JP2003001848A - Inkjet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To prevent ink from leaking from one end of a joint connected to a carriage and dripping. A recording head for recording information on a sheet is provided.
A carriage 22 on which the recording head 21 is mounted and which is reciprocally movable with respect to the sheet;
And an ink tank 27 for storing the ink to be supplied to the ink tank 1. The carriage 22 has a joint 61 that is connected to the carriage 22 when the carriage 22 is moved and supplies ink to the recording head 21, and includes a joint 26 that supplies ink from the ink tank 27 to the carriage 22. An ink absorber 62 for absorbing and holding the remaining ink is provided in the joint 61.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet printer for recording information such as characters and images on a recording medium such as paper or film.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printers for recording information such as characters and images on a recording medium such as paper or film have been known. This type of conventional ink jet printer is provided with a means for generating heat energy as energy used for ejecting liquid ink, for example, as an ink jet recording method, and the heat energy causes a change in ink state. There is a printer equipped with a recording head that adopts the method. Hereinafter, a conventional serial type inkjet printer will be described. For the sake of convenience, paper will be described as a recording medium on which information such as characters and images is recorded.

A conventional ink jet printer is shown in FIG.
, A recording head 221 for recording information on a sheet
And a carriage 222 that supports the recording head 221.
A joint section 226 for supplying ink to the recording head 221 and an ink tank 227 for accommodating ink to be supplied to the recording head 221.

Further, the conventional ink jet printer is
Although not shown, a transport mechanism for transporting the carriage 222, a transport mechanism for transporting a sheet, and a cleaning unit for cleaning the recording head 221 are provided.

The recording head 221 has an electric resistance element for generating heat energy for ejecting the supplied ink. By using the heat energy applied by the electric resistance element, for example, film boiling of the ink is achieved. The ink is ejected by utilizing the growth pressure of the bubbles generated thereby.

The carriage 222 has a joint portion 226.
It has a tank portion 231 that stores the ink supplied from. The tank portion 231 is provided with the storage portions 232 that store, for example, inks of four colors, respectively. An ink absorber 233 for absorbing and holding the ink supplied from the joint portion 226 is provided in each of the storage portions 232 corresponding to the ink of each color. The ink absorber 233 is formed of, for example, a porous body or a fibrous body having a liquid absorbing property, and applies a predetermined negative pressure to the ink in the recording head 221.

Further, each accommodation portion 232 of the carriage 222 is
In order to make the air pressure inside each of the accommodating portions 232 approximately equal to the atmospheric pressure, an ink supply hole 235 for supplying ink to the ink absorber 233 of each of the accommodating portions 232 is provided on the side surface portion facing the joint portion 226. Ventilation holes 236 are provided to ventilate the air.

Further, the carriage 222 is provided in each accommodation portion 23.
2 has an ink supply path 237 for supplying ink to the recording head 221. The ink storage path 237 communicates with each of the storage sections 232 and the recording head 221.

The joint portion 226 is attached to the carriage 222.
The four joints 2 are provided corresponding to the respective accommodating portions 232 of the carriage 2 and supply ink to the carriage 222.
61, a joint case 263 that movably supports the joint 261 and causes ink to flow into the joint 261, and a lead-out tube 264 that leads out the ink from the ink tank 227 to the joint 261.

The joint 261 includes a base portion 266 that causes ink to flow to the carriage 222, and the carriage 222.
Supply connection portion 267 connected to the ink supply hole 235 of
have.

The base portion 266 of the joint 261 is formed in a substantially piston shape, and has a supply connection portion 26 inside.
A hollow portion is formed which communicates with the supply path in 7. The base portion 266 is connected to the hollow portion at the end portion facing the inside of the joint case 263, and is a first portion for leading out the ink.
The outlet 271 is provided.

Further, a discharge valve 272 that can open and close the first discharge port 271 is provided in the hollow portion of the base portion 266. The lead-out valve 272 has a torsion coil spring 273 attached to the base end thereof.
The elastic force of 3 urges the first outlet 271 in the closing direction.

Further, it is possible to prevent the derived ink from leaking out from the sliding surface between the inner peripheral portion of the joint case 263 and the outer peripheral portion of the base portion 266 to the outer peripheral portion of the base portion 266. A ring 274 is attached.

Supply connection 267 of joint 261
Is formed in a substantially tubular shape having a supply passage, and this supply passage communicates with the hollow portion of the base portion 266. The supply connection portion 267 is provided in the ink supply hole 235 of the carriage 222.
One end connected to the ink supply hole 235 is formed to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the ink supply hole 235 and can be inserted into the ink supply hole 235. In addition, a flange-shaped contact portion 268 that contacts the carriage 222 is integrally formed on the outer peripheral portion of one end of the supply connection portion 267 so as to project.

The joint case 263 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the base portion 266 of the joint 261 is supported therein so as to be slidable in the arrow g ₁ and g ₂ directions. Inside the joint case 263, the joint 2
When 61 is moved in the direction of arrow g ₂ which is a direction away from the carriage 222, the base portion 266 of the joint 261 is brought into contact with the stopper portion 284 for restricting the movement.
Are integrally formed.

Further, inside the joint case 263, the joint 261 is provided at a position facing the base portion 266.
A compression coil spring 287 for urging the base portion 266 in the direction of arrow g ₁ is provided. Also, joint case 2
The 63 is provided with a second lead-out port 288 to which one end of the lead-out tube 264 is attached.

One end of the lead-out tube 264 is attached to the second lead-out port 288 of the joint case 263, and a support member 299 for supporting a lead-out needle 298 for leading out the ink from the ink tank 227 is provided at the other end. It is installed. The support member 299 is formed of, for example, a rubber material having elasticity, and the lead-out tube 26.
4 and the lead-out path of the lead-out needle 298 are communicated with each other.
The leading end of the lead-out needle 298 has an ink tank 227 described later.
Is inserted into the ink containing body 303.

For example, four ink tanks 227 are provided for each of four color inks. Each ink tank 22
7 has an accommodating portion 301 whose one end is open, and an ink accommodating body 303 accommodating ink is accommodated in the accommodating portion 301. The ink container 303 is formed in a bag shape with a flexible thin material such as aluminum.

Further, the ink tank 227 is provided with a sealing plug 306 that closes the openings of the ink container 303 and the container 301. The sealing plug 306 is made of, for example, a rubber material having elasticity. Also,
An ink containing body 303 is heat-welded and joined to the inside of the containing portion 301 of the ink tank 227.

In the conventional ink jet printer constructed as described above, the ink drawn from the ink tank 227 is transferred to the carriage 2 via the joint portion 226.
The respective states supplied to the recording heads 221 of 22 will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 20, when ink is supplied to the ink absorber 233 of the carriage 222, the carriage 222 is moved in the arrow g ₂ direction toward the joint portion 226 by the transfer mechanism. When the carriage 222 is further moved in the direction of the arrow g ₂ , the joint 222 is brought into contact with the supply connecting portion 267 so that the carriage 222 comes into the ink supply hole 235 of the carriage 222, as shown in FIG. The tip of the supply connection portion 267 is inserted and connected. In the joint portion 226, the contact portion 268 is brought into contact with the carriage 222 when the supply connection portion 267 is connected to the ink supply hole 235 of the carriage 222.

As shown in FIG. 22, the joint portion 226 to which the carriage 222 is connected has the joint 261 with respect to the joint case 263 as shown by the arrow g _{2 as the} carriage 222 further moves in the arrow g ₂ direction.
It is slid in _two directions. The joint 261 that slides in the direction of the arrow g _{2 with} respect to the joint case 263 includes the base portion 2
66 is moved against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 287 to elastically displace the compression coil spring 287.

At this time, the joint portion 226 has an arrow g.
Base part 266 and joint case 2 which are moved in _two directions
Since the chamber sandwiched by the inner peripheral portion of 63 is compressed and the pressure rises, the outlet valve 272 is opened against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 273. The joint portion 226 is configured such that the outlet valve 272 is opened so that the joint case 63
Inside, the supply path of the supply connection portion 267 is in communication with the ink container 303 in the ink tank 227.

In the joint portion 226, when the outlet valve 272 of the joint 261 is opened, the ink inside flows into the base portion 266 from the first outlet 271 without returning to the ink tank 227. , To the ink absorber 233 of the carriage 222.

Further, the joint 261 is moved to the joint case 263 in the direction of the arrow g ₂ and the base portion 2 is moved.
The movement is stopped by contacting 66 with the stopper portion 284. In addition, the tank portion 23 of the carriage 222
In No. 1, as the ink is supplied from the joint portion 226, the internal air is expelled from the ventilation hole 236 and discharged to the outside.

Next, the carriage 222 is moved in the direction of arrow g ₁ which is the direction away from the joint portion 226 after the ink supply by the joint portion 226 is completed. In the joint portion 226, the elastic force of the compression coil spring 287 is applied to the joint 261 as the carriage 222 moves in the direction of the arrow g ₁ , so that the joint 261 moves toward the joint case 263 with respect to the arrow g _1.
Is moved in the direction.

In the joint portion 226, the pressure inside the joint case 263 decreases in response to the movement of the joint 261 in the direction of the arrow g _{1 with} respect to the joint case 263. Two
71 is closed.

The joint portion 226 is provided on the carriage 222.
Is further moved in the arrow g ₁ direction, the base portion 266 of the joint 261 is moved in the arrow g ₁ direction with respect to the joint case 263 by the urging force of the compression coil spring 287. The joint portion 226 is arranged such that the base portion 2 of the joint 261 with respect to the joint case 263 is in a state in which the first outlet 271 is closed by the outlet valve 272.
Since 66 moves in the direction of the arrow g ₁ , the volume of the interior of the joint case 263 increases, and the pressure inside the joint case 263 decreases and becomes a negative pressure. Therefore, the joint portion 226 is pulled out from the ink container 303 of the ink tank 227 by the suction force by the negative pressure, the lead-out needle 298, the lead-out tube 264, and the second lead-out port 28.
Ink is supplied to the inside of the joint case 263 via the nozzle 8.

The joint portion 226 is as shown in FIG.
Then, the carriage 222 is further indicated by an arrow g. ₁Can move in any direction
And the ink supply hole 235 of the carriage 222,
The connection state of the joint 261 with the supply connection portion 267 is
The carriage 222 is released from the joint 261.
Be separated.

The joint portion 226 is connected to the carriage 222.
Is separated from the joint 261, the joint case 26 is urged by the urging force of the compression coil spring 287.
3, the base portion 266 of the joint 261 is further moved in the direction of the arrow g _{1 and} brought into contact with one end side of the joint case 263, whereby the ink supply is completed.

[0031]

The conventional inkjet printer described above, as shown in FIG.
Even after the ink is supplied from the joint 226 to the carriage 222, the supply connection 267 of the joint 261.
Ink discharged from the ink tank 227 remains in the supply path of the.

Therefore, in the conventional ink jet printer, when the supply connection part 267 of the joint 261 is separated from the carriage 222, the supply connection part 26 is separated.
There is a possibility that ink may leak from the tip of 7 and dripping.

Therefore, the conventional ink jet printer has a problem that the inside of the apparatus is soiled by the ink leaked from the tip of the supply connection portion 267 of the joint 261. In addition, there is a problem in that the user's hand or the like is contaminated when the user accidentally touches the part where the leaked ink is attached, by the user.

Further, the conventional ink jet printer is
When the leaked ink causes clogging of the ink at the tip of the supply connection portion 267 of the joint 261, the ink may not be properly supplied to the carriage 222.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet printer which can prevent ink from leaking out from one end of a joint portion.

[0036]

In order to achieve the above object, an ink jet printer according to the present invention has a recording head for recording information on a recording medium and a reciprocating movement of the recording head on which the recording head is mounted. A carriage that can be provided and an ink tank that stores ink to be supplied to the recording head are provided. In addition, this inkjet printer has a joint that is connected to the carriage when the carriage is moved to supply ink to the recording head, and includes an ink supply unit that supplies the ink in the ink tank to the carriage. And in the joint,
An ink absorber that absorbs and holds the remaining ink is provided.

According to the ink jet printer constructed as described above, the ink absorber provided in the joint absorbs and holds the ink remaining in the joint by the suction force of the ink absorber due to the capillary phenomenon. . Therefore, according to this inkjet printer,
Ink is prevented from leaking from the tip of the joint and dripping.

Further, the urging means included in the ink jet printer according to the present invention preferably has an elastic member integrally provided in the main tank, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0039]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings of a serial type ink jet printer.

The ink jet printer of this embodiment is
Among the inkjet recording methods, in particular, a recording head equipped with a means for generating thermal energy as energy used for ejecting liquid ink and adopting a method of causing a change in ink state by the thermal energy is mounted. It is a printer. By using this method, it is possible to achieve high density and high definition of recorded characters and images. In particular, in the present embodiment, a heating resistance element is used as a means for generating thermal energy, and the ink is ejected by utilizing the pressure of bubbles generated when the ink is heated by the heating resistance element to cause film boiling. The method for ejecting ink is not limited to the method using a heating resistance element, and mechanical vibration is applied to ink by using an electromechanical conversion element such as a piezo element, and the pressure due to this vibration is used. A method of ejecting ink may be adopted.

In the ink jet printer according to the present invention, paper is used as a recording medium on which information such as characters and images is recorded for the sake of convenience. For example, other sheet material such as film or three-dimensional curved surface is used. Of course, it may be adapted to be recorded.

First, the external appearance of the ink jet printer according to the present invention will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, an inkjet printer includes a case 6 having a bottomed box shape that covers a main body for recording information on paper, and the case 6.
And a cover member 7 that can be opened and closed.

A paper feed port 11 for feeding paper is provided on the front surface of the case 6. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a paper ejection port 12 for ejecting the paper is provided on the back surface of the case 6. The cover member 7, as shown in FIG.
It is formed in a substantially quadrangular flat plate shape. Cover member 7
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a pair of hinge portions 14 rotatably supported on the rear surface of the case 6 in the arrow a ₁ direction and the a ₂ direction are integrally formed at one side end portion thereof. Has been done.
The hinge portion 14 is rotatably supported by a bearing portion 16 provided on the case 6 via a rotation support shaft 15. Further, at the other end of the cover member 7, as shown in FIG.
Engaging claws 17 that are engaged with the case 6 are provided. The cover member 7 is maintained in the closed state with respect to the case 6 by the engagement claw 17 engaging with the engagement recess 18 provided in the case 6.

Next, the main body of the ink jet printer will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7, the main body of the inkjet printer transports the recording head 21 for recording information on a sheet, a carriage 22 for supporting the recording head 21, and the carriage 22. A transport mechanism 23 and a transport mechanism 24 that transports a sheet are provided.

The main body of the ink jet printer is
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, a joint part 26 for supplying ink to the recording head 21, an ink tank 27 for containing ink to be supplied to the recording head 21, and a cleaning part 28 for cleaning the recording head 21. Is equipped with.

The recording head 21 is disposed adjacent to the paper transport path, and has an ejection port (not shown) for ejecting ink at a position facing the paper transport path. The recording head 21 has an electric resistance element (not shown) that generates thermal energy for ejecting the supplied ink. The recording head 21 ejects ink by, for example, film boiling by using thermal energy applied by an electric resistance element.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the carriage 22 has a tank portion 31 for containing the ink supplied from the joint portion 26. In this tank portion 31, for example, 4 of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black are provided.
Each containing portion 32 for containing each color ink is provided separated by a partition wall. An ink absorber 33 for absorbing and holding the ink supplied from the joint portion 26 is provided in each of the storage portions 32 of the tank portion 31 corresponding to each color of ink. The ink absorber 33 is formed of, for example, a porous body or a fibrous body having a liquid absorbing property, and applies a predetermined negative pressure to the ink inside the recording head 21.

Further, in each of the accommodating portions 32 of the carriage 22, the accommodating portions 3 are provided on the side surface portion facing the joint portion 26.
An ink supply hole 35 for supplying ink to the second ink absorber 33 and a vent hole 36 for venting to make the atmospheric pressure in each of the accommodating portions 32 substantially equal to the external atmospheric pressure are provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the carriage 22 has an ink supply passage 37 for supplying ink from each accommodating portion 32 to the recording head 21, and the ink supply passage 3
Each of the accommodating portions 32 and the recording head 21 are communicated with each other via 7. Further, the carriage 22 is provided with a connecting portion 34 that is fixed and connected to a timing belt 43, which will be described later, of the transfer mechanism 23. In addition, the carriage 22 has
A bearing 38 and a guide recess 39, which are movably supported by the transfer mechanism 23, are provided.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the transfer mechanism 23 includes a main scanning motor 40 for scanning the carriage 22 in the directions of arrows b ₁ and b ₂ in FIG. 4, and the main scanning motor 40. First pulley 41 driven to rotate
And a timing belt 43 driven by the first pulley 41, and a second pulley 42 movably supporting the timing belt 43.

The main scanning motor 40 comprises a chassis 45 of the main body.
The pinion provided on the rotary shaft is meshed with the first pulley 41. Although not shown, the first and second pulleys 42 have gears meshed with the timing belt 43, and are rotatably supported via a support shaft fixed to the chassis 45.

The timing belt 43 is not shown,
A gear portion is provided over the inner peripheral side, and the gear portion is engaged with the gears of the first and second pulleys 41, 42 so that the first and second pulleys 41, 42
It is provided by being hung on 42. The timing belt 43 is fixed to the connecting portion 34 of the carriage 22 and moves integrally with the carriage 22.

The transfer mechanism 23, as shown in FIG. 6, includes a main shaft 47 for movably supporting the carriage 22,
An auxiliary shaft 48 for guiding the carriage 22 that moves in the axial direction of the main shaft 47 is provided. Main shaft 47 and counter shaft 48
Are parallel to the main scanning direction, which is the moving direction of the recording head 21, and both ends are supported by the chassis 45. The main shaft 47 is movably inserted into a shaft hole of the bearing portion 38 of the carriage 22. A guide recess 39 of the carriage 22 is movably engaged with the sub shaft 48. Therefore, the carriage 22 is
And is moved in the directions of the arrows b ₁ and b ₂ across the auxiliary shaft 48.

The transfer mechanism 23 constructed as described above is
When the main scanning motor 40 is rotationally driven, the first pulley 41 is rotated, and the timing belt 43 is driven as the first pulley 41 is rotated.
By driving the timing belt 43, the carriage 22 is transported in the directions of the arrows b ₁ and b ₂ .

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, the transport mechanism 24 is in the direction of arrow c in FIG. 7 which intersects the main scanning direction of the recording head 21, that is, in the sub-scanning direction, which is the sheet transport direction. A pair of paper feed side guide plates 51 and 52 for guiding the fed paper, and the recording head 21 from the paper feed port 11.
A pair of paper feed side rollers 53 and a paper feed side driven roller 54 that conveys the paper to the side, a platen 55 that supports the paper recorded by the recording head 21, and the paper is conveyed from the recording head 21 side to the paper discharge port 12. A pair of discharge side rollers 56
Further, it is provided with a paper discharge side driven roller 57 and a pair of paper discharge side guide plates 58 and 59 for guiding the discharged paper.

The paper feed side guide plates 51, 52 are arranged at positions adjacent to the paper feed port 11 with their main surfaces parallel to the conveyance direction. Both ends of the sheet feeding side roller 53 and the sheet feeding side driven roller 54 are fixed to a pair of rotating shafts rotatably supported by the chassis 45, and are arranged to face each other. The platen 55 is formed in a flat plate shape and is arranged so as to face the recording head 21. Both ends of the paper discharge side roller 56 and the paper discharge side driven roller 57 are fixed to a pair of rotation shafts rotatably supported by the chassis 45, and are arranged to face each other. The discharge-side guide plates 58, 59 are arranged at positions adjacent to the discharge port 12 with their main surfaces parallel to the transport direction.

The transport mechanism 24 constructed as described above is
The paper fed from the paper feed port 11 is fed by the paper feed side guide plate 5
It is passed between the first and second rollers 52 and 52, and is conveyed to the platen 55 side by the sheet feeding side roller 53 and the sheet feeding side driven roller 54.
The sheet to be conveyed is placed on the platen 55,
Information such as a desired image is recorded by ejecting the ink. In the transport mechanism 24, the sheet on the platen 55 is transported to the sheet discharge side guide plates 58 and 59 by the sheet discharge side roller 56 and the sheet discharge side driven roller 57, and is discharged between the sheet discharge side guide plates 58 and 59. And is discharged from the paper discharge port 12.

Four joint parts 26 are provided corresponding to each accommodating part 32 of the carriage 22, and as shown in FIGS. 4, 8 and 9, a joint 61 for supplying ink to the carriage 22. , This joint 61
An ink absorber 62 that absorbs the ink remaining inside, a joint case 63 that movably supports the joint 61 and causes the ink to flow to the joint 61, and a lead-out tube that leads the ink from the ink tank 27 to the joint 61. And 64.

The joint 61 includes a base portion 66 for flowing ink to the carriage 22, a supply connection portion 67 connected to the ink supply hole 35 of the carriage 22, and a ventilation connection connected to the ventilation hole 36 of the carriage 22. And a portion 68.

The base portion 66 of the joint 61 is formed in a substantially piston shape, and a hollow portion communicating with the supply passage in the supply connection portion 67 is formed inside. Base part 6
Reference numeral 6 denotes a first outlet port 7 that communicates with the hollow portion at an end portion facing the inside of the joint case 63 and leads out ink.
1 is provided.

A first outlet valve 72 for opening and closing the first outlet 71 is provided in the hollow portion of the base 66. A torsion coil spring 73 is attached to the base end of the first outlet valve 72.
The elastic force of 3 urges the first outlet 71 in a direction to close the first outlet 71.

Further, on the outer peripheral portion of the base portion 66, the derived ink is filled with the inner peripheral portion of the joint case 63 and the base portion 6.
An O-ring 74 is attached to prevent the fluid from leaking out from the sliding surface of the outer peripheral portion 6 and the outflow.

The supply connecting portion 67 of the joint 61 is formed in a substantially tubular shape having a supply passage, and this supply passage communicates with the hollow portion of the base portion 66. Supply connection 67
The one end of the carriage 22 connected to the ink supply hole 35 is formed to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the ink supply hole 35, and can be inserted into the ink supply hole 35.

Further, the supply connecting portion 67 is connected to the carriage 2
At one end connected to the second ink supply hole 35, a supply cap 75 that is brought into contact with the peripheral portion of the ink supply hole 35 is attached. The supply cap 75 is formed of, for example, a rubber material having elasticity, and when the supply connection portion 67 is connected to the ink supply hole 35 of the carriage 22, the tip end side is elastically displaced to hermetically seal the connection portion. Sex is secured.

The ventilation connecting portion 68 of the joint 61 is formed in a substantially tubular shape having a ventilation passage, and the ventilation passage is parallel to the supply passage of the supply connecting portion 67, and the supply connecting portion 67 is provided.
Is integrally formed via a connecting column 77. The ventilation connecting portion 68 is open at both ends of the ventilation passage, and is located in the vicinity of the opening on the one end side facing the ventilation hole of the carriage 22,
A first exhaust port 78 for discharging the air in the carriage 22 is provided. An exhaust valve 79 is provided at the first exhaust port 78 so that it can be opened and closed. The exhaust valve 79 is
It is urged by its own weight in the direction of closing the first exhaust port 78. Further, the ventilation connecting portion 68 is provided with a second exhaust port 81 located on the other end side of the ventilation path from the first exhaust port 78 for discharging the air in the ventilation path.

Further, the ventilation connecting portion 68 is provided in the carriage 2
At one end connected to the second ventilation hole 36, a ventilation cap 76 that is brought into contact with the peripheral portion of the ventilation hole 36 is attached. The ventilation cap 76 is formed of, for example, a rubber material having elasticity, and when the ventilation connection portion 68 is connected to the ventilation hole of the carriage 22, the tip end side is elastically displaced so that the airtightness of the connection portion is improved. Has been secured.

Further, in the ventilation passage of the ventilation connecting portion 68,
Air leaks from the sliding surface between the outer peripheral portion of the ventilation shaft 96, which will be described later, provided in the joint case 63 and the inner peripheral portion of the ventilation passage, which is located between the first and second exhaust ports 78 and 81. An O-ring 82 is attached to prevent it from flowing out.

The ink absorber 62 is made of, for example, a porous body or a fibrous body having a liquid absorbing property.
The supply path of the supply connection part 67 of the joint 61 and the base part 6
6 is provided so as to be filled over a part of the hollow portion. According to the ink absorber 62, after the ink is supplied from the ink supply hole 35 of the carriage 22, the ink remaining in the supply passage of the supply connection part 67 is absorbed and held, so that the supply connection part is provided. Ink is prevented from leaking from the end of 67 and dripping.

The joint case 63 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the base portion 66 of the joint 61 is shown in the arrow b inside.
_It is slidably supported in ₁ direction and b ₂ direction. Inside the joint case 63, when the joint 61 is moved in the direction of the arrow b ₂ which is a direction away from the carriage 22, a base portion 66 of the joint 61 is abutted and a stopper portion 84 for restricting the movement is provided. It is formed integrally.

Further, inside the joint case 63,
At a position facing the first outlet 71 of the joint 61,
A valve actuating shaft 86 for opening the first outlet valve 72 is provided. The valve operating shaft 86 is formed in parallel with the moving direction of the base portion 66 of the joint 61, and can be inserted into the first outlet 71.

Further, inside the joint case 63,
A compression coil spring 87 which is located on the outer peripheral portion of the valve operating shaft 86 and biases the base portion 66 of the joint 61 in the direction of arrow b _1.
Is provided.

The joint case 63 is provided with a second lead-out port 88 to which one end of the lead-out tube 64 is attached, and a second lead-out valve 89 for opening and closing the second lead-out port 88 is provided. Has been. This second outlet valve 8
9, a torsion coil spring 91 is attached to the base end portion thereof, and the elastic force of the torsion coil spring 91 urges the second extraction port 88 in a closing direction. Further, the second lead-out valve 89 is provided with an abutting piece 92 with which the base portion 66 of the joint 61 is abutted so as to project inside the joint case 63.

Further, the base portion 66 of the joint 61 is
At the position corresponding to the contact piece 92 of the second outlet valve 89, the second
A valve actuating pin 94 for opening the outlet valve 89 is integrally formed. The valve actuating pin 94 is provided for the second outlet valve 8 when the base portion 66 of the joint 61 moves in the direction of arrow b _2.
It is formed in a length sufficient for opening the second outlet valve 89 by being brought into contact with the abutting piece 92 of No. 9.

On the outer peripheral portion of the joint case 63, a ventilation portion having a ventilation shaft 96 which is inserted into the ventilation passage of the ventilation connecting portion 68 of the joint 61 is integrally formed. The ventilation shaft 96 is formed such that its axial direction is parallel to the moving direction of the joint 61, and with the joint 61 moved in the direction of arrow b _{1 with} respect to the joint case 63,
The tip is formed to have a length such that a state in which the tip is inserted into the ventilation passage of the ventilation connecting portion 68 is maintained. The ventilation shaft 96
Has a tip formed to have a length sufficient to close the second exhaust port 81 in a state where the joint 61 is moved with respect to the joint case 63 and is in contact with the stopper portion 84.

One end of the lead-out tube 64 is attached to the second lead-out port 88 of the joint case 63, and a support member 99 for supporting a lead-out needle 98 for leading out the ink from the ink tank 27 is provided at the other end. It is installed. The support member 99 is formed of, for example, a rubber material having elasticity, and connects the lead-out passage of the lead-out tube 64 and the lead-out passage of the lead-out needle 98. The lead-out needle 98 is
The tip is inserted into the ink container 103 by penetrating a sealing plug 106 of the ink tank 27 described later.

The ink tank 27 is, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the ink tank loading port 1 provided in the case 6.
For example, four ink-jet printers are provided at positions corresponding to 00 according to inks of four colors. Each of the ink tanks 27 has a storage portion 101 whose one end is open.
An ink container 103 containing ink is housed in a position adjacent to the opening 102 inside. Ink container 1
Reference numeral 03 denotes a bag formed of a flexible thin material such as aluminum, and has an ink supply port 104 for supplying the contained ink. Ink container 1
In No. 03, the ink supply port 104 is aligned with the opening 102 of the storage unit 101 of the ink tank 27, and is heat-welded and joined in the storage unit 101.

Further, the ink tank 27 is provided with a sealing plug 106 for closing the ink supply port 104 of the ink container 103 and the opening 102 of the container 101. The sealing plug 106 is made of, for example, a rubber material having elasticity. Further, the ink tank 27 is provided with a tension coil spring 107 that urges the ink container 103 to expand. One end of the tension coil spring 107 has an accommodating portion 101 of the ink tank 27.
A latching piece 10 that is latched on a latching piece 108 that is integrally formed inside and that has the other end formed on the ink container 103.
It is hooked at 9. This tension coil spring 107
Is set such that the urging force is slightly smaller than the suction force generated by the ink absorber 33 of the carriage 22 due to the capillary phenomenon.

The cleaning section 28 is disposed at a position facing the recording head 21, and is shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.
As shown in FIG. 5, a wiper member 111 for recovering the ink clogging of the recording head 21 on which recording is performed, a preliminary ejection container 112 for receiving the ink preliminarily ejected by the recording head 21, and the recording head 21. Is provided with a cap 113 for cleaning and preventing drying.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the wiper member 111 is formed in a windmill shape having a plurality of wiper pieces 115 radially provided on the rotation shaft. The wiper member 111 is provided in a bottomed box-shaped wiper case 116.
It is rotatably supported and stored via a rotary shaft.
The wiper case 116 is supported by a support plate 118 attached to the side plate 45a of the chassis 45.

The preliminary discharge container 112 is the wiper member 11.
1 is provided so as to be supported by the support plate 118 at a position adjacent to 1. The preliminary ejection container 112 is formed in a box shape with a bottom, and has an opening at a position facing the recording head 21. In order to stabilize the ejection characteristics of the recording head 21, the preliminary ejection container 112 is moved by the transfer mechanism 23 to a position corresponding to the preliminary ejection container 112 before the recording head 21 executes recording. The recording head 21 receives the ink ejected preliminarily. Further, one end of a waste liquid tube 119 for discarding the ink received from the recording head 21 is attached to the bottom of the preliminary ejection container 112, and the ink received via the waste liquid tube 119 is discarded. To be done. At the other end of the waste liquid tube 119, a block-shaped waste ink absorber 120 for absorbing ink discarded from the other end is provided. Therefore, the waste liquid ink absorber 120 absorbs the ink preliminarily ejected from the recording head 21 through the preliminary ejection container 112 and the waste liquid tube 119 without scattering the ink in the main body.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the cap 113 is formed of, for example, an elastic material such as a rubber material, and has a concave portion 121 at its tip end which abuts against the recording head 21.
have. The cap 113 is integrally formed with a suction tube for sucking and removing fine dust and ink having an increased viscosity in a nozzle (not shown) of the recording head 21. The suction tube 122 has a suction path communicating with the recess 121, and this suction path is connected to a suction pump (not shown). Also, the cap 113
Are supported by a drive mechanism (not shown) so as to be movable in a direction of approaching and separating from the recording head 21.

The cleaning section 2 configured as described above
8, each wiper piece 115 of the wiper member 111
Is brought into sliding contact with the recording head 21 to remove the clogging of the recording head 21 and recover it. In addition, the cleaning unit 28
According to this, after the cap 113 is brought into contact with the recording head 21 to make it airtight, the suction pump is operated to suck out fine dust and ink with high viscosity in the nozzles of the recording head 21. To be removed. In addition, the cleaning unit 8 causes the cap 113 to contact the recording head 21 when the recording head 21 is not used,
Is covered by the cap 113, the recording head 2
It is possible to prevent dust and the like from adhering to 1.

With respect to the ink jet printer configured as described above, each state in which the ink derived from the ink tank 27 is supplied to the recording head 21 of the carriage 22 through the joint portion 26 will be described with reference to the drawings.

The ink jet printer includes the recording head 2
When the recording head 21 performs the recording and the recording head 21 is sucked by the cap 113, the ink is supplied to the carriage 22 when a certain amount of the ink in the carriage 22 is used. In the ink jet printer, a detector having a CPU (not shown) detects the amount of ink ejected and the number of times of suction to detect that a fixed amount of ink in the carriage 22 has been used.

As shown in FIG.
When the ink is supplied to the absorber 33, the carriage 22
Is moved toward the joint section 26 by the transfer mechanism 23.
Arrow b ₂Is moved in the direction. Then, the joint portion 26
As shown in FIG. 9, the carriage 22 is connected to the supply connection portion.
67, the carriage 2 is contacted as shown in FIG.
The tip of the supply connection portion 67 is inserted into the second ink supply hole 35.
Entered and connected.

The joint portion 26, when the supply connection portion 67 is connected to the ink supply hole 35 of the carriage 22,
Since one end of the supply cap 75 is brought into contact with the carriage 22 and elastically displaced, the airtightness of the connection portion of the supply connection portion 67 is ensured. Further, in the joint portion 26, when the ventilation connecting portion 68 is connected to the ventilation hole 36 of the carriage 22, one end of the ventilation cap 76 is attached to the carriage 22.
Since it is abutted against and elastically displaced, the airtightness of the connecting portion of the ventilation connecting portion 68 is secured.

The joint portion 26 to which the carriage 22 is connected has a structure as shown in FIG.
There with it to move further in the arrow b ₂ direction, the joint 61 relative to the joint case 63 is slid in the arrow b ₂ direction. In the joint 61 that slides in the direction of the arrow b _{2 with} respect to the joint case 63, the base portion 66 is moved against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 87 to elastically displace the compression coil spring 87.

At this time, the joint portion 26 has an arrow b ₂
Since the chamber sandwiched between the base portion 66 moved in the direction and the inner peripheral portion of the joint case 63 is compressed to increase the pressure, the first outlet valve 72 is opened against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 73. To be done. The joint portion 26 is the joint 6
By opening the first first outlet valve 72, the ink inside does not return to the ink tank 27 and sequentially flows from the first outlet 71 to the inside of the base portion 66 and the ink absorber 62, and the carriage It is supplied to the ink absorber 33 of 22.

Further, the tank portion 31 of the carriage 22 is
As ink is supplied from the joint portion 26, the internal air is expelled from the ventilation hole 36, passes through the ventilation passage of the ventilation connection portion 68 of the joint 61, and then goes outside from the second exhaust port 81. Is discharged.

[0090] joint 26, as shown in FIG. 12, with it the carriage 22 is moved further in the arrow b ₂ direction, since the joint 61 is moved further in the arrow b ₂ direction relative to the joint case 63, Ventilation connection 6
8, the ventilation shaft 96 has a relative arrow b along the ventilation path.
_After moving in _one direction, the second exhaust port 81 is closed by the ventilation shaft 96. The ventilation connecting portion 68 is an O in the ventilation passage.
Since the sliding contact surface between the inner peripheral portion of the ring 82 and the outer peripheral portion of the ventilation shaft 96 is airtight, the ventilation passage between the vicinity of the second exhaust port 81 and the ventilation hole 36 of the carriage 22 is airtight.

Therefore, the tank portion 3 of the carriage 22 is
In the first example, the air expelled from the ventilation hole 36 passes through the ventilation path of the ventilation connecting portion 68, opens the exhaust valve 79, and
The gas is exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port 78 of.

The joint 61, as shown in FIG.
The base portion 66 moved in the direction of the arrow b _{2 with} respect to the joint case 63 is brought into contact with the stopper portion 84, whereby the movement is stopped. At this time, the joint portion 26
The valve operating shaft 86 of the joint case 63 is inserted into the first outlet 71 of the base 66 of the joint 61, and the tip of the valve operating shaft 86 contacts the first outlet valve 72. The first outlet valve 72 ensures the state in which the first outlet 71 is opened.

Further, in the joint portion 26, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, as the base portion 66 of the joint 61 moves in the direction of arrow b ₂ , the valve operating pin 94 of the base portion 66 is moved to the second position. The second outlet valve 89 opens the second outlet 88 by contacting the contact piece 92 of the outlet valve 89.

Therefore, in the joint section 26, the first and second outlet valves 72 and 89 are opened, so that the inside of the joint case 63 and the supply connection section 6 are connected.
The supply path 7 is in communication with the ink container 33 in the carriage 22.

Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the ink that is excessively supplied from the joint portion 26 and is not absorbed by the ink absorber 33 of the carriage 22 is led out from the ink absorber 62 of the joint 61 and the joint case 63. It is collected by backflowing to the ink container 103 of the ink tank 27 through the tube 64 and the lead-out needle 98.
Along with this, in the carriage 22, since the inside of the tank portion 31 is made negative pressure, the ventilation connecting portion 68 of the joint portion 26.
The exhaust valve 79 of the tank part 31 is closed via the first exhaust port 78, the ventilation path of the ventilation connection part 68, and the ventilation hole 36.
No air will flow into it.

Further, the recording head 21 of the carriage 22
Is not sucked into the ink absorber 33 because the ink in the nozzle is held in the nozzle by the capillary phenomenon. The ink absorbed and held in the ink absorber 33 of the carriage 22 is set so that the biasing force of the tension coil spring 107 of the ink tank 27 is slightly smaller than the suction force generated by the capillary phenomenon of the ink absorber 33. Therefore, the ink container 33 of the ink tank 27 is
There is no backflow to.

The carriage 22 is, as shown in FIG.
After the supply of ink by the joint portion 26 is completed, the ink is moved in the direction of the arrow b ₁ which is the direction away from the joint portion 26. In the joint portion 26, the elastic force of the compression coil spring 87 is applied to the base portion 66 of the joint 61 as the carriage 22 moves in the direction of the arrow b ₁ , so that the joint 61 moves toward the joint case 63 in the arrow b direction. Moved in _one direction.

Similarly, in the joint portion 26, the base portion 6 of the joint 61 is moved in response to the movement of the joint 61 in the direction of arrow b _{1 with} respect to the joint case 63.
6, the valve actuating shaft 86 moves relatively to the arrow b ₂ , so that the valve actuating shaft 86 is separated from the first outlet port 71, and the first outlet valve 72 causes the first outlet port 71 to move. Is blocked.

As shown in FIG. 15, the joint portion 26 causes the base portion 66 of the joint 61 to move against the joint case 63 by the urging force of the compression coil spring 87 as the carriage 22 further moves in the direction of arrow b _1. It is moved in the direction of arrow b ₁ . In the joint portion 26, the base portion 66 of the joint 61 moves in the arrow b ₁ direction with respect to the joint case 63 in a state where the first outlet port 72 is closed by the first outlet valve 72. Due to the increase in the volume inside the chamber, the pressure inside the joint case 63 decreases and becomes a negative pressure. Therefore, in the joint portion 26, the second outlet port 88 is opened by the second outlet valve 89 by the suction force of the negative pressure, and the outlet needle 98 from the ink container 103 of the ink tank 27 and the outlet tube. Ink is supplied to the inside of the joint case 63 via 64.

As shown in FIG. 16, the joint portion 26 moves the carriage 22 further in the direction of the arrow b ₁ so that the ink supply hole 35 and the vent hole 36 of the carriage 22 and the supply connection portion 67 of the joint 61. The connection state with the ventilation connecting portion 68 is released, and the carriage 22 is separated from the joint 61.

In the joint portion 26, as the carriage 22 is separated from the joint 61, the base portion 66 of the joint 61 is further moved in the arrow b ₁ direction with respect to the joint case 63 by the urging force of the compression coil spring 87. The ink supply is completed by contacting one end of the joint case 63.

In the joint section 26, after the ink supply to the carriage 22 is completed, the ink remains in the supply connection section 67 and the base section 66 of the joint 61, but this ink is absorbed by the ink absorber 62. Ink is prevented from leaking out and dripping from the end of the supply connecting portion 67.

Further, when recording is not performed, the carriage 22 is positioned at the home position near the joint portion 26 and the ink supply hole 35 is provided, as shown in FIG.
And a supply connecting portion 67 of the joint 61 to the vent hole 36.
The ink in the nozzles of the recording head 21 is dried by connecting the ventilation connecting portion 68 and the cap 113 to the recording head 21 in the direction of arrow d in FIG. Is prevented.

As described above, according to the ink jet printer, since the ink absorber 62 is provided in the supply connection portion 67 of the joint 61 and the base portion 66, after the joint portion 26 supplies the ink to the carriage 22. The ink is prevented from leaking out and dripping from the tip of the supply connection portion 67.

Next, another ink jet printer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Since the other inkjet printers have substantially the same configuration as the inkjet printer described above, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. With respect to another inkjet printer, a state in which the carriage 22 is moving toward the joint portion 26 is shown in FIG.
FIG. 19 shows a state in which 2 is connected to the joint portion 26.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the ink tank 130 provided in another ink jet printer is
For example, the storage portion 131 is made of a resin material.
A spring portion 133 that biases the ink container 103 is integrally formed therein.

The spring portion 133 is formed in an elastic shape by meandering and bending. Spring part 13
3, one end is integrally fixed in the storage portion 131,
On the other end, a hooking claw 134 that is hooked on the hooking piece 109 of the ink container 103 is formed.

The spring portion 133 applies a biasing force in the direction of expanding the ink container 103. Even when the spring portion 133 has a small spring constant and is extended to the longest, the urging force for urging the ink container 103 to pull it is larger than the suction force generated by the ink absorber 103 of the carriage 22 due to the capillary phenomenon. It is set to be slightly smaller.

According to the other ink jet printer described above, as the urging means for urging the ink container 103,
Since the spring portion 133 is integrally formed in the ink tank 130, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0110]

As described above, according to the ink jet printer of the present invention, since the ink in the joint is retained by the suction force of the ink absorber due to the capillary phenomenon, the ink is discharged from one end of the joint connected to the carriage. Can be prevented from dripping. Therefore, according to this inkjet printer, it is possible to prevent the inside of the device from being soiled and the hands of the user from being soiled.

Further, according to the ink jet printer of the present invention, the ink excessively supplied to the carriage from the ink supply means can be collected in the ink tank via the ink supply means, so that the ink is The wasteful supply can be prevented, and the running cost per recording medium can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an inkjet printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the inkjet printer.

FIG. 3 is a right side view showing the inkjet printer.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

5 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 5, showing a state in which the carriage is moved to the left side of the line DD in FIG. 5 and the paper is fed.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the carriage is moving in a direction approaching the joint in order to supply ink.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a carriage is connected to a joint.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the supply cap and the ventilation cap are elastically displaced and brought into close contact with the carriage.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where ink is being supplied from the joint to the carriage.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a ventilation shaft closes a second ventilation port.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the first outlet valve is opened by the valve operating shaft.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the valve operating shaft is separated from the first outlet valve.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where ink is being supplied from the ink tank to the joint portion.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the carriage is separated from the joint.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the carriage is located at the home position and the recording head is covered by the cap.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view shown for explaining another inkjet printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is another inkjet printer as described above,
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where ink is being supplied from the ink tank into the joint case.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a carriage is moving in a direction approaching a joint portion in order to supply ink in a conventional inkjet printer.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the carriage is connected to a joint.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where ink is supplied to the carriage from a joint.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the carriage is separated from a joint.

[Explanation of symbols]

6 cases 7 Cover member 21 recording head 22 carriage 23 Transfer mechanism 24 Transport mechanism 26 Joint part 27 ink tank 28 Cleaning Department 33 Ink absorber 35 ink supply hole 36 Vents 45 chassis 61 joint 62 ink absorber 63 joint case 64 tube for deriving 66 Base part 67 Supply connection 68 Ventilation connection 71 First outlet 72 First outlet valve 75 Supply Cap 76 Ventilation cap 77 connecting pillar 78 First exhaust port 79 Exhaust valve 81 Second exhaust port 84 Stopper 86 valve operating shaft 87 Compression coil spring 89 Second outlet valve 94 valve operating pin 96 ventilation axis 107 tension coil spring

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A recording head for recording information on a recording medium, a carriage on which the recording head is mounted and capable of reciprocating with respect to the recording medium, and an ink tank containing ink to be supplied to the recording head. And an ink supply unit that has a joint connected to the carriage by moving the carriage to supply ink to the recording head, and an ink supply unit that supplies ink from the ink tank to the carriage, An ink jet printer characterized in that an ink absorber that absorbs and retains residual ink is provided in the joint. 2. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the ink supply unit includes a joint support member that movably supports the joint. 3. The joint is provided with a supply connecting portion which is connected to the carriage and has a supply passage for supplying ink, and the ink absorber is provided in the supply passage of the supply connecting portion. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the inkjet printer is provided. 4. The ink jet printer according to claim 3, wherein the joint is provided with a hollow portion communicating with the supply path of the supply connection portion, and the ink absorber is provided in the hollow portion. . 5. The carriage is connected to an ink storage portion for storing ink supplied from the ink supply means and the supply connection portion of the joint to supply ink to the ink storage portion. Ink supply ports are respectively provided, and the supply connection part of the joint or the ink supply port of the carriage has elasticity for airtightly connecting the connection part between the supply connection part and the ink supply port. The inkjet printer according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising a cap having: 6. The carriage is provided with a vent for venting air into the ink containing portion, and the ink supply means is provided with vent means for forcibly venting through the vent. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the inkjet printer is provided. 7. The ventilation means includes a ventilation connection part connected to the ventilation hole of the carriage, and an exhaust port provided in the ventilation connection part for discharging the air in the ink containing part to the outside. The inkjet printer according to claim 6, further comprising: an exhaust valve that is provided so that the exhaust port can be opened and closed. 8. The ink supply unit has a ventilation shaft, which is formed by opening both ends of the ventilation passage of the ventilation connection, and is inserted into the ventilation passage from one end of the ventilation passage, The inkjet printer according to claim 7, further comprising another exhaust port for discharging the air in the ventilation passage to the outside when the ventilation shaft is inserted in the ventilation passage. 9. The ink jet printer according to claim 8, wherein the ink supply unit has a joint support member that movably supports the joint, and the joint support member is integrally provided with the machine shaft. 10. An elastic cap is provided at the ventilation connecting portion of the ink supply unit or at the ventilation opening of the carriage to have an airtight state at a connection portion between the ventilation connecting portion and the ventilation opening. The inkjet printer according to claim 7, wherein the inkjet printer is provided. 11. The ink supply means is located on an ink flow path between the joint portion and the carriage, and a lead-out port provided in the joint, and a lead-out port provided in the joint for opening and closing the lead-out port. The inkjet printer according to claim 2, further comprising a valve and an elastic member that biases the joint in a predetermined direction with respect to the joint support member. 12. The ink jet printer according to claim 11, wherein the joint support member is provided with a valve actuating portion that opens the lead-out valve in accordance with the movement of the joint with respect to the joint support member. 13. The ink supply means is provided at an outlet provided on an ink flow path between the ink supply means and the ink tank, and is provided at the joint support member to open and close the outlet. The inkjet according to claim 2, further comprising a lead-out valve and an operation unit provided in the joint to open and operate the lead-out valve, and the lead-out valve is opened and closed according to movement of the joint with respect to the joint support member. Printer. 14. The ink tank has a flexible ink container that contains ink, and a biasing force that biases the ink container so that the ink in the ink container is led out to the joint portion side. And means.
The inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 13. 15. The ink jet printer according to claim 14, wherein the urging unit includes an elastic member integrally provided in the ink tank. 16. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the recording head has an electrothermal conversion element that generates thermal energy for ejecting ink. 17. The ink jet printer according to claim 16, wherein the recording head ejects ink using film boiling generated by thermal energy of the electrothermal converter.