JP2000334977A - Ink tank and recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink tank and a recorder wherein a bag type tank body can be readily formed and an ink passage can be surely connected to the tank body when an ink tank is loaded. SOLUTION: An ink tank is so constituted that a bag type tank body 22a capable of reserving ink is formed from a thin film sheet and a part of the sheet is folded to form a folded section. A seal 22a1 is adhered to the folded section and a connection section capable of connecting the inner section of the tank body 22a with the external section thereof through a hollow pipe capable of passing through the part of the seal 22a1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an ink tank and a recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, recording apparatuses for performing recording using a recording material such as ink have been widely used. In particular, as a serial scan type ink jet recording apparatus, a recording head and an ink tank are mounted on a carriage movable on a recording medium in a main scanning direction, and ink is ejected from the recording head during this main scanning. In recent years, those who record
Spreading rapidly.

In such a printing apparatus, if the ink in the ink tank is exhausted, printing cannot be performed, so the ink tank is replaced with a new one. However, when a large amount of ink is consumed continuously, for example, when a large amount of recording is continuously performed, or when recording is performed on a large-sized recording medium, the ink tank is frequently replaced. Since the recording operation is interrupted on the way, it is very troublesome.

Therefore, some recording apparatuses are provided with a replenishing ink tank that automatically replenishes the ink in the ink tank mounted on the carriage when the ink runs out. The refill ink tank and the ink tank on the carriage are connected by a tube or the like, and when the ink tank on the carriage decreases to a certain level, ink is replenished from the refill ink tank. Then, the user need only replace the refill ink tank.

[0005] Conventional replenishment ink tanks often include an ink bag containing ink and a case containing the ink bag.

The ink bag is formed by joining two substantially rectangular thin film sheets by welding or the like. Further, a part of one side of the four sides that are joined is projected into a cylindrical shape,
A cylindrical take-out tool made of plastic or the like is connected to the protrusion. Then, the ink bag is fixed inside the case by inserting the take-out tool into the ink outlet of the case.

The main body of the recording apparatus is provided with a hollow tube having a thickness small enough to be inserted into the take-out tool, and when the refill ink tank is inserted into a predetermined position in the recording apparatus,
This hollow tube fits into the take-out tool of the ink bag, and the refill ink tank and the hollow tube are connected. The ink flows through this hollow tube and is supplied to the ink tank on the carriage.

Further, the ink bag does not have a take-out tool, but is formed into a tubular shape and welded as it is, and a needle-like hollow tube is pierced into the protruding portion of the ink bag to join the flow path. Has also been adopted.

[0009]

However, the above-mentioned conventional refill ink tank has the following problems.

That is, if the projection is provided on a part of the ink bag as described above, the molding becomes complicated and the production cost increases.

If the take-out device and the hollow tube are not firmly connected, ink leakage will occur at this connection. In order for this connection to be performed automatically when the refill ink tank is mounted, the refill ink tank must be mounted so that the center of the removal tool is exactly on the extension of the tip of the hollow tube. However, it is sometimes difficult to always maintain such a structure because the hollow tube is bent due to repeated in / out of the refill ink tank.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an ink tank in which a bag-shaped ink main body can be easily formed, and an ink flow path can be reliably connected to the ink main body when the ink tank is mounted. It is an object to provide a recording device.

[0013]

In the ink tank of the present invention, a bag-like tank body capable of storing ink is formed by a thin film sheet, and a part of the sheet is folded to form a folded portion. In the tank, the bent portion forms a connection portion that allows communication between the inside and the outside of the tank body via a hollow tube that can penetrate the bent portion.

A recording apparatus according to the present invention is a recording apparatus capable of recording an image using ink stored in the tank body, comprising a tank mounting portion to which the ink tank according to the present invention can be mounted. A hollow pipe capable of penetrating the connection part of the tank main body is provided in the mounting part.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2 are explanatory views of the entire ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. The ink jet recording apparatus of this example is an example of application as a serial scan system in which a recording head moves in a main scanning direction.

In FIG. 1, a recording apparatus main body includes a feeding device 1 for feeding a recording medium S, a recording device 2 for performing a recording operation, an ink replenishing device 3 for replenishing ink, and a cap device. It comprises a unit 30 (see FIG. 6) and the like. Hereinafter, the configurations of the device units 1, 2, and 3 will be described separately.

A [Configuration of Feeding Unit 1] In the feeding unit 1, reference numeral 4 denotes a cover provided outside the main body of the apparatus, and reference numeral 5 denotes an installation table on which a plurality of recording media S are loaded. The recording medium S is inserted from an insertion port 4a provided in the cover 4, and is discharged from a discharge port 4b. Inside the side plate 6 provided in the cover 4, a mounting table 8, a feeding roller 9, and a guide member 11 are provided.
The mounting table 8 constitutes a unit for mounting the recording medium S, and is urged by a spring 7 toward the upper feeding roller 9. The feeding roller 9 constitutes feeding means, and comes into contact with the uppermost one of the plurality of recording media S on the mounting table 8. The guide member 11 is connected to the separating unit 10.
Is guided in the direction of the recording device unit 2.

B [Configuration of the Recording Device 2] In the recording device 2, reference numeral 12 denotes a photosensor for detecting a recording medium S passing downstream of the guide member 11. Reference numeral 13 denotes a pair of conveyance rollers for conveying the fed recording medium S at a constant speed, and reference numeral 14 denotes a pair of discharge rollers for discharging the non-recording medium S after image recording. Reference numeral 19 denotes a carriage, which is movably guided by the guide members 15 and 16 in the main scanning direction (the width direction of the recording medium S) indicated by arrows 28 and 35 in FIG. The carriage 19 is moved in the main scanning direction by a driving force transmitted from a carriage motor 70 via a belt 18 stretched between the pulleys 17 and 17. 20 is a carriage 19
This is a storage ink tank that is mounted in a replaceable manner. 20
Reference numeral a denotes a recording head as an image forming unit, which discharges ink in the stored ink tank 20 based on image information. In the case of this example, the storage ink tank 20 and the recording head 2
Numeral 0a constitutes an ink jet cartridge integrally connected. The ink tank 20 and the recording head 20a may be individually configured and detachably coupled, or may be separately mounted on the carriage 19.

As shown in FIG. 2, the stored ink tank 20 of the present embodiment has an ink tank 20Y for yellow ink and an ink tank 2 for magenta ink for each color of ink to be stored.
0M, an ink tank 20C for cyan ink, and an ink tank 20B for black ink.
Each of the ink tanks 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20
B has an ink inlet 20b for taking ink.
Is provided. The ink inlet 20b is formed by a flexible valve member such as rubber.

The ink tanks 20Y, 20M, 20C, 2
Each of OBs is provided with a gas-permeable film 48 as a gas-permeable member that allows gas to pass therethrough without passing the ink inside. The gas permeable member 48 is in the form of a thin sheet made of, for example, a tetrafluoroethylene resin or a resin porous material similar thereto. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the air discharge paths in the ink tanks 20 </ b> Y, 20 </ b> M, 20 </ b> C, and 20 </ b> B pass through respective gas permeable members 48 and air paths 49, and pass through
51 and 52 lead to a general suction port 53. The air in the ink tanks 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20B is sucked by the suction pump 31 from the cap member 54 that is in close contact with the surface 53a where the general suction port 53 opens, through the ventilation pipe 57, as described later.

The recording head 20a is composed of a plurality of head portions independent for each ink color, and each head portion has a corresponding ink tank 20Y, 20M, 20C, 2C.
A liquid chamber section 43 communicating with the flow path 41 of the OB and a plurality of ink discharge nozzles 44 are provided. The nozzle 44 forms a communication path communicating with the ink discharge port, and is provided with discharge energy generating means for generating energy for discharging ink from the ink discharge port.

C [Configuration of Ink Replenishing Unit 3] In the ink replenishing unit 3, reference numeral 21 denotes a tube 21a.
And ink supply means which is in communication with the refill ink tank 22 via a refill tube 21f which is a hollow tube. The ink supply means 21 refills the ink in the replenishment ink tank 22 into the storage ink tank 20 by being closely connected to the ink intake port 20 b of the storage ink tank 20.

C-1 [Replenishment Ink Tank] As shown in FIG. 2, the replenishment ink tank 22 of the present embodiment is provided with an ink tank 2 for yellow ink for each color of ink to be stored.
2Y, an ink tank 22M for magenta ink, an ink tank 22C for cyan ink, and an ink tank 22B for black ink. Each of the ink tanks 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22B is connected to corresponding ink supply means 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21B via a corresponding tube 21a.

Next, the structure of the refill ink tank will be described.

FIG. 9 shows the refill ink tank 22.

The refill ink tank 22 includes an ink bag 22a filled with ink and a tank case 22b.

The ink bag 22a is a bag in which a sheet made of a soft film or the like is bent to one side, and three sides (shaded portions in the drawing) other than the bent portion are welded in a U-shape. A seal 22a1 made of an elastic member such as rubber is adhered to a bent portion of the bag, that is, a ring-shaped portion. On the other hand, positioning holes 22a2 are formed in the welded portions at both ends of the side facing the bent portion.

The tank case 22b includes a first case 22c.
And a second case 22d, the outer shape of which is a flat rectangular thin rectangular parallelepiped.

The first case 22c is a planar rectangle whose inside is largely open upward in the figure. On the bottom surface, on both sides near one long side portion, there are provided protrusions 22c1 protruding vertically upward. A positioning projection 22j is provided below the periphery of the projection 22c1. The other long side portion is provided with two semicircular grooves. One of these grooves forms the needle insertion port 22e, and the other forms the ink discharge port 22f.

The second case 22d, like the first case 22c, is a flat rectangle whose inside is largely open upward in the drawing. On the bottom surface, a concave portion 22d is formed by a cylindrical portion projecting vertically upward at both ends near one long side portion.
1 is formed. The other long side portion is provided with two semicircular grooves. One of these grooves forms the needle insertion port 22e, and the other forms the ink discharge port 22f.

The tank case 22b includes a first case 22c.
The projection 22c1 of the second case 22d is engaged with the recess 22d1 of the second case 22d. And the first case and the second
By coupling with the case, the needle insertion port 22e and the ink discharge port 22f are formed as circular openings. The first case 22c and the second case 22d are openably and closably connected to each other by a hinge 22k formed integrally with the first case 22c or a separate member. When the lock claws 221 on the first case 22c side engage with the lock holes 22m on the second case 22d side, as shown in FIG.
2c and 22d are locked in the closed state.

A needle passage 22g is further formed in the needle insertion port 22e by a portion extending outward from the opening.

In the tank case 22b, an ink bag 22 is provided.
In addition to a, a built-in ink discharge sheet 22h made of a material that absorbs and easily retains liquid such as felt is incorporated. The ink discharge sheet 22h absorbs the ink leaked inside the case and prevents the ink from leaking out of the case. The ink that cannot be absorbed by the discharged ink sheet 22h is discharged out of the discharged ink port 22f.

The ink bag 22a and the ink discharge sheet 22h are built in as follows.

First, when the tank case 22b is mounted on the main body of the recording apparatus, the ink discharge sheet 22h is laid on the first case 22c side which is the bottom, and the ink bag 2 is placed thereon.
2a is arranged. The holes 22a2 of the ink bag 22a are respectively engaged with the convex portions 22c1, so that the ink bag 2
2a is positioned in the tank case 22b. further,
When the second case 22d and the first case 22c are closed and connected to each other, the positioning projection 2 of the first case 22c is formed.
2j and the inner surface of the second case 22d.
Of the ink bag 22 in the tank case.
a is prevented from shifting. In this way, the ink bag 22 and the ink discharge sheet 22h are placed in the tank case 22b.
a is positioned and accommodated.

In the bent portion of the ink bag 22a,
The seal 22a1 is adhered, and the seal 22a1 comes into contact with the needle insertion port 22e when the ink bag is stored.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the ink tank with the ink bag 22a mounted on the tank case 22b.

The refill ink tank 22 having such a configuration
Is a refill ink tank outlet 22i of the recording apparatus main body.
(See FIG. 1).

C-2 [Ink Supply Means] The ink supply means 21 includes a storage ink tank 20 and a replenishment ink tank 22.
Are communicated with each other via a tube 21a and a replenishing tube 21f.

The ink supply means 21 is a refill ink tank 2
2 is connected as follows.

As shown in FIG. 1, the replenishing tube 21f of the ink supply means 21 is a hollow tube having a needle-like tip, and has a proximal end joined to the tube 21a. The needle-shaped tip is disposed in a direction facing the ink tank outlet 22i.

The refill ink tank 22 has a needle insertion port 22e.
Is attached to the inside of the recording apparatus through the ink tank take-out port 22i so as to face the replenishing tube 21f. When the refill ink tank 22 is pushed rightward in FIG. 1, the refill tube 21f is moved from the needle insertion port 22e to the refill ink tank 22.
The refill ink tank 22 and the refill tube 21f are connected when the needle enters the inside and the needle-like portion at the tip breaks through the seal 22a1. Since the seal 22a1 is made of a highly adhesive elastic material such as rubber or silicon, when a hole is formed with a needle, the seal 22a1 acts in a direction to close the hole. Therefore, since the refilling tube 21f comes into close contact with the seal 22a1, the ink inside the ink bag 22a does not leak out from this hole.

It is to be noted that the position where the refill tube 21f breaks through the ink bag 22a is not the upper and lower surfaces of the ink bag 22a but the bent portion. This is because it is advantageous in securing the amount. That is, the length of the ink bag 22a in the left-right direction in FIG. 1 is longer than the length of the ink bag 22a in the up-down direction in FIG. Therefore, even after the refill tube 21f breaks through the bent portion, further force is applied, and the refill tube 2f
Even if 1f moves a little, there is no fear that the tip will break the bag by mistake. Therefore, it is effective to pierce the bent portion of the ink bag 22a with the refill tube 21f in order to surely connect the flow paths.

The shape of the tank case and the shape of the ink bag are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment.
Any shape may be used as long as the shape and the ink bag 22a can be securely joined and the flow path is connected.

Also, as in the present embodiment, a seal 22a1 made of a highly adherent elastic material is attached to the ink bag 22a, and a hole for extracting ink is formed in the seal 22a1 with a needle. The shape of the ink bag 22a can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

The details of the operation of replenishing ink from the replenishment ink tank 22 to the stored ink tank 20 will be described in the section of [ink replenishment operation].

The ink supply means 21 is provided on a movable table 27 as shown in FIG. The movable table 27 is movable by the guide members 25 and 26 in the left-right direction in FIG. The carriage 19 moves in the direction of arrow 28,
The side surface 20B-1 of the stored ink tank 20B is
Of the movable table 27
Moves in the direction of the arrow 28 integrally with the carriage 19 against the force of the spring 29.

The carriage 19 moves in the direction of the arrow 28 to rotate in the direction of the arrow 37 with the guide member 16 as a rotation axis as shown in FIG. By the rotation of the carriage 19, the ink supply means 21 and the ink inlet 20b of the stored ink tank 20 are connected. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, a guide roller pair 19b for supporting the carriage 19 with respect to the guide member 15 is attached to the carriage 19.
When the carriage 19 moves in the direction of the arrow 28, the side surface 20 </ b> B- 1 of the stored ink tank 20 </ b> B
7a, the movable table 27 starts to move in the direction of the arrow 28 together with the carriage 19, and then the guide roller pair 19b moves from the inclined portion 15a of the guide member 15 to the horizontal portion 1a.
Move to 5b. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, the carriage 19 rotates in the direction of the arrow 37 about the guide member 13 as a rotation axis, and the ink supply means 21 and the ink inlet 20b of the storage ink tank 20 are connected.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the ink supply means 21.
As shown in Fig. 5, a hollow needle 21c having a closed tip is provided, and a fine hole 21b penetrating in the left-right direction in Fig. 5 is formed at the tip of the hollow needle 21c. Hollow needle 21c
Is provided with a piston-like plug member 21e that can move up and down in FIG. 5 around the hollow needle 21c. The plug member 21e is formed of a flexible material such as rubber, and is urged downward by a spring 21b.

As shown in FIG. 4, before the ink supply means 21 is connected to the ink inlet 20b of the storage ink tank 20, the fine holes 21b of the hollow needle 21c are covered and closed by the plug member 21e. Therefore, at this time,
Ink is not leaked from the hollow needle 21c. At this time, the ink inlet 20b of the ink tank 20, which is formed by a flexible valve member such as rubber, is closed by the restoring force of the valve member as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
Is connected to the ink inlet 20b of the storage ink tank 20, the upper surface of the ink inlet 20b and the plug member 2
1c is in close contact with the lower surface. Further, the plug member 21e retracts upward against the force of the spring 21b, and the fine hole 21b of the hollow needle 21c is opened in the inside 20c of the ink intake port 20b. As a result, the ink flowing out of the pores 21b is
The ink is absorbed by the sponge-like ink absorber 41 in the storage ink tank 20 via the flow paths 38, 39, and 40.

D [Configuration of Cap Device Unit 30] The cap device unit 30 is in close contact with the recording head 20a,
This sucks out air and thickened ink accumulated in the liquid chamber 43 and the nozzles 44, that is, foreign matters that cause ink ejection failure. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 30a denotes a recording head 2
A cap member that covers a surface on which the ink ejection port 0a is formed (ink ejection port formation surface). Reference numeral 54 denotes a cap member that is in close contact with the surface 53a where the general suction port 53 opens. These cap members 30 a and 54 are held by the frame 45. The frame 45 has four link arm members 46.
It is supported so that it can move up and down. 47 is the frame 4
5 is a spring that urges 5 upward. Cap member 30a,
The conduits 30b, 55 are connected to each of the 54. The conduits 30b and 55 are connected to a pump suction path switching mechanism 56.

D-1 [Pump Suction Path Switching Mechanism 56] At one end of the frame 45, a protrusion 45a located on the movement locus of a bank 19a provided at a fixed position of the carriage 19 is provided.
Is provided. At the moving position of the carriage 19, when the bank portion 19a hits the protrusion 45a, FIG.
As described above, the frame body 45 is pressed down against the spring 47, and the ink discharge port formation surface of the recording head 20a and the formation surface 53a of the general suction port 53 are connected to the cap member 38.
a, 45 pass over them without touching them. On the other hand, when the bank portion 19a is separated from the projection 45a, the frame body 45 is raised by the spring 47 as shown in FIG. 6, the cap member 38a comes into close contact with the ink discharge port forming surface, and the cap member 54 is integrated. The formation surface 53a of the suction port 53 is in close contact.

The switching mechanism 56 to which the conduits 30b and 55 are connected has a rotary valve 59 made of rubber or the like as shown in FIG. The rotary valve 59 selectively connects the conduits 30b and 55 to the pump suction port 31a of the suction pump 31 via the conduction path 59a according to the rotation position of each 90 degrees. The rotary valve 59 is fixed to the rotary shaft 56a in FIG. A saw tooth gear 56b is fixed to the rotating shaft 56a, and a base end of an arm member 56c is rotatably supported on the rotating shaft 56a. A ratchet tooth 56d that meshes with the saw gear 56b in only one direction is rotatably supported by the arm member 56c. 56e is a spring for urging the arm member 56c clockwise in FIG. 3, and 56f is a one-tooth gear 56b.
Two position indicating members provided with an angle difference of 80 degrees. Reference numerals 57 and 58 denote position detectors for detecting the position indicating member 56f, which are provided at fixed positions with an angle difference of 90 degrees. As the position detectors 57 and 58,
A micro switch, a photo sensor, or the like is used.

The tip of the arm member 56c is connected via a connecting shaft 36 to a hole 34b of the switching lever 34 (FIG. 2). The base end of the switching lever 34 is rotatably supported about a shaft 34a. When the carriage 19 further moves in the direction of the arrow 35 after the carriage 19 moves in the direction of the arrow 35 and comes into contact with the tip of the switching lever 34, the switching lever 34 moves in the direction of the arrow 35 in FIG. Rotate in the direction. In conjunction with the rotation of the switching lever 34 in the direction of the arrow 35, the arm member 46c
3 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 3 by 90 degrees. At this time, since the ratchet teeth 56d mesh with the saw gear 56d, the saw gear 56d is rotated by the rotary shaft 56a and the rotary valve 5d.
9 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise. Thereafter, when the carriage 19 separates from the tip of the switching lever 34 in the direction of the arrow 28, the switching lever 34 and the arm member 46c rotate clockwise and return to the original position by the force of the spring 56e. At this time, since the ratchet teeth 56d do not mesh with the saw tooth gear 56d, the saw tooth gear 56d is not rotated.

As described above, each time the switching lever 34 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 35 by the carriage 19, the rotary valve 5 is rotated.
9 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, and the pump suction path is switched. The switching state of the pump suction path is detected by the position detectors 57 and 58. FIG. 6 shows a switching state when the position detector 57 detects the position indicating member 56f. At this time, the total suction port 53 is
4. Conduit 55, conduit 59a, and pump suction port 31
a to the pump 31. FIG. 8 shows a switching state when the position detector 58 detects the position indicating member 56f. At this time, the ink ejection ports of the recording head 20a are connected to the cap member 38a, the conduit 30b, the conduction path 59a,
And it is connected to the pump 31 through the pump suction port 31a. The control means 25 (see FIG. 1), which will be described later, detects the switching state of the pump suction path from the detection signals of the detection signals of the position detectors 57 and 58, and responds to the operation to be executed from the pump suction path. If the switching state does not match, the carriage 19 is moved in the direction of arrow 35, and the switching lever 34 is rotated in the direction of arrow 34. As a result, the pump suction path is switched to meet the operation purpose.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 24 denotes an electric board disposed inside the cover 4, which is provided with a plurality of switch buttons 23 projecting upward from holes in the cover 4. 2
Reference numeral 5 denotes a control unit, which is configured by mounting a microcomputer, a memory, and the like on a control electric board disposed inside the cover 4. This control means 2
Reference numeral 5 controls the recording apparatus while communicating with the host computer.

D-2 [Suction Pump 31] As shown in FIG. 6, the suction pump 31 reciprocates a piston member 31e via a seal member 31d into a cylinder member 31c having a suction port 31a and a discharge port 31b. It is movably provided. The fine hole 31f provided in the piston member 31e is provided with a reed valve 31g for restricting the flow of the fluid to only one left direction in FIG. 31h is
The piston shaft 31i for driving the piston member 31e is
It is a spring member for urging the piston member 31e rightward in FIG. The ink and air sucked by such a suction pump 31 pass through a discharge pipe 31j from a discharge port 31b, and flow into a sponge-like ink absorber 33a in a waste liquid container 33.
It is discharged toward.

The piston shaft 31h is connected to a cam gear 3 described later.
Following the rotation of the second cam portion 32a, it reciprocates in the left-right direction in FIG. As the piston member 31e reciprocates right and left together with the piston shaft 31h, ink or air is sucked from the suction port 31a and is discharged to the discharge port 31b.
Discharged from

As shown in FIG. 4, a gear 56 is mounted on the shaft 13a of the transport roller 13 via a one-way clutch 13b. The gear 56 is rotated by a drive motor 60. The rotation of the drive motor 60 in the counterclockwise direction rotates the shaft 13a of the transport roller 13, and the clockwise rotation of the drive motor 60 rotates the cam gear 32. A spring 31i is provided on the cam portion 32a of the cam gear 32.
The piston shaft 31h is brought into contact with the piston shaft 31h by the force of the cam shaft 32h.
Is moved right and left. The piston member 31e reciprocates right and left together with the piston shaft 31h. When the piston member 31e moves to the left, the valve 31g is closed by the pressure generated in the left pressure chamber 31k, and the ink and air in the pressure chamber 31k are discharged from the discharge port 31b into the waste liquid container 33. Is discharged. At this time, the volume of the right pressure chamber 31m increases, and a negative pressure is generated in the pressure chamber 31m. The ink or air is sucked from the suction port 31a by the negative pressure. On the other hand, when the piston member 31e moves to the right, ink and air in the right pressure chamber 31m move into the left pressure chamber 31k through the fine holes 31f.

Next, the operation will be described.

[Recording Operation] In the recording operation, first,
The host computer expands the image data sent to the recording device unit 2. The control means 25 moves the carriage 19 in the main scanning direction based on the image data,
14 controls the conveyance of the recording medium S in the sub-scanning direction and the recording head 20a. The recording head 20a records a color image on the recording medium S by ejecting ink droplets of each color from the nozzles 44 that are controlled based on the gradation processing of the image (how to overlap the color dots).

When the photo sensor 12 detects the rear end of the recording medium S, the recording roller S discharges the recorded recording medium S from the discharge port 4b after the recording on the rear end is completed.

[Recovery Operation] When the power of the printing apparatus is turned on, and when the printing operation is interrupted for a predetermined time or more after the power is turned on, the control means 25 removes the thickened ink or bubbles generated in the nozzles of the print head 20a. A recovery operation for removal is automatically started. If color unevenness or fading of color appears in the recorded image, an operation button (see FIG. 1)
By pressing and operating, the control means 25 similarly starts the recovery operation.

At the time of the recovery operation, the control means 25 first confirms whether or not the position detector 58 in the suction path switching mechanism 56 is detecting the position indicating member 56a. When the position indicating member 56a is detected by the position detector 57, the carriage 19 is moved to the left arrow 3
By moving the switching lever 34 in five directions, the switching lever 34 is rotated in the direction of arrow 35. Thus, the position detector 58 detects the position indicating member 56a, that is, the suction path switching state as shown in FIG. After confirming that the position detector 58 is detecting the position indicating member 56a, the control unit 25 moves the recording head 20a and the cap member 38a together as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8. The carriage 19 is moved so as to make contact with the overall suction port 54 and the cap member 54. Thereafter, the control means 25 rotates the cam gear 32 via the gear 59 by rotating the motor 60 (see FIG. 4) clockwise. As a result, the suction pump 31 sucks the thickened ink and air in the nozzles 44 of the recording head 20a and discharges them into the waste liquid container 33.

The piston member 31e of the suction pump 31 is
One rotation of the cam gear 32 performs one cycle of suction and discharge operation. The number of revolutions of the cam gear 32 is determined according to the magnitude of the negative pressure necessary for recovering from the ejection failure of the recording head 20a.

[Ink Supply Operation] As described above, the ink in the storage ink tank 20 is consumed every time a recording operation is performed. I have to replenish. Hereinafter, the ink supply operation will be described.

The control means 25 counts the number of ink droplets ejected from the recording head 20a for each ink color.
When at least one of the count values for each ink color reaches a predetermined number, the recording on the recording medium S during the recording operation is completed and the recorded recording medium S is discharged. , The control unit 25 controls the refill ink tank 22.
(Refer to FIG. 1), the operation of supplying ink to the storage ink tank 20 is started.

At the time of ink supply operation, the control means 25
First, the position detector 5 in the suction path switching mechanism 56
It is confirmed whether or not 7 is in a state of detecting the position indicating member 56a. When the position indicating member 56a is detected by the position detector 58, the carriage 19 is moved in the left arrow 35 direction, and the switching lever 34 is moved to the arrow 3 position.
Rotate in 5 directions. Thus, the position detector 57 detects the position indicating member 56a, that is, the suction path switching state as shown in FIG. After confirming that the position detector 57 is detecting the position indicating member 56a, the control unit 25 connects the recording head 20a and the cap member 38a as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. The carriage 19 is moved so as to make contact with the overall suction port 54 and the cap member 54. Then, the control means 2
5 rotates the cam gear 32 via the gear 59 by rotating the motor 60 (see FIG. 4) clockwise. Accordingly, the suction pump 31 sucks the air in the stored ink tank 20 through the gas permeable member 48 and discharges the air into the waste liquid container 33.

The stored ink tank 2 by the suction pump 31
0, the stored ink tank 20
Inside is negative pressure. At this time, the supply means 21 supplies the replenishment ink tank 22 to the storage ink tank 20 as shown in FIG.
(See FIG. 1). Therefore, the ink in the refill ink tank 22 is sucked into the inside 41 of the refill ink tank 20 via the refill tube 21b and the tube 21a by the negative pressure in the stored ink tank 20. The ink that has flowed into the interior 41 of the storage ink tank 20 penetrates into the ink absorber 41a, which is made up of clusters of communicating small cells, and as the penetration proceeds, the ink surface 41b rises. The rising speed of the ink level 41b is determined by the suction pump 3
Since the speed depends on the suction force, the speed is set to an appropriate value according to the rotation amount of the cam gear 32. When the ink liquid level 41b reaches the gas permeable member 48, the gas permeable member 48
Since ink does not pass through the liquid such as ink, the supply of ink is automatically stopped.

The stored ink tank 20 for each ink (20
Y, 20M, 20C, and 20B) are supplied with ink from the corresponding refill ink tanks 22 (22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22B) at the same time. And the ink surface 41
The stored ink tank 20 where b has reached the gas permeable member 48
(20Y, 20M, 20C, 20B), the replenishment of the ink stops automatically and sequentially.

(Other Embodiments) In this embodiment,
As an element for stopping the supply of ink, the gas passing member 48 is used.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a form in which the supply of ink is stopped by a liquid level sensor or another method may be used.

In this embodiment, the seal 22a1 made of an elastic member is attached to a part of the ink bag 22a, and the refill tube 21f is inserted into this part. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. Instead, the entire ink bag 22a may be formed of an elastic member.

In the present embodiment, the ink bag 22a is housed in the tank case 22b. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Is also good.

Further, the ink bag 22b can be used as a waste ink tank. Further, the tank case 22b is filled with an elastic adhesive such as a curable adhesive rubber through the needle insertion port 22e, and the bent portion of the ink bag 22e is bonded and fixed in the tank case 22b.
The refilling tube 21f can be more reliably inserted into a.

(Others) It should be noted that the present invention includes a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for discharging ink, particularly in an ink jet recording system. An excellent effect is obtained in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a type in which the state of ink is changed by the thermal energy. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method is a so-called on-demand type,
Although it can be applied to any type of continuous type, in particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it can be applied to a sheet holding liquid (ink) or an electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the liquid path. By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and giving a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the recording head. Liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis.
This is effective because air bubbles inside can be formed. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

The configuration of the recording head is not limited to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 44,558 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an aperture for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which a recording apparatus can record. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type as described above, the recording head fixed to the apparatus main body or the electric connection with the apparatus main body or the ink from the apparatus main body is attached to the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself is used.

It is preferable to add a recording head ejection recovery unit, a preliminary auxiliary unit, and the like as the configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, the recording head is heated using capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, an electrothermal transducer, another heating element or a combination thereof. Pre-heating means for performing the pre-heating and pre-discharging means for performing the discharging other than the recording can be used.

The type and number of recording heads to be mounted are not limited to those provided only for one color ink, for example, and for a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. A plurality may be provided. That is, for example, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, but may be any of integrally forming a printing head or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of the recording modes of full color by color mixture.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. In general, the ink jet method generally controls the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Sometimes, the ink may be in a liquid state. In addition, in order to positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to prevent evaporation of the ink, the ink is solidified in a standing state and heated. May be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, the ink
JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-7
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1260, it is also possible to adopt a form in which the sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter in a state where it is held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

Further, the form of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is not limited to those used as image output terminals of information processing equipment such as computers, copying apparatuses combined with readers and the like, and facsimile apparatuses having a transmission / reception function. It may take a form.

[0086]

According to the present invention, the inside of the tank body is communicated with the outside through the hollow tube by passing the hollow tube through the bent portion of the thin sheet forming the bag-shaped tank body. Therefore, a simple bag-like shape is sufficient for the tank body, and its forming is simple, so that the manufacturing cost of the tank can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of a storage ink tank part of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the stored ink tank of FIG. 3;

5 is a cross-sectional view of the stored ink tank of FIG. 3 when tilted.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an air suction system when ink is supplied to the stored ink tank of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the storage ink tank of FIG. 3 when ink is supplied.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a partially cut-out portion of the air suction system at the time of suction recovery of the recording head of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the ink tank of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the ink tank of the present invention in a state where an ink bag 22a is mounted on a tank case 22b.

[Explanation of symbols]

 22 Refill ink tank (ink tank) 22a Ink bag 22a1 Seal part 22a2 hole 22b Tank case 22c First case 22c1 Convex part 22d Second case 22d1 Concave part 22e Needle insertion port (opening) 22g Needle path 22f Ink discharge port 22h Discharged ink Sheet

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Inoue 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yoji Ara 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon (72) Inventor Hirofumi Hirano 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Tetsuji Kurata 3-30-2, Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. ( 72) Inventor Masaya Uetsuki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yuji 3-30-2 Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Invention Noriyasu Asagi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroki Hayashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F term in Canon Inc. (reference) 2C056 EA22 EA24 FA03 KC01 KC05 KC22

Claims (14)

[Claims] A thin-film sheet forms a bag-shaped tank main body capable of storing ink, and a part of the sheet is bent to form a bent portion. An ink tank comprising: a connection portion that allows communication between the inside and the outside of the tank main body via a hollow tube that can penetrate a bent portion. 2. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the outer periphery of the sheet except for the bent portion is welded to form the tank body. 3. The sheet according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is formed into a flat quadrangular shape that forms the bent portion by being bent into two, and the outer peripheral portion excluding the bent portion is welded to form the tank body. The ink tank according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The ink according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion includes a seal member capable of sealing between an outer peripheral portion of the hollow tube and the connection portion. tank. 5. The tank according to claim 1, further comprising: a tank case accommodating the tank body, wherein the tank case is provided with an opening for exposing the connecting portion to the outside. Ink tank. 6. The ink tank according to claim 5, wherein the tank case has a positioning portion for positioning at least a part of an outer peripheral portion of the tank body. 7. The first case having a substantially symmetrical shape.
The ink tank according to claim 5, wherein the ink tank is configured by coupling a case and a second case. 8. The tank according to claim 7, wherein a positioning hole is provided in the tank main body, and at least one of the first case and the second case is provided with a positioning protrusion that fits into the positioning hole. Ink tank. 9. The ink tank according to claim 7, wherein the opening is formed at a connecting portion between the first case and the second case. 10. The tank according to claim 5, wherein a portion between the portion of the tank case near the opening and a portion of the tank body near the connection portion is bonded with an adhesive. The ink tank as described. 11. A recording device capable of recording an image using ink stored in the tank main body, comprising a tank mounting portion to which the ink tank according to claim 1 can be mounted. A recording apparatus, wherein a hollow tube that can penetrate a connection part of the tank body is provided in the tank mounting part. 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the hollow tube has a needle-like tip. 13. A head mounting portion to which an ink jet recording head capable of discharging ink can be mounted, and an ink supply path for supplying the ink stored in the tank body to the ink jet recording head via the hollow tube. 13. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, comprising: 14. The recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the ink jet recording head has an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy as ink ejection energy.