CN101410253B - Liquid storage container - Google Patents
Liquid storage container Download PDFInfo
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- CN101410253B CN101410253B CN2007800105590A CN200780010559A CN101410253B CN 101410253 B CN101410253 B CN 101410253B CN 2007800105590 A CN2007800105590 A CN 2007800105590A CN 200780010559 A CN200780010559 A CN 200780010559A CN 101410253 B CN101410253 B CN 101410253B
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Abstract
To provide a liquid storage container that prevents quality degradation of liquid caused by evaporation of moisture in the liquid stored in a liquid storage chamber and contact between the liquid and air introduced into the liquid storage chamber, thereby stably maintaining the quality of the liquid for a long time. [Solving Means] As ink I contained in a liquid storage chamber 370 is consumed, an atmosphere communicating path 150 guides atmospheric air into the liquid storage chamber 370 from the outside. The atmosphere communicating path 150 has a thin communicating path 360 at an intermediate position thereof. The thin communicating path 360 is thinner than other portions and is capable of holding a portion of the ink I contained in the liquid storage chamber 370 by a meniscus. An amount of ink I sufficient for blocking the ink I contained in the liquid storage chamber 370 from the atmospheric air is held in the thin communicating path 360 , so that evaporation of moisture in the ink contained in the upper liquid storage chamber 370 and contact between the ink and air can be suppressed.
Description
Technical field
The present invention relates to stockpile the atmosphere opening type liquid housing container that liquid in container body is supplied to liquid consuming device, described container body is installed on the described liquid consuming device removably.
Background technology
As in the past the liquid housing container and the example of liquid consuming device, the inkjet recording device (ink-jet printer) that for example can list the atmosphere opening type print cartridge that stockpiles ink liquid and this print cartridge is installed replaceably.
Above-mentioned print cartridge comprises in the container body on being installed in the box body installation portion of inkjet recording device removably usually: ink accommodating chamber, filling ink; Ink feed portion, the liquid that is used for stockpiling at described ink accommodating chamber is supplied to inkjet recording device; The ink path of navigation is communicated with described ink accommodating chamber and ink feed portion; And atmosphere communication path, along with the consumption of the ink in the described ink accommodating chamber atmosphere is imported in the described ink accommodating chamber from the outside.When above-mentioned print cartridge is installed on the box body installation portion of inkjet recording device, be arranged on ink feed pin on the described box body installation portion and be inserted in the described ink feed portion and be connected, the ink feed that stockpiles can be given the record head of inkjet recording device thus with it.
The record head of inkjet recording device utilizes heat or vibration to control the injection of ink droplet, in case therefore the ink in the print cartridge is used up and taken place and can cause fault to produce not supplying the sky that carries out the ink-jet action under the state of ink spray.Therefore, in inkjet recording device, need to monitor the surplus of the ink liquid in the print cartridge so that record head can not carry out the sky spray.
Developed following print cartridge from such background: have when the surplus that stockpiles the ink in container body is consumed to pre-set threshold the liquid residue sensor of output predetermined electric signal, thereby the ink that stockpiles in print cartridge is used at last fully and cause the record head of tape deck that empty spray (for example patent documentation 1) takes place.
Patent documentation 1: the Japanese documentation spy opens communique 2001-No. 146030.
Summary of the invention
Invent problem to be solved
Ink accommodating chamber in the atmosphere opening type print cartridge in the past is by atmosphere communication path and all the time to atmosphere opening, therefore the moisture that stockpiles in the ink in the ink accommodating chamber can evaporate from atmosphere communication path, the viscosity of ink can be owing to the evaporation of moisture be risen, thereby causes and might exert an influence to the printing performance of inkjet recording device etc.
In addition, the atmosphere in the ink accommodating chamber can be taken a breath naturally via atmosphere communication path, stockpile the increase that contacts of ink and fresh air in the ink accommodating chamber, so the quality of ink may be owing to contacting and variation with air for a long time.
Therefore, the present invention finishes in order to address the above problem, its purpose is to provide a kind of atmosphere opening type liquid housing container, this atmosphere opening type liquid housing container can prevent owing to the moisture in the liquid causes the viscosity of liquid to rise via the atmosphere communication path evaporation, and can suppress by the ventilation of the air in the confined liquid accommodating chamber because liquid contacts the degradation that causes liquid with fresh air, thereby stably keep the quality of liquid in can be during longer.
The means that are used to deal with problems
Reach above-mentioned purpose of the present invention by following liquid housing container, this liquid housing container is the atmosphere opening type liquid housing container that is installed on the liquid consuming device, and it comprises: liquid containing chamber, receiving fluids; Liquid supply department is connected with described liquid consuming device; The liquid path of navigation guides to described liquid supply department with stockpiling liquid in described liquid containing chamber; Atmosphere communication path, atmosphere imported to described liquid containing along with the consumption of the indoor liquid of described liquid containing from the outside indoor; And the liquid residue sensor, be arranged on described liquid path of navigation midway, flow into the liquid that detects in the described liquid containing chamber in this liquid path of navigation and exhaust by detecting gas; Described liquid housing container is characterised in that, in the thin communication path part of being provided with of described atmosphere communication path midway, this thin communication path partly forms than other communication path parts of fine, can keep being contained in the part of the liquid in the described liquid containing chamber by meniscus, the liquid that is contained in the amount of liquid in the described liquid containing chamber and atmosphere blocking-up can be remained in the described thin communication path part.
Liquid housing container according to said structure, atmosphere communication path is set at the liquid fluid-tight that is kept in its thin connected component midway, thereby the atmosphere in the ink accommodating chamber can not taken a breath naturally, therefore the moisture that stockpiles in the indoor liquid of liquid containing can not be evaporated to the outside from atmosphere communication path, thereby the viscosity that can prevent liquid is owing to the evaporation of moisture is risen.
In addition, in case the indoor air pressure of liquid containing is owing to the consumption of the indoor liquid of liquid containing has descended, above-mentioned fluid-tight meeting makes atmosphere outside become small bubble state and is indoor by importing to liquid containing in the liquid of fluid-tight, thereby make the indoor air pressure of liquid containing return to atmospheric pressure, but when the indoor air pressure of liquid containing does not descend, can not import atmosphere outside.That is,, therefore can suppress to cause the degradation of liquid owing to liquid and contacting of fresh air because atmosphere is restricted to the Min. that needs via atmosphere communication path to the indoor inflow of liquid containing.Therefore, stably keep the quality that stockpiles the liquid in the liquid containing chamber in can be during longer.
In addition, in the liquid housing container of said structure preferably: the air flow outlet of an end of described thin communication path part is arranged near the diapire of described liquid containing chamber, and the air flow of other end inlet is compared with the diapire of described liquid containing chamber and is arranged on the below.
Liquid housing container according to such formation, for example when waiting during fabrication when in liquid housing container, having filled predetermined amount of liquid, can the liquid of necessary amount be supplied to thin connected component by the indoor hydraulic pressure of liquid containing that acts on air flow outlet and the liquid of this necessary amount is remained in this thin communication path part, therefore can be easily in the fluid-tight of the formation midway portion of atmosphere communication path.
In addition, the partly approximate shape that forms the L word of preferably described thin communication path in the liquid housing container of said structure.
Liquid housing container according to such formation, can bring into play the confining force that confined liquid move to the liquid that remains on the sealing usefulness in the thin communication path part at the capillary force that the bend that is similar to the L word shape produces, thereby can stably maintain the fluid-tight state that maintains liquid in the thin communication path part.
Achieve the above object by following liquid housing container, this liquid housing container is installed on the liquid consuming device and comprises: liquid containing chamber, receiving fluids; Liquid supply department is connected with described liquid consuming device; The liquid path of navigation guides to described liquid supply department with stockpiling liquid in described liquid containing chamber; Atmosphere communication path, atmosphere imported to described liquid containing along with the consumption of the indoor liquid of described liquid containing from the outside indoor; And liquid sensor, be arranged in the described liquid path of navigation; Described liquid housing container is characterised in that, in the thin communication path part of being provided with of described atmosphere communication path midway, this thin communication path partly forms than other communication path parts of fine, can keep being contained in the part of the liquid in the described liquid containing chamber by meniscus, the liquid that is contained in the amount of liquid in the described liquid containing chamber and atmosphere blocking-up can be remained in the described thin communication path part.
Liquid housing container according to said structure, atmosphere communication path is set at the liquid fluid-tight that is kept in its thin connected component midway, thereby the atmosphere in the ink accommodating chamber can not taken a breath naturally, therefore the moisture that stockpiles in the indoor liquid of liquid containing can not be evaporated to the outside from atmosphere communication path, thereby the viscosity that can prevent liquid is owing to the evaporation of moisture is risen.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 is the stereoscopic figure as the print cartridge of an embodiment of liquid housing container of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is the stereoscopic figure when the angle opposite with Fig. 1 observed print cartridge as an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 3 is the exploded perspective view as the print cartridge of an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 4 is the exploded perspective view when the angle opposite with Fig. 3 observed print cartridge as an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 5 is expression is installed in the state on the carriage of inkjet recording device as the print cartridge of an embodiment of the invention figure;
Fig. 6 is the sectional view of the state before expression is about to be installed on the carriage as the print cartridge of an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 7 is the sectional view of the state after expression just has been installed on the carriage as the print cartridge of an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 8 is the figure when face side is observed cartridge body as the print cartridge of an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 9 is the figure when rear side is observed cartridge body as the print cartridge of an embodiment of the invention;
(a) of Figure 10 is the simplified diagram of Fig. 8, (b) is the simplified diagram of Fig. 9;
Figure 11 is A-A sectional view of Fig. 8;
Figure 12 is the amplification stereogram of the part of the flow path configuration in the expression cartridge body shown in Figure 8.
Label declaration:
1 print cartridge (liquid housing container); 10 cartridge body (container body); 20 covers; 30 inks are used up sensor; 31 liquid residue sensors; 40 differential valves; 50 ink feed portions (liquid supply department); 70 gas-liquid separation filter; 80 films; 100 atmosphere opening holes; 150 atmosphere communication path; 200 carriages; 330 tops link stream; 340 inks are caught and are deposited chamber (air chamber); 350 link surge chamber (air chamber); 360 thin communication paths; 361 first communication paths; 362 second communication paths; 370 top ink accommodating chambers (liquid containing chamber); 371,311,432 ink discharge outlets (liquid outlet); 374,394,434 recesses; 375, the diapire of liquid containing chambers 395,435; 380 ink path of navigation (liquid path of navigation); 390 bottom ink accommodating chambers (liquid containing chamber); 391,431 ink inflow entrances (liquid inflow entrance); 400 upstream side inks are used up sensor and are connected stream (liquid path of navigation); 410 downstream inks are used up sensor and are connected stream (liquid path of navigation); 420 ink path of navigation (liquid path of navigation); 430 surge chambers (liquid containing chamber); 501 filled chambers (degas chamber) not; The B bubble; I ink (liquid).
The specific embodiment
Below, explain the preferred implementation of liquid housing container of the present invention with reference to accompanying drawing.In the following embodiments, describe being installed in as the example of the print cartridge on the inkjet recording device (printer) of an example of liquid injection apparatus as liquid housing container.
Fig. 1 is the stereoscopic figure as the print cartridge of an embodiment of liquid housing container of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is the stereoscopic figure when the angle opposite with Fig. 1 observed the print cartridge of present embodiment.Fig. 3 is the exploded perspective view of the print cartridge of present embodiment, and Fig. 4 is the exploded perspective view when the angle opposite with Fig. 3 observed the print cartridge of present embodiment.Fig. 5 is that the print cartridge of expression present embodiment is installed in the figure of the state on the carriage, and Fig. 6 is the sectional view of the state before expression is about to be installed on the carriage, and Fig. 7 is the sectional view of the state after representing just to be installed on the carriage.
As depicted in figs. 1 and 2, the print cartridge 1 of present embodiment is the liquid housing container that has the shape of approximate cuboid and stockpile, hold ink (liquid) I in being arranged at inner ink accommodating chamber (liquid containing chamber).Print cartridge 1 is installed on the carriage 200 as the inkjet recording device of an example of liquid consuming device, to this inkjet recording device supply ink (with reference to Fig. 5).
External appearance characteristic to print cartridge 1 describes.As depicted in figs. 1 and 2, print cartridge 1 has flat upper surface 1a, is provided with the ink feed portion (liquid supply department) 50 that is connected with inkjet recording device and supplies ink with upper surface 1a opposed bottom surface 1b.In addition, on the 1b of bottom surface, offer the atmosphere opening hole 100 that imports atmosphere to the inside of print cartridge 1.That is, print cartridge 1 is at the atmosphere opening type print cartridge of supplying inks when atmosphere opening hole 100 imports air from ink feed portion 50.
In the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, atmosphere opening hole 100 has on the 1b of bottom surface from bottom surface side to the recess 101 of the approximate cylinder shape of upper surface side opening and at the aperture 102 of the inner peripheral surface upper shed of recess 101.Aperture 102 is communicated with atmosphere communication path described later, via this aperture 102 atmosphere is imported in the top ink accommodating chamber 370 of upstream described later.
The recess 101 in atmosphere opening hole 100 has admits the degree of depth that is formed on the projection 230 on the carriage 200.This projection 230 is to be used to prevent to forget that forgetting of peel seal film 90 peeled off prevents projection, and described diaphragm seal 90 is closed cells of closed atmosphere open bore 100 airtightly.That is, can not be inserted in the atmosphere opening hole 100 at the state lower process 230 that is pasted with diaphragm seal 90, so print cartridge 1 can not be installed on the carriage 200.Thus, be pasted with under the state of diaphragm seal 90 on the atmosphere opening hole 100, also can't installing, can when print cartridge 1 is installed, promote peeling off of diaphragm seal 90 reliably thus even the user will be installed in print cartridge 1 on the carriage 200.
In addition, as shown in Figure 1, on the narrow side 1c adjacent, be formed with and be used to prevent from print cartridge 1 is installed to mispluging into preventing projection 22 on the errors present with the short brink of the upper surface 1a of print cartridge 1.As shown in Figure 5, be formed with as carriage 200 sides of admitting a side and mispluging, only print cartridge 1 can be installed on the carriage 200 when preventing that projection 22 from not interfering with concavo-convex 220 when mispluging into preventing that projection 22 is corresponding concavo-convex 220.Misplug into preventing that projection 22 has according to the kind of every kind of ink and different shapes also has and the corresponding shape of the kind of corresponding ink as concavo-convex 220 of carriage 200 sides of admitting a side.Therefore, as shown in Figure 5,, print cartridge can be installed on the wrong position even can install at carriage 200 under the situation of a plurality of print cartridges yet.
In addition, as shown in Figure 2, the narrow side 1d relative with the narrow side 1c of print cartridge 1 is provided with depending post 11.The projection 11a that matches with the recess 210 that forms on carriage 200 when being formed with on being installed to carriage 200 on this depending post 11 matches with recess 210 by projection 11a in depending post 11 bendings, and print cartridge 1 is positioned with respect to carriage 200.
In addition, below depending post 11, be provided with circuit substrate 34.Be formed with a plurality of electrode terminal 34a on this circuit substrate 34, contacting with electrod assembly (not shown) on being arranged on carriage 200 by these electrode terminals 34a makes print cartridge 1 be electrically connected with inkjet recording device.In circuit substrate 34, be provided with can overwriting data nonvolatile memory, the various information relevant with print cartridge 1 and ink use information of inkjet recording device etc. are stored in this nonvolatile memory.In addition, the dorsal part at circuit substrate 34 is provided with the liquid residue sensor (sensor unit) 31 (with reference to Fig. 3 or Fig. 4) that utilizes residual vibration to detect the ink surplus in the print cartridge 1.In the following description, liquid residue sensor 31 and circuit substrate 34 are collectively referred to as ink and use up sensor 30.
In addition, as shown in Figure 1, on the upper surface 1a of print cartridge 1, be pasted with the label 60a of expression print cartridge content.The end of the appearance facial mask 60 by covering wide side 1f is striden to paste to upper surface 1a and is formed this label 60a.
In addition, as depicted in figs. 1 and 2, broad side surface 1e, the 1f adjacent with two long sides of the upper surface 1a of print cartridge 1 form flat shape.In the following description, for convenience, with broad side surface 1e side as face side, with broad side surface 1f side as rear side, with narrow side 1c side as the right flank side, narrow side 1d side is described as the left surface side.
Then, with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 the various piece that constitutes print cartridge 1 is described.
Face side in cartridge body 10 is formed with the rib 10a with different shape, 10a carries out the interval by these ribs, thereby forms a plurality of ink accommodating chambers (liquid containing chamber) of filling ink I, the not filled chamber of filling ink I and the air chamber midway etc. that is positioned at atmosphere communication path 150 described later in internal separation.
Be provided with the film 80 of the face side that covers cartridge body 10 between cartridge body 10 and cover 20, the upper surface of rib, recess, groove is by these film 80 sealings, thereby forms a plurality of streams, ink accommodating chamber, not filled chamber, air chamber.
In addition, be formed with as the differential valve accommodating chamber 40a of the recess that holds differential valve 40 and as the 70a of gas-liquid separation chamber of the recess that constitutes gas-liquid separation filter 70 in the rear side of cartridge body 10.
In differential valve accommodating chamber 40a, accommodate valve member 41, spring 42 and spring base 43, constitute differential valve 40 thus.Differential valve 40 is configured between the ink accommodating chamber of the ink feed portion 50 in downstream and upstream side, and it constitutes by making the downstream make the ink I that is supplied to ink feed portion 50 become negative pressure with respect to the upstream side decompression.
At the upper surface of the 70a of gas-liquid separation chamber, be bonded with gas-liquid separation membrane 71 along 70b along the dike that is arranged near the encirclement periphery the central portion of the 70a of gas-liquid separation chamber.The material of this gas-liquid separation membrane 71 can make gas by and block liquid it can't be passed through, these gas-liquid separation membrane 71 integral body constitute gas-liquid separation filter 70.Gas-liquid separation filter 70 is arranged in the atmosphere communication path 150 that connects atmosphere opening hole 100 and ink accommodating chamber, and the ink I that is used to make the ink accommodating chamber can be via atmosphere communication path 150 100 flows out from the atmosphere opening hole.
Except differential valve accommodating chamber 40a and the 70a of gas-liquid separation chamber, also be carved with a plurality of groove 10b in the rear side of cartridge body 10.By under the state that has constituted differential valve 40 and gas-liquid separation filter 70, covering the peristome that outer surfaces seal each groove 10b, thereby form atmosphere communication path 150 and ink path of navigation with appearance facial mask 60.
As shown in Figure 4, be formed with as holding in the right flank side of cartridge body 10 and constitute the transducer room 30a of recess that ink is used up each parts of sensor 30.In this transducer room 30a, accommodate liquid residue sensor 31 and with liquid residue sensor 31 by the internal face that is pressed in transducer room 30a on and the compression spring 32 that is fixed.In addition, the peristome tegmentum parts 33 of transducer room 30a cover, and are fixed with circuit substrate 34 on the outer surface 33a of this cover 33.The sensing element of liquid residue sensor 31 is connected with circuit substrate 34.
Specifically, depleted as the ink I in the ink accommodating chamber in the cartridge body 10, import to atmosphere in the ink accommodating chamber when having entered in the chamber of liquid residue sensor 31 by the ink path of navigation, detect above-mentioned situation according to the amplitude of residual vibration at this moment or the variation of frequency, the signal of telecommunication that output expression ink is used up.
As shown in Figure 4, except previously described ink feed portion 50 and atmosphere opening hole 100, bottom surface side in cartridge body 10 also is formed with: vent 110 is used for reducing pressure via the inside sucking-off air of vacuum attraction unit from print cartridge 1 when injecting ink; Recess 95a constitutes the ink path of navigation from the ink accommodating chamber to ink feed portion 50; And surge chamber 30b, be arranged on the below that ink is used up sensor 30.
The peristome separately of ink feed portion 50, atmosphere opening hole 100, vent 110, recess 95a and surge chamber 30b is all distinguished sealed film 54,90,98,95,35 sealings immediately after print cartridge has just been made.Wherein, the diaphragm seal 90 in sealing atmosphere opening hole 100 is peeled off by the user before becoming user mode print cartridge being installed on the inkjet recording device.Thus, atmosphere opening hole 100 is exposed to the outside, and the ink accommodating chamber of print cartridge 1 inside is communicated with extraneous gas via atmosphere communication path 150.
In addition, as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7, stick on diaphragm seal 35 on the outer surface of ink feed portion 50 and puncture by the ink feed pin 240 of inkjet recording device side on being installed to inkjet recording device the time.
As shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7, be provided with in the inside of ink feed portion 50: the seal member 51 of ring-type is pressed towards the outer surface of ink feed pin 240 when mounted; Spring base 52 is not in the time of on being installed to printer and seal member 51 butts and seal ink feed portion 50; And compression spring 53, to the direction of seal member 51 butts to spring base 52 application of forces.
As shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7, in case ink feed pin 240 is inserted in the ink feed portion 50, then the periphery of the interior week of seal member 51 and ink feed pin 240 is sealed, and the gap between ink feed portion 50 and the ink feed pin 240 is by liquid-tight seal.In addition, the top of ink feed pin 51 and spring base 52 butts and spring base 52 is pressed to the top, thus remove the sealing of spring base 52 and seal member 51, thus can be from ink feed portion 50 to ink feed pin 240 supply inks.
The internal structure of the print cartridge 1 of present embodiment then, is described with reference to Fig. 8～Figure 12.
Fig. 8 is the figure when face side is observed the cartridge body 10 of print cartridge 1 of present embodiment, Fig. 9 is the figure when rear side is observed the cartridge body 10 of print cartridge 1 of present embodiment, (a) of Figure 10 is the simplified diagram of Fig. 8, (b) of Figure 10 is the simplified diagram of Fig. 9, and Figure 11 is A-A sectional view of Fig. 8.In addition, Figure 12 is the part amplification stereogram of stream shown in Figure 8.
In the print cartridge 11 of present embodiment, face side in cartridge body 10 is formed with three ink accommodating chambers, and these three ink accommodating chambers comprise and are split into up and down two-part top ink accommodating chamber 370 and bottom ink accommodating chamber 390 as the main ink accommodating chamber of filling ink I and are positioned at by the surge chamber 430 of the position of above-mentioned ink accommodating chamber clamping up and down (with reference to (a) of Figure 10 and (b)).
In addition, be formed with according to the consumption of ink I and import the atmosphere communication path 150 of atmosphere to top ink accommodating chamber 370 in the rear side of cartridge body 10 as the ink accommodating chamber of upstream.
Ink accommodating chamber 370,390 and surge chamber 430 are divided by rib 10a.And, in above-mentioned each ink accommodating chamber of present embodiment, on the part as the rib 10a of the diapire of accommodating chamber of extending, be formed with the recess 374,394,434 of recessed shape downwards to horizontal direction.
To be that the part of the diapire 375 that forms by the rib 10a by top ink accommodating chamber 370 is recessed form downwards recess 374.Recess 394 be the protuberance of the diapire 395 that forms by rib 10a and wall by bottom ink accommodating chamber 390 form to the recessed part of box body thickness direction.To be that the part of the diapire 435 that forms by the rib 10a by surge chamber 430 is recessed form downwards recess 434.
And, in the bottom of each recess 374,394,434 or be provided with near it and use up sensor with ink path of navigation 380, upstream side ink and be connected the ink discharge outlet 371,311,432 that stream 400 and ink path of navigation 440 are communicated with.
Ink discharge outlet the 371, the 432nd runs through the through hole of the wall of each ink accommodating chamber on the thickness direction of cartridge body 10.In addition, ink discharge outlet 311 is the through holes that run through diapire 395 downwards.
One end of ink path of navigation 380 is communicated with the ink discharge outlet 371 of top ink accommodating chamber 370, and the other end is communicated with ink inflow entrance 391 in being arranged on bottom ink accommodating chamber 390, and this ink path of navigation 380 is that the ink I in the top ink accommodating chamber 370 is directed to connection stream in the bottom ink accommodating chamber 390.This ink path of navigation 380 is provided with in the mode of extending to the vertical below from the ink discharge outlet 371 of top ink accommodating chamber 370, and the decline type that flows for decline from the top down by the flow direction that connects the ink I in the stream connects and interconnects a pair of liquid containing chamber 370,390.
One end of ink path of navigation 420 is communicated with the ink discharge outlet 312 of the chamber of the liquid residue sensor 31 in the downstream that is positioned at bottom ink accommodating chamber 390, and the other end is communicated with ink inflow entrance 431 in being arranged on surge chamber 430, and this ink path of navigation 420 guides to surge chamber 430 with the ink I in the bottom ink accommodating chamber 390.This ink path of navigation 420 is provided with in the mode that the ink discharge outlet 312 of the chamber in liquid residue sensor 31 extends obliquely upward, interconnects a pair of ink accommodating chamber 390,430 by the flow direction that connects the ink I in the stream for the mobile rising type of rising that flows from bottom to top connects.
That is, in the cartridge body 10 of present embodiment, three ink accommodating chambers 370,390,430 connect into each other and alternately repeat the series connection shape that the decline type connects, the rising type connects.
Ink path of navigation 440 is the ink flow paths that ink guided to differential valve 40 from the ink discharge outlet 432 of surge chamber 430.
In the present embodiment, the ink inflow entrance 391,431 of each ink accommodating chamber all in each ink accommodating chamber, be arranged on each ink accommodating chamber diapire 375,395,435 near, and be separately positioned on each accommodating chamber in ink discharge outlet 371,311 compare be arranged on the top.
Below, illustrate from as the top ink accommodating chamber 370 of main ink accommodating chamber ink path of navigation with reference to Fig. 8～Figure 12 to ink feed portion 50.
Top ink accommodating chamber 370 is ink accommodating chambers of the upstream (higher level) in the cartridge body 10, and forms in the face side of cartridge body 10 as shown in Figure 8.This top ink accommodating chamber 370 is the only about half of ink housing regions that account for the ink accommodating chamber, in roughly half part formation up of cartridge body 10.
The ink discharge outlet 371 that is communicated with ink path of navigation 380 is at recess 374 place's openings of the diapire 375 of top ink accommodating chamber 370.This ink discharge outlet 371 is compared with the diapire 375 of top ink accommodating chamber 370 and is positioned at the below, even therefore the ink level F in the top ink accommodating chamber 370 drops to diapire 375 places, this ink discharge outlet 371 is compared with the ink level F of this moment and also is positioned at the below, thereby can continue stably to derive ink I.
As shown in Figure 9, ink path of navigation 380 forms in the rear side of cartridge body 10, ink I is directed into the bottom ink accommodating chamber 390 of below from the top.
Bottom ink accommodating chamber 390 is to import the ink accommodating chamber that stockpiles the ink I in top ink accommodating chamber 370, as shown in Figure 8, this bottom ink accommodating chamber 390 is the face side only about half of ink housing regions that form, that account for the ink accommodating chamber in cartridge body 10, in roughly half part formation down of cartridge body 10.
The connection stream place opening of the ink inflow entrance 391 that is communicated with ink path of navigation 380 below the diapire 395 that is disposed at bottom ink accommodating chamber 390 is communicated with stream from the ink I in the top ink accommodating chamber 370 via this and flows into.
Bottom ink accommodating chamber 390 is used up sensor by the ink discharge outlet 311 that runs through diapire 395 with the upstream side ink and is connected stream 400 connections.Use up sensor at the upstream side ink and connect that dimensional topography becomes to have lost stream in the stream 400, catch the bubble B that before ink is used up, flows into etc. by this lost stream and make it can not flow to the downstream.
The upstream side ink is used up sensor and is connected stream 400 and use up sensor via not shown through hole and downstream ink and is connected stream 410 and is communicated with, and uses up sensor connection stream 410 with ink I importing ink surplus sensor 31 via the downstream ink.
The ink I that is imported into ink surplus sensor 31 is imported the ink path of navigation 420 that the rear side in cartridge body 10 forms by the chamber (stream) in the ink surplus sensor 31 from the ink discharge outlet 312 as the outlet of chamber.
Ink path of navigation 420 forms ink I from ink surplus sensor 31 guiding oblique uppers, and is connected with the ink inflow entrance 431 that is communicated with surge chamber 430.Thus, the ink I that flows out from ink surplus sensor 31 is imported into surge chamber 430 via ink path of navigation 420.
The ink I that flows into differential valve 40 is directed to the downstream by differential valve 40, and is directed to outlet stream 450 via through hole 451.Outlet stream 450 is communicated with ink feed portion 50, and ink I is supplied to the inkjet recording device side via the ink feed pin 240 that is inserted in the ink feed portion 50.
In the print cartridge 1 of present embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, except above-mentioned ink accommodating chamber (top ink accommodating chamber 370, bottom ink accommodating chamber 390, surge chamber 430), air chamber (ink is caught and deposited chamber 340, connects surge chamber 350), ink path of navigation (upstream side ink use up sensor connects stream 400, the downstream ink is used up sensor and connected stream 410), also divide in the face side of cartridge body 10 and to be formed with the not filled chamber 501 of filling ink I.
Filled chamber 501 is not zones of the close left surface represented with hacures in the face side of cartridge body 10, is divided to form by top ink accommodating chamber 370 and bottom ink accommodating chamber 390 clampings.
And, be not provided with the atmosphere opening hole 502 that is through to rear side in the upper left corner of the interior zone of filled chamber 501 at this, be communicated with extraneous gas by this atmosphere opening hole 502.
This is filled chamber 501 degas chamber of the degassing with negative pressure that become pressure accumulation when print cartridge 1 having been carried out decompression extrusion (pack) packing not.Therefore, the Pneumatic pipe cleaner of cartridge body 10 inside is crossed the negative pressure suction force of not filled chamber 501 and decompression extrusion and is retained as below the setting before using, thereby can supply dissolved air few ink I.
Then, with reference to Fig. 8～Figure 12 atmosphere communication path 150 from atmosphere opening hole 100 to top ink chamber 370 is described.
When the ink in the print cartridge 11 is consumed and when causing print cartridge 11 pressure inside to reduce, the atmosphere (air) suitable with the reduction of the ink I that stockpiles 100 flows into top ink accommodating chambers 370 from the atmosphere opening hole.
The aperture 102 that is arranged on 100 inside, atmosphere opening hole is communicated with an end in the snake road 310 that rear side in cartridge body 10 forms.Snake road 310 is the serpentine path that slenderly form, and has prolonged from atmosphere opening hole 100 to the distance of top ink accommodating chamber 370 and has suppressed the evaporation of the moisture the ink.The other end in snake road 310 is connected with gas-liquid separation filter 70.
Bottom surface at the 70a of gas-liquid separation chamber that constitutes gas-liquid separation filter 70 is formed with through hole 322, is communicated with space 320 in the face side formation of cartridge body 10 via through hole 322.
In gas-liquid separation filter 70, between the other end in through hole 322 and snake road 310, dispose gas-liquid separation membrane 71.Gas-liquid separation membrane 71 is formed by the net of weaving into the fibrous material of high hydrophobicity and high oleophobic property.
When the face side of cartridge body 10 is observed, space 320 forms in the upper right side of top ink chamber.In space 320, through hole 321 is at the upper opening of through hole 322.Space 320 links stream 330 via this through hole 321 with the top of side formation overleaf and is communicated with.
Top links stream 330 to have: circuit portion 333, is the part of the top of the state gravity direction down that has been mounted of print cartridge 11 at the top side by print cartridge 11, extends to the right when grow the limit from through hole 321 edges when rear side is observed; And circuit portion 337, turning back near return portion 335 places minor face, by than circuit portion 333 position near the upper face side of print cartridges 11, and extends near the through hole 341 of formation through hole 321.In addition, through hole 341 and the ink that forms in face side are caught and are deposited chamber 340 and be communicated with.
Here, when observing this top binding stream 330 from rear side, the circuit portion 337 that extends to through hole 341 from return portion 335, be provided with the position 336 that formed through hole 341 and on the box body thickness direction than position 336 recessed darker recess 332, and be formed with a plurality of ribs 331 that separate this recess 332.In addition, extend to the circuit portion 333 of return portion 335 than the depth as shallow that extends to the circuit portion 337 of through hole 341 from return portion 335 from through hole 321.
In the present embodiment, link stream 330, so ink I can not surpass basically that top links stream 330 and to atmosphere opening hole 100 side shiftings because the part in the top of gravity direction forms top.In addition, top links stream 330 and has not the thickness degree that the broad that ink I flows backwards can take place owing to capillarity etc., and can easily catch the ink I that refluence is come owing to be formed with recess 332 in circuit portion 337.
When face side is observed, ink is caught and is deposited the space that chamber 340 is rectangular shapes of forming of the top-right corner positions in cartridge body 10.As shown in figure 12, when when face side is observed, through hole 341 is caught near the opening dorsal part bight, upper left side of depositing chamber 340 at ink.In addition, ink catch deposit chamber 340 the lower right at the moment the bight of side be formed with as the part of the rib 10a of spaced walls cut notch 342, via this notch 342 be connected surge chamber 350 and be communicated with.
Here, ink is caught and deposited chamber 340 and link surge chamber 350 is the air chambers that form with the form of the volume midway that enlarges atmosphere communication path 150, forms ink I is stored catch at this ink and deposits chamber 340 and link the surge chamber 350 and make ink I can not continue to flow to atmosphere opening hole 100 1 sides as far as possible even this ink catches to deposit chamber 340 and link surge chamber 350.The back will illustrate that ink catches the concrete effect of depositing chamber 340 and linking surge chamber 350.
Binding surge chamber 350 is caught at ink and is deposited the space that forms below the chamber 340.The bottom surface 352 that links surge chamber 350 is provided with the vent 110 that is used for removing air when injecting ink.In addition, near bottom surface 352, be positioned in the time of on being installed to inkjet recording device gravity direction below the position, through hole 351 is to the thickness direction side opening, the thin communication path 360 that forms via this through hole 351 and side overleaf is communicated with.
The through hole 372 of one end of thin communication path 360 is that the air flow that extraneous gas is imported in the top ink accommodating chamber 370 via atmosphere communication path 150 enters the mouth.In addition, the through hole 351 of the other end of thin communication path 360 is and is connected surge chamber 350 connections and extraneous gas is entered the mouth from the air flow that connects the thin communication path 360 of surge chamber 350 importings.
In the thin communication path 360 of present embodiment, be arranged on as the through hole 372 of the air flow of one end inlet upstream top ink accommodating chamber 370 diapire 375 (with reference to (a) of Figure 10) near, and compare the position that is arranged on by the distance of time H1 with the diapire 375 of top ink accommodating chamber 370 as the through hole 351 of the air flow inlet of its other end.
Shown in Figure 10 (b), thin communication path 360 is by first communication path 361 and second communication path, the 362 approximate L word shapes that form, described first communication path 361 is from the distance as the through hole 372 near normal ground decline H1 of air flow outlet, and described second communication path 362 approximately horizontally extends the distance of L1 and is communicated with through hole 351 as the air flow inlet from the lower end of this first communication path 361.
By first communication path 361 and the approximate thin communication paths 360 that form the L word shape of second communication path 362 are flowing path sections than other the communication path of communication path parts of fine that constitutes atmosphere communication path 150, and maintenance is contained in the part of the ink I in the top ink accommodating chamber 370 in first communication path 361 and second communication path 362 by meniscus (meniscus).
In addition, set the length L 1 of the length H1 and second communication path 362 of above-mentioned first communication path 361, made the quantity of ink of the inside remain on thin communication path 360 become the suitable amount that the ink I and the atmosphere outside that are contained in top ink accommodating chamber 370 grades can be blocked.
In addition, in case the air pressure in the top ink accommodating chamber 370 is owing to the consumption of the ink I in the top ink accommodating chamber 370 has descended, fluid-tight meeting in the then thin communication path 360 make atmosphere outside become small bubble state and in the ink of fluid-tight by importing in the top ink accommodating chamber 370, thereby make the air pressure in the top ink accommodating chamber 370 return to atmospheric pressure, but the air pressure in top ink accommodating chamber 370 can not import atmosphere outside when not descending.
That is, the inflow to ink accommodating chamber 370 in is restricted to the Min. that needs because atmosphere is via atmosphere communication path 150, so can suppress to cause owing to ink I and contacting of fresh air the degradation of ink I.Therefore, stably keep the quality that stockpiles the ink I in each ink accommodating chamber 370,390,430 in can be during longer.
In addition, print cartridge 1 according to present embodiment, the through hole 372 as air flow outlet of an end that carries out the thin communication path 360 of fluid-tight be arranged on top ink accommodating chamber 370 diapire 375 near, the through hole 351 as the air flow inlet of the other end is arranged on than the diapire 375 of top ink accommodating chamber 370 position by the distance of time H1.
Therefore, when for example in factory etc., in cartridge body 10, having filled the ink I of scheduled volume, can the ink I of necessary amount be supplied to the part of thin communication path 360 and the ink I of this necessary amount is remained in the part of this thin communication path 360 by the hydraulic pressure of the ink I in the top ink accommodating chamber 370 that acts on air flow outlet, therefore can be easily in the fluid-tight of the formation midway portion of atmosphere communication path 150.
In addition, print cartridge 1 according to present embodiment, because the approximate shape that forms the L word of the part of thin communication path 360, therefore the capillary force that produces at the bend of approximate L word shape can move the confining force of (refluence) to the ink I performance limit ink I that stockpiles the sealing usefulness in the part of thin communication path 360, thereby stably maintains the fluid-tight state that maintains ink I in the part of thin communication path 360 in can be during longer.
In addition, in a cartridge body, divide in the above-described embodiment and be formed with three ink accommodating chambers, but the quantity that is arranged on the ink accommodating chamber in the cartridge body can be set at plural any amount, the ink accommodating chamber that quantity is set is many more, bubble catches that deposit can multipleization, thereby the performance that stops bubble B to flow to the downstream can improve.
In addition, the purposes of liquid housing container of the present invention is not limited to the print cartridge shown in the above-mentioned embodiment.In addition, the liquid consuming device with container installation portion that liquid housing container of the present invention is installed also is not limited to the inkjet recording device shown in the above-mentioned embodiment.
Liquid consuming device is equivalent to have the container installation portion that liquid housing container is installed removably and is supplied the various devices of the liquid that stockpiles in described liquid housing container, as concrete example, for example can list: device with the colorant injector head that in the manufacturing of the colour filter of LCD etc., uses; Device with electrode material (conduction slurry) injector head that in the electrode of OLED display, face active display (FED) etc. forms, uses; Device with the biological organic matter injector head that in the manufacturing of biochip, uses; Has device as the test portion injector head of precise pipet etc.
Claims (5)
1. liquid housing container, this liquid housing container is the atmosphere opening type liquid housing container that is installed on the liquid consuming device, it comprises:
The liquid containing chamber, receiving fluids;
Liquid supply department is connected with described liquid consuming device;
The liquid path of navigation guides to described liquid supply department with stockpiling liquid in described liquid containing chamber;
Atmosphere communication path, atmosphere imported to described liquid containing along with the consumption of the indoor liquid of described liquid containing from the outside indoor; And
The liquid residue sensor is arranged on described liquid path of navigation midway, flow into the liquid that detects in the described liquid containing chamber in this liquid path of navigation and exhausts by detecting gas;
Described liquid housing container is characterised in that,
Described liquid containing chamber has: the first liquid containing chamber is connected with described atmosphere communication path; And the second liquid containing chamber, be positioned at the downstream of the described first liquid containing chamber and be positioned at the below of the described first liquid containing chamber;
The described first liquid containing chamber connects by being connected stream with the described second liquid containing chamber, make the mobile decline that becomes from the top down of liquid flow, one end of described connection stream is communicated with the liquid outlet that is arranged at the described first liquid containing chamber, the other end is communicated with the liquid inflow entrance that is arranged at the described second liquid containing chamber
In the thin communication path part of having of described atmosphere communication path midway; This thin communication path partly forms than other communication path parts of fine; Can keep being contained in by meniscus the part of the liquid in the described first liquid accommodating chamber; The air flow outlet of one end of described thin communication path part is arranged near the diapire of described first liquid accommodating chamber; And be arranged on the top than described liquid outlet; The air flow entrance of the other end is compared with the diapire of described first liquid accommodating chamber and is arranged on the below
The liquid that is contained in the amount of liquid in the described liquid containing chamber and atmosphere blocking-up can be remained in the described thin communication path part.
2. liquid housing container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that,
Described thin communication path part can form meniscus in all parts in this communication path part.
3. liquid housing container is installed on the liquid consuming device and comprises:
The liquid containing chamber, receiving fluids;
Liquid supply department is connected with described liquid consuming device;
The liquid path of navigation guides to described liquid supply department with stockpiling liquid in described liquid containing chamber;
Atmosphere communication path, atmosphere imported to described liquid containing along with the consumption of the indoor liquid of described liquid containing from the outside indoor; And
Liquid sensor is arranged in the described liquid path of navigation;
Described liquid housing container is characterised in that,
Described liquid containing chamber has: the first liquid containing chamber is connected with described atmosphere communication path; And the second liquid containing chamber, be positioned at the downstream of the described first liquid containing chamber and be positioned at the below of the described first liquid containing chamber;
The described first liquid containing chamber connects by being connected stream with the described second liquid containing chamber, make the mobile decline that becomes from the top down of liquid flow, one end of described connection stream is communicated with the liquid outlet that is arranged at the described first liquid containing chamber, the other end is communicated with the liquid inflow entrance that is arranged at the described second liquid containing chamber
In the thin communication path part of having of described atmosphere communication path midway; This thin communication path partly forms than other communication path parts of fine; Can keep being contained in by meniscus the part of the liquid in the described first liquid accommodating chamber; The air flow outlet of one end of described thin communication path part is arranged near the diapire of described first liquid accommodating chamber; And be arranged on the top than described liquid outlet; The air flow entrance of the other end is compared with the diapire of described first liquid accommodating chamber and is arranged on the below
The liquid that is contained in the amount of liquid in the described liquid containing chamber and atmosphere blocking-up can be remained in the described thin communication path part.
4. liquid housing container as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that,
Described thin communication path part can form meniscus in all parts in this communication path part.
5. as each described liquid housing container in the claim 1～4, it is characterized in that,
Described thin communication path partly is formed approximate L word shape.
Applications Claiming Priority (7)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP083052/2006 | 2006-03-24 | ||
| JP2006083052 | 2006-03-24 | ||
| JP2006083051 | 2006-03-24 | ||
| JP083051/2006 | 2006-03-24 | ||
| JP2006220756 | 2006-08-11 | ||
| JP220756/2006 | 2006-08-11 | ||
| PCT/JP2007/000291 WO2007122795A1 (en) | 2006-03-24 | 2007-03-23 | Liquid container |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN101410253A CN101410253A (en) | 2009-04-15 |
| CN101410253B true CN101410253B (en) | 2011-04-06 |
Family
ID=38807177
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN2007800105590A Expired - Fee Related CN101410253B (en) | 2006-03-24 | 2007-03-23 | Liquid storage container |
| CN2007100900556A Expired - Fee Related CN101041299B (en) | 2006-03-24 | 2007-03-23 | Liquid container |
Family Applications After (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN2007100900556A Expired - Fee Related CN101041299B (en) | 2006-03-24 | 2007-03-23 | Liquid container |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (2) | CN101410253B (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2011194584A (en) * | 2010-03-17 | 2011-10-06 | Seiko Epson Corp | Liquid container and liquid ejecting apparatus |
| JP6102150B2 (en) * | 2012-08-31 | 2017-03-29 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Method for manufacturing liquid container, liquid container |
| CN109203708A (en) * | 2017-07-05 | 2019-01-15 | 亿码（厦门）标识科技有限公司 | A kind of cleaning of integral intelligent ink road, emptying, ink-feeding device |
| CN109940997B (en) * | 2019-04-25 | 2020-08-28 | 珠海毅希科技有限公司 | Ink box processing method |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN1274645A (en) * | 1999-05-20 | 2000-11-29 | 精工爱普生株式会社 | Liquid detecting piezoelectric device, liquid container and mounting module body thereof |
| CN1524706A (en) * | 2003-02-24 | 2004-09-01 | 惠普开发有限公司 | Ink reservoirs |
| CN1583410A (en) * | 2004-06-02 | 2005-02-23 | 邵永恺 | Separated non-sponge hydraulic automatic balancing ink boxes |
| CN2726878Y (en) * | 2004-04-30 | 2005-09-21 | 珠海纳思达电子科技有限公司 | Printer cartridge |
| EP1661710A2 (en) * | 2004-11-29 | 2006-05-31 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Method of liquid filling of cartridge, liquid filling device, and cartridge |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6450631B1 (en) * | 1999-06-24 | 2002-09-17 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Storing method of ink tank and ink jet head cartridge, and ink tank and storing container used in the same method |
| CN1277685C (en) * | 2002-12-10 | 2006-10-04 | 精工爱普生株式会社 | Liquid cartridge |
-
2007
- 2007-03-23 CN CN2007800105590A patent/CN101410253B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2007-03-23 CN CN2007100900556A patent/CN101041299B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN1274645A (en) * | 1999-05-20 | 2000-11-29 | 精工爱普生株式会社 | Liquid detecting piezoelectric device, liquid container and mounting module body thereof |
| CN1524706A (en) * | 2003-02-24 | 2004-09-01 | 惠普开发有限公司 | Ink reservoirs |
| CN2726878Y (en) * | 2004-04-30 | 2005-09-21 | 珠海纳思达电子科技有限公司 | Printer cartridge |
| CN1583410A (en) * | 2004-06-02 | 2005-02-23 | 邵永恺 | Separated non-sponge hydraulic automatic balancing ink boxes |
| EP1661710A2 (en) * | 2004-11-29 | 2006-05-31 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Method of liquid filling of cartridge, liquid filling device, and cartridge |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN101041299B (en) | 2012-08-22 |
| CN101041299A (en) | 2007-09-26 |
| CN101410253A (en) | 2009-04-15 |
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