JPH08230206A - Ink tank and ink tank attaching method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To stabilize the supply of ink by providing a supply port of the ink housed in a tank wherein height is smaller than at least one of longitudinal and lateral dimensions to the outside to the bottom surface of the tank and making the position of the porous ink absorbing element above and around the supply port larger than the height of the supply port but smaller than four times the height thereof. CONSTITUTION: The distance from the part being in contact with the absorbing element housed in a tank of an one-way ink supply member to the inner surface of the tank in the direction vertical to the bottom surface of the tank is 20mm or less and at least two directions among the distances up to the inner surfaces of the respective end parts of the tank satisfy 1-2.5 times. The ink absorbing element 1000 extends up to the side surface of the flat tank to occupy the periphery and upper part of the one-way ink supply member 1002 of an ink supply port region. When the height H of the ink absorbing element provided to the upper region of the ink supply member 1002 is looked with respect to the height (h) of the member 1002 from the surface of the tank, all of the min. and max. parts of the height H satisfy a condition of h<=H<=4h.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink tank used for achieving miniaturization of an ink jet printer and the like and a method of mounting the ink tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, paper, cloth, plastic sheet, O
A recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium such as a HP sheet (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “recording paper”) includes recording heads using various recording methods such as a wire dot method, a thermal method, a thermal transfer method, and an inkjet method. It has been proposed as a mountable form.

In particular, the ink jet recording apparatus is an output means of an information processing system, such as a copying machine, a facsimile,
It has been used and commercialized as a printer as an output terminal of an electronic typewriter, a word processor, a workstation, or a handy or portable printer provided in a personal computer, a host computer, an optical disk device, a video device, or the like.

On the other hand, as the energy generating element for generating energy for ejecting ink from the ejection port of the recording head, an electromechanical converter such as a piezo element is used, or an electromagnetic wave such as a laser is irradiated to generate heat. There are those which eject ink drops by the action of this heat generation, those which heat the liquid by an electrothermal conversion element having a heating resistor, and the like.

In general, an ink tank for supplying ink to a recording head is roughly composed of an ink absorber, a container for containing the ink absorber, and a lid member for sealing the container. Further, the recording head is classified into a chip type integrated with such an ink tank, and a recording head detachably coupled to the ink tank. In either type, the positioning of the recording head and the ink tank, or the positioning of the recording head cartridge and the carriage, in which these members are integrated, is an important matter regarding print quality. One of the positioning means uses an engaging hole and an engaging pin, and the positioning can be performed accurately by engaging both.

As a mounting / demounting mechanism for positioning the recording head and the ink tank or positioning the recording head cartridge and the carriage as described above, in a small ink jet recording apparatus, the mounting and demounting can be performed in a smaller space. A mechanism for moving the ink tank or the recording head cartridge in a plurality of directions by operating a lever or the like has been used.

[0007]

The present applicant has previously proposed an ink tank capable of providing a small printer, but the present invention is an ink tank from the viewpoint of ink supply when providing a small ink tank. It is a first object of the present invention to find a plurality of inventions relating to an internal structure of an ink tank that provides a stable ink supply by finding out that the internal structure has an influence on a long-term use condition.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive ink tank by simplifying the outer mold of the small ink tank itself, and at the same time, to provide a mounting method for securely mounting the ink tank on the holder. To aim.

Another object of the present invention is to solve the inconvenience when using the one-way ink supply member for the ink supply port of the ink tank, especially when the member is mounted, especially when the member is mounted once. .

Further, the present invention finds a case where the position of the ink supply port of the ink tank becomes unstable due to the attachment action point, and at least one width (vertical or horizontal) of the thickness (height) of the ink tank is found. It is still another object to provide a structure or a mounting method that is particularly effective when the size is large.

The present invention is an invention that solves at least one of the above-mentioned objects, and effectively solves the problems of ink tanks that have not been recognized in the past.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a bottom surface has a supply port for supplying the recording ink housed therein to the outside, and the height from the bottom surface is equal to that of the ink tank. An ink tank that is smaller than at least one of the vertical and horizontal dimensions, and has a height h on the bottom side of the ink tank.
A unidirectional ink supply member, a porous ink absorber is located above and around the ink supply member, and a height component H of the ink absorber on the ink supply member is h ≦ H.
The ink tank is characterized by satisfying a relationship of ≦ 4 h.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, as the ink supplied by the unidirectional ink supply member is consumed, the ink contained in the ink absorber is efficiently collected in the pressure contact area of the unidirectional ink supply member. It gives conditions that can be done. That is, when h> H, the direct corresponding area of the ink absorber becomes small, so that the ink supply connectivity may be impaired. On the other hand, when H> 4h, a large change occurs in the ink water difference, the difference between the initial ink supply property and the final ink supply property becomes large, and control of the apparatus main body side is required.
Particularly noteworthy is that the control of ink supply is on the side of the ink absorber, and intermittent ink in the height direction of the ink absorber may lead to defective ink supply.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the invention, it is possible to reliably stabilize the ink supply property of the small ink tank.

In the second aspect of the present invention, regardless of the shape of the ink tank and the mounting / mounting structure, the ink supply port is located at any position with respect to the substantial mounting axis (virtual) in the mounted state. However, the invention is made from the viewpoint of whether or not the contact state between the holder-side ink receiving portion and the ink supply port after mounting can be stably maintained, and the supply port for supplying the recording ink housed inside to the outside. While having a bottom
An ink tank whose height from the bottom surface is smaller than at least one of the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the ink tank, and the mounting portions of the ink tank, which are mounted on the holder, are mounted on opposite side surfaces of the ink tank. The supply member is mounted so as to substantially have an action point, and the supply member is a perpendicular line from the center of the supply port with respect to an imaginary line connecting the centers of the action points in a projection view from the upper surface of the ink tank. The ink tank is characterized in that the maximum value of the distance is 10 mm or less.

That is, in the case of a three-point support relationship in which the portion where the ink tank contacts the holder is only the connecting portion of the ink supply portion and the point of use on the side facing the tank side, this virtual line (substantially This distance is 10 mm
It has been found that when the value exceeds the range, the surface contact of the ink supply section is inclined and the supply becomes unstable. Of course, ideally, this imaginary line preferably crosses the ink supply port, and the entire ink supply port is preferably within this distance. In the case where the supply port of the ink tank and the ink receiving surface are displaced from each other, the center of the ink supply port region where the ink receiving surface is in contact is preferably the supply port center of the present invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, if the end surface of the unidirectional ink supply member comes into contact with the holder side during mounting, the ink surface formed on this end surface may get wet, or
This invention prevents the end face of the ink supply member from being damaged during swivel mounting, and has a supply port for supplying the recording ink housed inside to the outside and has a height from the bottom face. An ink tank that is smaller than at least one of the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the ink tank, and the supply port of the ink tank has a receiving surface for supplying to a holder in which the ink tank is mounted, and an inside of the ink tank from the receiving surface. An ink tank having the lower surface of the unidirectional ink supply member with a distance α within a range of 0.3 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less.

This is because if the distance α is less than 0.3 mm, the above-mentioned inconvenience occurs, and if it exceeds 0.8 mm, poor contact with the ink receiving surface on the holder side may occur.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is an ink tank mounting method, which is made from the viewpoint of stable mounting conditions for an ink tank having one or more ink supply ports. When the pressure contact force N per unit area with the surface is less than 40 gf / mm ² , the unidirectional ink supply member moves due to the change in elasticity due to the ink loss in the ink absorber and the ink supply failure. On the other hand, if it exceeds 80 gf / m ² , on the other hand, there are cases where the ink absorbing member itself is over-compressed or the configuration of the ink supply member is deteriorated in the initial stage. That is, according to the present invention, the bottom surface has the supply port for supplying the recording ink housed inside to the outside, and the height from the bottom surface is smaller than at least one of the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the ink tank. A method of mounting an ink tank, wherein the ink tank is provided with a unidirectional ink supply member having a height h on the bottom side of the ink tank, and a porous ink absorber is located above and around the ink supply member. Yes, the pressure contact force F between the unidirectional ink supply member and the holder is 40 gf / mm ² or more and 80 g with the ink tank attached to the holder.
It is a method of mounting an ink tank, characterized in that it is f / mm ² or less.

The fifth invention of the present invention is particularly related to the fourth invention, but is also effective as a characteristic of the ink tank alone from another viewpoint, and regulates the movement amount of the unidirectional ink supply member. In this way, the compression of the ink absorber is regulated, and the bottom surface has a supply port for supplying the recording ink housed inside to the outside. An ink tank having a size smaller than at least one of the lateral dimensions, a unidirectional ink supply member having a height h on the bottom surface side of the ink tank, and a porous ink absorber above and around the ink supply member. Is a method of mounting the ink tank, in which the unidirectional ink supply member for the ink tank causes a movement of 0.1 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less toward the absorber by the mounting. State to perform the ink supply in the a method of mounting an ink tank characterized by.

If it exceeds this range, the ink absorber or the ink supply member in one direction may be excessively deformed.
On the other hand, if it is lower than the above value, it may be impossible to further stabilize the ink supply. It is considered that this is because the ink distribution in the ink absorber before use controls the ink supply.

In the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, in particular, the bottom surface has a supply port for supplying the recording ink housed inside to the outside, and the height from the bottom surface of the ink tank is An ink tank having a size smaller than at least one of the lateral dimensions, wherein the unidirectional ink supply member provided on the bottom surface of the ink tank is connected to the ink receiving portion of the holder, and the ink tank is unidirectional. The distance SH from the contact portion where the ink supply member is in contact with the absorber accommodated in the ink tank to the inner surface of the ink tank in the direction perpendicular to the bottom surface is 20 mm or less, and the ink tank is from the contact portion. It is effective in the case of an ink tank characterized in that at least two directions satisfy SH ≦ l ≦ 2.5 × SH among the distances l to the inner surface of each end of the Providing Alternatively, it is effective for an ink tank to achieve this. The first aspect of the present invention
The third to third inventions can produce a more effective regulation effect by being applied to the ink tank having the tank structure of SH ≦ l ≦ 2.5SH.

The present invention includes at least one invention of the above-mentioned first to fifth inventions or all inventions of a combination of a plurality of these inventions.

The configurations more effective for the present invention can include the respective configurations described below.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the first to fifth inventions of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 45 to 49. Examples of ink tanks and mounting methods in which these inventions are implemented will be described below with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG. Each configuration and invention described in the description of FIGS. 1 to 44 are preferable additional conditions although they are not essential to the present invention.

In the following ink tank, in order to mount it on the ink tank holder, first, the claw-shaped projection provided on one end face is aligned with the retaining hole of the ink tank holder and fitted, and then the other end face. The latch claw of the latch lever elastically supported by the is engaged with the engaging hole of the ink tank holder. As a result, both end surfaces of the ink tank are held by the ink tank holder, and the ink tank is accurately positioned and mounted. Further, since the ink tank is accurately positioned in the ink tank holder, the supply port of the ink tank and the ink take-out means of the ink tank holder are surely connected, and ink leakage does not occur.

At this time, it is necessary to insert the ink tank obliquely into the opening of the ink tank holder in order to align the claw-shaped projections first, but the bottom surface of the ink tank and the claw-shaped projections are formed. Since an inclined surface is formed at the ridge with the one end surface, the position of the claw-shaped projection and the retaining hole can be easily adjusted by inserting the ink tank along this inclined surface. Moreover, since the ink tank is slantly inserted into the ink tank holder and then the latch claw and the engaging hole are engaged with each other, the ink tank is rotated around the side provided with the claw-shaped projection. It will be attached to the ink tank holder. Therefore, the space required to mount the ink tank on the ink tank holder can be reduced.

To remove the ink tank from the ink tank holder, the latch claw is disengaged from the engagement hole by bending the latch lever on the side opposite to the engagement hole.
In this case as well, the procedure is the reverse of the procedure for mounting.

In addition, on the upper surface of one end surface side of the ink tank,
In the ink tank holder having a stepped portion that extends below the protruding portion, the protruding portion regulates the insertion direction of the ink tank, so that the claw-shaped projection and the retaining hole can be more easily aligned with each other.

In the case where the protrusions that fit into the recesses of the ink tank holder are provided at the upper end portions on the one end face side of both sides of the ink tank, the protrusions are fitted into the recesses of the ink tank holder, and in this state Rotate the ink tank. This makes it easier to align the claw-shaped projection with the retaining hole and to engage the latch claw with the engagement hole.

In the case where the latch lever is supported by the bottom of the ink tank and is inclined or curved upward and upward, the engagement between the latch claw and the engagement hole is released when the ink tank is removed from the ink tank holder. Then, the latch lever comes into contact with the inner wall of the ink tank holder, and the other end surface side of the ink tank rises along the inclination or curve of the latch lever. As a result, the other end surface side of the ink tank projects from the ink tank holder, and the ink tank can be easily removed.

In this ink tank holder, the retaining hole formed on the inner surface of the one end wall of the opening is fitted into the claw-shaped projection of the ink tank, and the ink is inserted into the engaging hole formed on the inner surface of the other end wall of the opening. By engaging the latch claws of the latch lever elastically supported by the tank, the ink tank is accurately positioned and mounted. At this time, since the projecting portion that covers a part of the opening is provided at the opening end of the one end wall, the insertion direction of the ink tank into the opening is regulated. That is, the ink tank is obliquely inserted from the surface on the side where the claw-shaped projection is provided, and then the surface side of the ink tank on which the latch claw is provided is pushed to engage the latch claw with the engagement hole. Therefore, it is easy to align the claw-shaped projection with the retaining hole, and the ink tank can be attached and detached in a small space.

In addition, in the case where the ink tank holder has a recess formed on the upper end surface of both side walls to which the projection provided on the ink tank fits, the projection of the ink tank is attached to the projection when the ink tank is mounted. If the ink tank is inserted so as to fit into the recess of the holder, the insertion position of the ink tank into the ink tank holder is also regulated, and the positioning of the claw-shaped projection and the retaining hole becomes easier.

In the case where the latch lever guide groove into which the latch lever fits is formed and the engaging hole is formed in the latch lever guide groove, after the ink tank is obliquely inserted into the ink tank holder, the ink tank is replaced with the ink tank. When pushed into the holder, the latch lever of the ink tank is pushed along the latch lever guide groove. Since the latch claw is provided on the latch lever and the engagement hole is formed in the latch lever guide groove, the latch claw is pushed in along the latch lever guide groove so that the latch claw engages with the engagement hole. Will be easier. Moreover, since the latch lever is elastically supported by the bottom of the ink tank and is inclined or curved upward toward the outside, when the engagement between the latch claw and the engagement hole is released, the latch lever is guided by the latch lever guide. The other end of the ink tank comes into contact with the groove,
Raises along the tilt or bend of the latch lever. As a result, the other end surface side of the ink tank projects from the ink tank holder, and the ink tank can be easily removed.

Further, even when the ink tank is not normally accommodated in the ink tank holder, the protrusion amount of the ink tank from the ink tank holder becomes large and the accommodation is normally performed, as in the above case. It is easy to check if there is something and remove it if it is not housed normally.

In the case where the bottom wall of the opening of the ink tank holder is provided with a biasing means for biasing the bottom surface on the other end side of the ink tank toward the opening of the ink tank holder, the ink tank is moved from the ink tank holder. When the latch claw is disengaged from the engagement hole during removal, the other end of the ink tank is projected by the urging force of the urging means. As a result, the amount of protrusion of the ink tank from the ink tank holder becomes larger, which makes it easier to remove the ink tank.

When the ink tank accommodates a plurality of colors of ink therein, and a plurality of ink intake means of the ink tank supply port and the ink tank holder are provided correspondingly, the ink intake means is By arranging along the direction from the one end wall to the other end wall of the ink tank holder, the supply port and the ink intake means are provided from the one end wall side to the other end wall side of the ink tank holder when the ink tanks are mounted differently. Since they are sequentially connected to each other, the connection between the supply port and the ink intake means can be stably maintained.

By providing a partition plate on the ink tank holder and partitioning the opening of the ink tank holder into a plurality of regions, a plurality of ink tanks can be attached to one ink tank holder. This is because, for example, in the case of printing in color, the amount of consumption differs depending on the color of the ink, so that if the ink tank is set for each color of the ink, the ink can be used efficiently. In this case, the ink tank and the ink tank holder are formed with inclined surfaces corresponding to each other to prevent the ink tank from being erroneously attached.

Further, when the recording head is integrally provided, a recording head cartridge in which the ink tank can be attached and detached can be obtained. In this case, it can be applied to a serial type inkjet recording device by being detachable from the carriage. Moreover, positioning means for positioning the carriage is provided on the outer surface of the ink tank holder on the side of the one end wall, and the outer surface on the side of the other end wall has a concave shape that engages with the guide member elastically supported by the carriage. Since the engaging portion is provided, when mounting the ink tank holder, first, the positioning means is aligned,
Then, the guide member and the engaging portion are engaged with each other. That is, similar to the procedure for mounting the ink tank on the ink tank holder, the ink tank holder is tilted with respect to the carriage to perform a rough alignment, and then the other end is rotated about one end side of the ink tank holder. Push the end side toward the carriage.

As a result, both ends of the ink tank holder are held, and the ink tank holder is accurately positioned and mounted on the carriage. Since the ink tank holder is attached / detached while rotating the ink tank holder as described above, the space required for the attachment / detachment is small.

In this case, by arranging the head terminal portion and the engaging portion on a straight line parallel to the side wall of the ink tank holder, the engagement between the engaging portion and the guide member causes the head terminal portion and the carriage to move. Since the ink tank holder is pressed in the direction perpendicular to the surface facing the terminal portion, the contact between them is ensured.

Further, in the case where the knob portion is provided on the outer surface of the ink tank holder on the outer wall side, when the ink tank holder mounted on the carriage is removed from the carriage,
Since it is possible to pull up the ink tank holder by hooking a finger on the knob, it becomes easy to remove the ink tank holder. Further, since the latch claw engaging hole is positioned corresponding to the latch lever operated when the ink tank is removed from the ink tank holder, by disposing the latch claw engaging hole and the knob at different positions from each other. , When removing the ink tank from the ink tank holder,
This prevents erroneous operation when removing the ink tank holder from the carriage.

On the other hand, the fixing area for attaching and detaching the ink tank has a projecting area which is projected outward, and an operation for mounting and dismounting with respect to the carriage in an area which is relatively concave with respect to this projecting area. Since the ink tank holder provided with the portion has the protruding area, the surrounding area is a concave portion relative to the protruding area. Therefore, by utilizing this concave area and providing an operating section for the operator to attach / detach to / from the carriage, a special space for the operator's fingers to be attached / detached is provided. There is no need to install it in the. Therefore, the structure of the operation unit for attaching / detaching to / from the carriage becomes simple. In particular, by providing this operation portion at the upper end of the region that becomes the recess, the operation becomes easier.

Further, in the case where the operation portion is provided on the surface having the fixing portion which is held by the carriage when it is mounted on the carriage, and the operation portion is provided in the region farthest from the fixing portion, force is applied to the operation portion. At that time, the moment acting on the fixed portion becomes large. That is, since the fixing portion can be held and released with a small force, the attachment / detachment operation with respect to the carriage becomes easy.

Further, in the case where the operation portion for attaching and detaching the ink tank and the operation portion for attaching and detaching the ink tank are provided on the same side in the moving direction of the carriage,
Since the operation parts are concentrated, the operation becomes easy when attaching or detaching either the ink tank or the ink tank holder. Further, if there is a space where the operator can operate on the side where the operation unit is provided, the carriage can be attached and detached at any position. In this case, comparing the frequency of attachment / detachment of the ink tank with the frequency of attachment / detachment of the ink tank holder, the frequency of attachment / detachment of the ink tank is higher, so that the operation unit for attachment / detachment of the ink tank is attached / detached to / from the carriage. By providing the ink tank above the operation unit, the attachment / detachment of the ink tank becomes easier. In particular, when a plurality of ink tanks are attachable / detachable, by arranging the operation parts of the respective ink tanks on the same straight line, the design becomes complete and the size can be further reduced.

In the present carriage, of the ink tank holders of the present invention, the ink tank holder integrally provided with the recording head is detachably held. Therefore, as described above, the ink tank holder can be easily attached and detached in a small space.

As the ink tank holder attachable to and detachable from such a carriage, any ink tank holder may be used as long as it has a positioning means, a terminal portion and a guide member, as long as their positional relations are the same.
That is, the ink tank holder holding one ink tank or the ink tank holder holding a plurality of ink tanks can be freely selected and attached. Therefore, when it is desired to switch from mono color to color or from color to mono color, it is only necessary to replace the ink tank holder.

Further, in the case where a cover portion which covers a part of the upper surface of the ink tank holder in a state where the ink tank holder is mounted is provided on the surface facing the outer surface on the one end wall side of the ink tank holder, this cover The portion serves as a guide when the ink tank is inserted, and the insertion direction of the ink tank holder into the carriage is regulated, so that the positioning of the ink tank holder and the positioning means of the carriage becomes easier. Moreover, since the cover portion makes it difficult for other members or the operator's finger to come into contact with the terminal portion of the carriage, the terminal portion of the carriage is protected.

Further, in the case of having two bearing portions and two holding portions as the supporting means for supporting the ink jet recording apparatus so as to be able to reciprocate, one of the two holding portions holds it. Since the distance between the two constituent members is larger than the distance between the two members of the other nipping portion, the carriage is actually supported by the two bearing portions and the other nipping portion in parallel to the surface of the recording medium. To be done. One holding portion is located closer to the guide member than the other holding portion, and a load is easily applied when the ink tank holder is attached to and detached from the carriage, so one holding portion that does not substantially support the carriage is provided. By applying a load to the portion when the ink tank holder is attached or detached, it is possible to suppress the influence on the other holding portion and each bearing portion. Therefore, when the ink tank holder is attached or detached, the carriage will not be deformed more than necessary, and an operational defect can be prevented.

Since this ink jet recording apparatus is provided with the above-mentioned carriage, the space required for attaching / detaching the ink tank holder to / from the carriage and attaching / detaching the ink tank to / from the ink tank holder is small, and as a result, it is small in size. An inkjet recording device is realized. Further, since the ink tank and the ink tank holder are accurately positioned, ink does not leak, and the ink tank holder and the carriage are accurately positioned, so that the recording head is accurately positioned. Therefore, an inkjet recording apparatus having high reliability and good recording quality is provided.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 27 of the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a carriage 2 is one on which a recording head cartridge 1 is detachably mounted, and a guide shaft 5 and a guide rail 12 whose both ends are fixed to a frame 4 and which are arranged in parallel with each other.
Is orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium P, and the recording medium P
Is supported slidably in the direction parallel to the plane. Further, the carriage 2 is a part of a carriage drive belt 11 wound around a drive pulley 13 fixed to the output shaft of the carriage drive motor 10 and a driven pulley (not shown) rotatably supported. The carriage drive belt 11 is rotated by driving the carriage drive motor 10 so that the carriage 2 reciprocates in the above direction.

The recording head cartridge 1 includes a nozzle portion 50 (see FIG. 5) as a recording head which ejects ink based on a recording signal which is an electrical signal for ejecting ink, and a mono-color holder 60 (see FIG. 5). An ink tank holder having an ink tank 30 containing ink is detachably held in a mono-color holder 60. The nozzle portion 50 is provided at the bottom portion (lower end portion in the drawing) of the recording head cartridge 1, and ink is ejected downward in the drawing. The recording signal to the nozzle unit 50 is sent to the carriage 2
It is transmitted from a control board (not shown) that controls the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus via the flexible cable 3 provided in the. The flexible cable 3 is arranged along the moving direction of the carriage 2 and forms a loop as the carriage 2 moves. The recording head cartridge 1 and the carriage 2 will be described in detail later.

On the other hand, both ends of the recording medium P are frame 4
It is loaded on a pressure plate 8 which is rotatably supported by. Pressure plate 8
Is urged toward the pickup roller 9 by urging means (not shown), and the recording medium P loaded on the pressure plate 8 is pressed against the pickup roller 9. When the pickup roller 9 is rotated by the paper feed command,
The recording medium P is sent out by the frictional force between the pickup roller 9 and the recording medium P, but the pressure plate 8 has a separating means (not shown) such as a separating claw used in a conventional automatic paper feeder. Due to the action of the separating means, only one recording medium P at the uppermost position is sent out.

The recording medium P sent out by the pickup roller 9 is conveyed below the carriage 2 while being nipped by the conveying roller 6 whose both ends are supported by the frame 4 and the pinch roller 7 provided on the base 14. . Recording is performed on the recording medium P at this position. Further, a paper discharge roller 15 and a spur 16 are arranged to face each other on the downstream side of the carriage 2 with respect to the transport direction of the recording medium P, and the recording medium P that has passed below the carriage 2 is connected to these paper discharge rollers 15. It is sandwiched between the spur 16 and is ejected. The drive of the pickup roller 9, the transport roller 6, and the paper discharge roller 15 described above is performed by using a paper feed motor (not shown) as a drive source.

In the following description, the upstream side with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording medium P is called the back side, its surface is called the back surface, the downstream side is called the front side, and its surface is called the front surface.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 housed in a housing. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower case 18 and the upper case 17 constitute an exterior, and the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is housed inside the exterior.

On the back side of the upper case 17, the upper case 17 is provided.
A top cover 19 that covers is provided so as to be openable and closable.
The upper case 17 has an opening at a portion corresponding to the pressure plate 8, and by opening the top cover 19, the top cover 19 is opened.
Serves as a tray for setting the recording medium P on the pressure plate 8. Further, the upper case 17 has an opening from the center to the front surface, and the recording head cartridge 1 or the ink tank 30 can be attached and detached from this opening. Therefore, when the recording head cartridge 1 or the ink tank 30 is replaced, the carriage 2 is moved to the center of its moving range by a predetermined operation. On the front side of the opening for replacement of the recording head cartridge 1 or the ink tank 30, a head cover 20 that covers a part of the upper surface and the front surface of the opening is provided so as to be openable and closable. When the tank 30 is not replaced, the head cover 20 is closed to protect the recording head cartridge 1.

Next, the carriage will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carriage 2 of the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

The carriage 2 has a frame-like shape as a whole, and the recording head cartridge 1 (see FIG. 1) is mounted in its hollow portion. Two bearing portions 2a are integrally provided on the back surface of the carriage 2, and the guide shaft 5 is inserted into each of these bearing portions 2a. Further, on the front surface of the carriage 2, a guide rail holding portion 2b and a carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c are integrally provided as two holding portions. The guide rail holding portion 2b is provided on the cable retainer 21 side, and the carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c is provided on the head guide 22 side. Guide rail holding portion 2b and carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c
Is composed of two members protruding in the vertical direction with the plate-shaped guide rail 12 interposed therebetween. In this way, the carriage 2 is supported by the two bearing portions 2a, the guide rail holding portion 2b, and the carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c. As a result, the carriage 2 is supported so as to be parallel to the base 14 (see FIG. 1), and the nozzle portion 50 (see FIG. 5) of the recording head cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 2 and the recording medium P.
(See FIG. 1) is kept almost constant.

However, the carriage deformation preventing stopper 2
The distance between the two members that form c is larger than the distance between the two members that form the guide rail holding portion 2b, and the carriage 2 is substantially a carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c.
It is supported by 3 points except. This is because in order to support the carriage 2 in parallel with the base 14, it is sufficient to support the carriage 2 at three points that are not aligned on the same line, considering the sliding load of the carriage 2. Further, the carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c is provided.
To prevent unnecessary displacement or deformation of the carriage 2 due to the load applied to the guide rail holding portion 2b or each bearing portion 2a when the recording head cartridge 1 is attached to or detached from the carriage 2, and to prevent a malfunction in operation from occurring. Is. Also,
The carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c is attached to the head guide 22.
It is provided on the side because a force is applied to the head guide 22 when the recording head cartridge 1 is attached to or detached from the carriage 2, as will be described later.

The flexible cable 3 is routed along a predetermined path, and the cable terminal portion 3a provided at the tip thereof.
So that it is located inside the right side wall of the carriage 2 in the figure,
It is fixed by a cable retainer 21. When the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, the cable terminal portion 3a is in contact with the head terminal portion 53 of the recording head cartridge 1 (see FIG. 5), whereby electrical connection with the recording head cartridge 1 is established. Is done.

The cable retainer 21 is formed by bending a plate-like member having conductivity such as stainless steel, and the upper end portion of the cable retainer portion 21a extends beyond the cable terminal portion 3a to a cover portion 21a protruding toward the inside of the carriage 2. Has become. A part of the cable retainer 21 is in contact with the GND pattern of the flexible cable 3. That is, the cable retainer 21 is grounded via the flexible cable 3. This is because when the operator attaches or detaches the recording head cartridge 1 to or from the carriage 2, static electricity on the operator's finger or the like or static electricity accumulated in the recording head cartridge 1 is discharged to the cable retainer 21 to GND. This is to prevent the discharge of the static electricity or the like to the cable terminal portion 3a and prevent the control board of the inkjet recording device from being damaged.

By forming the cover portion 21a on the cable retainer 21, the cable terminal portion 3a is covered by the cover portion 2a.
It is located below 1a, and the cable terminal portion 3a
It becomes difficult for the operator's finger to touch. As a result, the above-mentioned static electricity is easily discharged to the cable retainer 21, and the cover 21a protects the cable terminal 3a itself.

Two head positioning protrusions 2d, 2 are provided on the surface of the carriage 2 on which the cable terminal portion 3a is located.
e is integrally provided. One of the head positioning protrusions 2d has a rectangular shape and is provided on the inner side of the cable terminal portion 3a. The other positioning protrusion 2e has a round shape with a conical tip, and is provided on the front side of the cable terminal portion 3a. When the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, one head positioning protrusion 2d fits into the head positioning notch 53a (see FIG. 5) of the recording head cartridge 1 and the other positioning is performed, as described later. The protrusion 2e fits into the head positioning hole 53b of the recording head cartridge 1 (see FIG. 5), and the recording head cartridge 1 is accurately positioned with respect to the carriage 2. As is clear from the above explanation,
The head positioning protrusions 2d and 2e constitute positioning means for the carriage 2, and the head positioning notch 53a and the head positioning hole 53b constitute positioning means for the recording head cartridge 1.

Further, a contact spring 23 is provided at a portion of the carriage 2 facing the cable terminal portion 3a, and a head guide 2 made of resin is provided at a tip portion thereof.
2 is fixed. That is, the head guide 22 is elastically supported by the carriage 2. Head guide 2
When the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, the reference numeral 2 is fitted to the head pressing portion 60b (see FIG. 6) of the recording head cartridge 1 by the spring force of the contact spring 23, as will be described later. The cartridge 1 is urged toward the cable terminal portion 3a, and by arranging the cable terminal portion 3a and the head guide 22 so as to face each other, the contact between the cable terminal portion 3a and the head terminal portion 53 is ensured. I am trying. Further, the head guide 22 attaches the recording head cartridge 1 to the carriage 2
It also serves as a guide when it is attached to.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a double torsion type torsion coil spring is used as the contact spring 23, and two coil portions are supported by a support rod integrally formed with the carriage 2. At the same time, the ends extending from the respective coil portions sandwich the metallic shaft member 24 whose both ends are supported by the carriage 2. As a result, the load applied to the carriage 2 when the load is applied to the contact spring 23 is dispersed, and the deformation of the carriage 2 is prevented. In addition, when the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, the pressing force of the recording head cartridge 1 by the contact spring 23 is set to about 2 kgf in order to ensure the contact between the cable terminal portion 3a and the head terminal portion 53. .

As described above, the cover 21a is formed on the cable retainer 21 and the cable terminal 3a is formed.
By providing the head guide 22 at a portion facing the head terminal portion 5 of the recording head cartridge 1 when the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2.
The recording head cartridge 1 is made so that the surface on the side 3 is squeezed under the cover 21a, and the tip of the cover 21a is used as a spindle.
It will be attached while rotating. Therefore, the cover portion 21a serves as a guide when the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted, and the recording head cartridge 1 can be mounted in a small space.

The cover portion 21a is the cable terminal portion 3a.
When the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted without penetrating the surface of the recording head cartridge 1 on the head terminal portion 53 side below the cover portion 21a, the base plate 51 of the recording head cartridge 1, etc. The recording head cartridge 1 hits the cover portion 21a before coming into contact with the cable terminal portion 3a, and the recording head cartridge 1 is connected to the cable terminal portion 3a.
To prevent damage.

Next, the recording head cartridge 1 will be described. 5 is a perspective view of the recording head cartridge 1 of the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the direction in which the head terminal portion 53 is visible, and FIG. 6 shows the recording head cartridge 1 of the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. ,
FIG. 6 is a perspective view seen from a direction in which a surface opposite to a head terminal portion 53 can be seen. 7 is a bottom view of the recording head cartridge 1 of the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the nozzle portion 50 of the recording head cartridge 1 shown in FIG.

The recording head cartridge 1 is a mono-color cartridge, and as shown in FIGS.
A nozzle portion 50 that ejects ink and a box-shaped monocolor holder 60 having an opening on the upper surface are integrated, and an ink that contains monocolor ink inside the monocolor holder 60. The tank 30 is detachably attached.

As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 8, the nozzle portion 50 has a base plate 5 made of a metal plate such as aluminum.
1 is fixed to a grooved member 52 having a plurality of liquid passages 50d and grooves forming the common liquid chamber 50c.
A plurality of ejection openings 50b, which are opening ends of the respective liquid paths 50d, are formed on the ejection opening surface 50a facing the recording medium P (see FIG. 1). The liquid passages 50d are formed at a predetermined pitch, and the base plate 5 corresponds to the respective liquid passages 50d.
An electrothermal converter (e.g., a heating resistor) 50e for generating energy for ejecting ink is disposed on the unit 1. The common liquid chamber 50c communicates with the ink tank 30 (see FIG. 5), and ink is supplied from the ink tank 30 to the common liquid chamber 50c. Each electrothermal converter 50e is electrically connected to the head terminal portion 53 shown in FIG. 5 via a wiring (not shown).

The head terminal portion 53 is the base plate 51.
Wiring, which is an electric board made of glass epoxy or the like and is connected to each electrothermal converter 50e, is connected to the head terminal portion 53 by wire bonding. Also,
As shown in FIG. 7, the base plate 51 is attached at an angle of 1 to 4 ° with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording medium P.
Therefore, the rows of the ejection openings 50b are also inclined by 1 to 4 ° with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording medium P.

The ink supplied from the ink tank 30 to the common liquid chamber 50c and temporarily stored therein enters the liquid passage 50d by a capillary phenomenon, forms a meniscus at the ejection port 50b, and fills the liquid passage 50d. Keep At this time, when the electrothermal converter 50e is energized to generate heat based on the recording signal transmitted to the head terminal portion 53, the electrothermal converter 50e is heated.
The ink above is rapidly heated to cause film boiling to generate bubbles in the liquid path 50d, and the expansion of the bubbles causes the ink to be ejected from the ejection port 50b. Here, the electrothermal converter 50e is shown as the energy generating element for generating energy, but the invention is not limited to this, and a piezoelectric element for generating mechanical energy that instantaneously applies the discharge pressure may be used.

Further, on the base plate 51, in correspondence with the positions of the head positioning protrusions 2d, 2e (see FIG. 3) of the carriage 2, when the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, a rectangular head positioning is performed. Protrusion 2d
And a head positioning hole 53b into which the round head positioning protrusion 2e fits are formed.

The base plate 51 is fixed to one end wall of the mono-color holder 60 by heat welding, ultrasonic welding or the like. A step portion 60a is formed at the end portion of the upper surface of the mono-color holder 60 on the base plate 51 side, and is one step lower than the other portions. When the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, this step portion 60a
The upper surface of the cover 21a of the cable holder 21 (see FIG. 3)
The recording head cartridge 1 can be easily positioned roughly by digging it under.

Further, as a mechanism for attaching / detaching the recording head cartridge 1 to / from the carriage 2, an outer surface of the mono-color holder 60 opposite to the base plate 51, that is, the other end wall side, when the carriage 2 is attached, is used. A head pressing portion 60b, which is a fixed portion held by the head guide 22 (see FIG. 3) of the carriage 2, and a head attaching / detaching operation portion 60c, which is an operation portion for attaching / detaching to / from the carriage 2, are formed. The head pressing portion 60b is a concave portion formed in an inclined shape from the lower end to the upper end of the surface of the mono-color holder 60 opposite to the base plate 51. The upper portion of the head pressing portion 60b is a further recessed head guide engaging portion 64, and when the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, the head guide 22 of the carriage 2 has the head guide engaging portion 64b. 6
4 is engaged. When the head guide 22 is engaged with the head guide engaging portion 64, the recording head cartridge 1 is positioned and fixed with respect to the carriage 2.
The head attachment / detachment operation unit 60c includes the recording head cartridge 1
Is provided on the near side, that is, at the upper end of the area farthest from the head pressing portion 60b on the surface on which the head pressing portion 60b is provided, and when the recording head cartridge 1 is removed from the carriage 2, the operator hooks his finger. This is for easy removal by pulling up.

The head pressing portion 60b and the head attachment / detachment operating portion 60c serve as guides for the latch lever 32a, and a later-described latch lever guide groove 60h (see FIG. 1).
(See 1)) is provided in a region that becomes a recess relatively to the protruding region formed by having the above. As a result, the limited volume of the recording head cartridge 1 is effectively used, and a fixed portion held by the head guide 22 of the carriage 2 and an operation portion for attachment / detachment to / from the carriage 2 are obtained with a minimum space. .

Now, the operation of attaching / detaching the recording head cartridge 1 to / from the carriage 2 will be described.

The recording head cartridge 1 is attached to the carriage 2
When the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, first, as shown in FIG. 9, the side of the recording head cartridge 1 on which the base plate 51 (see FIG. 5) is provided is attached to the cable holder 2 provided on the carriage 2.
Inserting it obliquely in the direction of the arrow in the drawing, while also making it slip under the cover portion 21a of No. 1 as well. As a result, the vertical surface of the step portion 60a (see FIG. 5) of the recording head cartridge 1 hits the end surface of the cover portion 21a, and the recording head cartridge 1
Approximate positioning is performed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the recording head cartridge 1 is pushed downward. At this time, the head pressing portion 60b of the recording head cartridge 1 (see FIG. 6)
The slope of the head guide 22 of the carriage 2 (see FIG. 3)
And the head positioning protrusions 2 of the carriage 2 are guided by
The recording head cartridge 1 is smoothly mounted on the carriage 2 while the recording head cartridge 1 is fitted in the head positioning notch 53a and the head positioning hole 53b of the recording head cartridge 1. When the recording head cartridge 1 is completely installed, the head guide 22 engages with the head guide engagement portion 64 (see FIG. 6), and the recording head cartridge 1
Is fixed. Further, due to the pressing force of the head guide 22, the head terminal portion 53 of the recording head cartridge 1 is pressed against the cable terminal portion 3a of the carriage 2, and the electrical connection between the two becomes reliable.

The recording head cartridge 1 is attached to the carriage 2
When detaching from the head, the head attaching / detaching operation part 60c of the carriage 2 is pulled upward. As a result, the engagement between the head guide 22 and the head guide engagement portion 64 is released, and the head pressing portion 60b rides on the head guide 22.
When the head pressing portion 60b rides on the head guide 22, the recording head cartridge 1 is in an oblique state in which the head attaching / detaching portion 60c side projects from the carriage 2. Then, by picking up the portion protruding from the carriage 2, the recording head cartridge 1 is moved to the carriage 2
Easily retrieved from.

Further, since the head attachment / detachment operating portion 60c is provided at a position farthest from the head pressing portion 60b on the surface on which the head pressing portion 60b is provided, the head attachment / detachment operating portion 60c is pulled up to move the head guide. The moment that acts when the engaging portion 64 disengages from the head guide 22 increases. As a result, the recording head cartridge 1 can be removed with a small force, and the recording head cartridge 1 can be securely held while being easily attached and detached. In order to remove the recording head cartridge 1 with a smaller force, the head pressing portion 60b is provided on the back side with respect to the center line of the recording head cartridge 1 parallel to the moving direction of the carriage 2. And,
The head attaching / detaching operation part 60c is provided at the front end.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the recording head cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of the recording head cartridge 1 shown in FIG. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 12, an ink intake pipe 60d is provided on the bottom wall of the mono-color holder 60, and an ink flow path 60e opened to the ink intake pipe 60d.
Communicate with the common liquid chamber 50c of the nozzle portion 50 (see FIG. 8). A seal ring 61 made of an elastic member such as rubber is fixed around the ink intake tube 60d. A filter 62 is attached to the open end of the ink intake tube 60d to prevent foreign matter from being taken into the nozzle portion 50. Overhanging portions 60f are formed at both corners of the upper end portion of the mono-color holder 60 on the base plate 51 side, and a tank projection guide portion 60g, which is a semicircular concave portion, is formed in the vicinity thereof. There is. On the other hand, when mounting the ink tank 30 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) on the inner wall of the mono-color holder 60 on the side opposite to the base plate 51, a guide for a latch lever 32a (see FIGS. 5 and 6) described later is provided. A latch lever guide groove 60h is formed. Furthermore, an inclined surface 60k is formed at the ridge where the bottom wall of the mono-color holder 60 and the wall on the base plate 51 side intersect.

Now, the ink tank 30 mounted in the recording head cartridge 1 will be described. FIG.
13 is a plan view of the ink tank 30 mounted in the recording head cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 5, and FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view of the ink tank 30 shown in FIG.

The ink tank 30 has a container 32 for holding the ink, and a lid member 31 which covers the container 32 and seals it to form an atmosphere communication port (not shown).

At the bottom of the container 32, the mono-color holder 6
An ink supply port 32b into which the No. 0 ink intake tube 60d (see FIG. 12) is inserted is formed, and a cylindrical support portion 32c is provided upright around the ink supply port 32b. Ink supply port 32b
Is sealed by a sealant (not shown) before the ink tank 30 is attached to the mono-color holder 60 to prevent ink leakage.

An ink absorber 33 made of sponge or the like is housed inside the container 32, and the ink is absorbed and held by the ink absorber 33. Support part 32
In c, an ink supply member 35 composed of a unidirectional fiber bundle is provided.
Are inserted and supported, and the ink absorber 33 is in close contact with the upper end surface of the ink supply member 35. The ink absorbed by the ink absorber 33 is transferred to the ink supply member 3
It is guided to the ink supply port 32b via the nozzle 5. When the ink tank 30 is attached to the mono color holder 60, the mono color holder 6 is attached to the ink supply port 32b as shown in FIG.
An ink intake tube 60d of 0 is inserted to communicate the two, and ink is supplied to the nozzle unit 50 via the ink flow path 60d. At this time, the seal ring 61 provided around the ink supply port 32b comes into close contact with the outer edge of the ink supply port 32b, and ink leakage is suppressed.

Further, in order to communicate the ink supply port 32b with the above-mentioned atmosphere communication port through the air layer, ribs 34 are provided at predetermined portions inside the container 32 and inside the lid member 31.
(In FIG. 14, only the rib 34 of the lid member 31 is shown) to form the ink absorber 33, the container 32, and the lid member 3.
A predetermined space is formed between the support portion 32 and
A slit (not shown) that connects the inside and the outside of the container 32 is provided on a part of the inner surface of c. In this way, by communicating the inside and the outside of the ink tank 30 via the air layer, when the sealing material that seals the ink supply port 32b is peeled off, ink is blown out from the ink supply port 32b. Leakage can be prevented. In addition, even if the ambient temperature of the ink tank 30 rises during recording,
The ink in the ink tank 30 is not pushed out to the outside. Further, since the ink does not stay on the inner wall of the container 32, there is no possibility of the ink leaking from the ink supply port 32b or the atmosphere communication port, and the ink consumption efficiency is improved.

On the other hand, as an external structure of the ink tank 30, the container 32 has a claw-shaped projection on the surface which comes into contact with the inner wall of the monocolor holder 60 on the base plate 51 side when the ink tank 30 is mounted on the monocolor holder 60. The retaining claw 32d is integrally provided. The retaining claw 32d fits into the tank retaining hole 60i (see FIG. 12) formed in the mono-color holder 60, and serves as a guide when the ink tank 30 is mounted in the mono-color holder 60. When the ink tank 30 is attached to the mono color holder 60, the ink tank 3
It plays the role of holding 0.

Further, the bottom wall of the container 32 and the retaining claw 3
An inclined surface 32f is formed at the ridge where the surface on which 2d is formed intersects.
Are formed. The angle and shape of the inclined surface 32f are substantially equal to the angle and size of the inclined surface 60k (see FIG. 12) of the mono-color holder 60.

Further, a latch lever 32a whose lower end portion is elastically supported is integrally provided on the other end surface which is the outer wall on the side opposite to the retaining claw 32d. The latch lever 32 a inclines upward and outward of the ink tank 30, and the latch lever guide groove 60 of the mono-color holder 60.
14 (see FIG. 11 and FIG. 12), and when the ink tank 30 is attached to the mono-color holder 60, the ink tank 30 is pressed by the latch lever guide groove 60h.
And the latch claw 32e formed on the latch lever 32a is bent in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG.
It is engaged with the latch claw engagement hole 60j formed in h. In this embodiment, the latch lever 32a is integrally formed with the container 32.

Regarding the lid member 31, a stepped portion 31a lower than the upper surface of the lid member 31 by one step is formed at the end of the upper surface of the lid member 31 where the retaining claw 32d is formed. When the ink tank 30 is attached to the mono-color holder 60, the ink tank 30 is inserted so that the step portion 31a can be squeezed under each of the protruding portions 60f (see FIGS. 11 and 12) of the mono-color holder 60. , Make an approximate positioning. In addition, the tank protrusion 31b fitted to the tank protrusion guide portion 60g of the mono-color holder 60
Are formed.

Next, the attachment / detachment operation of the ink tank 30 to / from the mono-color holder 60 will be described. Ink tank 30
When the is attached to the mono color holder 60, first, the seal material that seals the ink supply port 32b is peeled off. After that, as shown in FIG. 16, the ink tank 30 is obliquely inserted in the direction of the arrow from the side where the retaining claw 32d is formed, and the step portion 31a of the ink tank 30 is inserted into the protruding portion 60f of the mono color holder 60. The ink retainer claw 32d of the ink tank 30 is hooked in the tank retainer hole 60i (see FIG. 12) of the mono-color holder 60, and the ink tank 30 is roughly positioned. When the ink tank 30 is inserted into the mono color holder 60, the ink tank 30 has an inclined surface 32f, so that the inclined surface 32f is used as a guide so as to be substantially parallel to the bottom wall of the mono color holder 60. Then, the stepped portion 31a of the ink tank 30 can be easily inserted under each of the overhanging portions 60f of the mono-color holder 60. In addition, the monocolor holder 60 and the ink tank 30 have inclined surfaces 60 corresponding to each other.
Since the k and 32f are formed, different types of ink tanks cannot be attached to the mono-color holder 60, and erroneous attachment of the ink tanks is prevented.

Then, as shown in FIG. 17, the ink tank 3 is moved so that the latch lever 32a moves along the latch lever guide groove 60h (see FIGS. 11 and 12).
Push 0 down. Then, the ink tank 30 substantially rotates around the portion inserted in the mono-color holder 60,
The latch lever 32a is pressed into the latch lever guide groove 60h and is pushed in while flexing inward, so that the latch claw 32e (see FIG. 14) of the latch lever 32a fits into the latch claw engaging hole 60j (see FIG. 12) of the mono-color holder 60. Engage. As a result, the ink tank 30 is fixed to the mono-color holder 60. Further, since the latch claw 32e engages with the latch claw engaging hole 60j to generate a click feeling, the feel at the time of mounting is also good.

The ink tank 30 is replaced with the monocolor holder 60.
When detaching from, the latch lever 32a is pushed inward to release the engagement between the latch claw 32e and the latch claw engagement hole 60j. Since the lower end of the latch lever 32a is elastically supported and is inclined upward toward the outside of the ink tank 30, the latch claw 32e and the latch claw hole 60j are released when the engagement is released as shown in FIG. I try to return to the state shown in. Therefore, the base slope of the latch lever 32a slides up along the latch lever guide groove 60h, and the ink tank 30 is automatically lifted on the side of the latch lever 32a to be in an inclined state. Then, the ink tank 30 can be easily removed from the mono-color holder 60 by picking up the lifted portion.

As described above, the ink tank 30 is rotated substantially so that the ink tank 30 can be attached to and detached from the monocolor holder 60, so that the ink tank 30 can be attached and detached in a small space. Also, at the time of wearing,
By using the inclined surface 32f of the ink tank 30 as a guide and allowing the step 31a to slip into the projecting portion 60f of the mono-color holder 60, the insertion direction of the ink tank 30 into the mono-color holder 60 is restricted. To be done. In addition, the ink tank 30 has a tank protrusion 31.
Since b is provided and the tank projection guide portion 60g is provided in the mono-color holder 60, the ink tank 30
The insertion position of the ink into the mono color holder 60 is also regulated, and the ink tank 30 is rotated about the tank protrusion 31b.

As a result, the ink tank 30 is mounted without interfering with the filter 62 (see FIGS. 11 and 12) of the mono color holder 60, and there is no risk of damaging the filter 62 when mounting the ink tank 30.
Further, since the ink tank 30 is rotated and attached to and detached from the mono-color holder 60, the attachment / detachment space is small, and thus the ink jet recording apparatus can be downsized.

In the above example, the latch lever 3 is used to remove the ink tank 30 from the monocolor holder 60.
Latch lever 3 of ink tank 30 by the restoring force of 2a
The phenomenon in which the end portion on the 2a side is lifted is used. In addition to that, the other end side of the ink tank 30 (latch lever 32
The bottom wall (on the side where a is provided) is a monocolor holder 60.
A pop-up spring 68 as shown in FIG. 18 may be provided as an urging means for urging the ink tank 30 toward the opening, and the spring force may be used to lift the end portion of the ink tank 30 on the side of the latch lever 32a. The pop-up spring 68 is a leaf spring fixed to the bottom wall of the hollow portion of the mono-color holder 60, and the free end portion of the mono-color holder 60 extending from the nozzle portion 50 side to the latch lever guide groove 60h side is curved. Going upwards. Thereby, the latch claw 32e
When the engagement with the latch claw engagement hole 60j is released, the end of the ink tank 30 on the side of the latch lever 32a is lifted upward by the spring force of the pop-up spring 68, and the protrusion amount from the mono color holder 60 increases. Therefore, it becomes easier to take out the ink tank 30.

16 and 17 show the procedure for attaching / detaching the ink tank 30 to / from the recording head cartridge 1 alone, but it goes without saying that the recording head cartridge 1 may be mounted on the carriage 2 (see FIG. 3). The attachment / detachment operation of the ink tank 30 is possible.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a state in which the ink tank 30 is mounted on the recording head cartridge 1 and the recording head cartridge 1 is further mounted on the carriage 2. As is apparent from FIG. 19, the latch lever 32 a, which serves as an operating portion when the ink tank 30 is attached and detached, and the head attachment and detachment operating portion 60 c, which serves as an operation portion when the recording head cartridge 1 is attached and detached, move the carriage 2. Both are arranged on the same side with respect to the direction. As a result, the operator can easily recognize the respective operation sections and the uniformity of the operations can be taken, so that the operability is improved. Moreover, it is possible to provide an operation unit that is very cohesive in terms of design. Further, when the ink tank 30 is attached or detached or the recording head cartridge 1 is attached or detached, it suffices to have a space for the operator to operate only on the side where the latch lever 32a and the head attachment / detachment operation section 60c are provided. Therefore, if the carriage 2 is located at such a position, the ink tank 30 or the recording head cartridge 1 can be attached or detached at any position.

Although the latch lever 32a and the head attachment / detachment operating portion 60c are arranged adjacent to each other, the operation of removing the ink tank 30 is an operation of pushing the latch lever 32a inward, and the recording head cartridge 1 is removed. Since the operation is an operation of pulling up the head attachment / detachment operation section 60c, an erroneous operation is avoided due to the difference in the operation method. Further, since the positions of the latch lever 32a and the head attachment / detachment operating portion 60c are arranged in different steps, it is easy to recognize the difference in the functions. In this case, comparing the frequency of attachment / detachment of the ink tank 30 with the frequency of attachment / detachment of the recording head cartridge 1, the frequency of attachment / detachment of the ink tank 30 is greater. Therefore, in consideration of easiness of operation, the latch lever 3 is considered.
The position of the head of 2a (the part on which the operator puts his / her finger) is located above the position of the head attachment / detachment operating part 60c.

In the above-mentioned example, the recording head cartridge 1 is shown for mono color, but the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment can also use a recording head cartridge for color.

FIG. 20 shows a color recording head cartridge mounted in the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing two ink tanks attached to this. This color recording head cartridge 101
Is a black ink tank 1 containing black ink
30 and a color ink tank 140 containing three color inks of yellow, magenta, and cyan are detachable, and eject four color inks. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, the nozzle unit 150 also corresponds to each color ink, the ejection port group 150B for black, the ejection port group 150Y for yellow, the ejection port group 150M for magenta, and the ejection port group 150M for cyan. It is divided into a discharge port group 150C. Further, a partition plate 165 is integrally provided on the bottom wall of the color holder 160 in order to partition the area where the ink tanks 130 and 140 are mounted.

The base plate 151 and the head terminal portion 153 are used for the mono-color recording head cartridge 1 (see FIG. 5).
(See) and use the same thing. Color holder 160
Also, although the details are different from those of the mono-color holder 60 (see FIG. 5), the outer shapes are almost the same.
In particular, the shape of the portion related to the carriage 2 (see FIG. 3) and the position of the head attachment / detachment operation portion 160c, which serves as a finger hook when the color recording head cartridge 101 is detached from the carriage 2, are the same. The color recording head cartridge 101 can be attached to and detached from the same carriage 2 in which the recording head cartridge 1 of FIG. That is, the user can freely select and use the mono-color recording head cartridge 1 and the color recording head cartridge 101 in one ink jet recording apparatus.

The color recording head cartridge 101 and the ink tanks 130 and 140 will be described below. However, since the portion related to the carriage 2 is the same as that of the mono-color recording head cartridge 1, the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 22 shows the color recording head cartridge 101 shown in FIG.
It is the top view shown in the state where 140 was attached. Also,
23 is a sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 22, and FIG.
It is the EE sectional view taken on the line of FIG. As shown in FIG. 22, the black ink tank 130 and the color ink tank 140 are attached to the color holder 160 adjacent to each other.
Black ink tank 130 and color ink tank 14
The shape combined with 0 is the ink tank 3 for mono color.
0 (see FIG. 13) has almost the same shape. The black ink tank 130 includes a container 132 for holding black ink and a container 13 as shown in FIG.
2 and a cover member 131 that is sealed to form an atmosphere communication port 131b.

At the bottom of the container 132, the color holder 16
An ink supply port 132b into which an ink intake tube 160d for black ink of 0 is inserted is formed, and a cylindrical support portion 132c is provided upright around the ink supply port 132b. Before the black ink tank 130 is attached to the color holder 160, the ink supply port 132b is sealed with a sealant (not shown) to prevent ink leakage.

An ink absorber 133 is provided inside the container 132.
Are stored, and the black ink is absorbed and held by the ink absorber 133. Support 132c
Includes an ink supply member 135 composed of a unidirectional fiber bundle.
Are inserted and supported, and the ink absorber 133 is in close contact with the upper end surface of the ink supply member 135. The ink absorbed by the ink absorber 133 is guided to the ink supply port 132b via the ink supply member 135.
When the black ink tank 130 is attached to the color holder 160, the color holder 160 is attached to the ink supply port 132b.
The ink take-in pipe 160d is inserted, and the ink is supplied to the ejection port group 150B (see FIG. 21) for the black ink of the nozzle portion 150 through the ink flow path configured by the color holder 160 and the liquid path cover 166. (Fig. 23
Then, the path to the nozzle portion 150 is not shown due to the relationship of the cut surface). At this time, the ink supply port 13
The seal ring 161 provided around 2b is in close contact with the outer edge portion of the ink supply port 132b, and ink leakage is suppressed.

For the same purpose as the mono-color ink tank 30, the ink supply port 132b and the atmosphere communication port 13 are provided.
In order to communicate with 1b via an air layer, ribs 13 are provided at predetermined portions inside the container 132 and inside the lid member 131.
4 (only the ribs 134 of the lid member 131 are shown in FIG. 23) to form a predetermined space between the ink absorber 133 and the container 132 or the lid member 131, and
A slit (not shown) that connects the inside and the outside of the container 132 is provided on a part of the inner surface of the support portion 132c.

On the other hand, as a structure for attaching / detaching the black ink tank 130 to / from the color holder 160,
When the black ink tank 130 is attached to the color holder 160, the base plate 151 of the color holder 160
The retaining claw 132d is integrally provided on the surface that comes into contact with the inner wall on the side. The retaining claw 132d fits into the tank retaining hole 160i formed in the color holder 160, and serves as a guide when the black ink tank 130 is mounted in the color holder 160, and the black ink tank 130 is in the color. The black ink tank 130 is held in a state of being attached to the holder 160. Further, a latch lever 132a whose lower end portion is elastically supported is integrally provided on the outer wall on the side opposite to the retaining claw 132d.

Corresponding to the position of the latch lever 132a,
A latch lever guide groove 167 for the black ink tank 130 is formed in the color holder 160, and when the black ink tank 130 is attached to the color holder 160, the latch lever 132a is inserted along the latch lever guide groove 167. I will do it. When the black ink tank 130 is attached to the color holder 160, the latch lever 132a is pressed by the latch lever guide groove 167 to bend inward, and the latch lever 132a is pressed.
The latch claw 132e formed in a is engaged with the latch claw engagement hole 167a formed in the latch lever guide groove 167.

Further, the same inclined surface 160k as that of the mono color holder 60 (see FIG. 12) is also provided in the area of the color holder 160 where the black ink tank 130 is mounted.
The black ink tank 130 also has an inclined surface 132f corresponding to the inclined surface 160k.

As for the lid member 131, the lid member 13 is attached to the end of the upper surface of the lid member 131 where the retaining claw 132d is formed.
A stepped portion 131a that is one step lower than the upper surface of No. 1 is formed. Correspondingly to the color holder 160,
An overhanging portion 160f similar to the overhanging portion 60f (see FIG. 11) of the mono-color holder 60 is formed.

The black ink tank 130 can be attached to and detached from the color holder 160 only by the monocolor ink tank 30.
It is done in the same way as. That is, when mounting the black ink tank 130, first, the black ink tank 130 of the color holder 160 is inserted from the side where the retaining claw 132d is formed.
Is obliquely inserted into a portion to be mounted, and the step portion 131a is also inserted under the overhanging portion 160f (see FIG. 22) of the color holder 160 on the black ink tank 130 side, and the retaining claw 132d is attached to the color holder 160.
Hook into the tank retaining hole 160i. Thereafter, the black ink tank 130 is pushed downward to rotate around the side where the retaining claw 132d is formed, and the latch claw 132e of the latch lever 132a is engaged with the latch lever guide groove 167 and the latch claw engaging hole 167a. . When removing the black ink tank 130,
Push the latch lever 132a inward, and
The engagement between 2e and the latch claw engagement hole 167a may be released.

The color ink tank 140 also has basically the same configuration as the black ink tank 130, and as shown in FIG. 24, a container 142 containing three colors of ink and a lid member 141 covering the container 142. Have and.
Also, when the color holder 160 is mounted, the lid member 14
The stepped portion 141a formed in the same portion as that of the black ink tank 130 is obliquely inserted so as to extend below the protruding portion 160f (see FIG. 22) on the color ink tank 140 side.

The inside of the container 142 is provided with two partition plates 14 arranged in parallel with each other in order to store inks of three colors.
The space 2f divides the space into three spaces having almost the same capacity. These three spaces are lined up along the insertion direction of the color ink tank 140 when the color ink tank 140 is attached to the color recording head cartridge 101. In each of these spaces, an ink absorber 143Y that absorbs and holds yellow ink, and an ink absorber 143M that absorbs and holds magenta ink,
An ink absorber 143C that absorbs and holds cyan ink is stored. Then, as shown in the bottom view of FIG. 25, the ink supply ports 142 opened in the respective spaces.
bY, 142bM, 142bC are also formed along the insertion direction of the color ink tank 140.

The individual structure of each space is the same as that of the black ink tank 130, and therefore its description is omitted. The lid member 141 also has an atmosphere communication port (not shown).
However, it is basically the same as the black ink tank 130 except that it is formed in each space and is configured so as to seal each space from each other, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

Further, the ink supply ports 142bY and 142b are provided.
Corresponding to the positions of bM and 142bC, the color holder 16
No. 0 is provided with three ink intake tubes 160d ′ (in FIG. 24, the ink intake tube for magenta ink is not shown due to the relationship of the cut surface). Each of the ink intake tubes 160d 'passes through an ink flow path constituted by a liquid path cover 166 and is connected to the nozzle portion 15 respectively.
It is communicated with the predetermined discharge port groups 150Y, 150M, and 150C of 0 (see FIG. 21). Note that, in FIG. 24, the path to the nozzle portion 150 of each ink flow path is shown only for the yellow ink due to the relationship of the cut surface. In addition, the seal ring 161 'is also used for each ink intake tube 16
Although it is provided for each 0d ', those for magenta ink are not shown in FIG.

On the other hand, as for the structure for attaching / detaching the color ink tank 140 to / from the color holder 160, as in the black ink tank 130, as shown in the side view of FIG.
In addition to the step portion 141a described above, the latch lever 142
It has a and a retaining claw 142d. Latch lever 1
42a, as shown in FIG.
The latch claws 142e formed on the latch lever 142a are engaged with the latch lever guide grooves 167 'formed on the latch lever guide groove 167 when the color ink tank 140 is mounted on the color holder 160. It engages with the latch engagement hole 167a formed in the '. The retaining claw 142d shown in FIG. 26 is formed at the lower end of the surface opposite to the surface on which the latch lever 142a is provided. Corresponding to this position, the color holder 160 has A tank retaining hole (not shown) into which the retaining claw 142d is fitted is formed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 24, an inclined surface 160k ′ similar to that of the mono color holder 60 (see FIG. 12) is formed in the area of the color holder 160 where the color ink tank 140 is mounted. Color ink tank 1
40 also has an inclined surface 142g corresponding to the inclined surface 160k '.
Are formed.

As with the operation of attaching / detaching the black ink tank 130, the operation of attaching / detaching the color ink tank 140 to / from the color holder 160 is performed by inserting the side on which the retaining claws 142d are formed into the color holder 160 and centering that portion. The latch lever 142a is pushed inward and removed. Here, when the color ink tank 140 is attached to the color holder 160, the ink supply ports 142bY, 142bM, 14 of the color ink tank 140 are attached.
Since 2bC is formed along the insertion direction of the color ink tank 140, the ink supply ports 142bY, 142bM, 1
Since 42bC is sequentially coupled to the ink intake tube 160 'from the side where the retaining claw 142d is formed,
The color ink tank 140 and the color recording head cartridge 101 can be stably connected.

In order to make it easier to remove the ink tanks 130 and 140, the color holder 160
Alternatively, a pop-up spring similar to that shown in FIG. 18 may be provided.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a state in which the black ink tank 130 and the color ink tank 140 are mounted on the color recording head cartridge 101, and the recording head cartridge 101 is further mounted on the carriage 2. As is clear from FIG. 27, each ink tank 13
Since 0 and 140 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the carriage 2, a latch lever 132a that serves as an operation unit when the black ink tank 130 is attached and detached, and an operation unit when the color ink tank 140 is attached and detached. The latch lever 142a and the head attachment / detachment operation portion 160c, which is an operation portion when the color recording head cartridge 101 is attached / detached, are arranged on the same side with respect to the moving direction of the carriage 2. As a result, similarly to the mono-color recording head cartridge 1 (see FIG. 19), the attachment / detachment operability of the ink tanks 130 and 140 and the color recording head cartridge 101 is improved, and the design is also very organized. Will be things. Moreover, since the positions of the heads of the latch levers 132a and 142a are arranged on the same straight line, the space can be effectively used and a small color recording head cartridge 101 can be obtained.
Regarding the arrangement of the respective latch levers 132a, 142a and the head attachment / detachment operation section 160c, the latch levers 13 are arranged in the same manner as in the recording head cartridge 1 for mono-color.
2a and 142a and the head attachment / detachment operation section 160c are arranged in different steps, and it is easy to recognize the difference in their functions.

The inclined surfaces 132g and 142g of the black ink tank 130 and the color ink tank 140 are also included.
Of the black ink tank 130 and the color ink tank 140, the inclined surfaces 160k and 160k 'of the color holder 160 are different from each other.
If the angle and shape are matched with the inclined surfaces 132g and 142g, the erroneous mounting of the black ink tank 130 and the color ink tank 140 can be prevented.

Next, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 28 to 44, which are drawings showing specific numerical examples and additional configurations of the above-described embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a tank holder 60 which integrally holds a black dedicated recording head BHD for accommodating and recording only the black ink tank 30 in FIG. 28A, and in FIG. And color ink tank 1
Black that stores 30 and 140 respectively and records
The perspective view of the tank holder 160 which integrally holds the color integrated recording head BCHD is shown.

29A shows a top view of the tank holder 60, and FIG. 29B shows a top view of the tank holder 160.

FIG. 30A is a perspective view centering on the bottom surface of the black ink tank 30, FIG. 30B is a perspective view centering on the bottom surface of the black ink tank 130, and FIG.
A perspective view centering on the bottom surface of the color ink tank 140 is shown in FIG.

FIG. 31A is an operation diagram including the operation of removing the protective member 200 of the black ink tank 130 in FIG.
FIG. 7B is an operation diagram including a detaching operation of the protective member 201 of the color ink tank 140, and FIG. 7C is a partial sectional view showing a partial configuration of the protective member.

FIG. 32 is a drawing in which the specific dimensions of the black ink tank 30 are accurately reduced, and illustrates an embodiment in which the values are the same as those in the drawing. (A), (b),
Among (c), (d), and (e), a left side view (a), a right side view (d), and a front view (c) are shown in a triangle centering on the top view (b). (E) is a projection view in which the top view (b) is further reduced and the absorber is removed, and (f) is
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the front view (c) in a reduced size and passing through the central portion of the one-way ink supply member.

FIG. 33 shows the black ink tank 13 described above.
FIG. 2 is a drawing in which a specific dimension of 0 is accurately reduced, and an embodiment formed according to the values in the drawing will be described. (A), (b),
Of (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g), a triangular shape centering on the top view (b) shows a left side view (a), a right side view (d), and a front view ( c), bottom view (e) is shown,
(F) is a cross-sectional view of the front view (c) through the central portion of the one-way ink supply member, and (g) is a projection view of the top view (b) with the absorber removed.

FIG. 34 shows the color ink tank 160.
Is a drawing in which the specific dimensions of the above are accurately reduced, and is to explain an embodiment formed according to the values in the drawing, (a), (b),
Of (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g), a triangular shape centering on the top view (b) shows a left side view (a), a right side view (d), and a front view ( c), bottom view (e) is shown,
(F) is a cross-sectional view through the center of the one-way ink supply member of the front view (c).

FIG. 35 is an enlarged projection view with the absorber shown in the top view (c) of FIG. 34 removed.

FIG. 36 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship for increasing the ink supply efficiency of the ink tank of the present invention.

FIG. 37 shows the tank holders 60, 1 of FIG.
6 is a perspective view of a carriage configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus in which 60 is mounted.

FIG. 38 is a top view of the protection member 200 of the black ink tank 130.

FIG. 39 is a view showing a state in which the protection member 200 in a state where the black ink tank 130 is housed is packaged, and FIG. 39 (a) is a view showing a state seen from an arrow A in FIG. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a state viewed from an arrow B in FIG.

FIG. 40 is a top view of the protective member 201 of the color ink tank 140.

41A and 41B are views showing a state in which the protective member 201 in a state where the color ink tank 140 is accommodated is packaged. FIG. 41A is a top view and FIG. 41B is a side view.

42A and 42B are views showing the protection member 400 of the black ink tank 30, in which FIG. 42A is a top view and FIG.
Is a side view.

FIGS. 43A and 43B are views showing a state in which the protection member 400 containing the black ink tank 30 is packaged. FIG. 43A is a top view and FIG. 43B is a side view.

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing in detail the ink supply port of the protection member 400 shown in FIGS. 42 and 43. (a) is a partial sectional view, (b) is an enlarged partial sectional view, and (c) is a sectional view. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a connection state with an ink tank.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 28 to FIG. 44, the structural relationships not described before FIG. 27 will be described.

In these figures, the above-mentioned ink absorbing members 35, 135, 165 are used as unidirectional ink supply members for guiding the ink only in one direction, which is formed by bundling fibers. Each ink tank 30, 130, 14
As shown in FIG. 30, the bottom surface of No. 0 is provided with an ink absorbing member in a region that is a recess with respect to the bottom surface, and the ink supply sectional area of the ink absorbing member differs depending on each ink tank. Further, the leaf springs 68, 68C, 68B acting on the tank at the time of attachment / detachment operation shown in FIG. 29 are fixedly held by the heat caulking portions 202, 203, 204 to the tank holders 60, 160, respectively. Since the thermal caulking portions 202, 203, and 204 are convex on the bottom surface of the tank toward the tank mounting area, the ink absorbing member of the tank and the filters BK, BK, Y, M, and C of the tank holders are in close contact with each other. To more stably secure the concave portions 202a, 20
2a, 203a, 203a, 204a are provided, respectively. The leaf springs 68, 68B and 68C are deformed when the respective ink tanks are positioned in the holders, and the elastic forces thereof tend to push up the ink tanks. This pushing force strengthens the state in which the latch claws and the retaining claws are engaged with the holder, and the reaction force of the reaction force between the ink supply member and the filter that is slightly convex on the bottom surface of the holder. Further stabilize. Here, visual characteristics of each ink will be described with reference to FIGS. 28 and 37. Since the carriage, the tank holder, and one or two ink tanks are concentrated and installed in one part like each of the configurations, the operator can move which lever to perform a desired film-forming operation. There may be cases where you do not know what will happen. Therefore, in the present embodiment, not only the shape but also the lever is made to have the same color and different members are made to have different colors to improve the operation. Specifically, the common carriage has a black color (which is preferably the same color as the main body of the apparatus because it is not removed), the ink tank 30 is gray, the ink tank 130 is transparent or red, and the ink tank 140 is It was white. Also, holders with heads BHD, B
The CHDs may have different colors, but in this example, they are green. Since the objects to be attached and detached can be discriminated by colors by these, the lever to be operated can be visually discriminated. In addition, as shown in FIG.
1 to X5 are provided, and in the ink tank holder, as shown in FIG. 29, concave portions Y1 to Y are provided at positions corresponding to the respective convex portions.
5 are provided. The convex portion is provided on the ink tank to prevent the supply port opening from directly touching the ink tank holder when the supply port opening of the ink tank is placed downward on the ink tank holder. is there.
With the above configuration, it was possible to prevent the bottom surface of the ink tank near the supply port from directly contacting the mounting surface and preventing the ink from adhering.

As can be seen from FIGS. 28 and 37, the carriage 2 is provided with a black triangular mark 206 and a yellow triangular mark 207 showing the color on the tank holder mounting side. Marks corresponding to these marks are also provided on each tank. Since only the tank 30 needs to be placed in the tank holder 60 of the ink tank 30, the black triangular mark 206 a and the yellow triangular mark 20
7a is provided, and a black triangular mark 206a is attached to the ink tank 130 attached to the tank holder 160.
The yellow triangular mark 207a is provided in the ink tank 140 according to the ink stored and the mounting position. Since the presence of the ink tank can be confirmed by this mark, the type of the ink tank and the presence or absence of the ink tank can be visually confirmed by looking at the carriage. It should be noted that all the filters that can be seen in the respective ink supply ports of the color ink tank holder shown in FIG. 29B are provided offset to the counter rotation center side. This is because the amount of deformation of the filter when the ink tank is housed in the ink tank holder is reduced by moving the ink tank away from the rotation center, and the ink tank is stably housed accordingly.

FIG. 31 shows the eighteenth embodiment of the present invention. Although the protection member for the ink tank 30 is not shown in the drawing, elements having similar functions, shapes, etc. may be provided. The protection members 200 and 201 are directly connected to the ink tanks 30 and 13.
0, 140, and an ink supply sheet covering member 200e as an ink absorbing sheet or a cap,
201e contacts the bottom surface of the ink tank. This ink supply section covering member can prevent unnecessary scattering of ink, and especially for the color ink tank 140, can also prevent color mixing of the inks.

In short, this embodiment has a supply portion for supplying the recording ink housed inside to the outside, and one surface of the ink tank is provided in the concave portion of the holder in which the ink tank is mounted. A protrusion to be inserted is provided, and the latch claw of the elastic resilient lever for operation provided on the side surface opposite to this surface engages with and disengages from the engaging portion of the holder to attach to the holder, Ink tank released
Protective member (200, 2) applied to (130, 140)
01), which is a protective portion (200c, 201c) for covering the operation elastic latch levers (132a, 142a) provided with the latch claws in a non-contact state, and an absorber for closing the supply portion periphery or Cap (200e, 2
01e) is provided, the recesses (200f, 201f) for receiving the projections, and the engaging portions (Ta, Tb) that engage with the upper corners (Ta, Tb) of the operation elastic latch lever. 200a, 200b, 201a, 201
b) and a protective member.

FIG. 38 shows a top view of the protection member 200 of the black ink tank 130, and FIG. 39 shows a state in which the protection member 200 containing the black ink tank 130 is packaged. 39 (a) is a diagram showing a state viewed from an arrow A in FIG. 38, and FIG. 39 (b) is a diagram showing a state viewed from an arrow B in (a). 40 is a top view of the protection member 201 of the color ink tank 140, and FIG.
FIG. 1 shows a state in which the protective member 201 in which the color ink tank 140 is housed is packaged. 41A is a top view and FIG. 41B is a side view.

As shown in FIGS. 39 and 41, the ink tanks 130 and 140 are provided with a protection member 20 when they are transported.
Protected by 0,201, and further wrapping material 390,410
It is sealed and handled. Here, each protection member 20
As for the protection portions 200c and 201c formed on the No. 0 and 201, as shown in each drawing, the latch lever (142a in FIG. 41, not shown in FIG. 41) for protection has a taper shape in which the upper portion slightly protrudes. It is processed.

This is true in the case where the entire latch lever is tightly enclosed or in the case where it is greatly enclosed.
When removing the protective member from the ink tank, the protective portion 2
This is because 00c and 201c are easily gripped. If the protective portion is gripped when the entire latch lever is tightly enclosed, the protective portion itself may be damaged. Also, if the protective part is grabbed when the entire latch lever is largely enclosed, your finger may be caught on the latch lever, and the latch lever itself may be damaged.In either case, the protective member smoothly separates from the ink tank. This is because it does not.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the protective portion is processed into a tapered shape so that the upper portion of the latch lever is slightly projected, so that the protective portion is prevented from being caught, and as described above. It was possible to prevent the occurrence of such problems.

FIG. 42 shows the protection member 400 for the black ink tank 30. (A) is a top view and (b) is a side view. Further, FIG. 43 shows a state in which the protection member 400 with the black ink tank 30 housed therein is packaged.
(A) is a top view and (b) is a side view. Furthermore, FIG.
3 shows the ink supply port of the protection member 400 shown in FIGS. 42 and 43 in detail. (A) is a partial sectional view, (b) is an enlarged partial sectional view, and (c) is a partial sectional view showing a connection state with an ink tank.

Also in the protective member 400, the engaging portions 400a, similar to the protective members 200, 201 shown in FIG.
400b, a protection part 400c, and a recessed part 400f are formed. The protective portion 400c is also formed so that the latch lever 32a slightly protrudes when the black ink tank is accommodated, and the same applies to the fact that it is sealed by the packaging material 400 when handling. The protection member 400 is different from the protection members 200 and 201 shown in FIG. 31 in that the ink tank to be stored is the large-capacity black ink tank 30, and therefore the O-ring 401 is attached to the portion covering the ink supply portion. It is that you are.

The protective members 200 and 201 shown in FIG. 31 are formed by forming ink supply section covering members 200e and 201e as ink absorbing sheets or caps at the portions contacting the bottom surface of the ink tank, considering the capacity of the ink tank to be stored. As described above (in this case, the ink absorbing sheet may be attached to the ink tank itself and the protective member may be provided with the ink supply portion covering member).
However, regarding the ink tank 30 that stores a large amount of ink, an O-ring is used in order to complete the seal.

The structure of the protective member 400 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 44A, the protective member 400
Has a protrusion formed at a position relative to the ink supply portion of the ink tank 30, and an O-ring 401 is provided around the protrusion. A groove 441 for improving the adhesion is provided around the upper surface of the O-ring 401, and the attachment to the protection member 400 is an enlarged view of the edge portion 442.
As shown in (b), after the O-ring 401 is fitted around the protrusion, the tip of the protrusion is heated and deformed to hold the O-ring 401 in a crimped state.

The diameter φa of the protrusion shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 44 (c), has a diameter substantially the same as the supply port of the ink tank 444 to be protected, and its height h
Is set so as to come as close as possible within a range where it does not come into contact with the pressure contact member 443 that absorbs and holds ink inside the ink tank when attached to the ink tank 444. Specifically, it is about 0.2 mm or less. This is because if the gap between the tip of the protrusion and the pressure contact member 443 is too wide, ink will collect in this gap when the ink tank is dropped, etc.
This is because the large-capacity ink tank 30 has a large supply port, which causes a problem such as scattering of the accumulated ink when the protective member is removed.

In this embodiment, by setting the height of the protrusion to 0.2 mm or less as described above, it is possible to prevent ink from accumulating in the gap between the tip of the protrusion and the pressure contact member 443. It was possible to prevent the above-mentioned problems from occurring.

Next, referring to FIGS. 32, 33 and 34,
The shape characteristics of each ink tank will be described. Each ink tank has an operating elastic latch lever provided with a latch claw on one side surface. The click amount C of the latch claw is 0.9 mm in the ink tank 30 (see FIG. 32).
Although not shown in FIG. 33 in the ink tank 130, the ink tank 130 has a thickness of 0.7 mm as shown in FIG. 34C of the ink tank 140, and each is 1 mm or less.
The state in which these latch claws are engaged with the ink tank holder is not shown in FIG. 32, but as shown in FIGS. 33 and 34 (f) showing the mounted state of the ink tank, both are on the side surface side of the lever. The distance between the inside and the side surface, that is, the separation distance TR is 2 mm.

If the click amount C of the latch claw is increased, the external mounting die is increased and the carriage to be given is enlarged. Therefore, a value of 1 mm or less is preferable. At this time, this distance is not only required in proportion to the click amount C, but also the click amount cannot be surely cleared or the click itself cannot be performed unless the distance is maximized. From such an examination, in the present embodiment, the design as shown in the drawings (3C ≧ TR in the case of C = 0.7 and 2C ≦ TR in the case of C = 0.9) showed a stable click state and reliable release. The operation was easy. Also, T
It was found that the release operation can be stabilized when R is (1.5 times × click amount C) or more.

In summary, the embodiment has a supply port for supplying the recording ink housed inside to the outside, and the latch claw engages with and disengages from the engaging part of the holder in which the ink tank is mounted. By attaching to the holder,
An ink tank to be released, the side surface corresponding to the latch claw with a click amount C of 1 mm or less and the operation elastic ratchet lever on the side surface, and the side surface corresponding to the latch claw in a mounted state. An ink tank is characterized in that a separation distance TR between the operation elastic latch lever and the operation elastic latch lever satisfies the relationship of 1.5C ≦ TR ≦ 3C. According to this configuration, the ink capacity can be maximized in a given space without complicating the configuration of the holder and the carriage.
The space required for operating the latch and the latch lever can be minimized while ensuring reliable operation.

A more preferable condition of this condition is that the separation distance TR satisfies the relation of 2C≤TR≤3C.

When the entire elastic latch lever for operation is the ink tank alone as shown in FIG. 32 (b), the distance 211 from the side surface is 9.0 mm, FIG. 33 (b),
In FIG. 34 (b), the existence of within 10 mm or less, such as 8.8 mm, results in a reliable click effect,
It was found that the operability during attachment / detachment and detachment can be further improved.

Further, in order to reduce the size and improve the operability, as shown in FIG. 32 (C), the surface on the side surface side of the operation portion 208 of the elastic latch lever for operation is moved away from the side surface. There is a taper 210 in the direction, and the taper 210 is formed at an angle capable of making surface contact with the side surface.

When the operation elastic latch lever is provided on the side surface of the ink tank as in the present embodiment, the durability of repeated operation may be required. In such a case, the operation elastic latch lever is bent so that the portion 209 from the latch claw to the operation portion is close to the side surface as typified by FIG. 32 (c). The effect can be obtained by taking the configuration. Of course, in this configuration, each tank is provided as shown in each (c) of FIGS. When this bend forms an angle of 20 degrees or less with each of the side surfaces (in this case, each tank is 15 degrees), a more practical structure and durability can be obtained.

Further, when the material of the operation elastic latch lever is made inexpensive, the strength of the material may be deteriorated. It is preferable to use a structure in which the central portion of the is thick in the bending direction.

As shown in FIG. 36, a detailed study was conducted focusing on the correlation between the miniaturization of the ink tank itself and the ink supply capability. As a result, it was found that the surrounding ink was present when the ink was supplied in the gravity direction of the ink tank. The area came to have some relation. This is effective only when the ink tank supply section is the bottom surface of the tank and the supply section has an ink supply member excellent in the ink supply direction with respect to the ink absorber (porous material such as sponge) inside the tank. Met.

FIG. 36 shows the following particularly when the length SH in the height direction (thickness) of the tank is 20 mm or less on the surface F where the unidirectional ink supply member having such characteristics is in contact with the absorber. It turned out that there are features of. Note that l1 to l4 in FIG. 36 indicate the maximum distance from the end of the surface F that gives an unstable element of the ink supply balance, including the corners of the ink absorber or the ink tank. Also, FIG.
5, FIG. 32 (e), (F), FIG. 33 (f), (g)
It is the base and height of a right triangle for finding this maximum distance.

In the ink tank 30 of this embodiment,
In order to facilitate insertion into and removal from the ink holder, the color ink tank 140 shown in FIG.
Guide grooves 32 extending in the insertion direction, like the respective supply ports of
0 is partially formed. The invention relating to the structure of the supply unit does not require the structure related to the above latch. That is, even if another fixing method is used, a structure that facilitates its insertion and removal is effective.

That is, from the viewpoint of miniaturizing the ink tank itself and obtaining excellent ink supply performance, the bottom surface of the ink tank has a one-way ink supply member connected to the ink receiving portion of the holder, In the ink tank, the distance SH from the contact portion where the one-way ink supply member is in contact with the absorber housed in the ink tank to the inner surface of the ink tank in the direction perpendicular to the bottom surface is 20.
mm or less, and SH ≦ l in at least two directions within the distance l from the contact portion to the inner surface of each end of the ink tank.
By having a configuration satisfying ≦ 2.5 × SH, it was possible to obtain miniaturization and excellent ink supply without waste.

In the present invention, the structure around the ink tank has a projection on the surface facing the side surface of the ink tank, which is inserted into the recess provided in the holder prior to the latch claw, By disposing the latch claws and the protrusions so that the one-way ink supply member and at least one of the latch claws and / or the protrusions do not exist in the same surface region in the surface region perpendicular to the side surface. The advantage is that the positioning accuracy during mounting is stable.
When this configuration is adopted by the above invention, the advantages are synergistically improved.

FIG. 45 shows "h≤H≤" of the first invention of the present invention.
4h ”is an explanatory diagram for explaining“ 4h ”, and the condition regarding the outer diameter and the like of the ink tank is a preferable condition for the present invention, but is not essential.

In FIG. 45, reference numeral 1000 denotes an ink absorber (sponge or the like), which extends to the side of the flat ink tank and occupies the periphery and the upper side of the unidirectional ink supply member 1002 in the ink supply port area. Reference numerals 1001 and 1003 denote guide members that allow the ink supply member 1002 to move. Looking at the height H of the ink absorber in the region above the ink supply member 1002 with respect to the height h of the ink supply member 1002 as viewed from the surface of the ink tank, the minimum portion and the maximum portion of this height H are All satisfy the condition of h ≦ H ≦ 4h.

This stabilizes the ink supply property. By the way, Fig. 32, 33, 34 showing the dimensions
32, h ≦ H ≦ 2 in FIG.
h is satisfied, 1.45 h H in FIG. 33 and 3.5 in FIG. 34.
h = H. All of these ink tanks are h ≤ H
Satisfaction of ≦ 4 h was satisfied, stable ink supply was achieved, and the ink remaining amount could be reduced as compared with the conventional case.

FIG. 46 is a view for explaining a partial invention of "the amount of movement is 0.1 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less" of the fifth invention of the present invention, and the lower surface of the ink supply member 1002 is located when the ink tank is a single unit. From the surface, the distance β moved upward by mounting and the ink absorber 100 itself is also compressed by + β by this movement.

When B is 0.1 mm ≦ β ≦ 0.5 mm, the above problem can be solved. 33, 34, 35
When the tank of FIG. 28 is mounted on the holder as shown in FIG. 28, the movement amount β is 0.3 mm, which satisfies this condition, and the partial absorber 1000 and the supply member 100 as shown in FIG.
It was possible to reliably prevent the pressure contact with No. 2 and the excessive compression of the ink absorber, and to prevent the ink distribution in the absorber from being changed unnecessarily.

FIG. 47 shows "0.3 mm of the third invention of the present invention".
≦ α ≦ 0.8 mm ”, which is the condition of the distance α from the surface 1004 of the ink tank that receives the seal link 61 in FIG. 28 to the lower surface of the ink supply member 1002 when the ink tank is a single unit. Such inconvenience 0.3m
This can be solved by m ≦ α ≦ 0.8 mm. 33, 3
In the ink tanks of 4 and 35, this α is 0.5
mm, 0.4 mm, and 0.6 mm.

FIG. 48 illustrates the conditions under which the pressure contact force N of the fourth invention of the present invention satisfies “40 gf / mm ² ≦ N ≦ 80 gf / mm ² ”. An ink intake tube 60 on the holder side with respect to the unidirectional ink supply member 1002.
The pressure for pressing the filter 62 at the tip of d (160d ') per unit area can satisfy the above condition to solve the above-mentioned problem. The ink tank of Fig. 32, 33, 34, when attached to the holder of Figure 28, the latch structure described above, in ^{order, 56gf / mm 2, 69gf /} mm 2, a respective ink portions together 66gf / mm ^2, The above effects could be obtained. In practical terms, like this example,
More preferably, it is 50 gf / mm ² or more and 56 gf / mm ² or less. Needless to say, the fixing method and structure for applying the pressure contact force are not limited to the present invention, and the structure described later can be used.

In FIG. 49, the distance of the second invention of the present invention is "10.
In the explanatory diagram for explaining the condition of "mm or less", the centers O1 and O2 of the action points AF and BF of the surfaces facing each other of the ink tank, respectively.
A phantom line connecting the lines (in the case of the tank of the above embodiment, FIG.
(E), FIG. 33 (g), and FIG. 34 (e) are lines connecting the center of the latch portion and the center of the claw portion), and a perpendicular line LX from the center O4 of the ink supply port of the ink tank. And the distance from the center O3 of the area in contact with the filter to the perpendicular L0. Note that MX indicates the maximum distance of the ink supply unit from the virtual line.

It is a second invention of the present invention that at least one, and preferably all of these distances are 10 mm or less. In addition to this distance condition, FIG.
As described above, it is a preferable additional condition that the ink supply port is on this virtual line. By this condition, it was possible to further stabilize the ink supply property.

Specifically, in the state where the latch portion is moved close to the use state, the distance from the center is 1 mm, the maximum is 6 mm, and the ink supply port is located on the imaginary line in FIG. Further, in FIG. 33, the distance from the center is 1 mm, the maximum is 4 mm, and similarly, the ink supply port is located on the imaginary line. Further, in FIG. 34, the distances from the respective centers of the ink supply ports Y, M, and C are 2.5 mm, 7 mm, and 7 mm, and the maximum distances are 4.5 mm, 9 mm, and 9 mm. In the case of the second invention, the structure inside the ink supply port may be any,
Similar effects were obtained with the absorber alone.

50 to 55 show modified examples of the ink tank holder and the ink tank, and the method of mounting the ink tank in each example will be described below.

In the example shown in FIG. 50, the ink tank is accommodated without providing a latch member or a claw. The ink tank holder accommodates the ink tank by a lid member 1005 whose upper surface is curved in a direction of pressing the ink tank. The lid member 1005 has engaging portions 1005b and 1 which engage with the projecting portion 60f and the engaging hole, respectively.
005a is formed, and when the ink tank with which these are engaged is housed, the curved portion presses the ink tank.

With the above-described structure, it is possible to easily mount and stably store the ink tank without providing a claw portion or a protrusion on the ink tank itself.

In the example shown in FIG. 51, the lid member itself does not press the ink tank, but the spring 1007 provided between the lid member 1006 and the ink tank presses the ink tank. Also in this example,
When the ink tank is accommodated in which the engaging portions 1006a and 1006b are engaged with the ink tank holder, the ink tank is stably accommodated by the spring 1007.

In the example shown in FIG. 52, only the claw portion is formed in the ink tank, and the holding member 10 is used instead of the latch member.
08 is used. The holding member 1008 that engages with the ink tank holder holds one end of the ink tank in the ink tank housed state shown in the drawing, whereby stable housing is achieved.

In the example shown in FIG. 53, a notch is provided in the upper surface of the end of the ink tank on the side opposite to the claws, and a stopper 1009 made of an elastic body is inserted into the notch to stably accommodate the ink tank. Has been planned.

In the example shown in FIG. 54, the ink tank is held by using the containing member 1010 such as the protection member 400 shown in FIG.

In the example shown in FIG. 55, the ink tank is
Without providing the latch portion and the claw portion, the concave portion 101
3 are provided. The elastic body 10 is sandwiched between the ink tank holder and the recess 1013 of the ink tank when stored.
It is supposed that the stable accommodation is performed by 11.

56 to 59 show modified examples of the ink tank, which will be described below.

In the ink tank shown in FIG. 56, a recessed portion 1014 is provided at a position where the latch portion is deformed, so that the operability during storage is improved.

In the ink tank shown in FIG. 57, notches 1016 and 1017 are provided on the surface which becomes the front direction at the time of insertion in order to facilitate the insertion. With such a configuration, although the ink storage amount is reduced, the operability at the time of insertion can be improved.

In the ink tank shown in FIG. 58, the projections 1018 and 1019 serve as members that engage with the protruding portion when the ink tank holder is formed with the protruding portion.
Is provided. The protrusions 1018 and 1019 have a top surface of a portion protruding toward the insertion direction in contact with the bottom surface of the overhang portion, but a portion protruding further upward is formed, whereby positioning by abutting at the time of insertion is performed. ing.

The ink tank 1020 shown in FIG. 59 has a claw portion as shown in FIG. 54.

[0196]

The present invention has the following effects.

1. Stable ink supply can be performed.

2. It is possible to provide an inexpensive ink tank by simplifying the outer mold of the small ink tank itself, and at the same time, to provide a mounting method for surely mounting the ink tank to the holder.

3. When using the one-way ink supply member for the ink supply port of the ink tank, it is possible to solve the inconvenience at the time of mounting this member, particularly when mounting the member once.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the inkjet recording device shown in FIG. 1 is housed in a housing.

3 is a perspective view of a carriage of the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

4 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a head guide of the carriage shown in FIG.

5 is a perspective view of the recording head cartridge for mono-color mounted on the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, viewed from a direction in which a head terminal portion can be seen in a state where an ink tank is mounted.

6 is a perspective view of the mono-color recording head cartridge mounted in the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, when an ink tank is mounted, as viewed from a direction in which a surface opposite to a head terminal portion can be seen. It is a figure.

7 is a bottom view of a mono-color recording head cartridge mounted in the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

8 is an enlarged perspective view of a nozzle portion of the recording head cartridge shown in FIG.

9 is a perspective view showing a first step of a procedure of mounting the recording head cartridge on the carriage in the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

10 is a perspective view showing a second step of the procedure for mounting the recording head cartridge on the carriage in the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

11 is a plan view of the recording head cartridge shown in FIG.

12 is a view of the recording head cartridge A shown in FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of an ink tank attached to the recording head cartridge shown in FIG.

14 is a cross-sectional view of the ink tank shown in FIG. 13 taken along the line BB.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ink supply port of the ink tank shown in FIG. 14 is combined with the monocolor holder.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a first step of a procedure for mounting the ink tank on the recording head cartridge.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a second step of the procedure for mounting the ink tank on the recording head cartridge.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the line A′-A ′ of the recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 11, showing an example of the recording head cartridge in which a pop-up spring is provided on the bottom wall of the mono-color holder.

19 is a perspective view showing a state in which the recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 6 is mounted on the carriage shown in FIG.

20 is a perspective view showing a color recording head cartridge mounted in the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 together with two ink tanks welded to the color recording head cartridge.

21 is a bottom view of the color recording head cartridge shown in FIG.

22 is a plan view of the color recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 20, showing a state in which two ink tanks are attached.

23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD shown in FIG.

24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE shown in FIG.

FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the color ink tank shown in FIG.

FIG. 26 is a side view of the color ink tank shown in FIG.

27 is a perspective view showing a state in which the color recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 22 is mounted on the carriage shown in FIG.

28A is a perspective view of a tank holder 60 that integrally holds a black dedicated recording head BHD that stores only the black ink tank 30 and performs recording, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tank holder 160 that integrally holds a black / color integrated recording head BCHD that stores black and color ink tanks 130 and 140 for recording.

FIG. 29 (a) is a top view of the tank holder 60,
(B) is a top view of the tank holder 160.

30A is a perspective view centering on the bottom surface of the black ink tank 30, FIG. 30B is a perspective view centering on the bottom surface of the black ink tank 130, and FIG. 30C is a bottom surface of the color ink tank 140. It is a perspective view centering on.

31A is an operation view including a detaching operation of the protection member 200 of the black ink tank 130, FIG. 31B is an operation diagram including a detaching operation of the protection member 201 of the color ink tank 140, and FIG. 4] is a partial cross-sectional view showing a partial configuration of a protection member.

FIG. 32 is a drawing in which specific dimensions of the black ink tank 30 are accurately reduced, and illustrates an embodiment in which the black ink tank 30 is formed according to the values in the drawing, and includes (a), (b), (c), and (d). ),
Of (e), a left side view (a), a right side view (d), and a front view (c) are shown in a triangle centering on the top view (b), and (e) is a top view ( FIG. 6B is a projection view in which b) is further reduced and the absorber is removed, and FIG. 6F is a cross-sectional view of the front view in FIG.

FIG. 33 is a drawing in which specific dimensions of the black ink tank 130 are accurately reduced, and illustrates an embodiment in which the black ink tank 130 is formed in accordance with the values in the drawing. (A), (b), (c),
Top view (b) of (d), (e), (f) and (g)
Is a triangle centered on the left side view (a), right side view (d),
A front view (c) and a bottom view (e) are shown. (F) is a cross-sectional view of the front view (c) through the central portion of the one-way ink supply member, and (g) is a top view (b). It is a projection view which removed the absorber.

FIG. 34 is a drawing in which specific dimensions of the color ink tank 160 are accurately reduced, and illustrates an embodiment formed according to the values in the drawing, in which (a), (b), (c),
Top view (b) of (d), (e), (f) and (g)
Is a triangle centered on the left side view (a), right side view (d),
A front view (c) and a bottom view (e) are shown, and (f) is a cross-sectional view passing through the center of the one-way ink supply member of the front view (c).

FIG. 35 is an enlarged projection view of the top view (c) of FIG. 34 with the absorber removed.

FIG. 36 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship for increasing the ink supply efficiency of the ink tank of the present invention.

37 is a perspective view of a carriage configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus in which the tank holders 60 and 160 of FIG. 28 are mounted.

FIG. 38 is a protection member 20 of the black ink tank 130.
It is a top view of 0.

FIG. 39 is a view showing a state in which the protection member 200 in a state of containing the black ink tank 130 is packaged,
(A) is a figure which shows the state seen from the arrow A in FIG. 38, (b) is a figure which shows the state seen from the arrow B in (a).

FIG. 40 is a protection member 201 of the color ink tank 140.
FIG.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a state in which the protective member 201 in a state of containing the color ink tank 140 is packaged, (a)
Is a top view, and (b) is a side view.

42 is a protection member 400 for the black ink tank 30. FIG.
FIG. 4A is a top view and FIG. 6B is a side view.

FIG. 43 is a view showing a state in which the protection member 400 in a state where the black ink tank 30 is housed is packaged, (a)
Is a top view, and (b) is a side view.

44 is a diagram showing in detail the ink supply port of the protection member 400 shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, where (a) is a partial sectional view, (b) is an enlarged partial sectional view, and (c) is an ink tank. It is a partial cross-sectional view showing a connection state with.

FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram illustrating “h ≦ H ≦ 4h” of the first aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating a partial invention of the “movement amount of 0.1 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less” of the fifth invention of the present invention.

FIG. 47 shows “0.3 mm ≦ α ≦ 0.8 of the third invention of the present invention”.
It is a figure explaining "mm".

FIG. 48 is a graph showing that the pressure contact force N of the fourth invention of the present invention is “4.
It is a diagram illustrating a ^{0gf / mm 2 ≦ N ≦ 80gf} / mm 2 "satisfactory condition.

FIG. 49 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a condition of a distance of “10 mm or less” of the second invention of the present invention.

FIG. 50 is a diagram showing a modified example of the ink tank holder and the ink tank.

FIG. 51 is a diagram showing a modified example of the ink tank holder and the ink tank.

FIG. 52 is a view showing a modified example of the ink tank holder and the ink tank.

FIG. 53 is a diagram showing a modified example of the ink tank holder and the ink tank.

FIG. 54 is a diagram showing a modification of the ink tank holder and the ink tank.

FIG. 55 is a diagram showing a modified example of the ink tank holder and the ink tank.

FIG. 56 is a diagram showing a modified example of the ink tank.

FIG. 57 is a diagram showing a modified example of the ink tank.

FIG. 58 is a diagram showing a modified example of the ink tank.

FIG. 59 is a diagram showing a modified example of the ink tank.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Recording Head Cartridge 2 Carriage 2a Bearing Part 2b Guide Rail Clamping Part 2c Carriage Deformation Stopper 2d, 2e Head Positioning Protrusion 3 Flexible Cable 3a Cable Terminal Part 4 Frame 6 Conveying Roller 7 Pinch Roller 8 Pressure Plate 9 Pickup Roller 10 Carriage Drive Motor 11 Carriage drive belt 12 Guide rail 13 Drive pulley 14 Base 15 Paper ejection roller 16 Spur 17 Upper case 18 Lower case 19 Top cover 20 Head cover 21 Cable retainer 21a Cover 22 Head guide 23 Contact spring 24 Shaft member 30 Ink tank 31, 131, 141 lid members 31a, 131a, 141a step portion 31b tank protrusions 32, 132, 142 containers 32a, 132a, 142a latch lever 3 2b, 132b, 142bY, 142bM, 142b
C ink supply port 32c, 132c support portion 32d, 132d, 142d retaining nail 32e, 132e, 142e latch nail 32f, 132g, 142g inclined surface 33, 133, 143Y, 143M, 143C ink absorber 34, 134 rib 35, 135 Ink supply member 50, 150 Nozzle portion 50a Discharge port surface 50b Discharge port 50c Common liquid chamber 50d Liquid path 50e Electrothermal converter 51, 151 Base plate 52 Grooved member 53, 153 Head terminal portion 53a Head positioning notch 53b Head positioning hole 60 Mono-color holder 60a Stepped portion 60b Head pressing portion 60c Head attachment / detachment operation portion 60d, 160d, 160d 'Ink intake tube 60e Ink flow passages 60f, 160f Overhanging portion 60g Tank protrusion guide portion 60h, 167, 167 'Latch lever guide groove 60i, 160i Tank retaining hole 60j, 167a, 167a' Latch claw engaging hole 60k, 160k, 160k 'Inclined surface 61, 161, 161' Seal ring 62 Filter 64 Head guide engaging portion 68 Pop-up Spring 101 Color recording head cartridge 130 Black ink tank 140 Color ink tank 142f Partition plate 150Y, 150M, 150C, 150B Discharge port group 160 Color holder 165 Partition plate 166 Liquid path cover P Recording medium

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Inoue 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. An ink having a supply port on the bottom for supplying the recording ink housed inside to the outside, and the height from the bottom is smaller than at least one of the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the ink tank. The tank is provided with a unidirectional ink supply member having a height h on the bottom surface side of the ink tank, and a porous ink absorber is located above and around the ink supply member, An ink tank characterized in that a height component H on an ink supply member satisfies a relationship of h ≦ H ≦ 4h. 2. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the unidirectional ink supply member provided on the bottom surface of the ink tank is connected to the ink receiving portion of the holder, and the ink tank is provided with the unidirectional ink. The distance SH from the contact portion where the supply member is in contact with the absorber accommodated in the ink tank to the inner surface of the ink tank in the direction perpendicular to the bottom surface is 20 mm or less, and the contact portion of the ink tank An ink tank, wherein at least two directions satisfy SH ≦ l ≦ 2.5 × SH within a distance l to the inner surface of each end. 3. The ink tank according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supply port of the ink tank is a receiving surface for supplying to a holder in which the ink tank is mounted, and a receiving surface from the receiving surface to the inside of the ink tank. An ink tank having the lower surface of the unidirectional ink supply member with a distance α within a range of 3 mm or more and 0.8 mm or less. 4. The ink tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mounting portion, which is mounted on the holder of the ink tank, is substantially a point of action on each of opposite side surfaces of the ink tank. The supply member has a maximum value of the distance of the perpendicular from the center of the supply port to the virtual line connecting the centers of the action points in the projection view from the upper surface of the ink tank. An ink tank having a thickness of 10 mm or less. 5. The ink tank mounting method according to claim 1, wherein the unidirectional ink supply member and the holder are pressed against each other with the ink tank mounted on the holder. Force F is 40 gf / m
A method of mounting an ink tank, characterized in that it is not less than m ^{2 and not} more than 80 gf / mm ² . 6. The method for mounting an ink tank according to claim 5, wherein the member that applies a pressing force to the ink tank is a fixing member that is detachable from the ink tank. Method. 7. The method for mounting an ink tank according to claim 5, wherein the unidirectional ink supply member for the ink tank absorbs a movement of 0.1 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less by the mounting. An ink tank mounting method, characterized in that the ink is supplied while being directed toward the body. 8. An ink having a supply port on the bottom for supplying the recording ink housed inside to the outside, and the height from the bottom is smaller than at least one of the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the ink tank. The ink tank supply port has a receiving surface for supplying to a holder to which the ink tank is mounted, and a distance α within a range of 0.3 mm or more and 0.8 mm or less from the receiving surface to the inside of the ink tank. An ink tank having a lower surface of the unidirectional ink supply member through the ink tank. 9. The ink tank according to claim 8, wherein the unidirectional ink supply member provided on the bottom surface of the ink tank is connected to the ink receiving portion of the holder, and the ink tank is provided with the unidirectional ink. The distance SH from the contact portion where the supply member is in contact with the absorber accommodated in the ink tank to the inner surface of the ink tank in the direction perpendicular to the bottom surface is 20 mm or less, and the contact portion of the ink tank An ink tank, wherein at least two directions satisfy SH ≦ l ≦ 2.5 × SH within a distance l to the inner surface of each end. 10. The ink tank according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the mounting portion of the ink tank, which is mounted on the holder, has a substantially working point on each of opposite side surfaces of the ink tank. When the maximum value of the distance of the perpendicular line from the center of the supply port to the virtual line connecting the centers of the action points in the projection view from the upper surface of the ink tank is 10 mm or less, An ink tank that is characterized by being. 11. The method of mounting an ink tank according to claim 10, wherein the one-way ink supply member of the ink tank directs a movement of 0.1 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less toward the absorber by the mounting. A method for mounting an ink tank, characterized in that the ink is supplied in a state in which it has been performed. 12. An ink having a supply port on the bottom for supplying the recording ink housed inside to the outside, and the height from the bottom is smaller than at least one of the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the ink tank. The ink tank is attached to the holder of the ink tank so that the attachment portions have substantially points of action on respective opposite side surfaces of the ink tank, and the supply member is an upper surface of the ink tank. In the projection view from FIG. 2, the maximum value of the distance of the perpendicular from the center of the supply port to the virtual line connecting the centers of the action points is 10 mm or less. 13. The method for mounting an ink tank according to claim 12, wherein a pressure contact force F between the unidirectional ink supply member and the holder is 40 gf / m when the ink tank is mounted on the holder.
A method of mounting an ink tank, characterized in that it is not less than m ^{2 and not} more than 80 gf / mm ² . 14. An ink having a supply port on the bottom for supplying the recording ink housed inside to the outside, and the height from the bottom is smaller than at least one of the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the ink tank. A method of mounting a tank, wherein a pressure contact force F between the unidirectional ink supply member and the holder is 40 gf / m when the ink tank is mounted on the holder.
A method of mounting an ink tank, characterized in that it is not less than m ^{2 and not} more than 80 gf / mm ² . 15. The method of mounting an ink tank according to claim 14, wherein the one-way ink supply member of the ink tank moves 0.1 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less toward the absorber by the mounting. An ink tank mounting method, characterized in that ink is supplied in a pressed state. 16. An ink tank used in the mounting method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein a unidirectional ink supply member provided on a bottom surface of the ink tank is connected to an ink receiving portion of the holder. At the same time, in the ink tank, the distance SH from the contact portion where the unidirectional ink supply member is in contact with the absorber housed in the ink tank to the inner surface of the ink tank in the direction perpendicular to the bottom surface is 20 mm or less. The ink tank is characterized in that at least two directions of the distance l from the contact portion to the inner surface of each end of the ink tank satisfy SH ≦ l ≦ 2.5 × SH. 17. An ink having a supply port on the bottom for supplying the recording ink housed inside to the outside, and the height from the bottom is smaller than at least one of the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the ink tank. The tank is a tank, and the unidirectional ink supply member provided on the bottom surface of the ink tank is connected to the ink receiving portion of the holder, and the ink tank has the unidirectional ink supply member housed in the ink tank. The distance SH from the contact portion in contact with the absorbing body to the inner surface of the ink tank in the direction perpendicular to the bottom surface is 20 mm or less, and the distance l from the contact portion to the inner surface of each end of the ink tank SH in at least 2 directions
A method of mounting an ink tank satisfying ≦ l ≦ 2.5 × SH, wherein the one-way ink supply member of the ink tank is moved by 0.1 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less to the absorber by the mounting. A method for mounting an ink tank, characterized in that ink is supplied in a state in which the ink is directed toward it.