JP4822325B2 - Liquid discharge head cartridge and recording apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejection head cartridge and a recording apparatus in which an ejection head and a liquid container are integrally formed, for example, mounted and used in an ink jet recording apparatus.

  An integrated ink jet head cartridge is known in which a recording head that performs recording by discharging ink and an ink tank that is connected to the recording head via an ink flow path are integrally provided.

  In this integrated ink-jet head cartridge, the printable discharge amount is limited to the ink amount accommodated in the built-in ink tank, so that it is possible to ensure printing durability in a recording head or the like. It is relatively easy compared to systems.

Generally, an integrated ink jet head cartridge is distributed in a state where a recording head and an ink tank are connected via an ink flow path. In this state, the ink stored in the ink tank is filled in the recording head in the recording head of the integrated inkjet head cartridge. Therefore, in order to prevent ink leakage from the recording head, a configuration is generally adopted in which a sealing tape is attached to the ejection port of the recording head and the ejection port is hermetically closed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). .
Japanese Patent No. 2683120 (page 11, FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-115073 (page 8, FIG. 1)

  As described above, since the conventional ink jet head cartridge is distributed in a state where ink is filled in the recording head, the recording head is exposed to the ink for a long period of time. For this reason, in the conventional ink jet head cartridge, the constituent members of the recording head are exposed to the ink for a long period of time, so that the constituent members may elute and adversely affect the ejection performance. Further, it has been required that the adhesive portion and the sealing portion constituting the recording head are not deteriorated in the adhesive function and the sealing function by being exposed to ink for a long time.

  In addition, it is necessary to consider the inconvenience that the ink filled in the recording head leaks and the inks of a plurality of colors are mixed, and there is a demand for sufficiently ensuring the reliability of the ink ejection characteristics after the physical distribution period. It was.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejection head cartridge and a recording apparatus that can ensure the reliability of the liquid ejection operation by the ejection head after storage including the physical distribution period of the liquid ejection head cartridge.

In order to achieve the above-described object, a liquid discharge head cartridge according to the present invention includes a discharge head that discharges droplets, a liquid container that stores liquid to be supplied to the discharge head, the liquid container, and the discharge head. and a liquid flow path communicating to a liquid ejection head cartridge detachably mounted to the cartridge mounting portion, the to shield interrupt the supply of liquid to the discharge head provided in the middle of the liquid flow path A liquid blocking means, and a storage liquid filled in a section of the liquid flow path from the liquid blocking means to the ejection head in a state in which the supply of the liquid is blocked by the liquid blocking means, and the liquid blocking The means releases the state where the supply of the liquid is interrupted in conjunction with the operation of mounting the cartridge on the cartridge mounting portion .

  As described above, according to the present invention, the liquid discharge head cartridge can be stored in a state where the discharge head is not exposed to the liquid contained in the liquid container. Can adversely affect the discharge head.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the ink jet head cartridge of the first embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a state before the ink jet head cartridge 101 is attached to a cartridge attaching portion of an ink jet recording apparatus (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet head cartridge includes a recording head 109 that ejects ink droplets, and an ink container 102 that stores ink to be supplied to the recording head 109. The cartridge also includes an upstream ink channel 105 a and a downstream ink channel 105 b that communicate the ink container 102 and the recording head 109.

  An ink absorber 103 that absorbs and holds ink is disposed in the ink container 102, and the ink absorber 103 is filled with ink 104. An ink blocking member 106 that blocks supply of ink from the ink container 102 to the recording head 109 is disposed between the upstream ink channel 105a and the downstream ink channel 105b.

  The ink 104 in the ink container 102 is filled in an upstream ink flow path 105 a disposed on the upstream side of the ink container 102 and the ink blocking member 106. A blocking release member 107 for releasing the blocking state by the ink blocking member 106 is arranged in the downstream ink flow path 105b. The downstream ink flow path 105b and the blocking release member 107 are blocked from the outside air by a rubber-like elastic film 108 which is an operating means for moving the blocking release member 107. The elastic film 108 is provided so as to be elastically deformable by airtightly closing an opening provided on the wall surface of the downstream ink flow path 105b.

  Further, the downstream ink flow path 105 b that is the section of the ink flow path from the ink blocking member 106 to the recording head 109, and the recording head 109 are filled with a recording head storage liquid 110 that is different from the ink 104. A discharge port (not shown) formed in the recording head 109 is hermetically closed with a seal tape 111 attached thereto. The recording head preservation liquid 110 can be filled by reducing the pressure in the downstream ink flow path 105b from the ejection port and injecting it from the ejection port. Further, the recording head storage liquid 110 can be filled before the elastic film 108 closes the wall surface opening of the downstream ink flow path 105b. The recording head storage solution 110 can also be filled by making a hole (not shown) from the outer wall of the ink jet cartridge 101 into the downstream ink flow path 105b, and then injecting the recording head storage solution 110 from there to close the hole. is there.

  Here, it is not always necessary to fill the above-described downstream ink flow path 105b with the recording head storage solution 110, and gas or air may be present as long as the recording head 109 is not adversely affected.

  The ink jet head cartridge 101 according to the present embodiment is in the shut-off state shown in FIG. 1 during the storage period from the physical distribution period until the ink jet head cartridge 101 is attached to the cartridge attaching portion of the ink jet recording apparatus. Accordingly, during the physical distribution period, the recording head 109 is blocked from the ink 104 by the ink blocking member 106, so that the ink 104 in the ink container 102 does not reach the nozzles of the recording head 109.

  2a, 2b, and 2c are cross-sectional views schematically showing the vicinity of the ink blocking member 106. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the vicinity of the ink blocking member 106 with the seal tape 111 removed from the state shown in FIG.

  The ink blocking member 106 includes a central portion 106a that blocks the ink flow path, and an outer peripheral portion 106b that fixes the central portion 106a to the inner peripheral surface of the ink flow path. The ink blocking member 106 has an outer peripheral portion 106b formed relatively thin and a central portion 106a formed relatively thick, for example, by injection molding using a resin material.

  The upstream ink flow path 105 a is filled with ink 104 supplied from the ink container 102. A downstream ink flow path 105 b that is a section of the ink flow path from the ink blocking member 106 to the recording head 109 is filled with the recording head storage liquid 110.

  First, the seal tape 111 attached to the recording head 109 is removed. 2b, the elastic release film 108 is pushed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2b from the state shown in FIG. 2a, whereby the interruption release member 107 is pushed in through the elastic film 108, and the tip of the interruption release member 107 is in the ink It is in a state of being in contact with the central portion 106 a of the blocking member 106.

  As shown in FIG. 2b, at this time, the outer peripheral portion 106b of the ink blocking member 106 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the ink flow path. Further, the flow of the ink 104 is kept in a state of being blocked between the upstream ink flow path 105a and the downstream ink flow path 105b by the central portion 106a and the outer peripheral portion 106b.

  Then, the volume of the downstream ink flow path 105b is reduced by further pushing the elastic film 108 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2c. Then, the recording head storage solution 110 filled in the downstream ink flow path 105b and the nozzles (not shown) of the recording head 109 flows out from the ejection ports of the recording head 109, as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 2c shows a state in which the outer peripheral portion 106b of the ink blocking member 106 is broken by further pushing the blocking release member 107 in the arrow A direction from the state shown in FIG. 2b. In this state, the upstream ink flow path 105a and the downstream ink flow path 105b communicate with each other, so that the ink 104 can be supplied from the ink container 102 to the recording head 109, and the ink jet head cartridge 101 can be used. It becomes a state. Thereafter, the recording head storage liquid 110 may be discharged by a recovery operation from the nozzle portion of the recording head as necessary.

  In this embodiment, by distributing the ink jet head cartridge 101 in the state shown in FIG. 1, it is possible to distribute the ink without filling the ink 104 on the recording head 109 side. By distributing the ink 104 without exposing it to the recording head 109 side, it is possible to prevent an adverse effect of the ink 104 on the recording head 109 during the distribution period. The inkjet head cartridge 101 can be used easily and reliably by operating the elastic film 108 as shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c.

  3A and 3B are cross-sectional views schematically showing a state where the ink jet head cartridge 101 is attached to the cartridge attaching portion 114 of the ink jet recording apparatus. FIG. 3A shows a state in which the lower end side of the ink jet head cartridge 101 is brought into contact with the mounting guide portion formed on the cartridge mounting portion 114 side in order to mount the ink jet head cartridge 101 on the cartridge mounting portion 104 of the ink jet recording apparatus. It is. The inkjet head cartridge 101 is smoothly mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 114 by rotating the inkjet head cartridge 101 in the direction of arrow B in FIG.

  FIG. 3B shows a state where the inkjet head cartridge 101 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 114 of the inkjet recording apparatus. When the ink-jet head cartridge 101 is rotated and mounted in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 3a from the state shown in FIG. 3a, the operating protrusion 115, which is an operating means provided on the cartridge mounting portion 114 side, is released. Abut. Furthermore, the outer peripheral portion 106 b is broken by the operation protrusion 115 pressing the ink blocking member 106 via the blocking release member 107.

  In this way, by configuring as described above, the blocking release member 107 is operated in conjunction with the operation of mounting the inkjet head cartridge 101 to the cartridge mounting portion 114, and the blocking state by the ink blocking member 106 is easily and reliably performed. It is possible to cancel.

  Although not shown, the cartridge mounting portion 114 may be provided with a release mechanism for releasing the blocking state by the ink blocking member 106. In the case of this configuration, the release mechanism is driven after the ink jet head cartridge 101 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 114, and the cutoff release member 107 is moved by the release mechanism.

  As described above, the blocking state is released in conjunction with the operation of mounting the ink jet head cartridge 101 on the cartridge mounting unit 114, so that the user can effectively use the recording apparatus without the blocking release member 107 being released. Can be prevented. Furthermore, the blocking release member 107 is provided at the back of the inkjet head cartridge 101, that is, at a position away from the outer periphery, so that the user can accidentally touch the blocking release member 107 and cause a malfunction. be able to. Of course, if necessary, the user can directly operate the shut-off release member 107 by pressing the shut-off release member 107 through the elastic film 108 by using an operating pin (not shown) or the like. It is.

  FIG. 3c shows a state where the protrusion length of the operation protrusion 115 is shortened after the operation protrusion 115 provided on the cartridge mounting portion 114 breaks the outer peripheral portion 106b.

  Since the elastic film 108 that seals the downstream ink flow path 105b is formed of an elastic body, the elastic film 108 returns to the initial state when the pressing force received from the operation protrusion 115 disappears, and the volume of the downstream ink flow path 105b is increased. Return to the initial state. At this time, the elastic film 108 returns to the initial state, whereby the volume of the downstream ink flow path 105b increases, and the ink 104 in the ink container 102 is drawn toward the downstream ink flow path 105b.

  For this reason, the recording head preservation liquid 110 filled in the downstream ink flow path 105b is favorably pushed toward the recording head 109 by the ink 104, and the replacement of the recording head preservation liquid 110 with the ink 104 is smoothly promoted. Is done.

  Therefore, the ink jet head cartridge 101 is satisfactorily supplied with the ink 104 from the ink container 102 to the recording head 109 after the blocking state by the ink blocking member 106 is released.

  As described above, the inkjet head cartridge 101 is provided with the ink blocking member 106 between the upstream ink flow path 105a and the downstream ink flow path 105b, so that the recording head 109 is exposed to the ink 104 during the physical distribution period. Therefore, the reliability of the ink ejection operation can be ensured after the physical distribution period. In addition, by providing the blocking release member 107 that releases the blocking state by the ink blocking member 106, the blocking state by the ink blocking member 106 can be easily and reliably released after the physical distribution period.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the vicinity of the ink blocking member in the ink jet cartridge according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the blocking release member 107 provided in the ink jet cartridge 201 of the present embodiment is provided with one end connected to the elastic film 108. According to the configuration of this embodiment, since the elastic film 108 and the cutoff release member 107 are integrated, the cutoff release member 107 can be displaced with high responsiveness with respect to the displacement of the elastic film 108. The member 106 can be reliably released.

  As shown in FIG. 5, another ink jet cartridge 202 of this embodiment includes an ink blocking member 116 in which the above-described blocking release member 107 and the ink blocking member 106 are integrally formed. Even if it is such a structure, the same effect is acquired.

  6A and 6B are cross-sectional views schematically showing the vicinity of the ink blocking member of the ink jet cartridge according to the third embodiment.

  FIG. 6A shows a state where ink supply to the recording head is blocked by the ink blocking member. As shown in FIG. 6a, in the ink jet cartridge 301 of this embodiment, a spherical ink blocking member 117 is disposed between the upstream ink flow path 105a and the downstream ink flow path 105b. An outer peripheral portion 118 that fixes the ink blocking member 117 to the inner peripheral surface of the ink flow path is disposed between the upstream ink flow path 105a and the downstream ink flow path 105b. The ink blocking member 117 is formed, for example, by forming an opening 119a in an ink jet cartridge, press-fitting the opening 119a into the outer peripheral portion 118, and then closing the opening 119a with a lid 119b. In this state, the upstream ink flow path 105a is filled with the ink 104 supplied from the ink container. The ink blocking member 117 and the outer peripheral portion 118 block the supply of the ink 104 to the recording head 109.

  As shown in FIG. 6 b, when the blocking release member 107 is pushed in, the blocking release member 107 is abutted against the ink blocking member 117, causing the ink blocking member 117 to drop from the outer peripheral portion 118. When the ink blocking member 107 falls off from the outer peripheral portion, the upstream ink flow path 105a and the downstream ink flow path 105b are communicated with each other. As a result, the ink jet head cartridge 301 can supply the ink 104 from the ink container to the recording head 109, and is ready for use.

  7A and 7B are cross-sectional views schematically showing the vicinity of the ink blocking member in the ink jet cartridge of the fourth embodiment.

  FIG. 7A shows a state where the ink supply to the recording head is blocked by the ink blocking member. As shown in FIG. 7a, in the ink jet cartridge 401 of this embodiment, a flat plate-shaped ink blocking member 120 is provided between the upstream-side ink flow path 105a and the downstream-side ink flow path 105b formed in a straight line. It arrange | positions so that the ink flow paths 105a and 105b may be crossed.

  In the ink blocking member 120, a blocking portion 120a that blocks the ink flow paths 105a and 105b and an opening 120b that communicates the ink flow paths 105a and 105b are formed adjacent to each other. Sealing members 121a and 121b are disposed at intersections of the ink blocking member 120 and the ink flow paths 105a and 105b, respectively, and the ink flow paths 105a and 105b are hermetically sealed.

  The upstream ink flow path 105a is filled with ink 104 supplied from an ink container. The ink blocking member 120 blocks the supply of the ink 104 to the recording head 109 by bringing the blocking portion 120a into contact with the upstream ink flow path 105a via the seal member 121a.

  As shown in FIG. 7b, when the ink blocking member 120 is pushed in the direction of arrow B, one end of the ink blocking member 120 is abutted against a part of the ink container, and the opening 120b is connected to the upstream ink 105a. Moved to position. By connecting the opening 120b to the upstream ink 105a, the upstream ink flow path 105a and the downstream ink flow path 105b are communicated with each other via the opening 120b. In the present embodiment, a shielding release member (not shown) for pushing the ink blocking member 120 is provided on the cartridge mounting portion side.

  As a result, the ink jet head cartridge 401 can supply the ink 104 from the ink container to the recording head 109 and is ready for use.

  8a and 8b are cross-sectional views schematically showing the vicinity of the ink blocking member in the ink jet cartridge of the fifth embodiment.

  FIG. 8A shows a state where the ink supply to the recording head is blocked by the ink blocking member. As shown in FIG. 8a, the ink jet cartridge 501 of the present embodiment includes a flat ink blocking member 122 between the upstream ink flow path 105a and the downstream ink flow path 105b formed in a straight line. It arrange | positions so that each ink flow path 105a, 105b may be crossed.

  In the ink blocking member 122, a blocking portion 122a that blocks the ink flow paths 105a and 105b and an opening 122b that communicates the ink flow paths 105a and 105b are formed adjacent to each other.

  The upstream ink flow path 105a is integrally formed with a sliding contact portion 131 that is in sliding contact with the ink blocking member 122, and the upstream ink flow path 105a is hermetically sealed. The upstream ink flow path 105a is filled with ink 104 supplied from an ink container.

  The downstream ink flow path 105b is provided with an accordion-shaped ink flow path pipe 123 connected to the end portion on the ink blocking member 122 side. The ink channel tube 123 is formed to have a diameter that can be inserted through the opening 112b.

  In a state where the ink flow paths 105a and 105b are blocked by the blocking section 122a of the ink blocking member 122, the ink flow path pipe 123 is compressed in the tube axis direction by the blocking section 122a of the ink blocking member 122. , One end is in contact with the blocking portion 122 a of the ink blocking member 122. The ink blocking member 122 blocks the supply of the ink 104 to the recording head 109 by bringing the blocking section 122a into contact with the upstream ink flow path 105a.

  As shown in FIG. 8b, when the ink blocking member 122 is pushed in the direction of the arrow C by a shield release member (not shown) arranged on the cartridge mounting portion side, one end of the ink blocking member 122 becomes a part of the ink container. The opening 122b is moved to a position where it is connected to the upstream ink 105a. As a result, the ink flow path pipe 123 compressed in a bellows shape expands toward the upstream ink flow path 105a by its elastic force, and is connected to the upstream ink flow path 105a through the opening 122b. Is done.

  By connecting the upstream ink flow path 105 a and the ink flow path pipe 123, the upstream ink flow path 105 a and the downstream ink flow path 105 b are communicated with each other via the ink flow path pipe 123. As a result, the ink jet head cartridge 501 can supply the ink 104 from the ink container to the recording head 109 and is ready for use.

  9A and 9B are cross-sectional views schematically showing the vicinity of the ink blocking member in the inkjet cartridge of the sixth embodiment.

  FIG. 9A shows a state where ink supply to the recording head is blocked by the ink blocking member. Ink 104 is held in an ink absorber 124 disposed in the ink container 102.

  As shown in FIG. 9a, the ink jet cartridge 601 of this embodiment includes a flat plate-shaped ink blocking member 126 between the upstream ink flow path 105a and the downstream ink flow path 105b formed in a straight line. It arrange | positions so that the ink flow paths 105a and 105b may be crossed. Sealing members 121a and 121b are disposed at intersections of the ink blocking member 120 and the ink flow paths 105a and 105b, respectively, and the ink flow paths 105a and 105b are hermetically sealed.

  In addition, a press contact body 125 having one end pressed into contact with the ink absorber 124 is provided in the upstream ink flow path 105a. The pressure contact body 125 is formed of a porous material that can absorb and hold ink. In a state where the upstream ink flow path 105 a is blocked by the ink blocking member 126, the other end of the ink absorber 124 is in contact with the blocking portion 126 a of the ink blocking member 126. The pressing member 125 is subjected to a pressing force that urges toward the ink blocking member 126 side by the elastic force of the ink absorber 124.

  Further, a filter 128 is provided at a position adjacent to the ink blocking member 126 in the downstream ink flow path 105b. The pressure contact body 125 abuts on the ink absorber 124 to absorb and hold the ink 104, and the pressure contact body 125 itself functions as an ink flow path tube in the upstream ink flow path.

  The ink blocking member 126 blocks the supply of the ink 104 to the recording head 109 by disposing a blocking portion 126 a between the pressure contact body 125 and the filter 128.

  As shown in FIG. 9b, when the ink blocking member 126 is pushed in the direction of the arrow D by a shield release member (not shown) arranged on the cartridge mounting portion side, one end of the ink blocking member 126 becomes a part of the ink container. The opening 126b is moved to a position facing the press contact body 125. As a result, the pressure contact member 125 passes through the opening 126b by the pressing force of the ink absorber 124 and comes into contact with the filter 128. By contacting the pressure contact body 125 and the filter 128, the upstream ink flow path 105 a and the downstream ink flow path 105 b are connected via the pressure contact body 125 and the filter 128.

  Accordingly, the ink jet head cartridge 601 can supply the ink 104 to the recording head 109 via the pressure contact member 125 and the filter 128, and is ready for use.

  In the present embodiment, either one or both of the ink absorber 124 and the pressure contact body 125 have elasticity, and an urging force may be applied in a direction in which the pressure contact body 125 is pressed against the ink blocking member 126 side. Further, the biasing force may be applied to the pressure contact body 125 by a mechanism using a biasing force such as a coil spring.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the ink jet head cartridge of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the vicinity of an ink blocking member. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the vicinity of an ink blocking member. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the vicinity of an ink blocking member. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the state which mounts an inkjet head cartridge in a cartridge mounting part. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the state which mounts an inkjet head cartridge in a cartridge mounting part. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the state which mounts an inkjet head cartridge in a cartridge mounting part. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the ink blocking member vicinity in 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the other ink blocking member vicinity in 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the ink blocking member vicinity in 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the ink blocking member vicinity in 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the ink blocking member vicinity in 4th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the ink blocking member vicinity in 4th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the ink blocking member vicinity in 5th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the ink blocking member vicinity in 5th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the ink blocking member vicinity in 6th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the ink blocking member vicinity in 6th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Inkjet head cartridge 102 Ink container 103 Ink absorber 104 Ink 105a Upstream ink channel 105b Downstream ink channel 106 Ink blocking member 106a Central portion 106b Outer peripheral portion 107 Blocking release member 108 Elastic film 109 Recording head 110 Recording head storage solution 111 Seal tape 114 Cartridge mounting portion 115 Actuation protrusion

Claims (6)

An ejection head that ejects liquid droplets, a liquid container that stores liquid to be supplied to the ejection head, and a liquid channel that communicates the liquid container and the ejection head, and is detachably attached to the cartridge mounting portion. A liquid discharge head cartridge,
A fluid shutoff means you shut off the supply of the liquid to the discharge head provided in the middle of the liquid flow path,
A storage liquid filled in a section of the liquid flow path from the liquid blocking means to the ejection head in a state where the supply of the liquid is blocked by the liquid blocking means ,
The liquid discharge head cartridge is characterized in that the liquid blocking means releases a state where the liquid supply is blocked in conjunction with an operation of mounting the cartridge on the cartridge mounting portion . A release means having a shut-off release member for releasing the shut-off state by the liquid shut-off means ,
Said releasing means, according to claim 1, characterized that you cancel the state by breaking the liquid blocking means by pushing the unblocking member relative to the fluid shutoff means to shut off the supply of the liquid Liquid discharge head cartridge. Before Machinery removal means, in conjunction with the operation of mounting the liquid discharge head cartridge to the cartridge mounting portion, it is operated by elastically deformed by actuating means provided in the cartridge mounting portion, the blocking release member liquid jet head cartridge according to claim 2 that have a elastic membrane pushed. 4. The liquid discharge head cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the elastic film reduces a volume of a section of the liquid flow path from the liquid blocking unit to the discharge head when the blocking release member is pushed . The liquid ejection head cartridge according to claim 4 , wherein the elastic film is an elastic body provided by closing an opening of the liquid flow path from the liquid blocking unit to the ejection head. Claims 1 to comprise a cartridge mounting portion for the liquid discharge head cartridge is mounted according to any one of 5, the recording apparatus for recording by discharging the liquid to the recording material.

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