WO2011132651A1 - Mécanisme de vanne, mécanisme de commande d'encre, récipient de stockage d'encre - Google Patents

Mécanisme de vanne, mécanisme de commande d'encre, récipient de stockage d'encre Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2011132651A1
WO2011132651A1 PCT/JP2011/059565 JP2011059565W WO2011132651A1 WO 2011132651 A1 WO2011132651 A1 WO 2011132651A1 JP 2011059565 W JP2011059565 W JP 2011059565W WO 2011132651 A1 WO2011132651 A1 WO 2011132651A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ink
valve
mechanism according
elastic valve
elastic
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2011/059565
Other languages
English (en)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
正幸 川崎
武彦 松生
公夫 渡辺
洋 村松
Original Assignee
ジット株式会社
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP2010098403A external-priority patent/JP5619469B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP2010275280A external-priority patent/JP2012121275A/ja
Application filed by ジット株式会社 filed Critical ジット株式会社
Priority to CN2011800222533A priority Critical patent/CN102869516A/zh
Publication of WO2011132651A1 publication Critical patent/WO2011132651A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17513—Inner structure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/1752—Mounting within the printer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17596—Ink pumps, ink valves

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a valve mechanism, an ink control mechanism including the valve mechanism, and an ink storage container for storing ink therein.
  • Examples of ink storage containers include ink tanks for writing instruments and ink (tank) cartridges for inkjet printers.
  • ink ink (tank) cartridges for inkjet printers.
  • outside air is taken into the tank and air exchanged so that changes in atmospheric pressure in the tank do not adversely affect ink consumption.
  • the mechanism include a mechanism in which a simple hole is formed as an outside air intake port, and a mechanism in which an air passage with a valve mechanism that allows only ventilation but does not allow liquid to pass therethrough.
  • an ink storage container in which an air flow rate control unit capable of controlling the air flow rate is built in the upper lid of the storage container. ing.
  • this ink storage container it is possible to avoid a decrease in the amount of ink retained as compared with the case where the ink occlusion body is arranged inside the container, and further, the air flow control unit makes the inside of the container have a negative pressure. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink inside from being easily blown out from the discharge nozzle.
  • a valve using an elastic member having no through hole is arranged inside the ink cartridge, and a space dedicated to generating negative pressure is provided on one surface side of the elastic member.
  • a valve mechanism that controls the ink supply by deformation of the elastic member by forming a dedicated ink supply space on the other surface is provided inside the ink cartridge, and a space dedicated to generating negative pressure.
  • the ink when the ink is held only by the negative pressure of the ink occlusion body such as a sponge, there is a problem that most of the volume of the ink storage unit is occupied by the ink occlusion body. As a result, the amount of ink retained is smaller than that of an empty ink storage unit, and the number of printable prints is reduced accordingly.
  • the ink storage container described in Japanese Patent No. 4246787 is basically extremely excellent, and since the atmospheric pressure in the container is appropriately maintained at a negative pressure, stable printing is possible.
  • this type of ink storage container has a structure for controlling ink discharge indirectly by controlling the flow rate on the air side. For example, if the ink suction force on the printer side increases, there is a risk that ink will be excessively discharged.
  • valve mechanism disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3918553 has a problem in that the valve structure is complicated because it is necessary to provide a space exclusively for negative pressure generation and a space exclusively for ink supply.
  • the present invention has been made to solve such problems, and while maximizing the utilization efficiency of the ink storage space in the ink storage container, it suppresses excessive discharge of ink, etc.
  • the main object of the present invention is to provide an ink storage container that can reliably perform stable ink ejection control from a slight change in atmospheric pressure to a large change in atmospheric pressure, including troubles on the printer side.
  • the present invention that achieves the above object is a valve mechanism that is disposed between an ink storage section that stores ink and an ink discharge port that discharges the ink in an ink storage container, and is configured in an elastically deformable film shape. And an elastic valve having a through-hole penetrating therethrough, a negative pressure forming space disposed on the downstream side of the elastic valve and communicating with the ink discharge port, and disposed on the upstream side of the elastic valve, and storing the ink An ink supply space for supplying ink to the elastic valve side by communicating with the portion, and an elastic valve disposed on the ink supply space side to contact the elastic valve, thereby blocking between the ink supply space and the through hole.
  • a negative pressure forming device comprising: a blocking portion; and a spring disposed on the negative pressure forming space side to urge the elastic valve toward the ink supply space to bring the blocking portion into contact with the elastic valve. Due to the negative pressure applied to the space The elastic valve is displaced to the downstream side against the bias of the spring, the blocking portion and the elastic valve are separated from each other, and ink is supplied from the ink supply space to the negative pressure forming space through the through hole.
  • a valve mechanism characterized by flowing.
  • a displacement regulating portion that abuts the vicinity of the through hole when the elastic valve is displaced downstream, and restricts the amount of displacement of the elastic valve. It is characterized by providing.
  • a slit is formed to communicate the through hole and the negative pressure forming space in contact with the elastic valve.
  • valve mechanism that achieves the above object is further characterized in that one end of the spring is held by the displacement restricting portion.
  • the displacement restricting portion of the valve mechanism that achieves the above object has a circular protrusion that fits inside the spring and holds one end of the spring.
  • the clearance between the displacement restricting portion and the elastic valve is set to 3 mm or less in a state where the elastic valve is biased by the spring and is in contact with the blocking portion. It is characterized by that.
  • the clearance between the blocking portion and the elastic valve is set to 2 mm or less in a state where the elastic valve is in contact with the displacement restricting portion against the spring. It is characterized by that.
  • the internal diameter of the through hole of the valve mechanism that achieves the above object is set to 1.5 mm or less.
  • the elastic valve of the valve mechanism that achieves the above object is characterized in that an annular thick portion surrounding the outer periphery of the through hole is formed.
  • the above-mentioned thick part of the valve mechanism that achieves the above object is characterized by being fitted inside the spring and holding the other end of the spring.
  • the maximum outer diameter of the thick part of the valve mechanism that achieves the above object is set to 2 mm or more.
  • the shut-off portion of the valve mechanism that achieves the above object is formed with an annular shut-off projection that surrounds the vicinity of the outer periphery of the through hole of the elastic valve, and the inner diameter of the spring is set equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the shut-off projection It is characterized by being.
  • the ink supply space of the valve mechanism that achieves the above object has an ink suction port that is disposed close to the bottom surface of the ink storage unit.
  • the present invention that achieves the above object includes the above-described valve mechanism, an ink absorber that is disposed in the ink discharge port and is made of a porous material, and absorbs the ink, and the ink more than the ink absorber.
  • An ink flow rate limiting unit that is disposed on the storage unit side and limits the amount of ink supplied to the ink absorber by an ink control path having an inner diameter smaller than the ejection diameter of the ink ejection port.
  • An ink control mechanism that controls the amount of ink discharged from the ink discharge port.
  • An expansion space that is continuous with the ink control path and expands more than the ink control path between the ink absorber and the ink flow rate limiting unit of the ink control mechanism that achieves the above-described object.
  • the ink that has passed through the ink control path is supplied to the ink absorber through the expansion space.
  • the expansion space of the ink control mechanism that achieves the above object is configured by grooves arranged radially.
  • a support surface that supports the ink absorber from the inside when the ink absorber is pushed in from outside is formed between the ink absorber and the ink flow restriction unit of the ink control mechanism that achieves the above object.
  • the support surface supports at least a region radially inward of the ink absorber in the ink absorber.
  • the ink absorber of the ink control mechanism that achieves the above object is a sheet material having a thickness of 20 mm or less.
  • the inner diameter of the ink control path of the ink control mechanism that achieves the above object is 0.1 mm to 1.2 mm.
  • a plurality of the ink control paths are formed in the flow rate control unit of the ink control mechanism that achieves the above object.
  • the present invention that achieves the above object comprises the above-described valve mechanism, and an air flow rate control unit that is provided above the ink storage unit and controls the air flow rate between the inside and outside of the ink storage unit. It is.
  • the air flow control unit of the ink storage container that achieves the above-described object is an elastically deformable communication that does not circulate air during normal operation but exchanges air with the outside in accordance with a change in internal pressure of the ink storage unit. It comprises a porous valve body, and a liquid repellent film body that is disposed closer to the ink storage unit than the valve body and has air permeability and has been subjected to water repellent treatment.
  • the ink storage container that achieves the above object further includes a moving valve that moves up and down by an urging force from an external member in the vicinity of the ink discharge port provided on the lower side of the ink storing portion.
  • the ink discharge / stop is switched by movement.
  • the present invention that achieves the above object includes the ink control mechanism described above and an air flow rate control unit that is provided above the ink storage unit and controls an air flow rate between the inside and the outside. Container.
  • the air flow rate control unit of the ink storage container that achieves the above-described object is characterized in that it is constituted by a liquid-repellent film body that has air permeability and has been subjected to water-repellent treatment.
  • the air flow control unit of the ink storage container that achieves the above-described object is an elastically deformable communication that does not circulate air during normal operation but exchanges air with the outside in accordance with a change in internal pressure of the ink storage unit. It comprises a porous valve body, and a liquid repellent film body that is disposed closer to the ink storage unit than the valve body and has air permeability and has been subjected to water repellent treatment.
  • FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view along the horizontal direction of the valve mechanism in a closed state
  • FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view along the vertical direction.
  • FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view along the horizontal direction of the valve mechanism in a closed state
  • FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view along the vertical direction.
  • It is a top view which shows the 2nd plate of a valve mechanism.
  • FIG. 3A is an enlarged view showing a control valve of the ink control mechanism
  • FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view seen from the front direction
  • FIG. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the effect
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of an ink storage container 100 according to this embodiment.
  • the ink storage container 100 is made of a suitable synthetic resin, and as shown in the figure, the flow rate of air is controlled between the ink storage unit 10 that stores the ink M inside and the inside and outside of the ink storage unit 10.
  • An air flow rate control unit 20 an ink discharge control unit 30 for controlling the discharge of the ink M stored in the ink storage unit 10, and a valve mechanism disposed between the ink storage unit 10 and the ink discharge control unit 30 70.
  • the valve mechanism 70 and the ink discharge control unit 30 constitute an ink control mechanism 60.
  • the ink storage unit 10 includes a hollow main body 11 having an open top and an upper surface 12 that is combined at the top as a lid that closes the opening of the main body 11.
  • the main body 11 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having a depth dimension smaller than the vertical and horizontal dimensions in the figure.
  • An ink discharge control unit 30 is provided at the bottom of the main body 11.
  • the top surface portion 12 has a top plate 12a that is a horizontally long rectangular plate in plan view (when viewed from above), and a fitting wall 12b that protrudes downward from a slightly inner bottom surface of the periphery of the top plate 12a. It is composed of The upper surface portion 12 is combined with the main body portion 11 by fitting the fitting wall 12 b into the main body portion 11.
  • FIG. 1 the top plate 12a of the upper surface portion 12 is provided with an air flow rate control unit 20 in the vicinity of the longitudinal end portion on the right side of the drawing.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the air flow rate control unit 20.
  • the top plate 12a of the upper surface portion 12 is formed with a recessed portion 12e having a circular cross section that is depressed, and the air flow rate control portion 20 is a valve body accommodated in the recessed portion 12e. 22, a water repellent film body 24, a pressing ring 26 and a cap 28 are provided.
  • the air flow rate control unit 20 places the water-repellent film body 24 in the recess 12e, places the pressing ring 26 thereon, and further places the valve body 22 thereon, and from above these
  • the cap 28 is fitted into the recess 12e, and the valve body 22, the water repellent film body 24, and the pressing ring 26 are sandwiched between the cap 28 and the recess 12e.
  • the water repellent film body 24 and the pressing ring 26 are fixed by the fitting structure of the cap 28, but these may be directly fixed to the recess 12e by thermal welding or ultrasonic welding.
  • the cap 28 itself may also be fixed to the top plate 12a by heat welding or ultrasonic welding.
  • the bottom 12f of the recess 12e has a circular cross-sectional conduction port 12g communicating with the inside 13 of the ink storage unit 10 at the center thereof.
  • the conduction port 12 g is formed so that the inner diameter increases toward the inside 13.
  • the water repellent treatment may be applied to the inner surface and the peripheral edge of the conduction port 12g.
  • a water repellent film seating portion 12h and a lower end receiving portion 12i are provided around the conduction port 12g of the bottom portion 12f.
  • the water repellent film body seating portion 12h is an annular recess (annular step) that positions and receives the water repellent film body 24.
  • the lower end receiving portion 12i is an annular groove provided concentrically on the outer periphery of the water repellent film body seating portion 12h, and has a structure for receiving the lower end of a peripheral surface portion 28b of the cap 28 described later.
  • the water repellent film body seating portion 12h is formed of an olefin resin material and is formed as a smooth surface.
  • the water repellent film body seating portion 12h is formed.
  • 24 is set so as to increase the degree of adhesion to the water-repellent film body seating portion 12 h and to prevent the ink M from entering between the contact surfaces as much as possible.
  • the olefin resin material has low wettability, the water repellent effect is high. Therefore, when the water repellent film body 24 is in close contact, the ink cannot enter the gap.
  • various raw materials such as a polypropylene and polyethylene, as an olefin resin, a polypropylene is employ
  • annular ridge portion 12j that protrudes upward in the figure is formed.
  • the protruding portion 12j is positioned so that the water-repellent film body 24 is not displaced in the lateral direction, and also functions as a guide for smooth entry of the peripheral surface portion 28b of the cap 28.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of each member provided in the air flow rate control unit 20.
  • the valve body 22 is a substantially disk-shaped flat plate made of an elastic material in which a plurality of micropores communicate with each other, and is configured by using a material such as polyurethane as a compressed porous body.
  • valve body 22 In the normal state where there is no pressure difference between the inside 13 and the outside of the ink storage unit 10, the valve body 22 is blocked from air permeability and does not enter and exit air, but if a pressure difference greater than a predetermined value occurs, It is extended by minute elastic deformation, which causes the micropores to be expanded and air permeability is generated, so that air flows from the high pressure side to the low pressure side, so that the function of controlling the air flow rate is exhibited. It is configured.
  • the air flow rate control unit 20 changes the amount of air passing through the plurality of fine holes of the valve body 22 according to the pressure difference between the outside and the inside 13 of the ink storage unit 10, and this change causes ink storage from the outside. It has a function of controlling the air flow rate to the inside 13 of the unit 10.
  • the material and structure of the valve body 22 are not particularly limited, and the valve body 22 disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-277777 or a commercially available product can be used.
  • the valve body 22 is a compression body so as not to be breathable when compressed.
  • the communicating porous body made of an elastic material is compressed until air permeability is lost, and the compressed porous body is formed so that the air flow rate control function can be exerted more.
  • a large number of irregular spaces formed by smashing and folding the elastic body constituting the communicating porous body are formed inside, but in the compressed state, the air permeability is lost.
  • the compressed porous body 22 since a large number of irregular spaces formed in the compressed porous body communicate with each other, when a pressure difference between the inside and outside occurs, the space is compressed from the outside due to a pressure difference greater than a predetermined pressure generated by the extension of the valve body 22.
  • Air is pushed into the inside of the porous body, and the air deforms the valve body while expanding the air holes connecting the networked space in the compressed porous body, so that the opposite side of the compressed porous body, that is, the ink reservoir.
  • air permeability is produced.
  • This air flow rate is determined by the ease of passage of the space networked in the compressed porous body. Therefore, when the pressure difference is large, the valve body 22 extends greatly, and the air is passed through the space networked in the compressed porous body. Becomes easier to pass, and the air flow becomes larger. On the other hand, when the pressure difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined pressure difference and the pressure difference is small, the valve element 22 extends small, the amount of air passing through the space networked in the compressed porous body is reduced, and the air flow rate is reduced. When the pressure difference decreases due to ventilation by the valve body 22, the valve body 22 also contracts, and the ventilation amount decreases.
  • the valve body 22 is compressed again, so that the air permeability of the valve body 22 is lost.
  • the air flow amount also depends on the magnitude of the atmospheric pressure difference, it is possible to quickly and appropriately adjust the atmospheric pressure within the ink storage unit 10 to be constant.
  • the degree of the pressure difference between the outside (atmosphere) and the inside of the ink storage unit 10 may be determined by appropriately selecting the degree of communication, the degree of compression, etc. For example, when the pressure difference is 20 mmH 2 O or less, there is no air permeability, and when the pressure difference is 20 mmH 2 O or more, the air pressure difference is preferably compressed so as to have air permeability.
  • the elastic material constituting the valve element 22 is sufficient if it has a plurality of micropores and passes through the micropores in a stretched state, and examples thereof include polypropylene, various rubbers, and various elastomers.
  • a rubber and / or plastic raw material is mixed with an inert gas, a decomposable foaming agent, and a volatile organic liquid, and foam is formed by forming bubbles inside to form a continuous pore.
  • a rubber / plastic raw material in which inorganic particles such as calcium carbonate are kneaded and formed into a plate shape, and then the inorganic particles are eluted to form continuous pores.
  • elastic rubber As raw materials, elastic rubber, natural rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, neoprene rubber, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene, polystyrene, polyamide, polyurethane, silicone resin, epoxy resin, phenol resin , Urea resin, fluorine resin, etc. It is. Among these, ether-based polyurethane resins and the like are preferable in view of durability against liquids, ease of formation of a continuous porous body, productivity, and the like.
  • the elastic material constituting the valve body 22 is stretched when a pressure difference acts, and the pressure difference decreases when ventilating, and finally returns to the original state, and even when there is no ventilation, the first compressed state without air permeability is always present Is preferably maintained.
  • the compression set is preferably excellent in compression set characteristics.
  • the compression rate is preferably 5% or more and 40% or less of the thickness of the material before compression, and thus, when the pressure difference is less than a predetermined value, it is easy to be surely blocked.
  • the water repellent film body 24 is a substantially disc-shaped flat plate made of a water repellent material having air permeability.
  • a breathable water-repellent material is used as the material of the water-repellent film body 24, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the ink component is prevented from contacting the waterproof material and the valve body 22.
  • a material having a large critical surface tension may be used.
  • the air permeability may not be necessary when the membrane does not block the entire conduction port 12g and at least a part thereof penetrates.
  • the water-repellent material used in the present embodiment may be a material that itself has air permeability.
  • a water repellent material having a critical surface tension of 25 dyn / cm or less is preferable.
  • various resin films and inorganic films are used, and fluororesin, fluororubber, and the like can be preferably used, and Teflon (registered trademark), that is, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is more preferable. It is.
  • the water repellent film body 24 has a plurality of fine holes communicating in consideration of air permeability, and the diameter of the plurality of fine holes is preferably 5 ⁇ m or less, more preferably 0.1 ⁇ m or less.
  • the water repellent film body 24, like the valve body 10, is normally air-tight and there is very little air flow between the inside 13 and the outside of the ink storage unit 10, and the air flow is very small.
  • air permeability is induced through the fine holes, and air flows from the high pressure side to the low pressure side, so that the function of controlling the air flow rate is exhibited. It is possible to
  • the valve body 10 when the water repellent film body 24 exhibits the air flow rate control function, the valve body 10 can be omitted, and the air flow rate control unit 20 is configured more compactly.
  • the ability of the water repellent film body 24 to control the air flow rate (that is, the ability to generate a pressure difference) is estimated to be small compared to the valve body 10, but in particular, as in the present embodiment, the ink control mechanism 60. Is provided inside the ink storage unit 10 to mechanically generate a pressure difference, the air flow rate control unit 20 only needs to compensate for the shortage, and therefore the air flow rate control capability can be reduced. become. As a result, the air flow rate control unit 20 can be configured with only the water repellent film body 24.
  • the pressing ring 26 is a so-called donut-shaped flat plate in which a through hole 26a having a substantially circular cross section is formed at the center of a substantially circular flat plate.
  • an air layer 29 (see FIG. 2) is formed between the water repellent film body 24 and the valve body 22 by forming the pressing ring 26 into a donut shape. This air layer is preferable because the air layer 29 is present even if it passes through the water-repellent film body 24, so that the ink M stored in the ink storage unit 10 can be prevented from reaching the valve body 22.
  • the so-called donut-shaped pressing ring 26 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a structure capable of forming the air layer 29 can be used instead. That is, any member shape and arrangement that can form an air layer between the water repellent film body 24 and the valve body 22 can be substituted.
  • the hollow substantially disk-shaped pressing ring 26 since the valve body 22 is pressed uniformly, it is preferable to use the hollow substantially disk-shaped pressing ring 26.
  • the pressing ring 26 is formed of a metal as a material in the present embodiment. As a result, the smoothness of the upper and lower surfaces of the pressure ring 26 is increased, and a uniform surface pressure acts on the valve body 22 and the water repellent film body 24 to increase the close contact between the contact surfaces, thereby leaking ink. It is possible to prevent.
  • the cap 28 is formed of a resin material having an appropriate rigidity, and includes a disk-shaped ceiling portion 28a and a cylindrical peripheral surface portion 28b extending in the axial direction from the periphery thereof.
  • the ceiling portion 28a is formed with an annular valve body seating portion 28c having a flat surface at a position facing the water repellent film body seating portion 12f (the lower surface in the figure), and the valve body seating portion 28c includes three pieces.
  • a vent hole 28d is provided.
  • the corners on the inside of the ceiling portion 28 a and the peripheral surface portion 28 b of the cap 28, in other words, the peripheral edge on the lower surface side of the ceiling portion 28 a (the root on the inner peripheral side of the peripheral surface portion 28 b) are formed thin.
  • An elastic hinge P is provided.
  • the peripheral surface portion 28b is easily elastically deformed with the hinge P existing near the outside of the circular protrusion 28f forming the valve body seating portion 28c as a base point.
  • the lower end of the peripheral surface portion 28b is formed so as to be in contact with the lower end receiving portion 12i.
  • the lower end abuts on the lower end receiving portion 12i, thereby restricting the pushing amount of the cap 28 to a certain level and avoiding the air flow control portion 20 from being forcibly compressed. That is, the lower end of the peripheral surface portion 28a functions as a stopper that temporarily comes into contact with the lower end receiving portion 12i when the cap 28 is attached to the recess 12e. As a result, it is possible to prevent an overload from acting on the valve body 22 and the water repellent film body 24 at the time of assembly, and the function of the air flow rate control unit 20 from being deteriorated.
  • the cap 28 is urged upward by the restoring force of the valve body 22 and the water repellent film body 24, and there is a slight gap between the lower end of the peripheral surface portion 28a of the cap 28 and the lower end receiving portion 12i. Gaps are formed. In this way, when the cap 28 is attached to the recess 12e, the valve body 22, the pressing ring 26, and the water repellent film body 24 are attached to the valve body seating portion 28c of the cap 28 and the water repellent film body seating of the recess 12e. It can be held between the portions 12h with an appropriate pressure.
  • the air flow rate control unit 20 is made elastically deformable, so that the communicating porous valve body 22 can perform positive and negative bidirectional air exchange with the outside in accordance with a change in the internal pressure of the ink storage unit.
  • the pressure ring 26 is disposed so as to contact the ink M side
  • the water repellent film body 24 is disposed so as to contact the ink M side of the pressure ring 26.
  • a gap for elastic deformation of the valve body 22 is formed on both outer sides of the valve body 22 in the air passage direction, and the water repellent film body 24, the pressing ring 26, and the valve body 22 are held under pressure. It becomes.
  • the ink discharge control unit 30 includes a cylindrical protruding portion 31 that protrudes outward (downward in the drawing) on the bottom surface of the main body portion 11, and an inner side ( A cylindrical cylinder 34 is formed so as to project upward (upward in the figure).
  • An insertion hole 15 having a circular cross section is formed inside the protrusion 31.
  • the insertion hole 15 has an inverted mortar shape that decreases as it advances toward the cylinder 34.
  • a guide hole 34 a is formed inside the cylinder 34.
  • the insertion hole 15 and the guide hole 34a are continuous in a coaxial state.
  • a moving valve 33 is disposed inside the insertion hole 15 and the guide hole 34a. Since the movement valve 33 has a gap (play) between the insertion hole 15 and the guide hole 34a, the ink supplied through the guide hole 34a is held around the movement valve 33. The moving valve 33 moves along the guide hole 34a on the cylinder 34 side and is guided in the vertical direction.
  • a ring-shaped seal member 32 is provided at the lower end of the insertion hole 15 (projection 31). An opening formed in the seal member 32 is an ink discharge port 32A. Further, a coil spring 35 that urges the moving valve 33 toward the seal member 32 is accommodated in the guide hole 34a on the cylinder 34 side.
  • the upper end of the coil spring 35 is in contact with the bottom of the cylinder 34, and the lower end of the coil spring 35 is engaged with the moving valve 33.
  • the moving valve 33 is positioned in the vicinity of the ink discharge port 32A, is guided in the axial direction by the guide hole 34a, and is always urged toward the seal member 32 by the coil spring 35.
  • the seal member 32 is a substantially cylindrical member and is made of an elastic material such as rubber.
  • the seal member 32 is fixed by being press-fitted into the insertion hole 15.
  • the upper end of the seal member 32 protrudes inward in the radial direction, and the lower end of the moving valve 33 contacts.
  • this contact state is released, and the ink around the movement valve 33 is discharged from the ink discharge port 32A of the seal member 32 to the outside.
  • the contact state is always open. Further, when printing is performed on the printer side, negative pressure is applied from the printer side to the ink ejection control unit 30 to suck the ink M.
  • a valve mechanism 70 is disposed in the vicinity of the upper end of the cylinder 34.
  • the valve mechanism 70 includes an ink suction port 74 disposed in close proximity to the bottom surface of the ink storage unit 10 and an ink outflow path 72 connected to the cylinder 34.
  • the valve in the valve mechanism 70 is opened, and the ink M is sucked up from the ink suction port 74, Ink M is supplied to the ink discharge control unit 30 via the ink outflow path 72.
  • the valve inside the valve mechanism 70 is closed and the supply of the ink M is mechanically cut off.
  • FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view along the horizontal direction of the valve mechanism 70 in the closed state
  • FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view along the vertical direction of the valve mechanism 70 in the closed state.
  • the valve mechanism 70 includes an elastic valve 76, a first case 78, a second case 80, a negative pressure forming space 82, an ink supply space 84, a spring 86, a displacement restricting portion 88, and a blocking portion 90.
  • the elastic valve 76 is a circular thin film made of an elastic material such as silicon, and a holding portion 76A having an annular thickness is formed on the outer peripheral edge, a through hole 76B is formed in the center, and the through hole 76B is surrounded. An annular thick portion 76C is formed.
  • the inner diameter of the through hole 76B is set to 1.5 mm or less, desirably 1.0 mm or less, more preferably 0.8 mm or less. In this embodiment, it is 0.8 mm.
  • the elastic valve 76 has a bent portion 76D formed in the circumferential direction between the holding portion 76A and the thick portion 76C. The bent portion 76D is bent so as to protrude in a U-shaped cross section in the axial direction. Therefore, the elastic valve 76 can expand and contract in the radial direction, and the flexibility at the time of elastic deformation is enhanced.
  • the first case 78 is a substantially circular plate material, and is disposed in parallel with the elastic valve 76 and on the upstream side.
  • An annular first connection protrusion 78A is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the first case 78, and the first connection protrusion 78A engages with a second case 80 described later.
  • An annular first valve fixing projection 78B is formed on the radially inner side of the first connecting projection 78A in the first case 78, and bites into and engages with the holding portion 76A of the elastic valve 76.
  • a blocking portion 90 is formed at the center of the first case 78, that is, at a location facing the through hole 76 ⁇ / b> B of the elastic valve 76.
  • the blocking portion 90 contacts the periphery of the through hole 76B.
  • a space formed by the elastic valve 76 and the first case 78 is defined herein as an ink supply space 84. Accordingly, when the blocking portion 90 and the elastic valve 76 come into contact with each other, the ink supply space 84 and the through hole 76B are blocked, and the supply of the ink M is stopped. On the other hand, when the blocking portion 90 and the elastic valve 76 are separated from each other, the ink supply space 84 and the through hole 76B are communicated, and the ink M is supplied.
  • an ink suction path 78C is formed to suck up the ink M. That is, the ink supply space 84 communicates with the ink storage unit 10 through the ink suction path 78C. As described above, since the ink suction port 74 formed at the lower end of the ink suction path 78C is disposed in close proximity to the bottom surface of the ink storage unit 10, the ink suction port 74 and the ink suction path 78C. The ink M is sucked into the ink supply space 84 via the.
  • the second case 80 is a substantially circular plate material, and is arranged in parallel to the elastic valve 76 and on the downstream side.
  • An annular second connection protrusion 80 ⁇ / b> A is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the second case 80 and engages with the first connection protrusion 78 ⁇ / b> A of the first case 78.
  • An annular second valve fixing protrusion 80B is formed inside the second connecting protrusion 80A in the second case 80 in the radial direction.
  • the peripheral edge of the elastic valve 76 is sandwiched in the circumferential direction by the first valve fixing protrusion 78B of the first case 78 and the second valve fixing protrusion 80B of the second case 80.
  • a displacement restricting portion 88 is formed at the center of the second case 80, that is, at a location facing the through hole 76B of the elastic valve 76, and abuts the periphery of the through hole 76B of the elastic valve 76.
  • the space formed by the elastic valve 76 and the second case 80 is defined as a negative pressure forming space 82.
  • the displacement regulating portion 88 is provided with a spring 86, and the spring 86 biases the thick portion 76 ⁇ / b> C of the elastic valve 76 toward the blocking portion 90 of the first plate 78.
  • the elastic valve 76 When negative pressure is applied to the negative pressure forming space 82, the elastic valve 76 is elastically deformed toward the negative pressure forming space 82 against the bias of the spring 86, and the thick portion 76C is moved toward the second case 80 side. It moves and abuts against the displacement restricting portion 88. As a result, the displacement amount of the thick portion 76C is limited by the displacement restricting portion 88.
  • the ink outflow path 72 connected to the cylinder 34 is formed in the vicinity of the side portion of the second case 80 arranged along the vertical direction. That is, the negative pressure forming space 82 communicates with the cylinder 34 of the ink ejection control unit 30 via the ink outflow path 72.
  • the blocking portion 90 formed on the first plate 78 includes an annular blocking protrusion 90A that protrudes toward the elastic valve 76 side.
  • the blocking protrusion 90A has a partially conical inclined surface 90B whose diameter gradually decreases toward the elastic valve 76 side.
  • the protruding end of the blocking protrusion 90A comes into contact with the elastic valve 76 so as to surround the periphery of the through hole 76B.
  • the pressure of the contact portion is increased by bringing the blocking protrusion 90A into line contact with the elastic valve 76. As a result, the blocking force between the ink supply space 84 and the through hole 76B is increased.
  • the diameter of the protruding end of the blocking protrusion 90A is set to be larger than the inner diameter (0.8 mm) of the through hole 76A, while being set to be substantially equal to or less than the inner diameter of the spring 86.
  • the diameter of the protruding end of the blocking protrusion 90A is set within a range of 0.8 mm to 2.5 mm. In this embodiment, it is set to about 2 mm.
  • the displacement restricting portion 88 formed on the second plate 80 is a circular protrusion that protrudes toward the elastic valve 76 as shown in FIG.
  • the protruding end surface 88E of the displacement restricting portion 88 abuts the through hole 76B and the thick portion 76C of the elastic valve 76, thereby restricting the amount of displacement of the thick portion 76C.
  • the displacement restricting portion 88 is formed with an annular groove 88A, and a range surrounded by the annular groove 88A is a circular central protrusion 88D.
  • the central projection 88D is fitted inside the spring 86.
  • One end of the spring 86 is held.
  • the outer diameter of the thick part 76C of the elastic valve 76 is set slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the spring 86, the thick part 76C is fitted inside the spring 86 so that the other end of the spring 86 is fitted. Is held. That is, the outer diameters of the thick part 76C and the central protrusion 88D are set to be substantially the same.
  • the spring 86 biases the thick portion 76 ⁇ / b> C of the elastic valve 76 toward the shut-off portion 90, so that when the thick portion 76 ⁇ / b> C comes into contact with the shut-off portion 90,
  • the blocking protrusion 90A bites into the thick portion 76C by about 1 mm.
  • the gap between the elastic valve 76 (thick part 76C) and the projecting end face 88E is set to 5 mm or less, preferably 3 mm or less, and is 3 mm here. As shown in FIG.
  • One inner slit 88B extending in the radial direction is formed inside the annular groove 88A of the displacement restricting portion 88.
  • four outer slits 88C extending in the radial direction are formed at intervals of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction on the outer side of the annular groove 88A of the displacement restricting portion 88.
  • the inner slit 88B and the outer slit 88C function as a flow path for the ink M flowing from the through hole 76B of the elastic valve 76 to flow out from the displacement regulating portion 88 to the negative pressure forming space 82 side.
  • the moving valve 33 of the ink discharge control unit 30 is pushed upward.
  • the valve mechanism 70 is in the state shown in FIG. 4, and the thick portion 76 ⁇ / b> C of the elastic valve 76 is displaced toward the blocking portion 90 side by the spring 86, and the ink supply space 84. And the through hole 76B is blocked. As a result, the ink M does not leak out.
  • negative pressure is applied to the ink ejection control unit 30 from the ink jet printer side.
  • This negative pressure is applied to the negative pressure forming space 82 via the ink outflow path 72, and the elastic valve 76 is elastically deformed toward the negative pressure forming space 82 against the force of the spring 86 by this negative pressure.
  • the negative pressure on the negative pressure forming space 82 side is also applied to the ink supply space 84 through the through hole 76B.
  • the ink M in the ink storage unit 10 is sucked into the ink supply space 84 via the ink suction port 74 and the ink suction path 78C, flows into the through hole 76B, and slits 88B and 88C of the displacement regulating unit 88. Then, it is supplied to the negative pressure forming space 82.
  • the ink M is discharged from the ink outflow path 72 to the ink jet printer through the ink discharge control unit 30.
  • the space S above the ink M also becomes negative pressure.
  • the air flow control unit 20 expands the valve body 22 by a slight elastic deformation, and thereby the micropores are expanded and air permeability is caused. Air flows from the higher side to the lower side to control the air flow rate.
  • the desired (rated) pressure difference does not occur, the amount of elastic deformation of the valve body 22 is small, so that air exchange is not performed. That is, the space S above the ink M is basically maintained at a negative pressure by the atmospheric pressure bias of the air flow rate control unit 20.
  • the ink supply path is mechanically opened and closed by the valve mechanism 70, when the ink storage container 100 is not used (when printing is not performed) in the state set in the ink jet printer. Ink leakage can be prevented.
  • the displacement amount of the elastic valve 76 is limited to 5 mm or less, preferably 3 mm or less by the displacement restricting portion 88, so that the open / close response is improved.
  • the elastic valve 76 and the blocking portion 90 are brought into contact with each other by movement of the displacement amount of about 4 mm or less, preferably 2 mm or less, so that the valve can be quickly closed. .
  • the thick portion 76C of the valve mechanism 70 is fitted into the inner periphery of the spring 86, the stability of the thick portion 76C during the opening / closing operation is increased, and the displacement of the thick portion 76C is reduced. As a result, the contact state between the thick portion 76C and the blocking portion 90 and the contact state between the thick portion 76C and the displacement restricting portion 88 are improved, and the reliability of the product can be improved.
  • the elastic valve 76 of the valve mechanism 70 takes time (for example, about one hour). Close gradually while applying. In order to shorten this time as much as possible, it is preferable to increase the force of the spring 86. That is, in the valve mechanism 70, the quick opening and the quick closing are contradictory.
  • the contradiction is resolved by using the air flow rate control unit 20 and the valve mechanism 70 together and reducing the force of the spring 86 as much as possible.
  • the spring 86 set in the valve mechanism 70 urges the elastic valve 76 with a weak force (here, 5 gf) of 3 gf (weight gram) to 20 gf (weight gram) when the elastic valve 76 is closed.
  • the air flow rate control unit 20 maintains the internal pressure of the ink storage container 100 in a minute negative pressure state ( ⁇ 20 mmH 2 O) compared to the atmospheric pressure, and when the pressure difference more than that occurs, it takes time to ventilate. Ensure sex.
  • the elastic valve 76 opens quickly because the biasing force of the spring 86 is relatively weak.
  • negative pressure is continuously applied to the valve mechanism 70 and the amount of ink is reduced, so that the internal pressure of the ink storage container 100 further decreases. Due to this negative pressure, the valve body 22 of the air flow rate control unit 20 has air permeability and takes in air from the outside of the container.
  • the internal pressure of the ink storage container 100 during printing is It continues to decrease and decreases to a negative pressure state of ⁇ 200 mmH 2 O, for example.
  • the air flow rate control unit 20 Even when printing by the ink jet printer is completed, the air flow rate control unit 20 generates a ventilation resistance, so that the internal pressure of the ink storage container 100 is maintained in the vicinity of ⁇ 40 mmH 2 O for a while (this is called a time difference action). . Accordingly, in addition to the restoring force of the spring 86, the negative pressure in the ink storage container 100 attempts to force the elastic valve 76 to return, so that the elastic valve 76 is quickly closed within, for example, 30 minutes. Even after the elastic valve 76 is closed, the internal pressure is maintained at ⁇ 20 mmH 2 O by the bias action of the air flow rate control unit 20, so that the elastic valve 76 opens unexpectedly even if environmental changes or vibrations occur. Can be prevented.
  • the air flow rate control unit 20 and the valve mechanism 70 in this way, it is possible to suppress ink leakage even if one function is lost. For example, even if the elastic valve 76 does not close for some reason, the air flow rate control unit 20 can maintain the inside of the container at a negative pressure, so that ink does not easily leak. Similarly, even if the valve body 22 of the air flow rate control unit 20 is damaged and the inside of the ink storage container 100 is always at atmospheric pressure, the ink hardly leaks because the valve mechanism 70 exists.
  • the ink storage container 100 has a slit 88A (ink flow path) formed in the displacement regulating portion 88 of the valve structure 70, the through hole 76B is used while regulating the displacement amount of the elastic valve 76. Ink can be supplied smoothly. Further, since the inner diameter of the through hole 76B is set to 1 mm or less and the periphery thereof is surrounded by the thick portion 76C, the rigidity of the elastic valve 76 near the through hole 76C is partially increased, and the deformation amount is reduced. Can do. As a result, the contact accuracy when contacting the blocking portion 90 and the displacement restricting portion 88 is increased.
  • the inner diameter of the spring 86 is set to be equal to or larger than the diameter of the blocking protrusion 90A in the blocking portion 90, the spring 86 urges the elastic valve 76 to spread and block Adhesiveness with the protrusion 90A can be improved.
  • the ink M is supplied through the cylinder 34.
  • the present invention is not limited to this.
  • the ink M is supplied from a part different from the cylinder 34. May be.
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the ink storage container 100 according to the second embodiment.
  • the ink storage container 100 is made of a suitable synthetic resin, and as shown in the figure, the flow rate of air is controlled between the ink storage unit 10 that stores the ink M inside and the inside and outside of the ink storage unit 10.
  • an ink control mechanism 60 for controlling the ejection of the ink M stored in the ink storage unit 10.
  • the ink control mechanism 60 includes a valve mechanism 70, an ink absorber 133, an ink flow rate restriction unit 136, and the like.
  • the ink storage unit 10, the air flow rate control unit 20, and the valve mechanism 60 in the second embodiment are the same as the ink storage container shown in the first embodiment. A specific description and illustration are omitted here.
  • the ink control mechanism 60 includes an ink discharge port 132 serving as an opening when ink is discharged to the outside, and ink disposed inside the ink discharge port 132.
  • a support surface 137 that supports the ink absorber 133 from the inside between the body 133 and the ink flow restriction unit 136 and a valve mechanism 70 that is disposed closer to the ink storage unit 10 than the ink flow restriction unit 136 are provided.
  • a cylindrical projecting portion 131 is formed on the bottom surface of the main body 11 so as to project outward (downward in the drawing). Further, on the bottom surface of the main body 11, a cylindrical joint member 134 is disposed so as to project inward (upward in the drawing).
  • An insertion hole 115 having a circular cross section is formed inside the protrusion 131, and the protruding end of the insertion hole 115 serves as an ink discharge port 132.
  • An ink absorber 133 is disposed inside the insertion hole 115.
  • a protrusion 115 ⁇ / b> A that extends radially inward is formed near the ink discharge port 132 in the insertion hole 115, and the protrusion 115 ⁇ / b> A engages with the lower surface of the ink absorber 133. As a result, the ink absorber 133 is prevented from falling off from the ink ejection port 132 side of the insertion hole 115.
  • the joint member 134 is bent upward in an L shape, and an ink passage 134A is formed inside the joint member 134.
  • An ink outflow path 72 of the valve mechanism 70 is connected to the upper end of the ink passage path 134A.
  • the lower end of the ink passage 134A is expanded outward in the radial direction, and the control valve 135 is disposed therein.
  • the inner diameter of the ink passage 134A is set to 1.2 mm.
  • the lower end of the joint member 134 is inserted into the insertion hole 115, and both are engaged with each other.
  • a pair of arm members 140 that are elastically deformed in a plate shape are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the joint member 134 so as to protrude from the pair of receiving members 142 that protrude from the bottom surface of the main body 11. Is engaged. That is, since the joint member 134 is fixed by the three portions of the insertion hole 115 and the pair of receiving members 142, a stable posture can always be maintained. This leads to stabilization of a gap between a valve mechanism 70 described later and the bottom surface of the main body 11.
  • the control valve 135 is a cylindrical member.
  • an ink passage 135A that is continuous with the ink passage 134A of the joint member 134 and an ink control that is continuously formed on the downstream side of the ink passage 135A to further reduce the inner diameter thereof.
  • a path 135B and an expansion space 138 that is continuously formed on the downstream side of the ink control path 135B and expands the inner diameter thereof are formed.
  • the inner diameter of the ink passage 135A is 1.3 mm
  • the inner diameter of the ink control path 135B is 0.5 mm.
  • the ink control path 135B functions as the ink flow rate limiting unit 136, and controls the flow rate of ink supplied to the ink absorber 133 side by suppressing the ink flow rate. As a result, the ink is prevented from leaking out from the ink absorber 133.
  • the inner diameter of the ink control path 135B is set to be smaller than the ejection diameter of the ink ejection port 132.
  • the inner diameter of the ink control path 135B is set within the range of 0.1 mm to 1.2 mm, and more preferably within the range of 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm.
  • the expansion space 138 is configured by a plurality of grooves 135C that spread radially.
  • the groove 135C has a width of 1 mm or more, preferably 2 mm or more.
  • the ink supplied from the ink control path 135B spreads radially by the grooves 135C.
  • the region where the groove 135C is not formed on the lower surface of the control valve 135 constitutes a part of the support surface 137 that supports the ink absorber 133.
  • the lower surface of the joint member 134 also constitutes a part of the support surface 137.
  • the support surface 137 supports at least a region radially inward of the ink absorber 133 in the ink absorber 133.
  • the support surface 137 is a center having a diameter that is two-thirds (2D / 3), preferably one-half diameter (D / 2) of the diameter D of the ink absorber 133. It is configured to support at least a part of the side circular region. In this way, as shown in FIG.
  • the ink absorber 133 is supported from the inside by the support surface 137.
  • the ink absorber 133 is crushed.
  • the density of the portion in contact with the absorption nozzle 50 is locally increased.
  • the ink flow is concentrated on the absorption nozzle 50 side by capillary action.
  • the ink absorber 133 may be an elastic body that can absorb ink, a sponge body, a fiber assembly, or the like, and may be a porous body having a plurality of micropores.
  • the space ratio of the ink absorber 133 is set in the range of 60% to 95%, preferably in the range of 82% to 92%, and actually set to 89%.
  • an elastic body polypropylene, various rubbers, and various elastomers can be used.
  • As an elastic body with fine pores rubber and / or plastic raw materials are mixed with inert gas, decomposable foaming agent, and volatile organic liquid, and bubbles are formed inside to form open pores.
  • Rubber and / or plastic raw materials include natural rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, neoprene rubber, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene, polystyrene, polyamide, polyurethane, silicone resin, and epoxy resin. , Phenol resin, urea resin, fluororesin and the like. Among these, ether-based polyurethane resins and the like are preferable in view of durability against liquids, ease of formation of a continuous porous body, productivity, and the like.
  • the ink absorber 133 is preferably a sheet material having a thickness of 20 mm or less, preferably 10 mm or less, more preferably 5 mm or less. In this way, the ink absorber 133 can be completely accommodated in the insertion hole 115. Even if the ink absorber 133 is configured to be thin as described above, the inside of the ink absorber 133 has an appropriate negative pressure for holding ink due to the synergistic effect of the air flow rate control unit 20 and the valve mechanism 70. Pressure state. Specifically, the inside of the ink absorber 33 has a negative pressure sufficient to prevent ink leakage from the ink absorber 33 in equilibrium with the holding force of the meniscus formed at the tip of the discharge nozzle of the recording head. In addition, the negative pressure is set so as not to hinder the ink ejection operation of the recording head.
  • the negative pressure forming space 82 of the valve mechanism 70 communicates with the ink passing path 134 ⁇ / b> A and the ink control path 135 ⁇ / b> B via the ink outflow path 72. Accordingly, when a negative pressure is applied to the inside of the valve mechanism 70 from the ink passage path 134A side via the ink outflow path 72, the valve in the valve mechanism 70 is opened, and the ink M is sucked up from the ink suction port 74. The ink M is supplied to the ink control mechanism 60 through the ink outflow path 72. On the other hand, when the application of the negative pressure from the ink passage 134A side is stopped, the valve inside the valve mechanism 70 is closed and the supply of the ink M is mechanically cut off.
  • the ink absorber 133 in the ink control mechanism 60 is It is pushed upward by the absorption nozzle 50 on the recording head side.
  • the ink absorber 133 is supported from the inside by the support surface 137, the ink absorber 133 is appropriately crushed, and the ink tends to concentrate and flow toward the absorption nozzle 50 side.
  • the valve mechanism 70 is in the same state as that shown in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment, and the thick portion 76C of the elastic valve 76 is cut off by the spring 86.
  • the ink supply space 84 and the through hole 76B are shut off by being displaced and brought into contact with the 90 side. Further, the ink control path 135B is configured to generate resistance when ink flows. As a result, the ink M does not leak from the ink absorber 133.
  • the negative pressure on the negative pressure forming space 82 side is also applied to the ink supply space 84 through the through hole 76B. Due to the negative pressure, the ink M in the ink storage unit 10 is sucked into the ink supply space 84 via the ink suction port 74 and the ink suction path 78C, flows into the through hole 76B, and slits 88B and 88C of the displacement regulating unit 88. Then, it is supplied to the negative pressure forming space 82. The ink M is discharged to the ink jet printer through the ink outflow path 72, the ink passage path 135A, the ink control path 135B, the expansion space 138, and the ink absorber 133.
  • the space S above the ink M also becomes negative pressure.
  • the air flow control unit 20 expands the valve body 22 by a slight elastic deformation, and thereby the micropores are expanded and air permeability is caused. Air flows from the higher side to the lower side to control the air flow rate.
  • the desired (rated) pressure difference does not occur, the amount of elastic deformation of the valve body 22 is small, so that air exchange is not performed. That is, the space S above the ink M is basically maintained at a negative pressure by the atmospheric pressure bias of the air flow rate control unit 20.
  • the ink supply is appropriately controlled by the ink control mechanism 60.
  • an ink film is formed by impregnating and holding the ink with the ink absorber 33, and the ink flow restricting unit 136 suppresses the ink from flowing from the ink absorber 133 while suppressing the backflow of air from the outside. Suppresses leakage.
  • an expansion space 138 between the ink absorber 133 and the ink flow rate restriction unit 136 it is possible to spread the ink over a wide range of the ink absorber 133 while controlling the flow rate. The situation where the ink film in the absorber 133 is cut is suppressed.
  • the expansion space 138 is radially formed by the grooves 135C, ink can be supplied to the entire ink absorber 133 even with one ink control path 135B.
  • a support surface 137 for supporting the ink absorber 133 from the inside is formed.
  • the support surface 137 supports at least a region radially inward of the ink discharge port 132 in the ink absorber 133.
  • the ink absorber 133 is prevented from being bent inward.
  • the density of the crushed portion can be locally increased.
  • the thickness of the ink absorber 133 is 20 mm or less, preferably 10 mm or less, and more preferably 5 mm or less, the ink absorber 133 is crushed without being bent.
  • the ink control mechanism 60 can prevent ink leakage when not used (when printing is not performed) in a state set in the ink jet printer.
  • the displacement amount of the elastic valve 76 is limited to 5 mm or less, preferably 3 mm or less by the displacement restricting portion 88, so that the open / close response is improved.
  • the elastic valve 76 and the blocking portion 90 are brought into contact with each other by movement of the displacement amount of about 4 mm or less, preferably 2 mm or less, so that the valve can be quickly closed.
  • the expansion space 138 in the ink control mechanism 60 is configured by the radially extending grooves 135C .
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and as illustrated in FIG. An annular groove or a plurality of other recesses may be formed. In short, it is sufficient that ink can be supplied to the ink absorber 133 in a wide range by the expansion space 138.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, for example, as shown in FIG. A plurality of ink control paths 135B may be formed in the valve 135 in a diffused state. In this way, the ink can be supplied directly to the entire ink absorber 133 while controlling the flow rate of the ink without forming the expansion space 138.
  • the present invention can be used as an ink storage container, particularly an ink cartridge for an ink jet printer.

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Abstract

Selon l'invention, pour stabiliser l'alimentation en encre dans un récipient de stockage d'encre, un mécanisme de vanne (70) est disposé à l'intérieur du récipient de stockage d'encre. Le mécanisme de vanne est configuré de façon à comporter : une vanne élastique (76) équipée d'un trou traversant (76B) ; un espace de formation de pression négative (82) disposé sur le côté aval de la vanne élastique (76) ; un espace d'alimentation en encre (84) disposé sur le côté amont de la vanne élastique ; une section d'interruption (90) qui est en contact avec la vanne élastique (76) et qui sépare l'espace d'alimentation en encre (84) vis-à-vis du trou traversant (76B) ; et un ressort (86) qui pousse la vanne élastique (76) à venir en contact avec la section d'interruption (90). Lorsqu'une pression négative est appliquée à l'espace de formation de pression négative (82), la vanne élastique (76) est déplacée sur le côté aval, et la section d'interruption (90) et la vanne élastique (76) se séparent, de telle sorte que de l'encre s'écoule de l'espace d'alimentation en encre (84) à l'espace de formation de pression négative (82) par l'intermédiaire du trou traversant (76B).
PCT/JP2011/059565 2010-04-22 2011-04-18 Mécanisme de vanne, mécanisme de commande d'encre, récipient de stockage d'encre WO2011132651A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN2011800222533A CN102869516A (zh) 2010-04-22 2011-04-18 阀机构、墨水控制机构、墨水贮存容器

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JP2010098403A JP5619469B2 (ja) 2010-04-22 2010-04-22 弁機構、インク貯蔵容器
JP2010-098403 2010-04-22
JP2010275280A JP2012121275A (ja) 2010-12-10 2010-12-10 インク制御機構、インク貯蔵容器
JP2010-275280 2010-12-10

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JP2014117895A (ja) * 2012-12-18 2014-06-30 Brother Ind Ltd インクカートリッジ
JP2014117894A (ja) * 2012-12-18 2014-06-30 Brother Ind Ltd インクカートリッジ

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JP6759150B2 (ja) * 2017-04-28 2020-09-23 キヤノン株式会社 インクジェット記録装置
JP2018192756A (ja) * 2017-05-22 2018-12-06 セイコーエプソン株式会社 弁ユニット、及び、液体噴射装置
CN110715082B (zh) * 2019-09-25 2022-04-15 杭州旗捷科技有限公司 阀组件以及具有其的墨盒

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