Inkjet recording device

Abstract

To provide an inkjet recording device that does not give a user an impression that ink not used for recording is consumed even when the ink cartridge is installed to the inkjet recording device.SOLUTION: An inkjet recording device includes: an ink cartridge installation part to which an ink cartridge with a first ink storage chamber for storing ink therein is installed; and a second ink storage chamber for storing ink which is supplied from the first ink storage chamber. The second ink storage chamber is viewable from the outside of the inkjet recording device while the ink cartridge is installed to the ink cartridge installation part. The inkjet recording device satisfies 0.5 L≤d≤1.2 L, where d represents a length of the second ink storage chamber and L represents a length of the ink cartridge in a direction of inserting the ink cartridge into the inkjet recording device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an inkjet recording device that includes a storage chamber for storing ink and a head for ejecting the ink supplied from the storage chamber through an ejection port. This storage chamber is called a sub-tank and is connected to the atmosphere through a communication part.

[0003] An ink cartridge containing ink is attached to an inkjet recording device. The ink cartridge has a storage chamber (first ink storage chamber) for storing ink. The first ink storage chamber is connected to the atmosphere via a communication section. When the ink cartridge is attached to the inkjet recording device, ink is supplied from the first ink storage chamber of the ink cartridge to a sub-tank (second ink storage chamber) provided in the inkjet recording device.

[0004] Moreover, the inkjet recording device described in Patent Document 1 has a rotating member rotatably supported inside the second ink storage chamber. The rotating member includes a float having a specific gravity smaller than that of the ink, and a detectable portion extending from the float and detected by a sensor. When the liquid level of the ink stored in the second ink storage chamber is above a predetermined height, the rotating member is located at a predetermined position due to the buoyancy of the ink. When the liquid level of the ink stored in the second ink storage chamber falls below the predetermined height, the rotating member rotates due to gravity. When the rotating member rotates, the detectable portion moves, and the movement of the detectable portion is detected by the sensor. This allows the remaining amount of ink stored in the storage chamber to be detected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-25818 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As described above, in the inkjet recording device described in Patent Document 1, when an ink cartridge is attached to the inkjet recording device, ink is supplied from a first ink storage chamber of the ink cartridge to a second ink storage chamber of the inkjet recording device. Since a rotating member is provided in the second ink storage chamber, the amount of ink supplied to and stored in the second ink storage chamber can be detected by the rotating member and a sensor.

[0007] When an ink cartridge is installed in an inkjet recording apparatus, the user can visually check the inside of the ink cartridge and the first ink storage chamber inside the ink cartridge from the outside.

[0008] On the other hand, the second ink storage chamber of the inkjet recording device is located further back (inside) than the installed ink cartridge. For this reason, when the ink cartridge is installed, the user cannot see the second ink storage chamber from the outside. Since the second ink storage chamber can detect that ink has been supplied from the first ink storage chamber by the rotating member and the sensor, there is no effect on recording of the inkjet recording device. However, from the user's perspective, the ink in the first ink storage chamber of the ink cartridge decreases just by installing the ink cartridge, and there is a possibility that the user may get the impression that the ink has been consumed even before recording (ink ejection) is performed.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording device that does not give a user the impression that ink not used for recording has been consumed even when an ink cartridge is installed in the inkjet recording device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The above problem is solved by the present invention, which is described below. That is, the present invention is an inkjet recording device having an ink cartridge mounting section into which an ink cartridge having a first ink storage chamber for storing ink is mounted in a mounting direction, a second ink storage chamber for storing ink supplied from the first ink storage chamber, and a housing in which the ink cartridge mounting section and the second ink storage chamber are provided, wherein, when the ink cartridge is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting section, a wall of the second ink storage chamber on the front side in the mounting direction is provided near a window provided in the housing, and the second ink storage chamber can be seen from outside the housing through the window, and when, in a direction in which the ink cartridge is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting section, the length of the second ink storage chamber in the mounting direction is d and the length of the ink cartridge in the mounting direction is L, 0.5L≦d <L Yes The second ink storage chamber has a shape extending along the mounting direction, and is disposed below the ink cartridge in a vertical direction perpendicular to the mounting direction. The ink-jet recording apparatus is characterized in that Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inkjet recording device that does not give a user the impression that ink that has not been used for recording has been consumed, even when an ink cartridge is installed in the inkjet recording device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an inkjet recording apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge mounting portion. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an inkjet recording apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge mounting portion. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge mounting portion. [Figure 6]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge mounting portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge mounting portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge mounting portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same functions are given the same reference numbers in the drawings, and the description of such components may be omitted.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows an example of a perspective view of an inkjet recording device of the present invention. The inkjet recording device 1 is mainly composed of a housing 11. The inkjet recording device 1 is provided with an ink cartridge mounting section 101 in which an ink cartridge is mounted. The ink cartridge mounting section 101, together with the housing 11, constitutes a portion in which the ink cartridge is mounted. Four ink cartridges 2 are mounted in the inkjet recording device 1 shown in FIG. 1. The ink cartridges 2 are mounted on the back side of a colored member (case lid) 102 provided in a part of the ink cartridge mounting section 101. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the ink cartridges 2 are mounted by opening the case lid 102 upward and then inserting the ink cartridge 2 into the housing along the horizontal direction. When the ink cartridge 2 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting section 101, a part of the ink cartridge 2 is covered by the colored case lid 102. Incidentally, the state in which the ink cartridge 2 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion 101 means that the ink cartridge 2 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion 101 and is in a state in which ink can be supplied to the recording head from the ink cartridge 2. For example, if the ink cartridge mounting portion 101 has a case lid 102, the state in which the ink cartridge 2 is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion 101 and then the case lid 102 is closed is the state in which the ink cartridge 2 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion 101.

[0015] In the inkjet recording device 1, a head that ejects ink from an ejection port toward a recording medium such as paper, a conveying member that conveys the recording medium, and the like are provided inside a housing 11. A member (window) 103 that is configured along the housing 11 is provided vertically below the area of ​​the ink cartridge mounting portion 101 where the ink cartridge 2 is mounted. The window 103 is made of a transparent (colorless) member (e.g., transparent plastic or glass). The window 103 will be described in detail later. In this specification, "upward" means the upward direction in the vertical direction when the inkjet recording device 1 is in the position when in use. Specifically, it is the direction in which the arrow 43 shown in FIG. 1 points. The arrow 43, the arrow 41, and the arrow 42 are perpendicular to each other. The arrow 41 extends along the depth direction of the inkjet recording device 1, and the arrow 42 extends along the width direction of the inkjet recording device 1. Both the arrows 41 and 42 extend along the horizontal direction.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the ink cartridge mounting section 101. FIG. 2(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the depth direction of the ink cartridge mounting section 101, and FIG. 2(b) is a view of an area of ​​the ink cartridge mounting section 101 corresponding to one ink cartridge, as viewed from the direction of the arrow 41. An ink cartridge 2 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting section 101. The ink cartridge 2 has a storage chamber (first ink storage chamber) 4 for storing ink 130. The first ink storage chamber 4 is in communication with the atmosphere via a communication section 201. Meanwhile, the inkjet recording device 1 is provided with a second ink storage chamber (sub-tank) 3. Here, the second ink storage chamber 3 is provided in the ink cartridge mounting section 101. The mounted ink cartridge 2 is connected to the second ink storage chamber 3 via a liquid supply section 202 and a connection needle 301. When the ink cartridge 2 is mounted on the inkjet recording device 1, ink 130 is supplied from the first ink storage chamber 4 of the ink cartridge 2 to the second ink storage chamber 3 of the inkjet recording device 1. The second ink storage chamber 3 is connected to a head (not shown) and supplies ink to the head.

[0017] The second ink storage chamber 3 includes an air vent 304, and the air vent 304 is provided with a gas-liquid separation membrane 302. The second ink storage chamber 3 also includes a rotating member 210 rotatably supported therein. The rotating member 210 includes a float 220 having a specific gravity smaller than that of the ink 130, and a detectable portion 240 extending from the float 220 and detected by a sensor 250. When the liquid level of the ink 130 stored in the second ink storage chamber 3 is above a predetermined height, the rotating member 210 is positioned at a predetermined position by the buoyancy of the ink 130. The rotating member 210 rotates by gravity according to the position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the second ink storage chamber 3. The rotation of the rotating member 210 causes the detectable portion 240 to move, and the movement of the detectable portion 240 (the position of the detectable portion 240) is detected by the sensor 250. This makes it possible to detect the amount of ink 130 stored in the second ink storage chamber 3.

[0018] Although an example in which the rotating member 210 for detecting the remaining amount of ink is provided in the second ink storage chamber 3 has been described here, the rotating member 210 does not necessarily have to be provided in the second ink storage chamber 3. For example, the rotating member 210 for detecting the remaining amount of ink may be provided in the first ink storage chamber 4 of the ink cartridge 2.

[0019] Conventionally, the second ink storage chamber 3 is disposed only at the rear (interior) of the mounted ink cartridge 2. In addition, the periphery of the second ink storage chamber 3 is covered by the housing 11. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 2 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion 101, the user cannot see the second ink storage chamber 3 from outside the inkjet recording device.

[0020] When the ink cartridge 2 is installed, ink 130 is supplied from the first ink storage chamber 4 of the ink cartridge 2 to the second ink storage chamber 3 of the inkjet recording device 1. Therefore, the ink decreases inside the first ink storage chamber 4. This may give the user the impression that the ink in the first ink storage chamber 4 of the ink cartridge has decreased simply by installing the ink cartridge, and that the ink has been consumed even before recording (ink ejection) has begun.

[0021] On the other hand, in the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the second ink reservoir 3 extends along the depth direction below the ink cartridge 2 in the vertical direction and reaches near the window 103. And a colorless window 103 is provided below the ink cartridge 2 in the vertical direction in the region where the ink cartridge 2 is mounted. Therefore, even when the ink cartridge 2 is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting portion 101, the user can visually recognize the state inside the second ink reservoir 3 through the window 103 from the outside of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. Thus, even when the ink stored in the first ink reservoir 4 of the ink cartridge 2 decreases, the user can visually recognize the state in which the second ink reservoir 3 is being filled with ink, so that the user is less likely to have the impression that ink is being consumed unnecessarily. Also, in the direction in which the ink cartridge is inserted into the inkjet recording apparatus, let the length of the second ink reservoir 3 be d and the length of the ink cartridge 2 be L. At this time, 0.5L ≦ d ≦ 1.2L. By doing so, the volume of the second ink reservoir 3 becomes smaller. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a large amount of ink from moving from the ink cartridge 2 to the second ink reservoir 3 during ink filling, improve the user's feeling of use, and efficiently use the space inside the inkjet recording apparatus. Preferably, 0.5L ≦ d ≦ L is satisfied, more preferably 0.5L ≦ d < L is satisfied, and even more preferably 0.5L ≦ d ≦ 0.9L is satisfied.

[0022] In addition, although an example of visually recognizing the second ink reservoir 3 through the transparent window 103 has been shown, the window 103 may not be provided. That is, the second ink reservoir 3 may be configured to be directly exposed to the outside of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. However, it is preferable that the window 103 is provided in terms of protecting the second ink reservoir 3 and suppressing evaporation of the ink stored in the second ink reservoir 3.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows an example of a perspective view of the inkjet recording device of the present invention, which is different from that described in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the ink cartridge mounting section 101 of the inkjet recording device shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4(a) is a cross-sectional view along the depth direction of the ink cartridge mounting section 101, and FIG. 4(b) is a view of an area corresponding to one ink cartridge in the ink cartridge mounting section 101, as seen from the direction of the arrow 41. The inkjet recording device shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is different from the inkjet recording device shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in that a part of the case lid 102 provided in a part of the ink cartridge mounting section 101 is transparent (colorless). Other points are the same as the configuration described in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. By making a part of the case lid 102 transparent, the user can visually confirm the state inside the ink cartridge 2, i.e., the state of the first ink storage chamber 4, from outside the inkjet recording device through the case lid 102. With this configuration, the user can visually confirm the state in which the ink 130 is being supplied from the first ink storage chamber 4 of the ink cartridge 2 to the second ink storage chamber 3 of the inkjet recording device 1.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge mounting section different from those described in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. FIG. 5(a) is a cross-sectional view along the depth direction of the ink cartridge mounting section 101, and FIG. 5(b) is a view of an area in the ink cartridge mounting section 101 corresponding to one ink cartridge, as viewed from the direction of the arrow 41. The basic configuration is the same as that described in FIG. 4, but in the ink cartridge mounting section shown in FIG. 5, the ink cartridge 2 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting section 101 from the direction of the arrow 43, that is, along the vertical direction. At this time, the second ink storage chamber 3 is disposed below the ink cartridge 2 in the vertical direction as a whole. That is, the rotating member 210 is also disposed below the ink cartridge 2 in the vertical direction. The first ink storage chamber 4 of the ink cartridge 2 and the second ink storage chamber 3 of the inkjet recording device 1 shown in FIG. 5 can also be visually recognized by the user from the outside, similar to that described in FIG. 4. In this way, the mounting direction of the ink cartridge 2 may be along the vertical direction.

[0025] FIG. 6 shows an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge mounting section different from those described in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. FIG. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view along the depth direction of the ink cartridge mounting section 101, and FIG. 6(b) is a view of an area in the ink cartridge mounting section 101 corresponding to one ink cartridge as viewed from the direction of the arrow 41. The basic configuration is the same as that described in FIG. 4, but in FIG. 6, the first ink storage chamber 4 of the ink cartridge 2 and the second ink storage chamber 3 of the inkjet recording device 1 are arranged to be aligned in the direction of the arrow 42 and in the horizontal direction. The first ink storage chamber 4 of the ink cartridge 2 and the second ink storage chamber 3 of the inkjet recording device 1 shown in FIG. 6 can also be visually recognized by the user from the outside, as in the case described in FIG. 4. In this way, the first ink storage chamber 4 and the second ink storage chamber 3 may be arranged to be aligned in the direction of the arrow 42.

[0026] FIG. 7 shows an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge mounting section different from those described in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. FIG. 7(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the depth direction of the ink cartridge mounting section 101, and FIG. 7(b) is a view of the area of ​​the ink cartridge mounting section 101 corresponding to one ink cartridge, as viewed from the direction of the arrow 41. In the ink cartridge and second ink storage chamber 3 shown in FIG. 7, the bottom surface of the second ink storage chamber 3 is provided with a slope that is inclined with respect to the direction in which the ink cartridge is inserted into the inkjet recording device. By guiding the ink contained in the second ink storage chamber 3 to a predetermined location by using up the ink more easily, and also ensuring visibility when only a small amount of ink is remaining.

[0027] FIG. 8 shows an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge mounting section different from those described in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. FIG. 8(a) is a cross-sectional view along the depth direction of the ink cartridge mounting section 101, and FIG. 8(b) is a view of the area corresponding to one ink cartridge in the ink cartridge mounting section 101 as viewed from the direction of the arrow 41. In the ink cartridge and the second ink storage chamber 3 shown in FIG. 8, a tube 303 is connected to the air communication port 304 of the second ink storage chamber 3. Also, a gas-liquid separation film 302 is provided at an opening 305 at the tip end (the end opposite to the air communication port) of the tube 303. Also, the opening 305 of the tube 303 is located vertically above the first ink storage chamber 4 of the ink cartridge 2. With this configuration, the ink in the tube 303 connected to the second ink storage chamber 3 does not exceed the liquid level of the ink in the cartridge. Therefore, the ink can be prevented from coming into contact with the gas-liquid separating film 302, and therefore the reliability against ink leakage from the second ink storage chamber 3 can be improved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 1 Inkjet recording device 2 Ink cartridges 3 Second ink chamber 4 First ink chamber 101 Ink cartridge mounting section

Claims

1. An inkjet recording device comprising: an ink cartridge mounting section into which an ink cartridge having a first ink storage chamber for storing ink is mounted in a mounting direction; a second ink storage chamber for storing ink supplied from the first ink storage chamber; and a housing in which the ink cartridge mounting section and the second ink storage chamber are provided; when the ink cartridge is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting section, a wall of the second ink chamber on the front side in the mounting direction is provided near a window provided in the housing, and the second ink chamber can be seen from outside the housing through the window, in a direction in which the ink cartridge is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion, a length of the second ink storage chamber in the mounting direction is d, and a length of the ink cartridge in the mounting direction is L, where 0.5L≦d<L; an inkjet recording device, characterized in that the second ink storage chamber has a shape extending along the mounting direction and is positioned as a whole below the ink cartridge in a vertical direction perpendicular to the mounting direction;

2. 2. The inkjet recording device according to claim 1, wherein when the ink cartridge is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion, the second ink storage chamber can be seen from outside the housing through a transparent member provided in the window of the housing.

3. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second ink storage chamber is directly exposed through the window of the housing when the ink cartridge is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion.

4. 4. An inkjet recording device according to claim 1, wherein the ink cartridge is mounted to the ink cartridge mounting portion by opening a colored member, and when the ink cartridge is mounted to the ink cartridge mounting portion, a portion of the ink cartridge is covered by the colored member.

5. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink cartridge is visible from outside the housing when the ink cartridge is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion.

6. With the ink cartridge attached to the ink cartridge attachment section, the ink cartridge can be seen from outside the housing through a first transparent member provided on the housing; 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second ink storage chamber can be seen from outside the housing through a second transparent member provided in the window of the housing.

7. 7. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second ink storage chamber is provided with a rotating member for detecting the amount of ink stored in the second ink storage chamber.

8. 8. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink cartridge is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion along a horizontal direction.

9. 9. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second ink storage chamber is arranged horizontally next to the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion.

10. 10. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein L and d satisfy 0.5L≦d≦0.9L.

11. 11. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second ink storage chamber is provided with an air communication port.

12. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a tube is connected to the atmosphere communication port.

13. 13. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein an opening of the tube connected to the second ink storage chamber is provided with a gas-liquid separation membrane.

14. 14. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein an opening of the tube provided in the second ink storage chamber is located vertically above the first ink storage chamber.

15. 15. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the second ink storage chamber is inclined.

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