1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to an ink cartridge and an inkjet recording apparatus equipped with the ink cartridge.
2. Description of Related Art
An ink cartridge is typically loaded into an inkjet recording apparatus by mounting the ink cartridge into the inkjet recording apparatus. A rubber stopper is attached to the ink cartridge and prevents air, ink or any other material from entering or exiting the ink cartridges. The inkjet recording apparatus includes a hollow needle with an acuminate tip. When the ink cartridge is pushed and loaded into the inkjet recording apparatus, the hollow needle penetrates the stopper plug by which an inside of the ink cartridge is in communication with the hollow needle in order to supply ink to the inkjet recording apparatus. However, the acuminate tip of the hollow needle is formed with the acuminate tip projecting toward the user. It is thus necessary to secure a safety measure in order to prevent a user from touching the tip.
In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication H3-197052, for example, an inkjet recording apparatus is equipped with a protection device that protects the user from the hollow needle when the hollow needle is exposed. The protection device has a protection plate installed between the hollow needle and a side in which the ink cartridge is inserted in order to cover the hollow needle. When the ink cartridge is loaded, a lock of the protection plate when in a shielding position is released and the hollow needle is exposed. Furthermore, the hollow needle penetrates the stopper plug and the ink cartridge is thus loaded in the inkjet recording apparatus. Furthermore, when the ink cartridge is removed, the protection plate is placed in the shielding position by a twisted coil spring and held at that position by a lock component. Thus, the protection plate shields the user from touching the hollow needle.
As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2001-113723, there also exists ink cartridges that prevent ink from leaking from the cartridges when the cartridges are removed from inkjet recording devices. Such ink cartridges are provided with an ink chamber that stores ink, an ink supply port that externally supplies ink stored in the ink chamber, and an ink guidance chamber formed between the ink chamber and the ink supply port.
The ink guidance chamber houses a valve unit, and a cylindrical packing is inserted into the ink supply port. The valve unit is urged by a compression spring in a direction elastically contacting the cylindrical packing in order to obstruct the ink flow path, and the valve unit prevents ink from leaking from the ink chamber side. The ink cartridge is structured such that, when attached to an inkjet recording device, an ink supply needle penetrates the cylindrical packing and opposes the urging force of the compression spring to press the valve unit toward the ink chamber. An ink flow path is thereby formed in order to supply ink.
The present invention also allows, among other things, various dimensions that permit the secure installation of the ink cartridge in an image forming device.
In exemplary embodiments, an ink cartridge includes an ink chamber capable of storing ink, an opening in a bottom surface of the ink cartridge, through which the ink may be supplied from the ink chamber to an image forming device, a first side wall, a second side wall opposite from the first side wall, a front wall, and a back wall opposite the front wall, wherein a first distance between the first side wall and the second side wall is greater than a second distance between the front wall and the back wall, at least one of the front wall or the back wall includes a recess, which protrudes inwardly with respect to adjacent regions of the at least one of the front wall or the back wall, a third distance from the bottom surface to the top of the recess is more than about 4.5 mm, and a fourth distance from the adjacent regions of the at least one of the front wall or the back ball and an end of the recess is less than about 3 mm.
In exemplary embodiments, an ink cartridge includes an ink chamber capable of storing ink, an opening in a bottom surface of the ink cartridge, through which the ink may be supplied from the ink chamber to an image forming device, an upper surface opposite from the bottom surface, a first side wall, a second side wall opposite from the first side wall, a front wall, and a back wall opposite the front wall, wherein a first distance between the first side wall and the second side wall is greater than a second distance between the front wall and the back wall, a bottom portion of the first side wall includes a recess, which protrudes inwardly with respect to an upper portion of the first side wall, a third distance from the recess to the second side wall is less than about 39.5 mm, the front wall includes a first bottom edge and the back wall includes a second bottom edge, a fourth distance from the first bottom edge to the second bottom edge is less than about 19.5 mm, and a fifth distance from the upper surface to the bottom surface is less than about 48 mm.
In exemplary embodiments, an ink cartridge includes an ink chamber capable of storing ink, an opening in a bottom surface of the ink cartridge, through which the ink may be supplied from the ink chamber to an image forming device, an upper surface opposite from the bottom surface, a first side wall, a second side wall opposite from the first side wall, a front wall, and a back wall opposite the front wall, wherein a first distance between the first side wall and the second side wall is greater than a second distance between the front wall and the back wall, a bottom portion of the first side wall includes a recess, which protrudes inwardly with respect to an upper portion of the first side wall, a third distance from the recess to the second side wall is less than about 39.5 mm, the front wall includes a first bottom edge and the back wall includes a second bottom edge, a fourth distance from the first bottom edge to the second bottom edge is less than about 28.5 mm, and a fifth distance from the upper surface to the bottom surface is less than about 48 mm.
In exemplary embodiments, an ink cartridge includes an ink chamber capable of storing ink, an opening in a bottom surface of the ink cartridge, through which the ink may be supplied from the ink chamber to an image forming device, a first side wall, a second side wall opposite from the first side wall, a front wall, and a back wall opposite the front wall, wherein the first side wall includes a protruding region, which protrudes outwardly with respect to adjacent regions of the first side wall, the protruding region has a first edge and a second edge, the first edge being closer to the front wall than to the back wall and the second edge being closer a back wall than to the first wall, and a first distance from the first edge to the second edge is less than about 4.5 mm.
In exemplary embodiments, an ink cartridge includes an ink chamber capable of storing ink, an opening in a bottom surface of the ink cartridge, through which the ink may be supplied from the ink chamber to an image forming device, and a blocking member that is positioned between the bottom surface and the ink chamber, the blocking member blocking communication between the ink chamber and an outside of the ink cartridge, the blocking member being capable of allowing the communication between the ink chamber and the outside of the ink chamber when an extract component of the image forming device is moved into the ink cartridge from the opening, wherein a first distance from the bottom surface and a bottom of the blocking member is less than about 4.5 mm.
Various exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures, wherein:
The ink cartridge 1 is formed so as to be detachable with respect to the inkjet recording apparatus 2 that is provided with a recording head 7 which ejects ink I. The ink cartridge 1 stores the ink I to be supplied to the recording head 7. One of a plurality of ink colors, such as cyan, magenta, yellow, black, or the like, is filled in the ink cartridge 1 as ink I, and a plurality of ink cartridges 1 that are filled with different ink colors are mounted to the inkjet recording apparatus 2. Color printing is thus made possible.
The inkjet recording apparatus 2 is provided with a mounting part 3 which detachably mounts the ink cartridge 1, a tank 5 which stores the ink I supplied from the ink cartridge 1 via an ink supply tube 4, the recording head 7 which emits the ink I stored in the tank 5 to recording sheet 6, a carriage 8 in which the tank 5 and the recording head 7 are mounted and which is movable in two linear directions, a carriage shaft 9 which is a guide by which the carriage 8 moves in the two linear directions, a transport mechanism 10 which transports the recording sheet 6, and a purge device 11.
The mounting part 3 is composed of a base part 3a that is sandwiched by a guide part 3b which is set on both sides of the base part 3a. A hollow ink extracting tube 12 extracts the ink I stored in the ink cartridge 1 and a hollow outside air intake tube 13 introduces outside air to the ink cartridge 1. The ink extracting tube 12 and the air intake tube 13 are examples of extract components.
The ink supply tube 4 is connected with one end side of the ink extracting tube 12, and the ink extracting tube 12 is connected to the tank 5 via the ink supply tube 4. The outside air intake tube 15 is connected to one end side of the air intake tube 13, and the outside air intake tube 13 is connected to outside air via the outside air intake tube 15.
The ink cartridge 1 is mounted from a direction (arrow X direction) perpendicular to the mounting part 3. At this time, the ink extracting tube 12 and the air intake tube 13 contact a valve member 32 (see
A plurality of nozzle holes are provided in the recording head 7 on a surface to be opposite the recording sheet 6. By driving an actuator composed of piezoelectric elements, the ink I stored in the tank 5 is emitted from the nozzle holes to the recording sheet 6. Furthermore, if a recording operation is actually performed, recording is performed onto the recording sheet 6 as the carriage 8, which mounts the recording head 7, moves back and forth.
Furthermore, the recording head 7 is arranged above the mounting part 3. A negative pressure (back pressure) is thus given to the ink I within the nozzle holes due to the pressure head difference between the ink cartridge 1 mounted in the mounting part 3 and the nozzle holes.
A purge device 11 is outside the recording area and arranged so as to face the recording head 7. The purge device 11 is provided with a purge cap 11a which covers a nozzle hole formation surface of the recording head 7, a waste ink tube 11b which communicates with the purge cap 11a, and a pump 11c which intakes ink from the nozzle holes via the waste ink tube 11b.
When the purge processing is performed, the cartridge 8 is moved to a purge processing executing position, and the nozzle hole formation surface of the recording head 7 is covered by the purge cap 11a. In this state, by driving the pump 11c, poor ink that includes bubbles, dust or the like remaining inside the recording head 7 is vacuumed. The poor ink is then stored in an undepicted waste ink tank via the waste ink tube 11b. The recording operation and the purge process are controlled under a central processing unit (CPU) (not shown) mounted on the inkjet recording apparatus 2.
The ink cartridge 1 includes a container wall 1a in which the upper/lower end surfaces are open, and a lid 1b which is fixed in order to cover and seal the opening on the top surface of the container wall 1a. Furthermore, the container wall 1a and the lid 1b are formed of a resin material. The ink I to be supplied to the recording head 7 is stored in the ink chamber 16 formed inside the ink cartridge 1 (see
Next, the structure of the ink cartridge 1, in particular part A of
As shown in
An ink supply port 21 for communicating with the ink chamber 16 and the second chamber 17 is formed in the partition wall 1c. A thin film member 31, which can be broken when the ink supply port 21 is closed, is formed of a resin material integrated with the container wall 1a at the lower end portion of a cylindrical wall 22 which extends from the partition wall 1c and surrounds the ink supply port 21. Furthermore, an air intake opening 26 for communicating with the ink chamber 16 and the second chamber 17 is formed in the partition wall 1c, and a thin film member 51 which can be broken when the air intake opening 26 is closed is formed of a resin material integrated to the container wall 1a at the lower end portion of a cylindrical wall 24 which depends from the partition wall 1c and surrounds the air intake opening 26. Thus, when the ink cartridge 1 is transported, the ink chamber 16 is sealed by the thin film members 31,51, and it is possible to prevent the ink within the ink chamber 16 from leaking to the second chamber 17 via the ink supply port 21 and the air intake opening 26.
Furthermore, a barrel member 25 is arranged so as to protrude into the ink chamber 16 from the air intake opening 26. Outside air is introduced to the upper part of the ink chamber 16 via the air intake opening 26 and the barrel member 25.
On the partition wall 1c, a barrel-shaped body 30 as an example of a communication chamber, which extends toward the opening of the second chamber 17, is connected and formed so as to protrude into the second chamber 17 from the partition wall 1c and surround the cylindrical wall 22. In addition, on the partition wall 1c, a second barrel-shaped body 50 as an example of a communication chamber, which extends toward the opening of the second chamber 17, is connected and formed so as to protrude into the second chamber 17 from the partition wall 1c and surround the cylindrical wall 24.
To make the space between a later-described pointed part 72 and the film member 51 smaller than the space between the pointed part 72 and the film member 31, the cylindrical walls 22 and 24 are formed such that the amount that the cylindrical wall 24 extends from the partition wall 1c is larger than the amount that the cylindrical wall 22 extends from the partition wall 1c.
The valve device 18 is fixed inside the barrel-shaped body 30 and the valve device 19 is fixed inside the second barrel-shaped body 50. The valve devices 18,19 can selectively communicate between the inside and the outside of the ink chamber 16 and cut off communication between the inside and the outside of the ink chamber 16.
Here, the valve device 18 is explained. The valve device 19, which is fixed to the second barrel-shaped body 50, has the same shape as the valve device 18. As such, only a detailed explanation of the valve device 18 will be provided.
The valve device 18 is provided with a support member 46 which is integrally manufactured by a rubber elastic member and the valve member 32 composed of a resin material. The support member 46 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is integrally molded and includes a valve seat part 46a in the intermediate part in the axial direction, an urging part 46b that is closer to the ink chamber 16 than the valve seat part 46a, a cylindrical part 35 which extends from the valve seat part 46a toward a side opposite the urging part 46b, and an outer circumferential wall 33 which extends parallel to, and is spaced from, the outer circumference of the cylindrical part 35. In other words, the valve seat part 46a and the urging part 46b are integrally formed as a one-piece member. The valve member 32 is housed within the urging part 46b, and is urged by the urging part 46b toward the valve seat part 46a.
The valve device 18 has a positioning part 33a which protrudes from the outer circumferential wall 33 to an outer circumferential external direction towards the barrel-shaped body 30. The barrel-shaped body 30 is formed so that a part of the barrel-shaped body 30 has a smaller external diameter than that of the positioning part 33a. A step-shape is thus formed in the barrel-shaped body 30 that contacts the positioning part 33a.
As shown in the enlarged diagram in
The valve seat part 46a has an opening 41 which goes through the center in the axial direction. When the ink cartridge 1 is mounted to the inkjet recording apparatus 2, the cylindrical part 35 seals the ink extracting tube 25 inserted therein. The cylindrical part 35 is provided with an introducing path 40 in which the ink extracting tube 12, which is protruding from the inkjet recording apparatus 2, is inserted. The cylindrical part 35, as an example of an inner peripheral wall, is integrally connected with the valve seat part 46a in a state in which the introducing path 40 is connected to the opening 41. The valve member 32 contacting the valve seat part 46a is exposed to the outside through the opening 41 and the introducing path 40, and faces the ink extracting tube 12 inserted therein. The introducing path 40 is formed smaller than the outer diameter of the ink extracting tube 12 so as to closely fit to the inserted ink extracting tube 12. The opening 41 is formed larger than the outer diameter of the ink extracting tube 12. An end of the introducing path 40, from which the ink extracting tube 12 is inserted, is formed in a tapered shape in which the diameter increases towards the outside.
The cylindrical part 35 and the outer circumferential wall 33, as an example of an outer peripheral wall, are separated by a predetermined distance by a ring-shaped groove 34. The cylindrical part 35 is made elastically deformable in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the center axis of the introducing path 40 with respect to the outer circumferential wall 33. As a result, it is easy to expand the cylindrical part 35 in accordance (in the Y direction in
Furthermore, the cylindrical part 35 is formed with a length that cannot reach the lower edge of the outer circumferential wall 33. In other words, the edge of the ink extract tube 12 is inserted. Thus, the remaining ink in the cylindrical part 35 does not soil the surface of a flat surface when the valve device 18 is placed on that flat surface.
The urging part 46b is formed by a side wall part 36 which stands out in a cylindrical shape on the ink chamber 16 side from the outer circumference of the valve seat part 46a and a projection part 37 which extends from the side wall part 36 and extends inward so as to contact the ink chamber 16 side of the valve member 32. The urging part 46b is also provided with an opening 37a in the center of the projection part 37. The urging part 46b urges the valve member 32 based on the elasticity of the side wall part 36 and the projection part 37. In a normal state before the ink cartridge 1 is mounted to the inkjet recording apparatus 2, the valve member 32 contacts the valve seat part 46a. When the ink cartridge 1 is mounted to the ink jet recording apparatus 2, the ink extracting tube 12 enters the introducing path 40 and pushes the valve member 32 up toward the ink chamber 16 so that the side wall part 36 is extended, the projection part 37 is inclined, and a gap for an ink flow path is formed between the valve member 32 and the valve seat part 46a.
The radial thickness t1 (see
The valve member 32 in
The bottom part 70 has a projecting component 39 (see
In the bottom part 70, circumferentially inward with respect to the valve side wall part 71 and circumferentially outward with respect to the opening 41, a plurality of communication paths 38 are formed which communicate with the ink chamber 16 side of the valve member 32 and the valve seat part of the valve member 32. In this example, eight communication paths 38 are formed, however, the number is not specifically limited and any number can be formed.
The pointed part 72 consists of four plate components 73a-73d which are positioned in the approximate center of the bottom part 70 and are combined in the form of an approximate cross. The plate components 73a-73d form grooves 77 extending in parallel and along the axial line between the plate components 73a-73d located next to each other. Each of the plate components 73a-73d are, in the direction to the bottom part 70 from the tip 76, equipped with first slope units 74a-74d which slope at a first angle (for example, approximately “45 degrees” in this example) against the central axial line extending in the same direction and second slope units 75a-75d, next to the first slope units 74a-74d, which have a second angle (for example, approximately “10 degrees” in this example), which is more acute compared to the first angle, in the direction to the bottom part 70 from the first slope units 74a-74d.
The pointed part 72 projects through the opening 37a of the projection part 37 and is positioned opposite the film member 31 with the tip 76 spaced at an interval from the film member 31. When the ink cartridge 1 is mounted to the inkjet recording apparatus 2, as the ink extracting tube 12 pushes up the bottom part 70 of the valve member 32, the thin film member 31 breaks, and an ink flow path is formed which goes through the ink supply port 21, the opening 37a, the communication paths 38, and the ink extracting tube 12.
When the ink cartridge 1 is detached from the inkjet recording apparatus 2, the bottom part 70 and the valve seat part 46a are connected by an urging force of the urging part 46b, and the ink flow path is cut off.
Furthermore, when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted to the inkjet recording apparatus 2, an air intake tube 13, which is arranged by being protruded from the inkjet recording apparatus 2, is inserted into the valve device 19. In the same manner as the above-mentioned ink supply, an outside air flow path is formed which goes through the air intake opening 26, the opening 37a, the communication paths 38, and the air intake tube 13. At approximately the same time, when the ink cartridge 1 is detached from the inkjet recording apparatus 2, an outside air flow path is cut off by the urging force of the urging part 46b.
Next, the ink extract tube 12 and the air intake tube 13 are explained by referring to
The edge of the tip of the ink extract tube 12 on the side of the valve member 32 is open, and a contact section with the valve member 32 consists of end sections 80a-80d formed on the approximate plane. And the communicating passages 81a-81d are formed in the shape of grooves cut on the external wall of the ink extract tube 12. These communicating passages 81a-81d are formed at approximately even intervals on the external wall of the ink extract tube 12. Note that in this example, four communicating passages 81a-81d are formed however, any number can be formed.
The ink extract tube 12 has the end sections 80a-80d formed on the approximate plane, and can press the contact surface of the valve member 32 approximately evenly when it contacts with the valve member 32. Therefore, tilting of the valve member 32 is avoided and the valve member 32 can constantly maintain the ink passage at a certain level. The communicating passages 81a-81d are cut and are formed such that even if the ink extract tube 12 is in contact with the valve member 32, the passage of the ink through the communicating passages 81a-81d can be reliably obtained.
Furthermore, since the tip of the ink extract tube 12 is formed on the approximate plane, even if the ink extract tube 12 is installed in a projected state from the installation unit 3, the user will not be hurt by touching the ink extract tube 12 because the tip is no longer formed in an acuminate shape as before.
The valve device 19, positioned in the second barrel-shaped body 50 on the side of the air intake, uses exactly the same components as the valve device 18 on the side of ink supply mentioned above, fixed in a similar way. Each part of the air intake tube 12 is in a similar dimensional relationship to that of the air intake tube 13, and therefore, detailed explanations are omitted.
Here, the motion of the valve device 18, when the ink cartridge 1 is loaded into the inkjet recording apparatus 2, is explained by referring to
At approximately the same time when the ink extract tube 12 mentioned above intrudes, the air intake tube 13 enters into the valve device 19 on the side of second barrel-shaped body 50 and pushes up the valve member 32. Since the space between the film member 51 and the tip 76 of the pointed part 72 is smaller than the space between the film member 31 and the tip 76 of the pointed part 72, the thin film 51 is ruptured first as compared to the film member 31 on the side of the ink extract tube 12. In general, the ink cartridge 1 is packed in a decompressed state in order to keep the ink in the ink cartridge 1 in a deaerated state and the ink chamber 16 under a reduced pressure as well. As mentioned above, by rupturing the film member 51 on the side of the air intake tube 13 quickly, the film member 31 on the side of the ink extract tube 12 is ruptured after the air is led to the upper part of the ink chamber 16 through the barrel member 25. The supply of the ink to the ink extract tube 12 is thus ensured. If the film member 31 on the side of the ink extract tube 12 is ruptured too early, the air enters into the ink passage of the ink extract tube 12 which prevents a smooth supply of the ink.
When the ink cartridge 1 is pulled up from the installation unit 3 in order to remove the loaded ink cartridge 1 from the inkjet recording apparatus 2, the ink extract tube 12 and the air intake tube 13 are separated from each of the corresponding valve members 32. At the same time, each valve member 32 returns to a state of closely contacting with the valve seat part 46a due to the biasing operation of the urging part 46b. At this point, since the circular projecting component 39 is installed on the surface set up against the valve seat part 46a, the ink chamber 16 is reliably sealed in order to prevent ink from leaking. In addition, the ink I remaining near the opening 41 of the valve seat part 46a on the side of the ink extract tube 12 is maintained at that position forming a meniscus and does not leak outside since the atmospheric pressure does not apply to the ink on the upper side because the upper part is blocked by the valve member 32 and the diameter of the introducing path 40 is small (approximately 2 mm in diameter).
Next,
When the film member 31 is pushed and widened by the second slope units 75a-75d instead of the first slope units 74a-74d, the curving angle of the ruptured part of the film member 31 changes and the ruptured part is separated from the groove 77 between the plate components 73a-73d, and the ink passage is formed as mentioned above. Furthermore, since the amount of contact between the film member 31 and the plate components 73a-73d becomes lower, when the ink cartridge 1 is removed, the pointed part 72 and the film member 31 are reliably separated by the biasing of the urging part 46b.
As explained above, based on the ink cartridge mentioned above, the valve member 32 which has a pointed part 72 with the tip formed in an acuminate shape to rupture the film member 31 is retained by the support member 46, and such support member 46 is fixed in the barrel-shaped body 30. Because of this, when the ink cartridge 1 is loaded into the inkjet recording apparatus 2, the valve member 32 is pushed up towards the ink chamber 16 by the ink extract tube 12. At the same time, the film member 31 is ruptured and the ink passages B and C, which connect the ink chamber 16 and the ink extract tube 12, are formed. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the tip of the ink extract tube 12 in an acuminate shape, which can prevent the user from being hurt by the ink extract tube 12 and thus, can further improve the safety.
Furthermore, since it is not necessary to form the tip of the ink extract tube 12 in an acuminate shape, it is also not necessary to newly position a preventative device that covers the ink extract tube 12. It is thus possible to prevent the inkjet recording apparatus from becoming large-scaled and at the same time, since the number of components does not increase, an increase in production cost can be prevented.
This invention has been explained based on the examples as mentioned above. However, this invention is not limited to the examples explained above and it can be easily assumed that various improvements and modifications are possible.
For example, in the above examples, the outside dimensions of the valve devices 18 and 19 are set a little smaller than the inside dimensions of the barrel-shaped bodies 30 and 50, and they are fixed by being pressed by the holding wall 42. However, it is acceptable to make the outside dimensions of the valve devices 18 and 19 a little bigger than the inside dimensions of the barrel-shaped bodies 30 and 50 and fix them by pushing the valve devices 18 and 19 into the barrel-shaped bodies 30,50.
And also, in the examples mentioned above, the communicating passages 81a-81d are formed by cutting the ink extract tube 12 and the air intake tube 13 including the tip on the side of the ink chamber 16. However, it is acceptable to form the communicating passages 81a-81d communicating with the inside and the outside on the side wall of the ink extract tube 12 and the air intake tube 13.
Furthermore, in the examples mentioned above, the valve member 32 is formed as a unit with the pointed part 72 with the tip formed in an acuminate shape, the bottom part 70 and the valve side wall part 71. However, it is acceptable to form the breaking unit to rupture the film component and the valve which communicate and block off the ink chamber 16 side and the outer side of the container wall 1a separately.
The ink cartridge 1 of the second embodiment includes the ink chamber 16 with an open top, the container wall 1a, and a cover 1f that covers the floor area 1e. The ink cartridge 1 also includes two walls 1g and 1h that form the barrel-shaped bodies 30 and 50 which are open downward. The valve device 18 is placed in the barrel-shaped body 30 and the valve device 19 is placed in the barrel-shaped body 50. The valve device 18 and the valve device 19 are identical and when they are attached to the inkjet recording device, the ink extracting tube 12 is inserted into the barrel-shaped body 30 and the air intake tube 13 is inserted into the barrel-shaped body 50.
Similar to the first embodiment, the valve device 18 and 19 have the support member 46 made of rubber-like flexible part material and the valve member 32 is made of resin. The support member 46 has basically the same structure as the support member 46 of the first embodiment, but the outer circumferential wall 33 does not extend as far as the cylindrical part 35 in the first embodiment. The outer circumferential wall 33 and positioning part 33a are both formed almost at the same level as the valve seat part 46a. The positioning part 33a is fixed at the lower end of cylinder shape walls 1g and 1h, between the surface 44 that is formed as a part of the barrel-shaped bodies 30 and 50 and cover 1f. With this arrangement, the valve devices 18 and 19 are fixed on the container wall 1a.
The ridge line of the communication paths 38 as shown in
Moreover, the rectangular projection part 59 is formed along one of the ridge lines of the communication paths 38, rising vertically out of the opening part of the linked communication paths 38. Therefore the opening part of the communication paths 38 consists of the surface formed of the protruding part 59, the surface formed by the bottom part 70, and the surface formed by the valve side wall part 71. With this structure, the opening part becomes complex and thus prevents the formation of a meniscus. Where the bottom part 70 touches the valve seat part 46a, the projecting component 39 is formed in a ring-shape at an area closer to the center of the bottom part 70 than the communication paths 38 but external to the opening 41. When the valve member 32 is closed, the valve member 32 presses against the valve seat part 46a.
In the second embodiment, the air intake opening 26 includes a tapered portion above the barrel-shaped body 50. A barrel member 25 extends from the tapered portion at the floor 1e toward an upper end of the cartridge 1. The barrel member 25 includes an opening 91 at an upper end. When the cartridge 1 is filled with ink and situated in an upright alignment, the opening 91 is positioned above the ink surface level in the ink chamber 16. In various exemplary embodiments, an upper face 95 of the barrel member 25, including the opening 91, is inclined or slanted with respect to horizontal. In some such embodiments, the upper face 95 has a stepped configuration, such that the upper face 95 includes multiple surfaces, the surfaces defining at least two different planes. As a result of the slant or inclination of the upper face 95 of the barrel member 25, a cross sectional area of the opening 91 of the barrel member 25 taken at the slanted or inclined upper face 95 is greater than a horizontal cross sectional area of an interior portion 93 of the barrel member 25. In addition, a horizontal diameter of the interior portion 93 of the barrel member 25 is preferably at least about 0.8 mm.
The slanted, inclined or stepped configuration of the opening 91 of the barrel member 25, as well as the diameter of the interior portion 93 of the barrel member 25, prevent an ink meniscus from forming in the event that ink from the ink chamber 16 contacts the opening 91, if, for example, the cartridge 1 is positioned other than in an upright alignment. It is advantageous to prevent formation of such an ink meniscus in the opening 91, because, if an ink meniscus is formed, the process of supplying ink during operation of the image recording apparatus 2 will cause the meniscus to repeatedly break and reform. This breaking and reforming of the meniscus results in a repeating variation of an internal pressure of the cartridge 1. Such variation can adversely affect print quality.
In various exemplary embodiments, the barrel member 25 is formed integrally with the remainder of the ink chamber 16. Such an integral structure obviates the necessity for multiple manufacturing steps to form and join the ink chamber 16 and the barrel member 25. Accordingly, the time and cost necessary to manufacture cartridges, such as disclosed herein, are reduced.
The ink supply port 21 at the ink supply side has the anti-counter flow valve 60. The anti-counter flow valve 60 consists of an umbrella shaped flexible membrane part 60b that faces the lower surface of the ink supply port 21 and a spindle part 60c that supports one end of the membrane part 60b. Both the membrane part 60b and the spindle part 60c are formed into one shape using synthesized resin material. The spindle part 60c is inserted through the ink supply port 21 so that the flow valve 60 can slide up and down. Normally, the membrane part 60b is positioned at a distance from the ink supply port 21, and an extended part 60a touches the top surface of the floor wall 1e. Ink is thus allowed to smoothly flow from the ink chamber 16 toward the valve device 18. When ink starts to flow from the ink extraction tube 12 toward the ink chamber 16, the membrane 60b will rise and block the ink supply port 21 and thus stop the flow of ink.
As described earlier, the ink chamber 16 is packaged at reduced pressure. As such, when the ink cartridge 1 is attached to the inkjet recording device 2, if the valve device 18 is opened before the valve device 19, it is possible that ink already present in the ink extract tube 12 will flow from the ink extract tube 12 toward the ink chamber 16. Such flow of ink toward the ink chamber 16 will also draw ink present in the recording head 7, to which the ink extract tube 12 is connected, toward the ink chamber 16. Drawing ink present in the recording head 7 toward the ink chamber 16 can disrupt ink meniscuses present in nozzle holes of the recording head 7. Disruption of the meniscuses can adversely affect print quality. If the valve device 18 is opened before the valve device 19 when air is present in the ink extract tube 12, such air may flow from the ink extract tube 12 toward, and possibly into, the ink chamber 16. Such flow of air into the ink chamber 16 will adversely affect the deaerated state of the ink present therein possibly reducing print quality. To prevent such backflow of air or ink, the anti-counter flow valve 60 is used.
At the time of attachment, when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the mounting part 3, the ink extracting tube 12 is inserted into the introducing path 40 and pushes the valve member 32 upward. The valve member 32 in turn pushes the projection part 37 of the urging part 46b upward, and subsequently the side wall part 36 extends and the valve member 32 detaches from the valve seat part 46a. As a result, the ink in the ink chamber 16 is supplied to the ink extracting tube 12 through the communication paths 38 of the valve member 32 and the communicating passages 81a-81d of the ink extract tube 12. At the same time, the air intake tube 13 is connected with barrel-shaped body 50, letting the outside air flow into the ink chamber.
Unlike the first embodiment, film members 31,51 are not used and accordingly a pointed part 72 is not used to rupture the film members 31,51. As such, when the valve member 32 is pushed up, ink exists in the barrel shaped bodies 30,50. However, since the circular projecting component 39 is urged against the valve seat part 46a by the projection part 37, the ink chamber 16 and the top of the barrel shaped bodies 30,50 are reliably sealed in order to prevent ink from leaking.
On the other hand, because there are disparities in the length of the ink extracting tube 12 and the air intake tube 13, and there are also disparities in distance from the bottom of the ink cartridge 1 to the valve member 32 depending on many other parts. The overall disparity can thus become relatively large. When the disparity is large, and when the ink cartridge 1 is installed to the mounting part 3, the valve member 32 may be pushed up close to the opening 37a of the projection part 37 and may be caught by the opening 37a. When the ink cartridge 1 is detached from the mounting part 3 at this state, the valve member 32 is not in contact with the valve seat part 46a, thus causing the ink to leak.
In order to prevent this, in this variation, several pointed projections 71a are attached to the valve side wall 71 of the valve member 32 as shown in the
Based on these structures, and by adding the matching concave or convex parts on the valve member 32 and the projection part 37, both parts are prevented from making corresponding circular movements, thus preventing the valve member 32 from not returning to the closed position.
The valve device 19 is equipped with the support member 46 and the valve member 32. The support member 46 is assembled using a rubber-like elastic material just as the support member 46 in the first and second embodiments, and is equipped with the valve seat part 46a and an urging part 46b on the top part. The structures of these parts are identical with the valve seat part 46a and the urging part 46b of the first and second embodiments.
In the middle of the valve seat part 46a, the opening 41 is formed to expose the center of the valve member 32 to the outside and, in the lower portion, a sealing part 63 which surrounds the opening 41 is projected toward the opposite side of the urging part 46b.
In the embodiments, the distance F from the bottom wall of the cover 1f and a contact point of the valve member 32 and the valve seat part 46a is 4.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance F is less than about 4.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance F is about 4.5 mm. In further embodiments, the distance F can vary from 4.5 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm.
In this example, the bottom part 70 is attached with a cylindrical part 66 which stands vertically from the top surface. When the ink cartridge 1 is installed on the mounting part 3 in a normal manner and the valve member 32 is pushed upward from the valve seat part 46a, the top edge of the cylindrical part 66 is positioned apart from the inside surface of the barrel member 25 and thus the through-pass between the ink chamber 16 and the opening 41 of the valve seat part 46a is secured.
The bottom part 70 is attached with the operating member 67 which extends vertically from the opening 41 on the side being exposed. Several concave portions 67a and convex portions 67b are formed on the outer circumference of the operating member 67, which extend along the direction of the axis. This configuration, in which the operating member 67 is attached to, or formed integrally with, the valve member 32, provides distinct advantages over arrangements in which the operating member 67 is separate from the valve member 32. For example, in order for an operating member 32 to operate a valve, the operating member must be positioned in cooperation with the valve member 32. In configurations in which the operating member 67 is separate form the valve member 32, the position of the operating member 67 with respect to the valve member 32 must be carefully controlled because misalignment of the operating member 67 with respect to the valve member 32 could result in leakage and/or damage to the valve member 32. Such control is not necessary in configurations in which the operating member 67 is attached to, or formed integrally with, the valve member 32.
Moreover, in an apparatus including two or more valves (e.g., an ink cartridge with an air valve and an ink valve) that is used with a device (e.g., an image forming device) that communicates with the valves, it may be advantageous to provide valves of different types—that is, one or more valves can be provided having a configuration in which an operating member is attached to a valve member and one or more valves can be provided having a configuration in which an operating member is not attached to a valve member. In the instance in which a valve is provided having a configuration in which an operating member is not attached to a valve member, the operating member could be attached to the device at a specified location. As at least one of the valves includes an attached operating member, that valve would not be able to communicate with the device at the specified location because two operating members would be present. Such an arrangement will ensure that when the apparatus is installed in the device, each valve properly communicates with a respective region of the device.
With respect to the mounting part 3 of the ink jet recording device 2, the ink extracting tube 12 is projected in the ink supplier part just as the first and second embodiments, and a porous body 3c such as sponge is attached around the ink extracting tube 12 so that the leakage of ink will be absorbed. In the outside air intake part, the convex part 3d is formed in such a way that it corresponds to the sealing part 63, and the air intake tube 13 is attached to the bottom surface of the concave part 3d.
As shown in
In the outside air intake part, the tip of the operating member 67 touches the bottom of the concave part 3d, and the valve seat part 46a is moved downward while the valve member 32 is fixed, releasing the valve device. At the same time, the bottom edge of the sealing part 63 is attached to the bottom of the concave part 3d, and a passage is formed between the air intake tube 13 and the ink chamber 16 through the released valve device 19.
In the third embodiment, the valve member 32 equipped with the operating member 67 is installed only in the valve device 19. However, the valve member 32 equipped with the operating member 67 may also be installed in the ink supply part so that the ink extracting tube 12 does not project to the mounting part 3.
The ink cartridge 1 also includes an opening 86 that is formed in the partition wall 1c that allows ink I to be supplied to the ink chamber 16 during manufacturing. After the ink has been supplied to the ink chamber 16 and before the cover 1f is placed on the container wall 1a, a stopper 88 is placed against the partition wall 1c in order to cover the opening 86.
An ink detection level device 90 is located within the ink chamber 16. The ink detection level device 90 includes a support 100 that extends from the partition wall 1c, a blocking member 92 attached to an arm 98, a balance member 96 attached to an opposite end of the arm 98 and a pivot 94 attached to the support 100.
After the ink chamber 16 is filled with ink I, and when the ink cartridge 1 is held in an upright position, the blocking member 92 remains in the projection 110. While the blocking member 92 remains in the projection 110, a sensor (not shown) is able to detect the presence of the blocking member 92 so that a user is informed that the ink chamber 16 is full.
When the ink chamber 16 is emptied, the arm 98 rotates via the pivot 94 such that the balance member 96 eventually rotates toward and contacts the partition wall 1c. As such, the blocking member 92 eventually rotates to a position outside the indicated box area. The sensor is thus able to detect the absence of the blocking member 92 and inform the user that the ink chamber 16 is empty.
As shown in
The cover 1b includes a flat surface 1j located on top of the container wall 1a and a protrusion 1i that extends from the flat surface 1j so that a user can easily grasp the ink cartridge 1. The protrusion 1i has a tapered shape, such that the length and width of the protrusion is less at its uppermost portion than at its base, which adjoins the flat surface 1j.
The bottom portion if includes, at a right end as shown in
As shown if
As shown in
As shown in
In embodiments, the distance X4 from the flat surface 1j to the surface 105 is 36.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X4 is less than about 36.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X4 is about 36.5 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X4 can vary from 36.5 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm. By providing the described variants on the distance X4, a sufficient amount of ink can be stored in the ink cartridge 2 while maintaining a secure connection between the ink cartridge 1 and the inkjet recording apparatus 2. In embodiments, the distance X5 from the flat surface 1j to the bottom of the top half 106 is 17 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X5 is less than about 17 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X5 is about 17 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X5 can vary from 17 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm. By providing the described variants on the distance X5, the blocking member 92 can effectively rotate in the projection 110 while maintaining a sufficient amount of ink in the ink cartridge 1. In embodiments, the distance X6 from the bottom of the top half 106 to the surface 102 is 31.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X6 is less than about 31.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X6 is about 31.5 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X6 can vary from 31.5 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm. By providing the described variants on the distance X6, a protrusion can be inserted into the canal portions 116,118 in order to rigidly maintain the ink cartridge 1 in the inkjet recording apparatus 2. In embodiments, the distance X7 from the bottom of the top half 106 and the bottom of the lip 100 is 34 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X7 is less than about 34 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X7 is about 34 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X7 can vary from 34 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm.
In embodiments, the distance X8 from the top of the inclined portion 104 to the surface 102 is 14 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X8 is less than about 14 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X8 is about 14 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X8 can vary from 14 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm. In embodiments, the distance X9 from the surface 105 to the surface 102 is 11.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X9 is less than about 11.5 mm. However, in other embodiments, the distance X9 is greater than about 11.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X9 is about 11.5 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X9 can vary from 11.5 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm. In embodiments, the distance X10 between the flat surface 1j and the recess 112 is 43.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X10 is less than about 43.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X10 is about 43.5 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X10 can vary from 43.15 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm. By providing the described variants on the distance X10, a protrusion can be placed in the recess 112 in order to stabilize the ink cartridge 2 relative to the inkjet recording device 2. In embodiments, the distance X11 between the recess 112 and the surface 102 is 4.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X11 is less than about 4.5 mm. However, in other embodiments, the distance X11 is greater than about 4.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X11 is about 4.5 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X11 can vary from 4.5 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm.
As shown in
In embodiments, the distance X14 between the left and right sides of the bottom of the protrusion 1i is 26.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X14 is less than about 26.5 mm. However, in other embodiments, the distance X14 is greater than about 26.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X14 is about 26.5 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X14 can vary from 26.5 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm. However, one color may be used in a greater amount than others, necessitating an alternate design for the protrusion 1i in order to easily manipulate the ink cartridge 2. In other embodiments, the distance X14 is 31.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X14 is less than about 31.5 mm. However, in other embodiments, the distance X14 is greater than about 31.5 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X14 is about 31.5 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X14 can vary from 31.5 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm. In embodiments, the distance X15 between the left and right sides of the top of the protrusion 1i is 24 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X15 is less than about 24 mm. However, in other embodiments, the distance X15 is greater than about 24 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X15 is about 24 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X15 can vary from 24 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm. However, one color may be used in a greater amount than others, necessitating an alternate design for the protrusion 1i in order to easily manipulate the ink cartridge 2. In some embodiments, the distance X15 is 29 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X15 is less than about 29 mm. However, in other embodiments, the distance X15 is greater than about 29 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X15 is about 29 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X15 can vary from 29 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm. In embodiments, the distance X16 between the left and right side of the bottom portion 1f is 41 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X16 is less than about 41 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X16 is about 41 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X16 can vary from 41 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm. By providing the described variants on the distance X16, the ink cartridge 1 can be adequately secured within the inkjet recording apparatus 2.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In embodiments, the distance X27 between the left and right sides of the bottom of the bottom portion 1f is 19.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X27 is less than about 19.5 mm, for example, 19.4 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X27 is about 19.5 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X27 can vary from 19.5 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm. However, one color may be used in a greater amount than others, necessitating an alternate design in order to store more ink. In other embodiments, the distance X27 is 28.5 mm. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the distance X27 is less than about 28.5 mm, for example, 28.2 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X27 is about 28.5 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X27 can vary from 28.5 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm. By providing distances X16 and X27 as described above, a slender, compact ink cartridge 1 can be produced. In embodiments, the distance X28 between the left and right sides of the bottom of the container wall 1a is 20 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X28, is less than about 20 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X28 is about 20 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X28 can vary from 20 mm±0.5 mm or ±1 mm. However, one color may be used in a greater amount than others, necessitating an alternate design in order to store more ink. Accordingly, in other embodiments, the distance X28 is 29 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X28 is less than about 29 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X28 is about 29 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X28 can vary from 29 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm.
In embodiments, the distance X29 between the left and right side of the groove 116 is 6.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X29 is less than about 6.5 mm. However, in other embodiments, the distance X29 is greater than about 6.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X29 is about 6.5 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X29 can vary from 6.5 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm. However, one color may be used in a greater amount than others, necessitating an alternate design in order to store more ink. Accordingly, in other embodiments, the distance X29 is 1 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X29 is less than about 11 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X29 is about 11 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X29 can vary from 11 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm. In embodiments, the distance X30 between the left and right side of the protrusion 110 is 4.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X30 is less than about 4.5 mm, for example, 4.2 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X30 is about 4.5 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X30 can vary from 4.5 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm. By providing the described variants on the distance X30, the blocking member 92 can effectively rotate in the projection 110 while maintaining a sufficient amount of ink in the ink cartridge 1.
As shown in
In embodiments, the distance X34 between the sides of the engaging protrusion 120 is 7.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X34 is less than about 7.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X34 is about 7.5 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X34 can vary from 7.5 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm. However, one color may be used in a greater amount than others, necessitating an alternate design in order to store more ink. Accordingly, in other embodiments, the distance X34 is 11.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X34 is less than about 11.5 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X34 is about 11.5 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X34 can vary from 11.5 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm. In embodiments, the distance X35 between the engaging protrusions 120,122 is 5.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X35 is less than about 5.5 mm. However, in other embodiments, the distance X35 is greater than about 5.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance X35 is about 5.5 mm. In further embodiments, the distance X35 can vary from 5.5 mm by ±0.5 mm or ±1 mm. By providing the described variants on the distances X34, X35, the ink cartridge 1 can remain stably upright in the inkjet recording apparatus 2.
An image-recording apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent Application No. 2003-298790 includes an inkjet printer and a scanner provided above the inkjet printer. A sheet supply tray is provided on a rear side of the inkjet printer and a sheet discharge portion is provided in front of the inkjet printer. A sheet is supplied from the sheet supply tray into the inkjet printer. After an image is printed on the sheet, the sheet is discharged onto the sheet discharge portion. The image-recording apparatus includes an inkjet head that reciprocates in a direction perpendicular to a direction that the sheet is fed. Ink cartridges are detachably provided below the sheet discharge portion.
In the image-recording apparatus described above, the sheet supply tray is provided on the rear side of the inkjet printer and the sheet discharge portion and the ink cartridges are provided in front of the inkjet printer. Therefore, the image-recording apparatus is enlarged in its front to back direction. In addition, the inkjet head moves beyond both side edges of the sheet during printing. Space located on both sides of the sheet-feeding path are thus wasted. An image-recording apparatus can thus be miniaturized by laying out components of the image-recording apparatus more efficiently.
Preferred embodiments of a multifunction device whose components are laid out efficiently will be described below. The ink cartridge 1 of the fifth embodiment whose dimensions were described above and were illustrated in
In the preferred embodiments, the present invention is applied to a multifunction device including a printer function, a facsimile function, a copier function, and a scanner function. For the following description, the near side of a multifunction device 201 in
First, an exemplary multifunction device 201 according to the present invention will be described with reference to
As shown in
A sheet supply tray 211 for holding the recording sheets P is detachably inserted into the sheet accommodating section 210 and is capable of moving in the front-to-rear direction within the conveying space 212. When accommodated in the sheet accommodating section 210, the sheet supply tray 211 blocks the bottom of the sheet accommodating section 210. In other words, by eliminating a bottom surface of the sheet accommodating section 210 and by configuring the sheet supply tray 211 to serve as the bottom surface, it is possible to reduce the height of the lower frame 206. This construction also facilitates maintenance work for paper jams and the like since the bottom of the lower frame 206 can be opened simply by removing the sheet supply tray 211 from the sheet accommodating section 210.
Guide pieces 213 formed in arch shapes are disposed near the front part of the sheet supply tray 211 to extend from the left and right edges of the sheet accommodating section 210 to cover the top of the recording sheet P loaded in the sheet supply tray 211. The guide pieces 213 determine the left-to-right position of the recording sheet P on the sheet supply tray 211. The guide pieces 213 also function as a discharge tray. After an image is formed on the recording sheet P in a recording unit 221 described later, the recording sheet P is discharged forward onto the top surfaces of the guide pieces 213. Hence, the guide pieces 213 divide the conveying space 212 into a lower supply space 212a for supplying the recording sheet P and an upper discharge space 212b for discharging the recording sheet P. Note that the guide pieces 213 have been omitted from
As shown in
As shown in
Operations of the conveying mechanism 220 for conveying a recording sheet P will be described. First, the supply roller 224 picks up a recording sheet P from the sheet supply tray 211 one sheet at a time and conveys the recording sheet P to the U-shaped conveying part 225a formed in the plate 225. The recording sheet P is flipped over in the U-shaped conveying part 225a so as to be moving forward and is conveyed to the recording unit 221 by the registration roller 226 and the follow roller 227. After the recording unit 221 records an image on the recording sheet P, the recording sheet P is discharged into the upper discharge space 212b by the discharge roller 228. Since the recording sheet P supplied from the front is inverted by the U-shaped conveying part 225a and discharged toward the front, the front-to-rear dimension of the multifunction device 201 can be made shorter than a multifunction device configured to feed a recording sheet P from the rear and discharge the recording sheet P toward the front.
As shown in
With this construction, the motor 239 moves the carriage 230 reciprocally left and right along the pair of guide plates 235 and 236, while ink is ejected from the inkjet head 231 disposed on the carriage 230 onto the recording sheet P being conveyed forward in the space below the inkjet head 231. In this manner, an image is formed on the recording sheet P.
As shown in
Since a U-shaped conveying path through which a recording sheet P is conveyed from the lower supply space 212a to the upper discharge space 212b is disposed below the inkjet head 231, unused space exists above the plate 225 that forms the U-shaped conveying part 225a of the U-shaped conveying path, and behind the carriage 230 mounted with the inkjet head 231. Therefore, as shown in
As described above, the inkjet head 231 is a serial head capable of moving beyond both widthwise edges of the recording sheet P. Hence, as shown in
In order to discharge the recording sheet P into the upper discharge space 212b as shown in
The cartridge holder 241, the main control board 250, and the power supply unit 260 will be described further.
As illustrated in
As shown in
A guide rail 216 extending in the left-to-right direction is fixed to the bottom surface in the rear portion of the upper frame 205. The guide rail 216 is formed with a guide groove 216a extending left-to-right. A support rod 217 is pivotably attached to the lower frame 206 so as to be able to pivot about its lower right end. A guide pin 217a is provided on the free end of the support rod 217. The guide pin 217a is slidably engaged with the guide groove 216a. By sliding the guide pin 217a in the guide groove 216a until the guide pin 217a is fitted into an engaging part (not shown) formed in the right end of the guide groove 216a (the end opposite the pivotal axis of the upper frame 205, which extends in the front-to-rear direction), the support rod 217 supports the upper frame 205 in an open state. With this construction, the upper frame 205 can be maintained in an open state with respect to the lower frame 206 at a large angle θ.
The device for holding the upper frame 205 at a large angle θ with respect to the lower frame 206 may include arced guard rails disposed near the shafts 214 and guide pins that are guided by these rails. In addition to this, urging means may be provided for urging the upper frame 205 upward in order to maintain the upper frame 205 in the open state.
With this construction, the top surface of the lower frame 206 can be opened wide, improving visibility and facilitating such operations as maintenance of the inkjet head 231 and the like, clearing of paper jams along the conveying path, and replacing of the ink cartridges 240. As shown in
As shown in
On the other hand, the main control board 250 does not extend to the right above the cartridge holder 241 so that the main control board 250 does not hinder operations for mounting the ink cartridges 240 into the cartridge holder 241 from above.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The power supply unit 260 and the network board 261 are both mounted on a metal plate fixture 264 and attached to the lower frame 206 as an integral unit. The plate fixture 264 has a flat base 264a extending in the front-to-rear direction, and a side wall 264b disposed along rear and right edges of the flat base 264a. The power supply unit 260 is mounted in the front area of the plate fixture 264, while the network board 261 is mounted in the rear area. Special protective covers 265 and 266 are mounted over the power supply unit 260 and the network board 261, respectively. A plurality of holes 265a are formed in the protective cover 265 in order to release heat generated by the power supply unit 260. Escape holes 266a are formed in the protective cover 266 at positions opposing the modular connectors 263. An opening 266b is formed in the protective cover 266 at a position facing the power supply unit 260, enabling the passage of the electric wires used to connect the main control board 250.
An opening (not shown) is formed in the bottom surface of the lower frame 206 on the left side of the sheet accommodating section 210, and the integrated power supply unit 260 and the network board 261 are mounted in the lower frame 206 through the opening. Hence, it is possible to remove the power supply unit 260 and the network board 261 from the lower frame 206 alone, facilitating maintenance. Insertion slots 202a are formed in the left wall of the lower frame 206 at points opposing the modular connectors 263 of the network board 261 for inserting modular jacks. A cord outlet 202b is formed in the same side of the lower frame 206 rearward of the insertion slots 202a for running a power cord out of the device.
As shown in
The scanner 204 functions to scan images from a facsimile original to be transmitted to another facsimile device when using the facsimile function, or images of an original to be copied when using the copier function. As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Specifically, one end of the wiring member 277 is connected to a mid-portion of the contact image sensor 279 in the longitudinal direction, while the other end is connected to the left edge of the main control board 250 parallel to the shafts 214. The wiring member 277 runs around the periphery of the shaft 214 so that the flat surface (widthwise surface) of the wiring member 277 confronts the pivotal axis of the upper frame 205 and so that the longitudinal direction of the wiring member 277 is orthogonal to the pivotal axis of the upper frame 205 and parallel to the direction in which the contact image sensor 279 moves. The edges at both connecting ends of the wiring member 277 are arranged parallel to the pivotal axis of the upper frame 205.
With the wiring member 277 configured in this way, the widthwise surface of the wiring member 277 includes a large curved section near the shaft 214 that is not twisted when the upper frame 205 is closed over the lower frame 206 or when the upper frame 205 is opened wide. Hence, the widthwise surface of the wiring member 277 at a midpoint in the longitudinal direction does not twist, even when the contact image sensor 279 is in a standby position, that is, near the shafts 214. Accordingly, an unreasonable force is not applied to the wiring member 277, making it possible to minimize the potential for damage to the wiring member 277, even when the multifunction device 201 is used over a long period of time and the upper frame 205 is repeatedly opened and closed. There is also no repeated bending of the wiring member 277 that can cause the wiring member 277 to wear out and break (fractures in the conducting portions). Further, the length of the wiring member 277 can be shortened greatly.
As shown in
As shown in
Next, a multifunction device 201A according to a modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to
As shown in
The document cover 272A is pivotably attached to the rear edge of the upper frame 205A. The document supply tray 280 is disposed on the top surface of the document cover 272A, and the discharge tray 281 is disposed above the document supply tray 280. The document supply tray 280 guides an original document into the automatic document feeder 282 on the left.
The automatic document feeder 282 automatically conveys an original document from the document supply tray 280 to a scanning position to be scanned by the scanning unit 271. After the scanning unit 271 scans an image from the document, the document is discharged onto the discharge tray 281, and the discharge tray 281 guides the original document toward the right. A document stopper 283 is disposed on the right edge of the document cover 272A for receiving the discharged documents.
More specifically, as shown in
As shown in
A casing 294 is disposed behind the cover 284. As shown in
Since the document feeding motor 295 is disposed near the pivotal axis of the upper frame 205A at the left end of the upper frame 205A, an unreasonable force is not applied to a wiring member (not shown) connecting the document feeding motor 295 and the main control board 250 (
Note that in the multifunction devices 201 and 201A described above, the sheet supply tray 211 mounted on the sheet accommodating section 210 also functions as a discharge tray, wherein the recording sheet P supplied from the lower supply space 212a on the front is reversed in the lower fame 206 and discharged into the upper discharge space 212b on the front. However, the sheet supply tray 211 may also be configured of only the upper discharge space 212b in the sheet accommodating section 210, such that the recording sheet P is supplied from the rear and discharged into the upper discharge space 212b on the front, for example.
Further, it is not necessary to omit the bottom surface of the sheet accommodating section 210 to form an opening in the bottom.
Further, the positions of the cartridge holder 241 and the power supply unit 260 on the right and left sides of the sheet accommodating section 210 may be switched. However, when the cartridge holder 241 is configured so that the ink cartridges 240 are mounted and removed through the top thereof, as in the multifunction device 201 of the preferred embodiment described above, the cartridge holder 241 is preferably disposed on the side opposite the pivotal axis of the upper frame 205 in order to facilitate this replacement operation. However, if the ink cartridges 240 are mounted and removed through the front or rear side, the cartridge holder 241 may be disposed on either the left or right side of the sheet accommodating section 210.
If a multifunction device 201 includes a sheet supply tray on a rear side, the size of the multifunction device 201 is enlarged in the front and back direction. As such, the sheet supply tray 211 is detachably inserted into the sheet accommodating section 212 in order to miniaturize the multifunction device. However, if the ink cartridges 240 are also placed within the multifunction device 201, the location and the size of the ink cartridges 240 are taken into consideration in order to maintain the miniaturized size of the multifunction device 201.
In the meantime, the inkjet head 231 of the multifunction device 201 moves beyond both side edges of the recording sheet P in order to print an image on the entire area of the recording sheet P. Therefore, as discussed above, the ink cartridges 240 are disposed on the right side of the sheet accommodating section 210 so that the size of the multifunction device 201 can be made smaller without increasing of the height of the multifunction device 201.
The largest most commonly-used recording sheet P in the multifunction device 201 is A4. The size of the multifunction device 201 will thus be dimensioned in order to print an image on an A4 sheet or on a smaller sheet. Furthermore, various dimensions of the ink cartridge 240, which is similar to the ink cartridge 1 of
As should be appreciated, the width of the A4 sheet is 210 mm and the length of the A4 sheet is 297 mm. As shown in
In order to accommodate gears located on both sides of the A4 sheet in order to drive the carriage 230, additional space is required. In the embodiments, the distance Y3 from the left outer surface of the multifunction device 201 to the left surface of the recording sheet P when the recording sheet P is placed in the multifunction device 201 is 75.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance Y3 is less than about 75.5 mm. In some embodiments, the distance Y3 is about 75.5 mm. In further embodiments, the distance Y3 can vary from 75.5 mm by ±5 mm or ±10 mm. As should be appreciated, the distance Y3 also applies from the right outer surface of the multifunction device 201 to the right surface of the recording sheet P when the recording sheet P is placed in the multifunction device 201.
With the distance Y3, in some embodiments, the distance Y1 is 361 mm (210 mm for the width of the A4 sheet+75.5 mm×2 for the distance on both sides of the recording sheet P in order to accommodate the movement of the carriage 230 and other gears=361 mm).
As discussed above, the length of the A4 sheet is 297 mm. In the embodiments, the distance Y2 from the front outer surface of the multifunction device 201 to the rear outer surface of the multifunction device 201 is 322 mm. In some embodiments, the distance Y2 is less than about 322 mm. In some embodiments, the distance Y2 is about 322 mm. In further embodiments, the distance Y2 can vary from 322 mm by ±5 mm or ±10 mm. By providing the described variants on the distance Y2, a sufficient amount of space is available for the recording sheet P to turn within the multifunction device 201.
At both sides of the recording sheet P, two spaces are created. One of the two spaces is used for disposing the power supply unit 260 and the network board 261. The ink cartridges 240 are disposed in the other one of the two spaces. The space on the left side of the recording sheet P will be described. The space between the left side and the right side of the recording sheet P will also be described for storing the waste liquid absorbing member 238 and the drive motor 275. As shown in
The space from the front outer surface of the multifunction device 201 has a distance Y6 and a distance Y3 for disposing of the power supply unit 260. In the embodiments, the distance Y6 from the front outer surface of the multifunction device 201 is 178 mm. In some embodiments, the distance Y6 is less than about 178 mm. In some embodiments, the distance Y6 is about 178 mm. In further embodiments, the distance Y6 can vary from 178 mm by ±5 mm or ±10 mm. The resultant space from the distance Y5 and the distance Y6 is Y4 for storing the network board 261. In the embodiments, the distance Y4 is 119 mm. In some embodiments, the distance Y4 is less than about 119 mm. In some embodiments, the distance Y4 is about 119 mm. In further embodiments, the distance Y4 can vary from 119 mm by ±5 mm or ±10 mm.
As discussed above, the ink cartridges 240 are disposed in one of the two spaces. In the example of
In the embodiments, a distance Y12 is provided for disposing wires that are used to connect the control board 250 to each of the electric components of the multifunction device 201 and a distance Y13 is provided for disposing an ink-amount detecting sensor and wires. Thus, a remaining length X12 and X18 remains for the ink cartridge 240 which has dimensions similar to the ink cartridge 1 as discussed above for
An ink cartridge for cyan ink, a cartridge for magenta ink, a cartridge for yellow ink and a cartridge for black ink are arranged in the lengthwise direction of the multifunction device 201. Even though the distance Y7 is provided as discussed above, spaces for disposing locking arms are needed. One locking arm occupies a distance of about 9 mm, therefore four locking arms occupy a distance of about 9 mm×4=36 mm. As a result, ink cartridges can occupy a distance of about 123 mm−36 mm=87 mm.
Generally, black ink tends to be more consumed than the other color inks. Therefore, a distance of the black cartridge is set 1.5 times as long as a length of each one of the color cartridges. If about 87 mm is divided at ratios of 1.5:1:1:1, it is divided into about 29 mm: 19.5 mm, 19.5 mm, 19.5 mm. As such, the distances X27, are provided as discussed above.
The ink cartridges 240 are disposed so as to be located within a base surface of the multifunction device 201 and a top of the control board 250. As shown in
In order to remove the ink cartridge 240 from the multifunction device, it is preferable to provide a protrusion (i.e., protrusion 1i of
While this invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments and examples outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently unforeseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all known or later developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2003-394323 | Nov 2003 | JP | national |
2003-394324 | Nov 2003 | JP | national |
2003-409077 | Dec 2003 | JP | national |
2003-409640 | Dec 2003 | JP | national |
2004-031712 | Feb 2004 | JP | national |
2004-032872 | Feb 2004 | JP | national |
2004-043978 | Feb 2004 | JP | national |
2004-047768 | Feb 2004 | JP | national |
2004-053164 | Feb 2004 | JP | national |
2004-060456 | Mar 2004 | JP | national |
This application is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 10/991,852, filed Nov. 19, 2004. The entire disclosure of the prior application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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20050151812 A1 | Jul 2005 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10991852 | Nov 2004 | US |
Child | 11024903 | US |