JP2005343094A - Ink tank holder, ink tank, mounting method thereof, and recording head cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and smoothly mount an ink tank without imposing a burden on a user.
An elevating member H1523 that is movable between an ascending position and a descending position is provided in the vicinity of a communicating portion H1508 of an ink tank holder H1500 coupled to an ink supply port of an ink tank, and an end surface near the communicating portion and A locking portion that locks by engaging with an engaging portion provided in the ink tank in the state where the ink tank is held is provided on the end surface facing this. Here, the ascending position is a position for supporting the ink tank in an inclined posture prior to holding, and the descending position is a position for engaging the ink tank. The relationship between the horizontal width Lt of the ink tank that falls below the connecting line and the interval Lh between the locking portions is set so that Lh> Lt.
[Selection] FIG.

Description

  The present invention is used in an ink jet recording apparatus that performs a recording operation by discharging a liquid such as ink, and an ink tank holder for removably supporting an ink tank containing ink or the like, and is attachable to and detachable from the ink tank holder The present invention relates to an ink tank, a method for mounting the ink tank, and a recording head cartridge having the ink tank holder.

  The ink jet recording apparatus is a so-called non-impact recording apparatus, capable of high-speed recording, recording on various recording media such as paper, plastic sheet, and cloth, and almost no noise during recording. It has the advantage that it does not occur. Therefore, in addition to general printing devices that are connected to image data supply sources such as personal computers, digital cameras, and scanners to form information output terminals, they are integrated into devices such as copiers, facsimiles having communication systems, and word processors. Widely employed in printing apparatuses, and further applied to industrial recording apparatuses (printing apparatuses, printing apparatuses, etc.) combined with various processing apparatuses.

  There are various methods for supplying ink to a recording head applied to such an ink jet recording apparatus. In particular, in a relatively small printing apparatus for personal use or office use, a carriage that carries a printing head and reciprocates (main scan), or an ink for a printing head cartridge that is integrally mounted on the carriage. In many cases, an ink tank is detachably attached to the tank holder, and ink is directly supplied from the ink tank to the recording head.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional example of a recording head cartridge, which corresponds to the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. In this figure, an ink tank holder H150 that detachably holds an ink tank H160 and a recording head portion H1001 having a recording element substrate H1100 having an array of ink discharge ports are integrally configured in a recording head cartridge H100. It has a different form. Further, the recording head cartridge H100 is provided with an electric wiring substrate H1300 having a terminal H1301 for receiving a drive signal and the like for performing an ink ejection operation from an ejection port provided on the recording element substrate H1100 from the recording apparatus main body control unit. It has been.

  2A and 2B are a perspective view and a side sectional view, respectively, showing the recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 1 with the ink tank H160 separated. As shown in FIG. 2B, the ink tank holder H150 to which the ink tank H160 is mounted has an ink flow path H1507 formed therein, and the ink supplied from the ink tank H160 is introduced into the recording element substrate H1100. To do. A filter H1504 is provided in the middle of the flow path H1507 to prevent bubbles or dust mixed in the supplied ink from moving to the discharge port of the recording element substrate.

  An ink communication pipe H1508 'having a communication port H1511 positioned in the ink tank H160 is provided at a connection portion with the ink tank H160. A sealing member H1510 is provided for the communication port H1511 and is biased to a position where the communication port H1511 is closed by a spring H1509, so that the communication port H1511 is closed by the seal member H1510 when the ink tank is not installed. On the other hand, with the mounting operation of the ink tank H160, the communication pipe H1508 ′ is inserted into the ink tank H160, and the communication port H1511 is opened by retreating the seal member H1501 while compressing the spring H1509. Ink communication is performed.

  The ink tank H160 is provided with a supply port H1601 'that receives the entry of the communication pipe H1508' on the bottom surface. The ink tank H160 generally includes an ink storage portion H1608 and a supply portion H1602. The supply unit H1602 ′ includes a valve mechanism that opens and closes the supply port H1601 ′. The valve mechanism abuts on the seal member H1603 provided around the supply port H1601 ′ and the seal member H1603 to close the supply port H1601 ′. A valve body H1604 having a possible ball shape and a spring H1605 for biasing the valve body H1604 in the closing direction are included. That is, when not mounted, the supply port H1601 ′ is closed by the valve body H1604 to prevent ink leakage, while the valve body H1604 is retracted by the communication pipe H1508 ′ inserted along with the mounting operation to the ink tank holder H150. Then, the ink communication is performed by opening the supply port H1601 ′.

  In such a recording head cartridge or ink tank holder described in Patent Document 1, when the ink tank is mounted, the leading end of the ink communication pipe H1508 ′ is inserted into the ink tank supply port 1601 ′ inward by a predetermined amount (several millimeters). There is a need to. In order to perform the mounting operation with such insertion reliably, the mounting operation is performed while guiding the ink tank H160 in parallel with the mounting direction (arrow A), and after completion, the ink tank is engaged by the engagement of the latch member or the like. An ink tank H160 is fixed to the holder H150.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2A, the ink tank H160 includes guide portions H1621 parallel to the mounting direction on both side surfaces, while the ink tank holder H150 has a guide engagement at a position corresponding to the guide portion H1621. A joint H1522 is provided. In the illustrated example, the guide portion H1621 of the ink tank has an elongated groove shape, and the guide engagement portion H1522 of the ink tank holder H150 has an elongated convex shape that fits into this, and can be engaged with each other. Further, the ink tank H160 includes a lever-shaped movable member H1611 that can be elastically rotated and displaced around a fixed end, and a protruding engagement portion H1613 is provided on a part of the movable member H1611. It has been. On the other hand, the ink tank holder H150 is provided with a locking portion H1518 that fits into the engaging portion H1613 and holds a predetermined mounting position of the ink tank H160.

  When the ink tank H160 is mounted, the user handles the ink tank H160 in the operation space on the right side of FIGS. 2A and 2B, and engages the lower end portion of the guide portion H1621 with the upper end portion of the guide engagement portion H1522. Then, the ink tank H160 is slid downward. At this time, the movable member H1611 is rotationally displaced about the fixed end with the engagement with the wall surface on the back side of the ink tank holder H150. When the leading end of the ink communication pipe H1508 ′ reaches a mounting position where a predetermined amount is inserted into the ink tank supply port 1601 ′, the engaging portion H1613 faces the locking portion H1518, and the movable member H1611 is restored. As a result, the two are engaged and the ink tank H1600 is held at a predetermined mounting position.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B are a perspective view and a side sectional view, respectively, showing the recording head cartridge with the ink tank H160 mounted on the ink tank holder H150. In this state, as shown in FIG. 3A, the guide part H1621 and the guide engagement part H1522 are engaged. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, a predetermined amount of the ink communication pipe H1508 'of the ink tank holder H150 is inserted into the supply port H1601' of the ink tank H160. Further, the engagement portion H1613 provided on the movable member H1611 of the ink tank H160 is engaged with the locking portion H1518 of the ink tank holder H150, whereby the ink tank H160 is fixedly held in the ink tank holder H150.

JP 2001-105587 A

  In the ink tank holder having the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 2B, the drive signal input terminal H1301 is provided on the back surface of the ink tank as viewed from the direction of the arrow B that is the user's line of sight. The position of the recording element substrate H1100 having the position is also the deepest when viewed from the user. In addition, an ink communication pipe H1508 is provided almost directly above the recording element substrate H1100 because it is preferable to simplify the shape and shorten the overall length of the ink supply path leading to the ejection section. Along with this, a guide engaging member H1522 is provided in the vicinity of the recording element substrate H1100 or the communication pipe H1508 ′ in order to ensure that the ink tank H160 is inserted into the supply port H1601 ′. .

  Therefore, in the above configuration, the guide engagement member H1522 is positioned on the back side when viewed from the direction of the arrow B that is the user's line of sight. For this reason, when the user tries to handle and install the ink tank H160 on the operation space side, it is difficult to see the engaging portion between the guide engaging portion H1522 on the tank holder side and the guide portion H1621 on the ink tank side, and the mounting operation May not be performed easily and smoothly. Further, in consideration of the fact that a plurality of ink tanks H160 and ink tank holders H150 are juxtaposed for colorization or the like, the width of the ink tank H160 is made relatively thin in order to secure the ink capacity of the ink tank H160. On the other hand, in the case of a configuration projecting to the operation space side, the engagement portion is located further back from the operation space, so that the possibility of taking time and effort for the mounting operation is further increased.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to enable easy and smooth mounting of an ink tank without imposing a burden on the user.

For this purpose, the present invention has a substantially box shape and detachably holds an ink tank having an ink supply port on the bottom surface when in use, and communicates ink with the ink supply port in the held state. An ink tank holder having a communication portion for supplying to a recording head,
An elevating member that is provided in the vicinity of the communication portion and is movable between an ascending position and a descending position, and has an abutting portion capable of abutting on a portion of the ink tank near the ink supply port An elevating member;
A locking portion that is provided on each of an end surface close to the communication portion and an end surface facing the end portion, and engages with an engagement portion provided in the ink tank in the holding state;
It is characterized by comprising.

Further, the present invention is an ink tank having a substantially box shape, being detachably held in an ink tank holder and capable of supplying ink to a recording head,
A supply port for supplying ink to the recording head, which is disposed on a portion serving as a bottom surface in the use posture in which the holding is performed;
A first engagement portion provided on one end surface and engaged with a first locking portion formed on the ink tank holder;
A movable member provided on the other end surface facing the one end surface so as to be elastically deformable and having a second engagement portion that engages with a second engagement portion formed on the ink tank holder;
A tapered or arcuate chamfered surface provided at the peripheral edge of the supply port;
With
The supply port is provided in a portion of the bottom surface that is closer to the second engagement portion than the first engagement portion.

Further, the present invention provides an ink tank having an approximately box shape and having an ink supply port on a bottom surface when in use, and a communication portion for connecting the ink supply port to supply ink to the recording head. A method of mounting on an ink tank holder having
The ink tank has a first engagement portion that engages with a first engagement portion formed on the ink tank holder at one end surface and a second engagement portion formed on the ink tank holder. An elastically deformable movable member having a second engaging portion to be joined is provided on the other end surface facing the one end surface,
The ink tank holder is an elevating member that is provided in the vicinity of the communication portion and is movable between an ascending position and a descending position. The ink tank holder is capable of abutting against a portion of the ink tank near the ink supply port. The elevating member having a contact portion, and the first and second locking portions disposed at a distance smaller than the distance between the first and second engaging portions,
By bringing the part of the ink tank into contact with the contact part, the ink tank is supported in an inclined state by the elevating member at the raised position,
By depressing the ink tank, the elevating member is lowered and the movable member is elastically deformed,
When the elevating member is positioned at the lowered position, the ink supply port and the communication portion are coupled, the movable member is restored, and the first and second locking portions respectively cause the first and second engaging portions to be restored. The engaging portion is locked.

  In addition, the present invention resides in a recording head cartridge characterized in that the ink tank holder and a recording head for discharging ink are integrally provided.

  According to the present invention, it is not always necessary to operate the ink tank in a direction parallel to the ink communication pipe, and the ink tank is mounted in a predetermined manner by pressing the upper surface of the ink tank that is inclined by contacting the lifting member. Since it is guided and locked at the position, it is possible to provide a degree of freedom in the mounting direction. Therefore, the user can easily and smoothly mount the ink tank without paying particular attention to the mounting direction.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In this specification, “record” is not only formed when significant information such as characters and figures is formed, but also manifested so that human beings can perceive it visually. Regardless of whether or not the image, pattern, pattern, or the like is widely formed on the recording medium, or the recording medium is processed.

  The term “ink” should be broadly interpreted in the same way as the definition of “recording”, and is applied to a recording medium to form an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like, Used for ink or recording medium processing (for example, improvement of fixing property by solidification or insolubilization of coloring material in ink applied to the recording medium, improvement of recording quality or color development, improvement of image durability, etc.) Say liquid.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the exterior is removed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the basic external configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus includes an apparatus main body M1000, a feeding unit M3022, a discharge tray M1004, and the like. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the inside of the apparatus main body is composed of a chassis M3019, each recording operation mechanism, and the like, and a recording head cartridge for performing desired recording on the recording sheet conveyed to the recording position is provided in the carriage M4001. It is mounted detachably.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the recording head cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The recording head cartridge H1000 has a configuration in which an ink tank holder H1500 that detachably holds an ink tank H1600 and a recording head portion H1001 are integrally formed.

  The recording head portion H1001 includes an array of electrothermal conversion elements including a heating resistor for heating the ink in the array of the ink discharge ports H1101 and the inside of the discharge ports, and discharging the ink from the discharge ports H1101 by the action of film boiling. A recording element substrate H1100 having a drive circuit and the like; an input terminal H1301 for receiving a drive signal and the like from the recording apparatus main body control unit for driving the electrothermal converter to perform an ink ejection operation from the ejection port; and the recording element substrate H1100. And an electric wiring board H1300 connecting the input terminal H1301. In addition to the electrothermal conversion element, an element that generates mechanical energy may be used as an element that generates energy used for ejecting ink.

  An opening is provided at the end of the electrical wiring substrate H1300 opposite to the end connected to the input terminal H1301, and the recording element substrate H1100 is incorporated in the opening with the ejection port exposed, and Electrical connection to the electrothermal transducer drive circuit of the recording element substrate is made through a terminal H1302 provided in the opening. Further, the portion of the terminal H1302 is covered with a sealant H1201 so as to be protected from corrosion by ink and external force.

  7 is a perspective view of the ink tank attached to the printhead cartridge H1000 of FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the printhead cartridge of FIG. 6 with the ink tank H1600 removed and partly broken, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view for explaining a process of mounting the ink tank to the ink tank holder.

  The ink tank and the ink tank holder according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to these drawings. The parts that can be configured in the same manner as the respective parts in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be given. Is omitted. In this description, the front surface of the ink tank or the ink tank holder refers to an end surface (surface viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 6 and 7) that is located on the operation space side and faces the user. It is assumed that this is the back end surface facing the front surface and located near the ink supply port (the surface seen from the direction of arrow A ′ in FIGS. 6 and 7).

  As shown in FIG. 7, an ink tank H1600 having a substantially box shape includes an ink storage portion H1608, a supply portion H1602, a supply port H1601, a first engagement portion H1622, a second engagement portion H1613, a movable member H1611, and an operation. Part H1614 is included.

  The ink storage portion H1608 is a portion forming a container that forms an ink storage space, and includes an ink supply portion H1602 on the bottom surface. Ink can be supplied to the ink tank holder H1500 from the supply port H1601 that opens downward.

  The first engaging portion H1622 has a shape protruding from the side opposite to the supply portion, that is, the lower portion of the front surface of the ink tank exterior. The second engagement portion H1613 is located on the supply portion side, that is, the back surface, and has a shape protruding from a movable member H1611 provided on the back surface of the ink tank exterior. The configuration and function of the movable member H1611 and the second engagement portion H1613 provided on the movable member H1611 are basically the same as those described with reference to FIG. Further, when the ink tank H1600 is removed from the ink tank holder H1500, the operation portion H1614 provided at the upper end of the movable member H1611 is operated, whereby the ink tank holder side locking portion (second locking portion) is operated. The engagement of the second engagement portion H1613 can be released.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the ink tank holder H1500 includes an ink communication pipe H1508, an elevating member H1523, a spring H1509, an abutting surface H1524, a first locking portion H1525, and a second locking portion H1526 in the ink tank mounting portion. I have.

  The elevating member H1523 is a member that has a flat upper surface with which the bottom surface in the vicinity of the second engagement portion H1613 of the ink tank H1600 comes into contact, and is movable up and down in accordance with the detachment of the ink tank H1600. In the present embodiment, a through hole that receives the ink communication pipe H1508 is provided, and a seal member that seals the communication hole H1511 is provided inside the through hole. The elevating member H1523 is urged to the raised position by the spring H1509, and in a state where the ink tank H1600 is not mounted, the elevating member H1523 is positioned at the upper limit of the movable range by the action of the spring H1509. At this position, the upper surface of the elevating member is located higher than the tip of the ink communication pipe H1508. In addition, the tip portion of the ink communication pipe H1508 in the present embodiment has a spherical surface, a curved surface, or a tapered surface.

  The abutting surface H1524 is a fixed surface that serves as a mounting reference on the bottom surface side of the ink tank H1600, and the first engaging portion H1622 side, that is, the ink tank bottom surface on the front surface abuts.

  The first locking portion H1525 has a concave portion that can be engaged with and locked with the first engagement portion H1622 of the ink tank, and is provided on the front inner side of the ink tank holder H1500. The second locking portion H1526 has a recess that can be engaged with the second engagement portion H1613 of the ink tank, and is provided on the inner side of the back surface of the ink tank holder H1500.

  As shown in FIG. 9, an ink flow path H1507 for introducing the ink supplied from the ink tank H1600 into the recording element substrate H1100 is formed inside the ink tank holder H1500, and further in the middle of the flow path H1507. A filter H1504 is provided.

  An ink communication pipe H1508 including a communication port H1511 positioned in the ink tank H1600 is provided at a connection portion with the ink tank H1600. In this embodiment, when the ink tank is not installed, the elevating member H1523 is biased to the highest position by the spring H1509, so that the communication port H1511 is closed by a seal member provided in the through hole of the elevating member. In this state, the upper surface of the elevating member H1523 is at a position higher by Hh than the plane formed by the contact surface H1524.

  On the other hand, the ink tank H1600 is generally composed of an ink storage portion H1608 and a supply portion H1602, and has a supply port H1601 for receiving the entry of the communication pipe H1508 on the bottom surface. The supply unit H1602 includes a valve mechanism that opens and closes the supply port H1601, and this valve mechanism includes a seal member H1603, a valve body H1604, and a spring H1605. That is, when not installed, the supply port H1601 is closed by the valve body H1604 to prevent ink leakage. The supply unit H1602 has a surface H1623 chamfered in a tapered or arcuate shape that opens outward at the peripheral edge of the supply port H1601. The supply unit H1602 protrudes downward by a height Ht from the exterior bottom surface of the ink storage unit H1608.

The mounting of the ink tank and the ink tank holder will be described with reference to FIGS.
The ink tank H1600 of this embodiment is different from the conventional example in which the mounting operation is restricted, that is, the conventional example in which positioning in the horizontal plane and the pressing operation in the vertical direction are required, as shown in FIG. This is a configuration that can be mounted not only from above (in the arrow C direction) but also from diagonally above (in the arrow D direction) with respect to the H1500.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the first state where the lifting member H1523 of the ink tank holder H1500 is at the upper limit, the ink tank H1600 inserted from the above direction first contacts the lifting member H1523 at the supply portion H1602 on the bottom surface. . Here, the ink tank supply portion H1602 protrudes downward by a height Ht with respect to the main bottom surface of the ink containing portion exterior, and the lifting member H1523 of the ink tank holder H1500 has a height Hh relative to the contact surface H1524. Only in a high position. Accordingly, since the first engagement portion H1622 side of the bottom surface of the ink tank is separated from the contact surface H1524 of the opposing ink tank holder, the ink tank H1600 can be lifted or lowered by its own weight or by user operation. It rotates in the direction of arrow E centering on the contact part of supply part H1602 with respect to H1523, and will be in the state of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the ink tank H1600 rotated in the direction of arrow E, the supply portion H1602 on the second engagement portion H1613 side abuts on the lifting member H1523, and the bottom surface on the first engagement portion H1622 side is It is supported in contact with the contact surface H1524. That is, the height of the bottom surface of the ink tank on the second engagement portion H1613 side from the contact surface H1524, which is the main bottom surface of the ink tank holder H1500, is approximately equal to the sum of the above Hh and Ht. Since it is higher than the bottom surface of H1622, the ink tank H1600 takes an inclined posture. As a result, in the first state where the lifting member of the ink tank holder is located at the upper limit, it is below the line H1527 connecting the first locking portion H1525 and the second locking portion H1526 of the ink tank holder. The relationship between the horizontal width Lt of the stored ink tank H1600 and the horizontal width Lh between the first locking portion H1525 and the second locking portion H1526 of the ink tank holder H1500 is Lh> Lt. Can do. Therefore, the user can set the ink tank H1600 on the ink tank holder H1500 and start the mounting operation without paying much attention to the insertion direction of the ink tank as compared with the conventional example.

  On the other hand, in the first state, the tapered surface H1623 provided in the ink tank supply unit H1602 is positioned above the ink communication pipe H1508 of the ink tank holder. Then, by pressing the upper surface of the ink tank H1600 in the direction of the arrow F from this state, the mounting operation is started. That is, the elevating member H1523 is first pushed down by the ink tank supply part H1602, and as shown in the enlarged sectional view of FIG. 12, the tip of the ink communication pipe H1508 and the tapered surface H1623 provided around the ink tank supply part are formed. While engaged, the ink tank H1600 is guided in the direction of the arrow G, so that the initial operation is smoothly performed. In addition, as described above, the leading end of the ink communication pipe H1508 is a spherical surface, a curved surface, or a tapered surface, so that the guidance is performed more smoothly.

  By such guidance, the ink communication pipe H1508 is guided inward of the supply port H1601, while the first engagement portion H1622 of the ink tank is guided to the first locking portion H1525 of the ink tank holder.

  Note that the ink tank H1600 can move in the ink tank holder H1500 as much as Lt is smaller than Lh. Therefore, by appropriately determining the movable range and the shape and size of the tapered surface H1623 provided in the ink tank supply portion H1602, the tip of the ink communication pipe H1508 and the supply of the ink tank in the state of FIG. 11 or FIG. The above guidance can be started by obtaining a preferable positional relationship with the part H1602. That is, in order to enable the ink tank to be set at a position where the above-described guidance is reliably performed without paying much attention to the insertion direction and posture of the ink tank at the start of the mounting operation, Hh, Ht or Lh, Lt The dimensional conditions and the shape and size of the tapered surface H1623 provided in the ink tank supply unit H1602 can be determined as appropriate.

  Now, by continuing the pressing in the direction of arrow F from the state shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. 12, when the ink tank H1600 is displaced to the mounted position while the elevating member H1523 is lowered, it will eventually be the same as the conventional example. The second engagement portion H1613 of the ink tank and the second locking portion H1526 of the ink tank holder engage with each other, resulting in the second state shown in FIG. At the same time, the first engaging portion H1622 and the first locking portion H1525 are engaged. In this state, the bottom surface of the ink tank H1600 is subjected to a pressing force by the elevating member H1523 which is given the protrusion behavior from the contact surface H1524 by the spring H1509, but the ink tank H1600 has the second engagement portion H1613 and the ink tank holder Since the engagement with the second engagement portion H1526 is engaged not only by the engagement but also the engagement between the first engagement portion H1622 and the first engagement portion H1525, a preferable mounted state is maintained. The

  In the second state in which the second engaging portion H1613 and the second locking portion H1526 are engaged, the communication port H1511 of the ink tank holder H1500 is sufficiently inserted into the ink tank H1600, and the ink tank Ink can be introduced into the recording head. That is, when the elevating member H1523 is lowered, the communication port H1511 is opened, while the valve body H1604 is retracted by the communication tube H1508 inserted in accordance with the mounting operation to the ink tank holder H1500, and the supply port H1601 is opened. Thus, ink communication is performed. In addition, even if ink leaks from the communicating portion in this state, the leaked ink is prevented from moving to the recording head cartridge or the recording apparatus main body by the seal member provided in the communicating pipe through hole of the elevating member H1523. The

  As described above, in the second state, the horizontal width Lt ′ of the ink tank H1600 that falls below the line H1527 that connects the first locking portion H1525 and the second locking portion H1526 of the ink tank holder, The relationship with the horizontal width Lh between the first locking portion H1525 and the second locking portion H1526 of the ink tank holder H1500 can be Lh <Lt ′. Therefore, the ink tank can be reliably held and fixed and the ink communication state can be maintained.

  When removing the ink tank H1600, by operating the operation portion H1614 provided on the movable member H1611 to the arrow J side, the engagement of the second engagement portion H1613 with the second locking portion H1526 is released, and the elevating member The ink tank H1600 is pushed upward by the reaction force of the spring H1509 provided below H1523 or the reaction force of the spring H1605 provided in the ink tank H1600, and the state shown in FIG. Therefore, the user can easily take it out.

  According to the ink tank holder and the ink tank according to the present embodiment configured as described above, not only when the ink tank is inserted in the vertical direction with respect to the ink tank holder, but also when it is inserted obliquely from above, The mounting operation is performed while guiding the ink tank to always have the same preferable position and posture. That is, a normal mounting operation can be performed without being greatly affected by the mounting direction of the user, so that the ink tank can be mounted easily and smoothly without imposing a burden on the user.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 14, FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are perspective views showing an ink tank holder according to the second embodiment of the present invention, an ink tank attached to the ink tank holder, and an attached state, respectively.

  Although these basic configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, the ink tank holder H1500 according to the present embodiment further includes a guide portion H1528 as shown in FIG. The guide portion H1528 is a recess or groove provided on the opposite side wall of the ink tank holder and extending generally in the vertical direction, but is bent in a substantially crank shape. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the guide portion H1528 is directed downward from the upper edge of the second engagement portion H1528 side of the ink tank holder side wall, and then bent toward the first engagement portion H1525 in the middle. Then, it has a shape that bends downward in the vertical direction. Then, a convex guide engagement portion H1624 provided in the corresponding ink tank H1600 is engaged to guide the mounting direction of the ink tank. Further, the guide portion H1528 has a shape in which the width of the groove is enlarged in the vicinity of the upper edge portion of the side wall of the ink tank holder so that the guide engagement portion H1624 of the ink tank H1600 can be easily engaged with the guide portion H1528. .

  The ink tank H1600 basically has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but further has convex guide engaging portions H1624 that can engage with the guide portion H1528 of the ink tank holder on both side surfaces. . In FIG. 15, the guide engaging portion H1624 is shown as a flat cylinder. However, in order to smoothly engage the guide engaging portion H1624 of the ink tank H1600, the guide engaging portion H1624 has another shape, for example, a hemispherical shape. It may be a thing.

  The ink tank mounting operation with the above configuration will be described.

  First, the guide engaging portion H1624 of the ink tank H1600 is engaged with the upper end portion of the guide portion H1528 of the ink tank holder H1500. The ink tank H1600 is lowered in the vertical direction, but it is not necessary to keep the ink tank horizontal at this time. In this state, the supply port of the ink tank contacts the lifting member H1523 of the ink tank holder.

  As in the first embodiment, the bottom surface of the ink tank on the first engagement portion H1622 side abuts on the contact surface H1524 of the ink tank holder by its own weight or by the user's operation. Supported by the state of. Further, when the upper surface of the ink tank H1600 is pressed downward in the vertical direction, the elevating member H1523 is pushed down by the ink tank supply unit H1602, and the ink communication pipe H1508 of the ink tank holder H1500 is bent by a bent portion in the middle of the guide unit H1528. The ink tank supply port H1601 is guided to the position. At the same time, the first engagement portion H1622 of the ink tank is guided in the direction of the first locking portion H1525 of the ink tank holder H1500.

  Then, the second engagement portion H1526 of the ink tank holder and the second engagement portion H1613 of the ink tank engage with each other to obtain the second state (attached state) of the ink tank holder as shown in FIG. . That is, the ink communication pipe H1508 and the supply port H1601 are in communication with each other, and the first locking portion H1525 and the first engagement portion H1622 are engaged, whereby the ink tank H1600 is held and fixed.

  Also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, not only when the ink tank is inserted in the vertical direction with respect to the ink tank holder, but also when the ink tank is inserted obliquely from above, the ink tank is always in the same preferred position. Then, the wearing operation is performed while guiding to the posture. That is, a normal mounting operation can be performed without being greatly affected by the mounting direction of the user, so that the ink tank can be mounted easily and smoothly without imposing a burden on the user.

  In this embodiment, since the ink tank is guided to a predetermined position by engagement with the guide portion of the ink tank holder and the guide engagement portion of the ink tank that are appropriately shaped, the ink communication pipe The load applied to the front end of the ink tank and the vicinity of the supply port of the ink tank can be reduced, and the durability of both can be improved. In addition, the dimensional condition related to the tapered surface as described in the first embodiment is relaxed.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 17 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a recording head cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an ink tank attached to the printhead cartridge, and FIG. 19 is an ink tank to an ink tank holder. FIG. 20 is a side cross-sectional view showing the mounting state.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the ink tank holder H1500 includes an elevating member H1523-3, a contact surface H1524, a first locking part H1525, a second locking part H1526, an ink communication pipe H1508-3, a filter H1504-3, A seal member H1529 and the like are provided.

  The elevating member H1523-3 in this example is, for example, a rod-like member provided separately from the ink communication pipe, and can be raised and lowered by a spring H1530 provided therebelow. The state in which the elevating member H1523-3 protrudes from the contact surface H1524 and is located at the upper limit is the first state.

  In addition, the ink communication pipe H1508-3 according to the present example includes a filter H1504-3 at the opened tip, and a seal member H1529 made of rubber or the like around the filter H1504-3. The filter H1504-3, like the above-described filter H1504, prevents bubbles and dust mixed in the supplied ink from moving to the ejection port of the printing element substrate. In this example, the ink communication pipe H1508- 3 is also provided with a function of reducing ink leakage and evaporation when the ink tank is not installed. Further, the seal member H1529 prevents ink leakage by being in close contact with the periphery of the supply port H1601 when the ink tank H1600 is mounted.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the ink tank H1600 includes an ink storage portion H1608, a supply portion H1602, a first engagement portion H1622, a second engagement portion H1613, and the like. Further, as shown in FIG. 19, each of the ink storage portion H1608 and the supply portion H1602 is provided with an absorbent body made of, for example, a porous body, and the absorbent body is held by being impregnated with ink. Further, the peripheral portion of the supply port H1601 is provided with a tapered surface H1623 as described above.

The ink tank mounting operation with the above configuration will be described.
First, with respect to the ink tank holder H1500, the ink tank H1600 is lowered vertically or obliquely from above. Then, as shown in FIG. 19, the bottom surface of the ink tank on the supply port H1601 side comes into contact with the lifting member H1523-3 of the ink tank holder. The bottom surface of the ink tank on the first engagement portion H1622 side is in contact with the contact surface H1524 of the ink tank holder by its own weight or user operation, and is supported in the first state of the ink tank holder. At this time, the tapered surface H1623 provided at the peripheral edge of the supply port H1601 of the ink tank is positioned on the upper side of the ink communication pipe H1508-3.

  In this state, when the upper surface of the ink tank is pressed downward in the vertical direction, the elevating member H1523 is pushed down by the bottom surface of the ink tank H1600, the edge around the filter provided at the tip of the ink communication pipe H1508-3, and the ink tank The ink tank H1600 is guided in a predetermined direction while engaging with a tapered surface H1623 provided at the peripheral edge of the supply port H1601.

  By such guidance, the ink communication pipe H1508-3 is guided to a position facing the supply port H1601, while the first engagement portion H1622 of the ink tank is moved to the first locking portion H1525 of the ink tank holder. Led.

  Then, the second engaging portion H1526 of the ink tank holder and the second engaging portion H1613 of the ink tank are engaged, and the second state shown in FIG. 20 is obtained. At the same time, the first engaging portion H1622 and the first locking portion H1525 are engaged. In this state, the filter H1504-3 provided at the tip of the ink communication pipe abuts the absorbent body H1625 provided in the ink supply port in a slightly compressed state, and increases the capillary force at that portion, thereby increasing the ink storage portion. Ink can be introduced from the H1608 to the recording head side via the supply unit H1602. At this time, the lowermost surface of the supply unit H1602 comes into contact with the seal member H1529, thereby preventing ink leakage.

  As described above, in the configuration according to the present embodiment, the functions of the ink communication pipe or the seal member and the lifting member of the ink tank holder are separated to support various communication methods of the ink flow path in which the absorber is interposed. It becomes possible to do.

  Also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the ink tank is always the same not only when the ink tank is inserted in the vertical direction with respect to the ink tank holder but also when it is inserted obliquely from above. The wearing operation is performed while guiding to a preferable position and posture. That is, a normal mounting operation can be performed without being greatly affected by the mounting direction of the user, so that the ink tank can be mounted easily and smoothly without imposing a burden on the user.

(Other)
In each of the above-described embodiments, a lifting member that takes a state (first state) protruding from the bottom surface of the ink tank holder when the ink tank is not installed or in the middle of the installation is provided, and the ink tank is inclined at the start of the installation operation. By making it possible to obtain the state, the user's wearing operation conditions are relaxed. However, in order to obtain such an inclined state, the elevating member does not have to protrude from the main bottom surface of the ink tank holder in the first state. For example, even when the top surface of the elevating member is on the same plane as the plane formed by the bottom surface of the ink tank holder, it is preferable that the ink supply unit on the ink tank side protrudes from the bottom surface by an appropriate amount. An inclined state is obtained.

  In the above examples, the configuration in which the ink tank is mounted on the recording head cartridge in which the recording head unit and the ink tank holder are integrated has been described. However, the mounting target of the ink tank is not limited to such a configuration. That is, the ink tank holder may be configured separately from the recording head as long as the ink communication state is obtained when the ink tank is mounted and ink can be supplied to the recording head.

  Further, the number of ink tanks or holders, the ink storage mode, and the configuration of the recording head unit or ink jet recording apparatus to which the ink tank is attached are not limited to those described above. Furthermore, the color tone of the ink used may be either a single color or a plurality of colors. Furthermore, in addition to ink as a color material, an ink tank that stores a treatment liquid for improving the fixing property, coloring property, durability and the like on a recording medium may be used.

  In addition, the present invention is a general printing apparatus connected to an image data supply source such as a personal computer, a digital camera, and a scanner to form an information output terminal, as well as an apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile having a communication system, and a word processor. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a printing apparatus integrated with the printer or an industrial recording apparatus (printing apparatus, printing apparatus, etc.) combined with various processing apparatuses.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional example of a recording head cartridge integrally including an ink tank holder. 1A and 1B are a perspective view and a side sectional view, respectively, showing the recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 1 with an ink tank separated. (A) and (b) are a perspective view and a side sectional view, respectively, showing the recording head cartridge in a state where the ink tank is mounted on the ink tank holder of FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applicable. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the exterior of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the recording head cartridge according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an ink tank attached to the recording head cartridge in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the recording head cartridge of FIG. 6 with the ink tank removed and partly broken. It is a sectional side view for demonstrating the mounting process of the ink tank to the ink tank holder which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a sectional side view for demonstrating the mounting process of the ink tank to the ink tank holder which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a sectional side view for demonstrating the mounting process of the ink tank to the ink tank holder which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a sectional side view for demonstrating the mounting process of the ink tank to the ink tank holder which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a sectional side view for demonstrating the mounting state of the ink tank to the ink tank holder which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the ink tank holder which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the ink tank with which the ink tank holder of FIG. 14 is mounted | worn. It is a perspective view which shows the mounting state of the ink tank to the ink tank holder which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a recording head cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention with a part thereof broken away. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing an ink tank mounted on the ink tank holder of FIG. 17. It is a sectional side view for demonstrating the mounting process of the ink tank to the ink tank holder which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a sectional side view for demonstrating the mounting state of the ink tank to the ink tank holder which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

H100, H1000 Recording head cartridge H1001 Recording head unit H1100 Recording element substrate H1101 Discharge port H1300 Electrical wiring substrate H1301 External signal input terminal H150, H1500 Ink tank holder H1504, H1504-3 Filter H1507 Flow path H1508, H1508-3 Ink communication tube H1509 Spring H1510 Seal member H1511 Communication port H1518 Locking portion H1522 Guide engaging portion H1523, H1523-3 Lifting member H1524 Abutting surface H1525 First locking portion H1526 Second locking portion H1528 Guide portion H1529 Seal member H1530 Spring H160, H1600 Ink tank H1601, H1601 'Supply port H1602 Supply part H1603 Seal member H1604 Valve body H1605 Spring 1608 ink holder H1611 movable member H1613 engaging portion (second engaging portion)
H1614 Operation section H1621 Guide section H1622 First engagement section H1623 Tapered surface H1624 Guide engagement section H1625 Absorber M1000 Device main body M4001 Carriage

Claims (14)

An ink tank having a substantially box shape and having an ink supply port on a surface that becomes a bottom surface in use is detachably held, and in this holding state, communicates with the ink supply port to supply ink to the recording head. An ink tank holder having a communication part,
An elevating member that is provided in the vicinity of the communication portion and is movable between an ascending position and a descending position, and has an abutting portion capable of abutting on a portion of the ink tank near the ink supply port An elevating member;
A locking portion that is provided on each of an end surface close to the communication portion and an end surface facing the end portion, and engages with an engagement portion provided in the ink tank in the holding state;
An ink tank holder characterized by comprising:   The raised position is a position for supporting the ink tank in an inclined posture prior to the holding, the lowered position is a position for engaging the ink tank, and the ink tank is in the inclined posture. The relationship between the horizontal width Lt of the ink tank that falls below the line connecting the locking portions and the interval Lh between the locking portions is Lh> Lt. The ink tank holder according to claim 1.   In the locking posture of the ink tank, the relationship between the horizontal width Lt ′ of the ink tank that falls below the line connecting the locking portions and the interval Lh between the locking portions is expressed as Lh <Lt. The ink tank holder according to claim 2, wherein:   The ink tank holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the elevating member is a member that elevates and lowers the periphery of the communication portion having a tubular shape.   The ink tank holder according to claim 4, wherein the member includes a seal member that seals an ink communication port provided in the communication portion when the member is in the raised position.   The ink tank holder according to claim 4, wherein the member has a flat upper surface that comes into contact with the ink tank.   The ink tank holder according to claim 6, wherein the upper surface of the elevating member is positioned above the tip of the ink introduction tube when the upper surface is in the raised position. An ink tank having a substantially box shape and detachably held in an ink tank holder and capable of supplying ink to a recording head,
A supply port for supplying ink to the recording head, which is disposed on a portion serving as a bottom surface in the use posture in which the holding is performed;
A first engagement portion provided on one end surface and engaged with a first locking portion formed on the ink tank holder;
A movable member provided on the other end surface facing the one end surface so as to be elastically deformable and having a second engagement portion that engages with a second engagement portion formed on the ink tank holder;
A tapered or arcuate chamfered surface provided at the peripheral edge of the supply port;
With
The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the supply port is provided in a portion of the bottom surface that is closer to the second engagement portion than the first engagement portion.   Prior to being held by the ink tank holder, it is supported in an inclined posture, and in the inclined posture, the supply port or a peripheral portion thereof is located above an ink communication portion provided in the ink tank holder. The ink tank according to claim 8.   A convex portion engaging with a guide groove formed in the ink tank holder is provided on the exterior side wall, and the convex portion is guided along the guide groove, whereby the ink supply port is provided in the ink tank holder. The ink tank according to claim 9, wherein the ink tank is guided in a direction in which the ink communication portion is coupled. An ink tank having a substantially box shape and having an ink supply port on the bottom surface in use is attached to an ink tank holder having a communication portion for communicating with the ink supply port and supplying ink to the recording head. A way to
The ink tank has a first engagement portion that engages with a first engagement portion formed on the ink tank holder at one end surface and a second engagement portion formed on the ink tank holder. An elastically deformable movable member having a second engaging portion to be joined is provided on the other end surface facing the one end surface,
The ink tank holder is an elevating member that is provided in the vicinity of the communication portion and is movable between an ascending position and a descending position. The ink tank holder is capable of abutting against a portion of the ink tank near the ink supply port. The elevating member having a contact portion, and the first and second locking portions disposed at a distance smaller than the distance between the first and second engaging portions,
By bringing the part of the ink tank into contact with the contact part, the ink tank is supported in an inclined state by the elevating member at the raised position,
By depressing the ink tank, the elevating member is lowered and the movable member is elastically deformed,
When the elevating member is positioned at the lowered position, the ink supply port and the communication portion are coupled, the movable member is restored, and the first and second locking portions respectively cause the first and second engaging portions to be restored. An ink tank mounting method comprising engaging an engaging portion.   The ink tank mounting according to claim 11, wherein the ink tank guides the ink tank in a direction in which the ink supply port is coupled to the communication portion before the state changes from the inclined state to the locked state. Method.   The ink tank and the ink tank holder are provided so as to be able to engage with each other, and the ink supply port has a portion that guides the ink tank in the direction of coupling with the communication portion according to the engagement, In the inclined state, the portion provided in the ink tank is positioned above the portion provided in the ink tank holder, and the first engaging portion is moved in the first position as the elevating member is lowered. The ink tank mounting method according to claim 12, wherein the ink tank is moved toward one locking portion. A recording head cartridge comprising the ink tank holder according to claim 1 and a recording head for ejecting ink.

Images