Ink tank and ink tank leak inspection

Abstract

To provide an ink tank capable of suppressing the occurrence of erroneous inspection due to a damper part blocking a communication hole in the inspection (leak inspection) of a connection state between the damper part and an ink accommodating part.SOLUTION: An ink tank 13 having an ink accommodating part 36 for accommodating ink has a flexible damper part 10. The inside of the damper part 10 communicates with the inside of the ink accommodating part 36 via a communication hole 38. Inside the damper part 10, a projection part 80 projecting from the ink accommodating part 36 toward the inside of the damper part 10 is arranged. The projection part 80 has a portion that does not surround the communication hole 38 with one projection part 80 at any height in a projecting direction of the projection part 80.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ink tank and a leak inspection for the ink tank. [Background technology]

[0002] Some inkjet recording devices that eject ink from ejection ports have an ink tank equipped with an ink storage section that stores ink. For example, when ink is ejected at a high rate relative to the total number of ejection ports, such as when ink is ejected from all ejection ports, the ink supplied to the ink storage section becomes insufficient for the ink ejected. When the ink supplied to the ink storage section becomes insufficient, the pressure in the ink storage section drops suddenly, and there is a risk that the supply of ink to the ejection ports becomes unstable. Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet head that can suppress a sudden pressure change in the ink storage section by attaching a flexible damper section to the ink storage section. In Patent Document 1, the damper section and the ink storage section communicate with each other through a communication hole formed in the wall surface of the ink storage section, thereby suppressing a sudden pressure change in the ink storage section.

[0003] Incidentally, in order to check whether a plurality of components are properly connected, a leak test is disclosed in Patent Document 2. When such a leak test is applied to the ink tank described in Patent Document 1, the following occurs. First, with the damper section connected to the ink storage section, the ink storage section and the damper section are sucked from an ink inlet (a port for filling the ink storage section with ink). Then, the suction is stopped and the ink storage section and the damper section are left for a certain period of time while the pressures in the ink storage section and the damper section are measured. If the damper section and the ink storage section are properly connected, the pressures in the ink storage section and the damper section do not decrease substantially even after a certain period of time has elapsed. On the other hand, if the damper section and the ink storage section are not properly connected, the pressure gradually decreases over time. Based on such a difference in pressure change, a leak test is performed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-307712 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-007237 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the flexible damper part may be deformed by suction, and the deformed damper part may block the communication hole between the damper part and the ink storage part. If the damper part blocks the communication hole, the pressure inside the ink storage part and the damper part hardly decreases even though the damper part and the ink storage part are not properly connected. Therefore, there is a risk that the connection between the two parts may be erroneously detected as being proper when it is actually not.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide an ink tank that can prevent erroneous testing caused by the damper portion blocking the communicating hole when testing the connection status (leak testing) between the damper portion and the ink storage portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an ink tank having an ink storage section that stores ink, the ink tank having a flexible damper section, the interior of the damper section being in communication with the interior of the ink storage section via a communication hole, the interior of the damper section being provided with a protruding section that protrudes from the ink storage section side toward the interior of the damper section, the protruding section having a portion that does not surround the communication hole at any height in a direction in which the protruding section protrudes. The protruding portion is a tip end portion of a support that is inserted into the damper portion through the communication hole from the bottom surface of the ink containing portion. It is characterized by the above. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent erroneous inspections from being made in the leak inspection between the damper portion and the ink containing portion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the inkjet head taken along a plane parallel to the X direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inkjet head as viewed from the ejection port side. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state of connection between the damper portion and the subtank lid. [Figure 6] Top view of the subtank. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between a damper portion and a communication hole. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a damper portion in a leak inspection. [Figure 11] 1 is a flow chart for leak testing. [Figure 12] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a protrusion according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a protrusion according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a protrusion according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present invention, the ink tank refers to an ink tank 13 having at least an ink containing portion 36 and a damper portion 10, which will be described later.

[0011] (Inkjet recording device) An inkjet recording apparatus 1 to which the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 to which the present invention can be applied. The inkjet recording apparatus 1 repeats reciprocating movement (main scanning) of an inkjet head 201 and transport of a recording medium S at a predetermined pitch (sub-scanning). Ink is ejected from the inkjet head 201 in synchronization with these movements, and the ink is deposited on the recording medium S. In this way, characters, symbols, images, etc. are formed on the recording medium S. The recording medium S is transported by a transport roller 203, which is a transport means, in a direction intersecting the movement direction of a carriage 202 (for example, the direction of arrow A, which is a direction perpendicular to the movement direction).

[0012] The inkjet head 201 is detachably mounted on a carriage 202 that reciprocates on two guide rails 208. The inkjet head 201 has multiple nozzle rows for ejecting ink of multiple colors. The nozzle rows are composed of multiple nozzles 29 (FIG. 4) that eject liquid. A main tank 204 is connected to the inkjet head 201 via an ink supply tube 206 for each of the multiple colors of ink.

[0013] A recovery unit 207 is disposed in an area within the reciprocating movement range of the inkjet head 201, but outside the passing range of the recording medium S. The recovery unit 207 is disposed so as to face a surface 2 (hereinafter referred to as the ejection port surface 2) (FIG. 4) on which the ejection ports 29 of the inkjet head 201 are formed. The recovery unit 207 has a suction mechanism that forcibly sucks ink from the ejection ports 29, a blade that wipes dirt off the ejection port surface 2, and the like. When stable ink ejection is hindered, the suction mechanism, blade, and the like can be appropriately driven to return the ink to a state in which stable ink ejection is possible.

[0014] (Inkjet head) The inkjet head 201 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 4. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the inkjet head 201. The inkjet head 201 is mainly composed of a housing 3, an element substrate 26, and a damper section 10. The inkjet head 201 has six needle receiving sections 23, each of which is connected to an ink supply tube 206 (Fig. 1). Therefore, ink flowing from the main tank 204 through the ink supply tube 206 is supplied into the inkjet head 201 through the needle receiving sections 23.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the inkjet head 201 in a plane parallel to the X direction, and is a cross-sectional view passing through the center of the needle receiving portion 23. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inkjet head 201 as viewed from the ejection port 29 side. Ink to be supplied to the inkjet head 201 is stored in an ink storage portion 36 (hereinafter, also referred to as a sub-tank 36 in this specification). The ink stored in the ink storage portion 36 passes through a filter 5 for removing impurities (foreign matter) in the ink, and is temporarily stored in the ink reservoir portion 21. The ink is then supplied to the liquid chamber 20 through a communication portion 37 and a flow path 6. The ink supplied to the liquid chamber 20 is supplied to an ejection port 29 of the element substrate 26 shown in FIG. 4. The ink supplied to the ejection port is ejected from the ejection port by driving an energy generating element that generates energy for ejecting the ink from the ejection port.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, the inkjet head 201 includes an ink tank 13 having an ink storage section 36 and a damper section 10. The damper section 10 is a flexible member made of rubber or the like, and is attached to a subtank lid (also called an ink storage section lid) 9 that forms one surface above (in the Z direction) the subtank 36. The internal space of the damper section 10 communicates with the interior of the subtank 36 through a communication hole 38 formed in the subtank lid 9. In other words, the damper section 10 is attached so as to cover the communication hole 38. As a result, even if the pressure in the subtank 36 suddenly changes, for example, when ink is discharged from all the discharge ports 29, the flexible damper section 10 can deform in response to the sudden pressure change in the subtank 36. That is, the volume of the internal space 8 of the damper section 10 increases or decreases in response to the pressure change. As a result, the sudden pressure change in the subtank 36 can be suppressed. In addition, a protrusion 80 is formed on the subtank lid 9, which will be described in detail later. The damper section 10 may be made of a combination of a plastic sheet and a spring, as well as a member such as rubber. In order to protect the damper section 10, a sub-tank cover 7 is attached to cover the damper section 10.

[0017] In addition, the inkjet head 201 shown in Figures 2 to 4 is formed with six sub-tanks, and six damper units 10 are attached in accordance with the number of sub-tanks, but the present invention may form a damper unit such that one damper unit 10 corresponds to a plurality of sub-tanks.

[0018] (Damper part) The damper section 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 8. Fig. 5(a) is a perspective view showing the damper section 10. Fig. 5(b) is a view showing the state in which the damper section 10 and the subtank lid 9 are connected. Fig. 5(c) is a view showing the state in which the damper section 10 and the subtank lid 9 are connected. As shown in Fig. 5(a), a plurality of damper sections 10 are integrally formed. Then, as shown in Figs. 5(b) and 5(c), such damper sections 10 are attached to the subtank lid 9 by using screws 12. By providing the damper sections 10, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in pressure inside the ink containing section 36.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a top view of the subtank 36 as viewed from the direction B shown in FIG. 3, and the positions of the communication holes 38 formed in the subtank lid 9 are indicated by dashed lines to show the positional relationship between the subtank 36 and the communication holes 38. FIG. 7 is a top view showing the positional relationship between the damper section 10 and the communication holes 38 when the damper section 10 is attached to the subtank 36. As shown in FIG. 6, six subtanks 36 are arranged in the Y direction inside the inkjet head 201. Each subtank 36 is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped that extends long in the direction (X direction) intersecting the arrangement direction (Y direction). A plurality of communication holes 38 are formed in the subtank lid 9 so as to communicate with the interiors of the subtanks 36, respectively. These communication holes 38 are formed in a staggered pattern. This is to arrange the six damper sections 10 in a 3×2 pattern as shown in FIG. 7. By arranging the damper sections 10 in a 3 x 2 configuration, each damper section 10 can be arranged straddling the upper part of two sub-tanks 36, and damper sections 10 of the shape shown in Figure 8, which will be described in detail later, can be installed even on sub-tanks 36 whose width in the Y direction is limited.

[0020] The shape of the damper section 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8(a) is a perspective view of the damper section 10. FIG. 8(b) is a schematic view of the damper section 10 as viewed from the C direction shown in FIG. 8(a). FIG. 8(c) is a schematic view of the damper section 10 as viewed from the D direction shown in FIG. 8(a). FIG. 8(e) is a schematic view of the damper section 10 as viewed from the E direction shown in FIG. 8(a). In order to ensure a required volume for the internal space 8 of the damper section 10 and to stably deform the damper section 10, the shape of the opening 11, which is the side of the damper section 10 that contacts the subtank lid 9, is circular. The damper section 10 is shaped so that, from the subtank lid 9 side toward the Z direction, the internal space 8 first has a region with a constant cross-sectional area, and then has a region (the region of the two flat surfaces 10a) where the cross-sectional area gradually decreases. When the damper portion 10 having such a shape is deformed, the flat surfaces 10a are recessed so that the two flat surfaces 10a approach each other (in the direction of the arrow 14).

[0021] (First embodiment) (protrusion) In order to prevent the damper part from blocking the communication hole and causing an erroneous judgment in a leak test, a protrusion is provided, and the protrusion is shaped so that a portion of the protrusion does not surround the communication hole at any height in the direction in which the protrusion protrudes. This protrusion will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9(a) is a top view of the protrusion 80 as seen from the E direction (the direction in which the protrusion protrudes) shown in FIG. 8(a). FIG. 9(b) is a schematic view of the protrusion 80 as seen from the C direction shown in FIG. 8(a). FIG. 9(c) is a schematic view of the protrusion 80 as seen from the D direction shown in FIG. 8(a). The protrusion 80 is attached to the subtank lid 9 and protrudes from the ink storage part side toward the inside of the damper part. When viewed from the top view shown in FIG. 9(a), the protrusion 80 is disposed between the communication hole 38 and the damper part 10. The protrusion 80 is shaped to match the shape of the opening 11 of the damper part 10. That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9(a), a substantially circular protrusion 80 is formed so as to surround the communication hole .

[0022] When the damper portion 10 is deformed by the suction operation of the leak test, the damper portion 10 sticks to the protrusion 80. Therefore, if one protrusion 80 surrounds the communication hole 38, the damper portion 10 sticks to the entire inner surface of the protrusion 80, blocking the space inside the protrusion 80 (the communication hole 38 side) from the outside air. This causes the inside of the subtank to become a sealed space, and there is a risk that in a leak test described later, it may be erroneously determined that the subtank is properly sealed even though it is not properly sealed. In order to suppress this erroneous determination, the protrusion 80 of the present invention has a shape having a portion that does not surround the communication hole 38 with one protrusion 80 at any height in the direction in which the protrusion 80 protrudes (Z direction). Having a portion that does not surround the communication hole 38 with one protrusion 80 at any height means that there is a portion where the protrusion is not formed like a continuous ring. Conversely, a shape in which one protrusion surrounds the communication hole 38 at any height means that one protrusion formed continuously at a constant height without gaps surrounds the communication hole 38. By forming such a protrusion 80 on the subtank lid 9, it is possible to prevent the damper part 10 from blocking the communication hole 38 in a leak test described later, and to prevent erroneous detection in the leak test. In the leak test, the damper part 10 sticks to the protrusion 80, but since the protrusion 80 has a portion that does not surround the communication hole 38 with one protrusion, the damper part 10 does not stick to the protrusion 80 at that portion. As a result, at least in the portion where the damper part 10 does not stick, the inside of the damper part 10 communicates with the inside of the ink storage part 36 via the communication hole 38, and the leak test can be performed appropriately.

[0023] As one form of the protrusion 80 having a shape in which the communication hole 38 is not surrounded by a single protrusion 80, a notch 81 is formed in the protrusion 80 as shown in FIG. 9. The notch 81 refers to a region in which the protrusion 80 is not formed, as compared with a protrusion having a shape in which the communication hole 38 is surrounded by a single protrusion. By forming the notch 81, the damper part 10 does not stick to the protrusion 80 at least in the notch 81, and a leak inspection can be performed appropriately. In addition, when the protrusion is viewed from the Z direction, the communication hole 38 is surrounded by a single protrusion, but if a slit is formed in such a protrusion, the protrusion is also included in the protrusion of this embodiment. In other words, at any height in the protruding direction, the protrusion has a portion in which the communication hole 38 is not surrounded by a single protrusion.

[0024] The height d1 of the protrusion 80 is preferably 1 / 10 or more of the height d2 of the damper part 10. Here, the height d1 of the protrusion 80 refers to the height from the subtank lid 9. Similarly, the height of the damper part 10 refers to the height from the subtank lid 9. If the height of the protrusion 80 is low, the damper part 10, which is recessed by suction in a leak test described later, is likely to block the communication hole 38. Therefore, the protrusion 80 needs to have a certain height, and it is more preferable that the height is 1 / 5 or more of the height of the damper part 10, and more preferably that the height is 1 / 3 or more of the height of the damper part 10. However, if the height of the protrusion 80 is too high, there is a risk that the deformation of the damper part 10 will be hindered, so the height of the protrusion 80 is preferably 9 / 10 or less of the height of the damper part 10.

[0025] The position where the notch 81 is provided is preferably in the region shown below. When viewed from the direction in which the protrusion 80 protrudes (Z direction), first, a line segment 15 is drawn from the center of gravity 18 of the communication hole 38 through the part of the damper section 10 located at the farthest position from the center of gravity 18. Then, when a perpendicular line 16 is drawn from the midpoint 17 of the line segment 15 to the line segment 15, it is preferable to form the notch 80 in the region closer to the communication hole 38 among the two regions inside the damper section divided by the perpendicular line 16. Furthermore, when perpendicular lines are drawn from the points that divide the line segment 15 into three equal parts to divide the inside of the damper section into three regions, it is more preferable to form the notch 80 in the region closest to the communication hole 38. By providing the notch 81 at a position closer to the communication hole 38, it becomes easier for the inside of the sub tank to communicate with the outside air. However, the present invention is not limited to this. By providing the notch 81 at any part of the tank, not limited to a position closer to the communication hole 38, the inside of the subtank can be easily communicated with the outside air.

[0026] (Leak inspection) The leak inspection of the damper section 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 10 and 11. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the damper section 10 during the leak inspection. Fig. 10(a) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a foreign object 4 is sandwiched between the damper section 10 and the subtank lid 9, and shows the ink tank 13 of this embodiment. Fig. 10(b) is a schematic diagram showing the shape of the damper section 10 when the pressure inside the subtank 36 is reduced from the state shown in Fig. 10(a). Fig. 10(c) is a schematic diagram showing an ink tank 13a, which is a comparative example corresponding to Fig. 10(b), and shows the shape of the damper section 10 when the protruding section 80 is not provided on the subtank lid 9.

[0027] In the leak test, it is checked whether the damper part 10 and the subtank lid 9 are sealed (closed). The leak test is performed by suctioning (reducing pressure) the inside of the subtank 36 from the needle receiving part 23, and measuring the degree of reduction in the pressure inside the subtank after a certain time has passed since the suction operation was stopped. If the damper part 10 and the subtank lid 9 are properly sealed, the pressure inside the subtank hardly decreases even after a certain time has passed since the suction operation was stopped. This is because the inside of the subtank is sealed. On the other hand, if a foreign object 4 is sandwiched between the damper part 10 and the subtank lid 9, the damper part 10 and the subtank lid 9 are not sealed, and the pressure inside the subtank gradually increases over time. This is because outside air flows into the subtank 36 through the damper part 10 from a small gap generated between the damper part 10 and the subtank lid 9. In the leak test, it is checked whether the damper part 10 and the subtank lid 9 are sealed by measuring the difference in the degree of increase in pressure.

[0028] However, even if the damper portion 10 and the subtank lid 9 are not sealed, there are cases where the pressure inside the subtank hardly increases. Such a case is shown in FIG. 10(c). When the damper portion 10 is deformed as shown in FIG. 10(c) by suction from the needle receiving portion 23, the deformed damper portion 10 may block the communication hole 38. As a result, even if the inside of the subtank is sealed and the damper portion 10 and the subtank lid 9 are not sealed, the pressure inside the subtank hardly increases even after a certain time has passed since the suction operation stopped. In other words, even though the subtank is not actually sealed, the pressure changes in the same way as when it is properly sealed, resulting in an erroneous inspection.

[0029] Therefore, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 10(b), a protrusion 80 having a notch 81 is provided near the communication hole 38 to suppress erroneous detection in the leak test. By providing the protrusion 80, even if the damper part 10 is deformed by suction, the damper part 10 comes into contact with the protrusion 80, and the damper part 10 is not crushed any further. This prevents the communication hole 38 from being completely blocked. Therefore, the small gap between the damper part 10 and the subtank lid 9 is in a state of communication with the subtank 36 through the notch 81 and the communication hole 38. As a result, when the subtank is not sealed, the inside of the subtank communicates with the outside (atmosphere) through the communication hole 38, and the outside air flows into the subtank 36, suppressing erroneous detection in the leak test.

[0030] Next, the flow of the leak inspection will be described. FIG. 11 is a flow chart of the leak inspection. First, the discharge port 29 of the element substrate 26 is blocked with a film or a rubber cap. Then, a suction nozzle is connected to the needle receiving portion 23, and suction of the inside of the subtank 36 is started (suction process, step 1). The suction operation is performed for a certain time (for example, 10 seconds) (step 2), and it is measured whether or not a vacuum (about 0 to 20 kPa) is reached inside the subtank (step 3). If a vacuum is not reached inside the subtank, it is determined that the leak is due to an obvious human error, such as the damper portion 10 being obviously incompletely attached to the subtank lid 9 or a necessary part not being attached, and the leakage is treated as an abnormality (step 4).

[0031] If a vacuum is reached within the subtank within a certain period of time, the valve between the subtank 36 and the suction nozzle is closed (step 5) while the suction nozzle is still connected to the needle receiving portion 23. This makes the subtank a closed space. Then, the subtank is left for a certain period of time (e.g., 20 seconds) (leaving step, step 6), and it is measured whether the pressure within the subtank increases to or exceeds a predetermined value (measurement step, step 7).

[0032] If the pressure inside the subtank increases to or exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that the damper section 10 and the subtank lid 9 are not properly sealed (closely attached), and this is treated as an abnormality (step 8). Possible reasons for an improperly sealed state include the intrusion of minute particles of dust into the contact surface between the damper section 10 and the subtank lid 9, or scratches on the individual components. If the pressure inside the subtank does not increase to or exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that the damper section 10 and the subtank lid 9 are properly sealed (step 9), and the seal inspection is terminated.

[0033] Second Embodiment The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts as those in the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted. FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are top views showing the protrusion 80 of the second embodiment. In this embodiment, when the area of ​​the subtank lid 9 inside the damper part 10 is divided into two by the perpendicular line 16, a notch is formed in each of the two divided areas. In particular, in FIG. 12, four notches 81 are arranged at equal intervals. In this embodiment, the notch 81 is provided in each of the two divided areas, thereby increasing the number of paths for outside air. This makes it possible to further prevent the damper part 10 from sticking to the protrusion 80 and the inside of the subtank from becoming a sealed space, and therefore makes it possible to further prevent erroneous detection in the leak inspection. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the protrusion 80 is provided over the entire area of ​​the subtank lid 9 surrounded by the damper part 10, and a large number of notches 81 like a checkerboard may be provided. By using the protrusions 80 and the cutouts 81 shown in FIG. 13, it is possible to ensure even more paths for the outside air to pass through.

[0034] (Third embodiment) The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 14. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts as in the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an ink tank 13b of the third embodiment. In this embodiment, a support 82 is disposed, which is inserted from the bottom surface of the subtank through the communication hole 38 to the internal space 8 of the damper section 10. That is, in this embodiment, the tip end portion of the support 82 functions as the protrusion 80 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14, the tip end portion of the support 82 does not surround the communication hole 38. When the support 82 is disposed, the damper section 10 that is recessed during the leak test comes into contact with the tip end portion of the support 82, and the damper section 10 is prevented from being recessed further. This prevents the communication hole 38 from being blocked by the damper section 10, and therefore, in this embodiment, erroneous leak testing can also be prevented.

[0035] When the inkjet is in use, the support pillar 82 is preferably inserted in the Z direction (vertically upward) so that the tip of the support pillar 82 is positioned at a height equivalent to 1 / 10 of the overall length of the damper portion from the subtank lid 9 side. By inserting the support pillar 82 to a height of 1 / 10 or more of the damper portion 10, it is possible to prevent the deformed damper portion 10 from blocking the communication hole 38. Note that if the support pillar is inserted too high, it may prevent even the necessary deformation of the damper portion 10, so the tip of the support pillar 82 is preferably at a height of 9 / 10 or less of the damper portion 10.

[0036] 14, the support pillars 82 extend in a direction parallel to the Z direction, but this embodiment is not limited to this. That is, the support pillars 82 may be inserted at an angle to the Z direction, and the same effect can be obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 10 Damper section 13 Ink tank 36 Ink storage section 38 Communication hole 80 Protrusion

Claims

1. In an ink tank having an ink storage section for storing ink, A flexible damper portion is provided. the inside of the damper portion communicates with the inside of the ink containing portion via a communication hole, a protrusion protruding from the ink containing section toward the inside of the damper section is disposed inside the damper section, the protruding portion has a portion at a height in a protruding direction where the protruding portion does not surround the communication hole, an ink tank including a support pillar and a damper portion, the damper portion being inserted into the ink tank from the bottom surface of the ink storage portion through the communication hole;

2. 2. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the tip of said support pillar is positioned at a position equal to or greater than 1 / 10 of the total length of said damper portion in the vertical upward direction when the inkjet head is in use.

3. 3. The ink tank according to claim 2, wherein the tip of said support pillar is positioned at a position that is 9 / 10 or less of the overall length of said damper portion in the vertical upward direction when the inkjet printer is in use.

4. an ink tank having an ink storage section which stores ink, a flexible damper section which is connected to the ink storage section and which suppresses fluctuations in pressure inside the ink storage section, and a protrusion which protrudes from the ink storage section side towards the inside of the damper section, the inside of the damper section being in communication with the inside of the ink storage section via a communication hole, the protrusion having a shape which does not surround the communication hole when viewed from the direction in which the protrusion protrudes, the protrusion being a tip side portion of a pillar which is inserted from a bottom surface of the ink storage section through the communication hole into the inside of the damper section, a suction step of suctioning the inside of the ink storage portion; A step of stopping the suction and leaving the mixture for a certain period of time; a measuring step of measuring a pressure inside the ink containing section after the certain period of time has elapsed; having The damper portion deformed in the suction step comes into contact with the protrusion portion.

Images