JPH10181037A - Inkjet unit - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a space-saving ink tank for each color in one ink jet unit, and to allow the user to easily attach and detach the ink tank, and to make the space in the direction perpendicular to the main body carriage effective. Use for SOLUTION: An ink jet head, and an ink supply pipe communicating with the ink jet head at the bottom of the ink jet unit and receiving ink from an ink tank are provided. It has an opening that allows the attachment and detachment of the ink tank over the front side, and at least the intersection area between the upper side and the back side has an inclined surface that gradually increases the insertion resistance as the mounting of the ink tank progresses. A horizontal portion for urging the ink tank downward and positioning and fixing the ink tank when mounting is completed, and a cover portion provided with a biasing means substantially composed of an inelastic member.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink-jet unit mounted on an ink-jet recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium by discharging ink.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the field of ink-jet recording, from the viewpoint of miniaturization of the apparatus and maintenance-free,
2. Description of the Related Art A cartridge-type inkjet unit in which a recording head and an ink tank are integrated has been used.
The ink jet unit is detachable from a scanning carriage provided in the apparatus, and can be easily replaced by a user with a new ink jet unit when the ink in the ink tank ends.

On the other hand, in the field of ink jet recording, there is a high demand for color recording. As a configuration that satisfies the demand for colorization by the ink jet unit as described above, for example, for color printing by arranging the ink jet units in parallel on the carriage in the scanning direction for each color, or for color printing An ink tank containing yellow, magenta, and cyan inks used and a recording head that ejects these inks are arranged side by side in parallel, and a color ink jet unit and a black only ink jet unit are arranged on a carriage. A device that performs printing is employed as a configuration for performing color printing.

[0004] By the way, such an ink jet unit is discarded together with the recording head when the ink in the ink tank ends, but the life of the recording head is extremely long compared to the amount of ink stored in the ink tank. . Therefore, discarding such an inkjet unit is not preferable from the viewpoint of resources, environment, and the like. Therefore, a configuration has been proposed in which the recording head of the ink jet unit and the ink tank are detachable, and only the ink tank in which the ink has ended is replaced.

[0005]

In such an ink jet unit in which the recording head and the ink tank are detachable, the operation of attaching and detaching the ink tank is performed by changing the ink supply section on the ink tank side with respect to the ink receiving section on the recording head side. Is usually slid in parallel or in the vertical direction, so that the moving space for sliding and mounting is large.

Further, since the ink tanks are arranged in parallel along the scanning direction of the carriage, the volume occupied in the apparatus increases. In particular, the coupling space with the recording head, that is, the projected area of the ink tank with respect to the bottom surface of the recording device increases. If an attempt is made to adopt a configuration in which the recording head and the ink tank are detachable in the apparatus for performing color recording in this way, the size of the apparatus is increased due to the configuration of the ink tank.

Further, it is desirable that the movable range of the ink jet unit when attaching and detaching the carriage of the recording apparatus main body and the ink jet unit is small without interfering with other members of the apparatus.

Further, from the viewpoint of the ink storage capacity of the ink tank, it is desirable that the amount of ink that can be stored is as large as possible. Therefore, in the space allowed for the ink jet unit and the carriage for recording, A configuration that makes the ink tank as large as possible is required.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve these problems.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided an ink jet unit which is mounted on an ink jet recording apparatus and has an ink tank which is detachable. An ink supply pipe that communicates with the ink jet head at the bottom and receives ink from the ink tank, and detaches the ink tank over the top side and the front side of the ink jet unit in a state where the ink jet unit is mounted. With an opening that allows
At least in the intersection area between the upper surface side and the rear surface side, an inclined surface that gradually increases the insertion resistance as the mounting of the ink tank progresses, and a horizontal portion that urges the ink tank downward and positions and fixes the ink tank when mounting is completed. And a cover portion provided with a biasing means substantially composed of an inelastic member.

The ink jet unit may have a rib having a vertical surface on the inner surface on the front side, and the rib may be in contact with the front of the ink tank when the ink tank is mounted.

In a state where the ink tank is mounted on the ink jet unit, the ink tank is pressed downward by the cover and the ink supply pipe disposed in the ink tank with respect to the ink supply pipe. A configuration in which the mouth is pressed against, and the inner surface on the back side of the ink jet unit, the upper surface side on the back surface of the ink tank, and the rib of the ink jet unit and the bottom surface side on the front surface of the ink tank are in contact with each other to maintain the positioning and fixed state. It may be.

[0013] The cover may further include a detachment preventing member.

The ink jet unit is divided into two chambers by a partition, one of which is provided with a single-color ink tank storing black ink, and the other is provided with yellow, cyan and magenta ink chambers. A configuration may be adopted in which a color ink tank storing each ink can be mounted.

[0015] A cutout may be provided in the front of one of the chambers in which the single-color ink tank is mounted.

[0016] The ink jet unit may have a structure in which an elastic member is arranged around the ink supply pipe on the bottom surface.

The ink jet unit can be mounted after the ink tank is mounted obliquely, and the angle at which the ink tank is obliquely mounted is 5 ° to 5 °.
The opening may be configured such that a part of the wall is left on the upper surface side and the front side so as to have a range of 45 °.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows ink tank mounting sections 110 and 11 mounted on a carriage of an ink jet recording apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink jet unit 101 provided with the ink jet printer 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, a housing 10 having a pair of side plates of an ink jet unit 101 and a back plate connecting the pair of side plates.
3 and the housing 1 provided opposite the back plate of the housing 103.
03, which constitutes the storage space for the ink tank
13 and a middle plate 104 for dividing a space surrounded by these plates into two regions, and the divided spaces serve as a mounting portion 110 for the color ink tank and a mounting portion 111 for the black ink tank. . In addition, the front plate 113 is the housing 1
03, which is about 1/3 of the height of the top plate 1
The opening on the 13th side is an ink tank insertion portion from which the ink tank is attached and detached.

At the upper end on the back plate side constituting the housing 103, there is a cover portion 105 protruding toward the mounting portions 110 and 111. The cover portion 105 generates a sense of insertion resistance when the ink tank is inserted. Part 10 inclined from the insertion side toward the mounting parts 110 and 111 side
5a is provided. The cover portion 105 is provided at a position where it interferes with a corner of the ink tank on the side opposite to the ink supply port side of the ink tank at the insertion side of the ink tank mounted in the mounting portion, and is inserted by the inclination of the 105a. When the resistance at the time increases and the above-mentioned corner reaches the horizontal urging means 105b following the inclined portion 105a, the resistance is released and a click is generated. The urging means 10
5b generates a force for pressing the ink tank mounted in the mounting section from above to below.

At the bottom of the ink jet unit 101, ink is inserted into the ink tank, and the ink in the ink tank is discharged from nozzles Bk, C, M and Y (201Bk and 20B, respectively).
1C, 201M, 201Y)
1 (Y, M, C,
Bk; M and Bk are not shown), and have a predetermined length so that they can be inserted into the ink tank.
And 111 project inside.

An outlet pipe 1 disposed on the side of the mounting portion 110 on which the color ink tank and the black ink tank are mounted.
As shown in FIG. 1, a filter 109 (Y, M, C, and Bk; M and Bk are not shown) is provided in the opening inside the housing of 07, and inserted into the ink supply port of the ink tank. The mounting portions 110 and 1 have predetermined lengths so that they can be used.
11 protrudes inside.

FIG. 1 shows the arrangement from the outlet tube 107 to the recording head.
As shown in (d), the ink supply tubes 106 (Y, M,
C, Bk) are provided on the bottom surface of the recording head.

An elastic plate 108 (a, b) having a predetermined thickness is laid around the outlet pipe 107 on the surface of the mounting portion where the outlet pipe 107 is arranged. The elastic plate 108 (a,
As described later, b) is provided so that the rib provided at the ink supply port of the ink tank is pressed against and the ink does not leak into the ink jet unit.

As shown in FIG. 1C, the notch 11 is provided at a position facing the mounting portion 111 of the front plate 113.
2 are provided. This is such that a rib provided on a black ink tank containing black ink can be inserted, so that erroneous insertion between a color ink tank containing yellow, magenta, and cyan is prevented. .

An ink tank storing black ink is mounted on the mounting section 111 of the ink jet unit 101 having such a configuration, and a color ink tank storing yellow, magenta and cyan is mounted on the mounting section 110.

FIGS. 2 (a), (b), (c) and (d)
1 shows a schematic configuration of an ink tank 1 containing black ink, and is a side view, a front view, a bottom view, and an upper cross-sectional view, each of which is partially cut away.

The ink tank 1 includes a housing 2 for storing ink.
A cover member 3 covering the housing 2 and having an air communication opening 5, and a space which is attached to an upper portion of the cover member 3 and serves as a buffer chamber so that ink leakage from the air communication opening 5 does not reach the outside. And an upper part 4 having an air release port at a position different from the position of the air communication opening 5 and a knob 4a used for attaching and detaching to and from the ink jet unit 101. I have.

At the bottom of the ink tank, an ink supply opening 8 into which the outlet pipe 107 (Bk) of the ink jet unit 101 is inserted, and a rib 15 protruding therearound, the ink supply opening 8 and the rib 15 are provided with inclined portions 14a and 14b. A rib 12 is provided on a part of the side surface of the ink tank 1 on the side where the knob 4a is provided, and a notch 112 provided on the front plate 113 of the mounting portion 111 of the ink jet unit 101 is provided. Accordingly, erroneous mounting of the ink tank 1 is prevented. The rib 12 is also used as a guide for mounting the ink tank 1.

In the present invention, the structure inside the tank is not limited. In particular, when a fiber bundle supply member (hereinafter, referred to as an ink lead-out member) is provided in the ink supply section containing the elastic body, The present invention is particularly effective.

In the case of using the ink lead-out member of the fiber bundle, it is preferable to attach the fiber bundle to the supply pipe with the filter on the recording head in a stable pressed state when attaching and detaching the ink tank. The effect can be obtained in any of the mounting methods of the present invention.

The above-mentioned ink lead-out member is, for example, as shown in FIG.
It takes a form like 7 in (a). In the present invention,
As shown in this figure, the ink lead-out member 7 provided between the ink absorber 6 and the ink supply opening 8 is an ink absorber, and it is preferable that a fiber bundle is arranged at least on a surface facing the ink tank. However, it may be composed only of an ink absorber such as a sponge without a fiber bundle. A support portion 9 for supporting the ink lead-out member 7 in the tank is provided upright corresponding to the ink supply opening 8. A part of the inner surface of the support portion 9 is provided with a slit for communicating the inside and the outside of the ink tank.

The ink lead-out member referred to here is an ink supply member for guiding ink in one direction. In this embodiment, the ink is guided from the ink absorber toward the ink supply opening 8.

In this embodiment, a compressed and stored ink absorber is used as the porous member disposed in the ink storage section of the ink tank. Examples of the ink absorber to be impregnated with the ink include a sponge and the like.

The ink lead-out member 7 is fixed to the holder of the ink jet unit and is kept in pressure contact with the compressed and stored ink absorber 6, so that the ink absorber at the contact portion is always deformed. Due to the deformation of the ink absorber, the capillary force can be increased and the ink can be concentrated near the ink lead-out member 7.

Thus, even when the recording head and the ink tank are separated, ink is always supplied to the ink lead-out member, and a meniscus is formed on the surface of the ink lead-out member on the ink supply opening side. It does not draw in air.

When the recording head and the ink tank are combined to form an ink flow path, it is necessary to promote the flow of the ink into the ink lead-out member and to prevent the ink from being cut off to reduce the amount of the residual ink. As a result, the use efficiency of the ink stored in the ink tank is improved.

When the ink absorbing member is compressed and stored, the ink absorbing member may be pressed against the ink absorbing member, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the vicinity of the press contact portion is most deformed, and the ink can be concentrated near the press contact portion.

In the case of using an ink absorber having a low degree of compression at the time of compressing and storing the ink absorber or having a low elastic coefficient, the ink lead-out member is pressed into the ink absorber to reliably deform the ink absorber. Therefore, a configuration in which the ink is always concentrated is preferable.

The term "press-fitting" as used herein means that the ink lead-out member is pressed into the ink absorbing member with a force stronger than the pressing force at the time of normal pressing.

In general, in an ink jet recording apparatus, the head pressure of the discharge port of the recording head is properly balanced, and the printing quality is deteriorated due to ink leakage from the discharge port of the recording head or defective ink supply to the discharge port. Prevent drop. In order to stabilize the performance of the ink jet recording apparatus, it is necessary to keep the pressure of the ink supplied to the ink jet recording head negative (generally 0 mmAq or less and -150 mmAq or more, preferably -30 mmAq or less and -100 mmAq or more).

Due to the connection between the ink jet recording head and the ink tank, the filter of the ink jet recording head is brought into close contact with the ink lead-out member with a predetermined pressing force.

This pressing force depends on the amount of protrusion of the ink introduction portion on the recording head side and the distance from the outer surface of the ink tank applied to the recording head to the contact surface of the ink lead-out member that comes into contact with the ink introduction portion on the recording head side. It depends on the distance, that is, the depth of the ink supply opening.

By this coupling, an ink flow path is formed from the porous member in the ink tank to the ink introduction section on the recording head side via the ink lead-out member, and ink can be supplied to the recording head. .

Further, an O-ring is provided at the joint between the recording head and the ink tank, so that the ink flow path formed by the connection between the ink introduction unit and the ink supply opening can be kept in a sealed state. In addition, it is possible to prevent ink leakage from the connection portion and minimize evaporation of the ink.

The ink lead-out member 7 is usually made of a fiber bundle.
Suitable materials are mainly polyester, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, cellulose, polyurethane and the like, and those which are chemically stable to ink and have good wettability are desirable.

As a criterion for determining good wettability, a small contact angle of the ink is generally used. A material having a large contact angle such as a so-called Teflon-based material can be used by performing a hydrophilic treatment. However, from the viewpoint of an increase in the number of manufacturing steps for the hydrophilic treatment and an increase in product cost, it is desirable that the ink has a small contact angle.

As a fiber material other than the above, a fiber such as metal, glass, carbon, or the like may be used, or each of the above-mentioned fiber materials may be mixed.

Since the ink lead-out member forms a part of the ink flow path, the ink supply direction must be provided. Then, since it comes into pressure contact with the introduction portion of the recording head, it is necessary to have physical strength enough to maintain the shape. For this purpose, it is preferable that the fibers are bound to form a fiber bundle.

The condition for determining the upper limit of the thickness of the fiber forming the ink lead-out member is the adhesion between the filter provided in the ink introduction section and the ink lead-out member. In this respect, the thickness is desirably 0.05 mm or less. The lower limit of the fiber thickness is desirably 0.01 mm or more in order to facilitate the cost and the formation of the fiber bundle from the viewpoint of employing a configuration in which the ink lead-out member binds the fibers.

As a means for binding the aggregate of fibers, there is a method of curing the outer periphery of the fiber bundle with a resinous binder (binder). Thereby, a hardened region is formed near the outer peripheral portion of the ink lead-out member.

Here, as the resin to be impregnated from the outer periphery of the fiber bundle, polyurethane of polyester polyol,
If suitable for the purpose, for example, a melamine-based binder can be used.

As a means for forming a hardened region for binding the fibers, a method of welding by applying heat or pressure from the outer periphery may be used in addition to the above-mentioned resin binder. Instead of forming the hardened region, the fiber bundle may be covered with another member. However, in the case of forming the above-described cured region, the binder can be impregnated at the same time as the molding, whereas when the fibers are covered and bound, the fibers must be covered in a bound state, Since the molding is performed so as to have a uniform strength, the manufacturing process may be complicated. Therefore, a configuration in which a hardened region is provided seems to be desirable.

Regarding the formation of the fiber bundle, the ink supply direction of the fiber can be maintained, and the fiber is deformed when pressed against the ink introduction portion on the recording head side so that the ink supply becomes impossible or non-uniform. The configuration and method are not limited to those described above.

As shown in FIG. 2D, a rib 13 is formed on the upper member 4 so as to form a predetermined space between the ink absorber 6 and the upper member 4, and the upper member 4 is provided on the front side of the lid member 3. Is provided with a band-shaped convex portion 3a.

The corner 2a of the ink tank engages with the above-mentioned inclined part 105a provided on the cover part 105 provided on the ink jet unit 101. At this time, when the ink tank is inserted, the insertion resistance gradually decreases. The size of the ink tank is taken into consideration so as to increase the positional relationship. Further, the urging means 10 provided on the cover 105
5b, the sense of insertion resistance is instantaneously released, and the user feels a click in his hand, and can reliably confirm insertion. Further, the urging means 105b applies a downward force to the ink tank 1 from above to stabilize the mounting state of the ink tank.

The belt-shaped convex portion 3a engages with a disengagement prevention portion 105c provided at a position different from the above-described inclined portion 105a provided on the cover portion 105 provided on the ink jet unit 101, and disengages when mounted. Produces a preventive action.

As in the present invention, the great effect that the user can surely confirm that the ink tank has been inserted in a direction in which the ink tank can be inserted in a space-saving manner is attributable to the shape of the inclined portion 105a of the cover 105 and the urging means 105b. And the arrangement thereof, and the vertical and horizontal dimensional relationships of the ink tank for achieving the stable and reliable operation, and the reliable prevention of disengagement when the ink tank is removed by the disengagement prevention portion.

Further, a plurality of vertically continuous ribs 13 are provided on the inner side surface of the ink tank, and a predetermined space portion is formed between the side surface of the ink tank and the ink absorber. In this ink tank 1, the ink supply opening 8 is formed so as to be biased to one of the bottom surfaces of the ink tank as shown in FIG. Therefore, the ink absorber easily adheres to the other bottom surface of the ink tank without any gap. If the ink absorber adheres to the bottom surface of the ink tank without any gap, it is easy for the ink to collect in that portion. If the ink is collected, depending on the position of the ink tank, the ink supply opening or the atmosphere communication may occur. Ink may leak from the openings. A rib is provided on the bottom surface of the ink tank 1 in order to improve such inconvenience and prevent the ink absorber from adhering to the bottom of the ink tank without any gap.

As described above, the presence of the rib inside the ink tank (and the presence of the slit in the support portion 9) allows the ink supply opening 8 and the air communication opening 5 to communicate with each other through the air layer. Become.

As described above, by communicating the inside of the ink tank with the outside by the air layer, first, when the sealant sealing the ink supply port is peeled off at the time of distribution of the ink tank, the ink from the ink supply port is removed. Ink can be prevented from escaping and leaking. Secondly, even if the temperature around the ink tank rises during printing, the ink will not be pushed out, and thirdly, ink will stay at the bottom of the ink tank. And the effect of improving ink consumption efficiency is obtained.

In order to reduce the projected area of the ink tank 1 with respect to the recording head and increase the amount of ink stored, the ink tank 1 has a smaller area at the bottom of the ink tank and a higher height of the ink tank. This is addressed by increasing the ratio. Moreover, the ink tank 1
Are configured so that the ink storage volume is increased by providing a step at a substantially intermediate portion of the ink tank 1. In addition, when the ink tank is mounted on the housing 103 of the ink jet unit, this step has an effect of creating a sense of unity in design as the ink jet unit.

The outer dimensions of the ink tank 1, excluding the upper member 4, are approximately 51.4 mm in height and 38.4 in upper depth.
mm, bottom depth about 34.9 mm, rib 12 depth about 2.7 mm, top width about 16.9 mm, bottom width about 11.1
mm, height from the bottom to the step of the ink tank about 2
It is configured as 4.4 mm. That is, the ink tank is shaped so that the ink tank spreads slightly from the bottom toward the top. That is, the step between the upper and lower parts is almost at half.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, color inks (in this example, yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M) )
The color ink tank 21 containing these inks is configured integrally with the ink tanks containing these inks.

As shown in FIG. 3 (c), the color ink tank 21 has a substantially T
It is configured such that it is partitioned by letter-shaped partition members 36 and 37. The storage amounts of the color inks stored in the respective ink tanks partitioned in this manner are substantially equal to each other. By partitioning the inside of the ink tank in this way, the arrangement of the ink supply ports can be changed as shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), the ink is collected near the mutually adjacent areas of the separated ink storage units.

By partitioning the inside of the ink tank as described above, and by providing the ink supply ports in the vicinity of mutually adjacent areas of the ink storage section partitioned into a substantially T-shape, connection with the recording head section is achieved. The space can be extremely small, and the projected area of the ink tank can be reduced. Further, a large storage capacity of the ink in the ink tank can be maintained for the projected area or the connection space.

The dimensions of each part of the ink tank 21 having such a structure, except for the upper member 24, are about 56.
5mm, top depth about 38.4mm, bottom depth about 3
The height of the ink tank is about 1.5 mm (the depth of the middle part is about 34.5 mm), the upper width is about 19.3 mm, the bottom width is about 18.1 mm, and the height from the bottom to the step of the ink tank is about 29.5 mm. In other words, the upper and lower steps are almost 1
/ 2.

The structure of the other main ink tanks is substantially the same as that of the ink tank 1 described above. The ink tank 21 covers the housing 22 for ink storage and the opening 22 for air communication (Y, M, C). A cover member 23 provided with M and C (not shown);
In addition to having a space serving as a buffer chamber so that ink leakage from each air communication opening 25 does not reach the outside, one air opening port is provided in a part thereof at a position different from the position of each air communication opening 25, And an upper member 24 having a knob portion 24a used when attaching and detaching to and from the unit 101.

The outlet pipe 107 (Y, M, C) of the ink jet unit 101 is provided at the bottom of the ink tank.
Are inserted into the ink supply openings 28 (Y, M, C) and ribs 35 (Y, M, C) protruding therearound,
The ink supply opening 28 (Y, M, C) and the rib 35 (Y,
M, C) with the inclined portion 34a (Y, M, C). Since the ink tank 21 is attached to the ink jet unit 101 by using a rotating operation as described later, the ink supply openings 28 (Y, M, C) abut against the leading end of the lead-out tube 107, so that the ink tank 21 is smoothly placed. The 34a (Y, M, C) side is formed as an inclined surface with a gentle angle so as not to hinder mounting. Particularly, the ink supply openings 28 (Y, Y, Y) of the yellow tank portion and the magenta tank portion where the lead-out portion 107 first enters the ink supply opening by the rotation mounting.
The inclination of M) corresponds to the ink supply opening 28 in the cyan tank portion.
The configuration is gentler than the inclination of C.

As described above, by making the inclination of the upstream side of the rotation insertion scan of the ink tank gentle, the ink supply openings 28 (Y, M, C) are connected to the outlet pipe 10 during the rotation operation.
7 (Y, M, C) can be smoothly rotated and inserted in a space-saving manner. Further, as will be described later, the sliding operation of the ink tank toward the near side in the insertion direction at the bottom of the housing immediately before the end of the insertion can be smoothly performed. Will be done.

As shown in FIG. 2A, an ink absorber 26 (Y, M, C) is housed inside the ink tank 21, and the ink absorber 26 (Y, M, C) is housed therein. An ink lead-out member 27 (Y, M, C) is provided between the ink supply opening 28 (Y, M, C). A slit for communicating the inside and the outside of the ink tank is formed in a part of the inner surface of the support portion 29 (Y, M, C) for supporting the ink lead-out member 27 (Y, M, C) in the tank. It is provided in.

The lid member 23 has an ink absorber 26
A rib 33 is provided so as to form a predetermined space between the cover member 23 and a belt-like convex portion 23 a on the front side of the cover member 23. The belt-shaped convex portion 23a engages with the cover portion 105 provided on the ink jet unit 101 to apply a force to the ink tank 21 in a direction from the upper portion to the lower portion,
Stabilize the mounting state of the ink tank.

Further, a plurality of vertically continuous ribs 31 are provided on the inner side surface of the ink tank, and a predetermined space portion is formed between the side surface of the ink tank and the ink absorbing pair. In the ink tank 21, the ink supply openings 28 (Y, M, C) are formed so as to be biased to one of the bottom surfaces of the ink tank as shown in FIG. Therefore, the ink absorber easily adheres to the other bottom surface of the ink tank without any gap. If the ink absorber adheres to the bottom surface of the ink tank without any gap, it is easy for the ink to collect in that portion. If the ink is collected, depending on the position of the ink tank, the ink supply opening or the atmosphere communication may occur. Ink may leak from the openings. In order to improve such inconvenience and prevent the ink absorber from adhering to the bottom of the ink tank without any gap, a rib 30 is provided on the bottom of the ink tank 21 in each ink storage section.

As described above, the rib 30 is provided inside the ink tank.
The presence of the ribs 31 and the presence of the slits (and the presence of the slits in the support portion 29) allow the ink supply opening 28 and the air communication opening 25 to communicate with each other through an air layer.

As described above, by communicating the inside of the ink tank with the outside by means of the air layer, first, when the sealant sealing the ink supply port is peeled off during the distribution of the ink tank, the ink supply port is connected to the ink supply port. Secondly, the ink can be prevented from being blown out and leaked. Secondly, even when the temperature around the ink tank rises during printing, the ink is not pushed out. There is an effect that ink does not stay at the bottom of the ink and the ink consumption efficiency is improved.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 10, the ink tank 1 and the color ink tank 21 configured as described above are used for the front plate 113 of the ink jet unit 101, respectively.
Is mounted on the upper part 114 with a part of the housing as a guide part.

Here, from the viewpoint of saving space, the direction in which the ink tank is inserted into the housing is the surface of the ink tank facing the guide portion of the housing and the surface on the opposite side of the housing surface having the guide portion. Is made to be 5 ° to 45 °. At angles outside this range, there is no substantial difference in required space compared to conventional linear mounting from above or from the side.

FIGS. 4 to 10 show the mounting state of the color ink tank 21 in particular.

That is, as shown in state I of FIG.
The housing 103 and the front plate 11 of the inkjet unit 101
Then, the ink tank 21 is picked up from the ink tank insertion portion, which is an opening between the ink container 3 and the portion near the knob, and inserted. At this time, a part of the ink tank abuts on the upper side portion 114 of the front plate 113 as a guide portion (P1), and the lower corner portion of the ink tank abuts the side surface of the housing 103 (P1).
2). Then, the lower corner portion gradually rotates downward while rotating about P1 to reach the state II shown in FIG. Further, the lower corner of the ink tank slides downward to reach the state III (FIG. 6).

At this time, it is extremely important to make the user's hand feel smooth with respect to the movement of the ink tank for rotational insertion.
By providing an R shape (about R3) at the corner of the ink tank that abuts on the side surface (inside of the back) of the housing 103 shown in FIG. When the ink tank moves downward due to the sliding of the ink tank at P1 after the P1) is almost rotationally inserted while moving, the P
2 can move smoothly in relation to the movement of P1, and the user feels good.

At the time of state III, the lower corner of the ink tank reaches the inner bottom of the housing 103 (P3).
An inclined portion provided in the lower corner portion on the opposite side of the ink tank so as to be continuous with the R shape contacts the inner wall of the housing 103. In FIG. 6, at the time of state III, the ink outlet pipe 107Y has begun to be inserted into the ink supply opening of the ink tank (note that the ink supply opening of the magenta ink tank adjacent to the yellow ink tank also The ink outlet tube 107M starts to be inserted.) However, if the ink outlet tube 107 is provided with an ink outlet member having the fiber bundle, the fiber bundle may be damaged by friction between the fiber bundle and the ink supply opening. It is desirable to adjust the dimensions of the housing and the ink tank so that the ink outlet tube and the ink supply opening of the ink tank do not come into contact with each other from state III to state IV described below.

At this time, the tip of the ink lead-out tube 107 comes into contact with the ink supply opening, but in order to improve the mounting, the opening is formed as a slope as shown in FIG.

Since the mounting is performed by the rotation operation, the order of contact with the ink outlet tube is shifted depending on the position of the ink supply opening. Therefore, the slope of the slope becomes gentler as the opening comes into contact first. In other words, yellow and magenta have almost the same slope, and the slope of the cyan opening has the steepest angle.

As described above, the slope is provided in the ink supply opening, the slope on the upstream side in the direction of insertion into the housing is made gentle, and the opposite side is made tight so that the ink tank can be connected to the ink tank at the time of rotation insertion into the housing. Outlet tube 107 to be connected
Can rotate without interfering with the opening just before the opening of the ink tank, and can be designed without expanding the ink supply opening more than necessary.

When the insertion is further continued, the lower part of the ink tank moves so that the position of P3, which is in contact with the housing, is shifted toward the insertion side, and the inclined portion of the inclined rib 115 inside 114 provided on the housing 103 is provided. Tilt along.

At this time, the corner on the downstream side in the upper insertion direction of the ink tank coincides with the position of the tip of the inclined portion 105a provided on the cover portion 105 (P5), and a feeling of insertion resistance starts to occur (FIG. 7).
State IV).

FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the position of P5 and the insertion resistance in the insertion operation. As shown in this figure, in the above-mentioned states I to III, there is no contact with the housing of P5, so the insertion resistance is zero, and after the state IV, the resistance increases.

The state V (FIG. 8) shows a state in which the insertion is further advanced, and is located at a position where the resistance (resistance) increases from the state IV (see FIG. 11B). At this time, the ink tank is pressed downward by the shape effect of the inclined portion 105a.

State VI (FIG. 9) shows a state in which the angle of the ink tank approaches the end point of the (P5) slope. At this time, the insertion resistance peaks, as is apparent from FIG.

Then, the state is changed to the state VII (FIG. 10), and the mounting is completed. That is, the moment the ink tank passes the inclined portion 105a, the angle of the ink tank enters the urging means 105b,
Since b is horizontal, the resistance generated so far is instantaneously released as shown in FIG. 11B, and transmitted to the user's hand as a feeling of wearing.

At this time, the protrusions 16 and 216 provided on the ink tank collide with the inner wall of the housing due to acceleration at the time of release, and a click sound is generated. That is, a certain click feeling is generated for the user. At this time, the ink tank is pressed down by the urging means of the horizontal portion, and is securely mounted.

Next, the detachment prevention portion 200 of the cover 105 will be described with reference to FIG. The cover portion 105 is a portion that is ultrasonically welded to the housing 103 and is integrated with the housing 103. FIGS. 12 (a), 12 (b), 12 (c), 12 (d) and 12 (e) show the case before the welding. The state of was shown. These figures are a side view, a front view, a bottom view, a top view, and a rear view of the cover 105, respectively.

FIGS. 12F and 12G show the inclined portion 105a of the cover 105 and the urging means 1 respectively.
FIG. 5B is a view showing a part No. 05b, and a view showing a detachment prevention part 200. The inclined portion 105a and the urging means 105b shown in FIG. 12F are arranged below the area A in FIG.
The disengagement prevention portion 200 shown in FIG.
It was arranged in the area B of (d). That is, the inclined portion / biasing means and the disengagement prevention portion are separately provided in different regions A and B.

When the projections 3 and 23 disposed on the upper side of the ink tank and on the downstream side in the insertion direction are in the state VI from the state V shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the above-mentioned detachment preventing portion 200 (FIG. 12 (g)). During the rotation operation in which the ink tank reaches the tip of the arm portion and the ink tank is pushed in while the corner of the ink tank is in contact with the inclined portion, the protrusions 3 and 23 are gently provided at the tip of the arm portion of the disengagement prevention portion 200. The movement from the inclination to the steep inclination is performed, and the insertion of the ink tank ends.

The shape of the arm portion is such that when the ink tank is pulled out, the steeply inclined portion has a shape that causes a sense of resistance, and gives the user the feeling that it can be securely removed. This is to prevent the tank from coming off.

As described above, since the click portion and the positioning portion at the time of insertion and the portions for preventing click and detachment at the time of removal are provided in separate regions, they are integrated as in the prior art. These objects can be achieved with extremely small structures as compared with those of the objects.

The height of the top plate 114 to the upper side 114 is about 22 mm, and when the ink tank is mounted, it comes into contact with a part of the ink tank. The mounting operation becomes difficult, and if it is lower than that, the function as a support member that supports the ink tank after the ink tank is mounted cannot be sufficiently exhibited.

Next, FIG. 13 shows a connection state between the ink supply opening of the ink tank and the ink outlet of the ink jet unit. FIG. 13 shows the connection of the color ink tank 21 as a representative, but the same applies to the case of the black ink tank.

As shown in FIG. 13, the ink lead-out tube 107Y of the ink jet unit 101 is inserted into the ink supply opening 28Y of the ink tank 21 and is brought into contact with the ink lead-out member 27Y while being pressed. Become. The ink leading-out member 27 is formed of a one-way fiber bundle for favorably leading out the ink in the absorber 26 of the ink tank to the outside.
When the density of the ink lead-out member 27 in contact with the ink 7 is changed, the flow of the ink in the absorber toward the ink lead-out tube is further improved, and the ink supply property can be improved. The ink outlet portions 107M and 107C are in contact with the ink outlet member 27 in a similar state.

As described above, since the ink tank and the ink jet unit are mounted, a simple and reliable mounting state can be achieved. In addition, using the rotation operation,
The mounting space can be minimized, the projected area of the ink tank itself can be reduced, and the device can be downsized without reducing the ink capacity.

Further, the rib provided around the ink supply opening of the ink tank receives a pressing force by the cover portion 105, and is brought into pressure contact with the elastic member 108 provided on the bottom surface of the ink jet unit to enter the state. As a result, leakage of the ink from the portion to the outside is suppressed.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of an example of an ink jet recording apparatus on which the ink jet unit of the present invention can be mounted.
The recording is performed by applying ink to No. 2. FIGS. 15 and 16 are diagrams showing replacement of an ink tank using a color ink tank as an example in the recording apparatus.
01 is an inkjet unit, 1502 is a color ink tank, and 1503 is a black ink tank.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the removal of the color ink tank. First, as shown in FIG. 15A, the user puts a finger on the knob of the ink tank and pulls it toward the user to remove the ink tank from the ink jet unit.
Pull up and remove as shown in (b).

On the other hand, in the case of mounting, the color ink tank 1502 is inserted into the ink jet unit 1501 from an oblique direction as shown in FIG.
Push and attach as shown in (b).

The ink-jet unit mounted on the ink-jet recording apparatus of the present invention releases the fixing lever 1704 as shown in FIG.
As shown by 1701 in (b), the whole unit can be replaced and can be replaced.

[0107]

As described above, the mounting of the ink tank on the ink jet unit is performed in a manner perpendicular to the moving direction of the carriage and with the lower side of the ink tank insertion portion of the housing as a guide portion, and is rotated and removed from the housing. With this configuration, the volume occupied by the ink jet unit in the apparatus can be reduced, and in particular, the coupling space with the recording head, that is, the projection area of the ink tank with respect to the bottom surface of the recording apparatus can be reduced.

Further, it is possible to provide a user-friendly replacement method in which only the ink tank can be replaced in a space-saving manner while the ink jet unit is mounted on the main body carriage.

Further, a guide portion provided in the housing so as to be inserted into the ink tank insertion portion by rotating when the ink tank is inserted when the ink tank is mounted,
By providing a cover that generates a feeling of insertion resistance when the ink tank is inserted into the ink tank insertion section, it is possible to provide a user with an appropriate click feeling of insertion. Furthermore, by providing a member for dividing into at least two regions in the ink tank insertion portion of the housing, a plurality of replaceable ink tanks represented by a combination of a black ink tank and a color ink tank are simultaneously mounted on one inkjet unit. can do.

In an ink tank having a plurality of ink storage units for storing a plurality of types of ink supplied to an ink jet unit for performing color recording, the inside of the ink tank is partitioned by a substantially T-shaped partition. At least three types of ink can be stored.

Further, by forming ink supply ports for supplying the above three types of inks to the recording head near the adjacent regions of the ink reservoirs, the connection between the ink tank and the recording head can be achieved. Space can be reduced.

The ink tank is mounted on the ink tank mounting portion by rotating part of the housing around the guide portion of the housing. The ink tank is supplied from the outer surface of the ink tank to a supply port of the ink tank. By providing an inclined surface that reduces the opening diameter toward the inner surface, it is possible to perform space-saving attachment / detachment when inserting into the housing.

Further, by arranging a plurality of ink tanks without arranging them in parallel, the projected area of the ink tanks can be reduced.

Further, when the ink tank is inserted into the ink tank insertion portion of the ink jet unit, the portion of the cover provided in the housing of the ink jet unit that interferes with the resistance generating portion is opposite to the ink supply port side of the ink tank. With the configuration of the corner portion, the attachment and detachment can be made in a small space.

By providing a step on the upstream side face inserted into the housing of the ink tank, the capacity of the ink that can be stored can be increased.

Summarizing the above, according to the present invention, without arranging a plurality of ink tanks in parallel with the ink jet unit and without inadvertently reducing the ink capacity, the basics of color printing in one unit can be achieved. Certain black, yellow, magenta, and cyan ink tanks can be installed in a space-saving manner, and can be easily attached and detached by the user. The space in the vertical direction can be effectively used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet unit to which an ink tank of the present invention is mounted, (a) is a side view,
(B) is a sectional view in which a side view is broken, (c) is a front view,
(D) is a bottom view and (e) is a top view.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of an ink tank of the present invention containing black ink, in which FIG. 2A is a partially sectional side view, FIG. 2B is a partially broken front view, and FIG. Is a bottom view, and (d) is a side sectional view in which an upper part is cut off.

FIG. 3 Color inks (yellow, cyan, magenta)
(A) is a partially sectional side view, (b) is a partially broken front view, (c) is a bottom view, (d) () Is a side sectional view in which the upper part is cut off.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state I in a process of mounting the color ink tank of the present invention to the ink jet unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a state II in the process of mounting the color ink tank of the present invention on the ink jet unit in the embodiment.
It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows.

FIG. 6 shows a state II in the process of mounting the color ink tank of the present invention to the ink jet unit in the embodiment.
It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows I.

FIG. 7 shows a state IV in the process of mounting the color ink tank of the present invention to the ink jet unit in the embodiment.
It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state V in a process of mounting the color ink tank of the present invention to the inkjet unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a state VI in the process of attaching the color ink tank of the present invention to the ink jet unit in the embodiment.
It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows.

FIG. 10 shows a state V in the process of mounting the color ink tank of the present invention to the ink jet unit in the embodiment.
It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows II.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the position of P5 and the insertion resistance in the color ink tank insertion operation of the embodiment;
(A) is a diagram showing the position of P5 in states I to VII,
(B) is a graph showing the relationship between the position of P5 and the insertion resistance.

12A and 12B are diagrams illustrating a cover in the housing of the inkjet unit of the present invention, where FIG. 12A is a side view of the cover,
(B) is a front view of the cover, (c) is a bottom view of the cover, (d)
5E is a top view of the cover, FIG. 5E is a rear view of the cover, FIG. 5F is a side view of the inclined portion and the urging means, and FIG.

FIG. 13 is a cutaway sectional view showing a connection state between an ink supply opening of an ink tank and an ink outlet of an ink jet unit in the ink jet unit of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of one example of an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a view showing an operation of removing a color ink tank in the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an operation of pulling the ink tank forward, and FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an operation of pulling the ink tank upward.

16A and 16B are diagrams illustrating an operation of mounting a color ink tank in the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, wherein FIG. 16A illustrates an operation of inserting an ink tank, and FIG. 16B illustrates an operation of pressing the ink tank.

17A and 17B are diagrams illustrating detachment of the ink jet unit in the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention in a form in which the ink jet unit is entirely replaceable, wherein FIG. 17A illustrates an operation of releasing a fixing lever, and FIG. It is a figure showing an operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 ink tank (black) 2 housing 2 a for ink storage 2 a square 3 lid member 3 a belt-like convex part 4 upper member 4 a knob 5 opening for communicating with atmosphere 6 ink absorber 7 ink lead-out member 8 opening for ink supply 9 support parts 12, 13 Ribs 14a, 14b Inclined portion 15 Rib 21 Color ink tank 22 Ink housing 23 Cover member 23a Band-shaped convex portion 24 Upper member 24a Knob 25 Opening for air communication 26 Ink absorber 27 Ink lead-out member 28 Ink supply opening 29 Support Part 31 Rib 33 Rib 34a Inclined part 35 Rib 36, 37 Partition member 101 Inkjet unit 103 Housing 104 Middle plate 105 Cover 105a Inclined part 105b Urging means 105c Detachment prevention part 106 Ink supply pipe 107 Ink lead-out pipe 108 Elastic plate 109 Filter 11 Color ink tank mounting portion 111 Black ink tank mounting portion 112 Notch portion 113 Top plate 114 Upper portion of top plate 115 Rib 200 Detachment prevention portion 201 Recording head portion 201Bk, 201C, 201M, 201Y nozzle 1401 Ink jet recording device 1402 Recording material 1501 Inkjet unit 1502 Color ink tank 1503 Black ink tank 1701 Inkjet unit (replaceable type) 1702 Color ink tank 1703 Black ink tank 1704 Fixing lever

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hideo Toshikawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Minoru Nozawa 3- 30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Kia Within Non Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toshihiko Ushita 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Masashi Miyagawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Osamu Sato 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Toshi Yamamoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo In Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Atsushi Nichinan 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet unit mounted on an ink jet recording apparatus and having an ink tank detachable, wherein the ink jet unit communicates with an ink jet head at a bottom portion of the ink jet unit and receives ink from the ink tank. An ink supply pipe, and has an opening that enables the ink tank to be attached and detached over the upper surface side and the front side of the ink jet unit in a state where the ink tank is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus, and at least the upper surface side In the intersection area between the ink tank and the rear side, there is provided an inclined surface for gradually increasing the insertion resistance as the mounting of the ink tank progresses, and a horizontal portion for urging the ink tank downward and positioning and fixing it when mounting is completed. Constituted and substantially inelastic member Ink jet unit, characterized in that a cover portion configured biasing means is arranged. 2. The ink jet unit according to claim 1, further comprising a rib having a vertical surface on an inner surface on a front side of the ink jet unit, wherein the rib comes into contact with the front of the ink tank when the ink tank is mounted. Item 2. An ink jet unit according to item 1. 3. In a state where the ink tank is mounted on the ink jet unit, the cover portion presses the ink tank downward to supply the ink supplied to the ink supply pipe with the ink supply pipe. The mouth is pressed, and the inner surface on the back side of the ink jet unit, the upper surface side on the back surface of the ink tank and the rib of the ink jet unit and the bottom surface side on the front surface of the ink tank are in contact with each other to maintain the positioning and fixed state. The ink jet unit according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The ink jet unit according to claim 1, wherein the cover further includes a detachment prevention member. 5. The ink-jet unit is internally divided into two chambers by a partition, one of which is equipped with a single-color ink tank storing black ink, and the other of which is yellow, cyan, and magenta. 2. The ink jet unit according to claim 1, wherein a color ink tank storing the ink is mountable. 6. The ink jet unit according to claim 1, wherein a cutout is provided in a part of a front of the one chamber in which the single color ink tank is mounted. 7. The ink jet unit according to claim 1, wherein an elastic member is disposed around the ink supply pipe on a bottom surface of the ink jet unit. 8. The ink-jet unit is configured to be mountable after the ink tank is loaded diagonally, and the angle at which the ink tank is loaded diagonally is 5 ° to 45 °.
2. The ink jet unit according to claim 1, wherein the opening is formed by partially leaving a wall on the upper surface side and the front side so as to have a range of ゜.