CN1090567C

CN1090567C - Ink-supplied printer and ink supply tank

Info

Publication number: CN1090567C
Application number: CN95117800A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 品田聪; 望月圣二; 宫泽芳典; 小林隆男; 小池尚志; 须田幸治
Original assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Current assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date: 1994-09-16
Filing date: 1995-09-16
Publication date: 2002-09-11
Anticipated expiration: 2015-09-16
Also published as: ITTO950733A1; JP3513979B2; ITTO950732A0; HK1071723A1; FR2726503A1; ES2124147A1; CN1473710A; ITTO950734A0; KR100346533B1; NL1001205A1; HK1008422A1; KR100346534B1; ITTO950733A0; CH693265A5; GB9519071D0; ES2124148B1; CN1550341A; CN1286652C; NL1001207C2; CN1133784A

Abstract

The cartridge includes first and second chambers communicating together via passageway formed in partition between the chambers. An ink supply port extends through wall of second chamber to supply ink to an exterior of the cartridge. - A funnel shaped packing member is provided within ink supply port. The member is formed with a through opening and having wise end and narrow end and being dimensioned to receive ink supply needle on ink jet recording appts. The member also resiliently abuts against outer periphery of the ink supply needle. The packing member is used for preventing flow of ink through ink supply port other than ink supply needle.

Description

Print cartridge, ink jet recording device, ink feeding system and method

A kind of ink-supplied printer by the ink feed slot ink supply of relate generally to of the present invention relates in particular to and a kind ofly can simultaneously can avoid Yin Wendu, air pressure change or fluctuation and the ink feed slot of the adverse effect that produces to the printhead continuous ink feeding.But the relatively large printing ink of ink feed slot splendid attire of the present invention, the number percent of the printing ink that can carry to printhead in the groove is bigger.The present invention also comprises a kind of black groove with transparent sidewall, so the user is easy to determine the amount of the printing ink that stays in the groove; The present invention also comprises and does not wish damping unit that the printing ink in the ink supply box is moved.

The invention still further relates to the print cartridge that a kind of ink-jet printer is used, in this printer, ink jet print head and print cartridge are contained in one movably on the travelling carriage, specifically, when the printing ink in old print cartridge has been used up, just with a new replacing ink cartridge it.

In European patent No 581,531, disclose a kind of ink-jet printer of prior art, in this printer, contain device for ink and ink jet print head and be installed on the travelling carriage.In disclosed this printer, for moving of the print cartridge that prevents to cause owing to moving of travelling carriage, the print defect by causing thereupon the fluctuation of the printing ink liquid level that produces or bubble is separated into two zones with print cartridge.The contiguous record-header in the first area of print cartridge, it holds and penetrates into the printing ink in the porous member, and second area holds liquid printing ink, does not have porous member.This structure makes printing ink be transported to record-header through porous member, and therefore, the problem that is caused by moving of the printing ink in the print cartridge can be avoided taking place to a certain extent.

Porous member is fixed by a protruding part, and keeps fluid to be communicated with record-header, and this protruding part is inserted on the sidewall of print cartridge in the formed hole.Yet such structure can not be applied in must prevent bubble to enter in the occasion of record-header of pressure chamber, for example, and with the ink-jet printer of piezoelectric vibrator as inkjet actuator.

Therefore produce the ink-jet printer that addresses the above problem.

In general, according to the present invention, provide a kind of ink-supplied printer.By comprising that one has the black groove of an ink feeder and the ink feeding system of pair of sidewalls is supplied with printing ink to printhead.An absorption of inks part is arranged in black groove, and it is positioned near the ink supply port, and shared space is littler than the total measurement (volume) of black groove.The wall of ink feed slot is transparent, and like this, the user can more easily determine to stay the amount of the printing ink in the ink feed slot.

Printing ink acceptance and conveying member that the one end is positioned at ink supply port extend into ink feed slot, and in this case, the absorption of inks part leans against on printing ink reception and the conveying member, and the part is compressed.Printing ink receives and conveying member has the elongated oil ink passage that is communicated with the printhead fluid, supplies with printing ink from the absorption of inks part to printhead.

Specifically, the ink supply box has black chamber that stores printing ink and the foamed material chamber that receives the porous member that absorbs printing ink.A dividing plate separates ink chamber and foamed material chamber, and a hole is arranged on this dividing plate, so that ink chamber is communicated with foamed material chamber fluid.An ink supply port is also arranged on this ink cartridge.A funnel shaped seal is contained in the ink supply port, and by the pressure reduction that produces by porous member with record-header of inking.Seal makes progress at the ink supply port inner face, and it is resilient.

When the ink supply spicule of record-header inserted in the ink supply port, the top of spicule flexibly contacted with seal.Because seal is funnelform, opening upwards so it is easily deformable, is adjacent to the ink supply pin.And, because it has elasticity, with needle-like show consideration for tighter.Like this, can adapt to relative alignment error between ink supply spicule and the ink supply port.Ink supply port can be sealed reliably like this.

Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide the improved print cartridge that a kind of ink-jet printer is used.

An object of the present invention is to provide a kind of high-quality simple in structure and the ink-supplied printer of high reliability, it can supply with printhead from ink feed slot with the printing ink of stablizing with appropriate amount, and the less influence that caused by environmental change such as temperature and pressure fluctuation.

Another object of the present invention provides the print cartridge that a kind of ink-jet printer is used, the power minimum of using when this box is installed, and filling of the alignment error of ink supply spicule is poor big, cooperates with record-header can obtain to seal completely, forms as far as possible little wasted space simultaneously.

Another purpose of the present invention is to prevent that bubble from entering record-header, keeps negative pressure simultaneously in the chamber of porous member is housed.

According to the print cartridge of ink-jet-type recording device provided by the present invention, it comprises: the wall that forms a Room in print cartridge; Ink supply port extends through a wall of this chamber, allows printing ink to flow out by this chamber; The infundibulate seal is installed in ink supply port, and it has: the size foot is in the wide end that engages ink supply port; Size is less than the narrow end of ink supply port; Pass the through hole of infundibulate seal, it has: size is sufficient in the narrow end of the ink supply spicule of admitting ink-jet-type recording device greater than the wide end and the size of the size of ink supply port, this through hole flexibly abuts against on the periphery interface of ink supply spicule, when the ink supply spicule inserted ink supply port, the infundibulate seal allowed that printing ink only flow to the ink supply spicule from ink supply port.

Because with reference to the following description that accompanying drawing is done, other purpose of the present invention, feature and advantage will become more obvious, wherein, illustrated case representation the preferred embodiments of the present invention, but can not be interpreted as that they are limitations of the present invention.

Therefore, the present invention includes the relation of one or more and other each step in some steps and these steps; Also comprise the equipment of technical characterictic of the assembling of the combination that embodies structure, part and parts, realize those steps with them; Disclose the content of illustrated below also being included in detail, and protection scope of the present invention will be represented in claims.

In order to understand the present invention fully, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings referring to following description, wherein:

Fig. 1 is the synoptic diagram of ink feeding system of the inkjet type recording apparatus of expression one embodiment of the present of invention;

Fig. 2 is the cut-open view of the polychrome ink-jet printer cartridge that constitutes according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 is the cut-open view of first embodiment from the direction half-twist of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is that the print cartridge of presentation graphs 2 and Fig. 3 has been removed the skeleton view behind the lid;

Fig. 5 is the skeleton view of expression according to the monochromatic print cartridge of second embodiment formation of the present invention;

Fig. 6 (a) is the vertical view of lid of the polychrome print cartridge of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 (b) is a vertical view of representing to have on it lid of additional sealing;

Fig. 7 (a) is the expression cut-open view that is inserted with the seal of ink supply spicule in it of the present invention;

Fig. 7 (b) is the sectional view of the seal before the ink supply spicule inserts;

Fig. 8 is the expression ink consumption, force value and stay quantity of ink in the ink chamber between graph of relation;

Fig. 9 is the partial sectional view of the print cartridge of the 3rd embodiment of the present invention, and it represents the interface between ink chamber and the foamed material chamber;

Figure 10 is the partial sectional view of the print cartridge of the 4th embodiment of the present invention, and it represents the interface between ink chamber and the foamed material chamber;

Figure 11 is according to the ink chamber of the print cartridge of the 5th embodiment formation of the present invention and the partial sectional view at the interface between the foamed material chamber;

Figure 12 is along the 33-33 line side cross sectional view among Figure 11;

Figure 13 is that expression is according to the ink cartridge of the print cartridge of the 6th embodiment formation of the present invention and the partial sectional view at the interface between the foamed material chamber;

Figure 14 is along the 35-35 line side cross sectional view among Figure 13;

Figure 15 is the cut-open view of expression according to the print cartridge of the 7th embodiment formation of the present invention;

Figure 16 is the cut-open view of expression according to the print cartridge of the 8th embodiment formation of the present invention;

Figure 17 is the cut-open view of the print cartridge used according to the ink-jet printer that the 9th embodiment of the present invention constitutes;

Figure 18 is the cut-open view of the print cartridge of the 9th embodiment of the present invention from the direction half-twist of Figure 17.

Printing head of the present invention can be used for four look printer plotters or chromatic image is printed Machine, it has four color ink systems and corresponding to the printing ink nozzle of four kinds of ink colors. Four Look printer plotter adopts mass colour, redness, green and blue color ink, mobile print head Or the printing page, or both mobile, simultaneously, corresponding to needed a kind of color, Resemble ink jet traditional ink jet-print head, shape facing to printing paper in the position of regulation Become ink dot. Repeat above-mentioned circulation, just can record required character and image. The present invention can Be used for various ink-jet printers, comprise the heat or the displacement bimorph that utilize the generations such as heating resistor Or transducer, according to the print signal of importing, the ink jet of ink chamber is become ink droplet Printhead. Ink feed slot of the present invention can make printing ink pass through elongated passage and supply with continuously Said ink chamber.

Be the cromogram of the printing ink of mass colour, redness, green and blue look utilizing four kinds of colors In the picture printer, printhead is printed at the scanning direction vertical with the direction of feed of printing paper Page, shape point in a row in the single pass stroke, printing paper march forward to a row point Spacing is with document image. In seven look printers, use four color inks, namely black, Yellow, magenta and cyan are by two in three kinds of required colors beyond the double exposure mass colour Plant color, printing red, the green and blue look of page formation, so can record seven kinds The coloured image of color.

The present invention relates generally to printing head, relates in particular to ink feed slot, whole printer The detailed description of structure will only be provided by an example.

Fig. 1 is the synoptic diagram of ink feeding system of the ink-jet-type recording device of expression one embodiment of the present of invention.

The print head assembly 1 of ink-jet printer links to each other with ink tank 3 by web member 2.By the spicule of hollow and the ink-feed channel 2b of web member 2 printing ink is supplied with print head assembly 1 from ink tank 3, therefore, print head assembly 1 drips according to the print signal ink jet.

Equipment shown in Figure 1 comprises that also 4, one the driving mechanism (not shown) of cap that are contained in non-print zone are pressed against cap 4 on the nozzle plate of print head assembly 1, prevent the nozzle bore dry.Cap 4 is communicated with vacuum pump 5 by pipe 8, and control device 6 operated vacuum pumps 5 are aspirated printing ink so that pass through cap 4 from print head assembly 1.Device shown in Figure 1 also comprises one by the pipe 9 spent ink grooves 7 that link to each other with the outlet of vacuum pump 5.

Record-header can be for example at European patent publication No.581,531, and No.609,863, No.584, any structure described in 823 or the like.

The shape of print cartridge should make it just can install with less power, and can adapt to alignment error to a certain degree.At first referring to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the print cartridge that their expressions are constituted according to a first embodiment of the invention.Dividing plate 502 shown in Figure 3 and 503 is divided into three chambers 504,505 and 506 with box 501.Intermediate membrane 510 with each of three chambers 504,505,506 all be divided into be used for the corresponding porous member 520,520 of splendid attire ' or 520 " foamed material chamber 511,511 ' or 511 " and be used for the ink chamber 512,512 of carrying liquid printing ink ' or 512 ".Foamed material chamber 511,511 ' or 511 " size want to hold corresponding porosint 520,520 ' or 520 ".

Determine each porous member 520,520 ' and 520 " volume, make its greater than each foamed material chamber 511,511 ' or 511 " volume can be compressed so that be maintained at the indoor porous member of corresponding foamed material in a preferred embodiment.Determine each foamed material chamber 511,511 ' or 511 " with each ink chamber 512,512 ' or 512 " the ratio of volume, make each foamed material chamber 511,511 ' or 511 " size can splendid attire than corresponding ink chamber 512,512 ' or 512 " printing ink of many 20% to 30%.

In the time of in the printing ink with three kinds of colors is contained in a box shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 4, be difficult to check steadily do not consume the caused difference of staying the quantity of ink in the chamber by different colours printing ink.When a kind of printing ink of color was used up, the user wanted to handle this print cartridge, and the ink that he needn't worry to stay other color in the box redundantly can leak.When handling print cartridge of the present invention, can prevent that printing ink from flowing out from box, because the printing ink of every kind of color is all absorbed by each corresponding porous member, thereby do not leak printing ink around can protecting.

The foamed material chamber 511,511 separately of box 501 ' and 511 " in form ink supply port 513,513 ' and 513 " (not shown).Chamber 511 be each chamber 511,511 ' and 511 " in an example.Each ink supply port 513,513 ' and 513 " all be suitable for cooperating with the corresponding ink supply spicule of record-header, the ink supply spicule in each foamed material chamber 511,511 ' and 511 " lower end insertion.

Referring now to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3,, lid 516 is with the upper end sealing of box 501.At lid 516 two ink charging ports 514,515 of position formation corresponding to foamed material chamber 511.Similarly, in Fig. 6 (a), each chamber 511,511 ' and 511 " all comprise corresponding ink charging port 514 and 515,514 ' and 515 ' and 514 " and 515 ".The lower surface of protuberance 516a shown in Figure 2 and 516b and lid 516 forms one and is positioned at foamed material chamber 511, so that respectively round ink charging port 515 and 514.

Protuberance

516a and 516b are with the diapire compression of porous member 520 towards foamed material chamber 511, and ink supply port 513 just is formed on the diapire.Protuberance 516a ' and 516b ' and 516a " and 516b " are formed on similarly and cover on 516 the inwall, be positioned at foamed material chamber 511 ' and 511 ", as shown in Figure 3, they have respectively ink supply port 513 ' and 513 ".

The following top of the protuberance 516a relative with ink supply port 513 is lower than the position on the following top of protuberance 516b, thereby, near that part of porous member compression degree maximum ink supply port 513.

Each foamed material chamber 511,511 ' and 511 " the end on form respectively protrusion 522,522 ' and 522 " (stack up is called 522), they and lid 516 common compression porous members 520,520 ' and 520 ".Form in the upper end of corresponding protrusion 522 that recess 523,523 ' and 523 " (stack up is called 523), their limit the space with a permanent opening zone.Formation through hole 524,524 in corresponding protrusion 522 ' and 524 " (stack up is called 524).One end of each through hole 524 is fluid with the space that is limited by recess 523 and is communicated with, and a corresponding seal (stack up is called 530) that will be described below the other end is communicated with.Filtrator 525,525 ' and 525 " (not shown) (stack up is called 525) is separately fixed at the upper end of recess 523.

Only illustrate one seal 530 lay respectively at ink supply port 513,513 ' and 513 " the lower end, they with resilient material for example rubber make, be shaped as infundibulate, opening upwards.The lower end of tubular portion 531 is thicker than other parts.The corresponding upper circular edge 533 of the conical portion 532 of corresponding seal 530 and corresponding ink supply port 513,513 ' with 513 " step part 513a contact.Each seal 530 all has flange 535, and it is arranged in the groove 527 of the inwall of ink supply port 513.Interface between tubular part 531 and the conical portion 532 is thin coupling part 534.

Adopt this structure, seal 530 can be fixedly mounted in the corresponding ink supply port 513 by tubular part 531.In addition, corresponding upper step part 513a can prevent that upper circular edge 533 from moving up.Therefore, even when corresponding ink supply spicule inserts or withdraws from, seal also is enough to be fixed in ink supply port 513.Because conical portion 532 can be used to realize sealing between the seal of corresponding ink supply port 513 and ink supply spicule by thin coupling part 534, does not produce distortion so tapered segment can move a little.Therefore, between corresponding seal and ink supply spicule, can keep relative alignment error between corresponding ink supply spicule of air seal simultaneous adaptation and the ink supply port.

Intermediate membrane 510 respectively foamed material chamber 511,511 ' and 511 " and ink chamber 512,512 ' and 512 " separate, have on it intercommunicating pore 519,519 ' and 519 ".Extend to the slit 519a of predetermined altitude, 519a ' and 519a " respectively with through hole 519,519 ' and 519 " be communicated with so that carry out gas-liquid exchange.In corresponding every pair of foamed material chamber and ink chamber 511 and 512,511 ' and 512 ' and central foamed material chamber 511,511 " and 512 ", 511 ' and the 511 ' interior porous member 520 that is equipped with respectively, 520 ' and 520 "; the mode of packing into is; with porous member press to corresponding intercommunicating pore 519,519 ' or 519 ".In corresponding ink chamber, form on the rear wall 501a of box 501 rib 518,518 ' and 518 ".Between corresponding every pair of chamber 511,512, form independent intercommunicating pore, this intercommunicating pore be on dividing plate 510, form and only on dividing plate, extend one section height.

In second embodiment of the present invention, an ink cartridge is used for monochrome ink.The print cartridge size of the comparable colored ink of size of the print cartridge 5100 of monochrome or black ink is little, but the volume of the corresponding black chamber of every kind of color of volumetric ratio of the ink chamber 5112 of black oil print cartridge is big.According to second embodiment of the present invention, in the print cartridge 5100 of black ink shown in Figure 5, form dividing plate 5117, dividing plate 5117 extends between the sidewall 5100a of intermediate membrane 5110 that separates foamed material chamber 5111 and ink chamber 5112 and box 5100, thereby ink chamber is divided into two cell 5112a and 5112b.This structure can prevent print cartridge 5100 distortion that causes and distortion that is in use caused by external pressure by the negative pressure that is produced that will describe below in the process of charge of oil China ink operation, thereby prevents that printing ink from

leaking.Cell

5112a and 5112b keep fluid to be communicated with through intercommunicating pore 5119 on intermediate membrane 5110 and foamed material chamber, and 5119 of intercommunicating pores extend one section height on intermediate membrane 5110.In addition, form an intercommunicating pore in the bottom of dividing plate 5117.

When installing to print cartridge on the travelling carriage, be easy on the inside surface of descried wall 5100a, many ribs 5118 that extend along inside surface are being arranged.These ribs can make printing ink be easy to flow downward along wall 5100a, and by checking liquid level, the user is easy to judge the amount of staying the printing ink in the print cartridge.

Referring now to Fig. 6 (a) and 6 (b),, the lid 516 that their expressions constitute according to first additional embodiment of the present invention.Lid 516 corresponding to the porous member box 501 in 520,520 ' and 520 " the position form charge of oil China ink hole 514,514 ' and 514 " and 515,515 ' with 515 ".Openings 541,541 ' and 541 " respectively through groove 540,540 ' with 540 " with charge of oil China ink hole 514,514 ' and 514 " be communicated with.

When handle is used to cover charge of oil China ink hole 514,514 ' and 514 " and 515; 515 ' and 515 " and relief ports 541,541 ' and 541 " closure plate 542 when being fixedly installed on the upper side edge of lid shown in Figure 6 516; in foamed material chamber 511; 511 ' and 511 " after being loaded, groove 540,540 ' and 540 " form elongated pipe with closure plate 542.The tongue-like pieces 545 of closure plate 542 is stretched out from covering 516, and tongue-like pieces 545 has a pre-portion 543, it be positioned at relief port 541,541 ' and 541 " the mid point of route.When tongue-like pieces 545 from covering 516 when deviating from, tongue-like pieces 545 is easy to separate with closure plate 542.This can expose relief port 541 in turn, but the other parts of the lower side of closure plate 542 are not exposed.

In a preferred embodiment, the permanent closure groove 540,540 of closure member 542 ' and 540 " that major part 544 on print the pattern of for example forming by letter and figure.That is printed on pattern, color or other printing printed on the tongue-like pieces 545 and major part 544 in closure plate 542 is different, and tongue-like pieces 545 is passed through neck 543 and linked to each other with major part 544.

For example, In yet another embodiment, the background color of the major part 544 of closure plate 542 is blue, the letter of printing black and other figure on it.The background color of tongue-like pieces 545 for example is yellow or red, with the background color formation contrast of major part 544.Being printed on the letter on the base and the color of figure mainly is black or blue look.Like this, because major part 544 is different with tongue-like pieces 545 design and color each other, so can distinguish to them.Therefore, when needs are taken away tongue-like pieces 545, can cause user's attention.

Each ink supply port 513,513 and 513 " is all sealed up by a film shown in Figure 2 546, and adorns black spicule and insert airtightly respectively and adorn black hole 514,514 ' and 514 " and 515,515 ' and 515 ".Make the black hole 514,514 of first assembling ' and 514 " is communicated with vacuum plant, and with second assemble black hole 515,515 ' with 515 " close.

Vacuum plant make each foamed material chamber 511,511 ' and 511 " and each ink chamber 512,512 ' and 512 " in pressure reduce.When pressure is reduced to predetermined value, stop vacuumizing and with first group of device bore closure.After this, the measuring tube that makes the second assembling Mo Kongyu that printing ink is housed is communicated with.The printing ink that is equipped with in the measuring tube is inhaled into the print cartridge that is in vacuum state, then by corresponding porous member 520,520 ' and 520 " absorb, afterwards, respectively through intercommunicating pore 519,519 ' and 519 " flow into ink chamber 512,512 ' and 512 ".

After the printing ink of ormal weight flows into corresponding ink chamber, closure plate 542 is fixedly mounted on covers on 516 the surface, so that in decompression state lower sealing device hole 514,514 ' and 514 ' and 515,515 ' and 515 ", groove 540; 540 ' and 540 " and intercommunicating pore 541,541 ' and 541 ".After this, closure plate 542 makes foamed material chamber 511,511 ' and 511 ' and ink chamber 512,512 ' and 512 " keep from decompression state.

Before using print cartridge, the tongue-like pieces 545 of closure plate 542 is deviate from, so that neck 543 places of tongue-like pieces 545 are disconnected, separate with major part 544.Therefore, adorn black hole 514,514 ' with 514 " through groove 540,540 ' with 540 " with relief port 541,541 ' and 541 " fluid is communicated with.Equally, the foamed material chamber is through groove 540,540 ' with 540 " with relief port 541,541 ' and 541 " thereby be communicated with the atmosphere fluid.Therefore, when preventing the printing ink evaporation, make print cartridge obtain exhaust.

Referring now to Fig. 7 (a) and 7 (b),, wherein, the position of the ink supply port 513 of print cartridge will with record-header ink supply spicule 550 centerings.After this, when inserting print cartridge, push it to record-header.The tapered segment 551 of ink supply spicule 550 penetrates diaphragm seal 546 and cooperates with the hole of the seal 530 shown in Fig. 7 (a).Because the opening of seal 530 upwards, so when the conical portion 551 of ink supply spicule 550 made seal 530 elastic deformations, ink supply spicule 550 just passed seal 530.

When using print cartridge, ink supply spicule 550 passes seal 530.The elasticity of the coupling part 534 of seal 530 impels tapered segment 532 to cooperate with ink supply spicule 550.Even the ink supply spicule 550 of record-header has axis not overlap with the center of seal 530 slightly, the ink supply port 513 of ink supply spicule 550 also can be realized air seal.

After print cartridge is installed,, give record-header and the ink supply spicule 550 that runs through applies negative pressure, flow into record-headers so that the printing ink in the box passes ink supply spicule 550 in order printing ink to be introduced record-header or to be utilized the jet performance of printing ink.Because the existence of pressure reduction, this high negative pressure that imposes on print cartridge makes airtightly the tapered segment 532 of print cartridge and big gas phase sealing and the seal 530 that is isolated is risen towards the inside of print cartridge shown in Fig. 7 (a).Therefore, this is pressed to close and helps to make the tapered segment 532 of seal 530 flexibly to press to ink supply spicule 550, thereby helps to seal airtightly print cartridge.

Even ink supply spicule 550 does not insert seal 530 fully, as long as the conical portion of ink supply spicule 550 551 keeps in touch with the tapered segment 532 shown in Fig. 7 (b), the elastic force in the tapered segment 532 of seal 530 keeps in touch tapered segment 532 and ink supply spicule 550.Therefore, even spicule is not inserted fully, also can guarantee the impermeability of seal 530 and ink supply spicule 550.

Because the top of ink supply spicule 550 is sealed when contact with seal 530, shown in can make the wasted space in the print cartridge very little, can prevent that the air bubble of the piston effect generation when print cartridge is inserted record-header from entering print cartridge.

When the nozzle opening by record-header applied negative pressure, printing ink via through holes 524 that porous member 520 is absorbed and the through hole of ink supply spicule 550 552 flowed into record-header.Be consumed when the printing ink of scheduled volume leaves porous member 520, when the quantity of ink in the porous member 520 reduced, the pressure in the ink chamber 512 surpassed near the holding force of the porous member 520 the intercommunicating pore 519, and therefore, air bubble enters ink chamber 512 through intercommunicating pore 519.Therefore, the pressure in the ink chamber 512 increases, thereby printing ink flows into foamed material chamber 511.

The printing ink that flows into foamed material chamber 511 is absorbed by porous member 520, and the quantity of ink of foamed material chamber 511 is increased.Near the printing ink holding force of the porous member 520 intercommunicating pore 519 and the pressure balanced moment in the ink chamber 512, printing ink stops to the mobile of foamed material chamber 511 from ink chamber 512.

This process of curve representation shown in Figure 8.In the figure, alphabetical F represents the force value in the porous member 520 of foamed material chamber 511, and alphabetical G represents the quantity of ink in the ink chamber 512.The printing ink W1 of the initial scheduled volume that contains is consumed in porous member 520, when thereby the quantity of ink in the porous member 520 reduces to predetermined value, because under this predetermined value, pressure in the ink chamber 512 surpasses near the printing ink holding force of the porous member 520 the intercommunicating pore 519, so printing ink just little by little flows into foamed material chamber 511 from ink chamber 512.Till the printing ink holding force that this process proceeds near the porous member 520 of pressure and intercommunicating pore 519 in the ink chamber 512 restores balance again.As a result, although the quantity of ink in the ink chamber 512 is reducing gradually, the quantity of ink in the porous member 520 remains unchanged basically, thereby supplies with record-header printing ink by constant pressure reduction with constant speed.

Consume the printing ink W2 of scheduled volume at record-header after, in ink chamber 512, can not leave printing ink, but the quantity of ink that is contained in the porous member 520 can equal to supply with discontinuously from ink chamber the quantity of ink of foamed material chamber 511.Thereby, although be not used in the ink chamber 512 making additional printing ink, utilize the quantity of ink that absorbed in the porous member 520 can proceed to print to porous member 520.Consume the printing ink W3 of scheduled volume in print procedure after, the printing ink in the porous member 520 will be used up, and this print cartridge will no longer be kept printing.

Absorbed by porous member 520 in the overall print process that printing ink uses up at whole inks of being adorned from ink chamber 512, the quantity of ink of supplying with printhead is constant.The printing ink of using up in the ink chamber 512 shows that the printing ink in the ink cartridge will soon be used up.If under this degree, insert a new print cartridge, just can guarantee that the printing ink of supplying with record-header is not interrupted.

As mentioned above, in print procedure, the inner space of print cartridge of the present invention is remained under the negative pressure state.Except between ink supply port and ink supply spicule, realizing above-mentioned air seal, carry printing ink normally to carry out from ink chamber 512 to foamed material chamber 511, so that it is constant to guarantee to supply with the flow of printing ink of record-header.Use description to control the structure of carrying printing ink to foamed material chamber 511 below from ink chamber 512.

Referring to Fig. 9, the figure shows the foamed material chamber 511 of third embodiment of the invention and the interface between the ink chamber 512.Represent same structure with same label.Main difference between this embodiment and first embodiment is a step part of formation in hole 519.

In through hole 519, form a step part 560.The bottom of ink chamber 512 divides 563 to divide highly than the bottom of foamed material chamber 511, and step part 560 is separation centers.The groove 561 that is communicated with foamed material chamber and ink chamber is to form in the lower part of step part 560.

Porous member 520 contacts and clamp-ons step part 560 with intercommunicating pore 519, and like this, near this part porous member 520 the intercommunicating pore 519 is compressed, thereby, between ink chamber 512 and foamed material chamber 511, obtained needed pressure reduction by intercommunicating pore 519.When the quantity of ink in the ink chamber 512 reduced to low value, groove 561 converged the printing ink in the ink chamber 512, was absorbed by the porous member in the foamed material chamber 511 520 then.Therefore, the whole printing ink in the ink chamber 512 can both have no to supply with lavishly record-header and print.

Referring now to Figure 10,, the figure shows the print cartridge that constitutes according to the 4th embodiment of the present invention.Equally, represent same structure with same label.This embodiment and main difference between first embodiment are that the height at the end of corresponding chamber is different.

The basal surface 564 of ink chamber 512 is than the basal surface height of foamed material chamber 511, thus formation step part 562.Step part 562 holds the lower part of porous member 520.Like this, be compressed by near that part of porous member the hole 519.As required, can form the inclined-plane 563 that tilts to foamed material chamber 511 from ink chamber 512, to impel the conveying of printing ink.Because inclined-plane 563 can make the printing ink in the ink chamber 512 more easily flow to the foamed material chamber, irrelevant with the inclination of travelling carriage, so can stably supply with record-header printing ink from ink chamber 512.

Referring now to Figure 11 and Figure 12,, this figure represents the ink cartridge according to the fifth embodiment of the invention formation.Same structure is represented with same label.Main difference between this embodiment and first embodiment is the shape of through hole.This embodiment and Fig. 4 and embodiment shown in Figure 5 are identical.

On the surface of the intermediate membrane 510 that separates foamed material chamber 511 and ink chamber 512, form Fig. 4 and slit 519a shown in Figure 5.Slit 519a forms on the surface of the foamed material chamber of dividing plate 510 511 1 sides, and is communicated with the top of intercommunicating pore 519 of intermediate membrane 510 in the corresponding chamber 511,512.In order to make air enter foamed material chamber 511 and make these chambers keep fluid to be communicated with, in the lower end of slit 519a, form through hole 519b from ink chamber 512.Therefore, the top with porous member 520 of less capillary force is communicated with intercommunicating pore 519 maintenance fluids by the space that is formed by shallow slot 519a.Thereby air can replace printing ink glibly, so that the printing ink in the ink chamber 512 flow into foamed material chamber 511 evenly, thereby occurs when preventing to supply with printing ink too much or not enough.

Referring now to Figure 13 and Figure 14,, these two ink cartridge that the figure expression constitutes according to the 6th embodiment of the present invention.Represent same structure with same label.Main difference is a protuberance that stretches into foamed material chamber 511.

As shown in figure 14, on the end of foamed material chamber 511, form a shape of a hoof protuberance 565.Protuberance 565 obtains a space near intercommunicating pore 519, so that printing ink can be easy to flow into foamed material chamber 511 from ink chamber 512.

As mentioned above, an intermediate membrane 510 is spaced from each other foamed material chamber 511 with ink chamber 512.Respectively as shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6, in the 7th of monochromatic print cartridge or the 8th embodiment, can make the ink chamber 571 of formation two or three limits, at least one wall in the wall 572 that separates foamed material chamber 570 and ink chamber 571, form intercommunicating pore 573 round foamed material chamber 570.An outlet 574 is arranged in foamed material chamber 570.The quantity of ink that the print cartridge of this structure can store is compared often with the volume of whole print cartridge.Thereby because the relation of the position of chamber, the user is easy to check because of printing ink to use up whether need to change print cartridge.

Referring now to Figure 17 and Figure 18,, these two print cartridges of scheming expression according to the ink-jet printer of the 9th embodiment formation of the present invention.This embodiment and first embodiment are similar, and main difference is to have adopted elasticity zero shape circle 5300, and when the ink supply spicule was inserted the ink supply box, zero shape Figure 53 00 contacted with the circumferential surface of the ink supply spicule of record-header.Yet this ink-jet printer has produced some other problem that has been solved by first embodiment.When print cartridge being installed on the travelling carriage and the ink supply spicule inserted print cartridge, produce big friction force, thereby on record-header and balladeur train, cause extra-stress.In addition, the circumferential edge of zero-shape Figure 53 00 is by 5302 supportings of print cartridge body.When inserting the ink supply spicule in the ink supply box, do not overlap if between the confession spicule of print cartridge and record-header, axis occurs, then be difficult to install print cartridge.Furtherly, groove 5304 when printing ink with three kinds of colors of splendid attire, when 5306 and 5308 one three color ink box forms one as shown in figure 18,, then be difficult to such print cartridge is installed on the record if print cartridge and any ink supply spicule axis do not overlap.

Therefore it will be appreciated that, the tangible above-mentioned purpose that become from the foregoing description can realize effectively, owing to can do some change when structure above under the situation that does not break away from principle of the present invention and scope, realizing and described method, so top description comprised should be understood that it is illustrative and hard-core implication with content shown in the drawings.

Should be understood that equally following claim can comprise the scope that present disclosure described general and special technique feature of the present invention and the present invention are stated.

Claims

1. print cartridge that ink-jet-type recording device is used comprises:

In described print cartridge, form a plurality of walls of at least one chamber;

An ink supply port extends through at least one wall of described at least one chamber, so that allow printing ink to flow out by described at least one chamber; It is characterized in that:

An infundibulate seal is installed in described ink supply port, and described seal has: a wide end, and its size foot is in engaging described ink supply port; A narrow end, its size is less than described ink supply port; A through hole, it passes described infundibulate seal, described through hole has a wide end and a narrow end, the size of the end of the width of described through hole is greater than the size of described ink supply port, the size foot of the narrow end of described through hole is in the ink supply spicule of admitting ink-jet-type recording device, and flexibly abut against on the periphery interface of described ink supply spicule, when described ink supply spicule inserted described ink supply port, described infundibulate seal allowed that printing ink only flow to described ink supply spicule from described ink supply port.

2. according to the described print cartridge of claim 1, it is characterized in that: described ink supply port comprises a passage that passes through described ink supply port by inner wall limit, described seal comprises the supporting part by the supporting of the inwall of described ink supply port, and the inwall of described ink supply port links in the wide end of its part that is right after described at least one chamber with described seal.

3. according to the described print cartridge of claim 2, it is characterized in that: the described passage by described ink supply port comprises a step part, and described step part is located near the smaller cross-sectional area area portions of described at least one chamber and abuts against between the big cross-sectional area part of described step part.

4. according to the described print cartridge of claim 3, it is characterized in that: the larger cross-sectional area of described passage partly comprises a groove that is positioned at the side, and described supporting part comprises the interior flange of groove of the described side of packing into.

5. according to the described print cartridge of claim 4, it is characterized in that: the shape of described supporting part is cylindric.

6. according to the described print cartridge of claim 1, it is characterized in that: described at least one chamber comprises one first Room; One second Room is used for being connected with described first Room by first Room and the passage between second Room that are formed on described print cartridge; Porous member in described second Room is owing to carry printing ink to described ink supply port, the printing ink that the size of described first Room wants the energy splendid attire to carry to the described second indoor described porous member.

7. according to the described print cartridge of claim 1, it is characterized in that: described first Room and second Room form a single piece.

8. according to the described print cartridge of claim 7, it is characterized in that: described print cartridge comprises a plurality of described single piece, and described single piece forms the box of an independent integral body, and each single piece is the corresponding different types of printing ink of splendid attire all.

9. according to the described print cartridge of claim 6, it is characterized in that: described ink supply port comprises an extension that stretches into described second Room and have the inlet that leads to described ink supply port, and described extension engages and is resisted against and compresses that a part of porous member in the entrance area that leads to described ink supply port.

10. according to the described print cartridge of claim 7, it is characterized in that: described ink supply port comprises an extension that stretches into described second Room and have the inlet that leads to described ink supply port, and described extension engages and is resisted against and compresses that a part of porous member in the entrance area that leads to described ink supply port.

11. according to the described print cartridge of claim 6, it is characterized in that: it comprises that also with the projection of described porous member towards described ink supply port compression, described projection is forming facing on the inwall of described ink supply port basically in described second Room.

12. according to the described print cartridge of claim 10, it is characterized in that: it comprises that also with the projection of described porous member towards described ink supply port compression, described projection is forming facing on the inwall of described ink supply port basically in described second Room.

13. according to the described print cartridge of claim 6, it is characterized in that: before described porous member was put into described second Room, the volume of described porous member was greater than the volume of described second Room.

14. according to the described print cartridge of claim 10, it is characterized in that: before described porous member was put into described second Room, the volume of described porous member was greater than the volume of described second Room.

15. according to the described print cartridge of claim 12, it is characterized in that: before described porous member was put into described second Room, the volume of described porous member was greater than the volume of described second Room.

16. according to the described print cartridge of claim 9, it is characterized in that: it also is included in a groove part that forms on the described extension and limit the inlet that leads to described ink supply port, described ink supply port comprises from described groove to leaving the printing ink through hole that described porous member direction is extended, connect the big cross-sectional area of cross-sectional area of oil ink passage of the groove part of described extension near the described groove part of described extension has, a filtrator is housed in the described groove between described porous member and described oil ink passage.

17. according to the described print cartridge of claim 1, it is characterized in that: it also comprises and is in described at least one at least one indoor dividing plate, so that at a plurality of locellus of described at least one indoor qualification.

18. according to the described print cartridge of claim 1, it is characterized in that: it comprises also and is in described at least one indoor rib that described rib vertically extends on an inside surface of described at least one chamber.

19. according to the described print cartridge of claim 1, it is characterized in that: described ink supply port comprises an outlet away from described at least one chamber, it comprises that also one is separated the diaphragm seal of setting with described seal, described diaphragm seal is installed in around the described outlet, so that seal described ink supply port, the structure of described diaphragm seal should make when described print cartridge installs on the described ink supply pin dress body, the penetrable described diaphragm seal of described ink supply spicule.

20. according to the described print cartridge of claim 1, it is characterized in that: the structure of described print cartridge should make it install to replaceably on the described recording unit, so that the ink supply pin of described equipment dress body inserts described ink supply port.

21. one kind outputs to ink-jet-type recording device on the recording medium with printing ink, it comprises:

A record-header that is used for ink jet;

An ink supply spicule, described ink supply spicule cooperate with described record-header and have a through hole that at least one can make ink flow cross;

Print cartridge on described ink supply spicule that installs to described ink-jet-type recording device replaceably, described print cartridge comprises:

22. according to the described ink-jet-type recording device of claim 21, it is characterized in that: it is characterized in that: described ink supply port comprises a passage that passes through described ink supply port by inner wall limit, described seal comprises the supporting part by the supporting of the inwall of described ink supply port, and the inwall of described ink supply port links in the wide end of its part that is right after described at least one chamber with described seal.

23. according to the described ink-jet-type recording device of claim 22, it is characterized in that: according to the described print cartridge of claim 2, it is characterized in that: the described passage by described ink supply port comprises a step part, and described step part is located near the smaller cross-sectional area area portions of described at least one chamber and abuts against between the big cross-sectional area part of described step part.

24. according to the described ink-jet-type recording device of claim 23, it is characterized in that: the larger cross-sectional area of described passage partly comprises a groove that is positioned at the side, and described supporting part comprises the interior flange of groove of the described side of packing into.

25. according to the described ink-jet-type recording device of claim 24, it is characterized in that: the shape of described supporting part is cylindric.

26. according to the described ink-jet-type recording device of claim 21, it is characterized in that: described at least one chamber comprises one first Room; One second Room is used for being connected with described first Room by first Room and the passage between second Room that are formed on described print cartridge; Porous member in described second Room is owing to carry printing ink to described ink supply port, the printing ink that the size of described first Room wants the energy splendid attire to carry to the described second indoor described porous member.

27. according to the described ink-jet-type recording device of claim 21, it is characterized in that: described first Room and second Room form a single piece.

28. according to the described ink-jet-type recording device of claim 27, it is characterized in that: described print cartridge comprises a plurality of described single piece, and described single piece forms the box of an independent integral body, and each single piece is the corresponding different types of printing ink of splendid attire all.

29. according to the described ink-jet-type recording device of claim 26, it is characterized in that: described ink supply port comprises an extension that stretches into described second Room and have the inlet that leads to described ink supply port, and described extension engages and is resisted against and compresses that a part of porous member in the entrance area that leads to described ink supply port.

30. according to the described ink-jet-type recording device of claim 27, it is characterized in that: described ink supply port comprises an extension that stretches into described second Room and have the inlet that leads to described ink supply port, and described extension engages and is resisted against and compresses that a part of porous member in the entrance area that leads to described ink supply port.

31. according to the described ink-jet-type recording device of claim 26, it is characterized in that: it comprises that also with the projection of described porous member towards described ink supply port compression, described projection is forming facing on the inwall of described ink supply port basically in described second Room.

32. according to the described ink-jet-type recording device of claim 30, it is characterized in that: it comprises that also with the projection of described porous member towards described ink supply port compression, described projection is forming facing on the inwall of described ink supply port basically in described second Room.

33. according to the described ink-jet-type recording device of claim 26, it is characterized in that: before described porous member was put into described second Room, the volume of described porous member was greater than the volume of described second Room.

34. according to the described ink-jet-type recording device of claim 30, it is characterized in that: before described porous member was put into described second Room, the volume of described porous member was greater than the volume of described second Room.

35. according to the described ink-jet-type recording device of claim 22, it is characterized in that: before described porous member was put into described second Room, the volume of described porous member was greater than the volume of described second Room.

36. according to the described ink-jet-type recording device of claim 29, it is characterized in that: it also is included in a groove part that forms on the described extension and limit the inlet that leads to described ink supply port, described ink supply port comprises from described groove to leaving the printing ink through hole that described porous member direction is extended, connect the big cross-sectional area of cross-sectional area of oil ink passage of the groove part of described extension near the described groove part of described extension has, a filtrator is housed in the described groove between described porous member and described oil ink passage.

37. according to the described ink-jet-type recording device of claim 21, it is characterized in that: it also comprises and is in described at least one at least one indoor dividing plate, so that at a plurality of locellus of described at least one indoor qualification.

38. according to the described ink-jet-type recording device of claim 21, it is characterized in that: it comprises also and is in described at least one indoor rib that described rib vertically extends on an inside surface of described at least one chamber.

39. according to the described ink-jet-type recording device of claim 21, it is characterized in that: described ink supply port comprises an outlet away from described at least one chamber, it comprises that also one is separated the diaphragm seal of setting with described seal, described diaphragm seal is installed in around the described outlet, so that seal described ink supply port, the structure of described diaphragm seal should make when described print cartridge installs on the described ink supply pin dress body, the penetrable described diaphragm seal of described ink supply spicule.

40. one kind is used for a print cartridge is installed to system on a kind of ink supply spicule of ink-jet-type recording device, described print cartridge comprises:

41. according to the described system of claim 40, it is characterized in that: it is characterized in that: described ink supply port comprises a passage that passes through described ink supply port by inner wall limit, described seal comprises the supporting part by the supporting of the inwall of described ink supply port, and the inwall of described ink supply port links in the wide end of its part that is right after described at least one chamber with described seal.

42. according to the described system of claim 41, it is characterized in that: according to the described print cartridge of claim 2, it is characterized in that: the described passage by described ink supply port comprises a step part, and described step part is located near the smaller cross-sectional area area portions of described at least one chamber and abuts against between the big cross-sectional area part of described step part.

43. according to the described system of claim 42, it is characterized in that: the larger cross-sectional area of described passage partly comprises a groove that is positioned at the side, and described supporting part comprises the interior flange of groove of the described side of packing into.

44. according to the described system of claim 43, it is characterized in that: the shape of described supporting part is cylindric.

45. according to the described system of claim 40, it is characterized in that: described at least one chamber comprises one first Room; One second Room is used for being connected with described first Room by first Room and the passage between second Room that are formed on described print cartridge; Porous member in described second Room is owing to carry printing ink to described ink supply port, the printing ink that the size of described first Room wants the energy splendid attire to carry to the described second indoor described porous member.

46. according to the described system of claim 40, it is characterized in that: described first Room and second Room form a single piece.

47. according to the described system of claim 46, it is characterized in that: described print cartridge comprises a plurality of described single piece, and described single piece forms the box of an independent integral body, and each single piece is the corresponding different types of printing ink of splendid attire all.

48. according to the described system of claim 45, it is characterized in that: described ink supply port comprises an extension that stretches into described second Room and have the inlet that leads to described ink supply port, and described extension engages and is resisted against and compresses that a part of porous member in the entrance area that leads to described ink supply port.

49. according to the described system of claim 46, it is characterized in that: described ink supply port comprises an extension that stretches into described second Room and have the inlet that leads to described ink supply port, and described extension engages and is resisted against and compresses that a part of porous member in the entrance area that leads to described ink supply port.

50. according to the described system of claim 45, it is characterized in that: it comprises that also with the projection of described porous member towards described ink supply port compression, described projection is forming facing on the inwall of described ink supply port basically in described second Room.

51. according to the described system of claim 49, it is characterized in that: it comprises that also with the projection of described porous member towards described ink supply port compression, described projection is forming facing on the inwall of described ink supply port basically in described second Room.

52. according to the described system of claim 45, it is characterized in that: before described porous member was put into described second Room, the volume of described porous member was greater than the volume of described second Room.

53. according to the described system of claim 49, it is characterized in that: before described porous member was put into described second Room, the volume of described porous member was greater than the volume of described second Room.

54. according to the described system of claim 51, it is characterized in that: before described porous member was put into described second Room, the volume of described porous member was greater than the volume of described second Room.

55. according to the described system of claim 48, it is characterized in that: it also is included in a groove part that forms on the described extension and limit the inlet that leads to described ink supply port, described ink supply port comprises from described groove to leaving the printing ink through hole that described porous member direction is extended, connect the big cross-sectional area of cross-sectional area of oil ink passage of the groove part of described extension near the described groove part of described extension has, a filtrator is housed in the described groove between described porous member and described oil ink passage.

56. according to the described system of claim 40, it is characterized in that: it also comprises and is in described at least one at least one indoor dividing plate, so that at a plurality of locellus of described at least one indoor qualification.

57. according to the described system of claim 40, it is characterized in that: it comprises also and is in described at least one indoor rib that described rib vertically extends on an inside surface of described at least one chamber.

58. according to the described system of claim 40, it is characterized in that: described ink supply port comprises an outlet away from described at least one chamber, it comprises that also one is separated the diaphragm seal of setting with described seal, described diaphragm seal is installed in around the described outlet, so that seal described ink supply port, the structure of described diaphragm seal should make when described print cartridge installs on the described ink supply pin dress body, the penetrable described diaphragm seal of described ink supply spicule.

59. the print cartridge that ink-jet-type recording device is used installs to the method on the ink supply spicule of described ink-jet-type recording device replaceably, described print cartridge comprises a plurality of walls that are formed at least one chamber in the described print cartridge, and described method comprises the following steps:

At least one is indoor described with ink containment;

Make an ink supply port extend through a wall of described at least one chamber of described print cartridge, so that with the inking ink-jet-type recording device;

The described ink supply spicule of described ink-jet-type recording device is inserted infundibulate seal in the described ink supply port, and described seal has: a wide end, and its size foot is in engaging described ink supply port; A narrow end, its size is less than described ink supply port; A through hole, it passes described infundibulate seal, described through hole has a wide end and a narrow end, the size of the end of the width of described through hole is greater than the size of described ink supply port, and the size of the narrow end of described through hole foot is in the ink supply spicule of admitting described ink-jet-type recording device;

The narrow end of described through hole is flexibly abutted against on the periphery interface of described ink supply spicule of described ink-jet-type recording device, when described ink supply spicule inserted described ink supply port, described infundibulate seal allowed that printing ink only flow to described ink supply spicule from described ink supply port.

60. the print cartridge that ink-jet-type recording device is used, it comprises:

A housing has a chamber in it;

An ink supply port extends through a wall of described housing, and described ink supply port has first opening and second opening, and first opening is towards the described chamber of described housing, and second opening deviates from the described wall of described housing; It is characterized in that:

61. according to the described print cartridge of claim 60, it is characterized in that: it comprises that also one is separated the diaphragm seal of setting with described seal, described diaphragm seal is installed in around the described outlet, so that seal described ink supply port, the structure of described diaphragm seal should make when described print cartridge installs on the described ink supply pin dress body, the penetrable described diaphragm seal of described ink supply spicule.

62. one kind outputs to ink-jet-type recording device on the recording medium with printing ink, it comprises:

A record-header that is used for ink jet;

Ink supply spicule that combines and have at least one through hole with described record-header and

A print cartridge that installs to replaceably on the described ink supply spicule, described print cartridge comprises:

A housing has a chamber in it;

An ink supply port extends through a wall of described housing, and described ink supply port has first opening and second opening, and first opening is towards the described chamber of described housing, and second opening deviates from the described wall of described housing; Its feature foot in: