JPH11309875A - Replacement liquid supply container, ink jet cartridge, and ink jet recording apparatus having the ink jet cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To facilitate attachment / detachment of a replacement liquid storage container to / from a tank holder. SOLUTION: An ink tank 1 is provided with two ink storage portions 9 on the left and right, and latch levers 2 having latch claws 3 are provided on left and right outer walls 6, respectively. Head-equipped holder 1 having recording head 18 and tank holder 16
An engagement hole 15 with which the latch claw 3 is engaged is formed in the side wall 36 of the zero. Hold the ink tank 1 to the holder 10 with the head
The ink supply unit 4 and the ink derivative 11
Are connected, and the ink in the ink storage unit 9 is supplied to the negative pressure generating member 12 of the negative pressure generating member storage unit 24 via the communication pipe 25.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium by discharging ink, and more particularly to an ink tank for storing recording ink and a tank holder for detachably holding the ink tank. The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording using an ink jet cartridge having the following.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, paper, cloth, plastic sheet, O
2. Description of the Related Art A recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “recording paper”) such as a sheet for HP uses various recording methods, for example, a recording head based on a wire dot method, a heat-sensitive method, a thermal transfer method, and an ink jet method. It has been proposed as a form that can be mounted.

[0003] Among such recording apparatuses, as a low-noise non-impact recording method, a recording head of an ink jet recording method in which ink is ejected from ejection ports (nozzles) arranged on recording elements to perform recording on recording paper. (Hereinafter, also referred to as an “inkjet recording apparatus”) can perform a high-density and high-speed recording operation.

[0004] The ink jet recording apparatus has a configuration corresponding to a unique function of a system or the like to which the apparatus is applied, a use form, and the like. In general, an ink jet recording apparatus includes a carriage on which an ink jet cartridge including a recording head, an ink tank, and a tank holder is mounted, conveying means for conveying recording paper, and control means for controlling these.

Then, the recording head for ejecting ink droplets from the plurality of ejection ports is serially scanned in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the recording paper conveyance direction (sub scanning direction).
On the other hand, during non-recording, the recording paper is intermittently conveyed (pitch-fed) by an amount equal to the recording width. By using a recording head in which a number of nozzles for ejecting ink are arranged on a straight line parallel to the sub-scanning direction, the recording head
By performing scanning twice, printing is performed with a width corresponding to the number of nozzles.

In addition, the ink jet recording apparatus has a low running cost, can be downsized, and can easily cope with color image recording using a plurality of color inks. Above all, a line type recording apparatus using a line type recording head in which a large number of ejection ports are arranged in the width direction of the recording paper can further increase the recording speed.

For the above-mentioned reasons, the ink jet recording apparatus is used as an output terminal of an information processing system, for example, a printer as an output terminal such as a copying machine, a facsimile, an electronic typewriter, a word processor, a workstation, or a personal computer, a host computer, an optical disk. It is used and commercialized as a handy or portable printer included in a device, a video device, and the like.

On the other hand, as an energy generating element for generating energy for discharging ink from a discharge port of a recording head, an element using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element or irradiating electromagnetic waves such as a laser to generate heat is used. There is a method in which an ink droplet is ejected by the action of the heat, or a method in which a liquid is heated by an electrothermal conversion element having a heating resistor.

[0009] Among them, a recording head of an ink jet recording system in which ink droplets are ejected by utilizing thermal energy can perform high-resolution recording because ejection ports can be arranged at a high density. Among them, a recording head using an electrothermal transducer as an energy generating element is easy to miniaturize, and has the advantages of IC technology and micro-machining technology, which have recently made remarkable progress in technology in the semiconductor field and remarkable improvement in reliability. It is advantageous because it can be utilized more than enough, high-density mounting is easy, and the manufacturing cost is low.

The recording head includes a chip type integrated with the ink tank and a type in which the ink tank is attached to and detached from a tank holder integrated with the recording head. In either case, the positioning of the recording head and the ink tank, or the positioning of the recording ink-jet cartridge in which these members are integrated and the carriage, is an important matter relating to the print quality.

As a mechanism for mounting such an ink tank to a tank holder, an excellent mounting mechanism utilizing a rotating operation, which can be easily mounted and removed by a simple operation without lowering the positioning accuracy, has been proposed. (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
No. 58107).

On the other hand, a configuration having a lock pin and a lever on both side surfaces on the tank holder side is known (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-318758). In this configuration, the tank provided with the locking projections at the ends of both sides is inserted straight into the tank holder from above, and the locking projections fit into the locking holes on both sides on the tank holder side. Fixed by that. Opening of the ink tank is performed by operating levers on both side surfaces of the tank holder and pushing out a locked projection in the locking hole with a lock pin.

[0013]

In some cases, the ink tank has a plurality of liquid supply ports for one liquid storage portion in the ink tank, for example, to increase the liquid supply speed. When such an ink tank is mounted, it is desirable that a plurality of liquid supply ports be simultaneously connected to the corresponding liquid supply pipes of the recording head. Especially,
When the liquid storage portion of the ink tank is a closed system and is opened by being attached to the recording head, it is required that the ink container be opened almost at the same time from the viewpoint of maintaining the balance of the liquid supply.

In order to perform such simultaneous mounting, it is desirable to insert the ink tank linearly from above since simultaneous mounting is possible regardless of the position of the liquid supply unit.

[0015] However, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-3187.
In order to apply the configuration of JP-A-58-58, there is almost no "play" between the ink tank and the tank holder in order to secure the positional accuracy of the ink supply port of the ink tank and the ink intake port of the tank holder. Therefore, there is a problem that it is very difficult for the user to wear the device.

Further, since the lock pin and the lever, which are movable members, are provided in the tank holder, which is a component used for a long time, when the ink tank is repeatedly attached and detached,
These movable members may be damaged.

In the case of the above-described ink tank, the elastic engaging members on both side walls of the ink tank extend from the middle of the side wall toward the lower part. The elastic engaging member extends vertically downward along the side wall of the tank. With such a configuration, if the liquid supply pipe for coupling to the ink tank has a protruding shape, the supply pipe of the inkjet head may collide with the ink tank, and the liquid supply pipe may be damaged.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to the mounting of an ink tank having a plurality of supply ports in one ink tank to an ink tank holder. A first object is to supply a replacement liquid supply container and a head holder that can easily realize positioning of each supply unit and simultaneous connection of a plurality of supply ports to a holder.

Further, the present invention utilizes a method for mounting an ink tank newly discovered in the process of finding the above-mentioned invention, thereby preventing the liquid supply pipe from being damaged when the ink tank is mounted on the holder. A second object of the present invention is to provide a liquid supply storage container and a head holder that can be mounted securely without any problem.
The purpose of.

[0020]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a replacement liquid supply container comprising: a liquid storage portion for storing a liquid; and a plurality of liquid supply portions for supplying the liquid in the liquid storage portion to the outside. And an exchange liquid storage container having a portion, the liquid supply portion being detachably exchangeable with respect to a tank holder formed with a coupling portion to which the liquid supply portion is coupled. A first engagement portion that is disposed on a bottom portion in a use state and is elastically provided on one side surface of the exchange liquid storage container and engages with a first engagement portion formed on the tank holder; A first latch lever provided with a second latch portion formed on the tank holder and elastically provided on the other side opposite to the side on which the first latch lever is provided. A second latch lever having a mating second engagement portion When provided with a said first
And a pair of opposing side surfaces provided with the second latch lever extend in a direction of attachment / detachment to / from the tank holder.

Further, the replacement liquid supply container of the present invention has a liquid storage portion for storing a liquid, and a liquid supply portion for supplying the liquid in the liquid storage portion to the outside. In the replacement liquid storage container detachably replaceable with respect to the tank holder having the coupling portion formed therein, the liquid supply unit is disposed at a bottom portion in use of the replacement liquid storage container, A first latch lever having a first engagement portion elastically provided on one side surface of the storage container and engaged with a first engagement portion formed on the tank holder; A second latch having a second engagement portion elastically provided on another side opposite to the side on which the latch lever is provided, the second engagement portion being engaged with a second engagement portion formed on the tank holder. And a first lever and a second lever. The chiller has a shape inclined or curved upward from a region near the bottom of the side surface, and a pair of opposing side surfaces provided with the first and second latch levers respectively extend in a mounting / removing direction to the tank holder. It is characterized by being present.

In the replacement liquid supply container of the present invention configured as described above, the first and second latch levers are located near the bottom of a pair of side surfaces of the replacement liquid supply container extending in the direction of attachment / detachment to / from the tank holder. When the replacement liquid supply container is mounted on the tank holder, the first and second latch levers are connected to the tank holder and the replacement liquid supply container. Is allowed, and movement in a direction other than the linear mounting direction is restricted.

A plurality of liquid supply units may be formed, and each of the liquid supply units may be arranged near the first and second latch levers.

Further, the number of the liquid storage portions may be one, and the number of the liquid supply portions may be two. The first and second latch levers and the respective liquid supply portions are arranged substantially symmetrically with each other. It may be something.

A plurality of liquid storage sections are formed, and the liquid supply section may correspond to each liquid storage section.

Further, except for the liquid supply section, the liquid storage section may form a substantially closed space, and may be deformed with the lead-out of the liquid stored therein to generate a negative pressure.

Further, the first and second latch levers include:
At least an exchange liquid supply container may have an operation unit used when withdrawing from the tank holder,
The first and second latch levers may be elastically displaced toward the replacement liquid supply container main body during the attachment / detachment operation.

Further, the first and second latch levers
It may be a lever member having a shape inclined or curved upward from a region near the bottom of the side surface, and the first and second latch levers are provided at a portion near the bottom of the replacement liquid supply container, The latch pawl may be configured to be elastically displaceable with the portion as a fulcrum, and a latch pawl may be arranged between the portion and an operating portion provided at the tip of the first and second latch levers. May be disposed outside the first and second latch levers.

The ink jet cartridge according to the present invention comprises:
Ink jet head having an opening into which a liquid storage container for storing liquid used for recording is inserted, and having a liquid discharge recording head portion for detachably holding the liquid storage container and discharging the liquid. In the cartridge, an ink communication pipe communicating with a liquid supply unit disposed at a portion that becomes a bottom when the replacement liquid storage container is used, a first latch lever provided on one side of the liquid storage container, A first engaging portion that engages, and a second engaging portion that engages with a second latch lever provided on the liquid container on the other side opposite to the side on which the first engaging portion is provided. And characterized in that:

A plurality of liquid supply units may be formed, and each of the liquid supply units may be arranged near the first and second latch levers.

The ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention includes the ink jet cartridge of the present invention, and a carriage which removably holds the ink jet cartridge and is supported so as to reciprocate along the surface of the recording medium. And recording on a recording medium by discharging ink from the recording head of the ink jet cartridge based on an electric signal for discharging ink.

In the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, since the lever of the ink jet cartridge is elastically provided in the replacement liquid supply container, it has a function of absorbing the impact force generated when the carriage performs the reciprocating operation.

[0033]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In the following embodiments, ink is described as an example of the liquid used in the liquid supply system of the present invention. However, the applicable liquid is not limited to ink. Needless to say, this includes a processing solution for the recording medium.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a view for explaining a first embodiment of an ink tank 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 1A is a top view of the ink tank 1, FIG. 1B is a sectional view taken along the line BB shown in FIG.
FIG. 1C is a bottom view of the ink tank 1, and FIG. 1D is a view as seen from the direction of arrow C in FIG. 1C.

The ink tank 1 as a liquid container is
Ink storage sections 9a and 9b for storing ink therein, and an ink supply section 4 for leading the liquid in the ink storage sections 9a and 9b to capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a and 24b described later.
a and 4b, respectively, are integrally formed by connecting the tank portions 1a and 1b axially symmetrically along the line AA by the connecting portion 5, and are detachably attached to a holder 10 with a head described later. It is provided. Also, the tank section 1a,
1b are outer walls 6a, 6 constituting a room (housing), respectively.
b, and inner walls 7a and 7b having inner surfaces equivalent or similar to the inner surfaces of the outer walls 6a and 6b.

The ink supply sections 4a and 4b are located near the left and right ends of the lower surface of the tank sections 1a and 1b, respectively.
The first and second side walls 6c and 6d of the outer walls 6a and 6b
The latch levers 2a and 2b having the latch claws 3a and 3b as the engaging portions are elastically provided. Before the ink tank 1 is mounted on the holder 10 with the head, the ink supply units 4a and 4b are sealed with seal members 4c and 4da, and the ink storage units 9a and 9b are sealed with respect to the atmosphere.

The inner walls 7a and 7b have flexibility, and the ink storage portions 9a and 9b can be deformed as the ink stored therein is drawn out. The inner walls 7a, 7b have a welded portion (pinch-off portion) 8, and the inner walls 7a, 7b are supported by the welded portions 8a, 8b so as to engage with the outer walls 6a, 6b. The outer walls 6a, 6b are provided with air communication ports 8c, respectively, and the inner walls 7a,
Atmosphere can be introduced between the outer wall 7b and the outer walls 6a and 6b.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the head-mounted holder 10 and the ink tank 1 before being mounted on the head-mounted holder 10.

Similarly to the ink tank 1, the holder 10 with the head has an axially symmetric configuration along the line II. The holder 10 with a head includes a tank holder 16 that holds the ink tank 1, and an I-I provided at the bottom of the tank holder 16.
The two capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a, 24 that are axisymmetric with respect to the line.
b and recording heads 18a and 18b for discharging ink (including a liquid such as a processing liquid) to perform recording on a recording medium, and have a structure in which these are integrated. Also, I
A pop-up spring 13 is provided outside the upper wall surfaces of the two capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a and 24b with the I-line as a center, which is a leaf spring for assisting removal of the ink tank 1 described later from the tank holder 16. Have been.

The left and right side walls 36 of the tank holder 16
a and 36b have latch claws 3a and 3b of the ink tank 1, respectively.
Are formed with engagement holes 15a and 15b.

The capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a and 24b are
Capillary force generating members 12a and 12b made of a porous member such as a polyurethane foam or a fibrous member made of polyethylene or polypropylene are stored. The upper walls of the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a and 24b are provided with communication tubes 25a and 25b connected to the ink supply units 4a and 4b of the ink tank 1 and communicating with the ink storage units 9a and 9b. Are the recording heads 18a, 1
Ink supply paths 19a and 19b as liquid supply units for supplying ink to 8b are open. The openings of the ink supply paths 19a and 19b are located below the communication tubes 25a and 25b. That is, the openings of the communication tubes 25a, 25b and the ink supply paths 19a, 19b are all provided on the side walls 26a, 26b of the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a, 24b. The ink supply paths 19a, 19b
A filter 20 is provided in the opening of the recording head 18 to prevent foreign substances from entering the recording heads 18a and 18b.

The capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a and 24b
Further, the air introduction grooves 22a and 22b and the air communication port 2
1a and 21b. Atmosphere introduction grooves 22a, 22b
Is for promoting gas-liquid exchange, which will be described later, on the inner side of the upper wall near the communication pipes 25a, 25b, from the connection side of the capillary force generation member storage chambers 24a, 24b with the connection pipes 25a, 25b. It is formed toward the atmosphere communication ports 21a and 21b, and communicates with the inside of the communication pipes 25a and 25b. The air communication ports 21a and 21b are connected to the capillary force generating members 12a and 1a.
2b and communicates with the outside air, and is formed on the central side wall 27 of the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a and 24b. The vicinity of the air communication ports 21a and 21b of the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a and 24b is
The buffer units 17a and 17b do not include the buffers a and 12b. In the present embodiment, the communication pipes 25a, 25
b is in contact with the capillary force generating members 12a and 12b, and its ends are continuous with the air introduction grooves 22a and 22b, so that a liquid supply operation described later can be smoothly realized.

In the following cross-sectional views including FIG. 1, the areas where the capillary force generating members 12a and 12b hold ink are indicated by hatched portions. In addition, the ink stored in the ink storage units 9a and 9b is indicated by a shaded portion.

Although FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram, the outer walls 6a, 6b and the inner walls 7a, 7b of the ink tank 1 are drawn in contact with each other, but they are actually in a separable state. The inner walls 7a, 7b and the outer walls 6a, 6
Even if b is in contact, it may be configured to be arranged with a small space. However, before the ink tank 1 is mounted on the holder 10 with the head, that is, before the ink tank 1 is used, the inner walls 7a and 7b are separated from the outer walls 6a,
Along the inner surface shape of the inner wall 6a, the outer walls 6a and 6b are formed so that the corners of the inner walls 7a and 7b come to the corners (including the case where the vertices have a minute curved surface shape, hereinafter referred to as corners). (This state is referred to as an initial state).

At this time, the inside of the ink storage sections 9a and 9b can be stored in the ink storage sections 9a and 9b so that the ink supply sections 4a and 4b become slightly negative pressure when the seal members 4c and 4da are opened. If the ink amount slightly smaller than the required ink amount is stored, it is possible to more reliably prevent the ink from leaking to the outside when the seal members 4c and 4da are opened due to external force, temperature change, and pressure change.

From the viewpoint of such environmental changes, it is desirable that the amount of air stored in the ink storage units 9a and 9b before connection is extremely small. Ink storage unit 9
In order to reduce the amount of air stored in a and 9b, for example, a liquid injection method as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 9-200126 may be used.

On the other hand, the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a, 24
The capillary force generating members 12a and 12b of b hold ink in a part thereof.

Here, the amount of ink stored in the capillary force generating members 12a and 12b depends on the amount of ink stored in the capillary force generating members 12a and 12b when the ink tank 1 described later is replaced. There may be. Further, the air introduction grooves 22a, 22b and the communication pipes 25a, 25
Regarding b, it is not always necessary to be filled with a liquid, and air may be included as shown in FIG.

Next, the ink tank 1 is moved to the holder 1 with the head.
The operation at the time of attachment to 0 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the ink supply unit 4 of the ink tank 1
The lower surface provided with a and 4b is pushed toward the opening of the tank holder 16 constituting the holder with head 10 (in the direction of arrow F). At this time, the left and right latch levers 2a and 2b of the ink tank 1
Side wall corners 37a, 3b of the left and right side walls 36a, 36b
7b. Thereby, the ink tank 1 is held horizontally, and the ink supply units 4a and 4b are connected to the communication pipe 25.
a, 25b.

The left and right latch levers 2a, 2b
Has an elasticity in the direction of the side wall of the ink tank. Therefore, even when the user attempts to mount the ink tank 1 on the tank holder 16 with excessive force, the elasticity prevents the communication tubes 25a, 25b from being damaged due to the collision between the ink tank 1 and the communication tubes 25a, 25b. it can.

In this state, when the ink tank 1 is further pushed in the direction of arrow F, the latch levers 2a, 2b
Is bent in the direction of arrow E, and the lower surface of the ink tank 1 is bent in the direction of arrow C by depressing the pop-up spring 13. The ink tank 1 is provided with latch levers 2 on both sides.
a and 2b are bent uniformly, so that the right and left side wall corners 37
By receiving the reaction force from the a and 37b substantially uniformly, it is inserted into the tank holder 16 in a substantially linear operation. This insertion operation is performed when the latch claws 3a, 3b of the latch levers 2a, 2b are engaged with the engagement holes 15a, 1
5b until the ink tank 1 is held by the tank holder 16. Because of such a linear mounting operation, the left and right seal members 4c and 4da are almost simultaneously pierced by the ink derivatives 11a and 11b, and thereby, the ink supply units 4a and 4b of the ink storage units 9a and 9b.
The ink derivatives 11a and 11b of the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a and 24b are connected to the left and right simultaneously.

The pop-up spring 13 contacts the lower surface of the ink tank 1 with the latch levers 2a and 2b contacting the side wall corners 37a and 37b of the left and right side walls 36a and 36b of the tank holder 16, respectively. This has a function of assisting the ink tank 1 to be held horizontally.

As described above, even when the clearance L when the ink tank 1 is inserted into the tank holder 16 is not sufficiently small, the ink tank 1 can be mounted in a substantially linear operation. In addition, the latch levers 2a and 2b, which are repeatedly subjected to bending stress when they are mounted, are consumables.
By being provided on the side, even when the ink tank 1 is repeatedly attached and detached, there is no problem in the durability of the head-mounted holder 10. In addition, the ink supply units 4a, 4b on the left and right sides and the ink derivatives 11a, 11b can be connected almost at the same time because of the linear mounting operation as described above, and unreasonable force is applied to the communication tubes 25a, 25b. Is not added, so that the communication pipes 25a and 25b can be prevented from being damaged.

Next, FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the ink jet cartridge 23.

Here, the ink jet cartridge 23
Indicates a state in which the ink tank 1 is mounted on the holder 10 with a head.

As described above, the latch levers 2a, 2b
Latch pawls 3a, 3b are engaged with the engagement holes 15 of the tank holder 16.
The ink tank 1 is mounted on the holder 10 with the head by engaging with the heads a and 15b.

In this state, the capillary force generating member storage chamber 24
a, the communication pipes 25a, 25b of the
c, 4da and penetrates into the ink supply sections 4a, 4b, and the ink storage sections 9a, 9b of the ink tank 1 communicate with the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a, 24b. At this time, the bellows 14a, 14b as sealing members first contact the sealing members 4c, 4da to seal the periphery of the communication pipes 25a, 25b, and then the bellows 14a, 14b are compressed with the insertion of the ink tank 1. Communication pipes 25a, 25b
Opens the seal members 4c and 4da, so that when the seal members 4c and 4da are opened, the ink is released from the bellows 14a and 14da.
It does not flow out of b.

The ink tank 1 is placed in the tank holder 16
In order to remove the latch pawls 3a and 3b from the
The latch levers 2a and 2b are deflected in the direction of arrow E until the latch levers 2a and 15b are disengaged from the latch levers 2a and 15b. Latch lever 2 of the present embodiment
Reference characters a and 2b are supported below the bottom of the side walls 6c and 6d at the bottom of the ink tank 1, and are inclined or curved upward and outward. In addition, latch claws 3a and 3b exist between ends (operation portions) of the latch levers 2a and 2b and fulcrum portions of the latch levers 2a and 2b. When removing the ink tank 1 from the tank holder 16,
The ends (operation parts) of a and 2b are bent toward the ink tank 1 side. As a result, the latch claws 3a, 3b and the engagement holes 15a, 1
5b, the latch levers 2a, 2b
The ink tank 1 rises along the inclination or curvature of the latch levers 2a and 2b due to the elastic force of the ink tank 1. Thereby, a part of the ink tank 1 becomes k projecting from the tank holder 16, and the ink tank 1 can be easily taken out.

Further, when the pop-up spring 13 is provided at the bottom of the tank holder 16 as in the present embodiment, the bent pop-up spring 13 is released, and the ink tank 1 is pushed straight up and the ink tank 1 is pushed upward. Can be more easily removed.

Next, the liquid supply operation of the ink of the present liquid supply system will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 5 to 9 show changes when the ink tank 1 of the liquid supply system shown in FIG. 4 is mounted on the holder 10 with a head and ink is ejected from the recording heads 18a and 18b. 9A and 9B are schematic explanatory views showing the order of FIG. 9, wherein FIG.
Shows a sectional view taken along line GG of FIG.

FIG. 10 shows the amount of ink drawn out from the ink supply port O (the openings of the ink supply paths 19a and 19b to the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a and 24b) shown in FIG. It is an explanatory view showing the relationship of the negative pressure of 19b, in which the horizontal axis represents the amount of ink drawn out from the ink supply port O and the vertical axis represents the negative pressure (static negative pressure) of the ink supply port O.
In FIG. 10, the state of change of the negative pressure shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 is indicated by arrows.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show the ink tank 1 immediately after the ink tank 1 is mounted on the holder 10 with the head.
3 shows a state before the ink in the inside is drawn out to the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a and 24b.

When the ink tank 1 is mounted on the holder 10 with the head, the ink in the ink tank 1 is transferred to the communication pipe 25.
a, 25b through the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a, 24
b. At this time, the capillary force generating member storage chamber 24
a and 24b, as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b),
Capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a, 24b and ink tank 1
Until the pressures become equal, the ink moves as indicated by an arrow H in FIG. 6A, and the ink is brought into an equilibrium state when the pressure at the ink supply port O becomes negative (this state is referred to as a use start state). ).

Therefore, the ink movement for achieving the equilibrium state will be described in detail.

The ink supply units 4a and 4b of the ink tank 1
Communication tube 25 of capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a, 24b
When the a and 25b are inserted, the ink in the ink storage portions 9a and 9b flows to the communication tubes 25a and 25b, and the capillary force generation members 12a and 12b of the capillary force generation member storage chambers 24a and 24b.
And an ink path is formed. When air is present in the communication pipes 25a and 25b in the state shown in FIG. 6A, the air moves to the ink storage portions 9a and 9b (this air is omitted in FIG. 6). .).

When the ink path is formed, the ink storage section 9 is formed by the capillary force of the capillary force generating members 12a and 12b.
The movement of ink from a, 9b to the capillary force generating members 12a, 12b is started. At this time, the inner walls 7a and 7b start to deform from the center of the surface having the largest area in the direction in which the volumes of the ink storage portions 9a and 9b decrease.

Here, the outer walls 6a, 6b are connected to the inner walls 7a, 7b.
In order to suppress the displacement of the corners, the ink storage portions 9a and 9b are acted by the acting force of the deformation due to the ink consumption and the acting force for returning to the initial state (FIG. 4), and a sudden change is caused. Without generating a negative pressure according to the degree of deformation. The inner walls 7a, 7b and the outer walls 6a, 6
Since the space b communicates with the outside air through the atmosphere communication port 8c, the inner walls 7a, 7b and the outer walls 6a,
6b. In addition, the air introduction groove 22
As for the ink introduction into the a and 22b, the ink is filled when the capillary force of the air introduction grooves 22a and 22b is larger than the negative pressure generated by the ink storage portions 9a and 9b as in the present embodiment.

The movement of the ink is started, and the capillary force generating member 1 is moved.
When the ink is filled in the air communication grooves 2a and 12b, the ink is also filled in the air communication ports 22c and 22d ahead of the front end portions (the center side in the drawing) of the air introduction grooves 22a and 22b. The grooves 22a and 22b are not communicated with the atmosphere. Then, the ink tank 1 exchanges the ink and the atmosphere only through the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a and 24b, so that the static negative pressure in the gas-liquid exchange passage of the ink tank 1 and the capillary force generating member storage Rooms 24a, 2
Further ink movement is performed so that the static negative pressure in the atmosphere communication passages 22c and 22d in FIG.

That is, since the negative pressure on the side of the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a and 24b at this time is larger than the negative pressure on the side of the ink tank 1, the capillary force generating member is removed from the ink tank 1 until both negative pressures become equal. Further ink movement to the storage chambers 24a and 24b is performed, and accordingly, the amount of ink held by the capillary force generation members 12a and 12b of the capillary force generation member storage chambers 24a and 24b increases. As described above, the movement of the ink from the ink tank 1 to the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a and 24b is performed without introducing gas into the ink tank 1 through the capillary force generating members 12a and 12b. The static negative pressure of the ink tank 1 and the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a and 24b when the equilibrium state is reached is caused by the recording head 18 connected to the ink supply paths 19a and 19b.
a, so that the ink does not leak from the
What is necessary is just to set so that it may become an appropriate value (alpha of FIG. 10) according to the kind of 8a, 18b.

The lower limit of the amount of ink that can be moved from the ink tank 1 is determined by the capillary force generating members 12a, 12b on the upper surfaces of the capillary force generating members 12a, 12b to the tip positions of the air introduction grooves 22a, 22b (gas-liquid interface described later). Is the ink amount when the ink is filled, and the upper limit is the capillary force generating members 12a and 12b.
Is the ink amount when the ink is completely filled. Therefore,
When the amount of ink to be moved to the capillary force generating members 12a and 12b is determined from the upper and lower limits of the ink amount in consideration of the variation in the amount of ink held in the capillary force generating members 12a and 12b before connection, The material and thickness of the ink storage portions 9a and 9b corresponding to the capillary force generation members 12a and 12b can be appropriately selected based on the negative pressure value α in the equilibrium state with the ink amount.

Before connection, the capillary force generating members 12a, 12a,
Since there is a variation in the amount of ink held in 2b,
Even when the equilibrium state is reached, the capillary force generating members 12a,
In some cases, a region not filled with ink may remain on the side of the air communication ports 22c and 22d of 2b. This area can be used as a buffer area for a change in temperature or pressure, which will be described later, together with the buffer sections 17a and 17b.

On the other hand, when there is a possibility that the pressure of the ink supply port O becomes positive when the equilibrium state is reached due to the influence of the variation, the suction recovery means provided in the liquid discharge recording apparatus main body to be described later. The recovery may be performed by performing suction recovery, and causing a small amount of ink to flow out.

The communication tubes 25a, 25 at the time of connection
The ink path may be formed in the ink storage portions 9a, 9b by pressing the ink storage portions 9a, 9b together with the outer walls 6a, 6b during connection.
It may be performed by pressurizing b. Further, the ink storage sections 9a and 9b before connection are kept in a very slight negative pressure state, and the use of the negative pressure facilitates the movement of the gas in the communication tubes 25a and 25b to the ink storage sections 9a and 9b. May be.

Next, as shown in FIG.
The ink is discharged by a and 18b, and consumption of the ink is started. At this time, the ink storage units 9a, 9b and the capillary force generating members 12a, 12b are balanced while increasing the value of the static negative pressure generated by the ink storage units 9a, 9b.
b and the ink held in both the capillary force generating members 12a and 12b are consumed. That is, when the ink is consumed from the recording heads 18a and 18b, the liquid surface positions of the capillary force generating members 12a and 12b in the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a and 24b are changed to the ink levels. Supply port O
(In the direction of arrow I), the ink storage portions 9a and 9b are further deformed, and the ink storage portions 9a and 9b are moved.
The center portion of b is kept in a stable inward squeezing manner.

Here, the welded portions 8a and 8b are also connected to the inner walls 7a and
7b, the portion not having the welded portions 8a and 8b starts deforming first on the surface adjacent to the surface having the maximum area, relative to the region having the welded portions 8a and 8b. 7a, 7b are separated from the outer walls 6a, 6b. In the present embodiment, the facing surface having the maximum surface area is
Since deformation is performed almost simultaneously, more stable deformation is realized.

The ink supply port O in the state shown in FIG.
The change in the negative static pressure with respect to the amount of ink derivation from the ink is such that the static negative pressure gradually increases in proportion to the amount of ink derivation, as shown in a region A of FIG. Even in this first ink supply state, the communication tubes 25 are connected to the ink storage portions 9a and 9b.
Air does not enter through a and 25b.

As the derivation of the ink from the ink supply port O further proceeds, as shown in FIG. 8, the ink storage portions 9a and 9b
Gas is introduced into the gas (hereinafter, gas-liquid exchange state,
Alternatively, it is referred to as a second ink supply state. ).

At this time, the capillary force generating members 12a, 12b
Is substantially constant (gas-liquid interface) at the distal ends of the air introduction grooves 22a and 22b, and the air introduction grooves 22a and 22b and the communication pipes 25a and 25b extend from the air communication ports 21a and 21b.
When the air passing through the ink tank 1 enters the ink tank 1, the ink from the ink tank 1 flows through the ink derivatives 11a and 11b of the communication pipes 25a and 25b, and the capillary force generating member storage chamber 24
a and moves to the capillary force generating members 12a and 12b.

Accordingly, even if ink is consumed by the recording heads 18a and 18b as liquid discharge recording means, the ink is filled into the capillary force generating members 12a and 12b in accordance with the consumed amount, and the capillary force generating members 12a and 12b Since a certain amount of ink is held and the air is introduced into the ink storage portions 9a and 9b, the negative pressure of the ink tank 1 is kept almost constant while almost maintaining the shape at the time of gas-liquid exchange. The ink supply to the recording heads 18a and 18b is stabilized. In the state shown in FIG. 8, the change in the static negative pressure with respect to the ink deriving amount from the ink supply units 4a and 4b becomes a substantially constant value with respect to the ink deriving amount as shown in a region B of FIG. .

When the derivation of ink from the ink supply port O further proceeds, as shown in FIG.
The inks a and 9b are almost completely consumed, and the ink remaining in the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a and 24b is consumed. The change in the negative pressure with respect to the amount of ink derivation from the ink supply port O in the state shown in FIG. 9 has a form in which the negative pressure increases in proportion to the amount of ink derivation as shown in a region C in FIG. When such a state occurs, the ink tank 1
Is removed, there is little possibility that ink leaks from the communication pipes 25a and 25b. Therefore, the ink tank 1 may be removed and replaced with a new ink tank 1.

The liquid supply operation of the ink tank 1 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is as described above.

That is, when the ink tank 1 is connected to the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a, 24b, the ink moves until the pressures of the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a, 24b and the ink tank 1 become equal, and the ink is used. Then, when the ink consumption by the recording heads 18a and 18b is started, first, the balance in the direction in which the value of the static negative pressure generated in both the ink storage portions 9a and 9b and the capillary force generating members 12a and 12b increases. While taking the ink storage section 9a,
The ink held by both the nozzle 9b and the capillary force generating members 12a and 12b is consumed. Thereafter, the ink storage units 9a, 9
b, the capillary force generating members 12a, 12a,
The ink remaining in the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a, 24b is consumed through a gas-liquid exchange state in which the liquid 2b maintains a substantially constant negative pressure for ink derivation while maintaining the gas-liquid interface.

As described above, according to the present invention, the ink storage section 9
a, 9b, without introducing outside air to the ink storage portions 9a, 9b.
In this ink supply step (first ink supply state), the inner volume of the ink tank 1 is limited by the ink storage section 9 when the ink storage section 9 is connected.
Only the air introduced into a and 9b needs to be considered. That is, there is an advantage that it is possible to cope with an environmental change even if the restriction on the internal volume in the ink tank 1 is relaxed.

According to the present invention, not only can the ink in the ink tank 1 be completely consumed, but also the communication ports 25a and 25b may contain air at the time of replacement. Since the ink tank 1 can be replaced irrespective of the ink holding amounts of 12a and 12b, it is possible to provide an ink supply system capable of replacing the ink tank 1 without providing a remaining amount detecting mechanism unlike the related art. it can. The ink tank 1 has a capillary force generating member storage chamber 24.
a, 24b, the ink tank 1
The ink supply direction from the ink supply port O to the ink supply port O can be a direction according to gravity, and a stable supply state can be maintained at all times.

As shown in FIG. 10, the negative pressure increases in proportion to the amount of ink derivation (region A), and thereafter maintains a constant value (region B). In order to increase the negative pressure (area C), air introduction is performed before the deformed surfaces of the ink storage portions 9a and 9b come into contact with each other, that is, from the area A to the area B,
It is desirable to shift to the region of FIG. This is because the ratio of the change in the negative pressure to the amount of ink drawn out in the ink storage chamber is different before and after the opposing maximum area surface comes into contact.

Further, according to the structure of the present invention, even when the ink storage sections 9a and 9b contain air, such as in the second ink supply state, it is possible to cope with environmental changes by a solution different from the conventional method. It is a configuration that can be performed.

Then, next, the ink tank 1 shown in FIG.
The mechanism of stable liquid holding when the environmental conditions are changed will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
1 (a) shows only the left part of the line BB in FIG. 1. FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b) show the function of the capillary force generating member 12a as a buffer absorber and the buffer action of the ink storage portion 9a. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating changes in the ink storage units 9a and 9b when the air in the ink storage unit 9a expands due to a decrease in atmospheric pressure or a rise in air temperature from the state of FIG. 8 (gas-liquid exchange state). Is shown.

That is, when the air in the ink tank 1 expands due to a decrease in atmospheric pressure (or an increase in temperature),
The wall surface constituting the ink storage section 9a (FIG. 11A,
(B) and the liquid surface (of FIG. 11 (a)) are pressed to increase the internal volume of the ink storage section 9a, and a part of the ink is removed from the inside of the ink storage section 9a via the communication pipe 25a. It flows out to the force generating member storage chamber 24a side. Here, since the inner volume of the ink storage portion 9a increases, the amount of ink flowing out of the capillary force generating member 12a (the movement of the liquid level of the capillary force generating member 12a shown in FIG. This is significantly less than when the part 9a cannot be deformed.

Here, the amount of ink flowing out through the communication tube 25a depends on the deformation of the wall surface when the air inside the ink storage portion 9a expands and presses against the wall surface to increase the internal volume of the ink storage portion 9a. It is determined by the magnitude of the resistance and the resistance for moving the ink and absorbing it to the capillary force generating member 12a. In particular, in the case of this configuration, since the flow resistance of the capillary force generating member 12a is larger than the resistance to the restoration of the inner wall 7a, the inner volume of the ink storage portion 9a first increases with the expansion of the air, and When the increase in volume due to the expansion of air is large, the capillary force generating member storage chamber 24a is opened from the inside of the ink storage section 9a through the communication pipe 25a.
The ink flows out to the side. Therefore, since the wall surface of the ink storage section 9a functions as a buffer against environmental changes, the movement of the ink in the capillary force generating member 12a becomes gentle, and the negative pressure characteristic in the ink supply path 19a is stabilized.

In this embodiment, the ink that has flowed into the capillary force generating member storage chamber 24a is held by the capillary force generating member 12a. In this case, the amount of ink in the capillary force generating member storage chamber 24a temporarily increases, and the gas-liquid interface moves rightward (in the direction of the arrow) in the drawing. Although the internal pressure is slightly positive, the effect on the ejection characteristics of the recording head 18a is small, and there is no problem in practical use. Also, when the atmospheric pressure is restored to the level before the pressure reduction (returned to 1 atm) (or returned to the original temperature), it leaks into the capillary force generating member storage chamber 24a and is held by the capillary force generating member 12a. The stored ink returns to the ink storage section 9a again, and the internal volume of the ink storage section 9a returns to the original state.

In the present invention, the relationship between the amount of ink absorbed by the capillary force generating member 12a and the ink tank 1 is determined from the viewpoint of preventing ink leakage from the atmosphere communication port 21a or the like at the time of pressure reduction or temperature change. And the amount of ink flowing out from the ink tank 1 under the worst condition, and the capillary force generating member storage chamber 24 when ink is supplied from the ink tank 1.
The maximum amount of ink absorbed in the capillary force generating member storage chamber 24a is determined in consideration of the amount of ink to be held in the capillary force generating member storage chamber 24a. You only need to have it.

FIG. 11 (c) shows the case where FIG.
Assuming that the ink storage section 9a in (b) does not deform at all in response to the expansion of air, the relationship between the initial space volume of the ink tank 1 before decompression and the amount of ink flowing out when the pressure is reduced to 0.7 atm will be described. This is indicated by a chain line.

As is apparent from this graph, the ink derivation amount ΔV at this time is obtained by setting the pressure at the time of pressure reduction to P (0 <P <
1) The ratio of the initial amount of air in the ink tank 1 is a (0 ≦ a
≦ 1), when the volume of the ink storing portion 9a before expansion and V _B, is approximately expressed by the following equation.

(1) When 0 ≦ a <P The air in the ink tank 1 that expands under reduced pressure becomes larger as the remaining ink amount is smaller and a larger amount of ink is pushed out. ΔV = ((1−P) / P) × a × V _B (Equation 1)

(2) When P ≦ a ≦ 1 Since the ink does not flow out beyond the amount of ink in the ink tank 1, it depends on the amount of ink initially stored, and ΔV = (1−a) × V _B (Equation 2).

Therefore, the worst conditions for estimating the amount of ink flowing out of the ink tank 1 are as follows. For example, when the maximum pressure reduction condition of the atmospheric pressure is set to 0.7 atm, the amount of ink flowing out of the ink tank 1 becomes maximum. is the residual 30% of the ink in the ink tank 1 volume V _B of the ink tank 1 a case is, the capillary force generating member 12a of the ink below the ink chamber wall bottom portion also capillary force generating member housing chamber 24a of should been absorbed, any ink which is remaining in the ink tank 1 (30% of V _B) may be considered to be leakage.

However, since the ink storage portion 9a is actually deformed by the expansion of air, the ink storage portion 9a before expansion is deformed.
Since the internal volume of the ink storage section 9a after expansion increases with respect to the internal volume of a, the relationship between the initial space volume of the ink tank 1 before decompression and the amount of ink flowing out when the pressure is reduced to 0.7 atm is shown by a solid line. become that way.

That is, the expansion ratio at this time is represented by t (t
> 1), and if t is a constant, the amount of ink derivation ΔV
Is approximately represented by the following equation.

(3) When 0 ≦ a <P × t The derived amount of ink ΔV is proportional to the initial air amount, but ΔV = (((1−P) / P) × due to the expansion of the ink storage section 9a. a− (t−1)) × V _B (Equation 3) However, in Equation 3, when ΔV <0, ΔV =
It becomes 0. That is, in this state, the ink does not move through the communication tube 25a, and only the inner volume of the ink storage portion 9a expands.

(4) When P × t ≦ a ≦ 1 Since the ink does not flow out more than the amount of ink in the ink tank 1, ΔV = (1−a ) × V _B (Equation 4).

As is apparent from FIG. 11 (c), the estimation of the amount of ink flowing out from the ink tank 1 under the worst condition is smaller than the case where it is assumed that the ink storage portion 9a is not deformed at all by the expansion of air. can do. For example, 0.7 atm maximum pressure reduction condition of atmospheric pressure, when the t = 1.2, 16% of the ink volume V _B of the ink tank 1 to the ink outflow amount is maximized from the ink tank 1 is a case that remaining in the ink tank 1, the runoff is 16% of the volume V _B of the ink containing amount.

Since t actually has a relationship with the flow resistance of the ink moving through the communication tube 25a, it actually becomes a function of a and may not be a constant value.
Even in such a case, it goes without saying that the amount of ink flowing out is smaller than when the ink storage section 9a is not deformed. In addition, the upper limit of t is the outer wall 6 in the state shown in FIG.
It can be determined by the size of the inner surface of “a” and the inner volume of the ink storage portion 9a before the gas expands.

The above phenomenon is the same even when the temperature is changed. However, even when the temperature rises by about 50 deg, the outflow amount is smaller than when the pressure is reduced.

As described above, according to the present invention, the outer shape of the inner wall 7a, that is, the ink storage portion 9a is restored until it becomes substantially equal to the shape of the inner surface of the outer wall 6a. Due to the buffer action, it is possible to provide an ink supply system that can respond to environmental changes even if the ink storage amount of the tank unit 1a is greatly increased. Therefore, by appropriately selecting the materials of the capillary force generating member 12a and the ink storage portion 9a to be used, the volume ratio between the capillary force generating member storage chamber 24a and the tank portion 1a can be arbitrarily determined, and 1: 2. Even for larger cases, it can be used practically.

When the buffer effect of the ink tank 1 is emphasized, the amount of deformation of the ink storage portion 9a in the gas-liquid exchange state with respect to the use start state may be increased within a range where elastic deformation is possible.

In order for the buffer effect of the ink storage section 9a to function effectively, the amount of air existing in the ink storage section 9a with the deformation of the ink storage section 9a being small is small. Thereafter, it is desirable that the amount of air existing in the ink storage section 9a be as small as possible before the gas-liquid exchange state.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Hereinafter, a modified example applicable to the first embodiment will be described.

<Structure of Capillary Force Generating Member Storage Room> First, the capillary force generating member storage room 2 in each of the above-described embodiments.
A supplementary explanation will be given for the structures of 4a and 24b.

As the capillary force generating members 12a and 12b stored in the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a and 24b, in addition to a porous member such as polyurethane foam, a felt-like fiber or a fiber mass was thermoformed. What can be used.

The communication pipes 25a and 25b have been described as being tubular, but any form may be used as long as it does not inhibit gas-liquid exchange in the gas-liquid exchange state.

In the first embodiment described above, the air introduction groove is provided on the inner surface of the housing, but it is not always necessary to provide the air introduction groove.

However, by providing the air introduction grooves 22a and 22b as structures for promoting gas-liquid exchange, the above-described gas-liquid interface can be easily formed, so that more stable ink supply can be realized. There is an advantage that can be. That is, not only the operation of supplying liquid to the outside such as the recording heads 18a and 18b is stabilized, but also the first supply state as described above is applied to the design of the capillary force generating members 12a and 12b and the ink storage portions 9a and 9b. Since there are conditions in each state such as the second supply state, it is even easier to consider these conditions by forming a gas-liquid interface.

In the above-described first embodiment, the space without the capillary force generating members 12a, 12b (the buffer portion 17a,
17b) is provided near the end opposite to the communication pipes 25a, 25b, but is eliminated, and instead, the capillary force generating members 12a, 12b which do not hold liquid in a normal state
May be filled. As described above, the presence of the capillary force generating members 12a and 12b that do not hold the liquid in the buffer space allows the capillary force generating member storage chamber 2 to be used during the above-described environmental change.
It is possible to hold the ink moved to 4a and 24b.

<Structure of Ink Tank> Next, a supplementary explanation will be given on the structure of the ink tank 1 in the first embodiment.

Capillary force generating member storage chamber 2 of ink tank 1
The communication pipes 25a and 25b with the communication pipes 4a and 24b are provided with members for preventing leakage of liquid and air from the communication pipes 25a and 25b at the time of connection and for preventing the ink in the ink storage portions 9a and 9b before connection. Seal members 4c and 4da are provided. In each of the embodiments, the seal members 4c and 4da are all in the form of a film, but a ball-shaped stopper or the like may be used. Further, the communication tubes 25a and 25b may be hollow needles, and the seal members 4c and 4da may be rubber stoppers.

The ink tank 1 of the first embodiment is formed by a direct blow manufacturing method. That is, the housings (outer walls 6a, 6
b) and the ink storage portions 9a and 9b (the inner walls 7a and 7b) are formed by uniformly inflating a cylindrical parison with a substantially polygonal column mold by air blow. Alternatively, a negative pressure may be generated as the ink is drawn out by providing a metal spring or the like in a flexible bag, for example.

However, by using the blow molding, not only the ink storage portions 9a and 9b having the outer shape similar to or similar to the inner shape of the housing can be easily manufactured, but also the ink storage portions 9a and 9b can be formed easily. Constituting inner wall 7a,
There is an advantage that a negative pressure easily generated by changing the material and thickness of 7b can be set. Furthermore, by using a thermoplastic resin for the material of the inner walls 7a, 7b and the outer walls 6a, 6b, it is possible to provide the ink tank 1 with high recyclability.

Here, the structure of the “outer walls 6a, 6b” and the resulting structure exerted by the “outer walls 6a, 6b” on the “inner walls 7a, 7b” in the first embodiment will be additionally described.

In the first embodiment described above, since the ink tank 1 is manufactured by blow molding, the inner walls 7a, 7
b is formed so that the thickness near the corner is thinner than the thickness near the center of the surface constituting the container. Also the outer wall 6
Similarly, a and 6b are also formed to be thinner in the vicinity of the corner than in the vicinity of the center of the surface constituting the container. Further, the inner walls 7a, 7b are arranged with respect to the outer walls 6a, 6b.
Are formed on the outer walls 6a and 6b having a thickness distribution that gradually decreases from the center of each surface toward the corners of each surface.

As a result, the inner walls 7a and 7b are
a, 6b will have an outer surface that matches the inner surface. Since the outer surfaces of the inner walls 7a, 7b are along the thickness distribution of the outer walls 6a, 6b, they become convex toward the ink storage portions 9a, 9b formed by the inner walls 7a, 7b. And
Since the inner surfaces of the inner walls 7a and 7b have the above-described thickness distribution of the inner walls 7a and 7b, the ink storage portions 9a and 9b are further improved.
It becomes convex toward. Since these structures exhibit the above-mentioned functions particularly at the maximum area, the present invention only needs to have such a convex shape at least at the maximum area, and the convex shape is also at the inner walls 7a and 7b. 2 mm or less, and 1 mm or less on the outer surfaces of the inner walls 7a and 7b. Although the convex shape may be within the measurement error range in the small area portion, it is one factor that gives a priority to the deformation on each surface of the substantially polygonal column ink tank 1. One.

In addition, the structure of the outer walls 6a and 6b will be supplemented. One of the functions of the outer walls 6a and 6b is to regulate the deformation of the corners of the inner walls 7a and 7b.
As a structure exhibiting this function, any structure having a structure (corner surrounding member) that can maintain the shape against deformation of the inner walls 7a and 7b and that covers the periphery of the corner may be used. Therefore, the outer wall 6a, 6b or the inner wall 7a, 7b may be covered with a material such as plastic, metal, or cardboard. As the outer walls 6a and 6b, the entire surface may be used, or only the corners may have a surface structure, and the surface structure may be connected with a rod of metal or the like. Furthermore, the outer walls 6a, 6b
A mesh structure may be used.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the ink storage portions 9a and 9b have a substantially polygonal column shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The object of the present invention can be achieved in any form as long as a negative pressure can be generated by this deformation.

Further, in order to obtain the buffer effect by the ink storage sections 9a and 9b, the ink storage sections 9a
9b is elastically deformable, and it is required that the ink storage portions 9a and 9b can return to the shape before the deformation by expansion of the internal container, that is, the ink storage portions 9a and 9b are deformed within the range of the elastic deformation. If there is a state where the rate of change of the negative pressure due to the deformation due to the ink derivation changes rapidly (for example, when the deformed portions come into contact with each other), even if the deformation is within the range of the elastic deformation, It is desirable that the first ink supply state be completed before the change state, and the second ink supply state be started.

The material used for the exchange liquid storage container of the present invention may be any material as long as the inner walls 7a, 7b and the outer walls 6a, 6b can be peeled off, and the inner walls 7a, 7b or the outer walls 6a, 6b can be used. A plurality of materials may be used to form a multilayer structure. Further, as compared with the case where the ink storage portions 9a and 9b are used alone as a negative pressure generation type liquid storage container, it is possible to use a highly elastic inner wall 7a and 7b. Considering the effect on ink and the like stored inside, for example, polyethylene resin,
Polypropylene resin and the like are preferably applicable.

<Ink Tank> In each of the above embodiments,
The ink tank 1 has capillarity generating member storage chambers 24a and 24b.
However, the two chambers may be always integrated. In this case, the communication tubes 25a, 25 are formed using O-rings or the like so that ink does not leak from the communication tubes 25a, 25b, which are the connecting portions of the two chambers.
It is desirable to seal b.

<Liquid supply operation and ink supply system>
Next, a supplementary explanation regarding the liquid supply operation and the ink supply system will be given.

The ink supply operation in the ink supply system according to each of the above-described embodiments is described as follows: the ink tank 1 and the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a and 24b are connected from the initial state where they are not connected to the use start state when they are connected. , First
And the second ink supply state.

Here, as a first modification of each of the above-described embodiments, even in an ink supply system without a gas-liquid exchange state, that is, without a second ink supply state, outside air is introduced into the ink storage sections 9a and 9b. Ink storage unit 9 without
Since there is a step of using the inks a and 9b, the internal volume of the exchange liquid storage container can be limited only by considering the air introduced into the ink storage portions 9a and 9b at the time of connection. In other words, there is an advantage that it is possible to cope with environmental changes even if the limitation on the internal volume in the ink tank 1 is relaxed, and the configuration can achieve the object of the present invention.
However, considering the usage efficiency of the ink storage sections 9a and 9b, it is easier to have the gas-liquid exchange state after the first ink supply state as in the first embodiment described above. The ink of the units 9a and 9b can be consumed.

As a second modification, the recording head 18
a, consumption speed when consuming ink from 18b,
Can be very large. At this time, in the first supply state, the negative pressures of the two do not always balance, and the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a and 24b are kept in a state until the difference between the negative pressures becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value. When the ink is preferentially consumed and the negative pressure difference becomes equal to or more than a certain value, the ink in the ink storage chamber may move to the capillary force generation member storage chambers 24a and 24b.

In the above-described ink tank 1 in which the two chambers are always integrated, only the use start state is completed at the start of use, and the effects of the other supply operations also in this modified example. The effects of the first embodiment can be applied as they are.

(Second Embodiment) Next, an ink jet cartridge 73 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The ink storage form and structure of the ink tank 51 of this embodiment are different from those of the first embodiment in that the ink is impregnated in the ink impregnating material 70 and the chamber for storing the ink has a one-chamber structure.

The difference from the head-equipped holder 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is that in this embodiment, the capillary force generating members 12a and 12b and the capillary force generating member storage chambers 24a and 24 are provided.
b, and in the first embodiment, the ink supply paths 19a, 19b and the communication pipes 25a, 25b are arranged via the capillary force generating members 12a, 12b, whereas the ink supply paths 69a, , 69b and communication pipes 75a, 75
b is provided integrally. The ink supply unit 54
In order to prevent ink from leaking from gaps between the bellows and the communication pipes 75a and 75b, a sealing material (not shown) is provided for the bellows 14a and 14b of the first embodiment.

Ink tank 51 to holder 60 with head
Is the same as in the first embodiment, and the latch claws 53a, 53b of the latch levers 52a, 52b provided on the ink tank 51 are engaged with the engagement holes 65 of the tank holder 66.
a, 65b.

(Third Embodiment) Finally, an ink jet recording apparatus equipped with the ink jet cartridge of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the ink tank 1, the tank holder 16 and the ink jet cartridge 23 used in the present embodiment are those of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 13, the ink-jet cartridge 23 is fixedly supported on a carriage 5010 of the main body of the ink-jet recording apparatus by a positioning means (not shown) and is detachably mounted on the carriage 5010. The recording heads 18a and 18b for ejecting ink are provided integrally with the ink jet cartridge 23, and the carriage 5010 mounts the tank holder 16 with the ejection openings of the recording heads 18a and 18b facing downward.

The forward / reverse rotation of the drive motor 5130 is transmitted via the drive transmission gears 5090 and 5110 to the lead screw 50
40 to rotate it, and
10 has a pin (not shown) that engages with the spiral groove 5050 of the lead screw 5040. Thus, the carriage 5010 is reciprocated in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus.

In the lever 2 for holding the ink tank 1 with respect to the head-equipped tank 10, the scanning direction of the reciprocating movement of the carriage 5010 and the direction in which the lever is elastically movable are substantially the same. The shock to the replacement liquid supply container during the reciprocating movement of 5010 is absorbed.

On the other hand, the recording material P is fed by a paper feed motor 506.
The sheet is sent below the carriage 5010 by the rotation of the transport roller 5000 by the drive of 0. At this position, the recording heads 18a and 18b are moved while the carriage 5010 is moved.
, The recording is performed on the recording material P.

The cap 5020 for capping the front surfaces of the recording heads 18a and 18b is used for performing suction recovery of the recording heads 18a and 18b through openings in the caps by suction means (not shown). The cap 5020 can be moved by the driving force transmitted via the gear 5080 and the like to cover the ejection opening surfaces of the recording heads 18a and 18b. In the vicinity of the cap 5020, a cleaning blade (not shown) is provided, and this blade is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction in the figure. The blade is not taken in this form, and it goes without saying that a known cleaning blade can be applied to this example.

The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that desired processing can be performed at the corresponding position by the action of the lead screw 5040 when the carriage 5010 moves to the home position. If the desired operation is performed in any of the above, any of the present embodiments can be applied.

[0146]

As described above, the replacement liquid supply container of the present invention has two outer walls, which are substantially parallel to the mounting / removing direction to the tank holder and are also substantially parallel to each other. When the replacement liquid supply container is attached to the tank holder, the plurality of levers are located between the tank holder and the replacement liquid supply container because the plurality of levers each having the claw portion are elastically provided on the two wall surfaces. Is allowed, and movement in directions other than the linear mounting direction is restricted. This facilitates the mounting of the replacement liquid supply container on the tank holder.

Further, in the ink jet cartridge having the tank holder and the ink jet recording apparatus having the ink jet cartridge, a lever which repeatedly bends and is subjected to a bending stress upon mounting is provided on the consumable replacement liquid supply container side. By doing so, there is no problem in durability even when the replacement liquid supply container is repeatedly attached and detached.

In particular, in the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, the lever for holding the replacement liquid supply container with respect to the tank holder is substantially the same as the scanning direction of the reciprocating movement of the carriage and the direction in which the lever is elastically movable. By doing so, the impact on the replacement liquid supply container when the carriage reciprocates can be absorbed by the lever.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an ink tank according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a holder with a head according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining an operation when the ink tank is mounted on a holder with a head.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an ink jet cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a state of the ink jet cartridge shown in FIG. 4 immediately after the ink tank is mounted on a holder with a head, wherein FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the same cross section as FIG. 4, and FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along line GG of FIG.

6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating a state where the ink tank of the ink jet cartridge shown in FIG. 4 is started to be used, and FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional view of the same cross section as FIG. 4, and FIG.
FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line G.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a state of the ink jet cartridge shown in FIG. 4 at the time of deriving ink from an ink tank;
(A) is a cross-sectional view of the same cross-section as FIG. 4, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of FIG.
2 is a sectional view taken along line GG of FIG.

8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating a gas-liquid exchange state of an ink tank of the ink jet cartridge shown in FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional view of the same cross section as FIG. 4, and FIG.
FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line G.

9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating a state of the ink jet cartridge shown in FIG. 4 before the ink tank is replaced, wherein FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of the same cross section as FIG. 4, and FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the ink jet cartridge shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an ink derivation amount of an ink tank and a negative pressure of an ink supply unit.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory views of a stable liquid holding mechanism of the inkjet cartridge shown in FIG. 4 when environmental conditions of an ink tank are changed;
(C) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the amount of ink flowing out at the time of pressure reduction.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an ink jet cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view showing an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 51 Ink tanks 1a, 1b Tank portions 2a, 2b, 52a, 52b Latch levers 3a, 3b, 53a, 53b Latch claws 4a, 4b Ink supply portions 4c, 4d Seal members 5 Connecting portions 6a, 6b Outer walls 6c, 6d, 26a, 26b Side wall surface 7a, 7b Inner wall 8a, ab Welding portion 8c, 8d, 21a, 21b Atmospheric communication port 9a, 9b Ink storing portion 10, 60 Holder with head 11a, 11b Ink derivative 12a, 12b Capillary force generating member 13 Pop-up Spring 14a, 14b Bellows 15a, 15b, 65a, 65b Engagement hole 16, 66 Tank holder 17a, 17b Buffer 18a, 18b, 68a, 68b Recording head 19a, 19b, 69a, 69b Ink supply path 20 Filter 22a, 22b Atmosphere Introductory groove 22c, 22d Atmosphere Passages 23, 73 Inkjet cartridges 24a, 24b Capillary force generating member storage chambers 25a, 25b, 75a, 75b Communication tube 27 Central side wall 36a, 36b Side wall 37a, 37b Side wall corner 70 Ink impregnating material 5020 Cap 5040 Lead screw 5050 Spiral groove 5080 Gear 5090, 5110 Drive transmission gear 5130 Drive motor

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A liquid storage unit for storing a liquid, and a plurality of liquid supply units for supplying the liquid in the liquid storage unit to the outside, wherein a coupling unit is formed to which the liquid supply units are coupled. A plurality of liquid supply units disposed in a bottom portion when the replacement liquid storage container is in use, and one side surface of the replacement liquid storage container. A first latch lever elastically provided with respect to the first latch lever, the first latch lever having a first engagement portion that engages with a first engagement portion formed on the tank holder, and the first latch lever is provided. A second latch lever having a second engaging portion elastically provided on the other side surface facing the side surface and engaging with a second locking portion formed on the tank holder. And a pair provided with the first and second latch levers. The exchangeable liquid storage container, wherein a pair of side surfaces facing each other extend in a direction of attachment / detachment to / from the tank holder. 2. A tank having a liquid storage section for storing a liquid and a liquid supply section for supplying the liquid in the liquid storage section to the outside, wherein a tank is formed with a connection section to which the liquid supply section is connected. In the replacement liquid storage container that is detachably replaceable with respect to a holder, the liquid supply unit is disposed at a bottom portion in a use state of the replacement liquid storage container, and is elastic with respect to one side surface of the replacement liquid storage container. A first latch lever provided with a first engaging portion for engaging with a first locking portion formed on the tank holder, the first latch lever being opposed to a side surface on which the first latch lever is provided. A second latch lever having a second engagement portion that is elastically provided on the other side surface and engages with a second engagement portion formed on the tank holder. The first and second latch levers are located near the bottom of the side surface. With a shape that is inclined or curved upward from the area,
A pair of opposite side faces provided with the first and second latch levers respectively extend in a direction of attachment / detachment to / from the tank holder. 3. The liquid supply unit is formed in a plurality,
3. The replacement liquid supply container according to claim 1, wherein each of the liquid supply units is disposed near the first and second latch levers. 4. 4. The replacement liquid supply container according to claim 3, wherein the number of the liquid storage units is one and the number of the liquid supply units is two. 5. The liquid supply unit according to claim 1, wherein the first and second latch levers and the liquid supply units are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to each other.
5. The replacement liquid supply container according to any one of items 1 to 4. 6. The liquid storage section is formed in a plurality,
The replacement liquid supply container according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply units correspond to the respective liquid storage units. 7. The liquid storage part, except for the liquid supply part, forms a substantially closed space and is deformed with the lead-out of the liquid stored therein, and is capable of generating a negative pressure.
7. The replacement liquid supply container according to any one of items 6 to 6. 8. The first and second latch levers include:
2. An operation unit used at least when the replacement liquid supply container is withdrawn from the tank holder.
8. The replacement liquid supply container according to any one of items 7 to 7. 9. The replacement liquid supply container according to claim 1, wherein the first and second latch levers are elastically displaced toward the replacement liquid supply container main body during the attachment / detachment operation. 10. The first and second latch levers,
10. A lever member having a shape inclined or curved upward from a region near the bottom of the side surface.
6. The replacement liquid supply container according to 5. 11. The first and second latch levers include:
The replacement liquid supply container is provided at a portion close to the bottom, and is configured to be elastically displaceable with the portion as a fulcrum, and the operating portion provided at the tip of the first and second latch levers. 11. The replacement liquid supply container according to claim 1, wherein a latch claw is disposed between the two. 12. The replacement liquid supply container according to claim 1, wherein the latch pawl is disposed outside the first and second latch levers. 13. A liquid discharge recording head unit having an opening into which a liquid storage container for storing liquid used for recording is inserted, detachably holding the liquid storage container, and discharging the liquid. An ink communication pipe that communicates with a liquid supply unit disposed at a bottom portion in the use state of the replacement liquid storage container, and an ink communication pipe provided to one side surface of the liquid storage container. A first engaging portion that engages with the first latch lever; and a second latch lever that is provided on the liquid container on the other side opposite to the side on which the first engaging portion is provided. An ink jet head cartridge comprising: a second engaging portion. 14. The ink jet head cartridge according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of the liquid supply units are formed, and each of the liquid supply units is disposed near the first and second latch levers. 15. An ink-jet cartridge according to claim 8, further comprising: a carriage which detachably holds the ink-jet cartridge and is supported so as to reciprocate along a surface of the recording medium. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head that discharges ink from the recording head of the inkjet cartridge based on an electric signal for discharging ink to perform recording on a recording medium. 16. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the scanning direction of the reciprocating movement of the carriage is substantially the same as the direction in which the lever is elastically movable.