KR101337773B1 - Ink supply apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ink supply apparatus, which comprises an ink storage unit which stores ink to be supplied to an image forming device; an ink supply unit which supplies the ink stored in the ink storage unit to the image forming device and where an ink inlet for injecting ink and an ink outlet for discharging ink are formed; an ink pipe which connects the ink supply unit and the image forming device; and a body wherein the ink storage unit is installed. In addition, the ink supply apparatus includes at least one ink flow path where ink flows and at least one chamber where the ink is stored on one side and the other side of the ink supply, unit in order to prevent the backflow of the ink supplied to the image forming device. An opening and closing valve is includes in the ink supply unit in order to discharge the ink through the ink outlet only when a sound pressure above a previously set pressure is applied to the ink outlet. Therefore, through the present invention, ink can be supplied without backflow so that the discontinuance of the ink can be prevented and the continuous supply of the ink can be ensured, and so that the flowing of the ink can be prevented even when lifting the ink supply apparatus high.

Description

Ink Supply Unit {INK SUPPLY APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to an ink supply apparatus, and more particularly, to an ink supply apparatus capable of smoothly supplying ink without replacing a cartridge to an image forming apparatus using ink.

In general, an image forming machine for forming a predetermined image by using an ink such as an inkjet printer and a multifunction printer has a built-in ink cartridge. The ink cartridge is separated from the image forming machine when the built-in ink is consumed, replaced with a new ink cartridge, or refilled and reused.

Therefore, a general image forming machine has a problem in that consumable costs are excessively generated due to frequent replacement or frequent refilling of ink cartridges. In addition, the depletion of the ink cartridge causes deterioration in workability such as the image forming operation being stopped indefinitely, and in addition, deterioration in image quality such as an image being formed in an unwanted quality.

Accordingly, in recent years, a separate ink supply means for supplying ink to the ink cartridge of the image forming machine is provided, but when ink is supplied from the ink supply means to the ink cartridge, a back flow of the ink is caused or the ink supply means is supplied. It raises another problem such as ink leaking when raised.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ink supply apparatus capable of continuously supplying ink from the outside of an image forming machine.

An ink supply apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the ink storage unit for storing the ink to be supplied to the image forming machine; An ink supply unit for supplying ink stored in the ink storage unit to the image forming unit, and having an ink inlet through which ink is introduced and an ink outlet through which ink is discharged; An ink tube connecting the ink supply unit and the image forming machine; And a body part in which the ink storage unit is installed, and at least one ink flow path and ink chambers are provided on one surface and the other surface of the ink supply unit, so that the reverse flow of ink supplied to the chemical generator is provided. It is prevented, and the ink supply unit is provided with an opening and closing valve that opens so that ink is discharged to the ink discharge port only when a negative pressure greater than a predetermined pressure is applied to the ink discharge port.

According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, it is possible to continuously supply the ink from the outside to the image forming machine for forming an image with ink, so that frequent replacement of the ink cartridge or frequent refill of the image forming machine is unnecessary. As a result, it is possible to reduce existing maintenance costs or to improve problems such as deterioration of quality.

In addition, the ink can be supplied without backflow, thereby preventing the ink supply interruption and contributing to the continuous ink supply.

In addition, since the ink is supplied precisely to the suction pressure to the image forming machine, it is possible to contribute to the improvement of the print quality through the supply quality.

In addition, the ink charging time is notified to the outside so that the ink replacement time can be missed so that it can be used safely.

In addition, when the ink supply device is separated and shipped, it can be safely delivered so that ink does not leak.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing an ink supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view of an ink supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the ink storage unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a view showing an air passage provided in the ink storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a perspective exploded schematic view of the ink supply unit according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state viewed from one side.
Figure 6 is a perspective exploded schematic view of the ink supply unit according to an embodiment of the present invention from the other side.
Figure 7 is a plan view schematically showing a state of the ink supply unit according to an embodiment of the present invention from one side.
8 is a plan view schematically showing a state in which the ink supply unit according to the embodiment of the present invention is viewed from the other side;
Fig. 9 is a sectional view schematically showing a state in which ink supply is opened by a differential pressure valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a sectional view schematically showing a state in which ink supply is closed by a differential pressure valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a sectional view schematically showing a state in which ink supply is closed by an on / off valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a sectional view schematically showing a state in which ink supply is opened by an on / off valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the spirit of the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and that the spirit of the present invention may be proposed differently from addition, modification and deletion of elements constituting the embodiments, .

1 is a perspective view schematically showing an ink supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of an ink supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is an ink storage according to an embodiment of the present invention 4 is a perspective view of the unit, and FIG. 4 is a view showing an air passage provided in the ink storage unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 4, an ink supply apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an ink storage unit 10, an ink supply unit 20, and a body portion 30. The ink supply device 1 is connected to an image forming machine P such as a printer and a multifunction apparatus that forms a predetermined image using ink, and supplies ink continuously.

The ink storage unit 10 stores ink to be supplied to the image forming machine P. The ink storage unit 10 may be formed in a cylindrical shape of a hexahedron in which a space for accommodating ink is formed. The ink storage unit 10 is provided with at least one so that at least one or more inks having different colors are stored. In this embodiment, the ink storage unit 10 is illustrated as being separated into four to supply the ink of the four colors of red, blue, yellow and black, respectively. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and the type and color of the ink stored by the ink storage unit 10 may be variously changed. The ink storage unit 10 may be formed of a transparent or translucent material so as to be able to see the color of the ink therein.

The ink supply unit 20 interconnects the image forming apparatus P and the ink storage unit 10, and smoothly supplies the ink stored in the ink storage unit 10 from the image forming apparatus P without being flowed back. Even when the ink supply device 1 is raised, the ink is prevented from flowing out. At least one ink supply unit 20 is provided corresponding to at least one ink so as to be connected to at least one ink storage unit 10 provided to store at least one ink to have different colors.

For reference, the ink storage unit 10 and the ink supply unit 20 are provided outside the image forming unit P, as shown in FIG. 1, thereby providing an ink cartridge C provided inside the image forming unit P. Ink). At this time, the ink storage unit 10, the ink supply unit 20, and the ink cartridge C of the image forming machine P are connected to each other by the ink tube H, and ink is supplied.

On the other hand, an air passage 11 is provided on one side of the ink storage unit 10. The air passage 11 may be formed on the side wall of the ink storage unit 10 or may be formed in the middle of the ink storage unit 10. That is, the position of the air passage 11 may be anywhere within the ink storage unit 10.

The air passage 11 has a flow path through which air can flow, and an ink storage portion in which ink can be stored is formed outside the air passage 11. The ink storage unit is a portion of the ink storage unit 10 except for the air passage 11, that is, the air storage unit. The periphery of the air passage 11 is fused by a film, and the inside and outside of the air passage 11 is separated by the film. That is, the ink reservoir is formed on one side of the film based on the film, and the air passage 11, that is, the air reservoir is formed on the other side.

The air passage 11 may be extended from the upper end to the lower end of the ink storage unit 10 in a bent state many times. The air passage 11 extends in a bent state a plurality of times, and a circular cylinder 14 and a square cylinder 15 may be provided in the middle of the air passage 11. The air passage 11 is formed to be bent, the circular cylinder 14 and the square cylinder 15 is provided to prevent the ink in the ink storage unit 10 to move downward too quickly to be stable To supply ink.

The air hole 12 is formed at an upper end of the air passage 11, and a communication unit 13 communicating with an ink storage unit inside the ink storage unit 10 is formed at a lower end of the air passage 11. The air of the air storage unit, that is, the air passage 11 may move to the ink storage unit through the communication unit 13, and the ink of the ink storage unit may move to the air storage unit.

The ink level of the ink storage unit 10 is constantly maintained in the communicating portion 13, and the ink storage unit 10 when the ink flows from the ink storage unit 10 to the opposite communication tube as described above The reason why the ink level is always kept constant in the communicating portion 13 is as follows.

Since the ink reservoir is a space enclosed as part of the long communication tube, it is not affected by atmospheric pressure. In the communication tube principle, enclosed spaces that are not subject to atmospheric pressure do not affect the water level. Therefore, the ink level of the communication unit 13 at the lower end of the air storage unit 11, which is an open space under the action of atmospheric pressure, becomes an ink level which does not change. When the ink storage unit 10 is viewed as one ink container, the air storage unit 11 and the communication unit of the ink storage unit are always at a constant ink level. However, when the ink of the ink reservoir exits drop by drop in the direction of the opposite communication tube, negative pressure is generated in the ink reservoir so that the same amount of air causes the communication unit 13 in the air storage unit 11 to be discharged. The ink reservoir is supplemented to the ink reservoir, and since the ink reservoir is an enclosed space, the ink reservoir is not affected by atmospheric pressure and thus does not affect the ink level. For this reason, the ink is lowered so that the ink is always kept at the same level until the ink level of the ink reservoir reaches the same level as that of the communication section 13.

The ink tube (H) connects the ink supply unit (20) and the ink cartridge (C) to supply ink to the ink cartridge (C). The ink tube (H) may be formed of a long tube of a flexible material.

On the other hand, the body portion 30 may support the ink storage unit 10. An upper portion of the body part 30 may include a receiving space into which the ink storage unit 10 may be inserted, and a partition rib protruding the plurality of ink storage units 10 may protrude. .

The front of the body portion 30 is provided with a notification lamp 31 for displaying the ink charging time to the outside. The notification lamp 31 lights blue when the ink storage unit 10 has enough ink, and the ink storage unit 10 replaces the ink storage unit 10 by reducing the ink to a predetermined amount or less. When necessary, the notification lamp 31 lights up in red. Therefore, according to the present invention, since the color of the notification lamp 31 changes depending on the amount of ink in the ink filling unit 10, the ink replacement unit 10 does not miss the replacement time of the ink. There is an advantage that the ink supply device 1 can be used safely.

The body part 30 may include an electric sensor (not shown) inserted into the ink storage unit 10 and measuring an amount of current flowing in the ink in the ink storage unit 10. The electrical sensor is formed to protrude from the body portion 10, when the ink storage unit 10 is installed in the body portion 30 is inserted into the ink storage unit 10 is the ink storage unit 10 ) May be in contact with the ink inside. If the amount of ink in the ink storage unit 10 is large, the amount of current flowing in the ink storage unit 10 increases, and if the amount of ink in the ink storage unit 10 is small, the ink storage unit ( 10) The amount of current flowing inside becomes small.

Therefore, when the electric sensor detects that the current flowing in the ink storage unit 10 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it determines that ink is sufficient, and sends a signal to turn on the notification lamp 31 in blue, and stores the ink. If it is detected that the current flowing in the unit 10 is less than or equal to the predetermined value, it is determined that the ink is insufficient and signals the notification lamp 31 to light up in red.

On the other hand, the ink supply unit 20 may be installed in the body portion 30. The ink supply unit 20 may be installed under the ink storage unit 10, and is connected to the ink storage unit 10 by the ink tube H. The front surface of the body portion 30 is formed of a transparent material, it can be confirmed from the outside whether or not the ink flows to the ink supply unit 20 installed inside the body portion 30.

5 is a perspective exploded perspective view of the ink supply unit according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from one side, Figure 6 is a perspective exploded schematic view of the ink supply unit according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the other side 7 is a plan view schematically showing a state in which an ink supply unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is seen from one side, and FIG. 8 schematically shows a state in which the ink supply unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is viewed from another surface thereof. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which ink supply is opened by a differential pressure valve according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is an ink supply closed by a differential pressure valve according to an embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a closed state, and FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a state in which ink supply is closed by an on / off valve according to an embodiment of the present invention. And Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the ink supply is opened by the opening and closing valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the ink supply unit 20 supplies a supply body 21, a first chamber 40, a second chamber 50, and first to fourth ink flow paths for supplying ink. And 60, 70, 80, 90, differential pressure valve 100, and on / off valve 150.

The supply body 21 is provided with an ink suction opening 22 connected to the ink storage unit 10 and an ink discharge opening 23 connected to the image forming machine P. The ink suction opening 22 and the ink discharge opening 23 are provided to face the supply body 21. The supply body 21 has a frame shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and one surface 21a (see FIG. 5) and the other surface 21b (see FIG. 6) of the supply body 21 are respectively sealed by a cover 24. . In this case, the cover 24 may be formed of the same material as the supply body 21, or may be formed of a predetermined sealed body such as vinyl.

The first chamber 40 is provided on one surface 21a of the supply body 21, as shown in FIG. 5, so as to be connected to the ink suction opening 22 to store ink first.

The second chamber 50 is provided on the other surface 21b of the supply body 21, as shown in FIG. 6, to receive ink from the first chamber 40 and guide the ink to the ink receiving chamber 94. .

The first ink flow path 60 connects the ink suction opening 22 and the first chamber 40 to each other. To this end, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, one side of the first ink flow path 60 is formed with a first communication groove 61 communicating with the ink suction opening 22, and the other side of the first chamber 40. Communicate with The first ink flow path 60 is formed on one surface 21a of the supply body 21 so as to communicate with the first chamber 40.

The second and third ink passages 70 and 80 are formed on the other surface 21b and one surface 21a of the supply body 21, respectively, so that the first chamber 40 and the second chamber 50 are respectively formed. Are connected to each other sequentially. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, one side of the second ink flow path 70 formed on the other surface 21b of the supply body 21 may include a first chamber provided on one surface 21a of the supply body 21. A second communication groove 71 communicating with 40 is formed, and the third communication groove 72 is formed at the other side to communicate with the third ink flow path 80. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the third ink flow path 80 formed on one surface 21 a of the supply body 21 has a second ink flow path provided on the other surface 21 b of the supply body 21. The fourth communication groove 81 communicates with the third communication groove 72 and communicates with the second chamber 50 on the other side so as to communicate with the 70.

The fourth ink passage 90 connects the second chamber 50 and the ink receiving chamber 94 to each other. As shown in FIG. 7, the fourth ink flow path 90 is formed on one surface 21a of the supply body 21, and one side of the fourth ink flow path 90 communicates with the second chamber 50. It is formed and the other side is in communication with the ink receiving chamber (94). The ink flowing through the ink suction opening 22 may include the first ink passage 60, the first chamber 40, the second ink passage 70, the third ink passage 80, Temporarily stored in the ink receiving chamber 94 via the second chamber 50, the fourth ink flow path 90,

The plurality of flow paths 60 before the ink supplied from the ink storage unit 10 is supplied to the image forming machine P due to the first to fourth ink flow paths 60, 70, 80, and 90 as described above. By moving through the 70, 80 and 90, it is possible to supply stabilized ink without bubble generation.

The differential pressure valve 100 is installed in the differential pressure valve chamber 101 to control the supply pressure of the ink. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the differential pressure valve 100 includes a support body 110, a valve body 120, and a differential pressure elastic body 130. For reference, the second chamber 50 is provided in the differential pressure valve chamber 101.

The support body 110 is inserted into the differential pressure valve chamber 101. The support body 110 may have a shape corresponding to that of the differential pressure valve chamber 101 and be closely inserted into the differential pressure valve chamber 101. At this time, one side of the support body 110 is formed with a hole 111 so that pressure for guiding the control operation by the differential pressure valve 100 can be applied.

9 and 10, the valve body 120 is installed in the support body 110 so as to face the differential pressure valve chamber 101 to selectively open and close the fifth communication groove 91. . At this time, the valve body 120 is preferably formed of a material having elasticity, such as rubber.

The differential pressure elastic body 130 is installed between the support body 110 and the valve body 120 to operate the valve body 120 by the pressure of the ink. Here, the differential pressure elastic body 130 elastically pressurizes the valve body 120 toward the inner surface of the support body 110. At this time, as shown in Figure 9, when the discharge pressure of the ink discharged through the ink discharge port 23 is higher than the reference value to the negative pressure inside the valve body 120 that surpasses the elastic pressing force of the differential pressure elastic body 130 As a result, the fifth communication groove 91 is opened. On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 10, when the discharge pressure of the ink discharged through the ink discharge port 23 is lower than the reference value, the valve body 120 is connected to the fifth communication groove by the elastic pressing force of the differential pressure elastic body 130. 91). By this configuration, the ink discharge pressure through the ink discharge port 23 is controlled to be kept constant.

For reference, the differential pressure elastic body 130 described in the present invention is illustrated as a coil spring, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

Meanwhile, the ink discharged through the fifth communication groove 91 flows into the ink receiving chamber 94 through the fourth ink flow path 90. The ink receiving chamber 94 is formed at the end of the fourth ink passage 90. An ink receiving portion 93 is formed at an end of the fourth ink flow path 90, and the ink receiving portion 93 protrudes from one surface 21 a of the supply body 21. The ink accommodating part 93 may be formed in a circular shape, and the ink accommodating chamber 94 is formed inside the ink accommodating part 93. The ink receiving portion 93 extends from one surface 21a of the supply body 21 to the cover 24.

In the center of the ink receiving chamber 94, an ink flow portion 95 formed through one surface 21a and the other surface 21b of the supply body 21 is formed. 11 and 12, the ink flow portion 95 is formed to protrude from one surface 21 a of the supply body 21 and has a cylindrical shape in which ink may flow. The ink flow portion 95 preferably protrudes lower than the ink containing portion 93. This is because when the ink flow portion 95 protrudes too high from one surface 21 a of the supply body 21, ink cannot effectively flow into the ink flow portion 95.

The ink flow unit 95 may include the open / close valve 150, and the open / close valve 150 may open and close the ink flow unit 95. The open / close valve 150 includes an open / close valve body 151, an extension 152, a shield plate 153, and an open / close elastic body 154.

6 and 8, the other side 21b of the supply body 21 is formed to protrude the opening and closing valve receiving portion 96 that can accommodate the opening and closing valve body 151. The on-off valve body 151 may be formed in a circular plate shape, it is installed inside the on-off valve receiving portion (96). A predetermined space is formed in the open / close valve accommodating part 96 to move the open / close valve body 151. An ink discharge chamber 97, which is a space communicating with the ink discharge port 23, is formed inside the opening / closing valve accommodating part 96. Ink temporarily stored in the ink receiving chamber 94 flows into the ink discharge chamber 97 through the ink flow portion 95, and the ink introduced into the ink discharge chamber 97 passes through a sixth communication groove. Through the ink discharge port 23 through the ink discharge port 23, it is discharged to the image forming machine P.

The extension part 152 extends from the on-off valve body 151 toward the ink flow part 95. The extension part 152 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is inserted into the ink flow part 95. The diameter of the extension part 152 is smaller than the diameter of the ink flow part 95.

An end portion of the extension part 152 is provided with a shielding plate 153 that can block the flow of ink in the ink flow part 95. The shielding plate 153 may be formed in a disk shape, the diameter of the shielding plate 153 is preferably formed to be the same as the inner diameter of the ink flow portion (95). The shielding plate 153 may be in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the ink flow portion 95 to prevent ink from flowing into the ink flow portion 95. The shield plate 153 is preferably formed of an elastic material such as rubber.

The extension part 152 is coupled to one side of the shield plate 153, and the opening and closing elastic body 154 is coupled to the other side of the shield plate 153. One end of the opening and closing elastic body 154 is coupled to the shielding plate 153, and the other end thereof is coupled to the cover 24.

When the negative pressure does not act on the ink discharge port 23, that is, when the ink of the ink supply unit 20 is not sucked through the ink tube H, the shielding plate 153 as shown in FIG. The inside of the ink flow portion 95 is blocked to prevent the ink stored in the ink receiving chamber 94 from flowing into the ink discharge chamber 97. Therefore, even if the ink supply device 1 is lifted higher than the image forming device P, it is possible to prevent the ink from being discharged to the ink tube H.

On the contrary, when a negative pressure acts on the ink discharge port 23, that is, when the ink of the ink supply unit 20 is sucked through the ink pipe H, the ink discharge chamber 97 is inside as shown in FIG. A negative pressure acts on the on / off valve body 151 to move toward the ink flow portion 95. When the on-off valve body 151 moves toward the ink flow portion 95, the shielding plate 153 exits to the outside of the ink flow portion 95 to open the ink flow portion 95. When the ink flow portion 95 is opened, the ink stored in the ink receiving chamber 94 through the fourth ink flow path 90 passes through the ink discharge chamber 97 through the ink flow portion 95. The ink discharge port 23 is discharged.

On the other hand, in the case of delivering the ink supply device 1, it is very inconvenient to deliver in the state combined with the image forming machine (P). Therefore, it is preferable to separately deliver the ink supply apparatus 1 from the image forming apparatus P, in which case the ink supply apparatus 1 is prevented from leaking ink of the ink supply apparatus 1. The first shutoff valve 210 may be coupled to the end of the ink tube H extending from the coupled state.

In addition, the image forming unit P may be delivered with the second shut-off valve 220 coupled to an end portion of the ink tube H extending from the image forming unit P. FIG.

The body part of the first shutoff valve 210 may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and an ink pipe connection part 212 connected to the ink pipe H may protrude from one side of the body part of the first shutoff valve 210. And a cutoff valve connecting portion 213 that is connected to the second cutoff valve 220 is formed on the other side of the body of the first shutoff valve 210.

The shutoff valve connecting portion 213 may have a screw thread formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof so as to be screwed with the shutoff valve connecting portion 223 of the second shutoff valve 220. First and second opening and closing portions 211 and 221 capable of opening and closing the first and second shutoff valves 210 and 220 are rotatably coupled to an upper portion of the first and second shutoff valves 210 and 220. do. To this end, engaging hooks 214 and 224 are formed on both sides of the first and second opening / closing portions 211 and 221 to the upper portion of the body of the first shutoff valves 210 and 220.

The first and second opening and closing parts 211 and 221 may be inserted into the body parts of the first and second shutoff valves 210 and 220, and an upper portion of the first and second opening and closing parts 211 and 221. In the handle is formed, the user can rotate the handle to rotate the first and second opening and closing parts (211, 221). The first and second openings 211 and 212 may be disposed below the first and second openings 211 and 221 to open and close the first and second shutoff valves 210 and 220 according to the rotation angle. Through passages (not shown) are formed to penetrate the first and second openings 211 and 221. When the ink supply apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus P are delivered, lower portions of the first and second opening and closing portions 211 and 221 are disposed to block the ink tube H, and the ink supply apparatus 1 ) And the image forming device P are connected to each other to rotate the first and second opening and closing parts 211 and 221 by a predetermined angle while the first and second shutoff valves 210 and 220 are coupled to each other. The through passages of the first and second openings 211 and 221 may be disposed to be in line with the ink tube H.

The ink supply operation of the ink supply apparatus 1 according to the present invention having the above configuration will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ink stored in the ink storage unit 10 is supplied to the ink cartridge C of the image forming apparatus P via the ink supply unit 20. Here, the ink supply by the ink supply unit 20 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12.

First, when ink flows into the ink suction opening 22 connected through the ink storage unit 10 and the ink tube H, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the ink passes through the first communication groove 61. It is first stored in the first chamber 40 via the first ink flow path 60 provided on one surface 21a of the supply body 21. The first ink stored in the first chamber 40 is the second ink flow path 70 provided on the other surface 21b of the supply body 21 through the second communication groove 71 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. After passing through), as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 through the third communication groove 72, it is introduced into the third ink flow path 80 provided on one surface 21a of the supply body 21. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the ink flowing into the third ink flow path 80 may include a second chamber 50 provided on the other surface 21b of the supply body 21 through the fourth communication groove 81. As secondary storage.

On the other hand, the second chamber 50 communicates with the ink receiving chamber 94 in which the ink is accommodated, whereby the differential pressure valve 100 installed in the second chamber 50 is operated by the pressure of the ink receiving chamber 94. The supply pressure of the ink is then controlled. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, when the ink discharge pressure of the ink receiving chamber 94 becomes higher than a reference value, the fifth communication groove 91 is opened by a sound pressure that exceeds the elastic pressing force of the elastic body 130. Let's do it. Therefore, the ink flows into the fourth ink flow path 90 through the fifth communication groove 91 and is received in the ink receiving chamber 94 as shown in FIG. 10. On the contrary, when the ink discharge pressure of the ink receiving chamber 94 is lowered below the reference value, the fifth communication groove 91 is closed as shown in FIG. 7 by the elastic pressing force of the elastic body 130.

Since the opening / closing operation of the differential pressure valve 100 is repeatedly performed, ink may be provided to the ink receiving chamber 94 without being flowed back.

When the negative pressure does not act on the ink discharge port 23, that is, when the ink of the ink supply unit 20 is not sucked through the ink tube H, the shielding plate 153 as shown in FIG. The inside of the ink flow portion 95 is blocked to prevent the ink stored in the ink receiving chamber 94 from flowing into the ink discharge chamber 97.

On the contrary, when a negative pressure acts on the ink discharge port 23, that is, when the ink of the ink supply unit 20 is sucked through the ink pipe H, the ink discharge chamber 97 is inside as shown in FIG. A negative pressure acts on the on / off valve body 151 to move toward the ink flow portion 95. When the on-off valve body 151 moves toward the ink flow portion 95, the shielding plate 153 exits to the outside of the ink flow portion 95 to open the ink flow portion 95. When the ink flow portion 95 is opened, the ink stored in the ink receiving chamber 94 through the fourth ink flow path 90 passes through the ink discharge chamber 97 through the ink flow portion 95. The ink discharge port 23 is discharged.

Accordingly, even when the ink supply device 1 is lifted higher than the image forming device P by the operation of the opening / closing valve 150, it is possible to prevent the ink from being discharged to the ink tube H.

1: ink supply device 10: ink storage unit
20: ink supply unit 21: supply body
22: ink inlet 23: ink outlet
30: body portion 31: notification lamp
40: first chamber 50: second chamber
60: first ink euro 70: second ink euro
80: third ink euro 90: fourth ink euro
94: ink receiving chamber 95: ink flow portion
96: on-off valve receiving portion 97: ink discharge chamber
100: differential pressure valve 101: differential pressure valve chamber
110: support body 120: valve body
130: elastomer 150: on-off valve
151: on-off valve body 152: extension
153: shielding plate 154: opening and closing elastic body
210, 220: shut-off valves 211, 221: opening and closing portion

Claims (11)

An ink storage unit for storing ink to be supplied to the image forming machine;
An ink supply unit for supplying ink stored in the ink storage unit to the image forming unit, and having an ink inlet through which ink is introduced and an ink outlet through which ink is discharged;
An ink tube connecting the ink supply unit and the image forming machine; And
A body part in which the ink storage unit is installed;
Lt; / RTI >
At least one ink passage through which ink flows and at least one chamber for storing ink is provided on one side and the other side of the ink supply unit to prevent backflow of ink supplied to the image forming unit, and the ink supply unit is provided at the ink outlet. And an opening / closing valve which opens so that ink is discharged to the ink discharge port only when a negative pressure greater than the set pressure is applied. The method of claim 1,
The ink supply unit,
A supply body provided with an ink suction port connected to the ink storage unit and an ink discharge port connected to the image former;
A first chamber connected to the ink suction opening and provided on one surface of the supply body to store the ink firstly;
An ink discharge chamber in communication with the ink discharge port and provided on the other surface of the supply body;
An ink receiving chamber connected to the ink discharge chamber and the ink flow unit and provided on one surface of the supply body;
A second chamber provided on the other surface of the supply body to receive the ink from the first chamber and guide the ink to the ink receiving chamber;
A differential pressure valve installed in a differential pressure valve chamber in which the second chamber is provided, and controlling a supply pressure of the ink; And
An opening / closing valve provided in the ink flow portion and opening to flow ink stored in the ink receiving chamber into the ink discharge chamber when a negative pressure greater than a predetermined pressure is applied to the ink discharge port;
Ink supply device comprising a. 3. The method of claim 2,
The ink supply unit,
A first ink passage connecting the ink suction opening and the first chamber to each other;
Second and third ink passages sequentially connecting the first chamber and the second chamber to each other; And
A fourth ink passage connecting the second chamber and the ink containing chamber to each other;
Ink supply device comprising a. The method of claim 3,
The on-
An opening and closing valve body provided in the ink discharge chamber;
An extension part extending from the on / off valve body and inserted into the ink flow part;
A shielding plate coupled to an end of the extension portion and in close contact with an inner circumferential surface of the ink flow portion; And
An opening / closing elastic body provided between the shielding plate and the supply body;
Ink supply device comprising a. 5. The method of claim 4,
And a negative pressure acts on the ink discharge port to move the opening / closing valve body toward the ink flow portion so that the shield plate exits outside the ink flow portion to open the ink flow portion. The method of claim 3,
The differential pressure valve,
A support body inserted into the differential pressure valve chamber;
A valve body mounted to the support body so as to face the second chamber, the valve body being operable to selectively open and close a connection between the second chamber and the fourth ink flow path; And
An elastic body provided between the support body and the valve body to move the valve body by the pressure of the ink discharge port;
Ink supply device comprising a. The method according to claim 6,
The valve body opens the connection between the second chamber and the fourth ink flow path by a negative pressure inside the valve body that exceeds the elastic pressing force of the elastic body when the discharge pressure of the ink becomes higher than a reference value. And the discharge pressure of the ink is lowered to the reference value or less, the ink supply device for closing the connection between the second chamber and the fourth ink flow path by the elastic pressing force of the elastic body. The method of claim 1,
The body portion is provided with a notification lamp for changing the color according to the amount of ink in the ink storage unit to inform the outside of the ink replacement time. The method of claim 1,
A shutoff valve is further coupled to an end portion of the ink pipe extending from the ink supply device and the image forming machine.
The shutoff valve includes a shutoff valve body part and a shutoff part rotatably coupled to the shutoff valve body part and configured to open and close the shutoff valve according to a rotation angle. The method of claim 1,
The ink storage unit,
An air storage portion formed with an air hole through which the air can enter and exit, and an air storage portion formed therein; And
An ink storage unit communicating with a lower end of the air storage unit and having a space in which ink is stored;
And the air storage unit and the ink storage unit are integrally formed. The method of claim 10,
One side of the ink storage unit is provided with an air passage extending from the top to the downward direction, the air passage is formed bent a plurality of times, the air passage is formed by fusion of one side,
The air storage unit is formed in the air passage, the lower end of the air storage unit is formed in communication with the ink storage unit is formed,
The air hole is formed in the upper end of the air storage, the ink level of the ink storage unit is an ink supply device that is kept constant in the communication portion of the lower end of the air passage.

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