JPH06328711A - Ink jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an ink jet recording apparatus in which the recording ink is prevented from leaking to the outside from an ink tank and dirting the ink tank and its surroundings at the time of the replacement of the ink tank. CONSTITUTION:In an ink jet recording apparatus which emits ink to a recording medium from a recording head to perform recording, an ink supply pipe 1 is provided to an ink tank 2 having an absorbing member 3 absorbing and holding recording ink received therein in such a state that the leading end part thereof is inserted in the ink tank in contact with the absorbing member 3 under pressure to supply the ink to the recording head. A constricted part 10 is provided to the part inserted in the ink tank 2 of the ink supply pipe 1. An ink sump groove 8 temporarily storing the ink leaked from the ink tank 2 is provided to an ink jet recording head unit 9 in the vicinity of the ink supply pipe 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for recording ink on a recording medium by ejecting ink from the recording head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Printers, fax machines, copying machines, etc.
In various devices, an inkjet recording device is being widely used as a means for recording on a recording medium.

The ink jet recording apparatus is constructed such that ink is ejected from a recording head facing a recording medium by utilizing heat energy, and the ink jet recording apparatus is housed in a separate device case as a single unit. Examples include various electronic devices for creating and inputting recorded information, such as a word processor, a personal computer, and the like, which are incorporated in a device case and integrally configured with the electronic device.

An ink jet recording apparatus for performing color recording is provided with a plurality of replaceable ink tanks, an ink supply pipe connected to a recording head is inserted into the ink tank, and is pressed against an absorber containing recording ink. Ink is supplied to the recording head.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a state in which an ink supply pipe is inserted into an ink tank of a conventional ink jet recording apparatus.

Reference numeral 1 is an ink supply pipe, 2 is an ink tank, and an absorber 3 which absorbs and holds ink is built therein. Reference numeral 4 is an O-ring that prevents the ink from leaking to the outside. The ink supply pipe 1 is a straight pipe, and the tip is cut at a right angle to the insertion direction and the opening 5 is covered with a filter.

When the ink in the ink tank 2 is exhausted by the recording operation, the ink supply pipe 1 is pulled out, the ink tank 2 is replaced, the ink supply pipe 1 is inserted again, and the absorbent body 3 containing the ink is pressure-contacted. Then, the recording operation is continued.

[0008]

However, in order to increase the recording speed of the ink jet recording apparatus, it is necessary to supply a large amount of ink in a short time, and the ink supply pipe 1 is required to be thick. Therefore, when the ink tank 2 is replaced, the ink supply pipe 1 is inserted and pressure-contacted with the absorber 3, the absorber 3 is pressed and compressed by the tip of the ink supply pipe 1, and the absorbed ink seeps out, and the ink tank There was a case where the leak recording device or the recording medium was contaminated outside of No. 2.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and provides an ink jet recording apparatus which prevents the recording ink from leaking from the ink tank to the outside when the ink tank is replaced. It is intended.

[0010]

Therefore, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is an ink jet recording apparatus that ejects ink from a recording head onto a recording medium to perform recording, and absorbs and retains recording ink. The ink supply tube is equipped with an ink supply pipe that inserts the tip into the ink tank that houses the absorber and presses against the absorber to supply ink to the recording head. The ink supply pipe is part of the portion that is inserted into the ink tank. It is intended to achieve the above-mentioned object by a structure characterized in that a recessed concavity is formed in the recess.

Further, in addition to the above structure, an ink reservoir for temporarily storing the ink leaked from the ink tank is provided near the ink supply pipe of the ink jet recording head unit accommodating the ink tank in order to achieve the above object. To do.

[0012]

With the above construction, when the ink tank is replaced and the ink supply tube 1 is inserted into the ink tank, the recording ink exuded from the absorber compressed by being pressed by the tip of the ink supply tube is not contained in the ink tank. It is possible to prevent the ink from accumulating in the constricted portion provided in a part of the ink supply pipe inserted into the ink tank, leaking to the outside of the ink tank, and polluting the surrounding area.

Furthermore, even if a small amount of ink leaks from the ink tank, the leaked ink does not collect and spread in the ink reservoir even if a small amount of ink leaks from the ink tank. You can prevent it from getting dirty.

[0014]

EXAMPLES An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described by way of examples.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an ink jet recording head unit of an ink jet recording apparatus of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ink tank.

1 is an ink supply pipe, 2 is an ink tank, 3
Is an absorber that absorbs and holds the recording ink, 5 is a filter that covers the tip opening of the ink supply tube 1, 7 is a joint seal, and 9 is an inkjet recording head unit.

The ink tank 2 has an opening into which the ink supply pipe 1 of the ink jet recording head unit 9 can be inserted, and the plurality of ink tanks 2 are independent of each other.

The joint with the ink jet recording head unit 9 is easy to attach and detach, and when the ink in the ink tank 2 is consumed, it can be replaced with a new ink tank 2. In an ink jet recording apparatus for color recording, it is convenient because only ink tanks of consumed colors can be replaced.

Reference numeral 8 is an ink reservoir groove, which will be described later, which is a feature of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a joint portion between the ink supply pipe 1 and the ink tank 2 of the ink jet recording head unit 9 provided in the first embodiment.

An absorber 3 is housed inside the ink tank 2, and ink is stored while being absorbed and held by the absorber 3. The absorber 3 is formed of a porous sponge-like member having elasticity, and can absorb and retain ink due to its porous capillary characteristic.

The ink jet recording head unit 9 is provided with an ink supply pipe 1 for supplying the ink in the absorber 3 to the recording head. A filter 5 that comes into contact with the absorber 3 is provided at the tip of the ink supply pipe, that is, at the opening end on the absorber 3 side. The filter 5 is for removing small dust in the supplied ink and for preventing small air bubbles from entering the ink supply passage 6 of the ink supply pipe 1.

The joint seal 7 for preventing the evaporation of the ink in the ink tank 2 is made of an elastic member to enhance the sealing performance of the ink tank 3.

Ink is stored in the ink tank 2 in the lower portion of the ink supply pipe 1 of the ink jet recording head unit 9.
An ink reservoir groove 8 is provided to prevent the other parts of the ink jet recording apparatus from being contaminated when they leak more.

Further, in the ink supply pipe 1, as shown in FIG. 3, a constricted portion 10 is formed by recessing a part of the portion inserted in the ink tank 2.

The constricted portion 10 is formed to hold the ink that exudes from the absorbent body 3 when the ink supply tube 1 is pressed against the absorbent body 3, and ensures the exuded ink to the maximum extent. You can do it. Further, in the constricted portion 10 that holds the ink, most of the ink that has exuded above the ink supply pipe 1 also flows downward, so that as shown in FIG. It is desirable to make it as large as possible.

In this embodiment, the tip portion of the ink supply pipe 1 is conical as shown in FIG. 1, but the tip portion shape is not limited to the conical shape.

With the above construction, when the ink tank 2 is replaced and the ink supply tube 1 is inserted into the ink tank 2, the recording ink exuded from the absorber 3 compressed by being pressed by the tip of the ink supply tube 1. Is accumulated in the constricted portion 10 formed by denting a part of the inserted portion of the ink supply tube 1,
It is possible to prevent leaking from the ink tank 2 to the outside and contaminating the periphery.

For example, even if a small amount of ink leaks from the ink tank 2, the leaked ink can be stored in the ink reservoir groove 8
Since it does not collect and spread in the area, it can prevent the surrounding area from being soiled.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 shows an ink supply pipe 1 of an ink jet recording head unit 9 provided in the second embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a joint portion of the ink tank 2, and the same or corresponding portions as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and a duplicate description will be omitted.

In the characteristic ink supply tube 1 provided in the second embodiment, the tip opening, that is, the surface where the filter 5 is in pressure contact with the absorber 3 is formed inclined with respect to the insertion direction a.

With the above structure, the volume of the ink supply pipe 1 inserted into the ink tank 2 is further reduced, and the amount of ink seeping out from the absorber 3 when the ink supply pipe 1 is pressed against the absorber 3 is further increased. By reducing the amount, it is possible to prevent the ink from leaking out, and it is possible to more effectively exhibit the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

(Third Embodiment) FIGS. 5 and 6 are a front view and a bottom view of an ink jet recording head unit 9 provided in the third embodiment.

In the inkjet recording head unit 9, inkjet recording heads 20, 30, 40 and 50 having the same shape and having the ink supply pipe 1 are arranged with high precision. This inkjet recording head 20, 30, 4
Black, cyan, magenta, and yellow inks are supplied to 0 and 50, respectively, and constitute an inkjet recording head unit 9 capable of color recording.

The ink jet recording head 9 is provided with an ink reservoir groove 8 for preventing the ink leaking from the ink tank 2 from flowing to other parts of the ink jet recording apparatus and becoming dirty.

The ink reservoir groove 8 is provided independently for each color in order to prevent color mixing of the colors. In the present embodiment, since the surface area of the ink reservoir groove 8 for each color cannot be made the same due to the configuration of the ink jet recording head 9, the ink reservoir groove 8 in the yellow portion, which is less problematic even when mixed colors, is the smallest. It is composed. The sectional shape of the groove is not limited to the rectangular groove concave shape shown in FIGS.
It may be grooved or knurled. The configuration (pattern) of the groove is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG.

If the ink that cannot be held in the ink reservoir groove 8 leaks out, the ink will not adhere to the ink jet recording heads 20, 30, 40 and 50 to prevent color mixing, and Cover 11 having grooves 8 and ink jet recording heads 20, 30, 40, 5
A gap 60 between the ink tank 2 and 0 is larger than a gap 70 on the side opposite to the joint of the ink tank 2.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are a front view of an ink jet recording head unit 9 provided in the fourth embodiment and a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. The same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

Inkjet recording head 9 of the fourth embodiment
Is provided with a plurality of ink reservoir recesses 12 for preventing the ink leaking from the ink tank 2 from flowing to other parts of the ink jet recording apparatus and becoming dirty.

In the present embodiment, the ink reservoir recess 12 is formed in a cylindrical recess and is provided in plural, but the shape is not limited to the cylindrical recess, and a size that can hold ink,
Any shape will do.

The present invention is particularly effective in an ink jet recording head and a recording apparatus for recording by forming flying droplets by utilizing thermal energy among the ink jet recording apparatuses.

Regarding the typical structure and principle thereof, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in 796 is preferred. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
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. , It is effective because it generates heat energy in the electrothermal converter and causes film boiling on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, resulting in the formation of bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis. Is. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings by the growth and contraction of the bubbles to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make this drive signal in a pulse shape, because bubbles can be immediately grown and contracted appropriately, and liquid (ink) ejection with excellent responsiveness can be achieved.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise on the heat acting surface are adopted, further 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 straight liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, A configuration using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 or US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which the heat acting portion is arranged in the bending region, may be used.

In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-123670 discloses a structure in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and a pressure wave of thermal energy is absorbed. It is also possible to adopt a configuration based on Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which the opening corresponds to the ejection portion.

Further, as a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium which can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length can be increased by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. Either of the structure satisfying the requirement or the structure as one recording head integrally formed may be used.

In addition, by being attached to the apparatus main body, it can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and can be supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by a replaceable chip type recording head or the recording head itself. Alternatively, a cartridge type recording head provided with an ink tank may be used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means, preliminary auxiliary means, etc. to the recording head because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specific examples thereof include capping means, pressurizing or suctioning means for the recording head, preheating means by an electrothermal converter or a heating element other than this, or a combination thereof, and an ejection different from recording. It is effective to perform the preliminary ejection mode for performing stable recording.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode only for the mainstream color such as black, but the recording head may be integrally formed or a plurality of combinations may be used. Alternatively, the device may be provided with at least one of full colors by color mixing.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and softens at room temperature, or is a liquid, or the above-mentioned. In the inkjet 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, the temperature rise due to the thermal energy is positively prevented by using it as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink is solidified in the standing state for the purpose of preventing evaporation of the ink. Whether or not ink is used, the ink is liquefied by applying heat energy in any case according to the recording signal, such as those ejected as liquid ink or those which have already started to solidify when reaching the recording medium, The use of an ink having a property of being liquefied only by heat energy is also applicable to the present invention. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-5684.
No. 7 or JP-A-60-71260, a mode in which the porous sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter in the state of being held as a liquid or solid in the recess or through hole of the porous sheet. May be In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned 0 inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as a form of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, the recording apparatus according to the present invention is integrally or separately provided as an image output terminal of an information processing device such as a word processor or a computer, and is combined with a reader or the like. It may be in the form of a copying machine or a facsimile machine having a transmission / reception function.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the ink tank is replaced and the ink supply tube is inserted into the ink tank, the recording ink exuded from the absorber compressed by the tip of the ink supply tube and compressed into a part of the inserted part of the ink supply tube. It is possible to prevent the surrounding area from being polluted without being leaked to the outside of the ink tank by accumulating in the narrowed portion provided.

Furthermore, even if a small amount of ink leaks from the ink tank, the leaked ink does not collect and spread in the ink reservoir even if a small amount of ink leaks from the ink tank, due to the structure provided with the ink reservoir for temporarily storing the leaked ink. You can prevent it from getting dirty.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inkjet recording head unit according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ink tank of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a joint portion between the ink supply pipe and the ink tank of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a joint portion of an ink supply pipe and an ink tank of a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an ink jet recording head unit according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an inkjet recording head unit according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an inkjet recording head unit according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts of an inkjet recording head unit of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a state in which an ink supply pipe is inserted into an ink tank of a conventional inkjet recording device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Ink Supply Pipe 2 Ink Tank 3 Absorber 4 O Ring 5 Filter 7 Joint Seal 8 Ink Reservoir Groove 9 Inkjet Recording Head Unit 10 Constricted Portion Provided in Ink Supply Pipe 20, 30, 40, 50 Inkjet Recording Head

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Masahiko Hikuma 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Masami Ikeda 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Within the corporation

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An inkjet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording head onto a recording medium, wherein a tip portion is inserted into an ink tank containing an absorber that absorbs and holds recording ink. An ink jet characterized by being provided with an ink supply pipe that presses against an absorber to supply ink to a recording head, and the ink supply pipe has a recessed constriction formed in a part of a portion to be inserted into an ink tank. Recording device. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening portion at the front end of the ink supply pipe is inclined with respect to the insertion direction into the ink tank. 3. The ink jet recording according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording head unit having an ink supply pipe is provided with an ink reservoir near the ink supply pipe for temporarily accumulating ink leaked from the ink tank. apparatus. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the ink reservoir is formed in a groove shape. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the ink reservoir is formed in a plurality of depressions. 6. The recording head is a recording head that ejects ink by utilizing thermal energy, and is an inkjet recording head that includes a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy applied to the ink. 4. The inkjet recording device according to any one of 1 to 3.