JP3106046B2 - Ink cartridge, inkjet recording unit, and recording apparatus using the recording unit - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet apparatus, and more particularly to an ink cartridge (hereinafter, also referred to as an ink tank) for storing ink to be supplied to an ink jet head, and the ink cartridge and the head are detachably integrated. The present invention relates to an integrated recording unit, a recording unit in which the unit is detachably integrated, and an ink jet apparatus in which the unit is detachably mounted.

[0002] In the following description, the term "record" is used, but this term is used to include printing an image on a cloth or the like.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium such as paper (hereinafter, also simply referred to as recording paper) employs various recording methods such as a wire dot method, a thermal method, a thermal transfer method, and an ink jet method. It has been proposed as a form in which a head can be mounted.

[0004] Among these systems, the ink jet system is one of low noise non-impact systems in which ink is ejected and directly adhered to recording paper. Since a high-density and high-speed recording operation is possible, the output means of the information processing system, for example, a copying machine, a facsimile, an electronic typewriter, a word processor, a printer as an output terminal such as a workstation, or a personal computer, a host computer, It is used as a handy or portable printer included in an optical disk device, a video device, and the like. In this case, the inkjet recording apparatus has a configuration corresponding to the functions, usage patterns, and the like specific to these apparatuses. Above all, for example, downsizing is the mainstream in the information processing system, and accordingly, the inkjet recording unit and the apparatus body using the same are naturally required to be downsized.

[0005] However, while such a tendency of miniaturization,
In general, it is required for these units and the like to maintain the conventional performance or higher. In order to meet such demands, various proposals have conventionally been made regarding an ink jet recording unit and a recording apparatus in which the unit is mounted. One example is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, an ink jet unit 101 capable of separating a recording head and an ink cartridge as a liquid storage container is arranged on a printer carriage 121 of a main frame 122 of a recording apparatus 120.

As a form of an ink jet unit mounted on a carriage other than the form shown in FIG. 1, there is a recording unit in which a recording head and an ink cartridge are integrated.

In the case of the separation type, the ink cartridge is configured to be replaceable, and the recording head employs either a configuration fixed on the carriage or a configuration detachable from the carriage as required. .

In the above-described configuration in which the recording head and the ink cartridge are arranged on the carriage, a negative pressure relative to the atmospheric pressure is generated in the ink cartridge to adjust the head pressure. It is necessary to provide a mechanism. As such a mechanism, a mechanism that uses a porous member (hereinafter, also referred to as an ink absorber) and generates a negative pressure by utilizing the capillary force of the porous member is employed.

As described above, when a porous member is used as the mechanism described above, there is a problem that the amount of ink remaining without being used is large, that is, the ink use efficiency is low. To solve this problem, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 64-64, a porous member near a supply port for supplying ink to the recording head is compressed and deformed by an ink supply section (also referred to as an ink introduction section) of the recording head to locally reduce a capillary force. It is necessary to take a method of increasing the use efficiency of the ink by making the ink concentration high in the vicinity of the ink introduction part.

On the other hand, if air enters the ink jet recording head, the air may enter the nozzles and the like, and the ink may not be ejected (non-ejection state). For this reason, it is necessary to consider that air does not enter the ink supply path from the ink cartridge to the recording head.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-8405 is an example which focuses on such a problem. This publication discloses a recording unit in which a recording head unit and an ink storage unit are integrated, and is press-contacted to the ink introduction unit between the ink introduction unit of the recording head unit and the porosity of the ink storage unit. A configuration is disclosed in which a fibrous body is arranged to suppress the intrusion of air from the ink storage unit side to the recording head unit side.

FIG. 6 of JP-A-5-238016 discloses a recording unit capable of separating a recording head and an ink reservoir. Then, ink is received from the ink reservoir side to remove impurities contained in the ink supplied to the recording head and to prevent air from entering the recording head side when the recording head and the ink reservoir are separated. A configuration in which a fibrous sleeve is used as an ink introduction unit on the recording head side is disclosed.

In general, in a recording unit in which a recording head and an ink cartridge are separable, not only the ink cartridge whose ink has been used up is replaced, but also the recording head is replaced or the ink is re-used. Various attachment / detachment states such as replacement with a filled cartridge or separation of the two by erroneous operation of the user are conceivable.

Therefore, unlike a recording unit in which a recording head and an ink cartridge are integrated as disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-8405, there are cases where such various attachments and detachments are performed. However, it is required that the ink does not leak at the time of separation, and that a required amount of ink can be stably supplied to the recording head side without invasion of air at the time of joining.

However, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-187
364 and JP-A-5-238016, in the case of a separable recording unit,
In particular, as described above, in the case of a separable recording unit that uses a porous body by partially compressing it to increase the use efficiency of the ink, the head and the ink cartridge are separated before the ink in the ink cartridge is used up, The inventors of the present invention have found that when these are joined again, the ink may not be supplied to the head side in some cases.

If ink supply becomes impossible in such a state, ink supply cannot be recovered in many cases even when a so-called suction recovery operation of sucking ink from the discharge port side of the recording head is performed. Regardless, it cannot be used until the end.

As a result of elucidating the cause, it was found from experiments by the present inventors that ink supply could not be performed due to the following situation.

That is, when the recording head and the ink cartridge are separated, the ink absorber near the supply port of the ink cartridge connected to the ink introduction unit comes into direct contact with the atmosphere. At this time, when the ink introduction section on the recording head side is press-fitted into the ink absorber as described in the above-mentioned publication, the ink absorber compressed and deformed by the ink introduction section on the recording head side is used. With the return to the original shape, the ink absorber may draw air, and the vicinity of the ink supply port may be mixed with ink or may be in the state of only air.

When the recording head is mounted again in this state, an air layer is present near the ink supply port, which hinders formation of an ink flow path from the ink cartridge to the recording head. Not only in such a situation, but also when the recording head is rejoined with the separated recording head, the ink introduction part of the recording head presses air into the porous body near the ink supply port, so that the ink cartridge can be removed from the ink cartridge. This hinders formation of the ink flow path in the print head.

Therefore, there is a possibility that the ink supply rate may be reduced or the ink may be interrupted due to these conditions, resulting in a defective printing state.

From such a viewpoint, the present inventors have considered a configuration in which the porous body on the supply port side of the ink cartridge is always compressed regardless of whether the ink cartridge is attached to or detached from the recording head.

FIG. 2 shows an example of such an ink jet recording unit.

The ink jet recording unit 4 is configured such that the ink jet recording head 2 and the ink cartridge 3 are separably connected by a double-sided claw (not shown) provided on the ink cartridge 3 side.

At the time of the above connection, the ink introduction section 40 on the recording head side is inserted into the connection section 39 also serving as an ink supply port of the ink cartridge 3, and an ethylene propylene rubber or the like disposed around the ink introduction section. O-ring 3
5, the ink supply path 36 is sealed from the outside. On the other hand, an ink absorber (sponge) 37 is disposed inside the ink cartridge 3. The ink is stored by the ink holding ability of the sponge 37, and the sponge density is adjusted to adjust the sponge density. A negative ink supply pressure is obtained. A mesh filter 38 is provided at a side end of the sponge 37 at the connection portion 39 of the head. The filter 38 is disposed so as to press the sponge 37. Therefore, the sponge 37 in the vicinity of the filter is partially compressed to a high density irrespective of the attachment / detachment of the recording head, and thereby the ink in the sponge is removed. It is easy to stably lead to the ink jet recording head 2 side.

[0026]

By the way, it has been found that the ink jet recording unit having such a structure has the following problems to be solved.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the ink jet recording head 2 and the ink cartridge 3 are connected, the ink introduction portion 40 on the recording head side is inserted into the connection portion 39, and the O-ring 35 is connected as described above. These O-rings 35 are used to seal the ink supply passages 36 from the outside air.
Move in the direction of 8. Then, the moved air accumulates as bubbles B in the mesh filter 38 and blocks the ink supply path, and further diffuses from the mesh filter 38 to the sponge 37 (arrow A in the figure). As a result, ink supply failure or the like occurs.

The configuration described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-238016 discloses a configuration in which air does not enter the chamber of the recording head when the recording head is separated from the ink cartridge (ink reservoir). No consideration has been given to the intrusion of air into the ink cartridge as described above which occurs when the used ink cartridge is separated from the recording head and rejoined. For this reason, there is a possibility that the above-described inconvenience may occur.

As a method for preventing air from entering into the ink cartridge at the time of separation and rejoining, it is conceivable to provide a valve member for closing the ink supply port at the time of non-joining. However, the manufacturing process becomes complicated and the number of parts is reduced. This leads to an increase in size and cost due to the increase, and reduces the characteristics of the separation type recording head.

In the separation type recording unit, not only the problem of air intrusion that is likely to occur when the recording head is separated and connected to the ink cartridge, but also the fact that ink does not leak from the supply port at the time of separation as described above, It is required that the required amount of ink can be stably supplied to the recording head and that the ink use efficiency is high. There is a demand for an ink cartridge and a recording unit that satisfy these requirements.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned various problems which occur in a separable recording unit which uses a recording head and an ink cartridge by separating and connecting them. A low-cost and highly reliable ink cartridge that can supply a required amount of ink stably even if the recording head and the ink cartridge are separated and re-joined before using up the ink without causing leakage of ink. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink supply member used for the ink cartridge and an ink jet recording apparatus using the ink cartridge.

[0032]

Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, an ink jet cartridge according to the present invention comprises: an ink absorber for holding ink;
An ink supply port for supplying ink to the recording head; and an ink supply section into which the ink introduction section of the recording head is inserted. When the ink introduction section is inserted, the ink supply section extends from the ink supply section to the outside. An air passage for releasing air is provided on an inner wall surface of the ink supply unit.

Preferably, the air passage is a groove provided on the inner wall surface of the ink supply unit, and more preferably, the air passage communicates with the inside of the ink cartridge, and the ink passage passes through the inside of the ink cartridge. Communicates with the outside through an atmosphere communication port provided in

Preferably, an ink supply member is provided between the ink absorber and the ink supply port, and one end of the ink supply member is in pressure contact with the ink absorber.

It is preferable that the ink supply member is an ink derivative in which fibers are gathered.

Preferably, the capillary force of the ink derivative is greater than the ink capillary force of the ink absorber, and the pressure loss of the ink derivative in supplying ink to the recording head is 20 mmAq or less. 1
10. The ink cartridge according to 9. The capillary force of the ink derivative is 85 mmAq or more and 400 mmAq or less. Preferably, the ink derivative is composed of a bundle of fibers extending in the ink guiding direction, and the average distance between the fibers is more than 0.01 mm and less than 0.05 mm.

A recording unit according to the present invention comprises:
An ink cartridge having the above configuration, and an ink jet head having an ink introduction section, wherein the ink introduction section is inserted into the ink supply section of the ink cartridge, whereby the tip of the introduction section is pressed against the ink derivative. It is characterized by being.

Further, the recording unit according to the present invention is a recording unit in which a recording head for performing recording by discharging ink droplets and an ink cartridge for supplying ink to the recording head are detachably connected. , The recording head is connected to an ink cartridge and has an ink introduction section for receiving supply of ink, and the ink cartridge includes an ink absorber for storing ink to be supplied to the recording head, and an ink for the recording head. An ink supply portion that is fitted with the introduction portion and has an ink supply port formed at the front end of the ink cartridge, thereby forming an ink supply path that connects the ink introduction portion of the recording head and the ink absorber; One end is in contact with the ink introduction unit injected into the ink supply unit, and the other end is in pressure contact with the ink absorber. And click supply member, characterized by having between the recording head and the ink cartridge ink derivatives air flow path for air to escape in the feed portion upon connection process with the ink supply portion of the wall.

The ink cartridge preferably has an atmosphere communication port for communicating the inside with the outside, and the air flow path communicates with the atmosphere communication port and is formed around the ink absorber. The first space includes a second space communicating with the ink supply unit.

Preferably, a plurality of longitudinally extending ink retainers are held on the inner wall of the ink cartridge, and a space serving as a first space is provided between the ink absorber and the inner wall of the ink cartridge. A projection piece may be provided.

The second space preferably comprises a groove or a hole formed in the wall surface of the ink supply section for holding the ink derivative, or the second space comprises a groove or a hole formed in the ink derivative. .

Preferably, there is provided a second air flow path comprising a third space portion communicating with the air supply hole formed at the front end of the ink cartridge and the ink supply section.
When the recording head is connected to the ink cartridge,
A plug is provided for closing the air communication hole formed at the front end of the ink cartridge.

Preferably, the supply member is an ink derivative composed of fiber bundles arranged from the ink absorber to the ink supply port. Further, the capillary force of the ink derivative is larger than the capillary force of the ink absorber, and the pressure loss of the ink derivative in supplying the ink to the recording head is preferably 20 mmAq or less, or more preferably, in the recording unit, Derivative capillary force is 85m
It is not less than mAq and not more than 400 mmAq.

The ink derivative preferably comprises a bundle of fibers extending in the ink guiding direction, and the average distance between the fibers is more than 0.01 mm and less than 0.07, more preferably the guiding direction. Has a columnar shape with a circular cross section, and the fibers of the circular outer peripheral portion are densely formed by a binder.

The recording head is preferably an ink jet recording head using an electrothermal converter for causing film boiling of the ink, as a means for generating energy for discharging the ink. The recording head is compatible with color recording.

The recording apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that a recording unit is mounted and a recording head is used as recording means.

[0047]

[0048]

[0049]

[0050]

[0051]

Since the recording unit according to the present invention has the above configuration, it is possible to prevent ink leakage and gas intrusion into the ink flow path. Atmosphere can be introduced.

That is, the ink cartridge has the following features in order to eliminate the instability of the ink supply due to the presence of air bubbles or air layers. That is, when the recording head and the ink cartridge are connected, the connection portion is sealed from the outside, so that the ink cartridge opening (the portion where the connection portion of the recording head is inserted).
Air does not flow in from the ink and ink does not leak.

Until the introduction portion on the recording head side is inserted into the ink cartridge and immediately before forming the ink supply path,
Since there is a configuration in which air existing in the ink supply path is released to the outside when the recording head and the ink cartridge are connected, it is possible to prevent air from entering the supply path due to the connection between the two.

In particular, when an ink derivative is used, as will be described later, the ink derivative has a substantially dense space between the fibers and an outer peripheral region where the ink guideability is relatively inferior. It consists of an internal area that is coarse and dense and has relatively excellent ink guideability, and is interposed between the inkjet recording head and the ink absorber, and one end of the ink derivative is directly in close contact with the filter of the inkjet recording head,
The other end of the ink derivative is in direct pressure contact with the ink absorber. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the instability of the ink supply due to the interposition of bubbles and air layers, while keeping the use efficiency of the ink high.

[0055] Further, along the inner peripheral wall of the holding portion for holding the ink derivative conductor in the axial direction, a groove which becomes the air flow path between the ink derivative and the ink derivatives holding portion is formed, and this air passage An air communication hole communicating with the air hole is provided. Therefore, the interposition of the air bubbles and the air layer can be more reliably eliminated. Fourth, a plurality of protrusions (ribs) extending in the longitudinal direction are provided on the inner wall of the ink cartridge, and these retain the ink absorber.
Since a space is secured between the ink absorber and the inner wall of the ink cartridge, the air flow path is reliably secured.

Therefore, when the ink jet recording head is connected to the ink cartridge, the air between the ink derivative and the connecting portion is pressed against the ink derivative in the process of pressing the connecting portion of the recording head against the ink derivative. The air flows to the outside via the air passage formed by the groove or hole, the air communication hole, and the space in the ink tank communicating with the air. Further, as described above, since the peripheral surface of the ink derivative is hardened by a resin or the like, the ink may flow out of the peripheral surface into the air flow path, or bubbles may be introduced into the ink derivative from the peripheral surface. Does not happen.

When the ink jet recording head and the ink cartridge are separated from each other, the pressure applied by the connection portion of the head on the ink jet recording head side is released. With this release, the ink derivative is restored to the ink jet recording head side by the sponge. It is pushed toward the opening by the force.
Therefore, the edge of the ink derivative on the head side is pressed against a plate-shaped ink derivative support that stands upright so as to extend in the radial direction along the inner peripheral wall of the opening of the ink cartridge. Therefore, air does not flow into the ink cartridge through the opening. Further, even when the ink jet recording head and the ink cartridge are separated, the contact between the ink derivative and the sponge is maintained, so that no bubbles or air layers are formed on the contact surface between the ink derivative and the sponge.

[0058]

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

First, a schematic configuration of the ink jet recording unit 4 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this figure, (A) is a sectional view showing a state in which the ink jet recording head 2 and the ink cartridge 3 are separated, (B) is a figure showing a state in which they are connected, and (C) is a view in (B). It is sectional drawing which follows CC 'line.

In the ink jet recording head 2, a filter 43 for removing dust in the normal ink is provided with an ink supply pipe ( hereinafter referred to as a connection portion) to the ink cartridge 3.
(It is also referred to as a connection portion or an ink introduction portion below.) The effective pore diameter of the filter 43 is 5 to 20 μm.

The ink jet recording head 2 and the ink cartridge 3 are integrally connected by a pair of joining claws 34 integrally protruding from the ink cartridge 3 engaging with the receiving portion of the ink jet recording unit 2. . With this connection, the filter 43 provided at the end of the ink supply path that passes through the connection part (ink introduction part) 45 protruding in a cylindrical shape of the ink jet recording head 2 concentrically, the ink supply member provided in the ink cartridge 3 And the connection portion between the ink cartridge 3 and the recording head 2 is sealed from the outside. At this time, it is desirable that the derivative and the filter 43 be in a pressure contact state from the viewpoint of reliable connection between them.

The area of the filter 43 needs to be smaller than the area of the bonding surface of the ink derivative 47 as described later. An O-ring 35 is provided at the base of the connection portion 45 of the inkjet recording head 2.

The ink derivative 47 is interposed between the porous sponge 37 provided in the ink cartridge 3 and the opening of the ink cartridge 3. In addition, the ink derivative 47 is held by the holding portion 41 of the ink cartridge 3 for substantially half or more of the outer circumferential surface along the axial direction, while the remaining outer circumferential surface that is not in contact with the holding portion 41 is the air inside the ink cartridge 3. Have been exposed to That is, the ink derivative 47 is applied to the sponge 3 only at one end surface thereof.
7 and the other end face is a free end.
It is exposed outside the opening. Further, the ink derivative 47
Is in contact with the inner side surface of a plate-shaped ink derivative supporting portion 49 erected so as to extend in the radial direction along the inner peripheral wall of the holding portion 41 so as not to protrude from the opening of the ink cartridge 3. It is supported by. Also, C- in FIG.
As indicated by the broken line in the section C ′, the ink derivative 47
Is disposed substantially at the center of the cross section of the sponge 37 in the ink guiding direction. Thereby, uniform supply of the ink in the sponge 37 becomes possible.

When the ink head 2 and the ink cartridge 3 are connected, the filter 43 of the ink jet recording head 2 and the free end of the ink derivative come into close contact with each other.
From the ink cartridge 3 to the ink jet recording head 2
Is formed.

At the time of the above connection, the O-ring 35 seals the ink supply path formed by the ink supply pipe 45 and the ink derivative 47. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the ink from leaking from the connection portion between the recording head 2 and the ink cartridge 3, and to minimize the evaporation of the ink.

The sponge (ink absorber) 37 accommodated in the ink cartridge 3 has a capillary force (generally 0 mmAq or more and 150 mm or more) in consideration of ink supply property to the ink jet recording head 2, ink holding property, ink leakage and the like.
mmAq or less, desirably 30 mmAq or more and 100 m
(mAq or less). On the other hand, sponge 3
The periphery of 7 is maintained at atmospheric pressure through an atmosphere communication hole 48 formed at the rear end of the ink cartridge 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of the ink derivative.

The ink derivative 47 is a cylindrical member made of a fiber bundle extending substantially in the guiding direction (direction along the axis of the ink derivative) for guiding ink.
In the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the ink is guided, the outer peripheral region where the fibers are substantially tightly bundled and the ink guideability is relatively inferior, and the space is substantially between the fibers and the ink guide is relatively large. And an inner region having excellent properties.

The term "bundle of fibers" used herein refers to any one of fibrous resins such as polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, cellulose, and polyurethane, ordinary fibers, and fibers of metals, glass, carbon, and the like. It may be a mixture.

The term "close between the fibers" includes those in which the fibers are filled with an adhesive or a sealant, or in which the fibers are integrated by heat or pressure.

[0071] As a member constituting the ink guide member 47, the internal region between the substantially fiber is space, have a mix of passage width greater than the fiber diameter as a passage of width less than the fiber diameter In this case, there is an effect of improving the uniform ink supply property of the internal region in the cross-sectional area in the ink guiding direction. Preferably, the average spacing between each fiber is greater than 0.01 mm and less than 0.05.

Specific examples of suitable materials for the fibers 51 shown in FIG. 5 include mainly polyester, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, cellulose, and polyurethane, which are chemically stable to ink and wettable. A good thing is 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 processes for the hydrophilic treatment and an increase in product cost, it is desirable that the material itself has a small contact angle with the ink.

The condition for determining the upper limit of the thickness of the fiber forming the ink derivative is the adhesion between the filter provided in the ink introduction section and the ink guide member. In this respect, the thickness is desirably 0.05 mm or less. In addition, the lower limit of the fiber thickness is preferably 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 guide member binds the fibers.
In this example, a 0.03 mm polyester fiber was employed.

As described above, since the ink derivative 47 forms a part of the ink flow path, the ink supply direction must be provided. On the other hand, 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.

As a means for forming an area where the fibers are dense to bind the fibers, the above-mentioned method of using an adhesive as a sealant with a resin binder or applying heat or pressure from the outer peripheral portion to perform welding is used. Can be

Further, in order to form a dense area in the outer peripheral portion, the fiber bundle may be covered with another member. However, when the above-mentioned region is formed with an adhesive or a sealing agent, the binder can be impregnated at the same time as molding, whereas when the fibers are covered and bound, the fibers are covered in a bound state. In this case, 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, it is possible to maintain the directivity of the ink supply of the fiber, and to prevent the fiber from being deformed at the time of press contact with the ink introduction portion on the recording head side so that the ink supply becomes impossible or uneven. The configuration and method are not limited to those described above.

In this embodiment, the outer peripheral region of the ink derivative formed of the bundle of fibers 51 is made dense by using a resinous binder.

Here, as the resin to be impregnated from the outer periphery of the fiber bundle, the present inventors employ a polyurethane of a polyester polyol. However, if it is suitable for the purpose, there is no problem even if a melamine-based binder is used.

The fibers are, as described above, the ink derivative 47.
Are arranged along the ink flow direction, and the capillary force is set to be larger than the capillary force of the porous body forming the sponge 37. Therefore, if one end of the ink derivative 47 is pressed against the sponge 37 impregnated with the ink, the ink is naturally and promptly guided to the other end of the ink derivative 47. The ink that has reached the tip of the ink derivative 47 is fiber 5
Normally, there is no fear of leakage to the outside due to the capillary force of the bundle. Therefore, it is not necessary to prevent ink leakage by a valve mechanism or the like when the ink cartridge 3 is in a single state, that is, when the ink cartridge 3 is separated from the ink jet recording head 2, so that the number of parts forming the ink cartridge 3 is small, and Costs can be significantly reduced.

The ink cartridge of this embodiment has the following configuration in order to eliminate the instability of the ink supply due to the presence of air bubbles and air layers. That is, as described above, the ink derivative 47, which is an aggregate of fibers, is interposed between the ink supply port and the sponge 37, and the fibers are arranged so as to guide the ink from the sponge to the position of the ink supply port. The ink is guided to the surface of the recording head that comes into contact with the filter at the ink introduction portion.
One end of 7 is directly in close contact with the filter of the ink jet recording head, and there is no possibility that air may enter from the outside. Also, regardless of the attachment / detachment of the ink cartridge and the head,
The other end of the ink derivative is in direct contact with the sponge 37. Further, a groove 42 serving as an air flow path between the ink derivative 47 and the ink derivative holding portion 41 is formed on the inner peripheral wall of the holding portion 41 along the axial direction. Further, a plurality of protrusions (ribs) 3a extending in the longitudinal direction are provided on the inner wall of the ink cartridge 3 as shown in FIG. 4C, and the sponge 37 is held by the ribs 3a. A space is secured between the ink cartridge 3 and the inner wall. At the rear end of the ink cartridge, an air communication hole communicating with the air flow path and the space is provided.
48 are formed.

Therefore, the ink jet recording head 2
When the ink cartridge 47 is connected to the ink cartridge 3, the air between the ink derivative 47 and the connecting portion is pressed in the ink derivative direction while the ink introduction portion of the head 2 is pressed against the ink derivative 47. Flows to the outside via the groove 42 , the air communication hole 48, and the air flow path formed by the space in the ink tank communicating with them. Further, since the ink is guided by the capillary force of the fiber to the end face of the ink derivative which comes into contact with the ink introduction portion, almost no air enters the ink derivative. Further, since the peripheral surface of the ink derivative 47 is hardened by the resin or the like as described above, the ink may flow out from the peripheral surface into the air flow path, or the bubbles may be introduced into the ink derivative 47 from the peripheral surface. Nothing happens.

[0084] Further, when separating the ink-jet recording head 2 and the ink cartridge 3, the pressing by the connection portion of the ink jet recording head 2 side of the head is released, the ink derivative 47 with its release the ink jet recording head side The sponge 37 is pushed toward the opening by the restoring force. Therefore, the edge of the head side end of the ink derivative 47 is pressed against a plate-shaped ink derivative support portion 49 that stands upright so as to extend in the radial direction along the inner peripheral wall of the opening on the ink cartridge 3 side. Therefore, air does not flow into the ink cartridge 3 through the opening. Even if the ink jet recording head 2 and the ink cartridge 3 are separated, the ink derivative 47 and the sponge 3
7 is maintained, so that no air layer is formed on the contact surface between the ink derivative 47 and the sponge 37.

As described above, the ink jet recording unit according to the present invention allows the air to communicate with the outside through the inside of the ink cartridge through the air flow path formed between the ink derivative and the holding member for the ink derivative.
On the other hand, the ink derivative is brought into pressure contact with the sponge, so that even if the relative pressure of the air in the space with the outside air rises or falls, the air in the space can move in and out freely, so that the ink leaks and flows into the ink flow path. The air can be introduced from the outside into the ink cartridge in accordance with the ink volume reduced by the consumption of the ink.

(Embodiment 2) In the above-described embodiment, the groove 42 serving as an air flow path is
However, as shown in FIG. 6, this embodiment shows an example in which the groove 42 serving as the air flow path is formed not on the inner peripheral wall of the holding portion but on the peripheral surface of the ink derivative 47. The other points are almost the same as the first embodiment.

In order to provide a groove on the peripheral surface of the ink derivative 47, it is only necessary to provide a convex portion in a mold for forming a fiber bundle by binding fibers.

Therefore, the formation of the air groove is facilitated from the viewpoint of simplification of the manufacturing process and improvement of the processing accuracy, as compared with the case of molding or cutting to form the groove in the holding portion of the ink derivative of the ink cartridge. Therefore, this embodiment is desirable.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 7 shows an ink cartridge mounted on an ink jet recording unit based on this embodiment.

The schematic configuration of the ink jet recording unit of this embodiment is the same as that of the first or second embodiment, except that it has two air passages. That is, the first air flow path has the same configuration as that of the first and second embodiments, and has the second space portion including the groove 42 serving as an air flow path between the ink derivative 47 and the ink derivative holding portion 41. And a first space formed by a plurality of protrusions (ribs) 3a provided on the inner wall of the ink cartridge 3 and an atmosphere communication hole 48 formed at the rear end of the ink cartridge. You. On the other hand, the second air flow path
The ink cartridge 2 has a space (third space) extending from a communication hole 81 communicating with an opening formed on the end face of the ink cartridge 2 on the ink jet recording head side to an ink supply port. Further, in this embodiment, a projection 82 for closing the hole 81 is provided on the end face on the connection portion side of the ink jet recording head 2.

That is, when the ink jet recording head 2 and the ink cartridge 3 are connected, the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion of the ink jet recording head 2 comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the opposed ink cartridge opening. At this time, the protrusion 82 provided on the end face of the recording head 2 closes the communication hole 81 formed on the end face of the ink cartridge.

Therefore, the head 2 is moved to the ink derivative 47.
During the process of pressing the connection portions of the ink, the air between the ink derivative 47 and the connection portion is pressed against the ink derivative 47, and this air passes through the first air flow path and the second air flow path. Flow outside. Further, as described above, since the peripheral surface of the ink derivative is hardened by a resin or the like, the ink may flow out of the peripheral surface into the air flow path, or bubbles may be introduced into the ink derivative from the peripheral surface. Does not happen. Further, until the ink jet recording head is completely connected to the ink cartridge, air is exhausted by the second air flow path, and when the connection is completed, the opening of the second air flow path is closed by the protrusion, and The part connected with is sealed. Note that, here, an example in which both the first and second air flow paths are used has been described, but a configuration having only the second air flow path may be used as long as air can be sufficiently released at the time of connection.

The second air flow path is provided with the filter 38 without the ink derivative of the present invention or the conventional bubble mechanism.
It is also applicable to ink cartridges in which the absorber is compressed in the above manner. By forming such an air flow path in a conventional ink cartridge, it is possible to prevent the generation of air bubbles and the like, and to stabilize the ink supply. Achieved. One example is shown in FIG. In the figure, (A) is a cross-sectional view showing a separated state, (B) is a state in which air is loaded during connection, and (C) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which connection is completed.

With this configuration, it is possible to prevent air from entering from the supply port during connection. However, from the viewpoint of the stability of ink supply and the easiness of production, the configuration using the above-described ink derivative is more preferable.

(Embodiment 4) Further, the ink cartridge of this embodiment can of course be used for a full-color ink jet recording apparatus.
And FIG. As shown in these figures, each of the ink tanks in which the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) ink tanks are integrated, and the black (Bk) ink cartridge 3 The ink derivatives are provided respectively (only Bk is shown in the figure), and the ink is supplied to the inkjet head 2 via the ink derivatives.

In FIG. 9, a Bk ink cartridge having a larger capacity than other ink cartridges is used. Therefore, it is possible to change the size of the ink derivative according to the capacity of the ink cartridge, the ink supply path, and the like. Further, the ink derivative 47 is disposed below one end of the ink cartridge 3 and the air communication hole 48 is formed above the other end, so that when the recording head 2 and the ink cartridge 3 are connected to each other. The air in the vicinity of the connection portion can be easily discharged. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a case where the capacities of the respective ink cartridges are equal and not connected to the recording head, and the configuration of the ink cartridge 3 viewed from the opposite side to FIG. As shown in the drawing, an ink derivative 47 is provided in each color ink cartridge, and its end face is exposed to the atmosphere at an opening for connection with an ink jet head. In such a case, even if this opening of the ink cartridge is directed downward as described above, the ink does not leak.

(Embodiment 5) This embodiment shows an example of a recording apparatus and an information processing system equipped with a recording unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a printer mechanism built in a personal computer proposed by the present applicant using the above-described ink jet recording unit. The printer mechanism shown in FIG. 11 is built in a part of a personal computer described later with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 1, illustration other than the printer mechanism is omitted.

In the figure, an ink jet recording unit 4 according to the present invention, in which an ink jet head 2 and a ink cartridge 3 constituting a recording head are connected to a carrier 1, is mounted. A fitting portion provided at an end of the carrier 1 on the side of the ink jet head 2 includes:
A lead screw 6 rotatably supported by a chassis 5 forming a frame of the present apparatus is fitted slidably in the axial direction. A guide (not shown) is provided at the other end of the carrier 1, and the guide is slidably fitted on a guide rail 7 formed on the chassis 5. The carrier 1 is configured to be able to reciprocate in its axial direction with the rotation of the lead screw 6 while its posture is always kept constant.

The reciprocating movement (scan) of the carrier 1 described above.
By ejecting ink from the inkjet head 2 in synchronization with the recording, the recording for one line can be performed on the recording material 14. That is, the recording head 2 includes a fine liquid ejection port (orifice), a liquid path, and a thermal energy action section provided in a part of the liquid path, and a thermal energy acting on the liquid (also referred to as ink) in the action section. It has means for generating thermal energy. Ink droplets are ejected from the orifice using the thermal energy generated by this means.

When one-line printing is performed by scanning the carrier 1, the recording medium 14 such as a recording sheet is conveyed by one line by a conveying means to perform the next line recording. This is performed by a pair of rotating bodies of a conveying roller 15 and a pinch roller 16 that comes into pressure contact with the conveying roller 15 and a pair of rotating bodies of a discharge roller 19 and a spur 18 that comes into contact with the discharging roller 19.

This will be described more specifically.
The recording material 14 whose recording surface is opposed to the discharge port surface is pressed against the conveyance roller 15 by a pinch roller 16 and the conveyance roller 15 is appropriately rotated by a paper feed motor 17 so as to be conveyed to a recording position as needed. . After recording, the recording material 14 is pressed against the discharge roller 19 by the spur 18, and the discharge roller 19 rotates to discharge and convey the recording material 14 out of the apparatus.

[0103] Although the drive of the conveying rows La 15 and the discharge roller 19 is performed by a paper feed motor 17, the transmission of the driving force is performed by the reduction gear train 20.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a paper sensor,
Is detected. Reference numeral 22 denotes a home position sensor comprising a photo interrupter, which detects that the carrier 1 is at the home position (left side in the drawing) by blocking / unblocking by a blocking plate 1A which is attached to and moves with the carrier 1.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the attachment / detachment of the ink jet recording unit and the like with the built-in printer mechanism shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 12, the personal computer 200 is provided with an opening / closing unit for attaching and detaching the ink jet recording unit 4 and the like at the back of the keyboard unit. As shown in FIG. 3, the ink jet recording unit 4 or only the ink cartridge 3 can be attached to and detached from the printer mechanism.

When the ink jet recording unit 4 is integrally attached and detached, as shown in FIG. 12, the ink jet head 2 is separated from the ink cartridge 3 after the unit 4 is detached from the printer mechanism. Attach to 2 and replace. On the other hand, when only the ink cartridge 3 is detached, the ink cartridge 3 can be replaced while the ink jet recording unit 2 is mounted on the printer mechanism.

As a method for refilling the ink cartridge with ink in the present embodiment, the ink inside the ink cartridge is provided with an ink guide member while the pressure inside the ink cartridge is reduced by sucking the internal air from the air communication port. A method of filling the ink using a pressure difference from the supply port side is exemplified.

When the pressure inside the ink cartridge is reduced in the same manner as described above, it is also possible to perform suction from the ink supply port side provided with the ink guide member and fill the ink from the air communication port side.

As another filling method, a method may be considered in which a hole is made in a part of a member constituting the ink cartridge, and the ink is injected from that part using a liquid injector such as a syringe. In this case, the hole for ink injection may be sealed with a sealing member such as resin in order to prevent ink leakage after ink refilling.

The ink cartridge shown in this embodiment is
Because the structure on the ink supply port side uses an ink guiding member, for example, when suctioning the internal air or filling the ink from the ink supply port side, compared to a configuration having a valve mechanism In addition, since the connection mechanism with the refilling device is not complicated, the filling can be easily performed.

As described above, it can be said that the ink cartridge of the present invention is preferable also from the viewpoint of refilling ink including environmental problems.

(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 performing ink ejection, 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 a change in the state of ink is caused by thermal energy. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical structure 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 a 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.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination configuration (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angle liquid flow path) of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter 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.

It is preferable to add a discharge recovery means for the print head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like as the structure of the printing 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, 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, 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. May take the form

[0119]

As described above, in the ink jet recording unit according to the present invention, the air in the ink cartridge or the ink supply unit communicates with the outside through the air flow path to allow the air at the time of connection to escape to the outside. On the other hand, since the ink derivative is brought into pressure contact with the sponge, it is possible to prevent leakage of ink and gas from entering the ink supply path from the ink cartridge to the recording head. Further, it is possible to introduce the atmosphere from the outside according to the ink volume reduced by the consumption of ink, and furthermore, a recording apparatus capable of always forming a stable image by detachably mounting the unit, and a recording apparatus. It is possible to provide an information processing system such as a personal computer or a facsimile provided as an output unit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a conventional example.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining separation and connection between an ink jet head and an ink cartridge in a conventional ink jet recording unit.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining generation of bubbles when connecting an ink jet head and an ink cartridge in a conventional ink jet recording unit.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are longitudinal sectional views showing a state of separation and joining of an ink jet recording unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4C is a sectional view taken along line CC ′ of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an ink derivative used in the ink cartridge of the present invention and according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an ink derivative used in the ink cartridge of the present invention and according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state of bonding of an ink jet recording unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

8A and 8B are cross-sectional views illustrating an example in which the present invention is applied to an ink jet recording unit having no valve mechanism and no ink derivative, wherein FIG. 8A is a separated state, FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the connection was completed.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a unit when the present invention is applied to a full-color ink jet recording unit.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a unit when the present invention is applied to a full-color inkjet recording unit.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an inkjet printing mechanism to which the separation type inkjet recording unit according to one embodiment of the present invention is attached.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the detachable ink jet recording unit and how to attach / detach the unit to / from a printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 2 inkjet recording head 3 ink cartridge 4 inkjet recording unit 34 connection claw 35 O-ring 36 ink supply path 37 ink absorber (sponge) 41 holding section 42 groove 43 filter 45 ink supply pipe (connection section or ink introduction section) 47 ink derivative 48 air communication hole 49 ink guide support member 51 fiber 52 binder part

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2-214665 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/175

Claims (24)

(57) [Claims] 1. A recording unit in which a recording head for performing recording by discharging ink droplets and an ink cartridge for supplying ink to the recording head are detachably connected, wherein the recording head is Connect with ink cartridge,
And an ink introduction unit for receiving the supply of the ink, wherein the ink cartridge is fitted with an ink absorber for storing the ink to be supplied to the recording head, and an ink introduction unit of the recording head, And an ink supply unit having an ink supply port formed at a front end of the ink cartridge to form an ink supply path that connects the ink introduction unit of the recording head and the ink absorber; and the ink supply unit. An ink supply member, one end of which is in contact with the ink introduction unit and the other end of which is pressed against the ink absorber, for releasing air in the supply unit during the process of connecting the recording head and the ink cartridge. Wherein the air flow path is provided between the ink supply member and a wall of the ink supply section. 2. The ink cartridge is provided with an atmosphere communication port for communicating the inside with the outside, and the air flow path communicates with the atmosphere communication port and is provided around the ink absorber. The recording unit according to claim 1, comprising: a first space formed; and a second space communicating the first space and the ink supply unit. 3. A longitudinal direction for holding the ink absorber on an inner wall of the ink cartridge and securing a space serving as the first space between the ink absorber and the inner wall of the ink cartridge. The recording unit according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of protruding pieces are provided. 4. The recording unit according to claim 2, wherein the second space portion comprises a groove or a hole formed in a wall surface of the ink supply unit that holds the ink derivative. 5. The recording unit according to claim 2, wherein the second space portion includes a groove or a hole formed in the ink derivative. 6. A second air flow path comprising a third space portion communicating with an air communication hole formed at a front end portion of the ink cartridge and the ink supply portion. The recording unit according to any one of claims 2 to 5. 7. The recording head according to claim 6, further comprising: a plug for closing the air communication hole formed at a front end of the ink cartridge when the recording head is connected to the ink cartridge. A recording unit according to item 1. 8. The recording unit according to claim 1, wherein the supply member is an ink derivative composed of a fiber bundle arranged from the ink absorber to an ink supply port. 9. The ink derivative according to claim 1, wherein a capillary force of the ink derivative with respect to the atmospheric pressure is greater than a capillary force of the ink absorber, and a pressure loss of the ink derivative in supplying ink to the recording head is 20 mmAq or less. The recording unit according to claim 8, wherein 10. The recording unit according to claim 9, wherein the capillary force of the ink derivative is 85 mmAq or more and 400 mmAq or less. 11. The ink derivative according to claim 8, wherein the ink derivative comprises a bundle of fibers extending in the ink guiding direction, and an average distance between the fibers is greater than 0.01 mm and less than 0.05. 11. The recording unit according to any one of claims 10 to 10. 12. The ink derivative according to claim 11, wherein the cross section in the guide direction has a columnar shape with a circular shape, and the fibers at the outer peripheral portion of the circular shape are densely formed by a binder. The recording unit as described. 13. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is an ink jet recording head using an electrothermal transducer that causes film boiling of the ink, as means for generating energy for discharging the ink. Item 13. The recording unit according to any one of Items 1 to 12. 14. A recording unit according to claim 1, wherein said recording head is a recording head for color recording. 15. An ink absorber for holding ink, and an ink supply unit provided with an ink supply port for supplying ink to the recording head side, into which an ink introduction unit of the recording head is inserted. An air passage for allowing air to escape from the ink supply unit side to the outside when the ink introduction unit is inserted connects the ink supply unit.
An ink cartridge provided on an inner wall surface of the ink cartridge. 16. The ink cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the air passage is a groove provided on an inner wall surface of the ink supply unit. 17. The ink cartridge according to claim 16 , wherein the air passage communicates with the inside of the ink cartridge, and communicates with the outside through an atmosphere communication port provided in the ink cartridge through the inside of the ink cartridge. . 18. The ink cartridge according to claim 15, further comprising an ink supply member disposed between said ink absorber and said ink supply port, one end of which is in pressure contact with said ink absorber. 19. The ink cartridge according to claim 18, wherein the ink supply member is an ink derivative in which fibers are gathered. 20. The ink derivative according to claim 20, wherein a capillary force of the ink derivative is greater than a capillary force of the ink absorber, and a pressure loss of the ink derivative in supplying ink to the recording head is 20 mmAq or less. Item 19
An ink cartridge according to claim 1. 21. The ink cartridge according to claim 20, wherein the ink holding force of the ink derivative is 85 mmAq or more and 400 mmAq or less. 22. The ink derivative according to claim 19, wherein the ink derivative comprises a bundle of fibers extending in the ink guiding direction, and an average distance between the fibers is greater than 0.01 mm and less than 0.05 mm. 22. The ink cartridge according to any one of to 21. An ink cartridge according to claim 23 according to any one of claims 19 to 22 <br/>, and a jet head having an ink inlet portion, the ink inlet portion into the ink supply portion of the ink cartridge Wherein the leading end of the introduction portion is pressed against the ink derivative by inserting the ink guide. 24. A recording apparatus comprising: the recording unit according to claim 1; and mounting means for mounting the recording unit.