Fluid flow path member and ink jet recording system

Abstract

The utility model relates to a fluid flow path component and an ink-jet recording system. The fluid flow path member (7) is provided with: a first elastic sealing part (17) having a first insertion hole (15) that forms a part of a first flow path (13) containing a color material and liquid ink; and an insertion needle (11) forming a part of a second flow path (9), the first flow path and the second flow path being connected by insertion of the insertion needle into the first insertion hole, the inner diameter (L1) of the inner peripheral surface (23) of the first insertion hole being formed smaller than the outer diameter (L2) of the outer peripheral surface (25) of the insertion needle, the first elastic seal portion having a lubricant-containing portion (21) containing a lubricant (19), the lubricant-containing portion (21) containing the lubricant (19) being provided in the first elastic seal portion (21). A lubricant outlet (27) is opened in the inner peripheral surface of the first insertion hole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a fluid flow path component and an inkjet recording system. Background Art

[0002] As an example of such a device, there is a device described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a flow path component comprising: a liquid introduction needle 100 having a liquid introduction channel 110 for ink to flow; and a needle insertion port 44 for inserting the liquid introduction needle 100. A sealing member 45 made of an elastic material such as rubber is provided near the front end opening of the needle insertion port 44.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-43671

[0004] In the structure of Patent Document 1, due to the friction between the liquid introduction needle 100 and the needle insertion port 44 , a load is generated when the liquid introduction needle 100 is inserted into the needle insertion port 44 . Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the fluid flow path component involved in the utility model is characterized in that it comprises: a first elastic sealing portion, having a first insertion hole, the first insertion hole forming a part of a first flow path of ink containing a color material and a liquid; and an insertion needle, forming a part of a second flow path, the first flow path and the second flow path are connected by inserting the insertion needle into the first insertion hole, the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the first insertion hole is formed to be smaller than the outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the insertion needle, the first elastic sealing portion has a lubricant containing portion containing a lubricant, in the lubricant containing portion, the lubricant outlet is opened on the inner circumferential surface of the first insertion hole.

[0006] Preferably, the lubricant-containing portion is made of a porous material.

[0007] Preferably, the lubricant containing portion is a groove portion extending in a circumferential direction of the insertion needle.

[0008] Preferably, the first elastic sealing portion has a contact portion that contacts the insertion needle, the lubricant containing portion is located upstream of the contact portion in the insertion direction of the insertion needle, and the contact portion has lower liquid absorption than the lubricant containing portion.

[0009] Preferably, the fluid flow path component includes a second elastic sealing portion, the second elastic sealing portion is located upstream of the first elastic sealing portion in the insertion direction of the insertion needle, and has a second insertion hole for inserting the insertion needle, the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the second insertion hole is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the insertion needle, the second elastic sealing portion has a coagulant liquid containing portion, the coagulant liquid containing portion contains a coagulant liquid that causes the color material to coagulant, and the coagulant liquid containing portion has a coagulant liquid outlet opening on the inner circumferential surface of the second elastic sealing portion.

[0010] Preferably, the insertion needle has a small diameter portion located at the front end of the insertion direction and a large diameter portion connected to the small diameter portion, the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the second insertion hole is larger than the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the first insertion hole, the outer circumferential surface of the small diameter portion does not contact the inner circumferential surface of the second insertion hole but contacts the inner circumferential surface of the first insertion hole, and the outer circumferential surface of the large diameter portion contacts the inner circumferential surface of the second insertion hole.

[0011] Preferably, the first elastic sealing portion is located inside a flow path tube constituting at least a portion of the first flow path, and the second elastic sealing portion is located outside the flow path tube.

[0012] Preferably, the composition of the lubricant is the same as the composition of the liquid.

[0013] In addition, the inkjet recording system involved in the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: an ink server; and an inkjet recording device, which performs recording by using ink transported from the ink server, and the ink server and the inkjet recording unit are connected in a manner such that the flow path of the ink can be in a connected state and a non-connected state via a fluid flow path component, and the fluid flow path component is a fluid flow path component of any one of the first to seventh aspects described later or a fluid flow path component of the eighth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the inkjet recording system according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the ink outlet unit side of the fluid flow path member according to the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 This is an enlarged view of the main parts of the ink outlet unit side of the fluid flow path member according to the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the main parts of the ink inlet unit side of the fluid flow path member according to the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 5It is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part of the fluid flow path component according to the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 6 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part of the fluid flow path component according to the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 7 This is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of part of the first elastic sealing portion according to the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 8 This is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of part of the second elastic sealing portion according to the first embodiment.

[0022] Fig. 9 This is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of part of the first elastic sealing portion according to the second embodiment.

[0023] Fig.10 This is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of part of the first elastic sealing portion according to the second embodiment.

[0024] Fig.11 This is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a first elastic sealing portion and a second elastic sealing portion according to the third embodiment.

[0025] Fig.12 This is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a first elastic sealing portion and a second elastic sealing portion according to the third embodiment.

[0026] Fig.13 This is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of part of the second elastic sealing portion according to the third embodiment.

[0027] Fig.14 This is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a first elastic sealing portion according to a fourth embodiment.

[0028] Description of Reference Numerals

[0029] 1: inkjet recording system; 2: ink flow path; 3: ink server; 4: ink flow path pipe cover; 5: inkjet recording device; 6: ink outlet unit; 7: fluid flow path component; 8: ink tank; 9: second flow path; 10: connection surface; 11: insertion needle; 12: ink inlet unit; 13: first flow path; 14: connection surface; 15: first insertion hole; 16: flow path pipe; 17: first elastic sealing portion; 18: fixing component; 19: lubricant; 20 : Groove bottom; 21: Lubricant containing portion; 23: Inner circumferential surface; 25: Outer circumferential surface; 27: Lubricant outlet; 29: Porous structure; 31: Second insertion hole; 33: Second elastic sealing portion; 35: Inner circumferential surface; 37: Coagulant; 39: Coagulant containing portion; 41: Coagulant outlet; 43: Groove portion; 45: Small diameter portion; 47: Large diameter portion; 51: Contact portion; L1: Inner diameter; L2: Outer diameter; L3: Inner diameter; L4: Outer diameter; L5: Inner diameter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] First, the utility model is briefly described below.

[0031] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the fluid flow path component involved in the first aspect of the utility model is characterized in that it comprises: a first elastic sealing portion, having a first insertion hole, the first insertion hole forming a part of a first flow path of ink containing a color material and a liquid; and an insertion needle, forming a part of a second flow path, the first flow path and the second flow path are connected by inserting the insertion needle into the first insertion hole, the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the first insertion hole is formed to be smaller than the outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the insertion needle, the first elastic sealing portion has a lubricant containing portion containing a lubricant, and the lubricant containing portion has a lubricant outlet opening on the inner circumferential surface of the first insertion hole.

[0032] According to this aspect, the first elastic sealing portion has a lubricant containing portion containing lubricant, and the lubricant containing portion has a lubricant outlet opening on the inner peripheral surface of the first insertion hole. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the first insertion hole is formed smaller than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the insertion needle.

[0033] Thus, in order to connect the first flow path and the second flow path, when the insertion needle is inserted into the first insertion hole, an elastic pressure based on the size difference between the inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface and the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface is generated in the first elastic sealing portion, and the lubricant contained in the lubricant containing portion is automatically released from the lubricant outlet to the contact portion with the insertion needle by the pressure. That is, when the insertion needle is inserted into the first insertion hole, the lubricant automatically seeps out from the lubricant outlet of the lubricant containing portion of the first elastic sealing portion by the action of the pressure. Thus, the friction load when the insertion needle is inserted into the first insertion hole can be automatically reduced.

[0034] A fluid flow path component according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the lubricant containing portion is made of a porous material.

[0035] According to this aspect, since the lubricant containing portion is formed of a porous material, the lubricant can be automatically released with high stability during the insertion.

[0036] A fluid flow path component according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the lubricant containing portion is a groove portion extending in the circumferential direction of the insertion needle.

[0037] According to this aspect, since the lubricant containing portion is a groove portion extending in the circumferential direction of the insertion needle, the lubricant containing portion can be realized with a simple structure.

[0038] The fluid flow path component involved in the fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the first elastic sealing portion has a contact portion that contacts the insertion needle, the lubricant-containing portion is located upstream of the contact portion in the insertion direction of the insertion needle, and the liquid absorption of the contact portion is lower than the liquid absorption of the lubricant-containing portion.

[0039] According to this aspect, since the contact portion that contacts the insertion needle has lower liquid absorption than the lubricant containing portion, the amount of lubricant released can be suppressed so as not to be excessive compared to a case where the first elastic sealing portion is entirely formed as the lubricant containing portion.

[0040] The fluid flow path component involved in the fifth aspect of the present utility model is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the fluid flow path component has a second elastic seal, the second elastic seal is located upstream of the first elastic seal portion in the insertion direction of the insertion needle, and has a second insertion hole for inserting the insertion needle, the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the second insertion hole is formed to be smaller than the outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the insertion needle, the second elastic seal portion has a coagulant liquid containing portion containing a coagulant liquid for coagulating the color material, and the coagulant liquid containing portion has a coagulant liquid outlet opening on the inner circumferential surface of the second elastic seal portion.

[0041] According to this aspect, the second elastic sealing portion is further provided upstream of the first elastic sealing portion, and the inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the second insertion hole is formed to be smaller than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the insertion needle. Furthermore, the second elastic sealing portion has an agglutinating liquid containing portion containing agglutinating liquid for agglutinating the color material, and the agglutinating liquid containing portion has agglutinating liquid outlet opening on the inner peripheral surface of the second elastic sealing portion.

[0042] Thus, even if ink leaks from the contact portion between the first elastic seal and the insertion needle, the color material contained in the ink is aggregated at the contact portion between the second elastic seal and the insertion needle by the agglutinating liquid, so that the ink leakage can be further suppressed.

[0043] The fluid flow path component involved in the sixth aspect of the present utility model is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, the insertion needle has a small diameter portion located at the front end of the insertion direction and a large diameter portion connected to the small diameter portion, the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the second insertion hole is larger than the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the first insertion hole, the outer circumferential surface of the small diameter portion does not contact the inner circumferential surface of the second insertion hole but contacts the inner circumferential surface of the first insertion hole, and the outer circumferential surface of the large diameter portion contacts the inner circumferential surface of the second insertion hole.

[0044] According to this aspect, the insertion needle has the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion, the inner diameter of the second insertion hole is larger than the inner diameter of the first insertion hole, the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion contacts the inner peripheral surface of the first insertion hole, and the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion contacts the inner peripheral surface of the second insertion hole. Thus, since the small diameter portion of the insertion needle does not contact the inner peripheral surface of the second elastic sealing portion during the insertion, the possibility of the agglutination liquid entering the flow path of the ink can be suppressed.

[0045] The fluid flow path component according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, the first elastic sealing portion is located inside a flow path tube constituting at least a portion of the first flow path, and the second elastic sealing portion is located outside the flow path tube.

[0046] According to this aspect, since the first elastic seal is located inside the ink flow tube, the sealing performance between the insertion needle and the flow tube is improved. In addition, since the second elastic seal is located outside the flow tube, the agglutination liquid that seeps out of the second elastic seal is difficult to enter the inside of the flow tube, so it is possible to suppress ink clogging caused by the agglutination of the color material inside the flow tube.

[0047] The fluid flow path component according to claim 8 of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of claims 1 to 7, the composition of the lubricant is the same as the composition of the liquid.

[0048] Here, the "substance of the same composition as the liquid" in the present application specification does not need to have a strictly identical composition, but is used to mean that the composition may be different within a range that does not affect the properties required for the ink even if the lubricant is mixed into the ink.

[0049] According to this aspect, even if the lubricant that seeps out from the first elastic sealing portion penetrates into the interior of the flow path tube constituting the second flow path and mixes with the ink, since the lubricant is a substance with the same composition as the liquid of the ink, the possibility of foreign matter being generated due to the chemical reaction between the ink and the lubricant can be reduced.

[0050] The inkjet recording system involved in the ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it is equipped with an ink server and an inkjet recording device that performs recording by using ink transported from the ink server, and the ink server and the inkjet recording device are connected in a manner that can be in a connected state and a non-connected state via a fluid flow path component, and the fluid flow path component is a fluid flow path component of any one of the first to seventh aspects.

[0051] According to this aspect, as the inkjet recording system, the same effects as those of any one of the first to seventh aspects can be obtained.

[0052] The inkjet recording system involved in the tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it is equipped with an ink server and an inkjet recording device that performs recording by using ink transported from the ink server, and the ink server and the inkjet recording device are connected in a manner that can take a connected state and a non-connected state via a fluid flow path component, and the fluid flow path component is the fluid flow path component of the eighth aspect.

[0053] According to this aspect, as an inkjet recording system, the same effects as those of the eighth aspect can be obtained.

[0054] Implementation

[0055] Hereinafter, a fluid flow path member according to each embodiment of the present invention and an inkjet recording system including the fluid flow path member will be described in detail based on the drawings.

[0056] In the following description, as shown in the figures, three mutually orthogonal axes are set as X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, respectively. The directions indicated by the arrows of the three axes (X, Y, Z) are the + directions of each direction, and the opposite directions are the - directions. The Z-axis direction is equivalent to the vertical direction, that is, the direction in which gravity acts, the +Z direction indicates the vertical top, and the -Z direction indicates the vertical bottom. The X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are equivalent to the horizontal direction. The +Y direction indicates the front direction of the device, and the -Y direction indicates the rear direction of the device. The +X direction indicates the right direction of the device, and the -X direction indicates the left direction of the device.

[0057] Implementation Method 1

[0058] Overall structure of inkjet recording system

[0059] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, the inkjet recording system 1 of the first embodiment includes an ink server 3 and an inkjet recording device 5 that performs recording using ink transported from the ink server 3. The ink server 3 and the inkjet recording device 5 are configured such that the ink flow path 2 is connected via a connection based on a fluid flow path member 7 described later.

[0060] In the ink server 3, ink tanks 8, 8, ... of a plurality of colors of ink such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are detachably provided. Figure 2 ). Each color ink is transported from the ink tanks 8, 8, ... through separate ink flow tubes. The separate ink flow tubes are connected to the connection portion on the back side (-Y direction) of the inkjet recording device 5 in the manner described below. Each color ink contains a color material and a liquid.

[0061] exist Figure 2 In the figure, reference numeral 4 indicates an ink flow path tube cover. The ink flow path tube cover 4 is stored inside in a manner of covering the individual ink flow path tubes for protection. An ink outlet unit 6 constituting a part of a fluid flow path component 7 is provided at the front end of the ink flow path tube cover 4. Figure 2 As shown, a plurality of first flow paths 13 constituting a part of the flow path 2 of the ink are arranged vertically and horizontally on the connection surface 10 of the ink outlet unit 6. The plurality of first flow paths 13 correspond to the individual ink flow path tubes of the respective colors.

[0062] A first elastic sealing portion 17 having a first insertion hole 15 forming a part of the first flow path 13 is provided in each first flow path 13. The ink of each color can be supplied from the ink server 3 to the recording head in the inkjet recording device 5 by connecting the ink outlet unit 6 to the connection portion on the back side of the inkjet recording device 5.

[0063] like Figure 3 As shown, the ink inlet unit 12 constituting a part of the fluid flow path member 7 is provided at the connection portion on the back side of the inkjet recording device 5. A plurality of second flow paths 9 constituting a part of the flow path 2 of the ink are arranged vertically and horizontally on the connection surface 14 of the ink inlet unit 12. The plurality of second flow paths 9 correspond to the plurality of first flow paths 13. That is, the plurality of second flow paths 9 correspond to the individual ink flow path tubes of the respective colors.

[0064] An insertion needle 11 forming a part of the second flow path 9 is provided in each second flow path 9 . The first flow path 13 and the second flow path 9 are connected by inserting the insertion needle 11 into the first insertion hole 15 of the first elastic seal portion 17 .

[0065] First elastic sealing portion

[0066] like Figure 4As shown, the first elastic seal 17 is fixed to the outlet portion of the flow path tube 16 forming at least a part of the first flow path 13 by a fixing member 18. The first elastic seal 17 is formed of an elastically deformable material.

[0067] like Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, in the first insertion hole 15 of the first elastic seal 17, the inner diameter L1 of the inner peripheral surface 23 thereof is formed smaller than the outer diameter L2 of the outer peripheral surface 25 of the insertion needle 11. In other words, the first elastic seal 17 is configured to be insertable by the insertion needle 11 being pressed into the first insertion hole 15.

[0068] In addition, the first elastic seal portion 17 has a lubricant containing portion 21 containing the lubricant 19. The lubricant containing portion 21 has a plurality of lubricant outlets 27 opened at the inner peripheral surface 23 of the first insertion hole 15. Therefore, by pressing the insertion needle 11 into the first insertion hole 15, the lubricant 19 is released from the plurality of lubricant outlets 27 of the lubricant containing portion 21 to the contact portion between the lubricant 19 and the insertion needle 11.

[0069] Lubricant containing parts

[0070] like Figure 5 As shown, in the present embodiment, the lubricant containing portion 21 is formed into a porous structure 29 having a porous portion. That is, the lubricant containing portion 21 is composed of a porous material. First, the first elastic sealing portion 17 is molded into a structure of the first elastic sealing portion 17 having a lubricant outlet 27 using a material (porous material) such as a porous rubber material or a porous foam. Next, the porous portion is impregnated with the lubricant 19. The lubricant containing portion 21 having the lubricant outlet 27 is manufactured by the molding and impregnation. It should be noted that the impregnation amount of the lubricant 19 is determined by an assumed value of the number of times the insertion needle 11 is inserted into the first insertion hole 15.

[0071] Alternatively, the lubricant-containing portion 21 of the porous structure 29 may be produced by a method for producing porous rubber described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 54-138701 and 55-90361.

[0072] The lubricant 19 is not limited to a specific type of substance as long as it is a substance with properties that can be used as a lubricant. In the present embodiment, the composition of the lubricant 19 is the same as the composition of the liquid in the ink containing the color material and the liquid. The lubricant 19 does not contain the color material. Here, "the same composition" does not need to be a strictly identical composition, and the composition may be different within a range that does not affect the properties of the required ink even if the lubricant is mixed into the ink flowing in the ink flow path 2. Specifically, glycerin, propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, etc. can be cited. Non-volatile substances are preferred over water.

[0073] Second elastic sealing portion

[0074] like Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, a second elastic seal portion 33 having a second insertion hole 31 for inserting the insertion needle 11 is further provided upstream (-Y side) than the first elastic seal portion 17 in the insertion direction (+Y direction) of the insertion needle 11. The second elastic seal portion 33 is also formed of an elastically deformable material.

[0075] The second elastic sealing portion 33 is arranged so that the second insertion hole 31 shares a hole axis with the first insertion hole 15. Thus, the insertion needle 11 first enters the second insertion hole 31 and then enters the first insertion hole 15 by moving in the insertion direction.

[0076] like Figure 5 As shown, in the present embodiment, in the second insertion hole 31 of the second elastic seal 33, the inner diameter L5 of the inner peripheral surface 35 is formed to be smaller than the outer diameter L2 of the outer peripheral surface 25 of the insertion needle 11. In other words, the second elastic seal 33 is configured to be inserted into the second insertion hole 31 by the insertion needle 11 being pressed into the second insertion hole 31. In the present embodiment, the inner diameter L5 of the second insertion hole 31 is formed to be the same as the inner diameter L1 of the first insertion hole 15, but it may be different.

[0077] In addition, the second elastic sealing portion 33 has a coagulant containing portion 39 containing a coagulant 37 for coagulanting the color material of the ink. In the coagulant containing portion 39, a plurality of coagulant outlets 41 are opened on the inner peripheral surface 35 of the second insertion hole 31. Therefore, by pressing the insertion needle 11 into the second insertion hole 31, the coagulant 37 is released from the coagulant containing portion 39 to the contact portion with the insertion needle 11.

[0078] At least a portion of the first elastic seal 17 is located inside the flow tube 16 constituting at least a portion of the first flow path 13, and the second elastic seal 33 is located outside the flow tube 16. The second elastic seal 33 is fixed to the connection surface 10 of the ink outlet unit 6 by a fixing member (not shown).

[0079] Agglutination fluid contains

[0080] In the present embodiment, the coagulant containing portion 39 is formed as a porous structure 29 having a porous portion, similarly to the lubricant containing portion 21. First, the second elastic sealing portion 33 is molded into a structure of the second elastic sealing portion 33 having a coagulant outlet 41 using a porous rubber material, a porous foam, or the like. Next, the porous portion is impregnated with the coagulant 37. The coagulant containing portion 39 having the coagulant outlet 41 is manufactured by the molding and impregnation. It should be noted that the impregnation amount of the coagulant 37 is determined by an assumed value of the number of times the insertion needle 11 is inserted into the second insertion hole 31.

[0081] The coagulation liquid 37 is not limited to a specific type of substance as long as it can be used as a substance that can coagulate the color material of the ink. In the present embodiment, aluminum hydroxide is used. In addition, as the coagulation liquid 37, any material that destroys the dispersion of the ink can be used. For example, aluminum carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesia, hydrocarbide, calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, zinc sulfate, dihydrate gypsum, calcium aluminate, dawsonite, kaolin and other water and metal salt compounds, ammonium polyphosphate (APP), guanidine phosphate, ammonium phosphate, melamine polyphosphate, guanyl urea phosphate and other amino groups can be cited.

[0082] Description of the Function of Implementation Example 1

[0083] Will Figure 2 The ink outlet unit 6 is shown pushed toward the ink inlet unit 12 at the back of the inkjet recording device 5. Thus, the insertion needle 11 is first inserted into the second insertion hole 31 of the second elastic seal 33 and then into the first insertion hole 15 of the first elastic seal 17.

[0084] When the insertion needle 11 is inserted into the first insertion hole 15, the lubricant 19 is released from the plurality of lubricant outlets 27 of the lubricant containing portion 21 to the contact portion with the insertion needle 11 by the pressure. Also, when the insertion needle 11 is inserted into the second insertion hole 31, the coagulant 37 is similarly released from the coagulant containing portion 39 to the contact portion with the insertion needle 11.

[0085] Description of the Effects of Implementation Method 1

[0086] (1) In the first embodiment, the first elastic sealing portion 17 includes the lubricant containing portion 21 containing the lubricant 19, and the lubricant outlet 27 is opened in the lubricant containing portion 21 at the inner peripheral surface 23 of the first insertion hole 15. Furthermore, the inner diameter L1 of the inner peripheral surface 23 of the first insertion hole 15 is formed to be smaller than the outer diameter L2 of the outer peripheral surface 25 of the insertion needle 11.

[0087] Thus, in order to connect the first flow path 13 with the second flow path 9, when the insertion needle 11 is inserted into the first insertion hole 15, an elastic pressure based on the size difference between the inner diameter L1 of the inner peripheral surface 23 and the outer diameter L2 of the outer peripheral surface 25 is generated in the first elastic seal portion 17, and the lubricant 19 contained in the lubricant containing portion 21 is automatically released from the lubricant outlet 27 to the contact portion with the insertion needle 11 by the pressure. That is, when the insertion needle 11 is inserted into the first insertion hole 15, the lubricant 19 automatically seeps out from the lubricant outlet 27 of the lubricant containing portion 21 of the first elastic seal portion 17 by the action of the pressure. Thus, the friction load when the insertion needle 11 is inserted into the first insertion hole 15 can be automatically reduced. The inventors of the utility model obtained the result that the friction load during insertion can be reduced by 92.5% by releasing the lubricant 19 in a ten-color machine of a color printer upgraded to multi-color through experiments.

[0088] (2) In the present embodiment, since the lubricant containing portion 21 is the porous structure 29, the lubricant 19 can be automatically released with high stability during the insertion.

[0089] (3) In the present embodiment, a second elastic seal portion 33 is provided upstream of the first elastic seal portion 17, and an inner diameter L5 of an inner peripheral surface 35 of the second insertion hole 31 is formed to be smaller than an outer diameter L2 of an outer peripheral surface 25 of the insertion needle 11. Furthermore, the second elastic seal portion 33 includes an agglutinating liquid containing portion 39 containing agglutinating liquid 37 for agglutinating the color material, and in the agglutinating liquid containing portion 39, an agglutinating liquid outlet 41 is opened on the inner peripheral surface 35 of the second elastic seal portion 33.

[0090] Thus, even if ink leaks from the contact portion between the first elastic seal 17 and the insertion needle 11 , the color material contained in the ink is aggregated by the agglutinating liquid 37 at the contact portion between the second elastic seal 33 and the insertion needle 11 , so that the ink leakage can be further suppressed.

[0091] (4) In addition, in the present embodiment, since the first elastic seal 17 is located inside the ink flow tube 16, the sealing performance between the insertion needle 11 and the flow tube 16 is improved. In addition, since the second elastic seal 33 is located outside the flow tube 16, the coagulant 37 that seeps out from the second elastic seal 33 is difficult to enter the inside of the flow tube 16, and the ink clogging caused by the color material coagulating inside the flow tube 16 can be suppressed.

[0092] (5) In addition, in the present embodiment, even if the liquid seeping out from the first elastic sealing portion 17 penetrates into the interior of the flow path tube 16 constituting the second flow path 9 and mixes with the ink, since the lubricant 19 has the same composition as the liquid of the ink, the possibility of foreign matter being generated due to the chemical reaction between the ink and the lubricant 19 can be reduced.

[0093] In other words, for example, when a lubricant composed of silicone oil is used, it is possible that when the silicone oil penetrates into the flow tube 16, it will chemically react with the ink flowing in the flow tube 16 to generate foreign matter, and the foreign matter will become the cause of ink clogging, but in the present embodiment, this possibility is very small.

[0094] Implementation Method 2

[0095] The following is based on Figure 6 The fluid flow path member 7 according to Embodiment 2 and the inkjet recording system 1 including the fluid flow path member 7 will be described in detail. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts as those in Embodiment 1, and description of the configuration and corresponding effects will be omitted.

[0096] In the fluid flow path component 7 of the second embodiment, as Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the lubricant containing portion 21 of the first elastic sealing portion 17 is not the porous structure 29 of the first embodiment, but a groove portion 43. The groove portion 43 is provided to extend along the circumferential direction of the insertion needle 11. Figure 6 The groove portion 43 is omitted in the figure.

[0097] It should be noted that the fluid flow path member 7 according to the second embodiment is a structure in which the second elastic sealing portion 33 is not provided.

[0098] In the groove portion 43, the lubricant outlet 27 opens at the inner peripheral surface 23 of the first insertion hole 15 of the first elastic seal portion 17. The direction of the groove of the groove portion 43 from the lubricant outlet 27 toward the groove bottom 20 is inclined relative to the insertion direction (+Y direction) of the insertion needle 11. Specifically, the groove bottom 20 is inclined in such a way that it is located upstream in the insertion direction and the lubricant outlet 27 is located downstream. The groove portion 43 is made by molding a rubber material. Figure 6 The structure in which the groove is one is shown, but the structure may be two or more.

[0099] In addition, the groove in the groove portion 43 is not limited to a continuous groove that is continuous in the entire circumferential direction of the insertion needle 11, and may be a discontinuous groove.

[0100] The effect of the groove 43 of Embodiment 2 is substantially the same as that of the porous structure 29 of Embodiment 1. It should be noted that Embodiment 2 does not have the second elastic sealing portion 33, so the effect of the second elastic sealing portion 33 cannot be obtained, but the same effect as that of Embodiment 1 can be obtained otherwise.

[0101] Implementation 3

[0102] The following is based on Figure 7 The fluid flow path member 7 according to Embodiment 3 and the inkjet recording system 1 including the fluid flow path member 7 will be described in detail. The same components as those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description of their configurations and corresponding effects will be omitted.

[0103] In the fluid flow path component 7 of the third embodiment, the insertion needle 11 has a structure including a small diameter portion 45 located at the front end in the insertion direction (+Y direction) and a large diameter portion 47 connected to the front side of the small diameter portion 45 in the insertion direction. Figure 4 The insertion needle 11 of the illustrated first embodiment has a structure in which a large-diameter portion 47 is added.

[0104] Furthermore, if Figure 8 As shown, the inner diameter L3 of the inner peripheral surface 35 of the second insertion hole 31 of the second elastic seal portion 33 is different from that in the first embodiment and is formed larger than the inner diameter L1 of the inner peripheral surface of the first insertion hole 15 .

[0105] In addition, the outer peripheral surface 25 of the small diameter portion 45 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 23 of the first insertion hole 15, and the outer peripheral surface 49 of the large diameter portion 47 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 35 of the second insertion hole 31. The outer peripheral surface 25 of the small diameter portion 45 is of a size that does not contact the inner peripheral surface 35 of the second insertion hole 31. The inner diameter L3 of the second insertion hole 31 is formed smaller than the outer diameter L4 of the outer peripheral surface 49 of the large diameter portion 47, and is configured to be pressed into a state when inserted.

[0106] Description of the Function of Implementation Method 3

[0107] Will Figure 2 The ink outlet unit 6 shown is pushed toward the ink inlet unit 12 on the back side of the inkjet recording device 5. As a result, the small diameter portion 45 of the insertion needle 11 passes through the second insertion hole 31 of the second elastic seal portion 33 without contacting the second insertion hole 31 of the second elastic seal portion 33. Figure 7 When pushed further, Figure 7 As shown, the small diameter portion 45 of the insertion needle 11 is pressed into the first insertion hole 15 of the first elastic seal portion 17. In addition, the large diameter portion 47 of the insertion needle 11 is pressed into the second insertion hole 31 of the second elastic seal portion 33.

[0108] When the small diameter portion 45 of the insertion needle 11 is inserted into the first insertion hole 15, the lubricant 19 is released from the plurality of lubricant outlets 27 of the lubricant containing portion 21 to the contact portion with the small diameter portion 45 of the insertion needle 11 by the pressing. In addition, when the large diameter portion 47 of the insertion needle 11 is inserted into the second insertion hole 31, the coagulant 37 is released from the plurality of coagulant outlets 41 of the coagulant containing portion 39 to the contact portion with the large diameter portion 47 of the insertion needle 11.

[0109] Description of the Effects of Implementation Method 3

[0110] In this embodiment, the insertion needle 11 has a small diameter portion 45 and a large diameter portion 47, the inner diameter L3 of the second insertion hole 31 is formed to be larger than the inner diameter L1 of the first insertion hole 15, the outer peripheral surface 25 of the small diameter portion 45 contacts the inner peripheral surface 23 of the first insertion hole 15, and the outer peripheral surface 49 of the large diameter portion 47 contacts the inner peripheral surface 31 of the second insertion hole 31.

[0111] Thus, since the small diameter portion 45 of the insertion needle 11 does not come into contact with the inner peripheral surface 35 of the second elastic sealing portion 33 during the insertion, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the coagulation liquid 37 enters the flow path of the ink.

[0112] Implementation 4

[0113] The following is based on Fig. 9 The fluid flow path component 7 according to the fourth embodiment and the inkjet recording system 1 having the fluid flow path component 7 are described in detail. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts as those in the first embodiment, and descriptions of their configurations and corresponding effects are omitted. Fig. 9 In FIG. 1 , the insertion needle 11 is schematically and simply described.

[0114] In the present embodiment, the first elastic sealing portion 17 includes a contact portion 51 that contacts the insertion needle 11 and a lubricant containing portion 21 that is located upstream of the contact portion 51 in the insertion direction. Furthermore, the liquid absorption of the contact portion 51 is configured to be smaller than the liquid absorption of the lubricant containing portion 21. Specifically, in the first elastic sealing portion 17 of the present embodiment, the portion forming the lubricant containing portion 21 and the portion forming the contact portion 51 use materials that are different in liquid absorption. Here, these different materials are integrated by two-color molding. Of course, the manufacturing method based on this two-color molding is not limited.

[0115] The portion forming the contact portion 51 is made of elastomer or EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Methylene Linkage) rubber, and the portion forming the lubricant containing portion 21 is made of porous rubber.

[0116] exist Fig. 9In the figure, reference numeral 22 denotes a check valve, and reference numeral 24 denotes a coil spring. The check valve 22 is provided to seal when the insertion needle 11 is pulled out of the first insertion hole 15 of the first elastic sealing portion 17 to prevent ink leakage. The check valve 22 is constantly biased in the sealing direction (-Y direction) by the coil spring 24.

[0117] It should be noted that the check valve 22 and the coil spring 24 are provided in any of the first to third embodiments, but their illustration and description are omitted.

[0118] In this embodiment, since the contact portion 51 that contacts the insertion needle 11 has lower liquid absorption than the lubricant containing portion 21 , the release amount of the lubricant 19 can be suppressed so as not to become excessive compared to a case where the entire first elastic seal portion 17 is formed as the lubricant containing portion 21 .

[0119] Other Implementations

[0120] The fluid flow path component 7 and the inkjet recording system 1 having the fluid flow path component 7 involved in the present invention basically have the structure of the above-described embodiment, but it is obvious that some of the structures can be changed or omitted without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0121] For example, the present invention can be applied to other devices besides the inkjet recording device as a device including a fluid flow path member.

Claims

1. A fluid flow path component, characterized in that: have: A first elastic sealing portion having a first insertion hole forming a part of a first flow path of ink containing a color material and a liquid; and Insert the needle to form a part of the second flow path, The first flow path and the second flow path are connected by inserting the insertion needle into the first insertion hole, The inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the first insertion hole is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the insertion needle. The first elastic sealing portion includes a lubricant containing portion containing a lubricant. The lubricant containing portion has a lubricant outlet opening on an inner peripheral surface of the first insertion hole.

2. The fluid flow path component according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lubricant containing portion is made of a porous material.

3. The fluid flow path component according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lubricant containing portion is a groove portion extending in the circumferential direction of the insertion needle.

4. The fluid flow path component according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first elastic sealing portion has a contact portion that contacts the insertion needle. The lubricant containing portion is located upstream of the contact portion in the insertion direction of the insertion needle, The liquid absorption of the contact portion is lower than the liquid absorption of the lubricant containing portion.

5. The fluid flow path component according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fluid flow path member includes a second elastic sealing portion, the second elastic sealing portion being located upstream of the first elastic sealing portion in the insertion direction of the insertion needle and having a second insertion hole for inserting the insertion needle. The inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the second insertion hole is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the insertion needle. The second elastic sealing portion includes a coagulant containing portion, wherein the coagulant containing portion contains a coagulant for coagulating the color material. The coagulant containing portion has a coagulant outlet opening on the inner peripheral surface of the second elastic sealing portion.

6. The fluid flow path component according to claim 5, characterized in that: The insertion needle has a small diameter portion located at the front end in the insertion direction and a large diameter portion connected to the small diameter portion. The inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the second insertion hole is larger than the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the first insertion hole. The outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion does not contact the inner peripheral surface of the second insertion hole but contacts the inner peripheral surface of the first insertion hole. An outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion contacts an inner peripheral surface of the second insertion hole.

7. The fluid flow path component according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first elastic sealing portion is located inside a flow path tube constituting at least a portion of the first flow path. The second elastic sealing portion is located outside the flow tube.

8. The fluid flow path component according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The composition of the lubricant is the same as that of the liquid.

9. An inkjet recording system, characterized in that: have: Ink server; as well as an inkjet recording device that performs recording by ink delivered from the ink server, The ink server and the inkjet recording device are connected so that the flow path of the ink can be in a communicating state and a non-communicating state via the fluid flow path member according to any one of claims 1 to 8 .

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