JP3195626B2 - Ink jet recording head, ink jet cartridge and ink jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

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 head used in an ink jet recording system for discharging ink to perform recording, an ink cartridge for storing the recording head and ink supplied to the recording head , and Mosquito
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus including a carriage on which a cartridge can be mounted .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, many information recording devices such as printers, facsimile machines, word processors and the like have been widely developed. An ink jet recording method is widely used as a recording method for these recording devices because of its advantages such as high resolution, high speed recording, low cost, and downsizing.

Here, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 12, the ink filled in an ink tank 122 is supplied to the recording head 12.
In a configuration in which the recording medium 6 is supplied to the recording medium 6 and the recording medium 6 is supplied to the recording medium 6, it is proposed that the ink tank 122 and the recording head 121 be attached and detachably attached. In this case, the ink supply hole 123 of the recording head 121 has a tubular structure having a sharp end, and the ink supply section 124 of the ink tank 122 is made of an elastic material such as rubber without a hole. Then, when the recording head 121 and the ink tank 122 are separated from each other, the ink supply unit 124 of the ink tank 122 is closed. Further, the ink tank 122 is
When the ink supply unit 123 is connected, the sharp end of the ink supply hole 123 makes a hole in the ink supply unit 124 to form an ink flow path.

Reference numeral 125 denotes a filter, which is an ink tank 1
This prevents dust and the like inside 22 from moving to the recording head 121 side. Further, the supply hole 12 of the recording head 121 is
A filter 127 is also provided in the middle of the ink flow path from the ink tank 1 to the ink discharge nozzle 126.
In a state where the ink supply holes 123 are separated from each other,
This prevents dust or the like that has entered from reaching the ink discharge nozzle 126.

[0005]

However, in the above-described ink jet recording apparatus, when the recording head 121 is separated from the ink tank 122,
When ink leaks from the ink supply hole 123, air bubbles are mixed in the middle of the ink flow path, and a discharge failure may occur during recording after the ink tank 122 is combined. Further, when the recording head 121 is left alone for a long time, in the case of ink using a volatile material, the ink evaporates in the ink supply hole 123, the viscosity of the ink increases, and ink ejection failure occurs. There was a case. Further, dust entering from the ink supply hole 123 is stopped by the filter 127 in the middle of the ink flow path. However, if the amount of dust increases, the ink flow becomes poor, and ejection failure from the ink ejection nozzle 126 occurs. In this case, the recording head 121 was defective before the life of the recording head 121 and could not be used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which can prevent ink ejection failure and can use a recording head for its life.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object,
An ink jet recording apparatus includes an ink supply unit,
An ink cartridge containing ink, and an ink supply unit that selectively ejects ink to perform recording, is attached to and detached from an ink supply unit of the ink cartridge, and receives supply of ink from the ink cartridge. Ink jet cartridge provided with a recording head provided with
An ink jet recording apparatus including a carriage that is removably mounted and scans, a filter section is provided at an end of an ink supply section of the recording head, and the ink A wall surrounding the supply section is provided higher than the height of the ink supply section. Ma
In addition, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention has an ink supply unit
And an ink cartridge containing ink
The ink cartridge is selectively ejected to perform recording,
The ink cartridge is attached to and detached from the ink supply section of the cartridge.
Ink receiving unit that receives ink supply from the cartridge
And a recording head comprising:
A scanning head mounted detachably with the recording head.
A ridge, and an ink jet recording apparatus comprising:
Within a predetermined distance from the end of the ink supply section of the recording head
The filter section is provided near the end on the side of
The height of the ink supply section surrounding the ink supply section;
It is characterized by having a higher wall portion.

An ink jet recording head according to the present invention is a recording head configured to be detachably attached to an ink supply unit of an ink cartridge containing ink and selectively ejecting ink from an ink ejection unit to perform recording. The recording head is an ink ejection unit that ejects ink, an ink supply unit that receives supply of ink from an ink supply unit of the ink cartridge, a filter unit provided at an end of the ink supply unit, And a wall configured to be higher than the ink supply unit. Ma
Further, the ink jet recording head of the present invention collects ink.
Detachable from the ink supply section of the ink cartridge
It is possible to select the ink from the ink ejection section
Ink jet recording head that discharges and records
The recording head is an ink ejection unit that ejects ink.
And ink from the ink supply unit of the ink cartridge.
An ink supply unit for receiving ink supply, and the ink supply unit
Provided near the end inside a predetermined distance from the end of the
A filter section and a wall configured to be higher than the ink supply section.
And a unit. Further, according to the present invention,
The ink jet cartridge has an ink supply unit,
Ink cartridge containing ink and ink
To discharge ink to the ink cartridge for recording.
The ink cartridge is attached to and detached from the supply unit.
Recording with an ink supply unit to receive the supply of
And an ink jet cartridge with
The end of the ink supply section of the recording head is filled with
The ink supply section is provided
Surround the wall with a wall that is higher than the height of the ink supply section.
It is characterized by. Furthermore, an ink supply unit is provided.
The ink cartridge containing the ink and the ink
The ink cartridge is selectively ejected to perform recording,
The ink cartridge is attached to and detached from the ink supply section of the ink cartridge.
A supply unit for receiving ink from the printer.
Print head provided with an ink jet cartridge
Edge of an ink supply portion of the recording head
A filter part is provided near the end inside a predetermined distance from
And surrounding the ink supply section,
It has a wall that is higher than the height of the ink supply section.
I do.

[0009]

According to the present invention, ink does not easily leak due to the flow path resistance function of the filter when the recording head is in a single state, and ink leakage at the time of ink tank replacement can be prevented. In addition, evaporation of ink from the end face of the ink flow path can be reduced in a single recording head state, and ejection failure can be prevented.

Further, even when dust or the like adheres to the filter portion and the flow of ink is deteriorated, the dust can be removed by cleaning because the filter is at the end.
The recording head can be used again, and can be used up to the life of the recording head, thereby improving the economic efficiency.

[0011]

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

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a recording head and an ink tank of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a recording head for discharging ink by an electric signal; 2, an ink tank (ink cartridge) for storing ink to be supplied to the recording head 1; An ink supply hole (flow path coupling part) 11 for supplying ink from the ink tank 2 to the recording head 1 is an ink supply hole (flow path coupling part) serving as a passage of
It is formed of an elastic material such as rubber.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a valve which closes the ink supply hole 11 when the ink tank 2 is separated from the recording head 1, and opens the ink supply hole 11 when the ink tank 2 is coupled to the recording head 1. Reference numeral 5 denotes a spring for urging the valve 4 toward the ink supply hole 11, and the ink supply hole 10
, The valve 4 is opened, and the ink in the ink tank 2 is guided to the recording head 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes a filter provided at an end of the ink supply hole 10. 7
Reference numeral 101 denotes an ink ejection unit provided with nozzles for ejecting ink, and 101 denotes a head cartridge constituted by the above-described units.

In the above configuration, the ink supply hole 10 and the ink supply hole 11 have a function of separating and connecting the ink flow path between both the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2, and the ink supply hole 10 and the ink supply When the head 1 is in the separated state,
The valve 4 closes the ink supply hole 11 with a spring 5 to prevent ink from leaking from the ink tank 2. Also, when the ink tank 2 and the recording head 1 are in a connected state,
The ink in the ink tank 2 is guided to the recording head 1, and the inner wall of the ink supply hole 11 is in close contact with the outer wall of the ink supply hole 10 to prevent ink leakage. When the recording head 1 is subjected to shock such as vibration or dropping by itself, ink hardly leaks due to surface tension and flow path resistance of the filter 3.

Further, when the recording head 1 is left alone, the area of the ink exposed to the atmosphere by the filter 3 is reduced, the amount of ink evaporation can be reduced, and the recording head 2 due to an increase in the viscosity of the ink is reduced. Discharge failure can be suppressed. Further, when the recording head 1 is left alone, the filter 3 prevents dust such as paper dust from entering the ink flow path in the recording head 1,
It is possible to prevent the nozzles of the ink ejection unit 7 from being clogged and causing ejection failure. In addition, dust adhering to the filter 3 can be easily cleaned, so that the defect of the recording head 1 due to the adhesion of dust can be corrected. Therefore, the recording head 1 can be used up to the end of its life, and the economy is improved.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a state where the head cartridge 101 of FIG. 1 is mounted on a carrier portion. In the figure, reference numeral 102 denotes a carrier provided in the main body of the printing apparatus that holds the print head 1 and the ink tank 2; 106, a head lever that holds and releases the print head 1; 107, an ink tank that mounts and dismounts the ink tank 2 Lever 108 is a head fixing spring for fixing the recording head 1 to the carrier 102, and these components constitute a recording head unit and a carrier unit of the recording apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connection portion of the recording head 1 to the carrier 102 as viewed from the direction a in FIG.
In the drawing, reference numeral 109 denotes a positioning pin which is fixed to the carrier 102 and engages with a hole provided in the recording head 1 to perform positioning in the vertical direction in the figure and in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface.
Is a stopper that is fixed to the carrier 102 and receives the recording head 1 pressed in the direction a in FIG. 3, 401 is a flexible cable for electrically connecting the recording apparatus main body to the recording head 1, 111 is the flexible cable 401 and the carrier Pads 15 elastically supporting the flexible cable 401 and sandwiched between 102 are contact portions provided on the recording head 1 and electrically connected to a heater in the recording head 1.

The recording head 1 is pressed from a head fixing spring 108 shown in FIG. 2 through a lever (not shown) in the direction a of FIG. 3, and its position is determined by a hole provided in the recording head 1 and a positioning pin 109. Engagement and stopper 110
Is uniquely determined by the interference with Thus, the recording head 1 and the carrier 102 are mechanically connected.

A plurality of electrical contacts are provided at opposing positions on the contact portion 15 provided on the recording head 1 and the end surface of the flexible cable 401, and these contacts are pressed with a predetermined pressure. As a result, the recording apparatus main body and the recording head 1 are electrically connected. At this time, since it is necessary to press the plurality of electrical contacts at once, a pad 111 made of an elastic material is placed in the pressing portion to uniformly press them. The material of the pad 111 is, for example, silicon rubber, and the reaction force generated when pressed is much smaller than the force of the head fixing spring 108 pressing the recording head 1. .

Among the above-mentioned electrical contacts, the electrical contacts provided particularly on the flexible cable 401 may be formed in a projecting shape in order to concentrate the stress when pressed and secure the connection. .

In the above-described embodiment, the electrical or mechanical coupling portion is provided on the recording head 1 side, but is not limited to this, and is not restricted thereto. The electrical connection and the mechanical connection may be provided separately on either of the two sides.

Next, the above-described recording head 1 and ink tank 2
The configuration and operation of the recording apparatus equipped with the carrier 102 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the outline of the recording apparatus according to the above embodiment. Head cartridge 101
Is mounted on a carrier motor 402a.
Has a pin (not shown) that engages with the helical groove 105 of the lead screw 103 that rotates through a transmission mechanism (not shown) in conjunction with the forward and reverse rotation of the arrow. Reciprocate in direction b.

Reference numeral 104 denotes a sliding shaft for restricting the rotation of the carrier 102. The position (home position) of the carrier 102 in the directions of arrows a and b in FIG. A recovery unit 301 includes a cap 302 facing a discharge port surface of the head cartridge 101 at a predetermined position (for example, a home position) outside the recording area of the head cartridge 101;
A cap advance / retreat drive unit (not shown) is provided for bringing this into contact with the ejection port surface to protect it during non-recording or the like. In addition, at the time of the contact, a pump for sucking ink from the discharge port and discharging thickened ink, dust, air bubbles, etc. to improve the ink discharge state, and a member for storing the sucked waste ink are provided. Is provided. Further, a wiper (not shown) for cleaning the vicinity of the discharge port of the head cartridge 101 is provided.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a conveying roller for conveying the recording medium 6 in the direction c in the figure, and reference numeral 202 denotes a pinch roller for pressing the recording medium 6 against the conveying roller 201. The recording medium 6 is located between the pair of rollers. During recording, the sheet is intermittently fed in the direction c in FIG. And the transport roller 201
Are the transport roller gear 205 and the transport roller idler gear 2
06, and engages with the transport motor 402b via the transmission mechanism
Receives transmission of driving force. The pinch roller 202 can be brought into contact with and separated from the transport roller 201 by operating the release lever 210.

Reference numeral 207 denotes a platen for regulating the recording surface of the recording medium 6 to be flat.
A member for bringing the recording medium 6 into close contact with the recording medium 7 and preventing the recording medium 6 from floating may be provided. A discharge roller 213 rotates in synchronization with the transport roller 201 to discharge the recording medium 6 on which recording has been completed in the direction c in FIG.
A spur roller 214 that is driven is provided at a position facing the discharge roller 213 via the recording medium 6. Then, after the recording is completed by these rollers, the recording medium 6
Is discharged out of the printer.

Next, the configuration and electric circuit of an information processing apparatus incorporating the above-described recording apparatus will be described.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of the information processing apparatus main body 604.

4, reference numeral 601 denotes a printer unit having the configuration shown in FIG. 4; 602, a keyboard unit having keys for inputting characters, numerals, and other characters, and keys for giving various commands; and 603, a display unit It is a display part provided with.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit configuration of the information processing apparatus. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 501 denotes a controller for performing main control, and 502 denotes a microcomputer-type CPU for executing a certain procedure. , 503, a RAM provided with an area for expanding text data and image data, a work area, and the like; 504, a ROM for storing programs corresponding to the above procedure and other fixed data such as font data; A timer 506 for generating an execution cycle and generating a timing signal necessary for a printing operation by the printer unit 601 is provided. An interface unit 506 connects the CPU 502 and peripheral devices.

Reference numeral 507 denotes a controller for controlling the printer unit 601; 508, a head driver for transmitting a recording signal, electric power, and the like to the head cartridge 101;
Reference numeral 509b denotes a motor driver for transmitting signals, electric power, and the like necessary for driving the carrier motor 402a and the transport motor 402b, and 510 detects the position of the carrier 102 and determines whether the carrier 102 is at the home position, for example. A carrier sensor 511 is a paper sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the recording medium 6 when the recording medium 6 is not inserted or when the recording is completed up to the end of the page so that recording is not performed in a place other than the recording medium 6. It is.

Reference numeral 605 denotes, for example, FDD, HDD, R
An external storage device 512 such as an AM card is an external interface for communicating with, for example, another information processing device, or for controlling a peripheral device by directly connecting to an internal bus.

Although not included in the block diagram of FIG. 6, there is another power supply section for supplying power to the above-described electric circuit, such as a rechargeable battery, a disposable dry cell, or information. There is an AC power converter when the processing apparatus main body 604 is fixed and used.

Next, an outline of a recording operation control sequence in the information processing apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. In this sequence, a series of procedures described below are started by a recording start instruction by a recording instruction key on the display operation unit of the printer main body or an external recording start instruction through the external interface 512.

First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the display operation unit is online. This is a measure to prevent the printing operation from starting when the printer is not ready, mainly when a printing operation start instruction is sent from outside through communication or the like. If it is determined that the display operation unit is online, the process proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, whether or not the recording medium 6 is set in the printer unit is determined based on a signal from the paper sensor 511 or the like. This is especially true in a recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer, when printing is started without a recording medium, the ink scatters in the printer unit and contaminates the apparatus itself, or wastes ink for recording or the like. This is to prevent it from being lost.

In step S2, not only the presence or absence of the recording medium but also the pinch roller 202 and the transport roller 2
It may be determined whether or not 01 has been released. This is to prevent the recording medium 210 from being normally conveyed if the pinch roller 202 is released even if the recording medium 210 is set. The release of the pinch roller 202 can be determined by, for example, providing a mechanical switch on the release lever. If it is determined in step S2 that the recording medium is not set properly, the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, a message is issued to draw the operator's attention and set the recording medium. The message may be generated by, for example, turning on a light on the display operation unit to display the message, or by displaying a buzzer.

If it is determined in step S2 that the recording medium 6 is set, the process proceeds to step S4. In this step S4, a recording operation is started. And CP
In response to an instruction from U502, the head driver 508 drives the head cartridge 101, and in synchronization with this, the motor drivers 509a and 509b respectively drive the carrier motor 402a and the transport motor 402b to move the carrier 102 in the main scanning direction. Printing is performed while moving the printing medium in the sub-scanning direction and cleaning the print head 1.

Next, in step S5, it is determined that the recording operation is instructed by, for example, a signal from the CPU 502, or that the number of recording lines in one sub-scanning direction in one page has reached and recording on the recording medium can no longer be performed. If it is determined that the recording area of the recording medium 6 has been completed by the paper sensor 511, the process proceeds to step S
In 6, it is determined that the recording operation is completed, and the recording operation procedure is determined to be completed.

As a procedure for ending the recording operation in step S6, first, the carrier 102 is returned to the home position. This is for the case of turning off the power after the recording operation ends,
This is for capping the ink ejection surface of the recording head 1 to protect it. Next, for example, the transport motor 402b
Is discharged by a predetermined amount, or by driving the transport motor 402b until the paper sensor 510 confirms that the recording medium 6 has been discharged. Then, the CPU 502 displays the end of recording on the display / operation unit or notifies the peripheral device through an external interface to complete the recording operation.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the structure of a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the walls 80a and 80b are provided at a position higher than the end of the ink supply hole 10. ing. When the recording head 1 is in a single state, it is possible to prevent the hand from touching the ink supply hole 10 to be stained with ink, and to prevent the ink supply hole 10 from touching another one to remove dust or the like.
To prevent it from adhering. Also, the walls 80a, 80
b also serves as a guide when the ink tank 2 is connected.

Reference numeral 81 denotes a valve formed of an elastic material such as rubber. The valve 81 closes the ink supply hole 11 in a state where the ink tank 2 is a single unit, is connected to the recording head 1, and the ink supply hole 10 supplies ink. The ink supply hole 11 is opened when it enters the ink tank 2 through the hole 11.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, in which a projection 90 is provided at the end of the ink supply hole 10. When the ink tank 2 is not used, the ink supply hole 11 of the ink tank 2 is closed by the seal tape 91.

When the ink tank 2 and the recording head 1 are connected, the protrusion 90 provided at the end of the ink supply hole 10 of the recording head 1 breaks the seal tape 91, and the ink supply hole 10 And the ink in the ink tank 2 is guided to the recording head 1. In addition, the ink supply hole 11 and the ink supply hole 10 are press-fitted by utilizing the elasticity of a resin or the like at the time of connection, so that ink leakage is prevented. The protrusions 90 are partially present, and have a structure in which air is pushed out at the time of coupling and air is prevented from being mixed in the middle of the ink flow path.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 10 is a view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which the projection 92 at the end of the ink supply hole 10 is structured to have a sharp end. The tape is easily broken.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 11 is a view showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and shows a case where the filter 3 is disposed inside the end of the ink supply hole 10 by a height h. In this embodiment, the structure is such that ink is less likely to leak when an impact is applied in a single state of the recording head 1.
However, in the case of this structure, the air may enter the ink flow path at the time of coupling with the ink tank, so that the height h is desirably equal to or less than the opening diameter D of the ink supply hole 10.

It should be noted that the present invention is particularly provided with a means for generating thermal energy as energy used for discharging ink, even in an ink jet recording apparatus.
In a printing apparatus using a print head of a type in which a change in the state of ink is caused by the thermal energy, an excellent effect is obtained. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described, for example, in US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 47,407.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 96. Further, this method can be applied to any of so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it corresponds to a sheet or a channel holding a liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal that gives a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling corresponding to the recording information to the electrothermal transducer arranged at a position, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the recording head This is effective because a film in the liquid (ink) can be formed corresponding to this drive signal one by one by causing the film to boil on the heat acting surface. Then, the liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. At this time,
When the drive signal is in a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubbles are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of the liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,244 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

The structure of the recording head is a combination of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angle liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. In addition, it is also effective for the present invention to use those described in US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4,459,600, in which the heat acting portion is arranged in a bent region. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 59-123670, which discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge section of an electrothermal transducer for a plurality of electrothermal transducers, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is formed in the discharge section. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on the contents described in JP-A-59-138461 having a configuration corresponding to the above.

Further, although the serial type ink jet recording apparatus has been described in the embodiment, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum recordable width. The full-line type recording head can be configured by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification, either in a configuration that satisfies the length or in a configuration as one integrally formed recording head. However, the present invention can exert the above-mentioned effects more effectively.

A recovery means for a recording head provided as a constitution of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention,
It is preferable to add preliminary auxiliary means because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically raised, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, an electrothermal transducer or a separate heating element or a preheating means using a combination thereof may be provided. It is also effective to perform a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from printing, in order to perform stable printing.

The type and number of recording heads and inks to be mounted are, for example, monochromatic inks and inks.
In addition to the head provided with a plurality of recording heads, a head provided with a plurality of inks corresponding to a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities may be provided, and any combination is effective. The present invention is effective not only in the recording mode of the recording apparatus such as black, but also in each of the recording modes of different colors, such as multi-colors or mixed colors.

In the embodiment of the present invention described above,
Although the ink is described as a liquid, it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or below and softens or melts at room temperature, or in the above-described inkjet, the ink itself is temperature-controlled within a range of 30 ° C to 70 ° C. Is generally performed so as to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in the stable ejection range, so long as the ink is in a liquid state when the use recording signal is applied. In addition, in order to prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy, whether to positively use the phase change energy of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or use ink that solidifies in a standing state to prevent evaporation of the ink In any case, heat energy is applied for the first time by heat energy, such as one in which the ink is liquefied and ejected as an ink liquid by the application according to the recording signal of the thermal energy, or one which already starts to solidify when reaching the recording medium. Use of an ink having a liquefying property is also applicable to the present invention. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

The present invention also relates to an ink-jet system such as a piezo-jet system in which ink is ejected by converting electricity into a force, such as a piezo-jet system in which a recording head is disposed in non-contact with a recording medium and ink is ejected for recording. It is also effective in

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In the printhead alone state, ink is less likely to leak due to the flow path resistance of the filter, preventing ink leakage when replacing the ink tank, and reducing ink evaporation from the ink flow path end face in the printhead alone state. ,
There is an effect that ejection failure can be prevented.

Further, even when dust or the like adheres to the filter portion and the flow of ink is deteriorated, the dust can be cleaned and removed because the filter is at the end, and the recording head can be used again, and the recording can be performed again. There is an effect that the head can be used up to the life and the economic efficiency is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the head cartridge of FIG. 1 is mounted on a carrier.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a joining portion between a recording head and a carrier in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an information device incorporating the recording device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electric circuit of the information device in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the circuit of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording head 2 Ink tank (ink cartridge) 3 Filter 4 Valve 6 Recording medium 7 Ink ejection part 10 Ink supply hole (flow path connection part) 11 Ink supply hole (flow path connection part)

Claims (27)

(57) [Claims] An ink cartridge having an ink supply unit, the ink cartridge storing the ink, and selectively ejecting the ink to perform recording, being detachably attached to the ink supply unit of the ink cartridge, and having the ink supplied from the ink cartridge. Inkjet head, comprising: a recording head comprising:
Carriage that is mounted and removably mounted for scanning
In the ink jet recording apparatus, a filter portion is provided at an end of the ink supply portion of the recording head, and a wall portion surrounding the ink supply portion and being higher than the height of the ink supply portion. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: 2. The ink supply section of the ink cartridge.
And the ink supply section of the recording head utilizes elasticity.
2. The connection according to claim 1, wherein the connection is made in a press-fitted state.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 3. A recording head configured to be detachable from an ink supply unit of an ink cartridge containing ink and performing recording by selectively discharging ink from an ink discharge unit. An ink ejection unit for ejecting ink, an ink supply unit that receives supply of ink from an ink supply unit of the ink cartridge, a filter unit provided at an end of the ink supply unit, and an ink supply unit. An ink jet recording head, comprising: a high wall portion; 4. The ink jet recording head according to claim 3, wherein the ink cartridge is mounted in a region defined by the wall. Wherein said wall portion is an ink jet recording head according to claim 2 or claim 4, characterized in that it is utilized as a guide when mounting of the ink cartridge. 6. An ink supply unit for storing ink.
ink cartridge And print by selectively ejecting ink
To the ink supply section of the ink cartridge.
Supply and detachment of ink from the ink cartridge
A recording head having an ink supply unit for receiving the
In the ink jet cartridge, the recording head is used.
A filter section is provided at the end of the ink supply section of the
And surrounding the ink supply section,
It has a wall that is higher than the height of the ink supply section.
Inkjet cartridge. 7. A front part in an area constituted by the wall part
The ink cartridge is attached to the ink cartridge.
The inkjet cartridge according to claim 6. 8. The ink cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the wall is
Used as a guide when mounting
An ink jet according to claim 5 or claim 7.
cartridge. 9. An ink supply unit of the ink cartridge
And the ink supply section of the recording head utilizes elasticity.
7. The connection as set forth in claim 6, wherein
The ink-jet cartridge as described in the above. 10. An ink supply unit for storing ink.
Ink cartridge, Recording is performed by selectively discharging ink, and the ink
The ink is attached to and detached from the ink supply section of the cartridge,
Ink to receive ink supply from cartridge
A recording head comprising: a supply unit;
The print head and the recording head are detachably mounted and scanned.
And an ink jet recording apparatus having a
And Within a predetermined distance from the end of the ink supply section of the recording head
A filter part is provided near the end on the side,
Surrounding the ink-receiving part,
Ink jets having a wall higher than the height
Unit recording device. 11. An ink supply for the ink cartridge.
The elasticity is used for the section and the ink supply section of the recording head.
2. A connection in a press-fitted state.
0. The ink jet recording apparatus according to 0. 12. The ink supply unit having a diameter D,
End of ink supply section Near the end inside a specified distance from the
Let h be the distance from the end of the filtered filter section to the inside.
When D> h The relationship of claim 10 is satisfied.
Ink jet recording device. 13. An end of an ink supply section of the recording head.
Filter section provided near the end inside a predetermined distance from the filter section
Is divided into a plurality of parts.
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 10. 14. An ink cartridge containing ink.
Ink that is detachable from the ink supply unit
Is selected from the ink discharge section to perform printing.
In the An ink ejection unit that ejects ink, Ink from the ink supply section of the ink cartridge.
An ink supply unit to be supplied, In the vicinity of an end inside a predetermined distance from the end of the ink supply section
A filter unit provided in the A wall configured to be higher than the ink supply unit; An ink jet recording head comprising: 15. The method according to claim 15, wherein a diameter of the ink supply section is D,
Arranged near the end inside the specified distance from the end of the ink supply section
Let h be the distance from the end of the filtered filter section to the inside.
When D> h The relationship of claim 14 is satisfied.
Ink jet recording device. 16. In a region defined by the wall portion
The ink cartridge is mounted.
The inkjet recording head according to claim 14. 17. The ink cartridge according to claim 17, wherein the wall portion includes the ink cartridge.
, Which is used as a guide when mounting
Claim 14 or claim 16. The ink jet
Jet recording head. 18. A projection is provided at an end of the ink supply section.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein
The inkjet recording head according to the above. 19. The structure in which the protrusion has a sharp end.
The inkjet recording method according to claim 18, wherein
Recording head. 20. An ink supply unit for storing ink.
Ink cartridge, Recording is performed by selectively discharging ink, and the ink
The ink is attached to and detached from the ink supply section of the cartridge,
Ink receiving supply that receives ink supply from cartridge
And a recording head comprising:
In the cartridge, Within a predetermined distance from the end of the ink supply section of the recording head
A filter part is provided near the end on the side,
Surrounding the ink-receiving part,
Ink jets having a wall higher than the height
Cartridge. 21. The ink supply of the ink cartridge
The elasticity is used for the section and the ink supply section of the recording head.
3. A connection in a press-fitted state.
The ink jet cartridge according to 0. 22. The ink supply unit having a diameter D,
Arranged near the end inside the specified distance from the end of the ink supply section
Let h be the distance from the end of the filtered filter section to the inside.
When D> h 21. The relationship of claim 20, wherein
Ink jet cartridge. 23. In a region defined by the wall portion
The ink cartridge is mounted.
The inkjet cartridge according to claim 20 . 24. The ink cartridge according to claim 24, wherein the wall portion comprises the ink cartridge.
, Which is used as a guide when mounting
Claim 20 or claim 23 The ink jet
Jet cartridge. 25. An ink cartridge for an unused ink cartridge.
Make sure that the ink supply is covered with seal tape.
The ink-jet cartridge according to claim 20, wherein:
Judge. 26. A projection is provided at an end of the ink supply section.
21. The method according to claim 20, which is partially provided.
The ink-jet cartridge as described in the above. 27. The projection has a sharp end.
The ink jet camera according to claim 26, wherein
Cartridge.