amount of ink increases and the use efficiency decreases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to increase the use volume and use efficiency of an ink tank, and to prevent ink leakage from the air communication port of the ink tank. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink tank for ink jet recording and an ink jet recording apparatus that can be eliminated and can obtain stable ink ejection from a recording unit.

[0010]

In an ink tank for ink jet recording according to the present invention, an ink holder is filled in the ink tank at a predetermined compression rate, and a rod-shaped communicating member is passed through the ink holder. The above object is achieved by providing the communication member with an atmosphere communication portion that communicates the ink holder with the atmosphere. In addition to the above-described structure, another ink tank for ink jet recording according to the present invention has a structure in which a gap for air circulation is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the communication member and the ink holding body, or ink holding The body is configured to be inserted in a state in which the compression ratio on the ink supply port side to the recording unit is large, so that the above object can be achieved more efficiently.

Further, according to the present invention, in an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means to a recording material, an ink holding member has a predetermined compression rate in an ink tank for supplying ink to the recording means. The use of the ink tank is configured such that the rod-shaped communicating member is filled with the ink holding body and the atmosphere communicating portion that communicates the ink holding body and the atmosphere is provided in the communicating member. (EN) An ink jet recording apparatus capable of increasing volume and use efficiency, eliminating ink leakage from an air communication port of an ink tank, and obtaining stable ink ejection from a recording unit.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view illustrating the schematic configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus including an ink tank for inkjet recording to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, a recording sheet (recording material) 1 such as paper or a thin plastic plate
5 is fed to a printer unit by a paper feeding device such as a manual feed or a cut sheet feeder, and is conveyed to a recording unit (indexing position) by controlling the rotation amount of a paper feed roller (not shown), and a recording start state is obtained. Is set to. Reference numeral 1 is an ink tank, and 2 is an inkjet recording means (recording head). The ink tank 1 is an ink tank for ink jet recording for supplying ink to the recording head 2. The ink tank 1 and the recording head (recording unit) 2 are mounted on the carriage 3 in a state of being assembled with each other.

In the case of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in the drawing, a plurality of ink ejection ports are vertically arranged on the front surface (ejection surface) of the recording head 2. The carriage 3 is guided and supported so as to be capable of reciprocating along guide rails (sliding shafts) 4 and 5, and is driven by a drive motor 6.
And reciprocatingly driven through a timing belt 8 stretched between the idle pulley 7 and the idle pulley 7. The carriage 3 is main-scanned in the digit direction of the recording material 15 (direction crossing the recording material 15) to record an image of one line, and every time one line is recorded, sub-scanning is performed by paper feed to perform the next scanning. Record the line.

At a position facing the recording head 2, a platen 9 also serving as a guide plate for guiding the recording sheet 15 along the conveyance path is arranged. The platen 9 may also function as a fixing device by attaching a heater wire (not shown) to a sheet metal to form a surface heater. The recording material 15 is pressed against the platen 9 by the paper pressing plate 10 at a portion of the lower side (upstream side) of the recording area, which is the range in which the recording head 2 performs main scanning, as close as possible to the recording area. The floating of the recording material 15 is prevented. The recording material 15 that has passed through the recording portion is provided with a discharge roller 11 arranged on the downstream side in the conveying direction and a spur roller 12 pressed against the discharge roller 11.
Will be discharged by.

On the other hand, a recovery system 13 for recovering the ink ejection failure of the recording head 2 to a good condition is provided at a position facing the recording head 2 and out of the platen 9. Further, the paper feed roller (conveyance roller) is provided with a paper feed knob 14 for manually feeding the recording material 15.

The recording head (recording means) 2 is an ink jet recording means for ejecting ink by utilizing heat energy, and has an electrothermal converter for generating heat energy. Further, the recording head 2 performs recording by ejecting ink from an ejection port by utilizing a pressure change caused by growth and contraction of bubbles due to film boiling generated by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. is there.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection portion of the recording head 2. In FIG. 2, the recording sheet 15 and a predetermined gap (for example, about 0.5 to 2.
A plurality of ejection openings 22 are formed at a predetermined pitch on the ejection surfaces 21 facing each other at a distance of about 0 mm), and along the wall surface of each liquid passage 24 that connects the common liquid chamber 23 and each ejection opening 22. An electrothermal converter (heat generating resistor, etc.) 25 for generating energy for ejecting ink is provided. In this example, in the recording head 2, the ejection port 22 has the carriage 3
The carriages 3 are mounted in such a positional relationship that they are lined up in a direction intersecting the scanning direction. In this way, the corresponding electrothermal converter 25 is driven (energized) based on the image signal or the ejection signal to cause the ink in the liquid passage 24 to film-boil, and the ink generated from the ejection port 22 is ejected by the pressure generated at that time. The recording head 2 is configured.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of an ink tank 1 for ink jet recording to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the central portion of the ink tank of FIG. 3 and 4, the ink tank 1 is detachably attached to the inkjet recording means (recording head) 2 at the front end portion (ink supply side) thereof. The ink tank 1 and the recording head 2 are mounted on the carriage 3 as shown in FIG. The ink tank 1 has a cylindrical case 101. The case 101 has an end surface on the ink supply side closed by a lid 102, and the other end surface is open. In addition, the case 1
As shown in FIG. 4, the inside of 0 is formed with a tapered wall 103 on the side of the lid portion 102, the inner diameter of which gradually decreases.

An opening 104 is formed in the lid portion 102 for coupling with an ink supply portion of the recording head 2 described later. The opening 104 is closed by a seal or a cap (not shown) during storage before mounting the recording head, and is removed and used immediately before mounting the recording head. Inside the lid part 102, a plurality of ribs 105 (FIG. 4) are integrally formed in a radial or concentric pattern. The ribs 105 are for holding the sponge 16 to be described later with a predetermined gap.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, a disc-shaped sponge 16 for concentrating ink is mounted on the inner surface side of the lid portion 102 in the case 101. The sponge 16 is compressed about 3 times and mounted. In this case, the sponge 16 is mounted in a state in which the sponge 16 comes into contact with the rib 105 in a compressed state of about 3 times, but does not come into close contact with the inner surface of the lid 102 itself, and forms a gap therebetween. . Further, the through hole 2 is formed in the center of the sponge 16.
01 is formed.

Inside the case 101, a cylindrical ink holder 17 is fitted and mounted in contact with the sponge 16. The ink holder 17 is formed by compressing an ink absorber such as polyester cotton about 2-3 times, and the outer peripheral surface thereof is covered with a covering member 30 such as vinyl chloride.
Covered with 1. This ink-absorbent ink holder 1
7 is excellent in productivity because it can be continuously produced while being compressed by simultaneous molding and can be cut into a required length after molding and used.

Further, since the ink holder 17 shaped like a cylinder is mounted in the tapered circular space inside the case 101, it is assembled in a compressed state as it approaches the sponge 16. Therefore, the ink impregnated in the ink holder 17 is concentrated on the tip portion (on the ink supply port side to the recording head 2) due to the surface tension. By concentrating the impregnated ink on the ink supply port side of the recording head 2 in this manner, it is possible to prevent air from being mixed when the ink tank is replaced and bubbles from being mixed when the ink is filled in the ink tank by the suction pump. In addition, it is possible to reduce the remaining amount of ink when used up.

A through hole 302 that is aligned with (communicates with) the through hole 201 of the sponge 16 is formed at or near the center of the ink holder 17. A disk-shaped tank cap portion 405 is provided in the through hole 302.
A rod-shaped communicating member 18 integrally formed is fitted in the central portion of the. The communication member 18 also fits into the through hole 201 at the center of the sponge 16 in the vicinity of the tip thereof, and the tip thereof reaches the inner surface of the lid 102 or the vicinity thereof. A tip portion 402 of the communication member 18 is formed in a tapered shape. Then, this communication member 18
In addition to fitting the communication member 18 into the through holes 302 and 201, a component including the tank cap 405 and
The tank cap portion 405 is assembled by hermetically joining the periphery of the tank cap portion 405 to the open end surface of the case 101 by welding or the like.

Therefore, the communicating member 18 is formed with a central hole 401 having a length that extends to the outside at the central opening 406 of the tank cap portion 405 and extends to the vicinity of the intermediate portion of the communicating member 18. The center hole 401 is opened (communicated) with the outer peripheral surface of the communication member 18 through a communication port 403. Therefore, the center hole 401 is open to the outside at one end and the ink holding member 17 at the other end.
Through the through hole 302.

Axial ribs 407 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the communicating member 18 at a plurality of circumferential positions, and circumferential ribs 408 substantially perpendicular to the axis are provided at a plurality of axial positions at predetermined intervals. Has been formed. These axial ribs 407
The circumferential ribs 408 are formed so that their outer peripheral surfaces have substantially the same outer diameter surface. That is, the communication member 18 is fitted (closely fitted) to the through hole 302 of the ink holding body 17 on the outer peripheral surfaces of the ribs 407 and 408. Further, slits (not shown) are formed in each circumferential rib 408 so that air can flow along the entire length of the communicating member 18 along each axial rib 407.

Further, a disk-shaped tank cap portion 405.
An end face rib 409 in which a concentric circular arc-shaped rib and a partial radial rib are appropriately combined is formed on the inner surface of the.
The end surface ribs 409 are provided to prevent the end surface of the ink holding body 17 from being in close contact with the inner surface of the tank cap portion 405, and to provide a predetermined gap therebetween.

3 and 4, the recording means (recording head) 2 has an ink supply pipe (ink supply port).
The ink tank 1 is assembled with the case 502 inserted and fitted into the opening 104 of the case 101. In this assembled state, the tip portion of the ink supply pipe 502 is in pressure contact with the sponge 16 and is connected in a state capable of supplying ink. A filter (not shown) is attached to the end surface of the ink supply pipe 502 to prevent dust and the like from entering. The recording head 2 is provided with a contact portion 503 for electrically driving each conversion element for ejecting ink based on image information.

Next, the operation of the embodiment having the above configuration will be described. In open-type ink tanks, air may not flow smoothly in and out of the ink tank due to fluctuations in temperature and atmospheric pressure during storage. In such cases, ink leakage may occur. It tends to occur.
According to the embodiment having the above-described configuration, the air can smoothly flow in and out of the ink tank and the ink leakage can be eliminated regardless of the posture of the ink tank 1 during storage. Hereinafter, the entry and exit of air depending on the posture of the ink tank 1 during storage will be described.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the central portion showing the state where the ink tank 1 is placed in the horizontal direction. In the state of FIG. 5, much ink is concentrated on the lower side due to its own weight as shown in the figure, but according to the above-mentioned embodiment, since the internal communication port 403 is in contact with the air layer even in this state, the ink tank The inside (ink holder 17) can be communicated with the atmosphere, so that even if the air expands or contracts, the air passes through the communication port 403 and the center hole 401 of the communication member 18 and opens (external communication port). Ink tank 1 from 406
Is released or inhaled to the outside.

FIG. 6 is a central longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the ink tank 1 is set up with the ink supply side (recording head 2 side) facing up. Even when stored in the state of FIG. 6, since the internal communication port 403 communicates with the air above,
Even when the air expands or contracts, the air inside and outside the ink tank 1 can freely flow (in and out).

FIG. 7 is a central longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the ink tank 1 is erected with the ink supply side (recording head 2 side) facing down, contrary to FIG. In the storage state of FIG. 7, even when the ink is concentrated on the lower side due to its own weight, the internal communication port 403 communicates with the air above, and therefore, as in the case of FIG. Body 1
7) can be communicated with the atmosphere, so that even when the air expands or contracts, the air inside and outside the ink tank 1 can freely flow (in and out).

FIG. 8 is a central longitudinal sectional view showing a second embodiment of an ink tank to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a single piece of the ink holder in FIG. In this embodiment, the sponge sheet 19 wound around the communication member 18 is used as the ink holder (ink absorber) 17 mounted inside the ink tank. Since the sponge sheet 19 is used as the ink holder 17, the disc-shaped sponge 16 for ink concentration used in the first embodiment described above is omitted. This embodiment is shown in FIG.
Although it is different from the first embodiment of FIG. 4, it has substantially the same configuration in other points, corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,
The sponge sheet 19 may be wound around the communicating member 18 and then mounted in the ink tank 1 (case 101), or the sponge sheet 19 may be wound into the ink tank 1 and then installed in the ink tank 1. Alternatively, the communication member 18 may be inserted in the central portion thereof. According to the second embodiment as well, it is possible to obtain the same operation and effect as in the case of the first embodiment described above, and regardless of the posture of the ink tank 1, the inside of the ink tank (the ink holding member 1
7) can be communicated with the atmosphere, so that the amount of ink filled can be increased and the amount of ink remaining when the ink runs out can be reduced. Further, since it is sufficient to roll the sponge sheet 19 and insert it into the tank, the assembling property can be improved. Further, by omitting the sponge 16 in the first embodiment,
It is also possible to reduce the number of parts.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view of a central portion of an ink tank according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the ink holder (ink absorber) 17 mounted inside the ink tank is formed of a cylindrical sponge having a through hole 302 in the center. Since the ink holder 17 is made of sponge, the disc-shaped sponge 16 in the first embodiment described above is omitted. Although this embodiment is different from the first embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 in the above points, it has substantially the same configuration in other points, and corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be given. Is omitted.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 10, a step for forming the through hole 302 for inserting the communication member 18 in the sponge (ink holder) 17 is required, but the ink concentration for the first embodiment is concentrated. Since the parts corresponding to the sponge 16 are omitted, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and the number of assembling steps. The third of FIG.
In the embodiment as well, the ink absorber 1 of the first embodiment described above is used.
As in the case of No. 7, the cylindrical sponge 17 is inserted and attached to the tapered inner surface of the ink tank case 101 in such a state that the compression rate increases toward the ink supply side (recording head 2 side). .

According to the third embodiment of FIG. 10, it is possible to obtain the same operation and effect as in the case of the above-mentioned first embodiment, and the inside of the ink tank (ink Since the holder 17) can be communicated with the atmosphere, the amount of ink filled can be increased and the amount of ink remaining when the ink runs out can be reduced. Further, by omitting the sponge 16 in the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of parts.

According to each of the embodiments described above, the communication member 18 having a small diameter is inserted into the through hole 302 formed in the central portion of the ink holder 17, and the internal communication port 403 and the center hole 401 formed in the communication member 18 are inserted. Since the inside and outside of the ink tank are configured to communicate with the atmosphere, it can communicate with the atmosphere regardless of the posture of the ink tank, so that the amount of impregnated ink can be increased and ink leakage can be eliminated. Since the compression rate of the ink holder 17 is increased toward the ink supply side, it is possible to reduce the remaining amount of ink when the ink runs out.
Since the negative pressure can be easily generated in the ink tank, stable ink ejection can be obtained in the inkjet recording head 2, and the space efficiency is high, and the assembling can be performed easily and easily. Thus, an ink tank for inkjet recording having excellent performance and productivity was obtained. Further, the same effect can be obtained in an ink jet recording apparatus using this ink tank.

In each of the above embodiments, the recording head 2
The description has been given by taking as an example the case of a serial type ink jet recording apparatus in which the carriage is mounted on the carriage 3. However, the present invention uses a line type recording head having a length that covers the whole or a part of the recording material in the width direction. The same can be applied to a line-type inkjet recording apparatus that records only by sub-scanning and its ink tank, and similar effects can be obtained. In addition to the cartridge type in which the recording head and the ink tank (ink chamber) are integrated, the present invention includes a recording head and an ink tank which are separately connected by an ink supply tube or the like. The ink tank can be similarly applied regardless of the arrangement form of the ink tank, and the same effect can be achieved.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the ink jet recording apparatus using one recording head and its ink tank have been described as an example, but the present invention has a plurality of recording heads for recording with different color inks. The number of recording heads and the types of ink tanks used, such as a color inkjet recording apparatus that uses the same or an inkjet recording apparatus for gradation recording that uses a plurality of recording heads that record with the same color but with different densities It can be similarly applied to any case, and the same effect can be achieved.

The present invention can be applied to an ink jet recording apparatus using a recording means (recording head) using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element, but among them, thermal energy is used. The ink jet recording apparatus of the type that ejects ink by using the above method and the ink tank thereof have excellent effects. This is because such a system can achieve high density recording and high definition recording.

Regarding the typical structure and principle thereof, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740.
This is preferably done using the basic principles disclosed in 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type, but particularly in the case of the on-demand type, a liquid (ink) is used.
By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which is stored, which corresponds to the recorded information and causes a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling. , Generates heat energy in the electrothermal converter to cause film boiling on the heat acting surface of the recording means (recording head), and as a result, bubbles can be formed in the liquid (ink) in a one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal. So effective.

By the growth and contraction of the bubbles, the liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make the driving signal into a pulse shape because bubbles can be grown and contracted immediately and appropriately, and thus a liquid (ink) with excellent responsiveness can be ejected. As this pulse-shaped drive signal, US Pat.
Those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,633,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Incidentally, US Pat. No. 43131 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface.
If the conditions described in the specification of No. 24 are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the discharge port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. US Pat. No. 4,558,333, US Pat. No. 4,558,333, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region
A configuration using the specification of No. 459600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 123670/1984 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a structure based on Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 138461/1984, which discloses a structure in which the discharge section is associated with the discharge section. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, as described above, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording material (recording medium) which can be recorded by the recording apparatus. . As such a recording head,
Either a structure that satisfies the length by combining a plurality of recording heads or a structure as one recording head integrally formed may be used. In addition, even with the serial type as in the above example, the recording head fixed to the device main body,
Alternatively, a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be electrically connected to the device body and supply ink from the device body when mounted on the device body, or an ink tank is integrally provided on the recording head itself. The present invention is also effective when the cartridge type recording head described above is used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means or preliminary auxiliary means to the recording head provided as a constitution of the recording apparatus in the present invention because the effect of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specific examples thereof include capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suctioning means, electrothermal converters or heating elements other than these, or preheating means for the recording head. It is also effective to perform stable recording by performing a preliminary discharge mode in which discharge different from recording is performed.

As described above, regarding the type and the number of recording heads mounted, for example, only one is provided corresponding to a single color ink, or a plurality of recording heads having different recording colors and densities are provided. A plurality of inks may be provided corresponding to the ink. That is, for example, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but may be either the recording head is integrally configured or a combination of a plurality of recording heads may be used. The present invention is extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of color colors or full colors by color mixing.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the ink is described as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and that softens or liquefies at room temperature, or an ink jet. In the method, the temperature of the ink itself is generally adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable ejection range. It may be in a liquid form. in addition,
Whether the temperature rise due to thermal energy is positively used as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink that solidifies in the standing state is used for the purpose of preventing ink evaporation In any case, the ink is liquefied by applying the thermal energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink is ejected,
The present invention is also applicable to the case of using an ink which has a property of being liquefied only by thermal energy, such as one which starts to solidify when it reaches the recording medium.

The ink in such a case is disclosed in JP-A-54-54.
As described in JP-A-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, a form in which the electrothermal converter is opposed to a liquid sheet or a solid material held in the recesses or through holes of the porous sheet. May be In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as a form of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the one used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmitting / receiving function. And the like may be used.

[0050]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the ink tank for ink jet recording of the present invention, the ink holder is filled in the ink tank at a predetermined compression rate,
And a rod-shaped communication member is penetrated through the ink holder,
Since the communication member is provided with the atmosphere communication portion that communicates the ink holding body and the atmosphere, the use volume and the use efficiency of the ink tank are increased, and the ink leakage from the atmosphere communication port of the ink tank is eliminated. There is provided an ink tank capable of achieving stable ink ejection from the recording unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration,
A structure in which a gap for air circulation is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the communication member and the ink holding body, or the ink holding body is inserted in a state in which the compression ratio on the ink supply port side to the recording means is large. Because it is configured, it is more efficient,
Provided is an ink tank for inkjet recording, which can increase the volume and efficiency of use of the ink tank, can eliminate ink leakage from the atmosphere communication port of the ink tank, and can obtain stable ink ejection from a recording unit. To be done.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, in an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means to a recording material, an ink holding body is provided in an ink tank for supplying ink to the recording means. Since the ink holding member is filled with the compression rate of 1 and a rod-shaped communicating member is penetrated, and the communicating member is provided with an atmosphere communicating portion that communicates the ink holding member with the atmosphere, (EN) An ink jet recording apparatus capable of increasing the use volume and use efficiency of the ink tank, eliminating ink leakage from the atmosphere communication port of an ink tank, and obtaining stable ink ejection from a recording unit.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration example of an inkjet recording apparatus including an ink tank for inkjet recording to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of an ink ejection portion of the recording means in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of an ink tank for inkjet recording to which the present invention is applied.

4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a central portion of the ink tank of FIG.

5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a central portion showing a state in which the ink tank of FIG. 3 is placed sideways.

FIG. 6 is a central longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ink tank of FIG. 3 is placed upright with the ink supply side facing up.

7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a central portion showing a state where the ink tank of FIG. 3 is placed upright with the ink supply side facing down.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a central portion of a second embodiment of the ink tank for inkjet recording to which the present invention is applied.

9 is a perspective view showing a sponge sheet forming the ink holding body in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a central portion of a third embodiment of an ink tank for inkjet recording to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Ink Tank 2 Recording Means (Recording Head) 3 Carriage 4 Guide Rail (Sliding Shaft) 6 Carriage Driving Motor 8 Timing Belt 9 Platen 11 Discharge Roller 13 Recovery Means 15 Recording Material 16 Sponge 17 Ink Holder 18 Communication Member 19 Sponge Sheet 21 Ejection Surface 22 Ejection Port 25 Electrothermal Converter 101 Ink Tank Case 102 Lid 103 Tapered Inner Surface 104 Opening (Lid) 105 Rib (Lid) 201 Through Hole (Sponge) 301 Covering Member 302 Through hole (ink holder) 401 Center hole (communication member) 403 Communication port (internal communication port) 405 Tank cap portion 406 Opening (outer communication port) 407 Axial rib 408 Circumferential rib 409 Rib (inner surface of tank cap portion) ) 502 ink supply pipe

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An ink tank is filled with an ink holder at a predetermined compression rate, and a rod-shaped communicating member is passed through the ink holder, and the communicating member communicates the ink holder with the atmosphere. An ink tank for inkjet recording, which is provided with a communication portion. 2. The ink tank for ink jet recording according to claim 1, wherein a gap for air circulation is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the communication member and the ink holder. 3. The ink tank for ink jet recording according to claim 1, wherein the ink holder is inserted in a state where a compression ratio on the ink supply port side to the recording means is large. 4. In an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means to a recording material, an ink holding body is filled with a predetermined compression rate in an ink tank for supplying ink to the recording means, An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein a rod-shaped communication member is penetrated through the ink holder, and the communication member is provided with an atmosphere communication portion that communicates the ink holder with the atmosphere. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording means is an ink jet recording means provided with an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy used for ejecting ink. 6. The recording means utilizes the film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal converter,
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the ink is ejected from the ejection port.