JP2009006597A - Ink cartridge and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure in which a cartridge is easily regenerated into a normal one by replacing a lid thereof when the ink cartridge gets defective in sealing. <P>SOLUTION: The ink cartridge has an ink tank 3, and a lid 21 for closing an opening of the ink tank 3 by vibration welding. On the surface where the opening 3a of the ink tank 3 is opened, there are provided first directors 11 for enabling the lid 21 to be welded, and second directors 12 for enabling another lid 22 to be welded. Portions corresponding to the second directors 12, in the lid 21 welded in the opening of the ink tank 3, are recessed with respect to the surface of the lid 21 to be joined to the first directors 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink cartridge and a manufacturing method thereof.

  Conventionally, various bonding methods such as adhesion and heat caulking are used in the manufacturing process of an ink cartridge in which ink is stored in a container having a recording element substrate on the bottom and closed with a lid. Above all, the horn and jig made of aluminum, titanium, etc. are in pressure contact with each other, and the horn is vibrated ultrasonically, generating frictional heat on the contact surface between the resins and cooling when they are dissolved. Ultrasonic welding is known for bonding. This ultrasonic welding is most often used because of its short time, high accuracy, high reproducibility, high airtightness and high welding strength. A protruding portion called an energy director (hereinafter abbreviated as a director) is provided at the joint portion of the resin molded product so as to facilitate welding.

  Even when the ink cartridge is manufactured, vibration is applied to the lid along the ink discharge port surface of the recording element substrate (pressing lateral vibration) while pressing the director provided on the lid and the fixed ink tank. Thus, a method of joining the two has been employed (Patent Document 1). This is because the method of vibrating the lid along the ink discharge port surface of the recording element substrate can be assembled with high accuracy without damaging the recording element substrate.

There is also a configuration in which the lid (top plate) is easily broken so that consumables such as toner and ink can be easily refilled (Patent Document 2). The lid is broken to form an opening in the toner chamber, and the toner is filled from this opening. After the toner is filled, the toner chamber is sealed by adhering a tape to an opening formed by breaking the lid.
JP 2006-44230 A JP 2001-122361 A

  However, the conventional techniques have the following problems.

  When mass-producing ink cartridges, there may be a cartridge in which the portion where the lid and the ink tank are joined by welding is not completely sealed. . In that case, there is a possibility that the ink in the ink tank leaks to the outside through a portion that is not sealed. . Further, since the ink is not sealed, the ink evaporates faster than usual, and the physical properties of the ink easily change. . If such a problem occurs, the number of defects in a cartridge that is mass-produced becomes very large even with a small defect occurrence rate.

  Once the lid welded to the ink tank is removed, the bonded portion is agglomerated and broken, and the weld surface on the ink tank side is uneven. Even if the lid is vibrated once again, the above-mentioned problem occurs again without being able to perform strong bonding. Further, in order to avoid this problem, it takes time and cost to rework the uneven welded surface into a flat surface.

  Also, the method of bonding the opening with a tape after breaking the lid is not suitable for the ink cartridge according to the present invention. The reason is that the lid is provided with ribs necessary for fitting and fixing with the printer main body on which the ink cartridge is mounted, so that a tape cannot be substituted. Further, in the case of a tape, the evaporation of ink is accelerated, and the physical properties of the ink may change.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a structure that can easily be regenerated to a normal ink cartridge by replacing the lid of the ink cartridge that has become defective because the portion where the lid and the ink tank are joined by welding is not completely sealed. Is to provide.

One aspect of the present invention is an ink cartridge having a container for containing ink, and a lid for closing an opening opened on one surface of the container by welding.
A first energy director and a second energy director for welding the lid to the outer periphery of the opening in the container;
The position where the lid is welded to the outer peripheral portion by the first energy director, and at least one of the welded lid and the outer peripheral portion is opposed to the second energy director and the lid. The present invention provides an ink cartridge having a shape that avoids the second energy director and a method of manufacturing the ink cartridge.

  Due to such a feature, when the portion where the lid and the container are joined by welding is not completely sealed and becomes defective, the second director remains without being crushed even if the lid is removed from the container. This makes it possible to favorably weld the opposite side of the lid or another lid to the container using the second director.

  According to the present invention, the portion of the lid and the ink tank that are joined by welding is not completely sealed but the lid of the defective ink cartridge is replaced and can be welded satisfactorily. be able to.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 6, an ink cartridge 1 to which each of the following embodiments can be applied includes an ink tank 3, a lid 2 that closes an opening on an upper surface that is one surface of the ink tank 3, and an ink tank that faces the lid 2. And a recording element substrate 4 assembled on the bottom surface. The ink tank 3 is a container formed using a resin material having a high barrier property such as glass fiber in order to suppress evaporation of ink components. Further, the recording element substrate 4 is a component for ejecting ink in the ink tank 3.

  Inside the ink tank 3, an ink absorbing member in which fiber bundles are laminated is inserted from an opening on the upper surface of the ink tank facing the recording element substrate 4. After the ink absorbing member is inserted, predetermined ink is injected into the ink absorbing member in the ink tank 3, and the lid 2 is joined by welding to close the opening of the ink tank 3. The welding method may be any method such as thermal welding, vibration welding, or ultrasonic welding. For example, in the case of vibration welding, the vibration direction of welding may be selected from either a horizontal vibration that vibrates in parallel with the upper surface of the ink tank having the opening or a vertical vibration that vibrates in a direction perpendicular thereto. The lid 2 is provided with an air communication port for communicating the inside of the ink tank 3 with the outside air, and a rib 5 for fitting and fixing to the ink jet printer main body.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a state of welding of an ink tank and a lid in the AA cross section of FIG. 6 as Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This will be described below by taking vibration welding as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, directors 11 and 12 that transmit energy at the time of vibration welding with the first lid 21 and the second lid 22 to the peripheral surface (outer peripheral portion) of the opening 3 a in the ink tank 3. Is provided. The first director 11 is located on the outer side with respect to the opening 3a of the tank with the second director 12 interposed therebetween. Both directors 11 and 12 have a width of 0.5 mm, a height of about 0.5 mm, and a triangular cross section protruding from the opening surface.

  The first lid 21 has substantially the same dimensions as the upper surface (hereinafter referred to as an opening surface) where the opening 3 a of the ink tank 3 is opened, and can be welded to the first director 11. The portion of the lid 21 corresponding to the second director 12 is recessed so as to avoid the portion of the second director 12 when the first lid 21 is vibration welded to the first director 11. Yes. The dent amount is set to about 0.6 mm, which is larger than the height of the second director 12. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1B, even if the surface of the first lid 21 that joins the first director 11 is welded to the opening surface of the ink tank 3, the tip of the second director 12 is the first end. The surface of the lid 21 does not reach. Here, an air leak inspection is performed at the joint between the lid 21 and the ink tank 3, and if the reference is not exceeded, the ink cartridge is a non-defective product.

  However, when a welding failure occurs between the first lid 21 and the ink tank 3, the first lid 21 is removed from the ink tank 3. At this time, since the portion corresponding to the second director of the first lid 21 is recessed, the second director 12 remains as it is without being crushed as shown in FIG. In the ink tank 3 in this state, as shown in FIG. 1D, it is possible to weld the second lid 22, which is a lid different from the first lid 21, to the second director 12. The ink tank 3 and the lid 22 can be firmly joined again. Here, the surface of the second lid 22 facing the opening surface of the ink tank 3 is in a surface shape such that the second lid 22 is in contact with the second director and can be welded. Although the planar shape is shown in FIG. 1D, the portion facing the second director may be a convex surface.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the first lid 21 can be removed and the second lid 22 can be welded, and an ink cartridge that has once failed to be welded becomes a normal ink cartridge. The work to replace the lid can be performed without time and cost.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state of welding of an ink tank and a lid in the AA cross section of FIG. 6 as Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the ink cartridge is regenerated using the first lid and the second lid has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 2, the first welding surface 23 and the second side opposite thereto are used. You may carry out with the one lid | cover 2 with the welding surface 24. FIG.

  One surface of the lid 2 is used as the first welding surface 23 to be welded to the opening surface of the ink tank 3, and the first welding surface 23 is the second director as described in the first embodiment. The part corresponding to 12 is recessed. Therefore, even if the surface of the first welding surface 23 that joins the first director 11 is welded to the opening surface of the ink tank 3, the tip of the second director 12 does not reach the surface of the first lid 21. That is, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  Here, an air leak inspection is performed at the joint between the lid 2 and the ink tank 3, and if it is determined that a welding failure between the lid 2 and the ink tank 3 has occurred, the lid 2 is removed from the ink tank 3. . At this time, since the lid 2 has the above-described configuration, the second director 12 remains as it is without being crushed as shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the lid 2 has substantially the same size as the opening surface of the ink tank 3, and the second welding surface 24, which is the other surface of the lid 2, is flat at least in a portion corresponding to the second director 12. It has become. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2B, the lid 2 removed from the ink tank 3 can be turned over so that the second welding surface 24 and the ink tank 3 can be welded via the second director 12. .

  As shown in FIG. 6, the lid 2 may be provided with a rib 5 for enabling the ink cartridge and the printer main body to be fitted. Therefore, the lid 2 of the present embodiment has a printer main body on both sides of the first welding surface 23 and the second welding surface 24 so that the lid 2 can be fitted to the printer main body even if the lid 2 is turned over. Are provided. The rib 5 may be located anywhere as long as it does not interfere with the welding of the ink tank 3 to the first welding surface 23 and the second welding surface 24.

  Furthermore, as a configuration of the lid, the first director 11 of the ink tank welded to the lid may be located on the inner side (tank opening side) than the second director 12. In this case, the lid has a shape as shown in FIG. 3, for example. That is, the lid 2 shown in FIG. 3 has a configuration in which one lid is turned over and two surfaces are used, as in the second embodiment. In FIG. 3, the area of the first welding surface 23 of the lid 2 welded to the ink tank 3 is smaller than the area surrounded by the second director 12. In addition, the area of the second welding surface 24 of the lid 2 is made larger than the area surrounded by the second director 12. By configuring the areas of the first welding surface 23 and the second welding surface 24 as described above, one lid 2 shown in FIG. 3 can be turned over and welded to the ink tank.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a state of welding of the ink tank and the lid in the AA cross section of FIG. 6 as Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

  On the peripheral surface (outer peripheral portion) of the opening 3a in the ink tank 3, two steps as shown in FIG. 4 are provided. Directors 11 and 12 are arranged at these steps. That is, the height of the surface of the ink tank 3 on which the first director 11 is provided and the surface on which the second director 12 is provided are different from each other in the gravitational direction with respect to the first lid 21. The peripheral surface of the ink tank opening has a step shape, and a director is provided for each step.

  The surface provided with the second director 12 exists in an annular shape around the opening 3a, and further, the surface provided with the first director 11 exists in an annular shape on the stepped surface located outside the opening 3a. . That is, the first director 11 is located outside the second director 12.

  Both directors 11 and 12 have a triangular cross-section projecting with a width of 0.5 mm and a height of about 0.5 mm on the surface on which they are provided. And the level | step difference of the surface in which each of the directors 11 and 12 was provided is about 0.6 mm, and the front-end | tip of the 2nd director 12 has a lower positional relationship than the surface in which the 1st director 11 was provided.

  Since the first lid 21 has substantially the same size as the opening surface of the ink tank 3, the first lid 21 is welded to the first director 11 so as to be bridged to the surface on which the first director 11 is provided. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4B, even if the surface of the first lid 21 that joins the first director 11 is welded to the ink tank 3, the tip of the second director 12 is still at the first lid 21. It does not reach to the surface. This is because the outer peripheral portion of the opening 3a of the ink tank 3 is shaped so as to avoid the second director 11 from coming into contact with the welded lid 21 due to a step. Here, an air leak inspection is performed at the joint between the lid 21 and the ink tank 3, and if the reference is not exceeded, the ink cartridge is a non-defective product.

  However, when a welding failure occurs between the first lid 21 and the ink tank 3, the first lid 21 is removed from the ink tank 3. At this time, the peripheral surface of the opening 3a in the ink tank 3 has the above-described configuration (the peripheral surface of the opening has a step shape, and each director is provided with a director). ), The second director 12 remains as it is without being crushed. In the ink tank 3 in this state, as shown in FIG. 4D, the second lid 22, which is a lid different from the first lid 21, can be welded to the second director 12. Become. Therefore, the ink tank 3 and the lid 2 can be firmly joined again. The second lid 22 must be dimensioned so that it does not interfere with the surface on which the first director 11 is provided and fits on the annular surface on which the second director 12 is provided.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the first lid 21 can be removed and the second lid 22 can be welded, and the ink cartridge that has once failed to be welded is regenerated into a normal ink cartridge. The work to replace the lid can be performed without much time and cost.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing ultrasonic welding of the ink tank and the lid in the AA cross section of FIG. 6 as Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

  In the third embodiment, the case where the ink cartridge is regenerated using the first lid and the second lid has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 5, the first welding surface 23 and the second welding surface opposite thereto are used. You may carry out with the one lid | cover 2 with the welding surface 24. FIG.

  As in the third embodiment, the surface on which the second director 12 is provided annularly exists around the opening 3a in the ink tank 3, and the surface on which the first director 11 is provided on the outer side. Exists in a ring shape. In addition, the surface on which the first director 11 is provided is formed at a position higher in the direction of gravity than the surface on which the second director 12 is provided, and the tip of the second director 12 is the first director 11. Is in a lower positional relationship than the surface provided with. The positions of the first director and the second director are different in the direction of gravity.

  In the present embodiment, the first welding surface 23 that is one surface of the lid 2 to be welded to the opening surface of the ink tank 3 has substantially the same dimensions as the opening surface of the ink tank 3 as described in the third embodiment. . The 1st welding surface 23 is welded with the 1st director 11 so that it may bridge to the surface higher than the front-end | tip of the 2nd director 12 with which the 1st director 11 was provided. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5A, even if the surface of the first lid 21 that joins the first director 11 is welded to the ink tank 3, the tip of the second director 12 reaches the surface of the lid 2. Not reach. That is, the same effect as in the third embodiment can be obtained.

  Here, an air leak inspection is performed at the joint between the lid 2 and the ink tank 3, and if it is determined that a welding failure between the lid 2 and the ink tank 3 has occurred, the lid 2 is removed from the ink tank 3. . At this time, since the peripheral surface of the opening 3a in the ink tank 3 has the above-described configuration, the second director 12 remains without being crushed as shown in FIG. 4C.

  Here, the 2nd welding surface 24 in the other surface of the lid | cover 2 is located higher than the surface corresponding to the 1st director 11 of the lid | cover 2, and the cyclic | annular form in which the 2nd director 12 was provided. It is a dimension that fits in the plane. That is, the second welding surface 24 does not interfere with the surface on which the first director 11 is provided during welding. The second welding surface 24 is flat at least at a portion corresponding to the second director 12. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, the lid 2 removed from the ink tank 3 can be turned over so that the second welding surface 24 and the ink tank 3 can be welded via the second director 12. .

  As shown in FIG. 6, the lid 2 may be provided with a rib 5 for enabling the ink cartridge and the printer main body to be fitted. Therefore, the lid 2 of this embodiment has a printer main body on both sides of the first welding surface 23 and the second welding surface 24 so that the lid 2 of this embodiment can be fitted even if the lid 2 is turned over. Ribs 5 are provided for fitting. Of course, the rib 5 needs to be designed so as not to prevent the ink tank 3 from being welded to the first welding surface 23 and the second welding surface 24.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, in the present invention, at least two energy directors are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the opening of the ink container. If at least one of the outer peripheral portion and the lid that is vibration welded to the outer peripheral portion by the first energy director has a shape that avoids the second energy director, the present invention is implemented as described above. It is not limited to form.

It is sectional drawing of the ink cartridge applied to Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the ink cartridge applied to Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the ink cartridge applied to Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the ink cartridge applied to Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the ink cartridge applied to Embodiment 4 of this invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an ink cartridge applied to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink cartridge 2 Cover 3 Ink tank 4 Recording element board | substrate 11 1st director 12 2nd director 21 1st cover 22 2nd cover 23 1st welding surface 24 2nd welding surface

Claims (8)

In an ink cartridge having a container for containing ink and a lid for closing an opening opened on one surface of the container by welding,
A first energy director and a second energy director for welding the lid to the outer periphery of the opening in the container;
The position where the lid is welded to the outer peripheral portion by the first energy director, and at least one of the welded lid and the outer peripheral portion is opposed to the second energy director and the lid. An ink cartridge having a shape avoiding the second energy director.   One surface of the lid is a first welding surface to be welded with the first energy director, and the other surface of the lid is a second welding surface to be welded with the second energy director. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the ink cartridge has a welding surface.   3. The ink according to claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral portion has a step shape, and each step portion is provided with a first energy director or a second energy director. 4. cartridge.   The portion corresponding to the second energy director of the lid is recessed with respect to a surface of the lid that joins the first energy director. The ink cartridge described. The first energy director is provided on the opening side of the container with respect to the second energy director;
An area of a region surrounded by a portion welded to the first energy director of the lid is smaller than an area of a region surrounded by a portion welded to the second energy director. The ink cartridge according to claim 1 or 2.   6. The first lid that is welded to the first energy director and the second lid that is welded to the second energy director are different from each other. Ink cartridge. A method for producing an ink cartridge according to claim 6,
A method for producing an ink cartridge, comprising: removing the lid and welding another lid to the second energy director provided on an outer peripheral portion of the opening of the container. A method for producing an ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A method for producing an ink cartridge, comprising: removing the lid and welding the second welding surface of the lid to the second energy director provided on an outer peripheral portion of the opening of the container.

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