KR100359105B1 - Ink supplying device of ink jet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention includes an ink passage containing ink; A porous body mounted inside the ink container so as to contain ink; A thin layer of the porous body having a pore density lower than the pore density of the porous body directly inserted into the lower end of the porous body in the ink container and in direct contact therewith; An ink supply unit connected to a lower portion of the ink container to supply ink contained in the porous body to a recording apparatus; A filter disposed at a connection portion of the ink container and the ink supply unit; A recording device connected to the ink supply unit for recording by ejecting ink supplied from the ink supply unit through a nozzle; An ink supply device formed on top of the ink container and including an exhaust port for forming a negative pressure in the ink by contacting the ink inside the ink container with air, the flow of ink flowing from the ink container to the recording device through the ink supply unit It is smooth and air bubbles are prevented from entering the recording device.

Description

Ink supplying device of ink jet printer

The present invention relates to an ink supply apparatus of an ink jet printer, and more particularly, a porous material is mounted inside an ink container containing ink, and an exhaust port is formed in the upper part of the ink container, thereby capturing the inside of the ink container using a capillary phenomenon caused by negative pressure generated in the ink. An ink supply apparatus of an ink jet printer for supplying ink of an ink to a recording apparatus.

An ink supply apparatus of an ink jet printer generally includes an ink passage containing ink; A porous body mounted inside the ink container so as to contain ink; An ink supply unit connected to a lower portion of the ink container to supply ink contained in the porous body to a recording apparatus; A filter disposed at a connection portion of the ink container and the ink supply unit; A recording device connected to the ink supply unit for recording by ejecting ink supplied from the ink supply unit through a nozzle; And an exhaust port formed at an upper portion of the ink container to form a negative pressure in the ink by contacting ink in the ink container with air, and when the recording apparatus is operated, the ink contained in the ink container is recorded through the ink supply unit. Flows into.

In the ink jet printer configured as described above, the ink supply device contains the ink in the ink container by forming a negative pressure inside the ink and stabilizes the ejecting surface of the recording apparatus.

In order to create a negative pressure inside the ink in the ink supply portion, most conventional ink supply apparatuses have used a capillary phenomenon formed by mounting a porous body inside the ink container and forming the porous body.

Two representative types of ink supply apparatuses for supplying ink to a recording apparatus using capillary action are as follows.

The first kind of ink supply apparatus includes an ink passage containing ink; A porous body stacked in the ink container by stacking the layers having different pore densities closer to the ink supply unit so as to increase the pore density; An ink supply unit connected to a lower portion of the ink container to supply ink contained in the porous body to a recording apparatus; A filter disposed at a connection portion of the ink container and the ink supply unit; A recording device connected to the ink supply unit for recording by ejecting ink supplied from the ink supply unit through a nozzle; It is configured to include an exhaust port formed in the upper portion of the ink container to form a negative pressure in the ink by contacting the ink inside the ink container with air.

In this type of ink supply device, in order to facilitate the inflow of the ink inside the ink container into the ink supply unit, which is a passage for supplying ink from the ink container to the recording apparatus, porous layers of different layers having different pore densities are laminated in the ink supply device. The pore density of the porous body located near the ink supply unit is arranged so as to be higher than the pore density of the porous body in other parts. This type of ink supply device is shown in FIG.

In the ink supply apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, the porous bodies 102, 103 and 104 are stacked inside the ink container 101, and the pore density of the porous bodies is porous 102 and porous 103. ), And the pore density of the porous body 104 located in the vicinity of the ink supply portion is increased in order of the porous body 104, and the pore density of the porous body 102 farthest from the ink supply portion is lowest.

Ink contained in the ink container 101 comes into contact with air at atmospheric pressure through the exhaust port 107, and a negative pressure lower than atmospheric pressure is generated inside the ink due to the surface tension of the ink at the interface where the ink and air contact.

When the height of the ink contained in the ink container 101 is lowered, the porous body having a high pore density, which is immersed in the ink, is exposed to contact with air. When the porous body having a high pore density is in contact with the air, the ink is released by surface tension. The sound pressure generated inside becomes larger. Therefore, the ink of the other part of which the internal negative pressure is relatively small moves to the ink supply part 105 with the large internal negative pressure.

When the ink moves toward the ink supply portion 105, the impurities and air bubbles contained in the ink are filtered out by the very fine filter 108 disposed between the ink container 101 and the ink supply portion 105. In this case, the filter 108 should be able to filter not only impurities contained in the ink but also air bubbles contained in the ink, so that the pore size should be used very small.

The second type of ink supply device includes an ink passage; A porous body mounted inside the ink bottle; A rib member disposed on the upper surface of the ink container in order to increase the pore density on the ink supply side of the porous body; A structure disposed between the ink supply portion and the porous body to increase the pore density on the ink supply portion side of the porous body; An ink supply unit connected to a lower portion of the ink container and supplying ink contained in the porous body to a recording apparatus; A filter disposed at a connection portion of the ink container and the ink supply portion; A recording device connected to the ink supply unit for recording by ejecting ink supplied from the ink supply unit through a nozzle; It is configured to include an exhaust port formed in the upper portion of the ink container to form a negative pressure inside the ink by contacting the ink inside the ink container with air.

In this type of ink supply device, a porous body having a constant pore density is mounted inside the ink container instead of various porous bodies having different densities. However, since the structure disposed between the ink supply unit and the porous body and the rib member disposed on the upper surface inside the ink container press the porous body around the ink supply unit, the pore density increases by increasing the pore density of the porous body portion around the ink supply unit. The same effect as that of laminating other porous bodies is obtained. An ink supply apparatus of this type is shown in FIG.

In the ink supply apparatus of the type as shown in FIG. 2, a porous body having a constant pore density is mounted inside the ink container 111, and the ink supply unit 115 is disposed between the ink supply unit 115 and the porous body 112. FIG. The structure 113 for improving the ink flow of the furnace is disposed, and the rib member 114 is disposed on the upper surface of the inside of the ink container 111.

The structure 113 disposed between the ink supply unit 115 and the porous body 112 and the rib member 114 disposed on the upper surface of the ink container 111 press the porous body 112 around the ink supply unit 115. Therefore, the pore density of the portion of the porous body 112 around the ink supply unit 115 is increased.

As in the case of the ink supply device shown in FIG. 1, the ink contained in the porous body 112 is in contact with air at atmospheric pressure through the exhaust port 117, and the ink is drawn by the surface tension of the ink at the interface where the ink and air contact. Sound pressure lower than atmospheric pressure is generated inside.

When the height of the ink is lowered in the ink container, the porous body portion of the porous body 112 which is submerged in ink is exposed to contact with air, and when the porous body portion having the high pore density comes into contact with air, the surface is exposed. The sound pressure generated inside the ink due to the tension becomes larger. As a result, a capillary phenomenon occurs in which ink of another part of which the internal negative pressure is relatively low moves to the ink supply portion.

In this case, a very fine filter 118 is disposed between the ink container 111 and the ink supply unit 115 to filter out impurities contained in the ink and air bubbles contained in the ink.

The ink supply device shown in FIG. 1 and the ink supply device shown in FIG. 2 may be used interchangeably.

However, the conventional ink supply apparatuses as described above have the following problems.

First, the use of a porous body having a high pore density in the ink supply device has the advantage that the negative pressure generated inside the ink can be increased, but the flow of ink in the ink supply device is lowered because the pore density of the porous material is high. Can be.

Second, air in the atmosphere may be introduced into the ink container through the exhaust port, and the introduced air bubbles may be present inside the porous body. These bubbles may be introduced into the recording apparatus through the ink supply unit without being released into the atmosphere. have.

In particular, when the pore density of the porous body is high, small bubbles that enter the porous body are easily attached to the surface of the porous body, and air bubbles attached to the surface of the porous body move along the ink when the ink moves at a high flow rate. It is easy to flow into the recording device. If air bubbles enter the recording device, the recording device will fail, and in severe cases, the recording device will not be available.

Third, the problem that air bubbles flow into the recording apparatus can be prevented to some extent by disposing a very dense filter before the recording apparatus, but it is impossible to completely prevent the air penetrating into the recording apparatus just by arranging such a filter. In addition, since the pore size of the filter is very small, the fluid resistance is increased, so that the flow of ink may be severely resisted, and the smooth flow of ink may be disturbed. To overcome this, the pressure of the ink flowing into the recording device must be large. There is a problem.

Fourth, when ink is quickly discharged during the maintenance of the recording apparatus, air may enter the ink supply unit and flow into the recording apparatus.

The flow rate of ink due to natural capillary action is slower than the flow rate of ink discharged during the maintenance of the recording apparatus. Therefore, in the maintenance process, the ink around the ink supply portion is discharged at a high flow rate and then the air stops flowing the ink and enters the ink supply portion before the ink of the portion far from the ink supply portion moving at the slow flow rate reaches the ink supply portion. This phenomenon is particularly likely to occur when the amount of ink inside the ink container is small.

Even if this happens, if the amount of ink in the ink container is more than a certain amount, the problem may be solved to some extent by waiting until the ink refills around the ink supply unit and repeating the maintenance process. However, when the ink cannot be filled around the ink supply portion because the amount of ink contained in the ink container is small, the ink supply apparatus cannot be used again.

Fifth, in order to prevent air from entering the recording device, the internal structure of the ink container is changed in various forms, but the overall structure of the ink supply device is complicated, and much effort and cost are required to change the internal structure of the ink container. There is a problem.

The present invention for solving the above problems is to facilitate the flow of ink flowing into the recording device from the porous body inside the ink container while the ink supply device that can prevent the air bubbles present in the porous body from entering the recording device It aims to provide.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section of an ink supply apparatus of a conventional inkjet printer;

2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section of an ink supply apparatus of another conventional ink jet printer;

3 is an exploded enlarged perspective view illustrating an enlarged recording apparatus connected to an ink supply unit;

4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section of an ink supply apparatus of an ink jet printer according to one embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section of an ink supply apparatus of an ink jet printer according to another embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section of an ink supply apparatus of an ink jet printer according to another embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section of an ink supply apparatus of an ink jet printer according to another embodiment of the present invention;

8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section of an ink supply apparatus of an ink jet printer according to another embodiment of the present invention;

9 is a sectional view schematically showing a cross section of an ink supply apparatus of an ink jet printer according to another embodiment of the present invention;

10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section of an ink supply apparatus of an ink jet printer according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view schematically showing a cross section of an ink supply apparatus of an ink jet printer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80: ink bottle

11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23, 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43: porous body

51, 61, 71, 81: porous body

14, 24, 34, 44, 52, 62, 72, 82: thin layer of porous material with low pore density

15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85: ink supply unit

16, 26, 36, 46, 56, 66, 76, 86: recording device

17, 27, 37, 47, 57, 67, 78, 88: exhaust vent

18, 28, 28a, 38, 48, 58, 68, 77, 87: filter

53, 63, 73, 83: scoop member

54, 64, 74, 84: Structure

35a, 45a, 75a: upper ink supply part

35b, 45b, 75b: Lower ink supply part

85a, 85c: vertical ink supply part

85b: Horizontal ink supply part

The present invention for achieving the above object is an ink passage containing ink; A porous body mounted inside the ink container so as to contain ink by stacking layers having different pore densities closer to the ink supply unit to increase pore density; A thin layer of the porous body having a pore density lower than the pore density of the porous body directly inserted into the lower end of the porous body in the ink container and in direct contact therewith; An ink supply unit connected to a lower portion of the ink container to supply ink contained in the porous body to a recording apparatus; A filter disposed at a connection portion of the ink container and the ink supply unit; A recording apparatus for recording by ejecting the supplied ink through a nozzle; And an exhaust port formed at an upper portion of the ink container to form a negative pressure inside the ink by contacting the ink inside the ink container with air, thereby facilitating the flow of ink flowing into the recording device through the ink supply unit in the ink container and recording air bubbles. The ink supply apparatus of the inkjet printer, characterized in that it is prevented from entering the device is characterized.

In addition, the present invention is an ink passage containing the ink; A porous body mounted inside the ink container so as to contain ink; A recording device connected to the ink container for ejecting and recording the ink; An ink supply unit connected to a lower portion of the ink container to supply ink contained in the porous body to a recording apparatus; A structure disposed on the ink supply unit side to increase the pore density on the ink supply unit side of the porous body; A rib member disposed on the upper surface of the ink container to increase the pore density of the ink supply portion of the porous body; A thin layer of the porous body inserted between the lower end of the ink supply side of the porous body and the structure within the ink container and having a pore density lower than that of the porous body; A filter disposed at a connection portion of the ink container and the ink supply unit; And an exhaust port formed at an upper portion of the ink container to form a negative pressure in the ink by contacting the ink inside the ink container with air, thereby facilitating the flow of ink flowing from the ink bottle into the recording device through the ink supply unit and into the recording device. The ink supply apparatus of the inkjet printer, characterized in that the air bubbles are prevented from entering is characterized in that.

First, the present invention is an ink passage containing ink; A porous body mounted inside the ink container so as to contain ink by stacking layers having different pore densities closer to the ink supply unit to increase pore density; A thin layer of the porous body having a pore density lower than the pore density of the porous body inserted into and directly in contact with the lower end of the porous body in the ink container; An ink supply unit connected to a lower portion of the ink container to supply ink contained in the porous body to a recording apparatus; A filter disposed at a connection portion of the ink container and the ink supply unit; A recording apparatus for recording by ejecting the supplied ink through a nozzle; And an exhaust port formed at an upper portion of the ink container to form a negative pressure inside the ink by contacting the ink inside the ink container with air.

The porous body mounted inside the ink container has various kinds of porous bodies having different pore densities, and the pore density of the porous bodies increases from top to bottom so that the pore density of the porous body at the bottom is the highest and is located at the top. It is laminated so that the pore density of the porous body is the lowest.

It is preferable to use a porous body mounted inside the ink container having a pore density of 80-200 ppi (pore per inch). This is because when the pore density of the porous body exceeds 200 ppi, only the ink is difficult to be discharged, and when the pore density is less than 80 ppi, the porous body does not contain the ink properly and the ink leaks.

The thin layer of the porous body having a low pore density is inserted into the lower ends of the porous bodies in the ink container, and the pore density of the thin layer of the porous body should be significantly lower than the pore density of the porous body in the direct contact but not in direct contact. It does not have to be lower than the pore density of other porous bodies.

At this time, in the case of using a porous body having an extremely low pore density, a negative pressure is hardly formed in the ink when the height of the ink contained in the porous body is very low. Therefore, even if the height of the ink contained in the porous body is very low, in order to form a negative pressure inside the ink, the pore density of the porous porous layer is not too low. In order to reduce the amount of air bubbles flowing into the ink supply unit while negative pressure can be formed inside the ink even when the height of the ink contained in the porous body is very low, the pore density of the thin layer of the porous body is 70-120 ppi. to be.

In addition, when the thickness of the thin layer of the porous material having a low pore density is thick, the sound pressure decreases suddenly when the height of the ink contained in the porous material decreases. The sound pressure should not suddenly decrease even when the ink level is low. If the thin layer of porous material with low pore density has a proper thickness, even if air bubbles flow into the porous body, the air bubbles rise due to buoyancy. Difficult to cross the interface

In the ink supply apparatus of the ink jet printer having the above-described configuration, the ink contained in the ink container is brought into contact with atmospheric air through the exhaust port, and at this time, a negative pressure lower than atmospheric pressure is formed inside the ink by the surface tension of the ink, resulting in capillary phenomenon. The ink moves.

A thin layer of porous material having a low pore density always contains ink because it is located directly above the ink supply portion. Since the pore density of the thin layer of the porous body is low, an ink channel connected to the thin layer of the porous body is formed throughout the porous body so that ink far from the ink supply portion can be sucked into this channel. Therefore, the flow of ink supplied to the recording apparatus through the ink supply portion is much smoother.

A thin layer of porous material with a low pore density does not have a flow path of ink, especially when the flow of ink is fast, so that only the ink around the ink supply unit is used or the ink around the ink supply unit is discharged first, and the distant ink is transferred to the ink supply unit. This prevents the air from flowing into the ink supply section before it arrives.

In addition, since the pore size of the thin layer of the porous body is much larger than the pore size of the porous body located at the top, even if air bubbles are introduced into the porous body, the bubbles are increased by buoyancy so that the porous body and the pore density are high. Is difficult to pass through the interface of the low porous body. Even though air bubbles pass through the interface between the porous body with high pore density and the porous body with low pore density, the air bubbles do not penetrate into the porous body with low pore density and adhere to the porous body with high pore density.

Therefore, the amount of air bubbles that can flow into the ink supply unit is reduced, and as a result, the amount of air bubbles that flow into the recording apparatus is also reduced.

In addition, the present invention is an ink passage containing the ink; A porous body mounted inside the ink container so as to contain ink; A recording device connected to the ink container for ejecting and recording the ink; An ink supply unit connected to a lower portion of the ink container to supply ink contained in the porous body to a recording apparatus; A structure disposed on the ink supply unit side to increase the pore density on the ink supply unit side of the porous body; A rib member disposed on the upper surface of the ink container to increase the pore density of the ink supply portion of the porous body; A thin layer of the porous body inserted between the lower end of the ink supply side of the porous body and the structure within the ink container and having a pore density lower than that of the porous body; A filter disposed at a connection portion of the ink container and the ink supply unit; And an exhaust port formed at an upper portion of the ink container to form a negative pressure inside the ink by contacting the ink inside the ink container with air.

In this case, it is preferable to use a porous body mounted inside the ink container having a pore density of 80-200 ppi (pore per inch), and the reason is as described above.

In this type of ink supply device, a porous body having a constant pore density is mounted inside the ink container, but the structure formed between the ink supply part and the porous body and the rib member disposed on the upper surface of the ink container press the porous body around the ink supply part. The pore density of the porous body portion around the ink supply portion is increased to be different from the pore density of the porous portion of the other portion.

The thin layer of the porous body having a low pore density is inserted between the porous body and the structure inside the ink container, and the pore density of the thin layer of the porous body should be significantly lower than the pore density of the porous body in direct contact. However, if the pore density of the thin layer of the porous body is too low, it is difficult to form a negative pressure inside the ink when the height of the ink contained in the porous body is very low.

Therefore, in order to reduce the amount of air bubbles flowing into the ink supply unit while negative pressure can be formed inside the ink even when the height of the ink contained in the porous body is very low, the pore density of the porous porous layer is 70- 120 ppi is preferred.

In addition, when the thickness of the thin layer of the porous material having a low pore density is thick, the sound pressure decreases suddenly when the height of the ink contained in the porous material decreases. The sound pressure should not suddenly decrease even when the ink level is low. If the thin layer of porous material with low pore density has a proper thickness, even if air bubbles flow into the porous body, the air bubbles rise due to buoyancy. Difficult to cross the interface

In the ink supply apparatus of the ink jet printer having the above-described configuration, the ink contained in the ink container is brought into contact with atmospheric air through the exhaust port, and at this time, a negative pressure lower than atmospheric pressure is formed inside the ink by the surface tension of the ink, resulting in capillary phenomenon. The ink moves.

Even at this time, the thin layer of the porous material having a low pore density always contains ink because it is located directly above the ink supply portion. Since the pore density of the thin layer of the porous body is low, an ink channel connected to the thin layer of the porous body is formed throughout the porous body so that ink far from the ink supply portion can be sucked into this channel. Therefore, the flow of ink supplied to the recording apparatus through the ink supply portion is much smoother.

In particular, the thin layer of the porous material with low pore density does not have a flow path of ink, especially when the flow of ink is fast, so that only the ink around the ink supply part is used, or the ink around the ink supply part is discharged first, and the distant ink is the ink supply part. Before arriving at the air, the air stops flowing and prevents the ink from entering the ink supply unit.

In addition, since the pore size of the thin layer of the porous body is much larger than the pore size of the porous body located at the top, even if air bubbles are introduced into the porous body, the bubbles are increased by buoyancy so that the porous body and the pore density are high. Is difficult to pass through the interface of the low porous body. Even though air bubbles pass through the interface between the porous body with high pore density and the porous body with low pore density, the air bubbles do not penetrate into the porous body with low pore density and adhere to the porous body with high pore density.

Therefore, the amount of air bubbles that can flow into the ink supply unit is reduced, and as a result, the amount of air bubbles that flow into the recording apparatus is also reduced.

In order to reduce the amount of air bubbles flowing into the recording apparatus, the ink supply apparatuses of the inkjet printer of the present invention having the above configurations may further include another filter between the ink supply portion and the recording apparatus.

In this case, the filter is preferably disposed at the connection portion between the ink supply unit and the recording apparatus, and the filter disposed at the connection portion between the ink supply unit and the recording apparatus filters out impurities and bubbles in the ink that pass through the ink supply unit once again. Do it. Therefore, the amount of air bubbles that can enter the recording device is much reduced.

Further, in order to reduce the amount of air bubbles flowing into the recording apparatus, the shape of the ink supply portion of the ink supply apparatuses of the ink jet printer of the present invention having the above configuration can be modified.

First, the ink supply unit, which generally has the shape of a vertically long tube, may be composed of two parts, an upper ink supply section having a large cross-sectional area and a lower ink supply section having a cross-sectional area of a general ink supply section.

When the ink supply portion is composed of two parts, the upper ink supply portion having a large cross-sectional area and the lower ink supply portion having a cross-sectional area of a general ink supply portion, the ink supplied from the ink container to the recording device has a low flow rate at the upper ink supply portion having a large cross-sectional area. do. As the flow rate of the ink is lowered, air introduced into the upper ink supply portion from the ink container may rise due to buoyancy. Elevated air is isolated on the surface of the filter, so the amount of air bubbles entering the recording device is further reduced.

At this time, the cross-sectional area of the upper ink supply portion having a large cross-sectional area is preferably 3-9 times the cross-sectional area of the lower ink supply portion. If the cross-sectional area of the upper ink supply part is less than three times the cross-sectional area of the lower ink supply part, the flow rate is low, so the effect of removing air is low, and the cross-sectional area of the upper ink supply part is nine times the cross-sectional area of the lower ink supply part. If the flow rate is too high in the upper part because the flow rate is too low even in the maintenance process to remove the air by the fast flow rate is because the air is not properly removed.

At this time, since the direction of buoyancy acting on the air bubble and the direction of the upper ink supply portion having a large cross-sectional area are the same, it is not necessary to lengthen the length of the upper ink supply portion having a large cross-sectional area.

If there is a large amount of air isolated on the surface of the filter, the air can be removed by using a fast flow rate during maintenance. As described above, in order to remove air by using the fast flow rate of the maintenance process, the cross-sectional area of the upper ink supply part should not be too large because the flow rate should not be excessively reduced during the maintenance process.

In addition, in order to prevent the air from being isolated at the corner of the upper ink supply part due to a sudden cross-sectional area change when the air is discharged, it is preferable to use a gentle curve rather than a right angle at the connection part of the upper ink supply part and the lower ink supply part. In particular, in the case of a separate ink supply device, a curved treatment is required to completely remove a large amount of air flowing in when the ink container is separated and installed.

Next, the ink supply unit having the shape of a vertically long tube is deformed into three sections of a step shape, so that the ink supply unit of the ink supply apparatus has a vertical ink supply portion having the same cross-sectional area as the general ink supply portion, and a horizontal ink having a large cross-sectional area. It can be configured as a supply part.

In this form, when the vertical length of the ink supply part is short and there is no room for deformation, the ink supply pipe is deformed in a stepped manner by connecting the ink supply part in the horizontal direction, and the cross-sectional area of the ink supply part in the horizontal direction is changed.

At this time, the ink is supplied from the ink bottle to the recording device through the ink supply portion, and a filter is disposed between the ink bottle and the ink supply portion to reduce to some extent the inflow of impurities and air bubbles contained in the ink into the recording apparatus. However, air bubbles that pass through without being filtered out of the filter flow into the ink supply part.

In the horizontal ink supply portion having a large cross-sectional area, the flow rate of the ink is decreased, and air bubbles contained in the ink are raised by buoyancy and collected at the upper portion of the horizontal ink supply portion. Air bubbles collected at the upper end of the horizontal ink supply can be discharged by the rapid flow rate of the maintenance process.

At this time, the cross-sectional area of the horizontal ink supply part is preferably 3-5 times the cross-sectional area of the vertical ink supply part. When the cross-sectional area of the horizontal ink supply part is less than three times the cross-sectional area of the vertical ink supply part, the effect of removing air bubbles is low. When it is more than five times, a large amount of air may be introduced when the ink container is replaced. This is because air bubbles collected in the upper part of the supply part are difficult to be removed during the maintenance process.

In addition, as described above, it is preferable to treat the connecting portion of the horizontal ink supply portion and the vertical ink supply portion in a curve so that the air is not isolated from the corner of the horizontal ink supply portion due to a sudden cross-sectional area change when the air is discharged. Do.

However, unlike the case where the cross-sectional area of the vertical ink supply unit is changed, the horizontal ink supply unit has a long horizontal ink supply unit because the direction of the pipe is horizontal so that the ink flow direction is perpendicular to the direction of buoyancy. Air in the ink can be collected at the upper end of the horizontal ink supply unit.

In addition, the upper portion of the horizontal ink supply portion is preferably hydrophilized so that the air bubbles adhere well to the ink supply portion. Hydrophilic treatment can be performed using various methods such as chemical treatment or gold plating.

If the amount of air isolated at the upper end of the horizontal ink supply is high, the air can be removed by using the fast flow rate of the maintenance process.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples. However, the following examples are illustrative of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention.

First, an ink supply apparatus of an ink jet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

In the ink supply apparatus of the ink jet printer as shown in FIG. 4, a porous body in which several layers having different pore densities in the ink container 10 containing ink are laminated so that the pore density increases as the ink supply unit 15 is closer to the ink supply unit 15. (11) 12 and 13 are mounted. At the lower end of the porous bodies 11, 12 and 13, a thin layer 14 of porous material having a pore density lower than the pore density of the porous body 13 in direct contact is inserted to facilitate ink flow and recording. Prevents air bubbles from entering the device.

An ink supply unit 15 is connected to a lower portion of the ink container 10 to supply ink contained in the porous bodies 11, 12, 13, and 14 to the recording device 16. A filter 18 is disposed at the connection portion of the ink container 10 and the ink supply unit 15 to remove impurities and air bubbles contained in the ink flowing into the ink supply unit 15 from the ink container 10.

A recording device 16 is connected to the lower end of the ink supply unit 15 to record ink by ejecting ink supplied from the ink supply unit 15 through a nozzle. In addition, an exhaust port 17 is formed in the upper portion of the ink container 10 to form a negative pressure inside the ink by contacting the ink inside the ink container 10 with air.

Next, an ink supply apparatus of an ink jet printer according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In the ink supply apparatus of the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 5, the porous body 21 laminated so that the pore density increases as the layers having different pore density become closer to the ink supply section 25 in the ink container 20 containing ink. 22 and 23 are mounted. At the lower end of the porous bodies 21, 22 and 23, a thin layer 24 of the porous body having a lower pore density than the pore density of the porous body 23 in direct contact is inserted to facilitate ink flow and recording. Prevents air bubbles from entering the device.

An ink supply unit 25 is connected to the lower portion of the ink container 20 to supply ink contained in the porous bodies 21, 22, 23, and 24 to the recording device 26. A filter 28 is disposed at the connection portion between the ink container 20 and the ink supply unit 25 to remove impurities and air bubbles contained in the ink flowing into the ink supply unit 25 from the ink container 20. A recording device 26 is connected to the lower end of the ink supply unit 25 so as to eject ink supplied from the ink supply unit 25 through a nozzle to perform recording.

Another filter 28a is disposed between the ink supply unit 25 and the recording device 26 to remove impurities and air bubbles that cannot be removed inside the ink passing through the ink supply unit 25. In addition, an exhaust port 27 is formed in the upper portion of the ink container 20 to form a negative pressure inside the ink by contacting the ink in the ink container 20 with air.

Next, an ink supply apparatus of an ink jet printer according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In the ink supply apparatus of the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 6, the porous material 31 laminated so that the pore density increases as the layers having different pore density become closer to the ink supply unit 35 inside the ink container 30 containing the ink. 32 and 33 are mounted. At the lower end of the porous bodies 31, 32 and 33, a thin layer 34 of porous material having a lower pore density than the pore density of the porous body 33 in direct contact is inserted to facilitate ink flow and recording. Prevents air bubbles from entering the device.

An ink supply unit 35 is connected to a lower portion of the ink bottle 30 to supply ink contained in the porous bodies 31, 32, 33, 34 to the recording device 36. At this time, the ink supply unit 35 has a vertically long shape consisting of two parts, an upper ink supply part 35a having a large cross-sectional area and a lower ink supply part 35b having a cross-sectional area of a general ink supply part. The ink supplied from the ink bottle 30 to the recording device 36 is reduced in flow rate at the upper ink supply portion 35a having a large cross-sectional area, and flowed into the upper ink supply portion 35a from the ink bottle as the flow rate of ink is lowered. Air can rise by buoyancy. Elevated air is isolated on the surface of the filter 38, so that the amount of air bubbles entering the recording device 36 is further reduced.

A filter 38 is disposed at the connection portion between the ink container 30 and the ink supply unit 35 to remove impurities and air bubbles contained in the ink flowing into the ink supply unit 35 from the ink container 30. A recording device 36 is connected to the lower end of the ink supply unit 35 so as to eject ink supplied from the ink supply unit 35 through a nozzle to perform recording. In addition, an exhaust port 37 is formed in the upper portion of the ink bottle 30 to form a negative pressure inside the ink by contacting the ink inside the ink bottle 30 with air.

Next, an ink supply apparatus of an ink jet printer according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In the ink supply apparatus of the ink jet printer shown in FIG. 7, the porous body 41 having a plurality of layers having different pore densities within the ink container 40 containing ink closer to the ink supply unit 45 increases in pore density. 42 and 43 are mounted. At the lower end of the porous bodies 41, 42 and 43, a thin layer 44 of a porous body having a pore density lower than the pore density of the porous body 43 in direct contact is inserted to facilitate ink flow and recording. Prevents air bubbles from entering the device.

An ink supply unit 45 is connected to the lower portion of the ink container 40 to supply ink contained in the porous bodies 41, 42, 43, 44 to the recording device 46. At this time, the ink supply portion 45 is formed of three steps 45a, 45b, 45c in the stepped shape, and the ink supply portion 45b of the horizontal portion has a large cross-sectional area and a long length. In the horizontal ink supply portion 45b having a large cross-sectional area, the flow rate of ink decreases and bubbles contained in the ink are raised by buoyancy and collected at the upper end of the horizontal ink supply portion 45b. The amount of air bubbles is further reduced.

A filter 48 is disposed at the connection portion of the ink container 40 and the ink supply part 45 to remove impurities and air bubbles contained in the ink flowing into the ink supply part 45 from the ink container 40. A recording device 46 is connected to the lower end of the ink supply unit 45 to record ink by ejecting ink supplied from the ink supply unit 45 through a nozzle. An exhaust port 47 is formed on the upper portion of the ink container 40. Is formed to form a negative pressure inside the ink by contacting the ink inside the ink container 40 with air.

Next, an ink supply apparatus of an ink jet printer according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In the ink supply apparatus of the inkjet printer shown in Fig. 8, the porous body 51 having a constant pore density is mounted inside the ink container 50 containing the ink. The rib member 53 which presses the porous body 51 around the ink supply unit 50 to increase the pore density of the portion is disposed on the upper surface of the ink container 50, and the ink supply unit 55 inside the ink container 50 is disposed. On the side, a structure 54 for pressing the porous body 51 around the ink supply part 55 to increase the pore density of the portion is disposed.

Between the porous body 51 and the structure 54, a thin layer 52 of porous material having a pore density significantly lower than the pore density of the porous body 51 in direct contact is inserted to facilitate ink flow and recording. Prevents air bubbles from entering the device.

An ink supply unit 55 is connected to the lower portion of the ink container 50 to supply ink contained in the porous bodies 51 and 52 to the recording device 56. A filter 57 is disposed at the connection portion of the ink container 50 and the ink supply unit 55 to remove impurities and air bubbles contained in the ink flowing into the ink supply unit 55 from the ink container 50. A recording device 56 is connected to the lower end of the ink supply unit 55 so as to eject ink supplied from the ink supply unit 55 through a nozzle for recording. In addition, an exhaust port 58 is formed in an upper portion of the ink container 50 to form a negative pressure in the ink by contacting the ink in the ink container 50 with air.

Next, an ink supply apparatus of an ink jet printer according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In the ink supply apparatus of the inkjet printer shown in Fig. 9, a porous body 61 having a constant pore density is mounted inside an ink container 60 containing ink. A rib member 63 is disposed on the upper surface of the ink container 60 to press the porous material 61 around the ink supply part 65 to increase the pore density of the part, and the ink supply part 65 inside the ink container 60 is disposed. On the side, a structure 64 is provided which presses the porous body 61 around the ink supply part 65 to increase the pore density of the portion.

Between the porous body 61 and the structure 64, a thin layer 62 of the porous body having a pore density significantly lower than the pore density of the porous body 61 in direct contact is inserted to facilitate ink flow and recording. Prevents air bubbles from entering the device.

An ink supply unit 65 is connected to a lower portion of the ink container 60 to supply ink contained in the porous bodies 61 and 62 to the recording device 66. A filter 67 is disposed at the connection portion between the ink container 60 and the ink supply unit 65 to remove impurities and air bubbles contained in the ink flowing into the ink supply unit 65 from the ink container 60. A recording device 66 is connected to the lower end of the ink supply unit 65 to inject ink supplied from the ink supply unit 65 through a nozzle for recording.

Another filter 67a is disposed between the ink supply unit 65 and the recording device 66 to remove impurities and air bubbles that cannot be removed inside the ink passing through the ink supply unit. In addition, an exhaust port 68 is formed at an upper portion of the ink bottle 60 to form a negative pressure inside the ink by contacting the ink inside the ink bottle 60 with air.

Next, an ink supply apparatus of an ink jet printer according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In the ink supply apparatus of the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 10, a porous body 71 having a constant pore density is mounted inside an ink container 70 containing ink. A rib member 73 is disposed on the upper surface of the ink container 70 to press the porous material 71 around the ink supply unit 75 to increase the pore density of the portion, and the ink supply unit 75 inside the ink container 70. On the side, a structure 74 is disposed to press the porous body 71 around the ink supply unit 75 to increase the pore density of the portion.

Between the porous body 71 and the structure 74, a thin layer 72 of porous material having a pore density significantly lower than the pore density of the porous body 71 in direct contact is inserted to facilitate ink flow and recording. Prevents air bubbles from entering the device.

An ink supply unit 75 is connected to a lower portion of the ink container 70 to supply ink contained in the porous bodies 71 and 72 to the recording device 76. At this time, the ink supply unit 75 has a vertically long form consisting of two parts, an upper ink supply part 75a having a large cross-sectional area and a lower ink supply part 75b having a cross-sectional area of a general ink supply part. The ink supplied from the ink container 70 to the recording device 76 is lowered in the flow rate at the upper ink supply portion 75a having a large cross-sectional area, and flowed into the upper ink supply portion 75a from the ink container as the flow rate of the ink is lowered. The air can rise by buoyancy. The elevated air is isolated on the surface of the filter 77, and thus the amount of air bubbles entering the recording device 76 is further reduced.

A filter 77 is disposed at the connection portion of the ink container 70 and the ink supply unit 75 to remove impurities and air bubbles contained in the ink flowing into the ink supply unit 75 from the ink container 70. A recording device 76 is connected to the lower end of the ink supply unit 75 so as to eject ink supplied from the ink supply unit 75 through a nozzle for recording. In addition, an exhaust port 78 is formed at an upper portion of the ink bottle 70 to form a negative pressure inside the ink by contacting the ink inside the ink bottle 70 with air.

Next, an ink supply apparatus of an ink jet printer according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In the ink supply apparatus of the ink jet printer shown in Fig. 11, a porous body 81 having a constant pore density is mounted inside an ink container 80 containing ink. The rib member 83 which presses the porous body 81 around the ink supply unit 85 and increases the pore density of the portion is disposed on the upper surface of the ink container 80, and the ink supply unit 85 inside the ink container 80 is disposed. On the side, a structure 84 for pressing the porous body 81 around the ink supply unit 85 to increase the pore density of the portion is disposed.

Between the porous body 81 and the structure 84, a thin layer 82 of porous material having a pore density significantly lower than the pore density of the porous body 81 in direct contact is inserted to facilitate ink flow and recording. Prevents air bubbles from entering the device.

An ink supply unit 85 is connected to a lower portion of the ink container 80 to supply ink contained in the porous bodies 81 and 82 to the recording apparatus 86. At this time, the ink supply portion 85 is formed of three steps 85a, 85b, 85c in the step shape, and the ink supply portion 85b of the horizontal portion increases the cross-sectional area and lengthens the length thereof. In the horizontal ink supply portion 85b having a large cross-sectional area, the flow rate of the ink is reduced and bubbles contained in the ink are raised by buoyancy and collected at the upper end of the horizontal ink supply portion 85b, so that the ink flows into the recording apparatus 86. The amount of air bubbles is further reduced.

A filter 87 is disposed at the connection portion of the ink container 80 and the ink supply unit 85 to remove impurities and air bubbles contained in the ink flowing into the ink supply unit 85 from the ink container 80. A recording device 86 is connected to the lower end of the ink supply unit 85 to eject ink supplied from the ink supply unit 85 through a nozzle for recording. In addition, an exhaust port 88 is formed at an upper portion of the ink container 80 to form a negative pressure inside the ink by contacting the ink in the ink container 80 with air.

The ink supply apparatus of the inkjet printer of the present invention having the above-described configuration includes a porous layer having a high pore density and a porous layer having a high pore density by inserting a thin layer of porous material having a low pore density between the porous material having a high pore density and the ink supply portion. By increasing the use of the ink, the amount of ink remaining unused can be reduced. In addition, since the flow path of the ink is formed entirely on the porous body having a low pore density, the ink is more smoothly supplied from the ink supply device to the recording device.

In addition, by the above configuration, the amount of air bubbles introduced into the recording apparatus is reduced, thereby reducing the operation error of the recording apparatus caused by the air bubbles entering the recording apparatus.

Since the amount of air introduced into the recording apparatus is reduced by the above configuration, the size of the pores of the filter can be set to the size of impurities to be filtered, not the size of the air bubbles, so that the size of the pores is larger than that of the conventional filter. can do. Therefore, the flow of ink, which is hindered by very small pores of the filter, can be smoothed.

Claims (20)

An ink passage containing ink; A porous body mounted inside the ink container so as to contain ink by stacking layers having different pore densities closer to the ink supply unit to increase pore density; A thin layer of the porous body having a pore density lower than the pore density of the porous body directly inserted into the lower end of the porous body in the ink container and in direct contact therewith; An ink supply unit connected to a lower portion of the ink container to supply ink contained in the porous body to a recording apparatus; A filter disposed at a connection portion of the ink container and the ink supply unit; A recording apparatus for recording by ejecting the supplied ink through a nozzle; And an exhaust port formed at an upper portion of the ink container to form a negative pressure inside the ink by contacting the ink inside the ink container with air, thereby facilitating the flow of ink flowing into the recording device through the ink supply unit in the ink container and recording air bubbles. Characterized in that it is prevented from entering the device, And the ink supply portion has a vertical tube shape, and the cross-sectional area of the vertical upper end portion of the ink supply portion is larger than that of the vertical lower end portion of the ink supply portion. The ink supply apparatus of an inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the thin layer of the porous body having a low pore density has a pore density of 70-120 ppi. The ink supply apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a filter disposed at a connection portion of the ink supply unit and the recording apparatus. delete The ink supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the upper end of the ink supply unit is 3-9 times the cross-sectional area of the lower end of the ink supply unit. 2. An ink supply apparatus for an inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion of the vertical upper end portion of the ink supply portion having a large cross-sectional area and the vertical lower end portion of the ink supply portion having a small cross-sectional area is curved. The ink supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ink supply unit is formed of three steps, and the cross-sectional area of the horizontal portion of the ink supply unit is long and long. The ink supply apparatus of an inkjet printer according to claim 7, wherein the cross-sectional area of the horizontal portion of the ink supply portion is 3-5 times the cross-sectional area of the vertical portion. 8. An ink supply apparatus for an inkjet printer according to claim 7, wherein the connection portion between the horizontal portion of the ink supply portion and the vertical portion of the ink supply portion is curved. 8. An ink supply apparatus for an inkjet printer according to claim 7, wherein the upper portion of the horizontal portion of the ink supply portion is hydrophilized. An ink passage containing ink; A porous body mounted inside the ink container so as to contain ink; A recording device connected to the ink container for ejecting and recording the ink; An ink supply unit connected to a lower portion of the ink container to supply ink contained in the porous body to a recording apparatus; A structure disposed on the ink supply unit side to increase the pore density on the ink supply unit side of the porous body; A rib member disposed on the upper surface of the ink container to increase the pore density of the ink supply portion of the porous body; A thin layer of the porous body inserted between the lower end of the ink supply side of the porous body and the structure within the ink container and having a pore density lower than that of the porous body; A filter disposed at a connection portion of the ink container and the ink supply unit; And an exhaust port formed at an upper portion of the ink container to form a negative pressure in the ink by contacting the ink inside the ink container with air, thereby facilitating the flow of ink flowing from the ink bottle into the recording device through the ink supply unit and into the recording device. Characterized in that the air bubbles are prevented from entering, And the ink supply portion has a vertical tube shape, and the cross-sectional area of the vertical upper end portion of the ink supply portion is larger than that of the vertical lower end portion of the ink supply portion. 12. The ink supply apparatus of an inkjet printer according to claim 11, wherein the thin layer of the porous body having a low pore density has a pore density of 70-120 ppi. 12. The ink supply apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a filter at a connection portion of the ink supply unit and the recording apparatus. delete 12. The ink supply apparatus of claim 11, wherein the cross-sectional area of the upper end of the ink supply unit is 3-9 times the cross-sectional area of the lower end of the ink supply unit. 12. An ink supply apparatus for an inkjet printer according to claim 11, wherein the connection portion of the vertical upper end portion of the ink supply portion having a large cross-sectional area and the vertical lower end portion of the ink supply portion having a small cross-sectional area is curved. 12. An ink supply apparatus for an inkjet printer according to claim 11, wherein the ink supply portion is formed in three portions having a step shape, and the cross-sectional area of the horizontal portion of the ink supply portion is large and long. 18. The ink supply apparatus of claim 17, wherein the cross-sectional area of the horizontal portion of the ink supply portion is 3-5 times the cross-sectional area of the vertical portion. 18. An ink supply apparatus for an inkjet printer according to claim 17, wherein the connection portion between the horizontal portion of the ink supply portion and the vertical portion of the ink supply portion is curved. 18. The ink supply apparatus of an inkjet printer according to claim 17, wherein the upper portion of the horizontal portion of the ink supply portion is hydrophilized.