JP2683187B2 - Liquid storage container - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a liquid jet head.
The present invention relates to a liquid container that stores a liquid to be stored. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, recording for an ink jet recording apparatus
As an ink tank that supplies ink to the head,
There are the following two categories. One is that the ink tank is an inkjet printer.
Ink is supplied from the ink tank built into the recorder body.
Insert the tube etc. into the main body and combine it with the recording head
There is a method of supplying. This system has a large ink supply system.
Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the size and cost of the device body. Ma
In addition, the ink in the supply system is easily interrupted, improving the reliability of ejection.
The discharge recovery system (mechanism) for
After all, it is difficult to achieve downsizing and cost reduction of the device.
Not only that, but the ink consumption for recovery is also large.
Therefore, the problem of waste ink processing, and eventually the running cost
Leads to an increase in However, the ink ejection portion of the recording head
For details on how to maintain a stable meniscus, see
Mount the ink tank downward with respect to the recording head position
Can be achieved by
Pressure is generated at the ink ejection port of the recording head. Secondly, an absorber is installed in the entire ink tank.
Store the ink, hold the ink by the absorber, and
Maintains a stable meniscus at the ink ejection port of the recording head
There is an ink tank that lets you. This whole absorber ink tank
The method is a little less than the maximum amount of ink that the absorber can hold.
Hold the ink that does not exist inside the absorber on the air communication side.
Ink tank supply by generating meniscus
Since a certain internal negative pressure is generated in the
The capillarity force of the vacuum is applied to the meniscus inside the absorber on the atmospheric communication side.
Adjusted in consideration of the ink head difference between
By doing so, a stable meniscus at the discharge part can be obtained.
It is possible to maintain stable ink ejection.
Noh. However, conventionally known full absorber ink cartridges
Ink system is an ink tank that can hold the ink tank volume.
The amount of ink (ink retention ratio) is small and the ink tank records.
Considering recording scanning with the head facing the recording paper.
This reduces the size of the recording device and reduces running costs.
It was a problem in terms of reduction. In particular, variable print orientation
Miniaturization is an important factor in these inkjet recording devices.
The stable internal negative pressure can be generated and the ink holding ratio
A highly efficient method is needed. On the other hand, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-67269,
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-98857, ink tank
Ink cartridge using a spring-loaded ink bag
The link system is disclosed. Spring bag method uses spring force
Stable generation of internal negative pressure in the ink supply section
Excellent in points, but spring type to obtain a predetermined internal negative pressure
Shape and the process of fixing the bag to the ink tank is a bit complicated.
Rough and high manufacturing cost, and thin ink
There are also problems such as the ink holding ratio becoming smaller in the tank
Many. Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 02-214666 discloses
Divides the ink tank into multiple ink chambers and
Separated ink chambers (i) that communicate with each other through the pores that can generate negative pressure
A tank tank system is disclosed. Classification of this disclosure
The black chamber method is a capillary of pores that connect the ink chambers to each other.
Internal negative pressure is generated in the ink supply section by the tube force.
It is a method that Compared to the spring bag method, the divided ink chamber method is
Since the structure of the ink tank can be simplified, the manufacturing cost is reduced.
And the mechanical control of the shape of the ink tank.
It is advantageous in that the number is small. However, the above disclosure
In the ink chamber method of
Then, depending on the remaining amount of ink, there may be no ink in the pores.
May occur and the internal negative pressure due to the pores may become unstable.
Ink leaks may occur,
The above restrictions are large. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is as described above.
Improve technical problems in various ink tank configurations
It was made, and the ink tank of the division ink chamber
Improved ink handling ratio with improved handling
High, and does not leak ink against environmental changes,
And stabilize the negative pressure characteristics, affecting the ink ejection characteristics
Stable supply of ink to the print head without giving
The purpose is to realize the form of an ink tank. The present invention has the above-mentioned objects.
Atmosphere in communication with the atmosphere, proposed to achieve
Liquid supply for supplying liquid to the communication part and the liquid jet head.
Negative pressure generating unit including a supply unit and a negative pressure generating member housed therein
Through the material storage chamber and the negative pressure generating member storage chamber
In addition to communicating with each other, it is substantially sealed except for the communication passage.
The communication between a liquid storage chamber and the negative pressure generating member storage chamber
For a liquid jet head having a wall extending upward from the path
And a negative pressure generating member.
Between the walls and towards the communication passage from the middle of the wall
Atmosphere introduction path configured to introduce atmosphere into the liquid storage chamber
It is characterized by having. In the present invention, the atmosphere
The introduction path has an upper end in the middle of the wall and a lower end of the wall.
May be configured to extend in the
Has an upper end in the middle of the wall and is above the lower end of the wall
It may have an end. Also, on the air introduction path
The end is located above the upper end of the liquid supply section.
Is preferred. Also, the atmosphere introduction path is installed on the wall.
May be configured by providing a groove, and providing a groove in the wall.
It may be configured by Further, with the liquid supply section
The atmosphere communication part is a single-member seal during distribution.
What has been done is preferred. Also, the liquid storage container
May be made of a material whose inside is visible. Ma
In addition, the liquid that contributes to image formation is stored in the liquid container.
The liquid storage chamber that is stored and is from the air introduction path
The liquid in the liquid storage chamber is removed by introducing air into the liquid storage chamber.
The negative pressure generating member is supplied to the storage chamber through the communication passage. Ma
In addition, the negative pressure generating member is not subjected to heat compression treatment.
A sponge that is a pond and that has not been subjected to the heat compression treatment.
What is compressed and stored in the negative pressure generating member storage chamber
However, it may be a sponge that has been subjected to a heat compression treatment.
No. In addition, the atmosphere communicating portion and the upper end of the atmosphere introducing passage are connected to each other.
It is preferable that the negative pressure generating member is interposed in the connecting path.
Good. Also, a plurality of the air introduction passages should be provided.
Is preferred. Further, the liquid container is
It may be integrated with the firing head. As a result, when the ink is supplied, the atmosphere is continuously exposed to the atmosphere.
By forcibly introducing it into the passage,
Stable and quick rupture of varnish to contain ink
Allow gas-liquid exchange with some ink. FIG. 1 shows an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
Check the connection status of the recording head, ink tank, and carriage.
FIG. The recording head 20 in this embodiment is
Causes film boiling to the ink in response to an electrical signal
It is described using an electric heat exchanger that generates heat energy for
It is a bubble-jet method for recording. In Figure 1
The main structure of the recording head 20 is the head base.
Positioning projections 111-1 provided on the plate 111,
Head base plate with 111-2 as a positioning reference
It is formed by adhering or pressure-bonding on 111 to be laminated.
Here, the vertical direction in the plane of FIG. 1 is the head of the carriage HC.
Positioned by the positioning portion 104 and the protrusion 111-2
You. Further, the vertical direction of the cross-sectional view of FIG.
A part of the protrusion protrudes so as to cover the head positioning portion 104,
Notch (not shown) of the protrusion 111-2 and head position
It is positioned by the deciding unit 104. Heater board 113
Is an electrothermal converter (a discharge device) arranged in a plurality of rows on the Si substrate.
Output heater) and aluminum etc. that supplies power to this
The electrical wiring is formed by the film forming technology, and the main unit
Wiring with pads that receive electrical signals from
The head flexible board (hereinafter referred to as "head PC"
B ". ) 105 corresponds to each wiring
Then, they are connected by wire bonding. vomit
To separate multiple ink flow paths corresponding to the heater
Ink from the replacement ink tank 1 through the partition walls and channels
A common liquid chamber and multiple ejection ports that are introduced and supplied to the ink flow path
The orifice that forms the mold is integrally molded with polysulfone, etc.
The grooved top plate 112 is attached to the heater board 113 with a spring (not shown).
And press-fit and seal with a sealant.
To form an ink ejection portion. A flow path 115 that is joined and sealed to the groove top plate 112.
In order to be able to connect with the replacement ink tank 1,
In the embodiment, the head PCB 113 and the head base plate are
Head base plate through holes provided in rate 111
While penetrating to the opposite side of 111, the head is
It is adhesively fixed to the base plate 111. Also,
The end of the path 115 that is connected to the ink tank 1 is discharged.
To prevent dust and involuntary bubbles from flowing into the section
A filter 25 is provided. The replacement ink tank has an engagement guide and pressure.
The ink is coupled to the recording head 20 by means 103.
The ink absorber of the supply unit is provided at the tip of the flow path 115.
The mechanical connection is made by contact with the connector 25.
After coupling, the recording head suction recovery pump 50 of the recording apparatus main body
15 or the like to replace the recording head 20 with an exchange ink tank
Ink binding by forcibly supplying and filling ink from 1.
Perform In this embodiment, the description is made when the pressure means is engaged.
When the recording head 20 and the replacement ink tank 1 are combined
Both of the recording head 20 and the carriage HC are in the same direction.
Will be mechanically and electrically connected.
Pads on the dead PCB 105 and the head drive electrodes 102
Is also reliably positioned. The ring seal allows looseness in the ink supply section.
Widen the joint with the outer wall of the replacement ink tank so that you can
In this example, a slightly thick elastic ring is used to
Has formed. As described above, in this embodiment, the replacement
After fully connecting the tank 1 and the recording head 20,
By activating the replacement ink tank with
The recording head and positioning can be performed reliably with a simple configuration.
The recording head and replacement ink tank can be easily
Replaced because I attached it to the carriage after combining it
The operation could be facilitated. In this embodiment,
Electrical connection between the carriage (recording device body) and recording head
Since it is configured to continue at the same time, recording head replacement
The operability when replacing the ink tank is also good, but the electrical
Use a separate connector connection method, etc. to connect the recording head
More reliable positioning and connection with the replacement ink tank
It is also good to have a high degree of freedom in the configuration. Here, the ink jet in this embodiment
The arrangement and operation of the recording head in the recording apparatus will be described.
In order to perform the operation of the recording device, the horizontal printing posture is used in FIG.
Will be described. In FIG. 4, the recording medium P is
000 to guide from the bottom to the top of the paper
In 5002, the plantain 5 is applied across the carriage movement direction.
000. Carriage HC is
Insert the J-moving pin into the spiral groove 5004,
A lead disk that operates as a drive source when it rotates
It was placed in parallel with Liu 5005 and the lead screw.
The plantain roller is supported and engaged with the slider 5003.
Left along the recording surface of the recording medium P guided above 5000
Move back and forth to the right. Drive transmission for lead screw 5005
Forward / reverse rotation of the drive motor via the gears 5011 and 5009
The rotation drive is controlled in conjunction with. 5007 and 5008
In this area of the lever 5006 of the carriage with the photo coupler
Check the existence of the motor 5013 and change the rotation direction of the motor 5013.
It is a home position detecting means for tracing. The image recording signal is transmitted by the key for mounting the recording head.
Carriage to the recording head at the right time
Then, ink droplets are ejected at a predetermined position to perform recording.
5016 is a cap portion that caps the front surface of the recording head.
5015 is a member that supports the material 5022.
It is a suction means for sucking the inside, and through the cap inner opening 5023.
Then, suction recovery of the recording head is performed. 5017 is Cree
The blade 5019 is the front and rear direction of this blade.
It is a member that makes it possible to move to the main body support plate 5018.
They are supported. This suction means, blade, etc.
It does not have to be a form, and well-known ones can be applied Yes
Needless to say. Further, 5012 is a type of suction recovery operation.
A lever for determining the minging, which engages with the carriage
It moves as the cam 5020 moves,
Movement of the driving force is controlled by known transmission means such as clutch switching.
It is. For these recovery methods, the carriage is at home position.
The lead screw 5005
Depending on the application, the desired processing can be performed at the corresponding positions.
It is structured so that it can be done by iming. Now, the realization of the ink tank of the present invention.
Examples will be described in detail. First of all, the ink jet forming the basis of the present invention will be described.
The configuration and operating principle of the link will be described. (Structure) As shown in FIG. 2, the main body of the ink tank is
Has an opening 2 for connecting with a recording head
Negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 accommodating the generating member 3 and generating the negative pressure
Adjacent to the raw material accommodating portion via the rib 5, and at the bottom of the ink tank
The ink 9 communicating with the gap portion 8 of the portion 11 is stored.
The ink storage unit 6 is provided. (Principle of Operation (1)) FIG. 2 shows ink jet recording in the ink tank 1 of the present invention.
Insert the joint member 7 that supplies the ink 9 to the head 20.
Ink jet recording
It is a schematic cross-sectional view when the device is in an operable state.
You. At the end of the joint member 7,
A filter 25 is installed to remove dust
In some cases. When the ink jet recording apparatus is operated,
Ink is ejected from the orifice of the jet recording head 20.
As a result, the ink suction force is generated in the ink tank 1. I
This suction force causes the ink 9 to move from the ink container 6 to the rib end.
B through the gap 8 between the ink cartridge bottom 11 and
The negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 is passed through the negative pressure generating member 3 to
Inkjet recording head drawn into the inlet member 7
20. As a result, all but the gap 8 is sealed.
The pressure inside the existing ink containing portion 6 drops,
A pressure difference is generated between the portion 6 and the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4.
As the recording continues, the pressure difference continues to rise, but negative pressure
The generating member accommodating portion 4 is opened to the atmosphere through the atmosphere communicating hole 13.
Therefore, the air passes through the negative pressure generating member 3 and the rib end portion
B from the gap 8 between the ink cartridge bottom 11 and
Enter the housing section 6. At this point, the ink storage unit 6 and the negative pressure
The pressure difference between the generating member accommodating portion 4 is eliminated. ink
This operation is repeated during jet recording, and a certain negative
Pressure is obtained within the ink cartridge. Also, the ink collection
The ink 9 in the container portion 6 adheres to the wall surface in the ink containing portion 6.
Ink is used because almost all except ink 9 can be used.
Use efficiency is improved. (Operation Principle (2)) The above-mentioned ink tank
Based on the operating principle (1) of KU, the operating principle of this ink tank
Fig. 10 shows a simple model for explaining
The detailed operation principle (2) will be described. The ink containing portion 106 is similar to the ink containing portion 6.
Corresponding, and contains ink. 102, 103-1, 1
Reference numeral 03-2 is a capillary tube corresponding to the negative pressure generating member 3,
Negative pressure is generated in the ink tank by the force of the meniscus
Let it. Reference numeral 107 corresponds to the joint member 7 and is shown in the drawing.
Not combined with an inkjet recording head
This is the ink supply unit that supplies ink from the tank.
Ink flow is caused by ink being ejected from the Liffith.
Q occurs. This drawing shows the ink containing portion and the negative pressure generating member.
From the state that the ink is sufficiently filled, supply the negative pressure generating member.
A little ink from the ink that can be supplied and the ink storage
Equivalent to consumed state, water at the orifice of the recording head
The head pressure and the reduced pressure state in the ink containing portion 106,
The state where the capillary forces of 103-1 and 103-2 are balanced
When ink is supplied from the ink supply unit, 10
Almost no change in the height of the capillaries 3-1 and 103-2
Instead, the ink from the ink containing portion 106 corresponds to the gap portion 8.
It is consumed through 108. Ink storage unit 10 at that time
Due to the increase in negative pressure at 6, the meniscus of 102 capillaries
Becomes a bubble shape and its meniscus
When the ink is broken, the atmosphere becomes bubbles and the ink storage unit 106
By being taken in, the hairs of 103-1 and 103-2
Without changing the height of the thin tube, that is, in the negative pressure generating member
Most of the ink distribution does not change, and the internal pressure is almost balanced.
While keeping the same, the ink containing portion 106 is provided by the ink supply amount.
The ink is consumed from. That is, the ink amount Q from the ink supply unit
However, when ink is supplied, the change in volume is 10
2 capillaries occur as a displacement of the meniscus,
The change in surface energy of the meniscus is the pressure loss.
Increase the negative pressure in the ink supply section.
The air bubbles are broken and taken into the ink container as bubbles.
Finally, the bubbles and ink are exchanged, and the menisca
Back to the original, and the internal pressure of the ink supply is
It is maintained at a predetermined internal pressure by the pipe force. FIG. 11 shows the ink tank of the present embodiment.
The internal pressure in the ink supply unit depends on the ink supply amount (consumption amount)
It shows how it changes. Initial state (Fig. 14)
Then, as described above, the ink supply from the negative pressure generating member storage portion is performed.
Salary begins. That is, the lower end of the ink chamber wall, that is, the gap
Negative pressure generating member is accommodated until a meniscus is formed in the interspace 8.
Since the ink existing in the
Inside the negative pressure generating member storage part, similar to the collection type ink tank
Capillaries on the upper surface (air-liquid interface) of the compressed ink absorber
Ink supply depends on the balance between the force and the head pressure of the ink itself.
Internal pressure in the supply section is occurring. With ink supply (consumption)
As a result, the ink in the negative pressure generating member storage portion decreases and
A state where a gas-liquid interface is formed at the lower end of the ink chamber (FIG. 15)
Then, the ink supply from the ink container starts and the ink
The capillary force of the compressed ink absorber near the lower end of the chamber
The internal pressure of the ink supply section is maintained and the ink
While the ink is being supplied from the container, keep an almost constant internal pressure.
Hold. The ink is consumed further, and the ink
Ink is consumed almost from the lower end of the ink chamber wall
When the ink surface of the ink becomes low (Fig. 16),
The atmosphere is supplied all at once, and the ink container is completely connected to the atmosphere.
Through, some of the ink remaining in the ink storage area has a negative pressure.
Negative pressure is generated by being absorbed by the compressed ink absorber in the generator member storage section.
Since the amount of ink in the raw material container increases,
The internal pressure of the ink supply part is slightly increased as the liquid interface) rises slightly.
Or change in the positive direction. Furthermore, when ink is consumed, negative pressure
The ink in the generating member storage section begins to be consumed again.
When the gas-liquid interface goes down from the ink supply section, the recording head is exposed to the atmosphere.
As it starts to be supplied, it becomes the limit of ink supply (Fig. 17),
The ink tank needs to be replaced. In the study by the present inventor, the coupling to the recording head was conducted.
Occasionally, the suction means of the recording device main body performs suction recovery,
It also removes bubbles in the ink flow path that occur during binding.
By letting out some ink from the ink tank,
It is possible to maintain a stable internal ink pressure from the beginning.
The ink in the negative pressure generating member storage section at the beginning and immediately before replacement.
Even when the ink is consumed, the stable ink supply shown in FIG.
There are no problems with the recording characteristics during the pay period, and good recording is performed.
I got it. By the mechanism described above, ink is supplied.
In order to be paid, there are the following important points.
won. It is stable near the gap 8 and
A meniscus of ink and air needs to be formed.
Is Rukoto. Otherwise, displace the meniscus
The ink supply section to move it to the ink storage section.
Supply ink until the internal pressure of the
There must be. If that happens, it will be difficult to drive at high frequencies.
And becomes disadvantageous for high-speed printing. FIG. 11 shows the ink tank described above.
The internal pressure in the ink supply section of the ink supply amount (consumption amount)
It shows how it changes according to the
Performs so-called static negative pressure and ink supply without
It shows the so-called dynamic negative pressure in the state of being on. In this figure, the difference between the dynamic negative pressure and the static negative pressure is
Pressure loss when supplying a
The negative pressure generated when the niscus is displaced accounts for a large proportion.
It is. Therefore, the meniscus breaks in this portion.
The point of the present invention is to promptly perform the disconnection.
The means for that is to force the atmosphere into the vicinity of the gap 8.
It is to establish an air introduction path to be introduced into
An example will be described. <Reference Example 1> FIG. 3 shows a first reference example of the present invention.
The details will be described below. Negative pressure generating member 3 of ink tank
Is an absorbent material such as urethane foam.
When delivered to the negative pressure generating member accommodating part 4, the negative pressure generating member is stored.
An atmosphere introduction path 14 is provided between the rib 5 of the container portion 4 and the absorber 3.
To form a gap between the rib end B and the bottom of the ink tank.
The gap extends to the vicinity of the gap 8 with the gap 11.
It has a shape. And, through the atmosphere communication port, the atmosphere
Is in communication with Therefore, from the ink supply unit 2 to the ink 9
When you start to supply the
After consumption, the internal pressure of the ink supply unit 2 reaches a predetermined negative pressure.
The ink surface as shown in FIG.
Formed, and a meniscus is formed between the ink and the atmosphere near the gap 8.
Form a line. When this state is reached,
The supply of ink 9 immediately causes the meniscus in the gap 8 to
As a result of being able to break, pressure loss ΔP is
Stable supply of ink without increasing the value
It is possible to print with high ejection stability and high speed.
Became possible. At the time of non-recording, the negative pressure generating member itself
Capillary force (or ink at the ink-negative pressure generating member interface
Inkjet recording head
Prevents ink from leaking from. The ink tank of the present invention is a color ink.
Each color (for example, black
Black, yellow, magenta, and cyan)
Each can be stored in a separate ink tank before use.
Wear. Also, by integrating individual ink cartridges
It can be used as an ink tank, or is frequently used
Replaceable ink cartridge for black ink and other
Replacement type with separate color ink integrated replacement cartridge
It may be used as an ink cartridge. A combination of these
Is optional according to the inkjet device. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail. In the ink tank of the present invention,
In order to control the negative pressure in the
Not only the selection, shape and size of the pressure generating member 3, but also the rib end
B shape and size, rib end B and ink tank bottom 11
Shape, size, negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 and ink
Volume ratio of storage portion 6, ink tank of joint member 7
Insertion amount, shape, dimensions, shape of filter 25, dimensions
Method, roughness of the eyes and surface tension of the ink can be optimized.
And are preferred. The negative pressure generating member used in the present invention is its own
Even against the self-weight of the body and liquid (ink) and slight vibrations
Conventionally known as long as it has the ability to hold ink
The member can be used. For example, a cotton-like fabric with a mesh of fibers
Examples thereof include a body and a porous body having communication holes. ink
Polyurethane foam with easy adjustment of holding force and generation of negative pressure
A sponge such as a foam is preferred. Especially for forms
Is adjusted to the desired porosity during foam production.
It is preferable because it can be adjusted. The foam is heat-compressed.
If the porosity is further adjusted by
May occur, changing the physical properties of the ink and adversely affecting the recording quality.
Since it may affect, it is necessary to perform processing such as washing.
In addition, ink cartridges compatible with various inkjet recording devices
To produce a ridge, a filter with a corresponding porosity is used.
Specific cells that are required
Desirable foam material with a number (holes per inch)
Cut to the dimensions of
It is preferable to adjust the porosity and the capillary force. (Environmental changes in the ink jet recording apparatus
In an ink cartridge that has a closed ink container 6
As it is loaded in the inkjet recording device
External environment changes (temperature increase or atmospheric pressure decrease)
In addition, the expansion of the ink in the ink container
Yes, the ink 9 remaining in the ink containing portion 6
The ink may leak out by pushing it out of the cartridge.
There is. However, the ink cartridge of the present invention
In addition, a closed system in accordance with the worst expected environmental condition
Air expansion volume of ink container 6 (Ink expansion
(Including the minute), and
Hold the amount of ink movement in the negative pressure generating member storage unit 4 in advance.
It is preferable to cover. The installation position of the atmosphere communication hole 13
Is the ink supply port 2 on the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 side.
Although it is not specified if it is above the joint opening,
Joy of the flow of ink in the negative pressure generating member 3 when the environment changes
Away from the joint opening to separate it from the
It is preferably in the position. Also, the number of atmosphere communication holes 13 and
The shape, size, etc. are set arbitrarily in consideration of ink evaporation.
Can be specified. (Distribution of ink cartridge alone) Ink
Joint opening for distribution of cartridge alone
And / or the atmosphere communication hole is sealed with a sealant, etc.
Prepare for evaporation of ink and air expansion in the ink cartridge.
And are preferred. As a sealing material, it is used in the packaging field.
A single layer barrier called a barrier material and several layers of plus
Composite of tic film and reinforcement of paper, cloth, etc.
Composite barrier made of composite material or aluminum foil
It is preferable to use wood. Ink cartridge body
Use the same material as the adhesive layer of the barrier material and apply heat to it.
It is more preferable to improve the hermeticity by welding
No. In addition, the ink from the ink cartridge
To prevent evaporation or inflow of air from the outside atmosphere
Air in the packaging material after inserting the ink cartridge.
It is effective to use a packaging form in which air is degassed and then sealed.
Considering gas permeability and liquid permeability as the packaging material,
Like the sealing material, it is preferable to select from the barrier materials.
No. By selecting the packaging form as described above
Therefore, the distribution of ink cartridges alone does not cause ink leakage.
No doubt, it will be very reliable. (Manufacturing Method) Ink Cartridge Body Material
Can be any material conventionally used for molded articles.
However, a material that does not affect the ink jet ink
Materials or materials treated to have no effect
There is a need to. In addition, the productivity of the ink cartridge
It is also necessary to consider. For example, the ink cartridge
The main body of the ink cartridge is the bottom 11 and the top of the ink cartridge.
Divided into minutes and molded integrally with resin material,
After inserting the pressure generating member, the ink cartridge bottom 11 part
And the upper part of the
Can be built. Transparent or translucent to resin material
If you select a different one, the ink in the ink container will be
Since it can be seen from outside the ridge,
You can visually determine when to replace the cartridge.
Wear. In addition, to facilitate welding of the above sealing materials, etc.
It is preferable to provide a convex portion as shown in FIG. In addition,
The outer surface of the cartridge body can also be textured
Preferred for design. Either the pressure or the pressure reduction method can be used for filling the ink.
You can use peach. In addition, when filling the ink
Providing an ink fill port in another ink cartridge
It is preferable because it does not stain the opening of the bag. Ink filling
The ink filling port after is plastic or metal material.
It is preferable to plug in. The structure and shape of the ink cartridge is
Making various modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.
Can be. (Others) This ink tank (cartridge
Di) may be used as a replacement type, or it
It may be embodied. When used as an exchange type, the main body
Automatic detection of replacement tank by
It is preferable to perform a recovery operation such as suction. Needless to say, as shown in FIG.
In addition to the four recording heads,
Bk (black) 1a, C (cyan) 1 on the pad 20
b, M (magenta) 1c, Y (yellow) 1d
Ink jet for recording by connecting replacement ink tanks
You can use it as a printer. <Comparative Example> Here, the comparison in this example
For example, if the internal pressure in the ink supply section of the ink tank is ink
We will show how it changes according to the supply amount. In this ink tank, the air introduction passage
Is not provided, and in the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion,
It has a built-in absorber with a uniform pore size distribution. In the initial state, ink is collected as shown in FIG.
The inside of the container is almost filled with ink, and negative pressure is generated.
Some amount of ink is filled in the raw material container as well.
You. When ink supply starts from this state, first the negative pressure
Since ink is supplied from the generating member storage part, negative pressure is generated.
The bristles on the ink upper surface (gas-liquid interface) of the absorber in the raw material container
The balance between the thin tube force and the head pressure of the ink itself
Ink supply progresses even though the internal pressure of the ink supply section is generated.
As the top surface of the ink descends,
Then, the negative pressure increases almost linearly. 13a
State. As it is, with the ink supply, the ink chamber
A gas-liquid interface (meniscus) is formed in the gap that is the lower end of the
The negative pressure in the ink supply section will continue
Will increase. Then, a meniscus is formed in the gap.
The ink surface inside the absorber is considerably
It goes down, and sometimes it is a joint with the head
The liquid surface will fall below the area. In this case, the atmosphere is taken into the recording head.
Discharge becomes unstable, leading to non-discharge.
I will. Even if this is not the case, the ink
The internal pressure of the supply part is the same as the state of b in Fig.
Beyond a certain negative pressure determined by the pore size of the collection,
It may be even larger. This is because the absorber is around
Is compressed a little by the inner wall of the negative pressure generating member housing
Although there is no wall in the gap, it is compressed.
The compression ratio is slightly smaller than that of the surrounding area.
Therefore, the state should be exactly like the model shown in Fig. 12.
It is thought that This figure shows, to some extent, the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion.
The ink has been consumed from. From this state,
When ink is supplied, the pore size of the absorber becomes R _Two , R
_Three , R _Four Largest R in _Four The meniscus of the part is R
_Three , R _Four The displacement of the
The meniscus strength suddenly weakened when it came close to the area.
Therefore, the meniscus moves to the ink storage unit side,
When the meniscus breaks, the atmosphere is released into the ink container.
Get stuck. At this time, R _Two Not only from the part
K, R _Three , R _Four A little ink is consumed from the part.
At this time, the pressure loss ΔP when the meniscus moves is relatively large.
It will be big. However, the meniscus once broken
However, due to the momentum when returning, the
Since it forms a varnish, the pressure loss remains as it is for a while.
Will be in a high state. The meniscus is the pore size of the gap.
R ₁ Repeat the same process until it stabilizes at
When the meniscus stabilizes in the gap, the porosity of the gap
Is R ₁ Bubbles in the ink container until the negative pressure is determined by
Enter and stabilize. The state so far is the state of FIG. 13-b.
Ink is consumed from both the ink storage unit and the absorber.
It is in a state of being. In this way, the atmosphere introduction path is set
If not, the internal pressure in the ink supply is stable as described above.
Otherwise, the pressure loss ΔP during ink supply also increases.
Therefore, ejection characteristics may deteriorate and high-speed printing may become difficult.
is there. <Reference Example 2> FIG. 5 shows another reference example. In this reference example, the negative of the vertical rib 5 is
Two other ribs 61 are provided inside the pressure generating member housing portion 4.
Was. The space between the ribs and the part sandwiched by the absorber 3 is the air introduction path 1
It becomes 4. The lower end A of the rib 61 has a vertical rib 5
By placing it above the lower edge B of the
Insert the rectangular absorber 3 into the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4.
The gap 8 can be covered with the absorber 3 only by
Therefore, a simple and stable atmosphere introduction path should be installed in the gap 8 pole.
It is possible to have a configuration that leads to a close vicinity. Printing was performed using this ink tank.
However, by supplying ink by printing, it is possible to quickly
Form the ink surface and meniscus as shown in
Also, crisp, bubbles and ink due to meniscus breakage
The ink supply with less pressure loss
It becomes possible to perform high-speed printing stably.
It became. <Reference Example 3> In FIG. 6, the ribs 71 in Reference Example 2 are further added to the atmosphere.
Increase the number of introduction paths 14 and generate negative pressure on the ribs 71.
It was also installed on the ceiling of the raw material container. As a result, the plurality of atmosphere introducing passages 14 are enlarged.
Securely secures from the air communication port 13 to the vicinity of the gap 8.
It is possible to reduce the pressure loss as in Reference Examples 1 and 2.
Stable ink for high-speed printing.
It became possible to do it. Further, the atmosphere communication hole 13 is separated from the gap portion 8
Even if it is installed at a different position, the air can be introduced smoothly.
It becomes possible. <Reference Example 4> FIG. 7 shows another reference example. In this reference example, the same as in reference examples 2 and 3.
Like, by providing the ribs 81 on the vertical ribs 5,
Although forming the entrance 14, the rib 81 is
By constructing the rib 5 asymmetrically,
Negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 from the accommodating portion 6 through the gap portion 8
The passage of the ink 9 that moves to the
Complementary to this, through the gap 8 from the air introduction path 4
The passage of the air flow entering the ink containing portion 6 is
By making the center line A independent of each other,
This has the effect of reducing the pressure loss for replacement. By doing this, the ink and the air bubbles are exchanged.
The pressure loss ΔP due to is about half. This makes the recording head more stable.
In addition, it becomes possible to eject ink. Example 1 FIG. 8 shows an example of the present invention with respect to the rib 91. In Reference Examples 2 to 4, the upper end of the rib 91 is
It extended to the upper side of the inner wall of the pressure generating member housing,
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the length does not extend to that and is short. By doing so, the ribs 91 absorb the absorption.
Prevents the upper part of the body from being compressed,
Prevents the risk of varnishing force and controls the negative pressure
Can be made more stable. More specifically, in the early stage of ink consumption,
Absorber that is the negative pressure generating member 3 in the ink tank
From the inside ink surface to the stable ink surface
Then, try to consume the ink in the absorber. Sand
Then, promote the gas-liquid exchange too soon through the air introduction passage 14.
As a result of the ink being consumed from the ink container 6,
The ink consumption from the body 3 is reduced, so
Ink from the ink containing portion 6 when the environment changes such as pressure fluctuation
Is the amount of ink that can be transferred to the negative pressure generating member storage portion 4.
Is limited, so that the absorber 3 is protected against ink leakage.
The fur effect is halved. Therefore,
In this embodiment, the ink is consumed in the absorber 3 to some extent.
After that, connect the atmosphere introduction path 14 so that the atmosphere is introduced.
Installed to control the ink level in the absorber 3,
Increased buffer effect against ink leakage. <Embodiment 2> FIG. 9 shows another embodiment. In this embodiment, the air introduction passage 14 is provided.
It is formed by providing the groove 100 in the rib. Absorber accommodated in the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4
Since the distortion of the compressibility of 3 becomes less, the negative pressure control
The ink can be supplied in a stable manner because it is easily controlled. Third Embodiment Another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The structure is almost the same as that of the second embodiment.
However, the difference is that the air introduction passage 14 reaches the lower end B of the rib,
That is, it has an outstanding configuration. Ink was consumed as in the first and second embodiments.
Ink liquid in the absorber 3 in the initial ink tank
From the surface, the height of the upper end C of the air introduction passage 14 is stable.
Ink in the absorber is consumed until it reaches the ink level.
After that, through the air introduction passage 14, gas-liquid exchange is performed.
While exchanging the ink, the ink 9 in the ink containing portion 6 is consumed.
However, the atmosphere introduction path was extended to the lower end B of the rib.
Therefore, it can be considered as a model as shown in FIG.
Behave. The model will be described in detail below. The absorber 3 as the negative pressure generating member is shown in FIG.
It is thought that it is an uncapillary, and the air introduction path 14 is at the upper end portion C.
From the bottom of the rib to the bottom B of the rib
Is connected to the capillary again from the upper end C to the upper side.
It is thought that there is. As described above, the ink in the absorber 3 is
The liquid level is in the initial ink tank where ink is consumed.
Is at a certain height, but ink is consumed
As the liquid level gradually decreases,
The internal pressure (negative pressure) in the ink supply section gradually increases.
It will become. At the upper end of the air introduction passage 14,
When the ink is consumed up to the height of the end portion C, the ink
The liquid surface forms a meniscus at position D in the capillary.
You. When more ink is received and consumed, the ink level
That is, the meniscus descends, but reaches the position E
And the meniscus force of the ink surface in the air introduction passage 14 is sudden.
The ink in the air introduction path 14 disappears all at once because it weakens drastically.
Then, at this position, the ink will be consumed.
The ink in the container is consumed. I.e.
The liquid will be exchanged. Therefore, during ink consumption
Is at a position C where the ink surface is slightly below the height of the upper end C.
In order to stabilize, the internal pressure in the ink supply section 6 enters the stable area.
Because When the ink supply is stopped, the capillaries
The meniscus inside returns to the D position from the E position and stabilizes.
I do. In this way, the ink in the ink containing portion is completely removed.
The ink surface in the absorber is between D and E until it is consumed.
Make a round trip. Then, the ink in the absorber is consumed thereafter.
Therefore, the internal pressure (negative pressure) in the supply section increases again.
It goes big and runs out of ink. By the way, the internal pressure in the ink supply section 6 is
The capillary force of the absorber 3 (that is, the absorber absorbs ink)
(Which corresponds to the height that can be raised)
Since the difference is obtained as the height of the ink surface, the upper end C
The height of the ink must be set higher than that of the ink supply unit 2.
Given that there is a pore size of the absorber 3
It is necessary to make it small. The height of the upper end portion C is set with respect to the ink supply portion 2.
The reason for setting the value higher is obvious, and it is better than the ink supply unit 2.
When the liquid level becomes low, the air is taken in and discharged.
This is to prevent defects because they cause defects. On the contrary, if it is too high, it is not good.
That is, changes in the internal pressure in the ink tank due to environmental changes
When ink overflows from the ink container to the absorber side,
This is because there is less room for the buffer. So the high of C
Therefore, the volume of the upper absorber is half the volume of the ink container.
Minutes are set. The mechanism described above will be described more simply.
You. That is, assuming that the absorber has a uniform density.
Then, the internal pressure (negative pressure) in the ink supply unit is
Capillary force, that is, suction from the height of the ink supply section
Height H that can be ₁ From the height of the ink supply
The height H at which the ink is sucked up by _Two The difference between
H ₁ -H _Two It depends on That is, for example, the ink of the absorber 3 is drawn.
The power to raise is H ₁ = 60 mm, the atmosphere from the ink supply unit 2
The height of the portion C of the introduction path 14 is H _Two = 15mm
For example, the internal pressure of the ink supply is H ₁ -H _Two = 60mm-15m
m and 45 mmAq. Therefore, at the beginning, ink is consumed from the absorber.
As the liquid level decreases as
The internal pressure (negative pressure) is going down. If the tank having the above-described structure is used, the safety can be improved.
Ink can be supplied at a fixed negative pressure. Also, the structure of the tank itself can be easily changed by using a mold or the like.
Can be created in large quantities at low cost
Noh. Next, the ink is further consumed and the liquid in the absorber 3 is consumed.
Surface up to the atmosphere introduction path 14, that is, to the upper end C.
Comes out, that is, the ink surface changes to the state of E in FIG.
In this case, the ink in the air introduction passage 14 can hold the meniscus.
Since it disappears, it is absorbed by the absorber 3 side and a passage for the atmosphere is formed
Then, gas-liquid exchange is performed at once by introducing the atmosphere, while
The liquid level of the absorber 3 is changed by the ink absorbed on the absorber 3 side.
By rising again, the liquid level becomes D and gas-liquid exchange
Stop. In this state, the air introduction path 14 has already
There is no ink.
The upper absorber 3 simply functions as a valve.
You. Therefore, ink is consumed again in this state.
If this happens, the liquid level in the absorber will drop slightly, and the valve will open accordingly.
Therefore, the gas-liquid exchange is performed at once and the ink storage unit
Side ink will be consumed, and ink consumption will end
Then, the liquid level of the absorber will rise due to the capillary force of the absorber.
Although it rises, gas-liquid exchange stops when it reaches position D.
Therefore, the liquid level becomes stable at that position. As described above, the liquid surface of the ink is the air introduction passage 14
Stable, that is, the height of the upper end C
Control, and the capillary force of the absorber 3, that is, the ink
If the pull-up height of the
It is possible to control the internal pressure of the supply unit 2. In addition, in the ink tank due to environmental changes
The pressure changes from the ink container to the absorber side.
The capillary force of the absorber,
That is, by increasing the ink raising height,
Ink from the ink tank or the ink supply section is
It prevents pressure. As described above, according to the present invention,
When the ink is supplied, the ink in the ink container and the atmosphere are
It becomes possible to exchange gas and liquid in a fixed and prompt manner,
As a result, the internal pressure in the ink supply section can be controlled stably.
It is possible to improve the ejection stability of the recording head.
Good and high-speed printing is possible. In addition, it is possible to change the ink
Ink leakage may occur even when the pressure in the ink tank changes.
It is now possible to provide an ink tank
Was.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of a combination of a head and an ink tank. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a head and a tank according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of a tank according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the outline of a recording apparatus. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of an ink tank according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing another example of the ink tank according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing still another example of the ink tank according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of an ink tank according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing still another embodiment of the ink tank according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a model of an ink supply state according to the present invention. FIG. 11 is a characteristic diagram showing a state of an internal pressure change in an ink supply unit according to the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a model of a state of ink supply in a comparative example. FIG. 13 is a characteristic diagram illustrating a state of an internal pressure change in an ink supply unit in a comparative example. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an initial state in which ink is filled in an ink tank. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state in which a gas-liquid interface starts to be formed. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the vicinity of the end of ink supply. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a state where ink is supplied. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a form in which four heads are integrated and an individual tank can be attached. FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing still another embodiment of the ink tank according to the present invention. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a model of an ink supply state according to the present invention.

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    (72) Inventor Hiromitsu Hirabayashi               3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo               Non Corporation (72) Inventor Shigetasu Nagoshi               3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo               Non Corporation (72) Inventor Hitoshi Sugimoto               3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo               Non Corporation (72) Inventor Masaya Uezuki               3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo               Non Corporation (72) Inventor Miyuki Matsubara               3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo               Non Corporation (72) Inventor Fumihiro Goto               3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo               Non Corporation                (56) References JP-A-1-35215 (JP, A)                 JP 61-22952 (JP, A)                 Actual exploitation Sho 57-73623 (JP, U)                 Actual Kohei 2-39213 (JP, Y2)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] [Claim 1] Negative pressure generation in which a negative pressure generating member is housed and which is provided with an atmosphere communicating section communicating with the atmosphere and a liquid supply section for supplying liquid to the liquid ejecting head A member storage chamber, a liquid storage chamber that communicates with the negative pressure generation member storage chamber via a communication passage and is substantially sealed except for the communication passage, and the communication passage of the negative pressure generation member storage chamber A liquid container for a liquid ejecting head having a wall extending upward from the wall, the wall being formed between the wall and the negative pressure generating member and extending from the middle of the wall toward the communication passage. The liquid storage chamber
A liquid container having an air introduction path for introducing air into the liquid container. 2. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the air introduction path has an upper end in the middle of the wall and extends to the lower end of the wall. 3. The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein the atmosphere introduction passage has an upper end in the middle of the wall and an end portion above the lower end of the wall. 4. The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein an upper end of the atmosphere introducing passage is located above an upper end of the liquid supply unit. 5. The atmosphere introducing path is configured by providing a rib on the wall.
Or the liquid storage container according to any one of 4 above. 6. The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein the atmosphere introduction path is formed by providing a groove in the wall. 7. The liquid supply section and the atmosphere communicating section are
2. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein a single member is sealed during distribution. 8. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the liquid container is made of a material whose inside is visible. 9. Liquid contributing to image formation on the liquid container is housed, said from the air intake path
By introducing air into the liquid storage chamber,
Liquid is supplied to the negative pressure generating member storage chamber through the communication passage.
The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the liquid container is supplied . 10. The negative pressure generating member is subjected to a heat compression treatment.
A sponge which is not, Do not subjected to the thermal compression process
A container according to claim 1, characterized in that houses have to compress sponge to said negative pressure generating member containing chamber. 11. The negative pressure generating member is subjected to a heat compression treatment.
The liquid container according to claim 1, which is a sponge. 12. The atmosphere communicating portion and the atmosphere introducing path
The negative pressure generating member is interposed in the path connecting to the end.
The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein: 13. A plurality of the air introduction paths are provided.
The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein: 14. The liquid storage container is provided in the liquid ejection head.
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is integrated with the pad.
On-board liquid storage container.