Ink cartridges

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ink supply device which is equipped with ink cartridges each having an ink chamber for storing ink and a cartridge case capable of containing the ink cartridges.

[Background Art]

[0002] Ink-jet image recording apparatus are equipped with an ink supply device. And the ink supply device is equipped with ink cartridges each having an ink chamber for storing ink and a cartridge case which holds the ink cartridges in a detachable manner. When the ink cartridges are mounted in the cartridge case, an ink channel is formed which leads from each ink chamber to a recording head. Ink is supplied from each ink chamber to the recording head through the ink channel and is ejected from the recording head.

[0003] Each ink cartridge is equipped with an ink supply unit for guiding out ink and an air introduction unit for introducing air into the ink chamber. The ink introduction unit has an opening that is formed in a wall of the ink cartridge, a flexible cylinder member that is provided adjacent to the periphery of the opening, and a rod for moving a valve capable of opening and closing the opening. When an ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge case, the rod of the air introduction unit hits the inner wall of the cartridge case and is pushed to the ink chamber side. As a result, the valve is moved and the opening is opened, whereby the ink chamber comes to communicate with the outside.
The US 6, 048, 045 discloses an ink tank system for supplying ink to a print head of an inkjet printer from a replaceable ink tank by pressurizing inside of the ink tank with pressurized air.
The US 2004/0174417 A1 discloses an inkjet recording apparatus wherein a sub tank mounted on a carriage is replenished with ink, an ink carriage as an ink tank by the action of pressurized air from an air pressurizing pump.
The EP 1 557 272 A2 discloses an ink cartridge comprising a cartridge body formed with a chamber storing ink and a recessed portion having an ink outlet port from which ink in the chamber flows out.
The US 6,505,923 B1 discloses a liquid supply system for an inkjet recording apparatus to suppress unstable ink supply which occurs due to bubble stagnation in a communication portion at a high ink supply rate per units time when a fiber absorbent is used as a negative pressure generating member in the ink tank.
The EP 0 945 271 A2 discloses an alignment coupling device for manually connecting an ink supply to an inkjet print cartridge.
The US 6,296,353 B1 discloses an ink container for a supply of liquid ink including a pressure vessel defining an interior chamber and a collapsing ink reservoir disposed within this interior chamber.
The EP 1 541 359 A1 discloses an inkjet recording apparatus equipped with a hollow ink extracting member and a hollow air introducing member which are connected to an ink cartridge for communication with an interior of the ink cartridge.

[Disclosure of the Invention]

[Technical problems]

[0004] However, in the conventional ink cartridges, the cylinder member is pressed against the inside wall of the cartridge case non-uniformly in terms of the relationship with the periphery of the opening. In this case, a gap is formed between the inner wall and the cylinder member, as a result of which sufficient sealing performance cannot be exercised.
For example, when an initial failure, a malfunction, or the like occurs in a recording apparatus, it may be returned form a user to a store that sold it or to a maker. In such a case, ink may leak out through the air introduction unit of each ink cartridge that is mounted in the recording apparatus and stain the inside of the apparatus in a process of return delivery of the recording apparatus.

[0005]  An object of the invention is therefore to increase the sealing performance of an air communication unit in a state that ink cartridges are mounted.

[Means for solution]

[0006] The invention provides an ink supply device comprising a cartridge mounting unit and an ink cartridge having an ink chamber for storing ink and the ink cartridge is configured to be mounted in the cartridge mounting unit, wherein the ink cartridge comprises an air communication valve and an ink supply valve and wherein the air communication valve comprises a substantially cylindrical sealing member having, at one end, a first hole that communicates with the ink chamber and having, at the other end, a second hole that communicates with the outside and wherein the second hole has a larger diameter than the first hole and wherein the end of the sealing member (83) having the second hole has an inside diameter that is smaller than an outside diameter of a tip-side cylinder portion of a projection (216) that is provided at a position of the inner surface of the cartridge mounting unit as to correspond to the air communication valve and wherein the sealing member is liquid-tightly engageable with the projection by inserting the tip-side cylinder portion of the projection into the second hole of the sealing member and wherein in the engaged condition, the outside circumferential surface of the tip-side cylinder portion is in close contact with the inside surface of the end of the sealing member having the second hole and wherein the air communication valve further comprises:

a rod capable of moving between a first position where the first hole is closed and a second position where the first hole is opened; and a pushing member for pushing the rod toward the first position wherein the rod extends through the first hole and the second hole and in a state that the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit, the first hole is opened in such a manner that the rod is pushed by the projection and moved from the first position to the second position against pushing force that is exerted from the pushing member.

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0007] 

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an ink supply device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 2(A) and 2(B) are perspective views showing appearances of an ink cartridge 100 and show states that a slider 41 is located at a first position and a second position, respectively;

Figs. 3(A) and 3(B) are side views of the ink cartridge 100 and show states that the slider 41 is located at the first position and the second position, respectively;

Figs. 4(A) and 4(B) are perspective views, as viewed from the sides of a front surface 34 and a rear surface 35 of a body 40, respectively, showing the structure of the body 40;

Fig. 5 is a partially enlarged view of a front portion, in the insertion direction, of the ink cartridge 100;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the structure of a base unit 200;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the base unit 200;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing an intermediate state of a process that an ink cartridge 100 is inserted into a cartridge mounting unit 202;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing a state that the ink cartridge 100 is mounted in and fixed to the cartridge mounting unit 202; and

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of an air communication valve 80 and its neighborhood in a state that the ink cartridge 100 is mounted.

[Detailed Description of the Embodiment]

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention will be hereinafter described by referring to the drawings when necessary. It goes without saying that the following embodiment is just an implementation example of the invention and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[Ink supply device 10]

[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an ink supply device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the ink supply device 10 is generally composed of ink cartridges 100 (example ink cartridges according to the invention) and a base unit 200 in which the ink cartridges 100 are to be mounted in a detachable manner. The ink supply device 10, which is used in an image recording apparatus such as a printer, a copier, or a facsimile apparatus of what is called the ink-jet recording type, serves to supply inks stored in the ink cartridges 100 to an image recording head of the image recording apparatus. The individual components of the ink supply device 10 will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Ink cartridges 100]

[0010] As shown in Figs. 2(A) and 2(B) and Figs. 3(A) and 3(B), ink cartridge 100 generally assumes a flat hexahedron. More specifically, each ink cartridge 100 generally assumes a rectangular parallelepiped that is narrow in the width direction (indicated by arrow 31) and longer in the height direction (indicated by arrow 32) and the depth direction (indicated by arrow 33) than in the width direction. Each ink cartridge 100 which is erected as shown in Figs. 2(A) and 2(B) and Figs. 3(A) and 3(B) (i.e., its top surface and bottom surface are as viewed in these figures) is inserted into the base unit 200 (see Fig. 6) in a direction indicated by arrow 30 (hereinafter referred to as "insertion direction 30").

[0011] The ink cartridge 100 is generally equipped with a body 40 (see Figs. 4(A) and 4(B)) for storing ink inside, a slider 41, and a body cover 42. The slider 41 and the body cover 42 generally constitute the outer structure of the ink cartridge 100. The body 40 is fully covered with the slider 41 and the body cover 42. In the embodiment, the body 40, the slider 41, and the body cover 42 are made of a resin material, which is nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like.

[0012] The body 40 (see Figs. 4(A) and 4(B)) is covered almost entirely with the body cover 42. More specifically, most of the body 40 excluding a front surface 34 and part of a top surface 36 (see Figs. 4(A) and 4(B)) is covered with the body cover 42. As a result, most of the body 40, in particular, side surfaces 38 and 39 (see Figs. 4(A) and 4(B)), are protected from external impact or the like. The structure of the body cover 42 is irrelevant to the invention and hence will not be described here in detail.

[0013] The slider 41 is attached to the body 40 via a coil spring (not shown). In a state that the body cover 42 is attached to the body 40(see.Fig.4), a front portion 46, in the depth direction (indicated by arrow 33), of the body cover 42 and the front surface 34 (see.Fig.4) of the body 40 are covered with the slider 41. The slider 41 is configured so as to be slidable in the insertion direction 30 of the ink cartridge 100. Figs. 2(A) and 3(A) show a state that the slider 41 is located at a first position where it is most distant from the front surface 34 (see.Fig.4) of the body 40 in the insertion direction 30. Figs. 2(B) and 3(B) show a state that the slider 41 is located at a second position where it is closest to the front surface 34 of the body 40.

[0014] The slider 41 is formed with openings 177 and 178. The opening 177 is formed at such a position as to correspond to an air communication valve 80. The opening 178 is formed at such a position as to correspond to an ink supply valve 90. Therefore, even when the slider 41 is attached to the body 40, the air communication valve 80 and the ink supply valve 90 are exposed to the outside through the respective openings 177 and 178. As shown in Figs. 2(A) and 2(B) and Figs. 3(A) and 3(B), when the slider 41 is slid from the first position to the second position against the urging force of the above-mentioned coil spring, a cap 95 (see Figs. 4(A) and 4(B)) of the ink supply valve 90 is exposed to outside. When the slider 41 is slid from the second position to the first position, the cap 95 is merged into the slider 41. The structure of the slider 41 and the mechanism for sliding the slider 41 are irrelevant to the invention and hence will not be described here in detail.

[0015] As shown in Figs. 4(A) and 4(B), the outward shape of the body 40 is approximately the same as that of the ink cartridge 100 and generally assumes a flat hexahedron. In the embodiment, as shown in Figs. 4(A) and 4(B), the surfaces of the body 40 that are located on the front side in the insertion direction 30, on the rear side in the insertion direction 30, on the top side in the vertical direction, and on the bottom side in the vertical direction will be referred to as "front surface 34," "rear surface 35," "top surface 36," and "bottom surface 37," respectively. And its surfaces that are adjacent to the front surface 34, the rear surface 35, the top surface 36, and the bottom surface 37 and are opposed to each other will be referred to as "side surfaces 38 and 39." The side surfaces that are located on the left side and right side as viewed from the side of the rear surface 35 are the left-hand side surface 38 and the right-hand side surface 39, respectively. The two side surfaces 38 and 39 have a maximum area among the surfaces of the body 40.

[0016] The body 40 is generally composed of a frame 50, an arm 70, the air communication valve 80, and the ink supply valve 90, and transparent films (not shown) which are welded to the frame 50. The films are omitted in Figs. 4(A) and 4(B).

[0017] The frame 50 is a frame member of the body 40 and provides the six surfaces 34-39 of the body 40. That is, the six surfaces 34-39 of the body 40 are the same as the six surfaces of the frame 50. In the following, the surfaces of the frame 50 will be referred to by using the symbols that are given to the surfaces of the body 40, respectively.

[0018] The frame 50 is made of a light-transmissive material such as a transparent or semi-transparent resin material, and is produced by injection-molding a resin material. Examples of the resin material are polyacetal, nylon, polyethylene, and polypropylene.

[0019] As shown in Figs. 4(A) and 4(B), the frame 50 is provided with an annular outer peripheral wall 51 and plural internal walls 52. The internal walls 52 are disposed inside the outer peripheral wall 51. The outer peripheral wall 51 and the internal walls 52 are integral with each other to constitute the frame 50 and bridge the left-hand side surface 38 and the right-hand side surface 39 of the body 40. The outer peripheral wall 51 is disposed in a ring-like manner so as to generally extend along the front surface 34, the top surface 36, the rear surface 35, and the bottom surface 37 and to form a space inside. As a result, openings 57 and 58 are formed in the left-hand side surface 38 and the right-hand side surface 39 of the frame 50, respectively.

[0020] The above-mentioned films are welded, by a known heat welding method, to the outer edges, on the sides of the respective, left-hand and right-hand side surfaces 38 and 39 (see Figs. 4(A) and 4(B)) of the frame 50, that is, those of the outer peripheral wall 51. The openings 57 and 58 are closed by the films. As a result, the space enclosed by the outer peripheral wall 51 and the films is defined as an ink chamber 102. Ink is stored in the thus-defined ink chamber 102. In the embodiment, the ink chamber 102 is formed by the frame 50 and the films. Alternatively, for example, an ink chamber 102 may be formed inside a frame 50 which itself is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped container.

[0021] The internal walls 52 are disposed in the region that is enclosed by the outer peripheral wall 51. The films are also welded to the outer edges, on the sides of the respective side surfaces 38 and 39, of the internal walls 52. This makes it possible to suppress loosening of the films. Furthermore, even if the slider 41 and the body cover 42 are deformed toward the body 40, their deformation can be restricted by the internal walls 52.

[0022] A detection box 140 is formed on the front surface 34 of the frame 50. The detection box 140 serves to detect the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 102 visually or optically. The detection box 140 is integral with the frame 50. Therefore, the detection box 140 is made of the same material as the frame 50, that is, made of a light-transmissive material such as a transparent or semi-transparent resin material. The detection box 140 can thus transmit external light.

[0023] The detection box 140 is a portion to be illuminated with light of an optical sensor and generally assumes a rectangular parallelepiped. The detection box 140 projects outward from a middle-height portion of the front surface 34 of the body 40. The detection box 140 is composed of five, generally rectangular walls and is hollow inside. That is, a space 142 enclosed by the walls is formed inside the detection box 140. The detection box 140 is not provided with any wall on the ink chamber 102 side and hence the space 172 is continuous with the space of the ink chamber 102. The detection box 140 may be provided on the bottom surface of a concave portion formed by depressing a middle-height portion of the front surface 34 toward the ink chamber 102 of the body 40. As a further alternative, the detection box 140 may be formed so as to be depressed toward the ink chamber 102 of the body 40 from a middle-height portion of the front surface 34.

[0024] When the ink cartridge 100 is mounted in the base unit 200, the detection box 140 is inserted in an optical path 183 (see Fig. 8) of an optical sensor 181 such as a photointerrupter which is attached to the base unit 200. More specifically, the detection box 140 is inserted in such a manner that an illumination region 144 that is set on its side wall intersects the optical path 183.

[0025] The arm 70 is provided inside the body 40, that is, in the ink chamber 102. The arm 70 is made of an opaque resin material. The arm 70 is supported swingably by a rib 74 which erects from the outer peripheral wall 51 at the center in the width direction (indicated by arrow 31). A float portion 73 to serve as a buoyant member is provided at one end of the arm 70. An indicator portion 72 is provided at the other end of the arm 70 so as to be disposed in the space 172. As the float portion 73 is displaced vertically according to the amount of ink in the ink chamber 102, the arm 70 swings and the indicator portion 72 moves vertically in the space 142 according to the swing of the arm 70. The indicator portion 72 which moves vertically is detected via the detection box 140, which makes it possible to judge whether or not a prescribed amount of more of ink remains.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 5, a circular opening 82 is formed in the front surface 34 of the frame 50 at a high position, in other words, over the detection box 140. A cylindrical air communication passage 55 is formed inside the frame 50 to as to be continuous with the opening 82. The air communication passage 55 extends in the depth direction (indicated by arrow 33) of the body 40. The inner portion of the air communication passage 55 is connected to a top portion of the ink chamber 102. That is, the air communication passage 55 communicates with the top portion of the ink chamber 102 where an air layer stays. The air communication valve 80 is disposed partially in the air communication passage 55.

[0027]  The air communication valve 80 serves as a valve mechanism for opening or closing the air communication passage 55 which leads from the opening 82 to the ink chamber 102. The air communication valve 80 mainly composed of such members as a valve body 87, a spring 86, a sealing member 83, and a cap 85.

[0028] The cap 85 is attached to the periphery of the opening 82 via the sealing member 83. For example, the sealing member 87 is made of an elastic synthetic resin and generally assumes a ring shape. The sealing member 87 has a small-diameter hole 62 and a large-diameter hole 63. The outer circumferential wall of an end portion 67 on the large-diameter hole 63 side is so thin as to be bent when receiving external force. The outside diameter of an end portion 64 on the small-diameter hole 62 side is somewhat larger than the diameter of the opening 82. When the end portion 64 is fitted into the air communication passage 55 through the opening 82, the outside circumferential surface of the end portion 64 is brought into close, liquid-tight contact with the inside surface of the air communication passage 55. The outside circumferential surface of the sealing member 83 is formed with a brim 65. When the sealing member 87 is fitted into the air communication passage 55, the brim 65 comes into contact with the periphery of the opening 82 and prevents further entrance of the sealing member 87.

[0029]  The cap 85 is attached to the periphery of the opening 82. A lid portion 68 of the cap 85 is formed with a through-hole 66. When the cap 85 is attached, the end portion 67, on the side of the large-diameter hole 63, of the sealing member 83 is exposed to the outside through the through-hole 66. And the brim 65 of the sealing member 87 is pressed against the periphery of the opening 82 by the periphery of the through-hole 66.

[0030] When the cap 85 and the sealing member 83 are attached to the opening 82, an air communication port 81 via which the air communication passage 55 communicates with the outside of the body 40 is formed by the through-hole 66 of the cap 85 and the internal hole (i.e., the small-diameter hole 62 and the large-diameter hole 63) of the sealing member 83. The air communication port 81 is a portion into which a cylindrical pressing portion 216 of the base unit 200 is inserted when the ink cartridge 100 is mounted in the base unit 200.

[0031] The valve body 87 is disposed in the air communication passage 55 so as to be slidable in the depth direction of the body 40. That is, the valve body 87 is provided so as to be slidable in the same direction as the insertion direction 30 of the ink cartridge 100. The valve body 87 has a lid 88 and a rod 84. The rod 84 projects from the center of the lid 88 in such a direction as to go away from the ink chamber (i.e., rightward in Fig. 5). The lid 88 is pushed toward the sealing member 83 by the spring 86. In other words, the spring 86 pushes the valve body 87 in such a direction that the air communication port 81 is closed. As shown in Fig. 5, at a first position where the lid 88 is in contact with the sealing member 83, the rod 84 projects to the outside through the air communication port 81. The spring 86 is an example urging member for urging the valve body 87. Instead of the spring 86, a member for urging the valve body 87 by the elasticity of rubber, sponge, or the like may be employed.

[0032] When the rod 84 is receiving no external force, the lid 88 being urged by the spring 86 is kept at the first position where it is in contact with the sealing member 83. On the other hand, when the rod 84 is pushed inward receiving external force that is stronger than the urging force of the spring 86, the lid 88 is moved to a second position where it is separated from the sealing member 83. In this state, the ink chamber 102 communicates with the outside of the body 40, whereby the pressure of the air layer in the ink chamber 102 is made equal to atmospheric pressure.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 5, an opening 92 is formed in the front surface 34 of the frame 50 at a position close to its bottom, in other words, under the detection box 140. A cylindrical valve housing room 54 is formed inside the frame 50 so as to be continuous with the opening 92. The valve housing room 54 extends in the direction from the first wall 34 to the ink chamber. The valve housing room 54 communicates with the ink chamber 102 via a communication port.

[0034] An ink supply valve 90 is housed in the valve housing room 54. The ink supply valve 90 serves as a valve mechanism for opening or closing an ink channel that leads from the opening 92 to the ink chamber 102. The ink supply valve 90 is mainly composed of such members as a valve body 97, a spring 96, a sealing member 93, and a cap 95.

[0035] The cap 95 is attached to the periphery of the opening 92 via the sealing member 93. Through-holes are formed through the cap 95 and the sealing member 93 at the centers, respectively. When the cap 95 and the sealing member 93 are attached to the periphery of the opening 92, an ink supply hole 91 via which the valve housing room 54 communicates with the outside of the body 40 is formed by the above through-holes. The ink supply hole 91 is a portion into which a tubular ink needle 209 (see Fig. 6) is inserted when the ink cartridge 100 is mounted in the base unit 200 (see Fig. 6).

[0036] The valve body 97 is disposed in the valve housing room 54 so as to be slidable in the direction 33. The valve body 97 is urged toward the sealing member 93 by the spring 96. In other words, the spring 96 pushes the valve body 97 in such a direction that it closes the ink supply hole 91. As shown in Fig. 5, the ink supply hole 91 is closed in a state that the valve body 97 is in contact with the sealing member 93.

[0037] When the valve body 97 is receiving no external force, that is, when the ink needle 209 (see Fig. 6) is not inserted in the ink supply hole 91, the valve body 97 being urged by the spring 96 is brought in contact with the sealing member 93 and closes the ink supply hole 91. On the other hand, when the ink needle 209 is inserted into the ink supply hole 91 and the valve body 97 receives external force that is stronger than the urging force of the spring 96, the valve body 97 is separated from the sealing member 93 and the ink supply hole 91 is opened. In this state, the ink in the ink chamber 102 can be guided out to the base unit 200 side through the ink needle 209.

[0038] As shown in Figs. 4(A) and 4(B), a trapezoidal portion 124 is provided on the top surface 36 of the frame 50. The trapezoidal portion 124 extends rearward on the top surface 36 from an intermediate position in the insertion direction (indicated by arrow 30). In a state that the body 40 is covered with the body cover 42, the trapezoidal portion 124 is exposed to the outside through an opening 128 (see Figs. 2(A) and 2(B)) which is formed in the top surface of the body cover 42. The rear end of the trapezoidal portion 124 does not reach the rear surface 35.

[0039] The trapezoidal portion 124 is formed with a stopper 125 which projects upward from the trapezoidal portion 124. The stopper 125 is formed at the front end (in the insertion direction 30) of the trapezoidal portion 124. The stopper 125 is composed of a vertical wall 126 which erects from the trapezoidal portion 124 and a slant rib 127 which is inclined at approximately 45° so as to extend from the top of the vertical wall 126 to a portion, in front of the trapezoidal portion 124, of the top surface 36. When the ink cartridge 100 is mounted in the base unit 200, the stopper 125 serves to fix the ink cartridge 100 so that it does not come off the base unit 200. The ink cartridge 100 is fixed by the stopper 125's engaging with a lock lever 230 (see Fig. 6).

[Base unit 200]

[0040] As shown in Fig. 6, a case of the base unit 200 is formed by a frame 204 which generally assumes a box shape having a front opening 207. The internal space of the frame 204 is the space of a cartridge mounting unit 202 in which the ink cartridges 100 are to be mounted. The cartridge mounting unit 202 can accommodate four ink cartridges 100 corresponding to respective colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

[0041] As shown in Figs. 6 and 8, the cartridge mounting unit 202 is provided with three plates 223 which partition the internal space into four spaces which are long in the vertical direction. The ink cartridges 100 are contained in the respective spaces separated by the plates 223. The plates 223 are provided on the inner surface of the cartridge mounting unit 202 so as to erect from the inner surface toward the opening 207 side. The plates 223 are arranged in the width direction of the base unit 200.

[0042] The bottom surface of the frame 204 is formed with four guide grooves 206 which serve to smoothly guide the ink cartridges 100 deep into the cartridge mounting unit 202. The guide grooves 206 extend straightly in the depth direction of the base unit 200. The guide grooves 206 are arranged at prescribed intervals in the width direction of the base unit 200. The leftmost guide groove 206 is wider than the other guide grooves 206. This is to enable insertion of the black ink cartridge 100 which is wider than the other ink cartridges. Each ink cartridge is smoothly inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 202 as its bottom end portion is guided deep along the corresponding guide groove 206.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 8, the base unit 200 is provided with pressing portions 216 on a wall surface corresponding to the front surfaces (in the insertion direction 30) of the ink cartridges 100, that is, at high positions of the inner surface of the cartridge mounting unit 202. The pressing portions 216 are disposed at such positions on the inner surface as to correspond to the respective air communication valves 80 (see Figs. 4(A) and 4(B)). When the ink cartridges 100 are inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 202, the pressing portions 216 press the rods 84 of the air communication valves 80 through the openings 177 (see Figs. 2(A) and 2(B)), respectively. In the embodiment, the four pressing portions 216 are provided for the four ink cartridges 100 which can be contained in the cartridge mounting unit 202.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 8, each pressing portion 216 is a projection that projects perpendicularly to the inner surface. That is, each pressing portion 216 projects in the same direction as the insertion direction 30 of the corresponding ink cartridge 100. In a process that an ink cartridge 100 is inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 202, the corresponding pressing portion 216 is inserted through the opening 177 (see Figs. 2(A) and 2(B)) of the slider 41. The projection length of the pressing portions 216 is set at such a dimension that when an ink cartridge 100 is inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 202, the corresponding pressing portion 216 can be inserted through the opening 177 before the other portions are. When a pressing portion 216 is inserted through the opening 177 of the corresponding slider 41, the insertion position and direction of the slider 41 are determined.

[0045] Each pressing portion 216 has a cylindrical shape so that air can pass through it. The internal hole of each pressing portion 216 is connected to the outside on the back side of the base unit 200. That is, each pressing portion 216 has the internal hole which extends from the tip of the pressing portion 216 to the rear surface of the base unit 200.

[0046] A recess 217 is formed at the tip of each pressing portion 216. The diameter of the recess 217 is set larger than the outside diameter of the tip portion of the rod 84 (see Figs. 4(A) and 4(B)). Plural holes 269 are formed through the bottom wall of the recess 217 at positions that are separated from the center of the bottom wall of the recess 217 in radial directions. Air flows into the internal hole of the pressing portion 216 through the holes 269.

[0047] Each pressing portion 216 is composed of a tip-side, small-diameter cylinder portion 266 and a base-side (inner-surface-side), large-diameter cylinder portion 267. A slant portion 268 is formed between the small-diameter cylinder portion 266 and the large-diameter cylinder portion 267.
The small-diameter cylinder portion 266 has such a dimension as to be able to be inserted into the large-diameter hole 63 of the sealing member 83 (see Fig. 5). In a state that an ink cartridge 100 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 202, the small-diameter cylinder portion 266 is fitted into the large-diameter hole 63. In this state, the outside circumferential surface of the small-diameter cylinder portion 266 is brought into close, liquid-tight contact with the inside surface of the large-diameter hole 63. The large-diameter cylinder portion 267 is sufficiently larger than that of the small-diameter cylinder portion 266 and is set at such a dimension that it can be inserted through the opening 177. In the embodiment, the sealing member of the air communication portion 80 of each ink cartridge 100 is an elastic member. Alternatively, an elastic member made of a rubber or the like may be attached to the surface of each pressing portion 216.

[0048] Connecting portions 208 to be connected to the respective ink supply holes 91 are provided on the inner surface of the cartridge mounting unit 202 at low positions. The connecting portions 208 are disposed at such positions on the inner surface as to correspond to the ink supply valves 90 of the ink cartridges 100, respectively. In the embodiment, the four connecting portions 208 are provided for the four ink cartridges 100 which can be contained in the cartridge mounting unit 202. In Fig. 6, the rightmost connecting portion 208 is hidden behind the side wall of the frame 204.

[0049] Each connecting portion 208 has an ink needle 209 and a holding portion 210. The ink needle 209 is a tubular resin needle. As shown in Fig. 8, the ink needle 209 is connected to a flexible ink tube 212 on the back side of the base unit 200. Each ink tube 212 that extends from the corresponding ink needle 209 and goes out to the back side goes up across the rear surface of the base unit 200 and leads to the recording head of the image recording apparatus.

[0050] Each holding portion 210 has a concave shape and the ink needle 209 is disposed at the center of the holding portion 210. When an ink cartridge 100 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 202, the cap 95 (see Fig. 2(B)) is inserted into the holding portion 210. At this time, the cap 95 is attached to the concave portion of the holding portion 210. As a result, the outside circumferential surface of the cap 95 is brought into close contact with the inside surface of the concave portion of the holding portion 210, whereby the cap 95 is connected to the holding portion 210 without play. The ink supply hole 91 is positioned accurately with respect to the ink needle 209.

[0051] Optical sensors 181 are provided on the inner surface of the cartridge mounting unit 202 over the respective connecting portions 209. The optical sensors 181 are disposed at such positions as to correspond to the detection boxes 140 of the ink cartridges 100, respectively. Each optical sensor 181 is used for detecting whether the amount of ink in the ink chamber 102 has become a prescribed value. As shown in Fig. 8, optical sensors 182 are disposed on the top inside surface of the cartridge mounting unit 202 at deep positions. The optical sensors 182 are used for judging whether the respective ink cartridges 100 are contained in the cartridge mounting unit 202. In the embodiment, the four sets of optical sensors 181 and 182 are provided for the four ink cartridges 100 which can be contained in the cartridge mounting unit 202. In Fig. 6, the rightmost optical sensor 181 is hidden behind the side wall of the frame 204.

[0052] Each of the optical sensors 181 and 182 is a transmission-type photointerrupter having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. An optical path 183 as a path of light emitted from the light-emitting element is formed between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element of the optical sensor 181. A similar optical path 184 is formed in the optical sensor 182.

[0053] An ink absorbing unit 250 is disposed behind the base unit 200. The ink absorbing unit 250 is equipped with an absorption body 251 for absorbing and retaining a liquid such as an ink and a support member 252 for supporting the absorption body 251 behind the base unit 200. The absorption body 251 may be made of any material having both of absorptiveness that enables absorption and retention of a liquid such as an ink and breathability that enables passage of air (or a gas). Example materials of the absorption body 251 are a sponge and a foam rubber.

[0054] The support member 252 can be configured so as to be able to be attached to the frame 204. When the support member 252 holding the absorption body 251 is attached to the frame 204, the absorption body 251 is brought into close contact with the rear surface of the base unit 200. As a result, the backside opening 218 (see Fig. 8) of each pressing portion 216 is closed by the absorption body 251. Since the absorption body 251 is breathable, the internal hole of each pressing portion 216 is not shut up airtight even if the opening 218 is closed by the absorption body 251.

[0055] The frame 204 is provided with lock levers 230. The lock levers 230, which serve to lock the respective ink cartridges 100 mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 202 so that they do not come off, are disposed in the vicinity of a top periphery 205 of the opening 207 of the frame 204. In the embodiment, the four lock levers 230 are provided for the four ink cartridges 100 which can be contained in the cartridge mounting unit 202. By virtue of the lock levers 230, the ink cartridges 100 can be fixed reliably to the cartridge mounting unit 202 while kept mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 202.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 8, each lock lever 230 assumes an arm shape as a whole and is provided with a support shaft 232 approximately at its center. The support shaft 232 is supported rotatably by the frame 204. The lock levers 230 are thus supported in the vicinity of the top periphery 205 of the frame 204 so as to be rotatable on the support shafts 232.

[0057] Each lock lever 230 is composed of an input portion 234, an action portion 236, and an engagement portion 243. The input portion 234 is provided on the left side (as viewed in Fig. 8) of the support shaft 232, that is, on the opening 207 side, and the action portion 236 is provided on the right side (as viewed in Fig. 8) of the support shaft 232, that is, on the deeper side of the cartridge mounting unit 202. The input portion 234 assumes a dish-like shape whose top surface is formed with a very shallow recess, which makes it easier to push down the input portion 234 with the thick of a finger.

[0058] The engagement portion 243 is a bottom portion of the portion between the support shaft 232 and the input portion 23. When the input portion 234 is pushed down, the engagement portion 243 goes down toward the cartridge mounting unit 202 side and comes into contact with a top portion of the corresponding ink cartridge 100.

[0059] The tip of the action portion 236 is provided with a contact portion 237 which is to be brought into contact with the stopper 125 of the corresponding ink cartridge 100. The bottom portion of the contact portion 237 is curved. The portion of the action portion 236 between the support shaft 232 and the contact portion 237 is generally straight.

[0060] A pull spring 219 is disposed above each lock lever 230. The deeper-side end of the pull spring 219 is fixed to the frame 204 above the contact portion 237. More specifically, a flat-plate-like rib 221 erects from the top surface of the frame 204 and the one end of the pull spring 219 is hooked on a hook portion 239 that projects horizontally from the rib 221. On the other hand, the front-side end of the pull spring 219 is hooked on an L-shaped hook portion 241 that projects upward from above the support shaft 232. The position of the hook portion 241 is a little lower than that of the hook portion 239. The pull spring 219 is used as a tension spring. That is, the pull spring 219 is fixed to the hook portions 239 and 241 in a state that it is expanded to produce contracting force. Therefore, the lock lever 230 receives, from the pull spring 219, force of rotating the lock lever 230 in the direction indicated by arrow 245 in Fig. 8 (i.e., clockwise in Fig. 8). Excessive rotation of the lock lever 230 is prevented by the top periphery 205 of the opening 207 of the frame 204. Therefore, in a state that no external force is acting on the input portion 234, the lock lever 230 keeps a posture that its rotation in the direction of arrow 245 is prevented by the top periphery 205. In this state, the input portion 234 is kept generally horizontal. In the embodiment, the lock lever 230 is rotated in the direction of arrow 245 in such a range that the contact portion 237 can come into contact with the trapezoidal portion 124 of the corresponding ink cartridge 100 when it goes down toward the cartridge mounting unit 202 side.

[Ink cartridge 100 mounting operation]

[0061] An operation of mounting an ink cartridge 100 in the base unit 200 will be described below with reference to Figs. 9-11. As shown in Fig. 9, when an ink cartridge 100 is inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 202 through the opening 207 of the frame 204, the top-front end of the ink cartridge 100 comes into contact with the contact portion 237 of the corresponding lock lever 230. At this time, the contact portion 237 is pushed up by the ink cartridge 100. As a result, the lock lever 230 is rotated in the direction of arrow 246 against the pulling force of the pull spring 219. In link with this rotation, the input portion 234 is slightly inclined downward. That is, the posture of the input portion 234 changes from a horizontal one to an inclined one.

[0062] As the ink cartridge 100 advances deep into the cartridge mounting unit 202, first, the small-diameter cylinder portion 266 of the corresponding pressing portion 216 is inserted through the opening 177. As the ink cartridge 100 advances even deeper, the slant portion 268 and the large-diameter cylinder portion 267 of the pressing portion 216 are inserted through the opening 177 in order.

[0063] As the ink cartridge 100 advances further deeper, the top end of the slider 41 intersects the optical path 184 of the corresponding optical sensor 182, whereby the optical sensor 182 detects the slider 41. Then, the front surface of the slider 41 comes into contact with the inner surface of the cartridge mounting unit 202.

[0064]  When the ink cartridge 100 is pushed in the insertion direction 30 in the state that the slider 41 is in contact with the inner surface of the cartridge mounting unit 202, the coil spring (not shown) that is sandwiched between the slider 41 and the body 40 is compressed. As a result, only the body 40 is moved in the insertion direction 30 in the state that the slider 41 is in contact with the inner surface and is kept still. That is, the body 40 is moved closer to the slider 41. The slider 41 is relatively moved from the first position (see Fig. 2(A)) to the second position (see Fig. 2(B)).

[0065] When the body 40 has been moved to such a position (second position) as to be closest to the slider 41, that is, when the body 40 has been inserted deepest into the cartridge mounting unit 202, as shown in Fig. 10 the rod 84 comes into contact with the tip of the pressing portion 216. At this time, the tip of the rod 84 goes into the tip recess 217 of the pressing portion 216 and hence can be caught reliably by the recess 217.

[0066] When the rod 84 receives pressing force from the pressing portion 216, the rod 84 retreats and the lid 88 is separated from the sealing member 83. As a result, the air communication port 81 is opened and the pressure in the ink chamber 102 becomes equal to atmospheric pressure. As the rod 84 retreats further, as shown in Fig. 11, the small-diameter cylinder portion 266 as the tip portion of the pressing portion 216 is inserted into the large-diameter hole 63 of the sealing member 83. The outside circumferential surface of the small-diameter cylinder portion 266 is brought into close contact with the inside surface of the large-diameter hole 63, and sealing is made by the close contact portion (indicated by broken lines in Fig. 11). On the other hand, the air communication port 81 communicates with the absorption body 251 via the recess 217 of the holes 269, the internal hole of the pressing portion 216, and the opening 218 on the back side of the base unit 200 (indicated by thick-line arrows in Fig. 11). Therefore, the air communication port 81 is not closed airtight.

[0067] As shown in Fig. 10, in the process of the movement of the body 40, the cap 95 of the ink supply valve 90 appears through the opening 178 and the ink needle 209 is inserted into the ink supply hole 91. As a result, the ink in the ink chamber 102 comes to be able to be supplied to the image recording apparatus side via the ink needle 209 and the ink tube 212. The detection box 140 goes into (i.e., intersects) the optical path 183 of the optical sensor 181. As a result, the illumination region 144 (see Fig. 4) of the detection box 140 can be illuminated with light.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 10, in the process that the ink cartridge 100 is inserted deep into the cartridge mounting unit 202, the contact portion 237 as the tip portion of the lock lever 230 is relatively moved toward the back side of the ink cartridge 100 as it slides on the portion between a top wall 163 and the slant rib 127. When the ink cartridge 100 has been inserted deepest into the cartridge mounting unit 202, the contact portion 237 goes over the stopper 125. At this time, the action portion 236 which is receiving the pulling force from the pull spring 219 is rotated in the direction of arrow 245 and the contact portion 237 is moved onto the top surface of the trapezoidal portion 124. As a result, the contact portion 237 comes into contact with the stopper 125. This prevents the body 40 from moving backward being pushed by the coil spring 48,49. As a result, as shown in Fig. 25, the ink cartridge 100 is fixed to the base unit 200.

[0069] As described above, according to the embodiment, when an ink cartridge 100 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 202, the small-diameter cylinder portion 266 of the corresponding pressing portion 216 is fitted into the large-diameter hole 63 of the sealing member 83. The outside circumferential surface of the small-diameter cylinder portion 266 is brought into close contact with the inside surface of the large-diameter hole 63, and sealing is made reliably by the close contact portion (indicated by broken lines in Fig. 11). Therefore, even if the image recording apparatus is inclined or inverted in a state that the ink cartridge 100 is mounted, ink does not leak from around the air communication port 81. Even if ink flows into the air communication port 81, ink that is guided through the internal hole of the pressing portion 216 and flows out through the opening 218 is absorbed and retained by the absorption body 251. This prevents an event that the back side of the base unit 200 is stained with ink.

[0070] The air communication valve 80 is just an example member for opening and closing the air communication port 81 and is not indispensable for realizing the invention. It is sufficient to attach, to the opening 82, the sealing member 83 for forming the air communication port 81. It is naturally possible to employ, for example, as the sealing member 83, an annular O-shaped or Y-shape rubber ring. In short, any form of sealing member can be employed as long as it comes into close contact with the outside circumferential surface of the pressing portion 216 and sealing is made by the resulting contact portion when the pressing portion 216 is inserted into it.

Claims

1. An ink supply device (10)
comprising a cartridge mounting unit (202)and an ink cartridge (100) having an ink chamber (102) for storing ink and the ink cartridge (100) is configured to be mounted in the cartridge mounting unit (202);
wherein the ink cartridge (100) comprises an air communication valve (80) and an ink supply valve (90);
wherein the air communication valve (80) comprises a substantially cylindrical sealing member (83) having, at one end, a first hole (62) that communicates with the ink chamber (102) and
having, at the other end, a second hole (63) that communicates with the outside; wherein the second hole (63) has a larger diameter than the first hole (62);
wherein the end of the sealing member (83) having the second hole (63) has an inside diameter that is smaller than an outside diameter of a tip-side cylinder portion (266) of a projection (216) that is provided at a position of the inner surface of the cartridge mounting unit (202) as to correspond to the air communication valve (80);
wherein the sealing member (83) is liquid-tightly engageable with the projection (216) by inserting the tip-side cylinder portion (266) of the projection (216) into the second hole (63) of the sealing member (83);
wherein in the engaged condition, the outside circumferential surface of the tip-side cylinder portion (266) is in close contact with the inside surface of the end of the sealing member (83) having the second hole (63); and
wherein the air communication valve (80) further comprises:

a rod (84) capable of moving between a first position where the first hole (62) is closed and a second position where the first hole (62) is opened; and

a pushing member (86) for pushing the rod (84) toward the first position;
wherein,

the rod (84) extends through the first hole (62) and the second hole (63); and in a state that the ink cartridge (100) is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit (202), the first hole (62) is opened in such a manner that the rod (84) is pushed by the projection (216) and moved from the first position to the second position against pushing force that is exerted from the pushing member (86).

2. The ink supply device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member (83) is made of an elastic material.

3. The ink supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
the projection (216) is a hollow cylinder body; and
holes (269) are formed through the tip-side cylinder portion (266) of the cylinder body so as to communicate with an inside of the cylinder body.

4. The ink supply device according to claim 3, further comprising:

an absorption body (251) on a base side of the projection (216) that is opposite to a tip side in an extension direction of the projection (216).

5. The ink supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

an optical sensor (181; 182) having a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion;
wherein the sealing member (83) is located above the optical sensor (181; 182) in a state that the ink cartridge (100) is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit (202).

Ansprüche

1. Tintenabgabevorrichtung (10),
eine Patronenbefestigungseinheit (202) und eine Tintenpatrone (100) mit einer Tintenkammer (102) zum Speichern von Tinte umfassend wobei die Tintenpatrone (100) für eine Befestigung in der Patronenbefestigungseinheit (202) ausgelegt ist;
wobei die Tintenpatrone (100) ein Luftverbindungsventil (80) und ein Tintenabgabeventil (90) aufweist;
wobei das Luftverbindungsventil (80) ein im Wesentlichen zylindrisches Dichtelement (83) aufweist, das an einem Ende eine erste Öffnung (62) aufweist, die mit der Tintenkammer (102) in Verbindung steht, und
am anderen Ende eine zweite Öffnung (63) aufweist, die mit der Außenseite in Verbindung steht;
wobei die zweite Öffnung (63) einen größeren Durchmesser aufweist als die erste Öffnung (62);
wobei das Ende des Dichtelements (83), an dem sich die zweite Öffnung (63) befindet, einen Innendurchmesser aufweist, der kleiner ist als ein Außendurchmesser eines vorderen zylindrischen Abschnitts (266) eines Vorsprungs (216), der an einer Stelle der Innenfläche der Patronenbefestigungseinheit (202) vorgesehen ist, die dem Luftverbindungsventil (80) entspricht;
wobei das Dichtelement (83) durch Einfügen des vorderen zylindrischen Abschnitts (266) des Vorsprungs (216) in die zweite Öffnung (63) des Dichtelements (83) flüssigkeitsdicht mit dem Vorsprung (216) in Eingriff gebracht werden kann; wobei im Eingriffszustand die Außenumfangsfläche des vorderen zylindrischen Abschnitts (26) in engem Kontakt mit der Innenfläche desjenigen Endes des Dichtelements (83) steht, an dem sich die zweite Öffnung (63) befindet; und wobei das Luftverbindungsventil (80) ferner aufweist:

einen Stab (84), der sich zwischen einer ersten Position, in der die erste Öffnung (62) geschlossen ist, und einer zweiten Position bewegen kann, in der die erste Öffnung (62) offen ist; und

ein Schiebeelement (86), das den Stab (84) in Richtung auf die erste Position schiebt;
wobei

der Stab (84) durch die erste Öffnung (62) und die zweite Öffnung (63) hindurch verläuft; und

die erste Öffnung (62) in einem Zustand, in dem die Tintenpatrone (100) in der Patronenbefestigungseinheit (202) befestigt ist, derart geöffnet ist, dass der Vorsprung (216) gegen den Stab (84) drückt und diesen entgegen der Schubkraft, die vom Schiebeelement (86) ausgeübt wird, aus der ersten Position in die zweite Position bewegt.

2. Tintenabgabevorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Dichtelement (83) aus einem elastischen Material besteht.

3. Tintenabgabevorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei der Vorsprung (216) ein hohler Zylinderkörper ist; und Öffnungen (269) derart durch den vorderen zylindrischen Abschnitt (266) des Zylinderkörpers hindurch ausgebildet sind, dass sie mit dem Inneren des Zylinderkörpers in Verbindung stehen.

4. Tintenabgabevorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, ferner aufweisend:

einen Absorptionskörper (251) auf einer Basisseite des Vorsprungs (216), die einer Endseite des Vorsprungs (216) in dessen Verlaufsrichtung entgegengesetzt ist.

5. Tintenabgabevorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, ferner aufweisend:

einen optischen Sensor (181; 182) mit einem lichtemittierenden Abschnitt und einem lichtempfangenden Abschnitt;
wobei das Dichtelement (83) in einem Zustand, in dem die Tintenpatrone (100) in der Patronenbefestigungseinheit (202) befestigt ist, oberhalb des optischen Sensors (181; 182) angeordnet ist.

Revendications

1. Dispositif d'alimentation d'encre (10) :

comprenant une unité de montage de cartouche (202) et une cartouche d'encre (100) ayant une chambre d'encre (102) pour stocker l'encre et la cartouche d'encre (100) est configurée pour être montée dans l'unité de montage de cartouche (202) ;

dans lequel la cartouche d'encre (100) comprend une soupape de communication d'air (80) et une soupape d'alimentation d'encre (90) ;

dans lequel la soupape de communication d'air (80) comprend un élément d'étanchéité sensiblement cylindrique (83) ayant, au niveau d'une extrémité, un premier trou (62) qui communique avec la chambre d'encre (102), et

ayant, au niveau de l'autre extrémité, un second trou (63) qui communique avec l'extérieur ;

dans lequel le second trou (63) a un plus grand diamètre que le premier trou (62) ;

dans lequel l'extrémité de l'élément d'étanchéité (83) ayant le second trou (63) a un diamètre interne qui est plus petit qu'un diamètre externe d'une partie de cylindre du côté de la pointe (266) d'une saillie (216) qui est prévue dans une position de la surface interne de l'unité de montage de cartouche (202) afin de correspondre à la soupape de communication d'air (80) ;

dans lequel l'élément d'étanchéité (83) peut se mettre en prise de manière étanche au liquide avec la saillie (216) en insérant la partie de cylindre du côté de la pointe (266) de la saillie (216) dans le second trou (63) de l'élément d'étanchéité (83) ;

dans lequel, dans la condition mise en prise, la surface circonférentielle externe de la partie de cylindre du côté de la pointe (266) est en contact immédiat avec la surface interne de l'extrémité de l'élément d'étanchéité (83) ayant le second trou (63) ; et

dans lequel la soupape de communication d'air (80) comprend en outre :

une tige (84) pouvant se déplacer entre une première position dans laquelle le premier trou (62) est fermé et une seconde position dans laquelle le premier trou (62) est ouvert ; et

un élément de poussée (86) pour pousser la tige (84) vers la première position ;
dans lequel :

la tige (84) s'étend à travers le premier trou (62) et le second trou (63) ; et

dans un état dans lequel la cartouche d'encre (100) est montée dans l'unité de montage de cartouche (202), le premier trou (62) est ouvert de sorte que la tige (84) est poussée par la saillie (216) et déplacée de la première position à la seconde position contre la force de poussée qui est exercée par l'élément de poussée (86).

2. Dispositif d'alimentation d'encre selon la revendication 1, dans lequel :

l'élément d'étanchéité (83) est réalisé avec une matière élastique.

3. Dispositif d'alimentation d'encre selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans lequel :

la saillie (216) est un corps cylindrique creux ; et

des trous (269) sont formés à travers la partie de cylindre du côté de la pointe (266) du corps cylindrique afin de communiquer avec un intérieur du corps cylindrique.

4. Dispositif d'alimentation d'encre selon la revendication 3, comprenant en outre :

un corps d'absorption (251) du côté de la base de la saillie (216) qui est opposé à un côté de pointe dans une direction d'extension de la saillie (216).

5. Dispositif d'alimentation d'encre selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, comprenant en outre :

un capteur optique (181 ; 182) ayant une partie d'émission de lumière et une partie de réception de lumière ;

dans lequel l'élément d'étanchéité (83) est positionné au-dessus du capteur optique (181 ; 182) dans un état dans lequel la cartouche d'encre (100) est montée dans l'unité de montage de cartouche (202).

Drawing