JPH08318630A - Case construction of ink-jet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a case wherein the maximal use of the absorption capacity of an ink absorbing material is made to reduce the volume of a waste ink tank. CONSTITUTION: The bottom of a box 1 is divided by walls 20-23 to form a waste ink storage chamber 25, and the waste ink storage chamber 25 is divided into two or more sections by partitions 30-33 to contain ink absorbing materials 41-44 made of porous material. As the ink absorbing materials 41-44 are separated from each other by the partitions 30-33 and the head value of the ink absorbing materials in the vertical direction is small as a whole even when the box 1 is tilted, a reduction of the ink holding capacity of the ink absorbing materials is lowered.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure of a case provided with a waste ink tank for containing ink discharged from a recording head to a cap member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Since an ink jet printer forms dots on a recording medium by ejecting ink having relatively high viscosity and quick drying from an extremely thin nozzle opening, the nozzle opening is apt to be clogged. Therefore, a so-called ejection recovery operation is required in which the cap member is brought into contact with the nozzle opening surface of the recording head and a negative pressure is applied to the nozzle opening to forcibly discharge the ink from the nozzle opening. Also, at the beginning of use or when the ink tank is replaced, a so-called filling operation is required to suck out a large amount of ink from the recording head in order to remove the maintenance liquid and bubbles in the recording head. The ink discharged in this manner is stored in a waste ink tank provided with an ink absorbing material such as felt provided in a box of the printer body. On the other hand, it is difficult to secure a space to store the waste ink tank in order to cope with the miniaturization of the printer, and it is necessary to positively use the empty space such as the bottom of the box. I have no choice. However, since the ink holding capacity of the porous material is limited by the thickness in the vertical direction,
When the box is installed in a normal posture, it exhibits sufficient holding ability, but when the box is tilted and the length in the vertical direction increases, the water head value increases and the ink absorbing material increases. As a result, there is a problem that the liquid holding ability of the ink is lowered and the absorbed waste ink cannot be held and leaks out. Therefore, the necessary amount of the above-mentioned ink absorbing material to be stored in the waste ink tank is calculated by estimating the ink holding capacity of the ink absorbing material to be about 50% of the volume of the ink absorbing material, and therefore it is inevitably secured as a waste ink tank. There is a problem that the volume of the space to be increased becomes large and the box becomes unnecessarily large.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to make full use of the ink absorbing capacity of the ink absorbing material as much as possible, and to eliminate waste ink. It is to provide a case structure suitable for an ink jet printer that can efficiently store the above. Another object of the present invention is to provide a case structure capable of protecting the power supply unit from waste ink.

[0004]

In order to solve such a problem, according to the present invention, a printing mechanism having an ink jet recording head, a cap member for sealing the recording head, and a tube for the cap member are used. The bottom portion of the box that communicates with and suctions the ink from the recording head is partitioned by a wall surface to form a waste ink storage chamber, and the waste ink storage chamber is divided into a plurality of partitions by a partition plate. The ink absorbent made of a porous material is housed in each compartment.

[0005]

[Effect] Even if the box head is tilted and the head value in the vertical direction becomes large, since the ink absorbing materials are independent of each other, the water head value of each ink absorbing material falls within the original ink absorbing capacity. .

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which reference numeral 1 denotes a printer box, and a substrate 2
Is divided into an upper space 3 and a lower space 4. The upper space 3 is composed of a carriage 7 having a recording head 5 and an ink cartridge 6, a motor 9 for reciprocating the carriage 7 along a platen 8 and the like. Printing mechanism and cap member 1 for sealing the nozzle opening of the recording head 5 during non-printing
0 is stored.

The cap member 10 is connected to the suction port of the suction pump 11 via a flow path (not shown) so that it receives a negative pressure from the suction pump 11 at the time of filling ink or recovering the discharge capacity. A tube 12 is connected to the discharge port of the suction pump 11, and a waste ink receiving port 13 described later is provided.
Is communicated to.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a power supply unit accommodating chamber, which extends from the bottom surface 1a of the box 1 and is adjacent to two side walls 1 of the box 1.
The walls 1 and 16 formed integrally with b and 1c make the box 1
It is configured by partitioning a partial area. In addition, reference numeral 1 in the drawing
Reference numeral 8 denotes a timing belt connecting the motor 9 and the carriage 7, and 19 denotes a flexible cable for transmitting a signal to the recording head 5.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a waste ink tank formed in the bottom region of the box body, and reference numerals 20, 21, 22, and 23 in the figure denote waste ink storage chambers 25, respectively. Is formed integrally with the bottom surface 1a of the box 1 so as to be slightly higher than the thickness of the ink absorbing material described later. The waste ink storage chamber 25 has partition plates 30, 31, 32, 3 depending on the ink holding capacity of the ink absorbing material.
It is divided into a plurality of areas by 3, and in this embodiment, four areas.

The partition plates 30, 31, 32 and 33 are shown in FIG.
.. are formed by arranging pieces b, b, b ... Having an H-shaped cross section so that the through holes a, a. A distribution member 35 for distributing the waste ink to each area is formed on the bottom surface 1a at the consolidating point of the partition plates 30, 31, 32, and 33.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the distribution member 35, which includes a high portion 36 connected to a flow passage, which will be described later, and a plurality of grooves extending radially from the high portion 36 so as to descend at a constant inclination. distribution channels 37, 37, 3 composed of c, c, c ...
7 and 37.

Returning to FIG. 2 again, reference numeral 13 in the drawing denotes the waste ink receiving port 13 described above, which is divided into two regions 13b and 13c by the partition plate 13a and connects with the distribution member 35. One end of the waste ink flow path 38 is connected.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the waste ink flow path 38, and an opening portion 39 is provided so as to be attached to the side wall 23 and the partition plate 32 which partition the waste ink storage chamber 25.
Even in a, the width that can hold the waste ink by the capillary force,
For example, it is formed by forming a groove 39 having a 2 mm-shaped cross section.

Reference numerals 41, 42, 43, and 44 are plate-shaped ink absorbing materials made of a porous material, respectively, and are cut into a size that can be accommodated in each region.

Reference numeral 45 in the drawing denotes a lid member for covering the groove 38, which is made of a porous material having an ink absorbing capacity equivalent to that of the ink absorbing material. Further, reference numerals 46, 46, 46 ...
Indicates a through hole formed in the bottom surface 1a of the box 1 so as to surround the outside of the power supply unit housing chamber 15.

In this embodiment, the ink equivalent liquid filled for the test of the recording head 5 is the tube 12
Is inserted into the area 13c outside the ink receiving port 13, and the suction port of the external suction means is positioned here to operate the external suction pump.

Next, when the suction pump 11 built in the printer is operated, the ink equivalent liquid sucked from the recording head 5 is sucked by the external suction pump before flowing into the ink flow path 38, and the box 1 It does not remain inside. When the discharge of the ink equivalent liquid is completed, the tip of the tube 12 is reinserted into the other area 13b and shipped.

When the recording head 5 is used for the first time, or when the clogging is eliminated, the nozzle opening of the recording head 5 is sealed with the cap member 12 and the suction pump 11 is operated so that the ink is ejected from the recording head 5. Forcibly suck out.

By this operation, the bubbles of the recording head 5 and the ink particles attached to the nozzle openings are discharged as waste ink to the receiving port 13 via the tube 12 together with the ink. The waste ink reaches the distribution member 35 through the waste ink flow path 38 having a V-shaped cross section, and the plurality of distribution flow paths 37.
Flow into each region of the bottom surface 1a via the ink and are absorbed by the ink absorbing materials 41, 42, 43, 44 arranged therein.

When the printer 1 is installed in a bad posture and the box 1 is tilted to one side and the waste ink flows into one area in a biased manner, a large amount of the waste ink exceeding the holding capacity of the ink absorber 1 is generated. Pour into one ink absorber.

As a result, the waste ink which has not been absorbed and separated by one ink absorbent flows out, but the partition plates 30, 31,
From the through holes a, a, a ... Formed in 32, 33, they flow into another adjacent region and are absorbed by the ink absorbing material in this region. Needless to say, since the ink containing chamber 25 is formed by surrounding the periphery of the ink containing chamber 25 with the wall surfaces 20, 21, 22, 23, the ink does not leak out of the containing chamber 25.

On the other hand, the receiving member 13 side is low and the distribution member 35
Even if they are installed with their sides raised, if the height difference between them is within the installation standard of the printer, usually within 3 cm, the waste ink flow path 38 is formed as a groove 39 having a V-shaped cross section. Therefore, the waste ink moves to the distribution member 35 side by the capillary force of the groove 39 and flows into each region.

Ink absorbers 41, 42, 43 in the respective areas
If 44 is tilted vertically due to transportation or the like while absorbing a large amount of ink, the ink absorbing materials 41, 42, 4
Since the postures of 3 and 44 are also vertical, the waste ink moves downward due to gravity, but since each ink absorbing material is cut into a size within its holding capacity, the ink absorbing material 4
The water head values of 1, 42, 43, and 44 are within the retention capacity and do not flow out.

Then, each ink absorbing material 41, 42, 43,
Since the boundaries of the ink absorbing material 44 are further divided by the partition plates 30, 31, 32, and 33, the adjacent ink absorbing material 4
There is no movement of waste ink between 1, 42, 43 and 44,
Each of the ink absorbing materials 41, 42, 43, 44 holds the waste ink within the range of its ink absorbing capacity.
As a result, the ink absorbers 41, 42, 43, 4 in each area are
No. 4 can contain about 80% of the waste ink volume of the ink absorber.

As a result, regardless of the posture of the box 1,
The waste ink does not leak out from the waste ink storage chamber 25. Even if the ink leaks, the power supply unit accommodating chamber 15 is surrounded by the through hole 46.
Promptly discharged to the outside. Further, even if the exhaust gas cannot be completely discharged from the through hole 46, the wall surface and the bottom surface 1 of the box 1 are
Since the wall surfaces 16 and 17 are integrally formed so as to be continuous with a, the wall surfaces are reliably shut off, and the waste ink does not flow into the power supply unit accommodating chamber 15.

In the above embodiment, the waste ink is absorbed in order from the end of the ink absorbing member, but as shown in FIG. 6, it extends radially from the center to the periphery and has a capillary force. Groove with a width that can hold ink,
For example, the grooves 50, 50, 50 having the “V” cross section described above
By forming 50 on the bottom surface 1a, it is possible to widen the contact area with the ink absorbing material, absorb the ink in a wide area of the ink absorbing material, and equalize the amount of ink absorbed in each area.

Although only the radial grooves are formed in the above-mentioned embodiment, by forming grooves parallel to the sides of the box, it is possible to more reliably average the ink absorption amount in each area. Can be achieved.

[0028]

As described above, in the present invention, the bottom of the box is partitioned by the wall surface to form the waste ink storage chamber, and the waste ink storage chamber is divided into a plurality of partitions by the partition plate. However, since the ink absorber made of a porous body is housed in each compartment, even if the ink absorbers are independent of each other and the length in the vertical direction increases due to the inclination,
The decrease in the ink holding capacity of each ink absorber is small,
It can absorb and retain an amount of ink close to its original absorption capacity, and when it is applied to a book-type inkjet printer that is particularly required to be thin, a large amount of waste ink can be obtained without increasing the size of the box. Can be accommodated.

Further, the accommodating chamber for accommodating the power supply unit is
Since a through hole is formed in the bottom surface of the box between two adjacent walls of the box and two side walls continuous with the box, and a side wall that defines the waste ink storage chamber, a waste ink is stored. Even if ink leaks from the chamber, it can be quickly discharged from the through hole to the outside of the box, and even if it remains in the box without being completely discharged from the through hole, the wall surface that constitutes the power supply unit chamber It is possible to prevent invasion into the power supply unit accommodating chamber, reliably prevent short circuit due to ink, electric leakage, etc., and improve safety.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an inkjet printer provided with a waste ink tank of the present invention, with a part of a box body cut away.

2A and 2B show an embodiment of a waste ink tank of the present invention, in which FIG. 2A shows the structure of the bottom surface of the box, and FIG. 2B shows A in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure in the cross section in the -A line.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a partition plate.

4A and 4B are views showing an embodiment of a distribution member, respectively.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a waste ink flow path for transferring waste ink to a distribution member.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Box Body 1a Bottom 11 Suction Pump 12 Tube 13 Waste Ink Port 15 Power Supply Unit Storage Room 25 Waste Ink Storage Room 20-23 Sidewalls 30-33 Partition Plate 35 Distribution Member 38 Waste Ink Flow Channel 39 Grooves 41-44 Ink Absorbing Material

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A bottom part of a box containing a printing mechanism having an ink jet recording head, a cap member for sealing the recording head, and a pump communicating with the cap member to suck ink from the recording head. An ink jet printer in which a waste ink storage chamber is formed by partitioning by a wall surface, the waste ink storage chamber is divided into a plurality of partitions by a partition plate, and each partition contains an ink absorbing material made of a porous material. Case structure. 2. The case structure for an inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the maximum side length of the section is set to be smaller than the ink holding capacity of the ink absorbing material in the vertical posture. 3. The case structure for an ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the partition plate is provided with a through hole that makes it impossible to retain ink by a capillary force. 4. A liquid distribution member is formed at a consolidating point of each of the sections, and a waste ink flow path having a groove having a V-shaped cross section is formed between the discharge port of the pump and the liquid distribution member. The case structure of the inkjet printer according to claim 1. 5. The case structure for an ink jet printer according to claim 4, wherein the liquid distribution member is formed with an inclination that descends outward from the center point, and the waste ink flows into the center point. 6. The case structure for an inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein a groove connecting the sections is formed on a bottom surface of the box. 7. A power supply unit that opposes one wall surface that forms the waste ink storage chamber, and that houses the power supply unit by the wall surface that is integrally formed continuously with two adjacent wall surfaces and the bottom surface of the box. The case structure according to claim 1, wherein a housing chamber is formed. 8. The case structure according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of through holes for discharging ink are formed between the wall surface of the waste ink storage chamber and the power supply unit storage chamber on the bottom surface of the box. .