JPH06966A - Ink jet cartridge, and ink tank and ink jet head which are used therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent ink effectively from sticking to an outer peripheral part of an ink tank when the ink tank is detached by a method wherein an replacement workability of the ink tank is improved and generation of bubbles following taking out and putting in of the ink tank is enabled to be restrained. CONSTITUTION:An ink cartridge is as follows; a tank opening 1a of an ink tank is sealed with a seal member 5 capable of being crushed, which is composed of a non-like permeable material; besides, a crushing promotion part 6 which crushes the seal member 5 when an ink supply pipe 4 is brought into contact with the seal member 5 in providing the ink tank 1, is formed to the ink supply pipe 4 of an ink jet head 3; or, a cylindrical part 7 which protrudes inside and compresses an ink absorbing material 2, is provided to an inner peripheral fringe of the tank opening part 1a; or a recess 8 which contains an elastic seal member 9 existing between the other peripheral fringe of the tank opening 1a of the ink tank 1 and a flange part 4a of the ink supply pipe 4 is provided to the outer peripheral fringe of the tank opening of the ink tank 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus, and more particularly to an ink jet cartridge detachably attached to an ink jet recording apparatus main body, an ink tank and an ink jet head used therein.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional ink jet recording apparatus, an ink jet cartridge having an ink jet head in which an ink tank is replaceably mounted is detachably attached to an ink jet recording apparatus main body from the viewpoint of improving ink supplyability. The ones that are designed to be installed are already provided.

Conventionally, as an ink jet cartridge of this type, for example, a needle-like supply pipe is provided on the ink jet head side, while an elastic seal member is interposed in the tank opening on the ink tank side, and the needle is attached to the elastic seal member. There is provided a device in which an ink tank and an inkjet head are connected to each other by piercing a cylindrical supply pipe (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-87266). However, in this type, since the needle-shaped supply pipe on the inkjet head side is exposed when the ink tank is replaced, there is a risk that the needle-shaped supply pipe touches the operator's hand, which is preferable for work safety. It wasn't something.

As a means for solving such a technical problem, for example, while a cylindrical ink supply pipe is projected toward the ink jet head, an ink absorber impregnated with ink is built in the ink tank, An ink supply pipe on the ink jet head side is inserted and connected to the opening, and the ink supply pipe is arranged in pressure contact with the ink absorber (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-187364).

[0005]

However, in this type, since it is necessary to seal the tank opening of the unused ink tank with a tape or a lid, the tape should be replaced when replacing the ink tank. Alternatively, after removing the lid and opening the tank opening of the ink tank, the ink tank had to be connected to the inkjet head side. Therefore, in this type, it takes time and effort to remove the tape or the lid, which not only makes the ink tank replacement work troublesome, but also when the tape or the lid is removed, vibration of the ink tank causes the inside of the ink tank to be replaced. The first technical problem was found that the ink of the ink jets and the hands of workers are soiled.

Further, in the above-mentioned type, for example, when confirming the mounting state of the ink tank again,
If the ink tank is inserted and removed while the ink absorber inside the ink tank is still sufficiently impregnated with ink, the ink absorber expands and contracts as the ink supply pipe is inserted and removed, so the inkjet head A second technical problem has been found that a large amount of air bubbles are mixed into the ink supply pipe to the inkjet head, which may impair the ink ejection operation of the inkjet head.

Further, in the above-mentioned type, in order to maintain the sealing property around the tank opening of the ink tank, a structure in which the packing material is pressed against the bottom surface of the outer peripheral portion of the tank opening of the ink tank is adopted. If you check the ink tank installation status again or remove the ink tank when replacing the ink tank, ink will adhere to the outer circumference of the tank opening of the removed ink tank, and the adhered ink may touch the operator's hand. , The third technical problem of polluting the surrounding environment was found.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above technical problems, improves the workability of exchanging an ink tank, and can suppress the generation of bubbles due to the insertion and removal of the ink tank. The present invention provides an inkjet cartridge capable of effectively preventing ink from adhering to the outer peripheral portion of the ink tank when the ink tank is removed, and an ink tank and an inkjet head used for the same.

That is, the first invention for solving the first technical problem (reducing the workability of replacing the ink tank) is shown in FIG.
Ink absorber 2 impregnated with ink I as shown in FIG.
And an ink tank 1 in which a tank opening 1a for supplying ink and an atmospheric pressure communication port 1b are opened, and the ink tank 1 is detachably mounted, and is inserted and connected to the tank opening 1a when the ink tank 1 is mounted. Ink absorber 2
An ink jet head 3 which has an ink supply pipe 4 arranged in pressure contact with and ejects ink I from the ink tank 1 supplied through the ink supply pipe 4 in accordance with image information.
An ink-jet cartridge including the ink-jet cartridge, the tank opening 1a of the ink tank 1 is sealed by a crushable sealing member 5 made of a non-ink-permeable material, and the ink supply pipe 4 of the ink-jet head 3 is , Ink tank 1
The crushing promoting portion 6 in which the sealing member 5 is crushed when the ink supply pipe 4 is pressed against the sealing member 5 of the tank opening 1a during mounting.
Is formed.

In such technical means, the sealing member 5 is made of a non-ink permeable material and the tank opening 1 is formed.
Any material can be selected as long as it seals a and is crushed by the crush promoting portion 6, for example, a thickness of 20 to 2
A film of about 00 μm may be attached. At this time, as the film, for example, an aluminum foil and polyethylene, or a multilayer laminated material mainly composed of polyester and polyethylene can be used. It should be noted that this material can be directly adhered to the ink tank 1 by heat fusion.

The crushing promoting portion 6 may be appropriately modified in design as long as it facilitates piercing the sealing member 5 for sealing the tank opening 1a with the ink supply tube 4. For example, one or a plurality of sharp protrusions may be arranged at the tip of the ink supply pipe 4. At this time, if the number of protrusions is set too large, the breakage of the sealing member 5 may block the opening of the ink supply pipe 4,
It is necessary to properly select the number and arrangement of the protrusions.
Further, in order to keep the crushing effect of the sealing member 5 good, it is preferable to dispose the above-mentioned protrusion on the outer peripheral portion of the ink supply tube 4 and set the height of the protrusion to about 1 to 3 mm. Further, the strength of the protruding portion needs to be formed of a tough material so as not to be bent or bent when the sealing member 5 is pierced.

In order to effectively avoid the situation where the broken portion of the sealing member 5 closes the opening of the ink supply pipe 4 as the crush promoting portion 6, for example, a wing-like shape is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the ink supply pipe 4. It is preferable to provide a plurality of ribs and to design so that the broken portion of the sealing member 5 is positively pushed away to the surroundings. At this time, the rib may be formed with a constant height dimension in the outer peripheral direction of the ink supply tube 4 (radial direction in the case of a cylindrical ink supply tube),
In order to more reliably exert the pushing-away effect of the sealing member 5 on the fractured portion, it is preferable to design the ink supply tube 4 so that the height gradually increases in the tube axis direction from the tip portion. The height difference of the ribs with respect to the outer peripheral direction of the ink supply tube 4 is preferably 1 to 4 mm.

Further, it is preferable to provide a dust removing filter at the entrance of the ink supply pipe 4. It is preferable that this filter can achieve a filtration accuracy of 10 to 40 μm, and specifically, a SUS mesh or S
It is possible to use a filter in which a thin US wire is made into a felt shape and further compressed and sintered is used as a base material.

In addition, the invention for solving the second technical problem (generation of bubbles due to insertion / removal of ink tank) is described in FIG.
As shown in (b), an ink tank 1 having a built-in ink absorber 2 impregnated with the ink I and having an ink supply tank opening 1a and an atmospheric pressure communication port 1b,
The ink tank 1 is detachably mounted, and has an ink supply pipe 4 which is inserted and connected to the tank opening 1a when the ink tank 1 is mounted and is arranged in pressure contact with the ink absorber 2, and is supplied through the ink supply pipe 4. An ink jet cartridge including an ink jet head 3 that ejects ink I from an ink tank 1 in accordance with image information, and the ink absorber 2 is compressed by projecting inward at the inner peripheral edge of the tank opening 1a. It is characterized in that the tubular portion 7 is provided.

In such technical means, the shape and the like of the cylindrical portion 7 is arbitrary, but the protruding dimension of the cylindrical portion 7 to the inside of the ink tank 1 is at least inserted into the tank opening 1a. It must be smaller than the insertion dimension of the ink supply tube 4. The shape of the outer peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion 7 may be appropriately selected. However, when a gap is formed between the ink absorber 2 and the inner wall of the ink tank 1, bubble accumulation is likely to occur, and therefore this bubble accumulation occurs. In order to avoid the above, it is preferable that the outer peripheral wall shape of the tubular portion 7 is formed as a smooth taper diverging toward the base side.

Further, the invention for solving the third technical problem (adhesion of ink to the outer peripheral portion of the ink tank when the ink tank is removed) is, as shown in FIG. An ink tank 1 in which a body 2 is built in and an ink supply tank opening 1a and an atmospheric pressure communication port 1b are opened, and the ink tank 1 is detachably mounted, and is inserted into the tank opening 1a when the ink tank 1 is mounted. Ink supply pipe 4 connected and arranged in pressure contact with the ink absorber 2.
And an ink jet head 3 for ejecting the ink I from the ink tank 1 supplied through the ink supply pipe 4 according to image information, the tank opening 1a of the ink tank 1. It is characterized in that a recess 8 for accommodating an elastic seal member 9 which is interposed between the outer peripheral edge and the flange portion 4a of the ink supply pipe 4 is provided.

In such a technical means, the recess 8 has such a size and depth that the operator cannot reach the ink I even if the ink I is attached to the bottom surface of the recess 8. It is necessary to select the height, and the elastic seal member 9 may be closely fitted between the bottom surface of the recess 8 and the flange portion 4a of the ink supply tube 4 to prevent the outflow of ink. . In this case, for example, if the elastic seal member 9 has a thickness of about 1.8 mm when compressed, the depth of the recess 8 is preferably about 0.5 to 1.5 mm.

Further, in these ink jet cartridges, the ink tank 1 or the ink jet head 3 can be dealt with separately and independently.
Therefore, when the ink tank 1 is attached to the ink tank 1 in which the tank opening 1a is sealed by the crushable sealing member 5 made of a non-ink-permeable material or the ink supply tube 4, the ink supply tube 4 is opened when the ink tank 1 is attached. Ink jet head 3 having a crushing assisting portion 6 that crushes sealing member 5 when pressed against sealing member 5 of 1a, or ink absorber 2 is compressed by projecting inward at the inner peripheral edge of tank opening 1a. The ink tank 1 provided with the cylindrical portion 7 or the recess 8 for accommodating the elastic seal member 9 interposed between the ink tank 1 and the flange portion 4a of the ink supply pipe 4 is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the tank opening 1a. The ink tank 1 provided is also the subject of the present invention.

[0019]

In the invention for solving the first technical problem in the technical means as described above, when replacing the ink tank 1, the ink tank 1 is taken out from the package,
As it is, it is inserted into the tank holding portion on the inkjet head 3 side. Then, the ink supply pipe 4 on the side of the inkjet head 3 comes into pressure contact with the sealing member 5 that closes the tank opening 1a of the ink tank 1, but the crush promoting portion 6 of the ink supply pipe 4 promotes the crush of the sealing member 5. The breakage of the ink supply pipe 4 crushes the sealing member 5 of the tank opening 1a, and the ink supply pipe 4 is inserted and connected in the tank opening 1a.

Further, in the invention for solving the second technical problem, a cylindrical portion 7 projecting inward is formed at the inner peripheral edge of the tank opening 1a of the ink tank 1, and this cylindrical portion is formed. Since 7 partially compresses the ink absorber 2 in the ink tank 1, the density of the ink absorber 2 in the region facing the tank opening 1a is particularly high. Therefore, before the ink tank 1 is mounted on the inkjet head 3, the ink I is kept in a concentrated state around the tank opening 1a by the capillary phenomenon. Therefore, even if the ink tank 1 is inserted into and removed from the inkjet head 3 while the ink absorber 2 is sufficiently impregnated with the ink I, the ink absorber 2 is originally compressed and deformed by the tubular portion 7. As a result, the amount of expansion and contraction of the ink absorber 2 based on the presence or absence of contact of the ink supply pipe 2 is extremely small, and the generation of bubbles due to the expansion and contraction of the ink absorber 2 is correspondingly reduced.

Further, in the invention for solving the third technical problem, a recess 8 is provided at the outer peripheral edge of the tank opening 1a of the ink tank 1, and the elastic seal member 9 is provided in this recess 8 portion.
Is pressed. Therefore, when the ink I oozes out from the ink tank 1 side at the time of removing the ink tank or the like, the ink I remains at the pressure contact portion of the elastic seal member 9, but the ink I is the bottom portion of the recess 8. However, it does not adhere to the general outer surface portion of the ink tank 1.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below based on the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of an inkjet color printer using an inkjet cartridge to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, reference numeral 20
Is a printer main body, which conveys the paper 25 in the paper tray 21 to the paper receiver 23 via the paper conveyance roll 22, while using ink of each color component (in this embodiment, cyan, magenta, yellow, black) The ink jet cartridge 30 of each color component (specifically, 30a to 30)
d) is detachably attached to the printer body 20, the corresponding ink jet cartridge 30 is moved and scanned based on the image information of each color component sent from the interface cable 24, and the ink image of each color component is transferred onto the conveyed paper 25. It was designed to write. still,
In the figure, reference numeral 26 is an opening / closing lid for replacing the inkjet cartridge 30, 27 is a manual feed tray for manually feeding the paper 25, and 28 is a console panel for giving a print instruction.

In this embodiment, the ink jet cartridge 30 for each color component is, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an ink tank 40 filled with ink and an ink jet head 50 to which the ink tank 40 is detachably mounted. The scanning carriage 31 is detachably mounted on the scanning carriage 31. In this embodiment, the scanning carriage 31 is slidably guided and supported by a pair of guide rods 32 and 33 on both sides in the width direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and each of the ink jet cartridges 30 is accommodated and held. One accommodation recess 34 is provided, and positioning walls 35 and 36 for restricting the widthwise position of the accommodated inkjet cartridge 30 are provided on both widthwise sides of each accommodation recess 34. The scanning carriage 31 appropriately moves and scans in the main scanning direction in accordance with a print instruction from the console panel 28, and ejects ink droplets from the inkjet head 50 according to image information. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 37 is a sensor for detecting the position of the carriage 31 during scanning and performing feedback control, and 38 is a timing belt for driving the carriage 31.

The details of the ink tank 40 used in this embodiment are shown in FIGS. In the figure, the ink tank 40 has a substantially hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a box body 401 having an opening on one side and a box body 401.
And a side cover 402 that closes one side surface, and each element is molded with an ink resistant material, for example, a polyester resin. The ink tank 40 has therein an ink absorber 41 having a pentagonal vertical cross section corresponding to the vertical cross section of the ink tank 40.
The ink absorber 41 in this embodiment is made of felt, for example, and is sufficiently impregnated with a predetermined color ink (in this embodiment, the volume of the ink absorber 41 is 43 cc.
Ink capacity is about 35 to 37 cc).

The bottom wall 404 of the ink tank 40 is also used.
A circular tank opening 42 is formed in the ink tank 40. On the other hand, a bulging portion 406 is formed on one end side of the upper wall 405 of the ink tank 40.
At the center of the bulging portion 406, an extremely small diameter atmospheric pressure communication port 43 communicating with the inside of the ink tank 40 is opened. Reference numeral 407 is a sealing tape for sealing the atmospheric pressure communication port 43 when the ink tank 40 is not used, and reference numeral 40
Reference numeral 8 denotes a tank grip portion formed on the upper wall 405 of the ink tank 40.

Further, the tank opening 42 is sealed with a rectangular heat-fusible film 44 made of a non-ink permeable material. In this embodiment, the heat-fusible film 44 is made of, for example, a multi-layered laminated material of aluminum foil and polyethylene and has a thickness of about 70 to 120 μm, and is adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the tank opening 42 by heat-sealing. It

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a cylindrical portion 45 is formed on the inner peripheral edge of the tank opening 42, and the cylindrical portion 45 of the ink tank 40 is particularly shown in FIG. It projects inwardly by about 4 mm, and its outer peripheral surface and inner peripheral surface widen toward the bottom wall 404 of the ink tank 40 in a divergent shape. Further, a recess 46 that is recessed inward of the ink tank 40 is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the tank opening 42.

Further, in this embodiment, an appropriate number of minute projections 410 that bite into the ink absorber 41 are formed on the inner surfaces of both side walls of the ink tank 40, whereby the ink absorber 41 is vertically displaced. It is designed to prevent Further, a plurality of ribs 411 are arranged facing each other above the inner surfaces of both side walls of the ink tank 40, and the upper surface of the ink absorber 41 in the ink tank 40 is the lower end surface of each rib 411. The atmospheric air from the atmospheric pressure communication port 43 uniformly acts on the upper surface of the ink absorber 41. Incidentally, reference numeral 412 is a locking projection formed on the outer surface of the side wall of the ink tank 40 and engaged and disengaged with the locking hole 534 of the tank holding case 53 when inserted and locked in the tank holding case 53 of the inkjet head 50 described later. Is.

The details of the ink jet head 50 used in this embodiment are shown in FIGS. In FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the inkjet head 50 has a head body 51 from which the supplied ink is ejected according to image information.
And a heat sink 52 that radiates heat generated from the head body 51, and a tank holding case 5 that is attached to the heat sink 52 and holds the ink tank 40 detachably.
3, the ink supply member 54 for communicating the ink tank 40 held by the tank holding case 53 with the head main body 51, and the image information fetched from the electric connector 551 provided on the heat sink 52 and the head main body 51.
And an electric board 55 for supplying the electric power to the side.

In this embodiment, the tank holding case 53 is formed by joining case members 531 and 532, which are divided into left and right parts, as shown in FIG. , An elastic pressing piece for pressing the inserted ink tank 40 is provided,
A notch piece 533 that is elastically deformable is formed at the center of the upper part of the case members 531 and 532.
A locking hole 534 for locking the locking projection 412 of the ink tank 40 when the ink tank 40 is inserted and held in the portion is formed.

Further, in this embodiment, the ink supply member 54 has an ink supply pipe 60 inserted and connected to the tank opening 42 of the ink tank 40, and the ink supply pipe 6.
0 and the head main body 51 are connected to each other by a manifold 70. The ink supply pipe 60 is particularly shown in FIG.
0, as shown in FIG. 11, a cylindrical pipe portion 61, a flange portion 62 projecting in the radial direction on the base side of the cylindrical pipe portion 61, and a base portion of the flange portion 62 with the cylindrical pipe portion 61. An O-ring locking groove 63 that is formed and locks the O-ring 68, sharp projections 64 that project at the tip of the cylindrical pipe portion 61 at, for example, four angular intervals, and this projection 64.
And a rib 65 that is connected to and extends along the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tube portion 61. In particular, in this embodiment, the protrusion 64 has a slanted edge 64a directed outward from the position of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical tube portion 61, and its sharp end 64b.
Is arranged at the position of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical pipe portion 61, and the rib 65 has a mountain shape whose height gradually increases toward the base side of the cylindrical pipe portion 61. Further, in this embodiment, for example, SUS is provided on the tip side of the ink supply pipe 60.
A dust removal filter 66 made of a mesh is attached. The dust removing filter 66 has, for example, a thickness of 0.9 mm, and is press-fitted and attached to a receiving groove 61a formed in the inner peripheral edge of the tip of the cylindrical tube portion 61. The tip surface of the dust removing filter 66 is a cylindrical tube. It is arranged so as to be slightly protruded from the general surface of the tip of the portion 61 by k (0.4 mm in this embodiment).

On the other hand, the manifold 70 is integrally formed of, for example, polyetherimide resin, and has a connecting portion 71 into which the base portion of the ink supply tube 60 is inserted and connected via an O-ring 67. The ink supply conduit 72 having a small diameter is provided, and the ink supply conduit 72 is provided.
A long liquid chamber 73 extending along the length direction of the head main body 51 is formed at the tip of the liquid main body 51, and a slit opening 74 is opened in a region facing the bottom of the liquid chamber 73. Reference numeral 75 is a positioning boss for positioning and fixing the manifold 70 to the heat sink 52. Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the liquid chamber 73 has a wall surface 731 (horizontal direction) that gradually expands downward from the position where it communicates with the ink supply conduit 72. With respect to the angle α: 25 ° to 45 ° in this embodiment), the ink I that has entered the liquid chamber 73 from the ink supply conduit 72 is immediately filled in the liquid chamber 73. ing.

Further, in this embodiment, the head body 5
1 is a groove substrate 511 having a plurality of grooves (channels) 512 each having a triangular cross section, as shown in FIGS.
And the heating element substrate 51 arranged to face the groove substrate 511.
And a plurality of nozzles 526 having a triangular cross section and communicating with the common ink chamber 525 are arranged in pixel density units. The groove substrate 511 is manufactured by anisotropic etching of a Si wafer. On the other hand, on the heating element substrate 513, a heat storage layer 515 of SiO ₂ , a heating resistor 516 made of polycrystalline silicon, a conducting electrode 517 made of Al—Cu, a heating resistor 516, and a conducting electrode 517 are coated on a Si wafer 514. A first protective layer 518 made of SiNx,
A photosensitive layer having a pit opening (capturing the generation and disappearance of bubbles and stabilizing ink ejection) 521 in a portion corresponding to the second protective layer 519 made of Ta laminated on the first protective layer 518 and the heating resistor 516. Each pit layer 520 made of a conductive polyimide is provided. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 522 is the electric substrate 55 and the energizing electrode 5 of the head body 51.
It is a bonding wire for electrically connecting with 17.

Further, in this embodiment, the head body 5 corresponding to the slit opening 74 of the manifold 70 is provided.
A plurality of communication holes 523 are opened in the first groove substrate 511,
The ink I from the liquid chamber 73 of the manifold 70 is uniformly supplied to the common ink chamber 525 of the head main body 51.

Next, the replacement work of the ink tank for the ink jet cartridge according to this embodiment will be described. When replacing the ink tank 40, as shown in FIG. 15, the ink tank 40 is taken out of the package, and the tank holding case 5 of the inkjet head 50 is directly held.
Plug in 3. At this time, as shown in FIG. 16, the protrusion 61 of the ink supply pipe 60 abuts against the heat-fusible film 44 that closes the tank opening 42 of the ink tank 40, but the protrusion 61 heat-bonds. When the ink supply pipe 60 is inserted into the tank opening 42 when the heat-fusible film 44 begins to break, the ribs 65 formed on the outer peripheral portion of the ink supply pipe 60 positively act on the breakage part of the heat-fusible film 44. It is avoided that the heat-fusible film 44 is torn off to the surroundings and the broken portion of the heat-fusible film 44 is torn to block the opening of the ink supply tube 60. In this state, the ink supply pipe 60 is inserted and connected to the tank opening 42, and the general tip end surface of the cylindrical pipe portion 61 of the ink supply pipe 60 is slightly smaller than the cylindrical portion 45 of the ink tank 40 (in this embodiment, m ( 17)) = about 4 mm). Then, in particular, as shown in FIG. 17, the protrusion 64 of the ink supply pipe 60 is recessed in the ink absorber 41, the mechanical connection between the ink supply pipe 60 and the ink absorber 41 is achieved, and the cylindrical pipe portion 61 is formed. The surface of the dust removing filter 66 press-fitted at the tip of the ink abuts against the ink absorber 41, so that the ink supply pipe 60 and the ink absorber 41 are fluidly coupled. Thereafter, the nozzle 526 side of the head main body 51 is forcibly set to a negative pressure state by a negative pressure generating device (not shown) on the printer main body side, and ink is filled from the ink absorber 41 to the common ink chamber 525 of the head main body 51. Then, the preparation for the ink ejection operation is completed. Therefore, when the ink ejection operation is performed on the inkjet head 50 side, the common ink chamber 525 on the head main body 51 side is in a negative pressure state, and accordingly, the ink absorber 4 of the ink tank 40.
Ink I is supplied to the common ink chamber 525 of the head main body 51 from 1 through the ink supply member 54 including the ink supply pipe 60 and the manifold 70 by the capillary phenomenon.

Further, an O-ring 68 is locked in the O-ring locking groove 63 of the ink supply pipe 60, and when the ink supply pipe 60 is inserted and connected to the tank opening 42, the ink supply pipe 6 is inserted.
The O-ring 68 is closely arranged between the flange portion 62 of No. 0 and the recess 46 of the ink tank 40.
The ink I is prevented from leaking from the inside.

In this embodiment, for example, when the mounting state of the ink tank 40 is to be redone,
As shown in FIG. 8, the ink tank 40 is inserted and removed, but even if the ink tank 40 is removed,
Since the tubular portion 45 keeps the ink absorber 41 in a compressed state, the ink absorber 41 does not extend extremely, and even if the ink tank 40 is inserted into the tank opening 42 again, the ink absorber 41 is not expanded. Does not compress extremely. Therefore, even if the ink tank 40 is inserted and removed, the ink absorber 41 does not significantly expand and contract, so that air bubbles are hardly generated due to expansion and contraction around the ink absorber 41 portion, and the air bubbles are generated through the ink supply member 54 through the head main body. There is almost no concern about mixing into the 51 side.

Furthermore, when the ink tank 40 is replaced or the ink tank 40 is once removed, the ink I oozing out from the ink tank 40 adheres to the O-ring 68 pressure contact portion. Since the 68 pressure contact portion is the recess 46 on the outer peripheral portion of the tank opening 42 of the ink tank 40, the ink adhesion portion is a narrow portion recessed from the general outer surface of the ink tank 40, and is touched by a worker's hand or another object. Even if it does, the ink does not adhere easily.

[0039]

As described above, according to the first to fifth aspects of the invention.
According to the invention described in any one, when replacing the ink tank, without using a needle-shaped supply pipe, and without removing the tape or the lid, simply install the ink tank in the tank holding portion of the inkjet head side. Once inserted, the ink tanks can be automatically connected so that they can be connected, ensuring the safety of ink tank replacement work, and effectively preventing ink stains, while also greatly facilitating ink tank replacement work. Easy to do.

Further, according to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the ink absorber does not expand or contract when the ink tank is removed or inserted, even if the ink tank is removed or inserted, bubbles are generated due to the expansion and contraction of the ink absorber. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of the above, minimize the bubbles mixed in the ink supply member to the ink jet head, stabilize the ink ejection operation of the ink jet head, and maintain good image quality.

Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 7, when the ink tank is removed, the ink is not exposed to the general outer peripheral surface of the ink tank. Therefore, even if the ink tank is removed, the operator does not have to expose it. It is possible to effectively prevent a situation in which the ink adheres to the hands and surrounding objects.

In particular, according to the invention described in claims 8, 9, 10 and 11, it is possible to effectively protect the ink tank or the ink jet head which constitutes the ink jet cartridge which can obtain the above-mentioned effects.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are explanatory views showing different configurations of an ink jet cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a color inkjet printer using an inkjet cartridge to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the overall configuration of the inkjet cartridge according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front explanatory view showing the mounting state.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing details of an ink tank used in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a bottom structure of an ink tank used in an example.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram showing a tank opening structure of an ink tank used in an example.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing details of the inkjet head according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a head body and an ink supply member of the inkjet head according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing details of the ink supply member according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional explanatory view thereof.

FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway enlarged explanatory view showing the relationship between the head main body and the ink supply member.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing details of the head main body.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the head main body and the liquid chamber of the ink supply member as seen from the direction of arrow XIV in FIG.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a state before the ink tank is replaced in the inkjet cartridge according to the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a state after the ink tank is replaced in the inkjet cartridge according to the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a XVII portion in FIG.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a state when the ink tank is removed.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ink tank, 1a ... Tank opening, 1b ... Atmospheric pressure communicating port, 2 ... Ink absorber, 3 ... Inkjet head,
4 ... Ink supply pipe, 4a ... Flange part, 5 ... Sealing member,
6 ... Fracture promoting part, 7 ... Cylindrical part, 8 ... Recess, 9 ... Elastic seal member

Front page continuation (72) Inventor Tatsuhiro Ishise 2274 Hongo, Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An ink absorber (2) impregnated with ink (I) is built-in, and a tank opening (1) for supplying ink is provided.
a) and the ink tank (1) in which the atmospheric pressure communication port (1b) is opened, and the ink tank (1) is detachably attached, and the tank opening (1) is attached when the ink tank (1) is attached.
a) having an ink supply pipe (4) that is inserted and connected to the a) and arranged in pressure contact with the ink absorber (2), and the ink from the ink tank (1) supplied through the ink supply pipe (4) ( An ink jet cartridge having an ink jet head (3) for ejecting I) according to image information, comprising a crushable sealing member (5) made of a non-ink permeable material, the tank of the ink tank (1). Opening (1a)
On the other hand, the ink supply pipe (4) of the ink jet head (3) is sealed with the ink supply pipe (4) at the tank opening (1a) when the ink tank (1) is attached.
An ink jet cartridge characterized in that a crushing promoting portion (6) is formed in which the sealing member (5) is crushed when pressed against. 2. The ink jet cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member (5) is composed of a heat-fusible film. 3. The ink jet cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the fragmentation promoting portion (6) includes one or a plurality of sharp protrusions formed at the tip of the ink supply pipe (4). . 4. The ink jet cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the fragmentation promoting portion (6) is provided with a plurality of ribs formed on the outer peripheral portion of the ink supply pipe (4). 5. The ink jet cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a filter for removing dust is provided at an inlet portion of the ink supply pipe (4). 6. An ink absorber (2) impregnated with ink (I) is built-in, and a tank opening (1) for supplying ink is provided.
a) and the ink tank (1) in which the atmospheric pressure communication port (1b) is opened, and the ink tank (1) is detachably attached, and the tank opening (1) is attached when the ink tank (1) is attached.
a) having an ink supply pipe (4) that is inserted and connected to the a) and arranged in pressure contact with the ink absorber (2), and the ink from the ink tank (1) supplied through the ink supply pipe (4) ( An ink jet cartridge having an ink jet head (3) for ejecting I) according to image information, wherein the ink absorber (2) is compressed by projecting inward at the inner peripheral edge of the tank opening (1a). An ink jet cartridge having a shape (7). 7. An ink absorber (2) impregnated with ink (I) is built in, and a tank opening (1) for ink supply is provided.
a) and the ink tank (1) in which the atmospheric pressure communication port (1b) is opened, and the ink tank (1) is detachably attached, and the tank opening (1) is attached when the ink tank (1) is attached.
a) having an ink supply pipe (4) that is inserted and connected to the a) and arranged in pressure contact with the ink absorber (2), and the ink from the ink tank (1) supplied through the ink supply pipe (4) ( An ink jet cartridge having an ink jet head (3) for ejecting I) according to image information, wherein a flange portion of an ink supply pipe (4) is provided on an outer peripheral edge of a tank opening (1a) of the ink tank (1). An ink jet cartridge characterized in that a recess (8) for accommodating an elastic seal member (9) interposed between (4a) is provided. 8. An ink absorber (2) impregnated with ink (I) is built-in, and a tank opening (1) for supplying ink is provided.
a) and the atmospheric pressure communication port (1b) are opened, and the ink supply pipe (4) on the ink jet head (3) side is inserted and connected to the tank opening (1a) to form the ink absorber (2).
An ink tank which is arranged in pressure contact with the ink tank, wherein the tank opening (1a) is sealed by a crushable sealing member (5) made of a non-ink-permeable material. 9. An ink absorber (2) impregnated with ink (I) is built-in, and a tank opening (1) for supplying ink is provided.
a) and the atmospheric pressure communication port (1b) are opened, and the ink supply pipe (4) on the ink jet head (3) side is inserted and connected to the tank opening (1a) to form the ink absorber (2).
An ink tank arranged in pressure contact with the ink absorber (2) protruding inward at the inner peripheral edge of the tank opening (1a).
An ink tank, characterized in that it is provided with a cylindrical portion (7) for compressing. 10. An ink absorber (2) impregnated with ink (I) is built-in, and a tank opening (1) for supplying ink is provided.
a) and the atmospheric pressure communication port (1b) are opened, and the ink supply pipe (4) on the ink jet head (3) side is inserted and connected to the tank opening (1a) to form the ink absorber (2).
In the ink tank arranged in pressure contact with the ink container, an elastic seal member (9) interposed between the ink supply pipe (4) and the flange portion (4a) is housed in the outer peripheral edge of the tank opening (1a). An ink tank having a recess (8). 11. An ink absorber (2) impregnated with ink (I) is built-in, and a tank opening (1) for supplying ink is provided.
a) and the atmospheric pressure communication port (1b) are opened, and the tank opening (1a) is sealed with a crushable sealing member (5) made of a non-ink permeable material.
Ink tank (1)
It has an ink supply pipe (4) which is inserted and connected to the tank opening (1a) at the time of mounting and arranged in pressure contact with the ink absorber (2), and the ink tank (1 which is supplied through this ink supply pipe (4) ) Is an ink jet head for ejecting ink (I) from the ink according to image information, and the ink supply pipe (4) has a tank opening (1a) when the ink tank (1) is attached. The crushing promoting portion (6) in which the sealing member (5) is crushed when pressed against the sealing member (5) of
An ink jet head characterized by being formed.