JP4747503B2 - Ink cartridge for ink jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink cartridge suitable for a recording apparatus that mounts an ink cartridge on a carriage on which an inkjet recording head is mounted and supplies ink to the recording head.

In a recording apparatus in which an ink container is detachably mounted on a carriage equipped with an ink jet recording head, a locking mechanism that prevents the carriage from moving out during printing and can be easily disengaged by an external operation is provided. I have.
For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, such a locking mechanism is capable of rotating a convex portion that engages with the ink cartridge holder on one of the two opposing side surfaces of the ink tank and the other surface. A claw is formed on a simple lever, and with the convex portion engaged with the ink cartridge holder, the other surface is moved so that the convex portion is a rotation fulcrum and the claw is engaged with the ink cartridge holder. It is configured.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-44451

However, it is difficult to apply the ink cartridge that is mounted by rotating the ink cartridge to an ink container that forms an ink flow path via an ink supply needle that communicates with the recording head.
In other words, since the ink supply needle has a predetermined length to ensure reliable communication with the ink container, there is a risk of breakage when an external force other than the axial direction is applied. It is necessary to move in parallel with the length direction.
Further, as can be seen in Patent Document 2, an elastically deformable lever having a claw portion that engages with the ink cartridge holder is formed on two opposing surfaces of a container for containing ink, and can be inserted into the ink supply needle. Ink cartridges have also been proposed.
In particular, in a recording apparatus that requires ink that does not dissolve in the atmosphere, that is, a recording apparatus that includes a recording head that pressurizes ink with a piezoelectric element, the ink cartridge is decompressed in a bag made of an air-tight film. Contained and stored in state.
For this reason, there is a problem that the lever is pressed against the container main body by a strong force due to the atmospheric pressure acting through the bag, and the lever is creep-deformed for a long period of time, so that the function as the fixing portion is lost.
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the object of the present invention is to ensure that the lever claw can be inserted into and removed from the ink supply needle and whether or not a long-term external force is applied. An ink cartridge that can be engaged with an ink cartridge holder is provided.
JP 9-11500 A

In order to solve such a problem, the present invention stores ink in a container main body and supplies ink to a recording head via an ink supply port communicating with the container main body in a state of being mounted on an ink cartridge holder of a recording apparatus. In the ink cartridge for supplying the ink cartridge, a lever having a rotation fulcrum on the ink supply port side is formed on a surface constituting the container body, and a claw portion that can be engaged with and disengaged from the ink cartridge holder is provided on the lever. It is characterized in that it is formed with a tiltable support that supports the claw portion of the lever.
The present invention also provides an ink cartridge that stores ink in a container main body and supplies ink to a recording head through an ink supply port that communicates with the container main body in a state of being mounted on an ink cartridge holder of a recording apparatus. A lever having a rotation fulcrum on the ink supply port side is formed on the surface constituting the container main body, a claw portion that can be engaged with and disengaged from the ink cartridge holder is formed on the lever, and the claw portion of the lever is supported. An inclinable support column is formed on a wall surface constituting the container body.
The present invention also includes a container main body that stores ink and an ink supply port that communicates with the container main body, and a lever having the ink supply port side as a rotation fulcrum is formed on a surface constituting the container main body. And an ink cartridge holder in which the ink cartridge is mounted in an ink jet recording apparatus that receives ink from an ink cartridge in which a claw portion and a tiltable column supporting the claw portion of the lever are formed on the lever. In addition, a protrusion is formed that hits the column and rotates and pushes down the column.
The present invention also provides an ink cartridge that stores ink in a container main body and supplies ink to a recording head through an ink supply port that communicates with the container main body in a state of being mounted on an ink cartridge holder of a recording apparatus. In the surface constituting the container main body, a lever having a support column as a rotation fulcrum is formed at the center, and a claw portion that can be attached to and detached from the ink cartridge holder is formed on the lever. To do.
Further, according to the present invention, an ink cartridge is formed by forming a lever having a support column as a rotation fulcrum at a central portion on a surface constituting a container body for containing ink, and forming a claw portion on the lever. In the ink jet recording apparatus that receives the supply of the ink cartridge, a surface that contacts the region below the support column of the lever is formed in the process of inserting the ink cartridge into the ink cartridge holder in which the ink cartridge is mounted. It is characterized by that.

According to the ink cartridge of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the lever from being excessively pressed against the container main body by the support column even in a state where the bag is sealed in the air-tight film.
On the other hand, in the process of mounting the ink cartridge in the holder, the support column is pushed down, and the claw portion of the lever is engaged with the holder to give the user a click feeling to inform the user that the lever has moved to the specified position.
Further, it is possible to maintain the state where the claw is engaged with the ink cartridge holder with a predetermined strength regardless of the elasticity of the lever itself.

Therefore, details of the present invention will be described below based on the illustrated embodiment.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the ink cartridge of the present invention. The ink cartridge 1 is inserted into and removed from an ink supply needle in communication with the container body 2 on the lower surface of a flat rectangular container body 2. The ink supply port 3 is formed, and the levers 8 and 9 having the rotation portions 6 and 7 at the ink supply port side, that is, the lower ends are formed on the upper portions of the two side surfaces 4 and 5.

  Grip portions 10 and 11 are formed at the upper ends of the respective levers 8 and 9, and claw portions 12 and 13 that are engaged with an ink cartridge holder 30 of a recording apparatus, which will be described later, are formed at the intermediate portion. Guide convex portions 14 and 15 that are engaged with the guide portions 35 and 36 of the ink cartridge holder 30 and are urged in the expanding direction are formed between the portions 6 and 7 and the claw portions 12 and 13. Yes. One guide convex portion 14 is formed in a cross-sectional water droplet shape so that the lower end side is slightly tapered, and the other guide convex portion 15 is formed in a circular cross section.

  Further, the levers 8 and 9 are disposed at positions facing the claw portions 12 and 13 of the side surfaces 4 and 5 of the container body 2 to such an extent that the engagement between the claw portions 12 and 13 and the ink cartridge holder 30 can be released. Stopper convex portions 16 and 17 that are movable to the side are formed.

  In this embodiment, storage means 20 storing data such as the type of ink cartridge 1 and the amount of ink is mounted on the side surface. The storage means 20 includes an electrode 21 that can contact the contact of the ink cartridge holder 30 on the surface side, and a circuit board 22 on the back surface on which a storage element (not shown) is mounted.

  FIGS. 2A and 2B show an embodiment of an ink cartridge holder in which the above-described ink cartridge 1 is mounted with the head unit including the recording head 33 and the ink supply needle 34 removed. The ink cartridge holder 30 is divided into a plurality of regions by a plurality of, in this embodiment, three ribs 31, and on the bottom surface 32, as shown in FIG. 3, a recording head 33 and an ink supply needle 34 communicating with the recording head 33. The ink supply needle 34 is disposed in a region divided by the ribs 31.

  The guide convex portions 14 and 15 are located above the respective regions from the region where the guide convex portions 14 and 15 of the ink cartridge 1 first contact to the position where the ink supply port 3 is securely attached to the ink supply needle 34. Guide portions 35 and 36 extending in the vertical direction are formed of engaging grooves and windows. Of the guide portions, the guide portion 36 engaged with the convex portion 15 having a circular cross section is formed with an inclined surface 36a inclined toward the center so that the guide portion 36 can be inserted in the upper end region irrespective of the expanded state of the lever 9. Yes.

  In this embodiment, in order to maintain the degree of deaeration of the ink contained in the ink cartridge 1, the lever 8, as shown in FIG. 9 is pressed against the container body 2 by the air-tight bag by the atmospheric pressure, and is supported by the stopper convex portions 16 and 17 of the container body 2. This prevents the levers 8 and 9 from being excessively pushed and bent toward the container body 2 side.

  In a state where the ink cartridge 1 is removed from the bag for mounting, the levers 8 and 9 expand due to elasticity, but still lose elasticity due to a creep phenomenon or the like for a long period of time, and the levers 8 and 9 serve as stoppers. There is a possibility that the protrusions 16 and 17 are in close contact with or close to the convex portions 16 and 17.

When such an ink cartridge 1 is mounted with the levers 8 and 9 sandwiched between the thumb and forefinger and the side surface which is the back side when mounted, in this embodiment the side surface 4 is fitted to the wall 30a of the ink cartridge holder 30, 4 is regulated by the wall 30a of the ink cartridge holder 30 and the stopper projection 16 so that the guide projection 14 is as close to the guide portion 35 as possible. It is located and enters the guide part 35 by its tapered shape. Further, the guide convex portion 15 of the lever 9 is guided along the slope 36 a at the top of the guide portion 36 and enters the guide portion 36. Accordingly, the levers 8 and 9 are moved outward by the guide portions 35 and 36 with the rotating portions 6 and 7 as fulcrums, and are separated from the stopper convex portions 16 and 17.
In addition, since the ink cartridge holder 30 is formed with the second walls 30b and 30c so as to regulate the gap perpendicular to the wall 30a and substantially equal to the width of the lever 8, the ink cartridge 1 is inserted into the ink cartridge holder 30. In the process, the lever 8 is restricted in position in the width direction by the walls 30b and 30c and moves to a specified position.

  The ink cartridge holder 30 is formed with an identification piece 39 so that only the ink cartridge 1 suitable for each position can be mounted, and the ink cartridge 1 has a recess (not shown) corresponding thereto. Thus, only the compatible ink cartridge 1 is configured to be able to move further.

  When the ink cartridge 1 is further pushed in, the guide convex portions 14 and 15 of the ink cartridge 1 are guided to the guide portions 35 and 36 of the ink cartridge holder 30 and moved to a predetermined position, and the claw portions 12 and 9 of the levers 8 and 9 are moved. 13 slopes 12a, 13a abut against the upper surfaces of the engaging portions 37, 38 of the ink cartridge holder 30, where a push-in resistance is generated.

  When the ink cartridge 1 is further pushed in this state, the claw portions 12 and 13 of the levers 8 and 9 get over the engaging portions 37 and 38 by the inclined surfaces 12a and 13a as shown in FIG. Depressed on the bottom of the. At this time, a click feeling is given to the user by the elastic energy of the opened levers 8 and 9. As a result, the user senses that the ink cartridge 1 has moved to a specified position, and stops further unnecessary pushing.

  In a state where the ink cartridge 1 is mounted in the ink cartridge holder 30, the levers 8 and 9 of the ink cartridge 1 are always urged outward by the guide portions 35 and 36. The engagement state is maintained even when acting on 9.

On the other hand, when the ink in the ink cartridge 1 is exhausted, when the two levers 8 and 9 are sandwiched between the thumb and forefinger, the levers 8 and 9 are supported by the guide portions 35 and 36, and the guide convex portions. 14 and 15 are elastically deformed with the fulcrums 14 and 15 as a fulcrum, and the claw portions 12 and 13 move to the inside of the engaging portions 37 and 38 of the ink cartridge holder 30. When the levers 8 and 9 are pulled up in this state, the ink supply port 3 comes out of the ink supply needle 34 and the ink cartridge 1 can be taken out from the ink cartridge holder 30.
In the above-described embodiment, the ink cartridge 1 is provided with the two levers 8 and 9, and the two levers 8 and 9 are engaged with the ink cartridge holder 30, but at least the storage means 20 is provided. If the lever 8 is provided only on the provided side and engaged with the ink cartridge holder 30, the coupling state of the ink cartridge 1 and the ink supply needle 34 is maintained, and the electrode 21 of the storage means 20 is connected to the ink cartridge holder. The contact can also be maintained by reliably contacting the 30 contacts.

6 (a) to 6 (c) show other embodiments of the ink cartridge of the present invention, in which the claw portions 56 of the levers 50, 51 formed on the side surfaces 4, 5 of the container body 2, 57 is supported so as to maintain an appropriate distance from the side surfaces 4 and 5 of the container body 2 by support columns 52 and 53 extending from the levers 50 and 51 on the back surface of the levers 50 and 51.
Semicircular projections 54 and 55 are formed on the side surfaces 4 and 5 of the container body 2 with which the tips of the columns 52 and 53 abut.

  According to this embodiment, when the ink cartridge 1 is housed in a bag of an airtight film in a reduced pressure state with the support columns 52 and 53 engaged with the semicircular protrusions 54 and 55 at the time of factory shipment, Since 53 is held substantially perpendicular to the side surfaces 4 and 5, the vicinity of the claw portions 56 and 57 of the levers 50 and 51 is prevented from being excessively pressed against the container body 2 side.

  On the other hand, when the ink cartridge 1 is pushed into the ink cartridge holder 30, the support release protrusions 40 and 41 provided on the ink cartridge holder 30 side become the support of the ink cartridge 1 in the insertion process as shown in FIG. 52 and 53 are pushed up. As a result, the struts 52 and 53 are tilted over the protrusions 54 and 55 having semicircular tips.

  When the ink cartridge 1 is further pushed in this state, the levers 50 and 51 have lost support of the columns 52 and 53, so that the claw portions 56 and 57 get over the engaging portions 37 and 38 by the inclined surfaces 56a and 57a, It falls on the lower surface of the engaging portions 37 and 38. At this time, a click feeling is given to the user by the bullet energy of the released levers 50 and 51. As a result, the user senses that the ink cartridge 1 has moved to a specified position, and stops further unnecessary pushing.

FIGS. 7A to 7C show another embodiment of the ink cartridge of the present invention in which the columns 62 and 63 on the back surface of the claw portions 66 and 67 of the levers 60 and 61 are formed integrally with the container body 2. Is.
On the side surfaces 4 and 5 of the container main body 2, there are formed support columns 62 and 63 that are rotatable so as to face the vicinity of the claw portions 66 and 67 of the levers 60 and 61. Semicircular projections 64 and 65 are formed on the back surfaces of the claw portions 66 and 67 on the side facing the side surfaces 4 and 5.

  According to this embodiment, the ink cartridge 1 is placed in the bag of the airtight film while the free ends of the columns 62 and 63 are engaged with the semicircular protrusions 64 and 65 of the levers 60 and 61 at the time of shipment from the factory. When accommodated in a reduced pressure state, the columns 62 and 63 are held substantially perpendicular to the side surfaces 4 and 5, so that the vicinity of the claw portions 66 and 67 of the levers 60 and 61 is excessively pressed against the container body 2 side. Is prevented.

  On the other hand, when the ink cartridge 1 is pushed into the ink cartridge holder 30, the support release protrusions 42 and 43 provided on the ink cartridge holder 30 side become the support of the ink cartridge 1 in the insertion process as shown in FIG. 62 and 63 are pushed up. As a result, the struts 62 and 63 are brought down over the protrusions 64 and 65 having semicircular tips.

  When the ink cartridge 1 is further pushed in this state, the levers 60 and 61 lose support of the columns 62 and 63, so that the claw portions 66 and 67 get over the engaging portions 37 and 38 by the inclined surfaces 66a and 67a, It falls on the lower surface of the engaging portions 37 and 38. At this time, a click feeling is given to the user by the bullet energy of the released levers 60 and 61. As a result, the user senses that the ink cartridge 1 has moved to a specified position, and stops further unnecessary pushing.

  FIG. 8 (a) shows another embodiment of the ink cartridge according to the present invention. The levers 70 and 71 formed on the side surfaces 4 and 5 of the container body 2 are free at the lower end and have a central portion. Are supported by the columns 72 and 73 in a rotatable manner, and short ribs 74 and 75 are formed below the columns 72 and 73.

  According to this embodiment, when the ink cartridge 1 is stored in a bag of an airtight film in a reduced pressure state, the gripping portions 78 and 79 of the levers 70 and 71 are pressed to the container body 2 side and greatly deformed. Since the ribs 74 and 75 are short and have high rigidity, they hardly creep.

When the ink cartridge 1 is pushed into the ink cartridge holder 30, the ribs 74 and 75 of the levers 70 and 71 are first brought into contact with the side walls 44 and 45 provided on the ink cartridge holder 30 as shown in FIG. Then, the base of the support pillars 72 and 73 is turned as a turning fulcrum, and stands up substantially vertically.
Thereby, even if the gripping portions 78 and 79 are creep-deformed, the claw portions 76 and 77 are located outside the engaging portions 37 and 38 of the ink cartridge holder 30.

  Therefore, even when the gripping portions 78 and 79 of the levers 70 and 71 are creep-deformed toward the container body 2 when the ink cartridge 1 is housed in a bag of an airtight film in a reduced pressure state, the claw portion 76 , 77 can be reliably brought into contact with the lower portions of the engaging portions 37, 38. As a result, this elastic energy gives the user a click feeling. As a result, the user senses that the ink cartridge 1 has moved to a specified position, and stops further unnecessary pushing.

  FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the ink cartridge 1 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the front surface of the container body 2 and the back surface thereof are located near the claw portions 86 and 87 of the levers 80 and 81. Ear portions 82 and 83 are formed so as to protrude, and struts 84 and 85 are formed so as to be located on the side facing the levers 80 and 81 of the ear portions 82 and 83 and outside the levers 80 and 81. .

According to this embodiment, when the cartridge 1 is housed in a bag of an airtight film in a reduced pressure state, the levers 80 and 81 are supported by the stopper convex portions 16 and 17 and moved toward the container body 2 as described above. Creep deformation is prevented, and unnecessary expansion can be prevented by the columns 84 and 85 of the ear portions 82 and 83.
That is, since the ear portions 82 and 83 and the support columns 84 and 85 function as protective members for the levers 80 and 81, the claw portions 86 and 87 are prevented from colliding with other objects and deformed, and the ink cartridge holder Secure engagement with 30 can be ensured.

  FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which at least one of the levers 90 and 91 formed on the container body 2 so as to be rotatable, that is, the lever on the surface on which the storage means 20 is provided. The support column 92 is formed so as to be positioned at the uppermost possible end of the surface of the container body 2 on the side of 90, that is, on the moving side.

According to this embodiment, even if the ink cartridge 1 is housed in a bag of an airtight film in a reduced pressure state, the lever 90 is supported at the upper end by the support column 92 to prevent creep deformation, so that the ink cartridge holder 30 Also, since at least the lever 90 is not creep-deformed, the claw portion 93 is reliably engaged with the engagement portion 37 of the ink cartridge holder 30 by elastic deformation outward by the stopper convex portion 16.
Thereby, the electrode 21 of the memory | storage means 20 can contact the contact of the ink cartridge holder 30 reliably, and a contact relationship can be maintained.

FIGS. 1A to 1C are a top view, a front view, and a side view, respectively, showing an embodiment of the ink cartridge of the present invention. FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing an embodiment of the ink cartridge holder of the recording apparatus suitable for the ink cartridge. It is sectional drawing which shows one Example of an ink cartridge holder same as the above. It is a figure which shows the state in which the ink cartridge same as the above is accommodated in the airtight bag. Fig. (A) is a view showing a state where the ink cartridge is mounted on the ink cartridge holder, and Figs. (B) and (C) are enlarged views showing the vicinity of the guide portion. Fig. (A) is a view showing another embodiment of the ink cartridge of the present invention in a state where it is taken out from the air-tight bag, and Figs. (B) and (c) are enlarged views of the vicinity of the column of the ink cartridge. FIG. 4 and FIG. 4D are diagrams showing a state where the ink cartridge holder is mounted. Fig. (A) is a view showing another embodiment of the ink cartridge of the present invention in a state where it is taken out from the air-tight bag, and Figs. (B) and (c) are enlarged views of the vicinity of the column of the ink cartridge. FIG. 4 and FIG. 4D are diagrams showing a state where the ink cartridge holder is mounted. FIG. 1A is a view showing another embodiment of the ink cartridge of the present invention in a state where it is taken out from the air-tight bag, and FIG. FIGS. 1A to 1C are a top view, a front view, and a side view, respectively, showing another embodiment of the ink cartridge of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the other Example of the ink cartridge of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink cartridge 2 Container main body 3 Ink supply port 4, 5 Side surface 6, 7 Rotating part 8, 9, 50, 51, 60, 61, 70, 71, 80, 81, 90, 91 Lever 10, 11, 78, 79 Grip part 12, 13, 56, 57, 66, 67, 76, 77, 86, 87, 93 Claw part 14, 15 Protrusion part for guide 16, 17 Protrusion part for stopper 30 Ink cartridge holder 33 Recording head 34 Ink supply Needle 35, 36 Guide part 37, 38 Engagement part 40, 41, 42, 43 Support release protrusion 52, 53, 62, 63, 72, 73, 92 Post

Claims (7)

In an ink cartridge that stores ink in a container main body and supplies ink to a recording head via an ink supply port that communicates with the container main body in a state of being mounted on an ink cartridge holder of a recording apparatus.
A lever having the ink supply port side as a rotation fulcrum is formed on the surface constituting the container body, and a claw portion that can be engaged with and disengaged from the ink cartridge holder is supported on the lever, and a claw portion of the lever is supported. An ink cartridge formed with a tiltable support. In an ink cartridge that stores ink in a container main body and supplies ink to a recording head via an ink supply port that communicates with the container main body in a state of being mounted on an ink cartridge holder of a recording apparatus.
A lever having a rotation fulcrum on the ink supply port side is formed on the surface constituting the container body,
Forming a claw portion detachable from the ink cartridge holder on the lever;
An ink cartridge in which a tiltable support for supporting the claw portion of the lever is formed on a wall surface constituting the container body. A container main body for containing ink and an ink supply port communicating with the container main body, and a lever having a rotation fulcrum on the ink supply port side is formed on a surface constituting the container main body; In an ink jet recording apparatus that receives ink supply from an ink cartridge that forms a part and a tiltable support that supports the claw part of the lever,
An ink jet recording apparatus in which an ink cartridge holder to which the ink cartridge is mounted is formed with a protrusion that abuts against the support and rotates and pushes down the support. A container main body for containing ink and an ink supply port communicating with the container main body, and a lever having a rotation fulcrum on the ink supply port side is formed on a surface constituting the container main body; An ink jet recording apparatus that receives a supply of ink from an ink cartridge in which a claw part that can be engaged with and disengaged from a cartridge holder is formed and a tiltable column that supports the claw part of the lever is formed on a wall surface constituting the container body In
An ink jet recording apparatus in which an ink cartridge holder to which the ink cartridge is mounted is formed with a protrusion that abuts against the support and rotates and pushes down the support. In an ink cartridge that stores ink in a container main body and supplies ink to a recording head via an ink supply port that communicates with the container main body in a state of being mounted on an ink cartridge holder of a recording apparatus.
An ink cartridge in which a lever having a support column as a rotation fulcrum is formed at a central portion on a surface constituting the container main body, and a claw portion detachable from the ink cartridge holder is formed on the lever. Ink jet recording is formed on the surface constituting the container main body for containing ink, and a lever having a support column as a rotation fulcrum is formed at the center, and ink is supplied from an ink cartridge in which a claw is formed on the lever. In the device
An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein a surface that contacts an area below the support column of the lever is formed in a process of inserting the ink cartridge into an ink cartridge holder to which the ink cartridge is mounted. The said lever is formed in the two surfaces which comprise the said container and oppose.
The ink cartridge according to any one of 2 and 5.

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