TW506914B - Ink container with zigzag mechanisms for adjusting back pressure - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an ink container used in a printing device. The ink container includes a housing, an ink bag installed in the housing for storing ink, an ink vent installed on the housing, two zigzag mechanisms installed on two inner side of the housing respectively, and a spring device fixed to a upper side of the ink bag for adjusting the pressure in the ink bag. Each zigzag mechanism has a plurality of teeth, and the spring device has two contact ends contacting with the zigzag mechanisms respectively in a slidable manner. When the volume of the ink bag gets smaller with the flowing of the ink out of the ink bag through the ink vent, the ink bag will pull the spring device and a counterforce will be applied to the ink bag by the spring device, so as to keep the pressure within the ink bag lower than a pressure of the external air. When the ink bag shrinks to a certain volume, the ink bag will pull the spring device further and therefore the spring device will be moved one tooth along the zigzag mechanisms.

Description

506914 V. Description of the invention (1) [Field of the invention] The present invention provides an ink tank for an inkjet printing device, especially an ink tank capable of automatically adjusting the internal fluid power. [Background of the Invention] With the increasing popularity of personal and home computers and the increasing demand for personal image output, inkjet printing devices have become consumers due to factors such as their reasonable price and excellent print quality that attract consumers to buy. , The most commonly used computer output printing equipment for households and companies. Generally, an inkjet printing device is provided with an inkjet head, which can move back and forth along a certain track | and print inkjet on a document to be printed. The inkjet head usually has at least one ink container. The main structure of the ink container is a casing, which contains an ink tank for storing ink and a communication with the ink tank. Print head used to control ink ejection. In the general inkjet printing device, 'usually uses the demand flow control method to control the ejection of ink from the ink tank to the document to be printed, and the typical print head using the demand flow control' method can generally be divided into thermal bubbles There are two types: type and piezoelectric wave type. The thermal bubble print head includes a thin film resistor, which can instantly vaporize a small amount of ink droplets when heated. The rapid expansion of the ink droplets after evaporation causes a small amount of ink to pass through the print head and be printed on the document to be printed. Although the print head using the demand flow control method Φ can effectively obtain ink from the ink tank and eject ink droplets, when using the demand flow control method, a control mechanism is needed to make the print head

Page 6 5 The pressure is not increased to a large negative value. Explanation of the invention (2) U m ψ ^ "-for a slight negative pressure out, and this control mechanism is usually mi # ί refers to the ink. = Ink oozes out of the print head. Fluid pressure within :; Including J pressure :: A slight increase in the external atmospheric pressure represents a positive value when the negative pressure is negative, so the increase in air pressure and ink suppresses the vacuum of the component, as well as the additional pressure. The difference in pressure of the fluid within π plus * ^ 27 thus prevents ink from seeping from the print head. Increase. Although the negative pressure is increased, the negative pressure 1 can be increased without limit, and the taxi 2 leaks from the print head, but the negative pressure cannot be sprayed from the print head. Overcoming the change in the environmental pressure of negative pressure = two other aspects-the ink tank must be able to dynamically adjust the negative pressure in its ink tank as the peripheral pressure is maintained at an appropriate range ρη, so that when negative, relative: For example, when the surrounding environment has a large dust force U. In addition, the negative value of the ink leaking out of the print head must be lower than the negative pressure. For example, when the negative pressure value in the ink tank that affects the ink tank rises, at this time:: ί clever resumption will make the ink tank The meter head will gradually become larger with negative pressure, and the printing: the print quality is finished, and even the most serious will make the seal of the past dying; ^ 8 «8 Ink ί "" negative f in the sink It is placed in a sexual milk bag by the species. The elastic airbag moss is usually a spring

Sexual breasts Essence communicates with the outside atmosphere through an air vent β Volume M

Page 7 506914 V. Description of the invention (3) When water is consumed, the outside air of the ink tank will enter the elastic air bag through the vent hole, so that the volume of the elastic air bag becomes large. When the ink consumption or the external atmospheric pressure changes, the volume of the elastic air bag will change within a specific range. When the volume of the elastic air bag changes, the volume of ink stored in the ink tank also changes, so the negative pressure in the ink tank changes, and the purpose of adjusting the negative pressure is achieved. For example, when the ambient pressure drops, the negative pressure in the ink tank will decrease accordingly. At this time, the regulator will start to increase the capacity of the ink storage space in the ink tank, and thus increase the negative pressure in the ink tank to Keep ink from leaking. The biggest disadvantage of the conventional elastic airbag type regulator is that the maximum volume of the elastic airbag has its limitation. When the ink is exhausted to a certain extent, the elastic air bag has expanded to the maximum volume, so the volume of the ink storage space in the ink tank can no longer be changed. As the ink continues to decrease, the negative pressure will exceed the allowable range and the ink droplets will drop. Unable to overcome the negative pressure and eject from the print head, so that the ink in the ink storage tank cannot be fully utilized, causing waste. Another conventional technique for controlling the negative pressure in the ink tank is a so-called bubble generator. As disclosed in US Patent No. 5,526, 030, the bubble generator is provided in the ink tank, and has a nozzle hole penetrating the casing of the ink tank, and through this nozzle hole, external gas can enter the nozzle. Ink tank. After the control mechanism in the bubble generator is properly designed, the ink can be gathered in the nozzle holes and the liquid and capillary force can be used to form a liquid-tight seal (1 i qu i d seal). When the negative pressure in the ink tank rises to a certain level, the outside air

Page 8 506914 V. Description of the invention (4) The liquid-tight seal will be entered into the ink tank in the form of air bubbles. In this way, the negative pressure in the ink tank will be reduced. In addition, as the air bubbles enter the ink tank and the negative pressure value decreases, the liquid-tight seal of the nozzle hole will be re-established to prevent the air bubbles from continuing to enter. However, the method of controlling the bubble entering the ink tank proposed by the above-mentioned conventional technology is determined based on factors such as the surface tension of the ink itself and the hydrostatic pressure of the ink. Therefore, the main disadvantages of the above-mentioned conventional technology include: 1. When different inks are used, the surface tension of the inks will be different, so the bubble generator must be redesigned. 2. When the amount of ink remaining is reduced, the hydrostatic pressure of the ink will change accordingly, so that the function of the bubble generator to regulate the pressure will be limited as a result. 3. In order to make the negative pressure value of the ink storage tank when the bubbles enter, the precise design of the bubble generator must be performed, and this requirement will increase the difficulty in manufacturing and assembly. [Objective and Summary of the Invention] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide an ink tank which is provided with a zigzag pressure adjusting device and can automatically adjust the internal pressure. Its structure is simple and reliable, and it can operate normally even if the external atmospheric pressure changes It is not affected by the operation effect of the ink tank itself. [Detailed description of the invention] § Please refer to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, which is an ink tank (ink

Page 9 ^ 6914 V. Description of the invention (5) = 〇nt = iner) 10 External view, Figure 2 is the constituent elements of the ink tank 10 shown in Figure 1 for inkjet printing 14 · int 1 case 12, A lantern-shaped ink bag I i μ < women's ink is shown in Fig. 2). There is a top cover 16 above the casing 12, and a through hole 18 is used to balance the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the casing 12. Casing = Please communicate with the ink. It is used for the ink tank 10 to use ink | to provide ink to the outside world, in order to seep 20, the ink bag 14 is inside | make sure that the inkjet head can do the normal technical instructions, Although there are mechanisms, each has its own | The present invention uses a new I box, which contains a two-toothed structure I to maintain the negative pressure in the ink bag 14 | a number of protruding teeth 30, which are provided in the shell | It has springs 3, 3, 4 and a zigzag structure respectively fixed on the top of the ink bag 14 | the groove-like structure 40, 28 sliding way and the zigzag structure 22, 丨 press. * 2 2, 2 4 and bag 1 4 to store the ink, to prevent the ink from ejecting at a certain level when the ink is not being supplied. However, there are several kinds of shortcomings. To overcome customary negative pressure maintenance mechanisms. Such as bombing. The zigzag structure 2 2, the body-shaped metal springs on the two sides of the body 12 are in contact with 2 2 and 4. The elastic device 26 is connected and can be contacted with respect to the compound 24 to adjust and pass through the ink outlet port 20 under the negative pressure range of the ink discharge, in accordance with the previously known techniques for maintaining negative pressure. Disadvantages, as shown in Figure 2, the ink-based device 26, as a 24 minute brake, contains a complex structure 40, 28. Contains two contact ends and a middle part 3 6 contact ends 3 2, 3 4 can slide on several teeth 3 0 ink bag 1 4 negative

Page 10!) U6914 Figure 5, Figure 3. As mentioned above, the ink is not large, and in the ink tank 10, when the ink bag 26 will pull the ink, the ink will gradually shrink. The bag 1 4 will be pulled toward the 2 6 and the upward bullet bag will be pulled. During the contraction process of 14, the external atmospheric pressure is too small and since the fifth, the description of the invention (6) Please refer to Figure 3 for the schematic diagram of the negative pressure. It will not be explained in detail because the negative pressure is too high. First, as shown in FIG. 3, when the inside is 12, the elastic device shows that the volume of the ink bag 14 is a lantern-shaped bag body with the printing work, so the ink device 26. When the elastic device is installed, the elastic device 2 will display () to suppress the negative effect of the ink. The ink that has been kept slightly smaller than the above will not be negative because the negative in Figure 5 is the ink in Figure 1. The negative inside the ink bag 1 is because the negative pressure is too small. Filled with ink and filled with water 14. After that, water will gradually come out of the ink outlet. At this time, due to the contraction of the ink underneath and further downward, based on the reaction force on the ink bag 14 (for example, the state of the force in the ink bag 14 due to the force in the ink bag 14 within the ink bag 14, the ink outlet port 20 oozes out. The pressure of the box 10 must be exuded, and the ink should be leaked. The principle is as follows. It is placed in the casing of the figure 2 and flows out. The bag 14 is a principle of pulling elasticity. The arrow 38 can maintain the phase fluid pressure in the water bag 14.

II However, as the ink bag 14 gradually shrinks downward, the elastic force applied by the elastic device 26 will gradually increase, and the negative pressure in the ink bag 14 will also increase. , The ink tank 丨 〇 may not be normal = should be ink. In order to avoid this situation, the present invention has designed the aforementioned structures 22 and 24 so that the negative pressure in the ink bag 14 can be maintained at a certain level without being too large. * As shown in Figure 5, when the volume of the ink bag 14 continues to shrink to a predetermined level, the ink bag 14 will further pull the elastic device

506914 Jade and invention description (7) Place 2 6 so that the elastic device 2 6 slides along the teeth, that is, from the teeth 30 a to the teeth 30 b. The contact ends 32, 34 have been lowered, and the ink has to be compensated. Therefore, compared to FIG. 4, the ink will be reduced. 'The elasticity of the flexure device 2 6 by the bending device 2 6 to the ink bag 14 is smaller than this.' Return to the approximate figure. The three-state structure 2 2, 2 4 slides a protruding tooth. At this time, due to the shrinking trend of the elastic device 2 6 two-sided water bag 1 4, the strength of the bag 1 4 pulling the elastic device 2 6 is also Smaller. This means that the elasticity is small.

Next, as the ink is continuously consumed, the curvature of the elastic device 26 will gradually increase, and the negative pressure in the ink bag 14 will also increase. When the volume of the ink bag 14 continues to shrink downward to a predetermined level, the elastic device 26 will slide a protruding tooth again, so that the negative pressure in the ink bag 14 will not be excessive. This cycle continues until the ink in the ink bag 14 is exhausted. With this design, the negative pressure in the ink bag 14 can be controlled within a certain range, so that the ink tank can supply ink normally. In addition, the ink tank 10 described above is only one embodiment of the present invention, and the actual implementation is not limited to the above structure. For example, a person familiar with this technology can design an appropriate sliding mechanism separately, such as a sliding rail, a sliding slide, etc., so that the elastic device 26 can slide freely in the housing i 2 to achieve the same as the aforementioned groove-like structures 40 and 28. Function, or not using the aforementioned metal dome sheet, and other elastic means to generate the negative pressure required for the ink bag 14. In fact ’any technical means using a tine structure to control negative pressure should conform to the spirit of the present invention ^

V. Description of the invention (8) Compared with those disclosed in other related conventional knowledge No. 5,526'0300, its negative technologies such as the surface tension of the US patent, the hydrostatic pressure of the ink and other factors, the operation of the temple mechanism and the filling of the ink The ink types are different, which makes the ink. Therefore, if the ink tank is inside, the control mechanism must be different. The surface water tension of the ink is constantly decreasing; weight: meaning, as the ink is consumed, | The control mechanism will be two to a certain degree due to the hydrostatic pressure being too small, and this negative system is connected to the zigzag f by the elastic device 26. In contrast, in the present invention, the purpose of maintaining the negative pressure in the ink bag 14 is achieved through the interaction of the redesign and manufacturing, which can also continue to be different with the filling of the ink. In addition, compared with the conventional technology, it needs to be used. ^ = Until the ink runs out. The invention uses only a simple mechanical structure, that is, a costly bubble generator. The operation is simple, highly reliable, and it is easy to generate the purpose of maintaining negative pressure. And low cost

506914 Brief description of the drawings [Simple description of the drawings] FIG. 1 is an external view of the ink tank of the present invention. Figure 2 is a structural element diagram of the ink tank of Figure 1. Figures 3 to 5 are schematic diagrams of the negative pressure adjustment of the ink tank of Figure 1. [Illustration of Symbols] 10 Ink Tank 12 Housing 14 Ink Bag 16 Top Cover 18 Ventilation Hole 20 Ink α n, 24 Zigzag Structure 2 6 Elasticity Device 40, 28 Slot-like structure 3 0 protruding tooth 32 ^ 34 contact part 36 middle part ❿

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Claims (1)

506914 6. Scope of patent application 1. An ink container, which includes a housing, an ink bag, an ink outlet, at least one saw, a plurality of elastic containers, and a plurality of protrusions contained in the ink bag. At this time, 'the ink bag adds an elastic force to the volume of the water bag to shrink the elastic device, teeth. Set in the tooth structure, protruding teeth; set, set the negative pressure of the sliding of the teeth; the ink bag will pull the ink bag as small as a pre-made inside the shell for storing ink; the shell And is arranged in the casing in communication with the ink bag, wherein the saw is at the top of one of the ink bags, and is in contact with the sawtooth structure in a manner connected; the tooth structure can be used to adjust the volume as the ink flows out The ink outlet reduces the elastic device, so that the elastic device is applied to maintain the negative pressure in the ink bag, and when the ink is a certain degree, the ink bag will further pull the device to slide at least one protrusion along the zigzag structure 2. For example, the ink tank of the first patent application scope includes two elongated zigzag structures arranged on two sides of the casing, and the elastic device includes two contact ends respectively contacting the two zigzag structures. When the volume of the ink bag is reduced to the predetermined level, the two contact ends of the elastic device will slide a protruding tooth along the two sawtooth structures, respectively. 3. In the case of the patent application, item 2 of the ink tank, the elastic device is an elastic spring piece, and the two contact ends are respectively located at the two of the elastic piece. Page 15 506914 6. The scope of the patent application. The elastic device further includes a middle part fixed to the top end of the ink bag. 4. For the ink tank of item 2 of the scope of patent application, the housing includes a two-slot structure, and the two sawtooth structure is respectively disposed in the two-slot structure, and the two contact ends of the elastic device are respectively embedded. The two-slot-like structure can slide inside the two-slot-like structure. 5. For example, the ink tank of the first patent application scope, wherein the ink bag is a lamp-like bag body which can be expanded and contracted in the up and down direction. When the ink of the ink bag flows out through the ink outlet, the ink bag Lower down to pull the elastic device. 6. For example, the ink tank of the first patent application scope further includes at least one sliding member fixed in the casing, and a fitting structure provided on the elastic device for fitting with the sliding rail to The elastic device can be slid up and down in the casing. Page 16