Ink cartridge and ink ejection device

Abstract

To provide an ink cartridge having an absorber for absorbing ink and a space for storing the ink in a container, which suppresses leakage of the ink from an atmosphere opening port even when a posture is changed or an impact is applied.SOLUTION: In the ink cartridge which includes an absorber capable of absorbing ink and a container for storing the absorber and the ink inside, and in which an opening port for opening the inside of the container to the atmosphere is provided in the container, a space capable of storing the ink is provided in the absorber, and the space is not in contact with a bottom surface inside the container in a state where the absorber is stored in the container.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ink cartridge that contains ink and an ink ejection device that ejects ink supplied from the ink cartridge. [Background technology]

[0002] Inkjet recording devices are equipped with ink cartridges that contain ink, supply the ink from the ink cartridge to a recording head, and eject the ink from the recording head onto a recording medium such as paper, thereby recording on the recording medium. The ink cartridge is a liquid container that contains ink to be supplied to the recording head and is detachable from the recording device. To ensure good ink supply from the ink cartridge to the recording head, some ink cartridges are configured to contain an absorber that absorbs ink. The absorber is made of a porous material and absorbs and retains ink through capillary force. Ink cartridges configured in this way are required to be able to supply ink stably while increasing the amount of ink that can be accommodated per unit volume.

[0003] In the ink cartridge described in Patent Document 1, a recess is provided in the absorber at a position where it contacts the bottom of the ink cartridge container, and this recess forms a space for storing ink between the bottom of the container and the end of the absorber. The density of the ink in this space is higher than the density of the ink absorbed by the absorber. Therefore, by changing the shape of the absorber and changing the size of the recess, it is possible to increase the ink capacity of the ink cartridge without changing the volume of the container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-199276 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Ink cartridges can assume various positions during transportation and consumer use. For example, some consumers store new ink cartridges upside down or horizontally, resulting in various positions. Furthermore, ink cartridges can assume various positions and be subjected to impacts, such as being dropped from the hand when new or after the package has been opened. Here, ink stored in the space between the absorber and the container bottom has higher fluidity than ink absorbed in the absorber. In the ink cartridge described in Patent Document 1, this space is in contact with the container bottom. In other words, part of the inner wall surface of this space is formed by the surface of the absorber, and part is formed by the container bottom. Because the container bottom offers little resistance to ink flow, when the ink cartridge changes position or is subjected to impact, the ink in the space flows rapidly and may spill out of the absorber. The ink cartridge container has an air-opening port that allows air to enter the container, so ink spilling out of the absorber may leak out of the ink cartridge through the air-opening port.

[0006] The present invention aims to prevent ink from leaking from an air-opening port in an ink cartridge that has an absorbent that absorbs ink and a space that stores ink inside a container, even if the cartridge is subjected to a change in position or an impact. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a printer comprising: an absorbent capable of absorbing ink; a container that contains the absorber and the ink; an ink cartridge comprising: an ink container having an opening for opening the inside of the ink container to the atmosphere; The absorber is provided with a space capable of storing ink, The ink cartridge is characterized in that, when the absorber is housed in the container, the space does not contact the bottom surface inside the container. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, in an ink cartridge having an absorbent that absorbs ink and a space that stores ink within a container, it is possible to prevent ink from leaking from the air-opening port even if the cartridge is subjected to a change in position or an impact. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the ink cartridge of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are a top view and a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the absorber of the ink cartridge of the second embodiment. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are a top view and a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the absorber of the ink cartridge of the third embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are a top view and a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are a cross-sectional view and a bottom view of an ink cartridge according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are a perspective view and an exploded view of an absorber of an ink cartridge according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus in which an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, etc. of the components described in the following examples may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions, and the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to the following examples.

[0011] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an inkjet recording apparatus 1000 in which an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted. The recording apparatus 1000 shown in FIG. 10 includes a carriage (mounting unit) 211 capable of mounting an ink cartridge 1 therein. In the recording apparatus 1000, the carriage 211 is guided along a guide shaft 206 for movement in the main scanning direction indicated by arrow A. The guide shaft 206 is disposed so as to extend along the width direction of the recording medium. Therefore, the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 211 performs recording while scanning in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the recording medium. In this manner, the recording apparatus 1000 is a so-called serial scan type recording apparatus that records images by moving the ink cartridge 1 in the main scanning direction and transporting the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction. Note that the ink cartridge of the present invention is not limited to those used in serial scan type recording apparatuses. For example, the ink cartridge may also be used in full-line type recording apparatuses that use a printhead that extends across the entire width of the recording medium.

[0012] The carriage 211 is supported by a guide shaft 206 that penetrates through it so that it can be scanned in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. A belt 205 is attached to the carriage 211, and a carriage motor 212 is attached to the belt 205. As a result, the driving force of the carriage motor 212 is transmitted to the carriage 211 via the belt 205, so that the carriage 211 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction while being guided by the guide shaft 206.

[0013] In addition, a flexible cable 213 for transferring electrical signals from the control unit to the ink cartridge 1 is attached to the carriage 211 so as to be electrically connected to the ink cartridge 1. The recording device 1000 is also provided with a cap 241 and a wiper blade 243 that are used to perform recovery processing on the ink cartridge 1. The recording device 1000 also has a paper feed unit 215 that stores recording media in a stacked state, and an encoder sensor 216 that optically reads the position of the carriage 211.

[0014] The carriage 211 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction by a driving force transmission mechanism, such as a carriage motor and a belt that transmits the driving force of the carriage motor. After being loaded on a paper feed unit 215, the recording medium is transported in the sub-scanning direction indicated by arrow B by a transport roller. The recording device 1000 is an ink ejection device that sequentially records images on a recording medium by repeating a recording operation in which ink is ejected while moving an inkjet head in the main scanning direction and a transport operation in which the recording medium is transported in the sub-scanning direction.

[0015] In the following explanation, the direction parallel to the main scanning direction is referred to as the X direction, the direction parallel to the sub-scanning direction is referred to as the Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions is referred to as the Z direction. The Z direction is the direction parallel to the vertical direction when the recording device 1000 is installed on a horizontal surface. Furthermore, in the following explanation, the relationship between the ink cartridge 1 and the X, Y, and Z directions is assumed to be the orientation of the ink cartridge 1 when attached to the carriage 211. However, the ink cartridge 1 is detachable from the carriage 211 of the recording device 1000, and the ink cartridge 1 alone when removed from the carriage 211 can adopt any orientation.

[0016] Example 1 FIG. 1 is an external view of an ink cartridge 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 1, and FIG. 1(b) is a view of FIG. 1(a) as viewed from below in the Z direction. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the ink cartridge 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3(a) is a top view of the ink cartridge 1 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3(a).

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the ink cartridge 1 has a recording head 2, a container 3, an absorber 4, and a lid member 6. The recording head 2 is supplied with ink contained in the container 3 and can eject the ink, and is airtightly fixed to the bottom of the container 3 with an adhesive. The container 3 can contain the absorber 4 and has an open top. The lid member 6 is joined to the top of the container 3, sealing the opening at the top of the container 3 and protecting the inside of the container 3. The lid member 6 is provided with an air-opening port 10 that opens the inside of the container 3 to the atmosphere. As the ink in the container 3 is consumed, air is introduced through the air-opening port 10.

[0018] The absorber 4 is capable of absorbing ink, and is inserted into the container 3 by being pushed into it. When the absorber 4 is housed in the container 3, the lower end of the absorber 4 is in close contact with the inner bottom surface 7 of the container 3. The absorber 4 is made of a porous material such as urethane foam. However, the absorber 4 may be made of other materials, such as thermoplastic plastics, as long as it is capable of absorbing the ink stored inside the container 3.

[0019] The absorber 4 is provided with a space 5 capable of storing ink. The space 5 is formed so as to penetrate the absorber 4, which has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, in the Y direction. When the absorber 4 is housed in the container 3, the space 5 does not come into contact with the inner bottom surface 7 of the container 3. In other words, the space 5 is provided above the lower end of the absorber 4 in the Z direction. Note that in Example 1, a case has been illustrated in which the space 5 is a cylindrical space extending parallel to the Y direction, but the shape of the space 5 is only an example, and is not limited to this example as long as the condition that the absorber 4 does not come into contact with the inner bottom surface 7 when housed in the container 3 is satisfied. For example, the space 5 may have a shape that penetrates in a first direction along the inner bottom surface 7 of the container 3. The first direction is the same as in Example 1. As shown in the figure, the first direction may be parallel to the Y direction (X and Z components of the direction vector are 0), or parallel to the X direction, or may be a direction intersecting the X and Y directions. Furthermore, as long as the space 5 does not contact the inner bottom surface 7, the first direction may be a direction in which the Z component of the direction vector is not 0. Furthermore, although an example in which one space 5 is formed in the absorber 4 has been shown, multiple spaces 5 may be provided.

[0020] By filling the absorber 4 and the space 5 with ink, it becomes possible to supply ink to the recording head 2 .

[0021] The ink in the space 5 has a higher ink density than the ink in the absorber 4. Therefore, by providing the space 5 in the absorber 4, it is possible to increase the amount of ink per volume in the ink cartridge 1. The ink in the space 5 has a higher fluidity than the ink in the absorber 4. Therefore, the ink in the space 5 flows when the ink cartridge 1 is subjected to a change in position during transportation or an impact due to being dropped, etc.

[0022] In the ink cartridge 1 of Example 1, the ink in the space 5 formed in the absorber 4 does not come into contact with the inner bottom surface 7 of the container 3. Therefore, there is a large resistance to the flow of ink in the space 5. Therefore, when the ink cartridge is subjected to a shock due to a change in position or being dropped, the force of the ink flow in the space 5 is suppressed. This prevents the ink from flying out of the absorber 4 and flowing toward the lid member 6 when the ink cartridge is subjected to a shock due to a change in position or being dropped, and prevents the ink from leaking to the outside through the open-air port 10.

[0023] Example 2 FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the absorber 4 of the ink cartridge 1 of Example 2 of the present invention. FIG. 5(a) is a top view of the ink cartridge 1 of Example 2, and FIG. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 5(a). Example 2 differs from Example 1 in that the absorber 4 of Example 2 has a main body portion 40 and side portions 8. The absorber 4 is accommodated in the container 3 by inserting both the main body portion 40 and the side portions 8 into the container 3. The side portions 8 are disposed at both ends of the main body portion 40 in the Y direction within the container 3. The cross-sectional shapes perpendicular to the Y direction of the main body portion 40 and the side portions 8 are substantially the same. Note that the shapes of the main body portion 40 and the side portions 8 are merely examples, and the shapes of the main body portion 40 and the side portions 8 are appropriately set depending on the internal shape of the container 3. The shape of the main body portion 40 is the same as that of the absorber 4 of Example 1, except that the size in the Y direction of the absorber 4 of Example 1 is smaller by the amount of the two side portions 8. In other words, the main body portion 40 has a cylindrical space 5 penetrating in the Y direction. When the absorbent body 4 (the main body portion 40 and the two side surface portions 8) is housed in the container 3, the space 5 becomes a closed space.

[0024] 5(b), the space 5 is not in contact with the inner bottom surface 7 of the container 3, and is not in contact with the inner side surface 9 either. This structure provides even greater resistance to the flow of ink within the space 5 than in Example 1. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent ink from leaking to the outside through the open-air port 10.

[0025] Example 3 FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the absorber 4 of the ink cartridge 1 of Example 3 of the present invention. FIG. 7(a) is a top view of the ink cartridge 1 of Example 3, and FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 7(a). Example 3 differs from Example 2 in that in Example 3, the cross-sectional shapes perpendicular to the Y direction of the space 5 and the side portions 8 of the main body portion 40 are substantially the same. In other words, by inserting the side portions 8 into both ends of the space 5 in the Y direction, the space 5 can be made into a substantially closed space. After inserting the side portions 8 into the space 5 of the main body portion 40, the absorber 4 consisting of the main body portion 40 and the side portions 8 is inserted into the container 3.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 7(b), the space 5 is not in contact with the inner bottom surface 7 of the container 3 and is The absorber 4 is not in contact with the surface 9 either. This structure provides even greater resistance to the flow of ink within the space 5 than in Example 1. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent ink from leaking to the outside through the air-opening port 10. Furthermore, since the main body 40 and the side surface 8 can be integrated by inserting the side surface 8 into the space 5 of the main body 40, the absorber 4 can be inserted into the container 3 more easily than in Example 2.

[0027] Example 4 FIG. 8(a) is a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA. FIG. 8(b) is a bottom view of the ink cartridge 1 according to the fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in the size of one of the side portions 8 inserted into the space 5 of the main body 40. Specifically, the size in the Y direction of the side portion 8 located above the recording head 2 is set so that the space 5 is positioned in a position that does not overlap with the area where the recording head 2 is installed, as viewed in the Z direction. This structure reduces the forceful ejection of freely flowing ink from the absorber 4 toward the cover member 6, without increasing the volume of the space 5 more than necessary. Furthermore, air bubbles are not generated in the flow path due to collisions between the ink surface and the ejected ink, ensuring stable inkjet ejection.

[0028] Example 5 FIG. 9(a) is a perspective view of the absorber 4 of the ink cartridge 1 of Example 5 of the present invention. FIG. 9(b) is an exploded view of the absorber 4 of the ink cartridge 1 of Example 5. The absorber 4 of Example 5 has two wall members 41, an upper member 42, and a lower member 43, and when these members are assembled to form the absorber 4, a space 5 is formed inside the absorber 4. The wall members 41, the upper member 42, and the lower member 43 are all rectangular parallelepiped shapes (square prism shapes) extending in the Y direction, and the space 5 is also rectangular parallelepiped (square prism shape). The wall members 41, the upper member 42, and the lower member 43 can all be made by simply cutting in straight lines, making manufacturing easy and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0029] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) an absorbent capable of absorbing ink; a container that contains the absorber and the ink; an ink cartridge comprising: an ink container having an opening for opening the inside of the ink container to the atmosphere; The absorber is provided with a space capable of storing ink, An ink cartridge, wherein when the absorber is housed in the container, the space does not contact the bottom surface inside the container. (Configuration 2) 2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the space does not contact a side surface of the interior of the container when the absorber is housed in the container. (Configuration 3) a head provided at the bottom of the container, the head being capable of ejecting ink supplied from the container; 3. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the area where the head is provided and the area where the space is provided do not overlap when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the bottom. (Configuration 4) The ink cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the space is cylindrical. (Configuration 5) 4. The ink cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the space is a rectangular parallelepiped. (Configuration 6) 6. The ink cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 and 3 to 5, wherein the space is provided so as to penetrate the absorber in a first direction along the bottom surface inside the container. (Configuration 7) The absorber has a main body portion in which the space is provided so as to penetrate in a first direction along a bottom surface inside the container, and side surfaces located at both ends of the main body portion in the first direction, 6. The ink cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the space is closed by the side surface portion when the absorber is housed in the container. (Configuration 8) 8. The ink cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the main body and the side surface have the same cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the first direction. (Configuration 9) the space provided in the main body portion and the side surface portion have the same cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the first direction, 8. The ink cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the side portion is integrated with the main body portion by being inserted into the space. (Configuration 10) The ink cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 3 and 5 to 9, wherein the absorber is configured by combining a plurality of rectangular parallelepiped members extending in a first direction along the bottom surface inside the container. (Configuration 11) an absorbent capable of absorbing ink; a container that contains the absorber and the ink; a head provided at the bottom of the container, the head being capable of ejecting ink supplied from the container; an opening for opening the inside of the container to the atmosphere is provided in the container, and the ink is ejected from the head onto a recording medium, The absorber is provided with a space capable of storing ink, An ink ejection device, wherein, when the absorber is housed in the container, the space does not contact the bottom surface inside the container. [Explanation of symbols]

[0030] 1: ink cartridge, 3: container, 4: absorber, 5: space, 7: inner bottom, 10: air opening

Claims

1. an absorbent capable of absorbing ink; a container that contains the absorber and the ink; an ink cartridge comprising: an ink container having an opening for opening the inside of the ink container to the atmosphere; The absorber is provided with a space capable of storing ink, An ink cartridge, wherein when the absorber is housed in the container, the space does not contact the bottom surface inside the container.

2. 2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the space does not contact a side surface of the interior of the container when the absorber is housed in the container.

3. a head provided at the bottom of the container, the head being capable of ejecting ink supplied from the container; 3. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the area where the head is provided and the area where the space is provided do not overlap when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the bottom.

4. 3. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the space is cylindrical.

5. 3. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the space has a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

6. The ink cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the space is provided so as to penetrate the absorber in a first direction along the bottom surface inside the container.

7. The absorber has a main body portion in which the space is provided so as to penetrate in a first direction along a bottom surface inside the container, and side surfaces located at both ends of the main body portion in the first direction, 3. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the space is closed by the side surface when the absorber is housed in the container.

8. 8. The ink cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the main body and the side surface have the same cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the first direction.

9. the space provided in the main body portion and the side surface portion have the same cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the first direction, The ink cartridge according to claim 7 , wherein the side surface portion is integrated with the main body portion by being inserted into the space.

10. 3. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the absorber is configured by combining a plurality of rectangular parallelepiped members that extend in a first direction along the bottom surface inside the container.

11. an absorbent capable of absorbing ink; a container that contains the absorber and the ink; a head provided at the bottom of the container, the head being capable of ejecting ink supplied from the container; an opening for opening the inside of the container to the atmosphere is provided in the container, and the ink is ejected from the head onto a recording medium, The absorber is provided with a space capable of storing ink, An ink ejection device, wherein, when the absorber is housed in the container, the space does not contact the bottom surface inside the container.

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