JP2000037879A - Ink tank coupler for ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To supply ink easily from an ink tank under use by providing first and second coupling parts forming ink channels of sub-tank and main tank, respectively, with ink sealing means being opened only when both coupling parts are opened. SOLUTION: The coupler 1000 for an ink tank means in an ink jet recorder having a sub-tank ST and a main tank MT comprises a first coupling part 100 continuous to the sub-tank ST and a second coupling part 500 continuous to the main tank MT. The first coupling part 100 has a first ink sealing means constituted by fitting an ink channel means 114 in a through hole made in the barrier wall of a movable tubular section 120. The second coupling part 500 has a second ink sealing means constituted by fitting a slide shaft 530 in a sealing hole made in the sealing body 520 while bringing the back face at the flange part of the slide shaft 530 into tight contact with the sealing body 520.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of an ink tank for supplying ink to an ink jet recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of apparatus, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 57-24282 (known example), a lead-out tube 1 is inserted into a polymer film container 10 in a housing 31.
1 is connected, the ink is sealed by the connecting member 12 provided at the outer end thereof, and the ink is led out by piercing the needle-like pipe 35 of the ink supply path 36 into the connecting member 12 at the time of use. are doing.

[0003]

Although the above-mentioned known examples can supply ink appropriately, there is still a point that improvement is desirable.

That is, in the above-mentioned known example, since the ink is led out so that the connecting member 12 is broken by the distal needle-like pipe 35, the following problems are feared. Was.

[0005] The leading needle channel has a small diameter, and it is inefficient to discharge ink.

[0006] There is a possibility that air flows in from the broken connecting member 12 and ink leaks.

[0007] In order to break the connecting member 12 at the distal needle-like conduit 35, it has been necessary to give great care and to apply a strong force.

A first problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a device which can effectively improve the above-mentioned problems.

A second problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a device which can easily supply ink not only from an unused ink tank but also from a used ink tank.

A third problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ink tank having no ink leakage and no risk of air flowing into an ink tank.

[0011] A fourth problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of easily performing an attaching / detaching operation with a small effort.

[0012]

Means for solving the problems Specific means for solving the above-mentioned problems are as follows.

(1) The ink tank means capable of supplying ink to the ink jet recording apparatus comprises a sub-tank for supplying ink to the printing means, and a main tank for replenishing the sub-tank with ink. The first and second connecting portions forming the ink flow paths are disposed in the sub tank and the main tank, respectively,
An ink tank connection device for an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising first and second ink sealing means that is opened only when the first and second connection portions are connected to the second connection portion.

(2) The first ink sealing means of the first connection portion slidably inserts the hollow ink flow path member into the first seal hole of the first seal body, and Only when connecting the ink small hole opened in
The ink tank connecting device for an ink jet recording apparatus according to the above (1), wherein the ink tank connecting device is configured so as to be exposed from the seal body to open the ink flow path.

(3) The second ink sealing means of the second connection portion includes a second seal body and a slide shaft having a shaft portion slidably inserted into the second seal hole. The ink tank connecting device for an ink jet recording apparatus according to the above (1), wherein the ink passage is opened only by connecting the shaft portion to the first connecting portion so as to escape from the second seal hole.

(4) When the first and second connection portions are connected, the shaft portion of the slide shaft is urged by the ink flow path member to open the ink flow path. Or the ink tank connection device for an inkjet recording device according to (3).

(5) The ink tank connecting device for an ink jet recording apparatus according to (2) or (4), wherein the inner diameter of the ink flow path member is formed large.

(6) The ink jet recording according to (4), wherein a conical convex portion is provided in the ink flow path member, and a conical concave portion engaged with the conical convex portion is provided on a shaft portion of the slide shaft. Ink tank connection device for the device.

(7) The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of (2) to (4), wherein the outer diameter of the ink flow path member is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion of the slide shaft. Ink tank connection device.

(8) The slide shaft and the second seal member are connected to each other by a second sealing means in which a seal formed on the second seal member is brought into contact with the slide shaft. Said (1) configured to seal the ink
Or the ink tank connection device for an inkjet recording device according to (3).

According to the above-mentioned corresponding means, it is a practical connection device which does not cause ink leakage or air inflow, and can solve all the problems as well as a specific connection described in the "Effect of the Invention" section. Can exert the function and effect.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Ink tank means IT shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, the connection device DE is configured so as to be able to connect the sub tank ST and the main tank MT loaded in the ink jet recording device (printer) PR without causing ink leakage. Is as follows.

1. Connecting means 1000 The connecting means 1000 shown in FIGS.
Tank S that can supply ink directly to the printing means PP
T and a first connecting portion 100 connected to the sub tank S
And a second connection portion 500 connected to a main tank MT capable of replenishing the ink with T. As shown in FIG. The sub-tank ST is movable by the carriage CA together with the recording head HE for executing the processing.
When the cleaning process is performed, the sub-tank ST is moved to the replenishment / recovery area (Y) so as to face the recovery means CL, and at this time, the first and second connection portions 100 and 500 are connected to form the ink flow path IR. To form the main tank MT
Is supplied to the sub-tank ST (FIGS. 7A to 7C).

2. 1st connection part 100 This 1st connection part 100 shown in FIG.1 and FIG.6 is provided with the fixed cylinder part 110 and the movable cylinder part 120, All are formed by shape | molding a plastic material etc., The fixed cylinder portion 110 can be connected to the sub-tank ST by a mounting frame 112 of the outer cylinder 111 (see FIG. 5), and a hollow ink flow path member 114 is concentrically formed therein via a connection frame 113. The outer cylinder 111
Node-shaped partition wall 1 of the movable cylindrical portion 120 slidably fitted to
The ink passage member 114 is slidably inserted into the through hole 122 of the first seal member 21, and the first seal hole of the first seal body 123 fitted in the movable cylinder 120 located outside the partition wall 121. An ink flow path member 114 protruding outside the partition wall 121 is penetrated so as to be slidable in a sealed manner through the first wall 124.
Of ink sealing means EV1.

On the other hand, a pair of guide holes 126 are formed in the movable cylindrical portion 120 located inside the partition wall 121 in the longitudinal direction thereof.
The locking portion 116 of the locking bar 115 formed in a cantilever shape is engaged between the cut grooves 115A along the longitudinal direction of the partition wall 121, and is wound around a second spring guide 127 protruding inside the partition wall 121. The second coil spring 130 is connected to the partition 121 and the connection frame 11.
3 and contracted.

Therefore, when the first connecting portion 100 is disengaged from a second connecting portion 500, which will be described later, the movable cylindrical portion 120 is urged outward by the first coil spring 130 as shown in FIG. Locking portion 116 of locking bar 115
Are locked at the inner ends of the guide holes 126, and the plurality of small ink holes 117 opened near the outer ends of the ink flow path members 114 are the first seal holes 124 of the first seal body 123.
And can prevent the leakage of ink.

The outer cylinder 111 of the ink flow path member 114 whose inner end communicates with the ink storage chamber of the sub tank ST.
An outer end protruding outward from the second connecting portion 500 is formed as a conical convex portion 118, which can be engaged with a conical concave portion 533 formed on a shaft portion 532 of a slide shaft 530 of the second connecting portion 500, which will be described later. Shaft portion 532 of slide shaft 530 of connection portion 500
The ink flow path IR can be formed by pushing in the ink. The details will be described later in the operation section.

3. 2nd connection part 500 The 2nd connection part 500 shown in FIG.2 and FIG.6 is provided with the cylindrical body 510 which forms the cylindrical shape which shape | molded the plastic material, and connects the inner end of the small diameter part 511 to the main tank MT. The large diameter portion 5 following the small diameter portion 511
12, a guide hole 513 is formed, and a second seal body 520 made of an elastic material such as rubber is pressed into a stepped hole 514 following the guide hole 513, and the outward lip 521 is attached to the cylindrical body. A second seal body 520 is fixed inside the cylindrical body 510 so as to be engaged with a stop hole 515 opened near the outer end of the 510.

Next, a second seal hole 522 penetratingly provided at the center of the second seal body 520 has a shaft portion following the flange portion 531 of the slide shaft 530 disposed reciprocally in the guide hole 513. 532 is configured to be removable.
A conical recess 533 is formed at the outer end of the shaft 532, and its function will be described later.

The flange portion 5 of the slide shaft 530
The gap between the outer periphery of the base 31 and the guide hole 513 is defined as the ink flow path I.
R, and a second protrusion protruding from the inner end of the guide hole 513.
A second coil spring 540 is contracted between the spring guide 516 and the flange portion 531 to urge the slide shaft 530 in the direction of the second seal body 520 so that the shaft portion 532 penetrates the second seal hole 522, and The second surface 531A of the flange portion 531 is brought into close contact with a sealing strip 523 protruding from the inner surface of the second sealing body 520 to prevent ink from leaking.
An ink sealing means EV2 is formed (see FIG. 3).

As shown in FIG. 4, reference numeral 518 denotes a concave groove which is connected to the first spring guide 516 and reaches the through hole 519 of the small diameter portion 511 so that ink from the main tank MT is obstructed by the second coil spring 540. Without sub tank S
It assists in the flow into T.

4. Relationship Shape for Connection In order for the first and second connection portions 100 and 500 to be connected as shown in FIG. 7, at least the following relationship shape is desired.

The outer diameter of the large diameter portion 512 of the second connection portion 500 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the movable cylindrical portion 120 of the first connection portion 100.

The first seal body 12 of the first connection part 100
The third seal hole 124 and the second seal hole 522 of the second seal body 520 of the second connection portion 500 are coaxially arranged.

The ink flow path member 1 of the first connection part 100
14 has an outer diameter of the second seal hole 522 of the second seal body 520.
The diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 532 of the slide shaft 530 of the second connection portion 500.

5. Configuration of Printer PR As shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 8, the printer PR is provided with at least a carriage CA capable of loading the sub tank ST and a tank loading section CB capable of loading the main tank MT. Control means CO operated
And printing means PP and recording head H controlled thereby
A recovery means CL for cleaning the E, a carriage moving means CM, a suction means SU for urging the ink, and the like are provided.

6. Connection Procedure The case where ink is supplied from the main tank MT to the sub tank ST is when ink supply or head recovery processing is performed. For example, the connection procedure of the first and second connection units 100 and 500 when ink supply is performed. Is as follows.

The moving stroke of the sub-tank As shown in FIG.
As a result, the carriage CA is moved from the printing position (X) to the replenishment / recovery position (Y) by the carriage moving means CM as shown in FIG.

In this state, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the movable cylinder portion 120 is advanced by the first coil spring 130 in the first connection portion 100 and the ink flow path member 11 is moved.
4 is the first seal hole 124 of the first seal body 123.
The sub-tank ST is kept sealed and there is no risk of ink leakage.

Similarly, in the second connection portion 500, the slide shaft 530 is advanced by the second coil spring 540, and the shaft portion 532 is inserted into the second seal hole 522 of the second seal body 520. 520 sealing strips 523
Is pressed against the back surface 531A of the slide shaft 530 to form the second ink sealing means EV2, so that the cylindrical body 510 is hermetically sealed, so that ink does not leak from the main tank MT.

Connection Step Next, the first connection portion 100 is propelled in the direction of the second connection portion 500 to cause the ink flow path IR between the first and second connection portions 100 and 500.
First, the ink flow path member 114 is formed.
Is advanced, and the conical convex portion 118 is moved to the slide shaft 530.
And the center position thereof is aligned (see FIG. 6).

When the first connecting portion 100 is further advanced in this state, the large-diameter portion 512 of the second connecting portion 500 enters the movable cylindrical portion 120, and the state shown in FIG. The convex portion 118 and the conical concave portion 533 are in close contact with each other, and the opposing surfaces of the first seal body 123 and the second seal body 520 are pressed against each other to be in an airtight state by elastic deformation, so that the first seal hole 124 and the second seal hole 522 are formed. There is no space between them, and the ink passage member 114 is also pressurized by the elastic deformation of the interference of the first seal body 123 to strengthen the sealed state, so that the inflow of air in this connection step is further secured. Can be prevented.

When the first connection portion 100 is further advanced, the ink flow path member 114 enters into the second seal hole 522 of the second seal body 520, but the outer diameter of the ink flow path member 114 becomes the second diameter. Since it has a slightly larger diameter than the seal hole 522, it is inserted in a press-fitted state. During this time, the ink small hole 117 is held in a sealed state, and the ink flow path member 114 is further advanced to reach the state shown in FIG. The flow path member 114 protrudes from the first seal body 123 to expose the ink small holes 117, and at the same time, the slide shaft 530 is retracted against the second coil spring 540, and the shaft portion 532 is moved to the second seal body 5.
It is pulled out of the second seal hole 522 of FIG. 20 and retreats (see FIG. 7).

Thus, the first and second connection portions 100,
500 are connected to form an ink flow path (arrow IR).

Ink supply process In this state, when the suction means SU of the printer PR is started to reduce the pressure in the sub-tank ST, the ink in the main tank is supplied to the second connection portion 50 as shown by arrows A to C in FIG.
0, a through hole 519, a concave groove 518, a guide hole 513, a second seal hole 522, an ink small hole 117, and an ink flow path member 11.
The ink can be supplied into the sub tank ST by an ink flow path IR passing through the sub tank ST.

Even in the case where the recording head HE is subjected to the recovery processing in the same manner as the ink replenishment, when the first and second connection portions 100 and 500 are connected as described above and the recovery means CL is started, the sub-tank ST can be recovered. The ink can clean the recording head HE.

Separation Step After the ink replenishment or the recovery processing is completed, the first and second connection parts 100 and 500 are dissociated in a substantially reverse procedure, and the carriage CA is moved to the print position (X) to perform printing. At this time, the ink flow path member 114 is retracted and the second seal hole 5 of the second seal body 520 is provided.
22, the ink small hole 117 of the ink flow path member 114 is sealed by the first seal body 123, and at the same time, the shaft portion 532 of the slide shaft 530 urged by the second coil spring 540 is moved. The outer diameter of the ink flow path member 114 is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 532, and is inserted again into the second seal hole 522.
Since the conical convex portion 115 is engaged with the conical concave portion 533 and the ink flow path member 114 and the shaft portion 532 are coaxially aligned, the shaft portion 532 can be accurately positioned in the second seal hole 522.
The second ink sealing means EV2 is restored by the seal 523 between the second seal body 520 and the slide shaft 530, and as a result, as shown in FIG.
And the first and second connecting portions 100 and 50 as shown in FIG.
Numeral 0 indicates a sealed state that can prevent bubbles from entering and ink from leaking, and can be safely separated.

[0048]

The specific effects of the present invention are as follows.

The ink does not always leak from the first and second connection portions, and the inflow of air is prevented.
3, 8).

The first and second connecting portions can be connected without requiring a strong pressing force (claims 1 to 4).

The first and second connection portions can be connected or disconnected at all times when the ink tank is used or not used (claims 1 to 3).

A large amount of ink can be efficiently phase-shift-supplied with a reduced flow path resistance.

Since the first and second seal bodies are opened and closed by the ink flow path member and the slide shaft without being broken, it is possible to safely prevent ink leakage due to plastic deformation.

The connection between the first and second connection units can be repeatedly executed without error (claim 6).

When the first and second connection parts are separated, the slide shaft can be inserted into the second seal body without hindrance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first connection portion in a connection device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second connecting portion in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of the connection device.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line ZZ of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the connection device.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connection device immediately before connection.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connection device when connection is completed.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the inkjet recording apparatus.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an arrangement of ink tanks.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 First connection portion 114 Ink flow path member 117 Small ink hole 118 Conical convex portion 123 First seal body 124 First seal hole 500 Second connection portion 520 Second seal body 522 Second seal hole 523 Seal strip 530 Slide shaft 532 Shaft 533 Conical concave part DE Ink tank connection device PR Ink jet recording device (printer) ST Subtank MT Main tank PP Printing means IR Ink flow paths EV1, EV2, first and second ink sealing means

Claims (8)

[Claims] An ink tank means capable of supplying ink to an ink jet recording apparatus comprises a sub-tank for supplying ink to a printing means, and a main tank for replenishing the sub-tank with ink. The first and second connection portions forming the ink flow path are provided in the sub tank and the main tank, respectively, and the first and second connection portions are opened only when the first and second connection portions are connected. An ink tank connecting device for an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising first and second ink sealing means. 2. A first ink sealing means of the first connecting portion slidably inserts a hollow ink flow path member into a first seal hole of a first seal body, and inserts the hollow ink flow path member into the ink flow path member. 2. The ink tank connection device for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink passage is opened by exposing the opened ink small hole from the first seal member only when the small ink hole is connected to the second connection portion. 3. The second ink sealing means of the second connection portion includes a second seal body, and a slide shaft having a shaft portion slidably inserted into the second seal hole, 2. The ink tank connection device for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink passage is opened only by connecting the shaft portion to the first connection portion so as to escape from the second seal hole. 4. The slide shaft according to claim 1, wherein the shaft portion of the slide shaft is urged by the ink flow passage member to open the ink flow passage when the first and second connection portions are connected. 3. An ink tank connection device for an ink jet recording apparatus according to 3. 5. The ink tank connecting device for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an inner diameter of said ink flow path member is formed large. 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a conical convex portion is provided in the ink flow path member, and a conical concave portion engaged with the conical convex portion is provided on a shaft portion of the slide shaft. Ink tank connection device. 7. An ink tank connecting device for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an outer diameter of said ink flow path member is slightly larger than an outer diameter of a shaft portion of said slide shaft. . 8. The slide shaft and the second seal member are separated from each other by a second sealing means configured to contact a seal member formed on the second seal member with the slide shaft.
4. The ink tank connection device for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion seals the ink.