JP6031831B2 - Liquid container - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container that is mounted on a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid and contains the liquid therein.

  There is known a liquid container that is mounted on a liquid ejecting apparatus such as a printing apparatus and supplies a liquid contained therein to the liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid container is provided with a liquid outlet through which liquid flows out and an air inlet through which air flows in. When liquid flows out from the liquid outlet toward the liquid ejecting apparatus, it corresponds to the liquid that has flowed out. Volume of air flows from the air inlet.

  In the liquid container having such a configuration, bubbles may be generated in the liquid container due to air flowing in from the air inlet, and the bubbles flow out from the liquid outlet to the liquid ejecting apparatus. Clogging may occur. Therefore, the liquid container is divided into a liquid storage chamber that stores the liquid and a negative pressure generation member storage chamber that stores the negative pressure generation member, and the liquid is supplied from the liquid storage chamber via the negative pressure generation member storage chamber. By doing so, a technique for preventing bubbles generated in the liquid container from flowing out from the liquid outlet has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-205565 A

  However, the above-described conventional technique has a problem in that the amount of liquid that can be stored is reduced because the negative pressure generating member storage chamber that stores the negative pressure generating member needs to be provided in the liquid container.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and provides a technique capable of preventing the generated bubbles from flowing out of the liquid container without reducing the amount of liquid to be stored. Objective.

In order to solve at least a part of the problems described above, the liquid container of the present invention employs the following configuration. That is,
A liquid container attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus and supplying the liquid contained therein to the liquid ejecting apparatus,
A liquid outlet from which liquid flows out toward the liquid ejecting apparatus;
An air inlet through which air flows from the outside into the liquid container;
A first liquid chamber in direct or indirect communication with the air inlet;
A second liquid chamber that is partitioned from the first liquid chamber by a partition and communicates directly or indirectly with the liquid outlet;
With
The partition wall has a first partition wall portion formed substantially horizontally and a second partition wall portion formed upward from the first partition wall portion,
The first partition portion is formed with a first communication port for communicating the first liquid chamber and the two liquid chambers,
A second communication port that connects the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber is formed at a boundary between the second partition wall portion or the upper end of the second partition wall portion and the ceiling of the first liquid chamber. It is a summary.

  In such a liquid container of the present invention, while the liquid remains in the first liquid chamber, bubbles flow from the air inlet into the first liquid chamber as the liquid flows out from the liquid outlet. While the liquid remains in the first liquid chamber, every time the liquid level in the first liquid chamber shakes, the liquid is supplied to the bubble liquid film to reinforce the bubbles, so that the bubbles do not disappear easily. Then, when all the liquid in the first liquid chamber is used up, the first liquid chamber is almost filled with bubbles. If the liquid is further flowed out from the liquid outlet from this state, bubbles will flow into the second liquid chamber from the first liquid chamber.

  Here, in the liquid container of the present invention, the second partition wall portion facing upward is formed in the partition wall that partitions the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber, and the second partition wall portion or the second partition wall portion is formed. A second communication port is formed at the boundary between the upper end of the first liquid chamber and the ceiling of the first liquid chamber. For this reason, when the air bubbles at the second communication port are repelled, the liquid that has formed the bubble film descends the second partition wall portion, so that the liquid does not stay at the position of the second communication port. As a result, it is possible to suppress the generation of new bubbles when air flows from the second communication port. Moreover, it can also be suppressed that air bubbles in the first liquid chamber are drawn into the second liquid chamber from the first communication port by air flowing in from the second communication port. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress bubbles from entering the second liquid chamber and flowing out from the liquid outlet, and thus it is possible to suppress clogging in the liquid ejecting apparatus. In this case, since it is not necessary to store the negative pressure generating member in the liquid container, the amount of liquid that can be stored in the liquid container is not reduced.

  In the liquid container according to the present invention, the first partition wall portion of the partition wall is formed substantially horizontally. However, “substantially horizontally formed” is not limited to being formed completely horizontally. It is included that it is gently inclined within a range not exceeding the inclination angle of the part. And, if the first partition wall portion is formed to be gently inclined, even in the first communication port formed in the first partition wall portion, it is possible to suppress the liquid from staying at the position of the first communication port. It is possible to reliably suppress bubbles from being drawn into the second liquid chamber from the first communication port.

  In the liquid container of the present invention described above, a facing portion facing the second partition wall portion of the partition wall may be formed on the inner wall surface of the second liquid chamber.

  In this way, when bubbles pass through the second communication port and enter the second liquid chamber, the bubbles are collected in a region partitioned by the second partition wall and the facing portion, and the bubbles are stacked. Become. In this state, it is possible to prevent the bubbles from being reinforced by the liquid being supplied to the liquid film of the upper bubbles among the stacked bubbles. As a result, even when air bubbles are mixed into the second liquid chamber, the air bubbles can be eliminated, so that it is possible to avoid the air bubbles from flowing out from the liquid outlet.

  As described above, when bubbles are removed by stacking the bubbles in the area partitioned by the facing portion and the second partition wall, the liquid is supplied to the liquid film when the bubbles are stacked vertically. Since there are fewer bubbles to be reinforced, bubbles can be easily removed. For this reason, it is desirable that the height of the region partitioned by the facing portion and the second partition wall portion is set larger than the average width of the region partitioned by the facing portion and the second partition wall portion.

  In the liquid container of the present invention described above, a third communication port connected to a third liquid chamber formed in a bag channel shape may be provided in the facing portion facing the second partition wall portion. Here, the “bag path shape” refers to a shape in which an entrance / exit (in the present invention, a third communication port) is formed only at one place, and other than the entrance / exit is closed. If it carries out like this, the bubble mixed in the 2nd liquid chamber from the 2nd communicating port can be guide | induced to the 3rd liquid chamber, and a bubble can be kept in the 3rd liquid chamber. As a result, it is possible to reliably avoid the bubbles mixed in the second liquid chamber from flowing out from the liquid outlet.

  Moreover, in the liquid container of the present invention described above, the facing portion facing the second partition wall portion and the second partition wall portion may be provided so as to extend downward toward the bottom.

  In this way, when bubbles are mixed into the second liquid chamber from the second communication port, the bubbles can be stretched along the facing portion and the second partition wall, and the bubble liquid film can be made thin. As a result, the bubbles can be defoamed over time, so that it is possible to avoid the bubbles mixed in the second liquid chamber from flowing out from the liquid outlet.

  In the liquid container of the present invention described above, the size of the second communication port may be set larger than the size of the first communication port. In this way, air (bubbles) flows from the second communication port more easily than air (bubbles) flows from the first communication port, so air bubbles are reliably suppressed from being drawn from the first communication port. Thus, it is possible to avoid the outflow of bubbles from the liquid outlet.

  In the liquid container of the present invention described above, the second communication port is provided at the boundary between the second partition wall and the ceiling of the first liquid chamber, and the ceiling of the first liquid chamber faces the second communication port. It is good also as providing inclining upwards. In this way, since the bubbles generated in the first liquid chamber can be guided to the second communication port along the ceiling of the first liquid chamber, the bubbles in the first liquid chamber can be used as air in the second liquid chamber. It can surely flow in. As a result, it is possible to suppress bubbles from remaining in the first liquid chamber and being drawn into the second liquid chamber from the first communication port and flowing out from the liquid outlet.

It is explanatory drawing which showed the rough structure of the liquid-jet apparatus of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structure of the ink cartridge of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed the reason that the outflow of the bubble from an ink cartridge is avoided by the internal structure of the ink cartridge of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed the reason why the bubble mixed in the 2nd ink chamber from the 2nd communicating port can be defoamed by forming a counter part in the inner wall surface of the 2nd ink chamber. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the ink cartridge which provided the 2nd communicating port in the middle of the 2nd partition part. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another reason why bubbles mixed in the second ink chamber can be removed from the second communication port by forming a facing portion on the inner wall surface of the second ink chamber.

Hereinafter, in order to clarify the contents of the present invention described above, examples will be described in the following order.
A. Device configuration:
B. Ink cartridge structure:
C. Reasons for preventing air bubbles from flowing out of the ink cartridge:

A. Device configuration :
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a rough configuration of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present embodiment, using a so-called ink jet printer as an example. As illustrated, the inkjet printer 10 includes a carriage 20 that forms ink dots on the printing paper 2 while reciprocating in the main scanning direction, a drive mechanism 30 that reciprocates the carriage 20, and the like. The carriage 20 is provided with an ink cartridge 100 that contains ink, a carriage case 22 in which the ink cartridge 100 is mounted, an ejection head 24 that ejects ink, and the like. A plurality of nozzles are provided on the bottom surface side (side facing the printing paper 2) of the ejection head 24, and the ink in the ink cartridge 100 is guided to the ejection head 24, and the ink is ejected from the nozzles onto the printing paper 2. It is possible.

  In the illustrated inkjet printer 10, it is possible to print a color image using four types of inks of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. A nozzle is provided for each type. Each nozzle is supplied with ink from a corresponding ink cartridge 100 through a passage (not shown).

  The drive mechanism 30 for reciprocating the carriage 20 includes a timing belt 32 having a plurality of tooth shapes formed therein, a drive motor 34 for driving the timing belt 32, and the like. A part of the timing belt 32 is fixed to the carriage case 22. When the timing belt 32 is driven, the carriage 20 can be reciprocated in the main scanning direction while being guided by a guide rail extending in the main scanning direction. It becomes possible.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the ink cartridge 100 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2A, the ink cartridge 100 includes a main body case 102 formed of a hard resin material, a film 103 that covers one side surface of the main body case 102, and the like. An ink outlet 104 for supplying ink to the ejection head 24 is provided on the bottom surface of the main body case 102, and the ink cartridge 100 is disposed on the upper surface of the main body case 102 as the ink in the ink cartridge 100 is consumed. An air inlet 105 for taking in air is provided. Note that the ink outlet 104 of this embodiment corresponds to the liquid outlet of the present invention.

  FIG. 2B shows a part of the internal structure of the ink cartridge 100 of this embodiment by breaking the film 103. As shown in the drawing, the interior of the ink cartridge 100 is roughly divided into two chambers by a partition wall 112, and a chamber above the partition wall 112 is a first ink chamber 110, and the bottom of the partition wall 112. The room on the side is the second ink chamber 120. The first ink chamber 110 of this embodiment corresponds to the first liquid chamber of the present invention, and the second ink chamber of this embodiment corresponds to the second liquid chamber of the present invention.

  The partition 112 that partitions the first ink chamber 110 and the second ink chamber 120 is inclined to the upper left at a steep angle with respect to the first partition 113 and the first partition 113 that is gently inclined toward the lower right. And a second partition wall 114. In addition, a facing portion 117 that faces the second partition wall portion 114 of the partition wall 112 is formed on the inner wall surface of the second ink chamber 120, and the facing portion 117 and the second partition wall portion 114 spread downward toward the bottom. Is provided. Further, a third ink chamber 130 is formed on the left side of the facing portion 117 (on the side opposite to the second partition wall portion 114), and the third ink chamber 130 is connected to a third communication provided at the lower end of the facing portion 117. It communicates with the second ink chamber 120 via the port 118.

  The first ink chamber 110 and the second ink chamber 120 are boundaries between the first communication port 115 provided at two locations of the first partition wall 113, the second partition wall 114 and the ceiling of the first ink chamber 110. Are communicated with each other by a second communication port 116 provided in the. The first ink chamber 110 is connected to the air inlet 105 on the upper surface of the main body case 102 via the communication passage 106 on the right side of the drawing, an ink chamber and an air passage (not shown) provided upstream of the communication passage 106, and the like. The second ink chamber 120 is connected to the ink outlet 104 through a communication passage (not shown). In the ink cartridge 100 having such a structure, when ink flows out from the ink outlet 104 to the ejecting head 24, first, ink in an ink chamber (not shown) on the upstream side disappears, and then ink in the first ink chamber 110 disappears. Finally, the ink in the second ink chamber 120 runs out and the ink cartridge 100 becomes empty.

  Here, when ink flows out from the ink outlet 104, air of a volume corresponding to the outflowed ink flows from the air inlet 105, and bubbles may be generated in the ink cartridge 100 due to the air that has flowed in. is there. If the bubbles flow out to the inkjet printer 10 together with the ink, clogging may occur in the inkjet printer 10. Therefore, in the ink cartridge 100 of the present embodiment, by adopting the above-described internal structure, bubbles generated in the ink cartridge 100 are prevented from flowing out to the ink jet printer 10.

C. Reasons for avoiding air bubbles from the ink cartridge:
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the reason why the outflow of bubbles from the ink cartridge is avoided by the internal structure of the ink cartridge 100 of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 shows the inside of the ink cartridge 100 after the consumption of the ink in the first ink chamber 110 is started.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, when the consumption of ink in the first ink chamber 110 is started, air flows into the first ink chamber 110 from the upstream side through the communication passage 106. Bubbles are generated in the first ink chamber 110. As the bubbles continue to be generated in this way, when the ink in the first ink chamber 110 runs out, the first ink chamber 110 is filled with the bubbles as shown in FIG. 3B. It becomes a state.

  Here, in the ink cartridge 100 of the present embodiment, the second partition 114 of the partition 112 between the first ink chamber 110 and the second ink chamber 120 is inclined upward, and the second partition 114 and the first partition A second communication port 116 is provided at the boundary between the ink chamber 110 and the ceiling. For this reason, when the bubble at the position of the second communication port 116 is repelled, the ink that has formed the bubble film descends the second partition wall 114, so that an ink film is formed at the second communication port 116. Is suppressed. As a result, when the ink in the second ink chamber 120 is consumed, the second ink chamber 110 passes through the second communication port 116 as shown by the broken arrow in FIG. Since air flows into the ink chamber 120, bubbles in the first ink chamber 110 are suppressed from being drawn into the second ink chamber 120 from the first communication port 115 of the first partition wall 113. As a result, it is possible to prevent bubbles from entering the second ink chamber 120 from the first communication port 115 and flowing out to the inkjet printer 10, so that clogging occurs in the inkjet printer 10. Can be suppressed.

  Further, as apparent from the internal structure of the ink cartridge 100 shown in FIG. 2B, the second communication port 116 of the second partition wall 114 of the ink cartridge 100 of this embodiment is the second communication port 116 of the first partition wall 113. It is formed larger than the one communication port 115. By doing so, it is easier for air to flow in from the second communication port 116 than air (bubbles) flows in from the first communication port 115, so that bubbles are drawn from the first communication port 115. Can be reliably suppressed.

  Further, in the ink cartridge 100 of the present embodiment, the first partition wall 113 provided with the first communication port 115 is also gently inclined downward (see FIG. 2B). For this reason, since it is also possible to suppress the formation of an ink film at the first communication port 115, it is possible to more reliably suppress the drawing of bubbles from the first communication port 115.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the ink cartridge 100 of this embodiment, the ceiling of the first ink chamber 110 is formed so as to be gently inclined upward toward the second communication port 116. For this reason, the bubbles generated in the first ink chamber 110 can be guided to the second communication port 116 along the ceiling of the first ink chamber 110, and the bubbles in the first ink chamber 110 are used as air as the second air. The ink chamber 120 can surely flow into the ink chamber 120. As a result, bubbles remain in the first ink chamber 110, and the bubbles can be prevented from being drawn into the second ink chamber 120 from the first communication port 115 and flowing out from the ink outlet 104.

  Here, even if the structure of the ink cartridge 100 described above is used, it is possible that the bubbles pass through the second communication port 116 while the ink film is maintained and the bubbles are mixed into the second ink chamber 120. . Therefore, in the ink cartridge 100 of the present embodiment, the opposing portion 117 that faces the second partition wall portion 114 is formed on the inner wall surface of the second ink chamber 120, so that the second communication port 116 enters the second ink chamber 120. The mixed bubbles are defoamed.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the reason why bubbles mixed into the second ink chamber 120 from the second communication port 116 can be removed by forming the facing portion 117 on the inner wall surface of the second ink chamber 120. . As shown in FIG. 4A, when the facing portion 117 is formed at a position facing the second partition wall portion 114, bubbles mixed from the second communication port 116 are opposed to the second partition wall portion 114 and the facing portion. The air bubbles are collected in the region partitioned by 117 and become a state where the bubbles are stacked. In this state, among the stacked bubbles, the upper layer bubbles can be kept away from the ink surface, so that the ink is sprinkled on the bubbles and the ink film is reinforced (the thickness of the film is maintained). Can be prevented. As a result, the film of the upper-layer bubble ink becomes thinner as time passes, and the bubble can be defoamed as shown in FIG. 4B. For this reason, even if it mixes into the 2nd ink chamber 120 from the 2nd communicating port 116, it is possible to avoid that the bubble flows out into the inkjet printer 10 and clogging occurs in the inkjet printer 10.

  As described above, when bubbles are stacked in the region partitioned by the facing portion 117 and the second partition wall portion 114 and defoamed, the ink is sprinkled when the bubbles are stacked vertically. Since the bubbles that reinforce the membrane are reduced, it is easy to defoam the bubbles. For this reason, it is desirable that the height of the region partitioned by the facing portion 117 and the second partition wall portion is set to be larger than the average width of the region partitioned by the facing portion 117 and the second partition wall portion 114. .

  As shown in FIG. 4B, a third communication port 118 is provided at the lower end of the facing portion 117, and the third communication port 118 communicates with the third ink chamber 130 having a bag path shape. doing. For this reason, even if a bubble comes out of the area partitioned by the second partition wall 114 and the facing portion 117, the bubble can be retained in the third ink chamber 130. Can be more reliably avoided from flowing out into the inkjet printer 10.

  Further, in the ink cartridge 100 of the present embodiment, the second communication port 116 is provided at the boundary between the second partition wall 114 and the ceiling of the first ink chamber 110. However, like the ink cartridge 200 shown in FIG. In addition, even if the second communication port 116 is provided in the middle of the second partition wall portion 114, the bubbles are collected (stacked) in the region partitioned by the second partition wall portion 114 and the facing portion 117 to defoam the bubbles. It is possible.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another reason why bubbles mixed into the second ink chamber 120 from the second communication port 116 can be removed by forming the facing portion 117 on the inner wall surface of the second ink chamber 120. It is. As described above, in the ink cartridge 100 of the present embodiment, the second partition wall portion 114 and the facing portion facing the second partition wall portion 114 are formed so as to expand downward toward the bottom (see FIG. 2B). ). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6A, when air bubbles are mixed into the second ink chamber 120 from the second communication port 116, the ink film of the mixed air bubbles is changed from the opposing portion 117 to the second ink chamber 120. It can be stretched along the two partition walls 114. As a result, the bubble ink film becomes thin, and as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the bubbles can be defoamed. As a result, the bubbles flow out of the second ink chamber 120 and the ink jet printer. It is possible to avoid clogging 10.

  As described above, in the ink cartridge 100 of the present embodiment, the internal structure shown in FIG. 2B is employed to prevent bubbles from flowing out from the ink outlet 104. Therefore, in order to prevent bubbles from flowing out from the ink outlet 104, it is necessary to provide a negative pressure generating member storage chamber in the ink cartridge 100 in which a negative pressure generating member such as a porous material is stored in the ink cartridge 100. No. As a result, it is possible to prevent bubbles from flowing out from the ink outlet 104 without reducing the amount of ink that can be stored in the ink cartridge 100.

  Although various embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to all the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of ink may be provided in the second ink chamber of the ink cartridge of this embodiment. As described above, in the ink cartridge of this embodiment, the mixing of bubbles into the second ink chamber is suppressed, and even if bubbles are mixed, the bubbles are encouraged to disappear. For this reason, if a sensor is provided in the second ink chamber to detect the remaining amount of ink, the remaining amount of ink is accurately detected without erroneously detecting the remaining amount of ink due to bubbles adhering to the sensor. It becomes possible.

10 ... Inkjet printer, 100 ... Ink cartridge,
102 ... Main body case, 103 ... Film, 104 ... Ink outlet,
105 ... Air inlet, 106 ... Communication passage, 110 ... First ink chamber,
112 ... partition walls, 113 ... first partition walls, 114 ... second partition walls,
115 ... 1st communication port, 116 ... 2nd communication port, 117 ... Opposite part,
118: Third communication port, 120: Second ink chamber, 130: Third ink chamber,

Claims (6)

A liquid container attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus and supplying the liquid contained therein to the liquid ejecting apparatus,
A liquid outlet from which liquid flows out toward the liquid ejecting apparatus;
An air inlet through which air flows from the outside into the liquid container;
A first liquid chamber formed above the partition wall, connected to a communication passage communicating with the air inlet, and directly or indirectly communicating with the air inlet;
A second liquid chamber that is partitioned from the first liquid chamber by the partition, is formed below the partition, and communicates directly or indirectly with the liquid outlet;
With
The partition is first formed toward the first ceiling formed a first partition wall which is substantially horizontally formed, on the upper side of the first liquid chamber to a said above said first partition wall Two partition walls,
The first partition portion is formed with a first communication port for communicating the first liquid chamber and the two liquid chambers,
In the boundary between the second partition wall or the upper end of the second partition wall and the ceiling of the first liquid chamber,
A liquid container in which a second communication port for communicating the first liquid chamber and the two liquid chambers is formed. The liquid container according to claim 1,
On the inner wall surface of the second liquid chamber, a liquid is formed in which a facing portion facing the second partition wall portion of the partition wall is formed downward from a second ceiling formed above the second liquid chamber . container. The liquid container according to claim 2 ,
The opposing portion and the second partition wall portion are provided in a liquid container that is widened toward the bottom. The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein a size of the second communication port is set larger than a size of the first communication port. A liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The second communication port is provided at a boundary between the second partition wall and the ceiling of the first liquid chamber,
A liquid container in which a ceiling of the first liquid chamber is inclined upward toward the second communication port.   A liquid container that is attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus and supplies the liquid contained therein to the liquid ejecting apparatus.
A vessel,
  A liquid outlet from which liquid flows out toward the liquid ejecting apparatus;
  An air inlet through which air flows from the outside into the liquid container;
  A first liquid chamber formed above the partition wall, connected to a communication passage communicating with the air inlet, and directly or indirectly communicating with the air inlet;
  A second liquid chamber that is partitioned from the first liquid chamber by the partition, is formed below the partition, and communicates directly or indirectly with the liquid outlet;
  With
  The partition is formed with a first partition formed substantially horizontally and a first ceiling formed above the first partition and above the first partition. Two partition walls,
  A first communication port for communicating the first liquid chamber and the two liquid chambers is formed in the first partition wall portion.
And
  In the boundary between the second partition wall or the upper end of the second partition wall and the ceiling of the first liquid chamber,
A second communication port for communicating the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber is formed;
  On the inner wall surface of the second liquid chamber, a facing portion facing the second partition wall portion of the partition wall is formed from the ceiling of the second liquid chamber downward.
  A liquid having a third communication port connected to the third liquid chamber having a bag path shape is formed in the facing portion.
container.

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