Patent Grant
7404628
The present invention relates to a liquid container for storing liquid to be supplied to a liquid consuming apparatus such as an ink-jet recording apparatus.
As a typical example of a conventional liquid consuming apparatus, there is a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects a liquid droplet from an ejecting head, and as a typical example of the liquid ejecting apparatus, there is an ink-jet recording apparatus provided with an ink-jet recording head for image recording. Other liquid ejecting apparatuses include, for example, an apparatus provided with a color material ejecting head used for manufacture of a color filter of a liquid crystal display or the like, an apparatus provided with an electrode material (conductive paste) ejecting head used for electrode formation of an organic EL display, a surface emitting display (FED) or the like, an apparatus provided with a biological organic material ejecting head used for manufacture of a biochip, an apparatus provided with a sample ejecting head as a precision pipette, and the like.
The ink-jet recording apparatus as the typical example of the liquid ejecting apparatus has been recently used in many printings including color printings because noises at the time of printing are relatively low and small dots can be formed at high density.
As a supplying method of liquid to the liquid consuming apparatus typified by the ink-jet recording apparatus, there is a method in which liquid is supplied from a liquid container storing the liquid to the liquid consuming apparatus. In this method, in order that a user can easily exchange the liquid container at the point of time when the liquid in the liquid container is consumed, the liquid container is generally constructed as a cartridge which is constructed to be removably attached to the liquid consuming apparatus.
As a conventional example of such a cartridge type liquid container, there is a type in which compressed air is sent into the inside of the liquid container to pressurize the liquid in the liquid container, and the liquid in the liquid container is delivered to the outside of the cartridge by using this pressure and is supplied to the liquid consuming apparatus. As stated above, by pressurizing the liquid in the liquid container and supplying it to the liquid consuming apparatus, for example, even in the case where a liquid discharge part in the liquid consuming apparatus is higher than the position of the liquid container, or even in the case where flow path resistance from the liquid container to the liquid discharge part is high, the liquid can be stably supplied from the liquid container to the liquid discharge part.
(1) U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,343 discloses an ink cartridge of a type in which compressed air is sent into an inner flexible bag, and an ink-jet printer in which the ink cartridge is mounted. A pressure sensor is connected to a pressurizing pump for pressurizing the air. The pressurizing pump is controlled in accordance with the output of this pressure sensor so that the supply of ink is controlled.
As described above, in the ink cartridge and the ink-jet printer disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,343, the supply of the ink is controlled on the basis of the operation of the pressurizing pump. Thus, for example, even in the case where the mounting of the ink cartridge to the ink-jet printer is poor, and the ink is not actually supplied to the inkjet printer although the pressurizing pump is operated, as long as the operation of the pressurizing pump is detected by the pressure sensor, it is mistaken that the ink is being supplied.
The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing circumstances, and has an object to provide a liquid container which is constructed such that pressurized fluid is sent into the inside of the liquid container so that liquid in the inside of the container is delivered to the outside, and in which it is possible to judge whether or not the liquid in the inside of the liquid container is actually being pressurized by the pressurized fluid.
(2) As a method of detecting an amount of ink remaining in an ink cartridge constructed to discharge ink using a pressurized fluid fed from outside, generally using air pressure, a method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,151,039 in which electrodes are mounted on an ink bag formed of a flexible material for containing ink so as to face to each other for detecting the thickness of the ink bag. Another method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,638 in which a through hole is provided in the midway of a channel for connecting an ink bag to an ink feeding port and a pressure sensor is fixed so as to seal the through hole for detecting delivery pressure by the pressure sensor.
In the ink cartridges provided with the function of detecting the amount of remaining ink, the former can continuously detect the variation in the amount of ink in relation to detecting the thickness of the ink bag, but has a problem of low detection accuracy at ink end.
On the other hand, the latter can detect the amount of ink remaining at high accuracy when the amount of ink is really small. However, the latter is difficult to detect the amount of ink before the remaining ink amount reaches a set amount, such as ink end, because it detects the pressure of ink in the ink channel. Further, the latter suffers from a problem that the amount of ink for printing is significantly small after ink end is detected and thus printing becomes impossible.
The invention has been made in view of the problems. The object is to provide a liquid container capable of accurately detecting the point in time when an amount of liquid contained therein is reduced equal to or below a set amount and capable of feeding liquid with some margin after the set amount is detected.
(3). In a conventional ink cartridge in which compressed air is introduced into the inside of a container and ink is delivered to the outside of the container by its pressure, an assembling operation for forming a sealing structure between a pressurizing chamber into which the compressed air is introduced and a reservoir chamber in which the ink is stored or a disassembling operation has been complicated.
Besides, in the conventional ink cartridge of the foregoing type, even if an attempt is made to recycle a part of the components after use, it is structurally difficult to remove only necessary components, and the recycling has been very difficult or impossible.
Further, in the conventional ink cartridge of the foregoing type, there has been a problem that the compressed air introduced into the inside of the ink cartridge permeates through a flexible film separating the ink from the compressed air and dissolves in the ink, and the print quality is lowered.
The invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to facilitate the assembling and disassembling operation of a liquid container constructed such that pressurized fluid is sent into the inside of the liquid container so that liquid in the inside of the container is delivered to the outside.
Besides, in the liquid container of the foregoing type, the invention has an object to realize a structure which is easy to recycle.
Further, in the liquid container of the foregoing type, the invention has an object to prevent the pressurized fluid introduced into the inside of the container from dissolving in the liquid.
(4) In general, in a conventional ink cartridge provided with a detection unit of a remaining amount of ink, the ink cartridge and an ink-jet recording apparatus are connected with each other through an electric contact, an output signal of the detection unit is transmitted from the ink cartridge side to the ink-jet recording apparatus side through this electric contact, and the supply of electric power to the detection unit is also performed through the electric contact.
The detection unit of the remaining amount of ink in the conventional ink cartridge includes a type in which an actuator disposed to be adjacent to ink is vibrated and the existence of the ink is detected from its vibration state, and a type in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are provided and the existence of the ink therebetween is detected. In any type, since electric power consumed to drive the detection unit is large, sufficient electric power can not be supplied by the supply of electric power according to a noncontact form, and as described above, the supply of electric power according to a contact form using the electric contact must be adopted.
However, in the conventional ink cartridge using the electric contact, there is a case where the electric contact causes poor contact due to the poor mounting of the ink cartridge to the ink-jet recording apparatus or the attachment of a foreign matter to the electric contact. When the poor contact occurs at the electric contact as stated above, the output of the detection unit of the remaining amount of ink is not transmitted to the ink-jet recording apparatus side, or the operation of the detection unit becomes impossible since the supply of electric power to the detection unit can not be performed, and there has been possibility that the detection of the remaining amount of ink becomes impossible, and poor printing is caused
This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a liquid container which can transmit information relating to a remaining amount of liquid to a liquid consuming apparatus without providing an electric contact between the liquid container and the liquid consuming apparatus.
(5) In the case where a detection unit for detecting the remaining amount of ink in the inside of a liquid container, and a unit for communicating an output signal of the detection unit without providing an electric contact (for example, a unit for performing communication by an electric wave) are provided, it is preferable that the detection unit is incorporated in the inside of the liquid container and the communication unit is also incorporated in the inside of the liquid container from the viewpoint of protection of the communication unit.
However, since a mounting space of the detection unit and the communication unit in the inside of the liquid container is limited, it is desired that while the space efficiency is considered, the detection unit and the communication unit are incorporated in the inside of the liquid container, and electrical connection of both is achieved without fail.
In addition to the case where the whole of the communication unit is disposed in the inside of the liquid container, this is also desired in the case where a part (for example, an antenna) of the communication unit is disposed at the outside of the liquid container, and the other part (for example, an electrical connection part to the detection unit, or a control part for controlling the communication) of the communication unit is disposed in the inside of the liquid container, or in the case where a communication unit is a contact type communication unit using an electric contact, a part (for example, the electric contact) of the communication unit is disposed at the outside of the liquid container, and the other part (for example, an electrical connection part to the detection unit or a control part for controlling the communication) is disposed in the inside of the liquid container.
This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a liquid container in which when at least a part of the detection unit of the remaining amount of liquid and the communication unit is incorporated in the inside of the liquid container, electrical connection of both can be easily and certainly achieved.
(6) A liquid container in which liquid in the inside of a liquid container is pressurized by pressurized fluid is generally provided with a valve unit. That is, the liquid container as stated above is constructed such that the valve unit is provided at a liquid delivery port for delivering the liquid in the inside, and this valve unit keeps a valve closed state at a normal time, and when the liquid container is mounted in a liquid consuming apparatus, the valve is opened.
However, the valve unit in the liquid container has a problem that when the valve body is pressed from the outside in a state where the liquid container is not mounted in the liquid consuming apparatus, air flows into the inside of the liquid container, or the liquid in the inside of the liquid container leaks to the outside.
As a measure to prevent the inflow of the air, it is conceivable to provide a check valve which is opened only in the direction of delivering the liquid. However, there is a problem that this measure increases the number of parts, and the layout of part arrangement becomes difficult. Further, even if the check valve is provided as the air inflow preventing measure, the problem of the leakage of the liquid from the liquid container by pressing the valve body from the outside is not resolved.
This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to prevent, in a liquid container constructed such that pressurized fluid is introduced into the inside of the liquid container so that liquid in the inside of the container is delivered to the outside, the inflow of air to the inside of the liquid container and the leakage of the liquid from the liquid container.
The invention provides a liquid container for storing liquid to be supplied to a liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid container is constructed such that pressurized fluid is sent to its inside so that the liquid in the inside is delivered to the outside. The liquid container includes a container body which stores the liquid in its inside. The container body includes a pressurized fluid introduction port for introducing the pressurized fluid to the inside and a liquid delivery port for delivering the liquid to the outside. A detection unit is provided in the container body and outputs an output signal which is changed in accordance with a change in pressure of the liquid in the inside of the container body.
Besides, preferably, the liquid container further includes a liquid reservoir chamber (first reservoir chamber) which is formed in the inside of the contain body and stores the liquid and whose volume is decreased by receiving pressure of the pressurized fluid, and a sensor chamber (second reservoir chamber) which is formed in the inside of the container body and communicates with the liquid reservoir chamber. The pressure of the pressurized fluid applied to the liquid in the inside of the liquid reservoir chamber is transmitted through the liquid to the liquid in the inside of the sensor chamber. The output signal of the detection unit is changed in accordance with the pressure change of the liquid in the inside of the sensor chamber.
Besides, preferably, the sensor chamber is constructed such that the volume thereof is changed in accordance with the pressure change of the liquid in the inside thereof, and the output signal of the detection unit is changed in accordance with a volume change of the sensor chamber.
Besides, preferably, the sensor chamber is provided at a midway of a flow path for connecting the liquid reservoir chamber and the liquid delivery port.
Besides preferably, the detection unit includes a contact type switch which is opened and closed in accordance with the volume change of the sensor chamber.
Besides, preferably, the contact type switch is put in one of on and off states in a case where the pressure of the liquid in the container body is a predetermined value or more, and is put in the other of the on and off states in a case where the pressure of the liquid in the container body is less than the predetermined value.
Besides, preferably, the contact type switch includes a movable side terminal displaced in accordance with the volume change of the sensor chamber and a fixed side terminal disposed to be opposite to the movable side terminal.
Besides, preferably, at least a part of a wall forming the sensor chamber is constituted by a flexible film. The detection unit includes a movable press member brought into contact with the flexible film of the sensor chamber, and an urging member for urging the press member toward a direction of decreasing the volume of the sensor chamber. Displacement of the movable side terminal is caused by displacement of the press member due to the volume change of the sensor chamber.
Besides, preferably, the press member is displaced by an increase of the volume of the sensor chamber against an urging force of the urging member so that the displacement of the movable side terminal is caused.
Besides, preferably, the displacement of the movable side terminal occurs when the press member, which is displaced by the increase of the volume of the sensor chamber against the urging force of the urging member, reaches a vicinity of a limiting point in a displaceable range of the press member.
Besides, preferably, the pressurized fluid is compressed air.
Besides, preferably, the output signal of the detection unit is an electric signal.
Besides, preferably, the liquid container further includes a transmission unit for transmitting the detection signal of the detection unit to the liquid consuming apparatus in a contact manner.
Besides, preferably, the liquid container further includes a transmission unit for transmitting the detection signal of the detection unit to the liquid consuming apparatus in a noncontact manner.
Besides, preferably, the liquid container includes a memory unit for storing information relating to the liquid in the container body, and the transmission unit transmits the information from the memory unit, together with the detection signal of the detection unit, to the liquid consuming apparatus.
Besides, preferably, the liquid consuming apparatus is an ink-jet recording apparatus, and the liquid container is an ink cartridge removably mounted in the ink-jet recording apparatus.
The invention further provides: a liquid container constructed such that a pressure is applied to liquid in a liquid containing chamber (first reservoir chamber) by a pressure of a pressurized fluid fed from a pressurized fluid introduction port to feed the liquid to a liquid consuming apparatus from a liquid delivery port; a liquid container constructed such that liquid in a liquid containing chamber (first reservoir chamber) is selectively pressurized from outside to feed the liquid in the liquid containing chamber to a liquid consuming apparatus from a liquid delivery port, and a liquid container constructed such that liquid in a liquid containing chamber (first reservoir chamber) is constantly pressurized by a built-in pressurizing unit to feed the liquid to a liquid consuming apparatus from a liquid delivery port. Each of the liquid containers includes a buffer chamber (second reservoir chamber) connected to a channel for connecting the liquid containing chamber to the liquid delivery port. The buffer chamber is expanded in its volume by an inflow of the liquid from the liquid containing chamber to the buffer chamber, and contracted when the inflow of the liquid from the liquid containing chamber to the buffer chamber is stopped. Each of the liquid containers further includes a detecting unit adapted to detect a volume variation of the buffer chamber. In a case where the pressurized fluid fed from the pressurized fluid introduction port is uses as pressure application means for applying the pressure to the liquid in the liquid containing chamber, the buffer chamber is disposed in an area blocked from the pressure of the pressurized fluid.
Preferably, the liquid containing chamber is configured such that a recessed part is formed in a hard case forming the liquid container and an opening of the recessed part is sealed by a film.
Preferably, the buffer chamber is configured such that a recessed part is formed in a hard case forming the liquid container and an opening of the recessed part is sealed by a film.
Preferably, the liquid containing chamber is formed of a flexible bag.
Preferably, the buffer chamber is formed of a flexible bag and is energized by an energizing unit so as to be contracted.
Preferably, each of a channel for connecting the liquid containing chamber to the buffer chamber and a channel for connecting the buffer chamber to the liquid delivery port is configured such that a groove or a through hole is formed in a hard case forming the liquid container.
The invention further provides a liquid container for storing therein liquid to be supplied to a liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid container includes: a container body having a liquid delivery port for delivering the liquid to the outside; a first reservoir chamber formed in the inside of the container body and for storing the liquid; a first pressurizing unit capable of pressurizing the liquid in the first reservoir chamber; a second reservoir chamber which is formed in the inside of the container body and communicates with the first reservoir chamber and the liquid delivery port and in which pressure in the first reservoir chamber is transmitted through the liquid to the liquid in its inside; a second pressurizing unit for pressurizing the liquid in the second reservoir chamber to delivery the liquid through the liquid delivery port; and a detection unit which is provided in the container body and whose output signal is changed in accordance with a change of pressure of the liquid in the second reservoir chamber. P1>P2>P3 is established where a pressure applied to the liquid in the first reservoir chamber by the first pressurizing unit is P1, a pressure applied to the liquid in the second reservoir chamber by the second pressurizing unit is P2, and a pressure loss in a liquid flow path from the liquid container to the liquid consuming apparatus is P3.
Besides, preferably, when a pressure of the liquid in the second reservoir chamber is P, the output signal of the detection unit is changed according to P>P2 or P<P2.
Besides, preferably, the liquid container further includes a memory unit for storing a liquid reservoir amount in the inside of the container body, and data relating to the liquid reservoir amount stored in the memory unit is rewritten into a predetermined amount at the point of time when the output signal of the detection unit is changed.
Besides, preferably, the first pressurizing unit is constructed to pressurize the first reservoir chamber by pressure of pressurized fluid introduced into the inside of the container body.
Besides, preferably, at least a part of the first pressurizing unit is constituted by a first flexible film. The first pressurizing unit includes a pressurizing chamber whose volume can be changed by receiving the pressure of the pressurized fluid. The first reservoir chamber is pressurized by a volume change of the pressurizing chamber.
Besides, preferably, the first flexible film includes an introduction port side film member which comes in contact with the pressurized fluid introduced into the inside of the container body and is deformed, and a reservoir chamber side film member which constitutes at least a part of a wall forming the first reservoir chamber and is pressed and deformed by deformation of the introduction port side film member.
Besides, preferably, when a pressure loss due to a reaction force at a time of deformation of the first flexible film is P4, and a pressure of the pressurized fluid introduced into the inside of the container body is P1′, P1′−P4=P1>P2 is established.
Besides, preferably, the second reservoir chamber is constructed such that its volume is changed in accordance with a pressure change of the liquid in the inside of the second reservoir chamber, and the output signal of the detection unit is changed in accordance with the volume change of the second reservoir chamber.
Besides, preferably, the second pressurizing unit includes a second flexible film constituting at least a part of a wall forming the second reservoir chamber and a press member for pressing the second flexible film toward a direction of decreasing the volume of the second reservoir chamber.
Besides, preferably, when a pressure loss due to a reaction force at a time of deformation of the second flexible film is P5, and a pressure applied from the press member to the second flexible film is P2′, P1>P2′+P5, and P2′−P5=P2>P are established.
Besides, preferably, the pressure P2 applied to the liquid in the second reservoir chamber by the second pressurizing unit is changed between P2-MAX and P2-MIN in accordance with the amount of the liquid stored in the inside of the second reservoir chamber, and P1>P2-MAX>P2-MIN>P3 is established.
Besides, preferably, the second pressurizing unit includes a compression spring for generating a force to pressurize the liquid in the second reservoir chamber.
Besides, preferably, when a water head difference of the liquid container relative to a liquid discharge part of the liquid consuming apparatus is P7, P1>P2>P3−P7 is established.
Besides, preferably, the first reservoir chamber and the second reservoir chamber are communicated with each other through a narrow communicating path.
Besides, preferably, the first reservoir chamber and the second reservoir chamber are integrally formed without a narrow flow path intervening between both the chambers.
Besides, preferably, the pressurized fluid is supplied from the liquid consuming apparatus.
Besides, preferably, the liquid consuming apparatus is an ink-jet recording apparatus, and the liquid container is an ink cartridge removably mounted in the ink-jet recording apparatus.
The invention further provides a liquid container for storing therein liquid to be supplied to a liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid container includes: a container body having a pressurized fluid introduction port for introducing pressurized fluid into the inside and a liquid delivery port for delivering the liquid to the outside; a first reservoir chamber which is formed in the inside the container body, stores the liquid, and includes a first flexible film constituting at least a part of a wall forming the first reservoir chamber; a first pressurizing unit for applying pressure of the pressurized fluid to the first flexible film to deform the first flexible film; a second reservoir chamber which is formed in the inside of the container body, communicates with the first reservoir chamber and the liquid delivery port, and includes a second flexible film constituting a part of a wall forming the second reservoir chamber and in which the second flexible film seals a substantially circular or regular polygonal opening formed by the rigid wall forming the second reservoir chamber, and the pressure of the pressurized fluid applied to the liquid in the first reservoir chamber is transmitted through the liquid to the liquid in the inside of the second reservoir chamber; a second pressurizing unit which pressurizes the liquid in the second reservoir chamber to deliver the liquid from the liquid delivery port in a state where the liquid in the first reservoir chamber is consumed and the pressure of the pressurized fluid is not transmitted to the liquid in the inside of the first reservoir chamber, and includes a press member for pressing the second flexible film toward a direction of decreasing a volume of the second reservoir chamber; and a detection unit which is provided in the container body and whose output signal is changed in accordance with a change of pressure of the liquid in the second reservoir chamber.
Besides., preferably, the opening sealed by the second flexible film is substantially square.
Besides, preferably, the second reservoir chamber is constructed such that the volume is changed in accordance with the pressure change of the liquid in the inside, and the output signal of the detection unit is changed in accordance with the volume change of the second reservoir chamber.
Besides, preferably, the first pressurizing unit includes a pressurizing chamber film which comes in contact with the pressurized fluid introduced from the pressurized fluid introduction port to the inside of the container body and is deformed. The first flexible film is pressed by deformation of the pressurizing chamber film and is deformed. The container body includes a first case member to which the first flexible film and the second flexible film are bonded to form the first reservoir chamber and the second reservoir chamber, and a second case member to which the pressurizing chamber film is bonded to form a pressurizing chamber into which the pressurized fluid is introduced. The press member is mounted to the second case member.
Besides, preferably, the press member is movably supported by a guide part integrally formed to the second case member.
Besides, preferably, the guide part includes a projection integrally formed in the second case member, a through hole in which the projection is freely inserted is formed in the press member, and a tip of the projection is subjected to heat caulking in a state where the projection is inserted in the through hole, so that the press member does not come off from the projection.
Besides, preferably, the second pressurizing unit includes a compression spring for urging the press member to press the second flexible film toward the direction of decreasing the volume of the second reservoir chamber.
Besides, preferably, the liquid consuming apparatus is an ink-jet recording apparatus, and the liquid container is an ink cartridge removably mounted in the ink-jet recording apparatus.
The invention further provides a liquid container for storing liquid to be supplied to a liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid container is constructed such that pressurized fluid is sent into its inside so that the liquid in the inside is delivered to the outside. The liquid container includes: a tank unit which includes a sealed liquid reservoir chamber for storing the liquid, and a liquid delivery port communicating with the liquid reservoir chamber and for delivering the liquid to the outside of the liquid container and in which a volume of the liquid reservoir chamber is changed in accordance with an amount of the liquid stored in the inside thereof; and a pressurizing unit which includes a sealed pressurizing chamber into which the pressurized fluid is introduced to change a volume, and a pressurized fluid introduction port communicating with the pressurizing chamber and for introducing the pressurized fluid to the inside of the pressurizing chamber, and is constructed to pressurize the liquid reservoir chamber of the tank unit by a volume change of the pressurizing chamber.
Besides, preferably, the pressurizing unit further includes a memory unit for storing information relating to the liquid stored in the tank unit.
Besides, preferably, the tank unit further includes a memory unit for storing information relating to the liquid stored in its inside.
Besides, preferably, the tank unit and the pressurizing unit are respectively formed as separate bodies and are fixed to each other.
Besides, preferably, the tank unit and the pressurizing unit are fixed to each other by heat caulking.
Besides, preferably, a projection formed at the tank unit is melted so that the tank unit and the pressurizing unit are fixed to each other by heat caulking.
Besides, preferably, the tank unit and the pressurizing unit have outer peripheral shapes substantially common to each other, and the tank unit and the pressurizing unit are stacked so that a substantially whole outer shape of the liquid container is determined.
Besides, preferably, the tank unit includes a reservoir chamber formation member in which a through hole forming the liquid reservoir chamber is formed, and a cover member stacked on the reservoir chamber formation member.
Besides, preferably, the liquid reservoir chamber includes a reservoir chamber side flexible film constituting at least a part of a wall forming the liquid reservoir chamber, and the pressurizing chamber includes a pressurizing chamber side flexible film constituting at least a part of a wall forming the pressurizing chamber and disposed to be opposite to the reservoir chamber side flexible film.
Besides, preferably, the pressurizing unit further includes a detection unit for detecting a remaining amount of the liquid stored in the tank unit.
Besides, preferably, the detection unit transmits an output signal changing in accordance with a change in pressure of the liquid in the tank unit.
Besides, preferably, the liquid container further includes a sealed additional reservoir chamber (second reservoir chamber) which is provided in the tank unit and communicates with the liquid reservoir chamber (first reservoir chamber) and the liquid delivery port. Pressure of the pressurized fluid applied to the liquid in the inside of the liquid reservoir chamber is transmitted through the liquid to the liquid in the inside of the additional reservoir chamber. The output signal of the detection unit is changed in accordance with a pressure change of the liquid in the inside of the additional reservoir chamber.
Besides, preferably, the additional reservoir chamber is constructed such that a volume is changed in accordance with the pressure change of the liquid in the inside, and the output signal of the detection unit is changed in accordance with a volume change of the additional reservoir chamber.
Besides, preferably, the tank unit includes an erroneous mounting prevention unit for preventing the liquid container from being erroneously mounted to a liquid consuming apparatus other than the suitable liquid consuming apparatus or to a position other than a suitable position of the suitable liquid consuming apparatus.
Besides, preferably, the liquid consuming apparatus is an ink-jet recording apparatus, and the liquid container is an ink cartridge removably mounted in the ink-jet recording apparatus.
The invention further provides a liquid container for storing therein liquid to be supplied to a liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid container includes a detection unit for digitally detecting whether an amount of liquid stored in the inside of the liquid container is a predetermined value or more or not, and a communication unit for communicating an output signal of the detection unit to the liquid consuming apparatus by an electric wave.
Besides, preferably, the detection unit includes a switch unit in which a conduction state and a non-conduction state are switched by whether the amount of the liquid stored in the inside of the liquid container is the predetermined value or more or not.
Besides, preferably, the switch unit includes a conductive elastic member at least a part of which is elastically deformed in accordance with a state change as to whether the amount of the liquid stored in the inside of the liquid container is the predetermined value or more or not.
Besides, preferably, the conductive elastic member includes a movable side terminal at least a part of which is displaced in accordance with the state change as to whether the amount of the liquid stored in the inside of the liquid container is the predetermined value or more or not, and a fixed side terminal which is disposed to be opposite to the movable side terminal and in which the contact state and the non-contact state relative to the movable side terminal are switched by the displacement of the movable side terminal.
Besides, preferably, the detection unit includes a press unit which is displaced when the amount of the liquid stored in the inside of the liquid container becomes less than the predetermined value, to thereby press and displace at least a part of the conductive elastic member.
Besides, preferably, the liquid container further includes a memory unit for storing information relating to the liquid stored in the inside of the liquid container, and the memory unit is formed integrally with the communication unit.
Besides, preferably, the predetermined value is set as an amount of liquid necessary for processing a unit amount or more of material to be processed by the liquid consuming apparatus.
Besides, preferably, the material to be processed is recording paper, and the unit amount of the material to be processed is a sheet of recording paper.
Besides, preferably, the liquid container is constructed such that pressurized fluid is sent into its inside so that the liquid in the inside is delivered to the outside. The liquid container includes: a container body having a pressurized fluid introduction port for introducing the pressurized fluid into the inside and a liquid delivery port for delivering the liquid to the outside; a liquid reservoir chamber (first reservoir chamber) which is formed in the inside of the container body, stores the liquid, and is constructed such that its volume is decreased by receiving pressure of the pressurized fluid; and a sensor chamber (second reservoir chamber) which is formed in the inside of the container body and communicates with the liquid reservoir chamber and in which the pressure of the pressurized fluid applied to the liquid in the inside of the liquid reservoir chamber is transmitted through the liquid to the liquid in the inside of the sensor chamber. The output signal of the detection unit is changed in accordance with a pressure change of the liquid in the inside of the sensor chamber.
Besides, preferably, the liquid consuming apparatus is an ink-jet recording apparatus, and the liquid container is an ink cartridge removably mounted in the ink-jet recording apparatus.
The invention further provides a liquid container for storing therein liquid to be supplied to a liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid container includes: a detection unit for detecting a remaining amount of liquid in the inside of the liquid container; and an IC module electrically connected to the detection unit. The IC module includes: plural terminals coming in contact with the detection unit to achieve electrical conduction; and an antenna member for communicating an output signal of the detection unit to the liquid consuming apparatus by an electric wave. The plural terminals are disposed side by side along a long side direction of the IC module.
Besides, preferably, the antenna member is formed of a coil-shaped pattern, and the plural terminals are disposed inside the antenna member formed of the coil-shaped pattern.
Besides, preferably, the antenna member is formed of a coil-shaped pattern, and the plural terminals are disposed outside the antenna member formed of the coil-shaped pattern.
Besides, preferably, the detection unit includes a conductive elastic member which is brought into pressure contact with the plural terminals while being elastically deformed.
Besides, preferably, the conductive elastic member includes: a movable side terminal at least a part of which is displaced in accordance with a state change as to whether an amount of the liquid stored in the inside of the liquid container is a predetermined value or more or not; and a fixed side terminal which is disposed to be opposite to the movable side terminal and in which a contact state and a non-contact state relative to the movable side terminal are switched by the displacement of the movable side terminal.
Besides, preferably, the detection unit includes a press unit which is displaced when the amount of the liquid stored in the inside of the liquid container becomes less than the predetermined value to thereby press and displace at least a part of the conductive elastic member.
Besides, preferably, the liquid container is constructed such that pressurized fluid is sent into the inside so that the liquid in the inside is delivered to the outside. The liquid container further includes: a container body having a pressurized fluid introduction port for introducing the pressurized fluid into the inside and a liquid delivery port for delivering the liquid to the outside; a liquid reservoir chamber (first reservoir chamber) which is formed in the inside of the container body, stores the liquid, and is constructed such that its volume is decreased by receiving pressure of the pressurized fluid; and a sensor chamber (second reservoir chamber) which is formed in the inside of the container body and communicates with the liquid reservoir chamber and in which the pressure of the pressurized fluid applied to the liquid in the inside of the liquid reservoir chamber is transmitted through the liquid to the liquid in the inside of the sensor chamber. The output signal of the detection unit is changed in accordance with a pressure change of the liquid in the inside of the sensor chamber.
Besides, preferably, the liquid consuming apparatus is an ink-jet recording apparatus, and the liquid container is an ink cartridge removably mounted in the ink-jet recording apparatus.
The invention further provides a liquid container for storing liquid to be supplied to a liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid container is constructed such that pressurized fluid is introduced into its inside so that the liquid in the inside is pressurized and is delivered to the outside. The liquid container includes: a container body having a pressurized fluid introduction port for introducing the pressurized fluid into the inside and a liquid delivery port for delivering the liquid to the outside; a first liquid reservoir chamber which is formed in the inside of the container body, stores the liquid, and is constructed such that its volume is decreased by receiving pressure of the pressurized fluid; a second liquid reservoir chamber which is formed in the inside of the container body and communicates with the first liquid reservoir chamber and in which the pressure of the pressurized fluid applied to the liquid in the inside of the first liquid reservoir chamber is transmitted through the liquid to the liquid in the inside of the second liquid reservoir chamber and its volume is changed in accordance with pressure of the liquid in the inside changed by transmission of the pressure of the pressurized fluid; and a narrow flow path which is formed at a midway of a liquid flow path communicating the first liquid reservoir chamber and the liquid delivery port, and is openably closed by a movable part displaced in accordance with the change of the volume of the second liquid reservoir chamber in a state where the liquid in the first liquid reservoir chamber is not pressurized by the pressurized fluid.
Besides, preferably, at least a part of a wall forming the second liquid reservoir chamber is constituted by a flexible film, the movable part includes at least a part of the flexible film, and the narrow flow path is closed by the flexible film displaced to decrease the volume of the second liquid reservoir chamber.
Besides, preferably, there is further included a press mechanism for pressing the flexible film toward a direction of decreasing the volume of the second liquid reservoir chamber, and magnitude of pressure applied to the flexible film by the press mechanism is set to such a value that the second liquid reservoir chamber can be expanded when the pressure of the pressurized fluid is transmitted through the liquid to the liquid in the inside of the second liquid reservoir chamber.
Besides, preferably, at least a part of the container body is constituted by a member having rigidity, and the second liquid reservoir chamber is formed by sealing an opening of a recess formed in the member having the rigidity with the flexible film.
Besides, preferably, the narrow flow path includes a small hole formed in a bottom of the recess.
Besides, preferably, the narrow flow path is formed in a flow path for connecting the second liquid reservoir chamber and the liquid delivery port.
Besides, preferably, the narrow flow path is formed in a flow path for connecting the first liquid reservoir chamber and the second liquid reservoir chamber.
Besides, preferably, the narrow flow path includes a small hole in which a ring-shaped projection is formed, on a side where it is closed by the movable part.
Besides, preferably, at least a portion of the ring-shaped projection with which the movable part comes in contact is made of an elastic material.
Besides, preferably, the liquid container further includes a detection unit which is provided in the container body and whose output signal is changed in accordance with the volume change of the second liquid reservoir chamber.
Besides, preferably, the detection unit includes a contact type switch opening/closing in accordance with the volume change of the second liquid reservoir chamber.
Besides, preferably, the liquid consuming apparatus is an ink-jet recording apparatus, and the liquid container is an ink cartridge removably mounted in the ink-jet recording apparatus.
The invention further provides a method of manufacturing a liquid container for storing liquid to be supplied to a liquid consuming apparatus. The method includes: a case member providing step of providing a case member formed with a liquid reservoir chamber into which the liquid is to be filled, wherein the case member includes a liquid injection port for injecting the liquid into an inside of the case member, a liquid injection passage communicating the liquid injection port with the liquid reservoir chamber, and a liquid delivery port communicating with the liquid reservoir chamber for delivering the liquid from the liquid container to the liquid consuming apparatus, wherein a partition wall for closing the liquid injection passage is provided in the liquid flow passage, wherein a part of the wall surface forming the liquid reservoir chamber and a part of a wall surface forming the liquid injection passage are constructed by a flexible film, and wherein the flexible film is provided over a top surface of the partition wall but is not attached to the top surface of the partition wall; a liquid injection step of injecting the liquid from the liquid injection port into the liquid injection passage so that the liquid flows into the inside of the liquid reservoir chamber through a clearance formed between the top surface of the partition wall and the flexible film; and a passage closing step of closing a flow passage of the liquid by attaching the flexible film onto the top surface of the partition wall after the injection of the liquid into the inside of the liquid reservoir chamber is complete.
Besides, preferably, a projecting part for defining the clearance between the flexible film and the top surface of the partition wall is formed on the top surface of the partition wall of the case member provided in the case member providing step. In the flow passage closing step, the projecting part is melted so that the flexible film is welded to the top surface of the partition wall.
Besides, preferably, the method further includes a fluid discharge step after the case member providing step is complete and before the liquid injection step starts. In the fluid discharge step, the liquid injection port is closed, and fluid inside the liquid reservoir chamber and the liquid injection passage is discharged from the liquid delivery port.
Besides, preferably, the flexible film is attached to a top surface of the projecting part formed on the top surface of the partition wall of the case member provided in the case member providing step.
Besides, preferably, the method further includes, after the flow passage closing step is complete, a vacuum-discharge step of vacuum-discharging, via the liquid injection port, the liquid existing between the liquid injection port and the partition wall.
Besides, preferably, the method further includes an injection port closing step of closing the liquid injection port after the vacuum-discharge step is complete.
Besides, preferably, the liquid container is constructed such that pressurized fluid is sent into its inside so that liquid in the inside is pressurized and delivered to the outside from the liquid delivery port.
Beside, preferably, the method further includes a detection unit mounting step of mounting, to the inside of the liquid container, a detecting unit whose output signal is changed in accordance with a pressure change of the liquid stored in the inside of the liquid container.
Besides, preferably, the liquid reservoir chamber is constructed such that its volume is decreased by receiving pressure of the pressurized fluid. The liquid container further includes a sensor chamber which is formed in the inside of the liquid container, which communicates with the liquid reservoir chamber and in which pressure of the pressurized fluid, applied to the liquid in the inside of the liquid reservoir chamber is transmitted through the liquid to the liquid in the inside of the sensor chamber. The output signal of the detection unit is changed in accordance with the pressure change of the liquid in the inside of the sensor chamber.
Besides, preferably, the sensor chamber is constructed such that its volume is changed in accordance with the pressure change of the liquid in the inside of the sensor chamber. The output signal of the detection unit is changed in accordance with the volume change of the sensor chamber.
Besides, preferably, the liquid consuming apparatus is an ink-jet recording apparatus, and the liquid container is an ink cartridge removably mounted in the ink-jet recording apparatus.
The invention further provides a liquid container for storing liquid to be supplied to a liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid container includes: a case member formed with a liquid reservoir chamber into which the liquid is to be filled. The case member includes a liquid injection port for injecting the liquid into an inside of the case member, a liquid injection passage communicating the liquid injection port with the liquid reservoir chamber, and a liquid delivery port communicating with the liquid reservoir chamber for delivering the liquid from the liquid container to the liquid consuming apparatus. A partition wall for closing the liquid injection passage is provided in the liquid flow passage. A part of the wall surface forming the liquid reservoir chamber and a part of a wall surface forming the liquid injection passage are constructed by a flexible film. The flexible film is provided over a top surface of the partition wall. In a state in which the flexible film is not attached to the top surface of the partition wall, the liquid is injected from the liquid injection port into the liquid injection passage so that the liquid flows into the inside of the liquid reservoir chamber through a clearance formed between the top surface of the partition wall and the flexible film. A flow passage of the liquid is closed by attaching the flexible film onto the top surface of the partition wall after the injection of the liquid into the inside of the liquid reservoir chamber is complete.
Besides, preferably, a projecting part for defining the clearance between the flexible film and the top surface of the partition wall is formed on the top surface of the partition wall of the case member when the liquid is injected into the inside of the liquid reservoir chamber. After the injection of the liquid into the inside of the liquid reservoir chamber is complete, the projecting part is melted so that the flexible film is welded to the top surface of the partition wall.
Besides, preferably, after the injection of the liquid into the inside of the liquid reservoir chamber is complete, the liquid existing between the liquid injection port and the partition wall is vacuum-discharged via the liquid injection port.
Besides, preferably, the liquid injection port is closed by welding a sealing member thereto.
Besides, preferably, the liquid container is constructed such that pressurized fluid is sent into its inside so that liquid in the inside is pressurized and delivered to the outside from the liquid delivery port.
Beside, preferably, the liquid container further includes a detecting unit whose output signal is changed in accordance with a pressure change of the liquid stored in the inside of the liquid container.
Besides, preferably, the liquid reservoir chamber is constructed such that its volume is decreased by receiving pressure of the pressurized fluid. The liquid container further includes a sensor chamber which is formed in the inside of the liquid container, which communicates with the liquid reservoir chamber and in which pressure of the pressurized fluid, applied to the liquid in the inside of the liquid reservoir chamber is transmitted through the liquid to the liquid in the inside of the sensor chamber. The output signal of the detection unit is changed in accordance with the pressure change of the liquid in the inside of the sensor chamber.
Besides, preferably, the sensor chamber is constructed such that its volume is changed in accordance with the pressure change of the liquid in the inside of the sensor chamber. The output signal of the detection unit is changed in accordance with the volume change of the sensor chamber.
Besides, preferably, the liquid consuming apparatus is an ink-jet recording apparatus, and the liquid container is an ink cartridge removably mounted in the ink-jet recording apparatus.
The present disclosure relates to the subject matter contained in Japanese patent application Nos.:
2003-085097 (filed on Mar. 26, 2003);
2003-154991 (filed on May 30, 2003);
2003-160836 (filed on Jun. 5, 2003);
2003-160815 (filed on Jun. 5, 2003);
2003-160685 (filed on Jun. 5, 2003):
2003-198631 (filed on Jul. 17, 2003);
2003-198638 (filed on Jul. 17, 2003);
2003-296687 (filed on Aug. 20, 2003); and
2003-190527 (filed on Jul. 2, 2003),
each of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Hereafter, the detail of the invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the drawings.
In the surface on the tip end side in the mounting direction (
The recessed parts 12 and 13 are formed such that through holes formed in the frame 10a are sealed with the lid 10b from the front surface side of the cartridge. At the same time, the grooves 14 and 16 are sealed with the lid 10b to form the first ink channel 14′ and the second ink channel 16′.
In addition, as shown in
The opening side of the recessed part 12 is sealed with a film 17 deformable by air to define a space, i.e. the ink containing chamber 12′ for containing ink therein. The opening side of the recessed part 13 is similarly sealed with a film to define a space, i.e. the buffer chamber 13′, the volume of which can be varied by ink pressure. Moreover, the film 17 is attached to an annular projection 19 of the closed-bottom box 10, which projection is disposed in the outer periphery than the deformable area of the film 17. Besides, the films 17 and 18 to be attached to the closed-bottom box 10 may be a single film as long as the required contraction for the films 17 and 18 can be secured.
As shown in
Furthermore, as means for detecting the volume variation in the buffer chamber 13′, various means can be adopted as long as it can detect whether the top part of the buffer chamber 13′ reaches a predetermined position. Accordingly, for example, a microswitch, a magnet switch and a proximity photoswitch can be adopted as detecting means.
The buffer chamber 13′ is designed to have a volume to allow printing for a period of time required to prepare a next ink cartridge after the detecting mechanism 26 detects ink near end, more specifically, after the ink in the ink containing chamber 12′ has been consumed. The volume of the buffer chamber 13′ is, for example, the amount allowing a few sheets to be printed, that is, a volume in which ink of about 1 to 2 cc can be contained.
Next, the operation of the ink cartridge thus configured will be described below based on
In the embodiment, as shown in
In the meantime, the ink cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus serving as the liquid consuming apparatus, an ink supplying needle 50 engages the ink delivery port 11 as shown in
At the point in time when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted at the set position, air is fed from the pressurized fluid supplying source, so that air is introduced in between the film 17 and the recessed part 22 of the closed-bottom box 20 to apply pressure to the film 17 of the ink containing chamber 12′. Consequently, ink in the ink containing chamber 12′ passes through the channel 14 to flow into the buffer chamber 13. Therefore, the film 18 configuring the buffer chamber 13′ is expanded against the spring 29 to increase the volume.
Accordingly, the plate 28 is moved upwardly in the drawing to contact with the detecting mechanism 26, which confirms that ink, at least enough to fill the volume of the buffer chamber 13′ is contained in the cartridge and that the ink cartridge is mounted correctly.
When ink is consumed in the recording operation in this state, the ink in the ink containing chamber 12′ is fed to the recording head through the buffer chamber 13′. The ink in the ink containing chamber 12′ is reduced by that amount, but the volume of the buffer chamber 13′ keeps the set volume (
When the power source of the recording device is turned off to stop the air supply in the state that ink remains in the ink containing chamber 12′, a pressure applied by the spring 29 of the buffer chamber 13′ exceeds the pressure of the ink in the ink containing chamber 12′. Consequently, the ink in the buffer chamber 13′ flows in a reverse direction into the ink containing chamber 12′ to reduce the volume of the buffer chamber 13′ (
This reverse-flow allows the ink in the buffer chamber 13′ to be mixed with the ink in the ink containing chamber 12′ to prevent an increase in viscosity. The ink in the buffer chamber 13′ is relatively increased in viscosity because it is in the proximity of the ink delivery port, and the ink in the ink containing chamber 12′ has low viscosity.
In addition, in case of ink easy to generate precipitation as pigment ink, it is possible to generate a reverse-flow from the buffer chamber 13′ into the ink containing chamber 12′ having a low ink flow rate to agitate the precipitated pigments.
More specifically, the buffer chamber 13′ functions as a pump chamber by activating or stopping the recording device, and thus it also functions as an agitating unit to agitate the ink in the ink containing chamber 12′. Furthermore, the recording device is originally designed not to leak ink from the recording head due to a pressure applied by the pressurized fluid. Therefore, ink will not leak from the recording head by the extent of pressure applied by the spring 29 of the buffer chamber 13′.
In the meantime, when the ink in the ink containing chamber 12′ is all consumed in the recording operation and ink remains only in the buffer chamber 13′ (
Consequently, it can be confirmed that ink is reduced to near end. After this, the spring 29 squeezes the ink in the buffer chamber 13′ to feed it to the recording head until the last (
Moreover, when a defect is generated in mounting the ink cartridge on the recording device, the pressure in the ink containing chamber 12′ is dropped. Thus, the plate 28 yields to the spring, and retracts and separates from the detecting mechanism 26 to stop the output of the detection signals. Therefore, abnormality can be known.
In addition, in the embodiment, the buffer chamber 13′ is constantly energized by the spring in the contracting direction. However, the same advantage is exerted in which the buffer chamber 13′ is formed to be a bellows structure and the bellows part is constantly set in the contracting direction.
In the embodiment, the ink containing chamber 12′ and the buffer chamber 13′ are configured in which the recessed parts 12 and 13 are formed in the hard case and the openings of these recessed parts are sealed with the deformable films 17 and 18. However, the annular projection 23 disposed around the pressurizing area of the closed-bottom box 20 is sealed to the projection 19 sealed with the film 17 with an adhesive also functioning as a sealing agent, for example, which allows the pressurizing area to be formed into an airtight structure.
Furthermore, as shown in
Moreover, as shown
In this manner, the pressurizing area (pressurizing chamber 47) is defined independently of the ink containing chamber 12′ fluidically. This arrangement eliminates an airtight seal in the joining part of the closed-bottom box 10 to the closed-bottom box 20. The cartridge can be completed by simply assembling the closed-bottom box 10 and the closed-bottom box 20, which can simplify the assembly process as compared with the case of vacuum-tight joint.
The embodiment discussed above employs the mechanism using the pressurized fluid as means for applying pressure to the ink containing chamber 12′. However, as shown in
The energizing force of the pressurizing unit 48 is set to the extent of expanding the buffer chamber 13′ to the maximum in the state that ink remains in the ink containing chamber 12′. The volume of the buffer chamber 13′ is contracted at the point in time when the ink in the ink containing chamber 12′ is consumed, which allows the detecting mechanism 26 to detect ink near end as similar to the above and allows printing with the ink remaining in the buffer chamber 13′.
In addition, in the modification, the spring is used as the pressurizing units. However, as similar to the embodiment shown in
Furthermore, in the embodiment and modifications thereof, the pressurizing unit is built in the hard case. However, the same advantage is exerted in which the pressurizing unit, for example, a drive source 49 that can control the pressing force, such as a solenoid or a fluid actuator, is disposed in the liquid ejection apparatus main body side and a window 20a is formed in the area facing to the film 17 forming the ink containing chamber of the hard case so that the film 17 can be pressed via the window 20a by displacement of the drive source 49 as shown in
According to this modification, the pressing force of the drive source 49 is released at the point in time when the operation of the liquid ejection apparatus main body is stopped. The ink in the buffer chamber 13′ can be returned to the ink containing chamber 12′, and the agitating effect can be obtained.
Moreover, also in the embodiment, the buffer chamber 13′ can be expanded to the maximum in the state that ink remains in the ink containing chamber 12′ as similar to the above. The ink in the buffer chamber 13′ begins to be consumed and the volume is contracted at the point in time when the ink in the ink containing chamber 12′ is all consumed, and therefore the detecting mechanism 26 can detect ink near end. After that, printing can be done with the ink remaining in the buffer chamber 13′.
Without mentioning it, also in the modifications shown in
According to such the configuration, when pressure is applied to the ink containing chamber 12′ or pressure is eliminated, the liquid flows through the channels formed of the groove or through hole at high speed between the ink containing chamber 12′ and the buffer chamber 13. Therefore, the agitating effect is generated.
As discussed above, a detection signal of the amount of remaining liquid can be obtained at the point in time when the liquid in the liquid containing chamber (first reservoir chamber) 12′ is all consumed and below the maximum volume of the buffer chamber (second reservoir chamber) 13′. Therefore, the detection signal of signaling that the liquid container needs to be changed can be obtained more surely than the amount of ink in the liquid containing chamber is monitored. In addition, even when the signal is detected during a predetermined liquid ejection operation, the liquid remaining in the buffer chamber 13′ allows liquid ejection continuously for a predetermined period of time.
Particularly, in the case that ink is used for the liquid, a fixed set of sheets can be printed continuously without interrupting printing when the signal is detected during printing.
Furthermore, when the operation of the liquid consuming device causes pressure to be applied to the liquid containing chamber 12′, or the operation of the liquid consuming device is stopped to eliminate pressure in an ink containing chamber 12′, the volume of the buffer chamber 13′ is greatly varied to function as a pump chamber. Therefore, it has the effect to agitate the liquid, and solids can be prevented from precipitating in the case of a liquid having an increase in viscosity and having solids such as pigments.
The liquid container can be configured by a simple process in which the hard case in a predetermined shape is formed by injection molding and the film is attached thereto.
Only the area where the liquid exists is configured to be an independent product and it is simply mounted on the hard case to form the liquid container. Therefore, the number of recyclable components is increased.
The channels connecting the separate areas can be formed in injection molding of the hard case, and the channels are formed of a tube or a groove. Therefore, a reverse-flow into the ink containing chamber 12′ or the ink flow rate in flowing into the buffer chamber 13′ is increased, and the greater agitating effect can be obtained.
Hereinafter, as a second embodiment of a liquid container of the invention, an ink cartridge for an ink-jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.
The ink cartridge 101 includes a container body 102, and this container body 102 is constituted by a first case member 102A, a second case member 102B and a third case member 102C. As is understood from
Incidentally, a sealing structure is not provided between the case members 102A, 102B and 102C.
As stated above, the three case members 102A, 102B and 102C are fixed by heat caulking, so that the heat-caulked parts can certainly receive force generated in the direction of separating the case members when compressed air is introduced into the inside of the ink cartridge 101.
As shown in
Besides, a compressed air introduction port 107 for introducing the compressed air into the inside of the container body 102 is formed in the same surface as the surface in which the ink delivery port 106 is formed. This compressed air introduction port 107 is formed in the second case member 102B.
Further, an ink injection port 108 for filling ink at the time of manufacture of the ink cartridge 101 is formed in the same surface as the surface in which the ink delivery port 106 is formed. This ink injection port 108 is formed in the first case member 102A. The ink injection port 108 is closed by welding a seal member 150.
Besides, an erroneous mounting prevention block 109 is provided on one corner part of the container body 102 including the same surface as the surface in which the ink delivery port 106, the compressed air introduction port 107, and the ink injection port 108 are formed. This erroneous mounting prevention block 109 is given such a shape that an ink cartridge other than the ink cartridge 101 with a correct kind of ink can not be mounted so that the ink cartridge 101 with a predetermined kind of ink is correctly mounted at a predetermined position when the ink cartridge 101 is mounted in the ink-jet recording apparatus.
As shown in
Besides, a flexible ink chamber film 113, a flexible sensor chamber film 113B and a flexible pressurizing chamber film 114 are provided between the first case member 102A and the second case member 102B. The ink chamber film 113A and the sensor chamber film 113B are integrally formed of one film. The ink chamber film 113A and the sensor chamber film 113B liquid-tightly seal upper side openings of the ink chamber through hole 111 and the sensor chamber through hole 112 formed in the first case member 102A. Besides, the pressurizing chamber film 114 airtightly seals an opening of a pressurizing chamber recess 115 formed in the second case member 102B.
Here, the sensor chamber through hole 112 is formed to have a substantially square section. By this, reaction force at the time of deformation of the sensor chamber film 113B becomes small, and it becomes possible to deform the sensor chamber film 113B by a low pressure.
Incidentally, other preferable sectional shapes of the sensor chamber through hole 112 include a circle and polygons other than a square.
A seal rubber 128 is mounted to the ink delivery port 106 formed in the first case member 102A, and a valve body 129 is inserted in the inside of the ink delivery port 106.
A filter 130 and a check valve 131 are provided at midways of a flow path for communicating the sensor chamber recess 112 and the ink delivery port 106.
Besides, the ink injection port 108 formed in the first case member 102A communicates with the ink chamber through hole 111 through an ink injection flow path 132. Besides, the ink chamber through hole 111 and the sensor chamber recess 112 are communicated with each other through a narrow communicating path 135. Further, the sensor chamber recess 112 communicates with the ink delivery port 106 through a check valve mounting part 131A in which the check valve 131 is disposed and a filter mounting part 131B in which the filter 130 is fitted.
Next, a detection unit 116 disposed in the inside of the ink cartridge 101 will be described with reference to
In the detection unit 116, its output signal is changed in accordance with a change in pressure of ink in the container body 102 changed by whether the pressure of the compressed air is actually applied. Besides, this detection unit 116 digitally detects whether the amount of ink stored in the inside of the ink cartridge 101 is a predetermined value or more.
This detection unit 116 includes a spring seat member 117 having an outer diameter shape capable of being movably inserted in the inside of the sensor chamber through hole 112 formed in the first case member 102A, and this spring seat member 117 is movably mounted to a guide projection formed in the second case member 102B.
As a mounting method, the guide projection 118 formed in the second case member 102B is inserted in a through hole 117a of this spring seat member 117, the tip of the guide projection 118 is subjected to heat caulking, and the spring seat member 117 may be made not to come off from the guide projection 118. By this, the spring seat member 117 is movably mounted to the guide projection 118. As stated above, since the spring seat member 117 is mounted to the guide projection 118 by heat caulking, its assembly is easy, and it is unnecessary to provide a molding die with a complicated structure which becomes necessary in the case where, for example, a pawl for hooking is formed. Incidentally, in this case, in order to ensure the movement distance of the spring seat member 117, it is necessary to form the guide projection 118 to be relatively long.
Besides, as another mounting method, for example, as shown in
A compression spring 119 is provided between the spring seat member 117 and the second case member 102B, and the spring seat member 117 is urged toward the direction of going away from the second case member 102B by the spring force of this compression spring 119.
The spring seat member 117 and the compression spring 119 constitute part of the detection unit 116, and at the same time, constitute a pressurizing unit for pressurizing the ink in the inside of an after-mentioned sensor chamber 142 (
Besides, the detection unit 116 includes a contact type switch 120 which is opened/closed by pressure actually applied to the ink in the container body 102 from the compressed air. This contact type switch 120 includes a movable side terminal 120A displaced by the pressure actually applied to the ink in the container body 102 from the compressed air, and a fixed side terminal 120B disposed to be opposite to the movable side terminal 120A. The movable side terminal 120A and the fixed side terminal 120B are respectively made of conductive elastic members. In this embodiment, the movable side terminal 120A is pressed by a peripheral part 117B of the seat member 117 so that it is moved (
An IC board (IC module) 121 adjacent to the contract type switch 120 and having a control IC 160 is disposed on an inner wall surface of the second case member 102B, and this IC board 121 is fixed by a fixing rib 122 and by heat caulking. The IC board 121 includes contact terminals 123 with which the movable side terminal 120A and the fixed side terminal 120B come in contact. The movable side terminal 120A and the fixed side terminal 120B are fixed to convex parts 102B01 provided in the second case member 102B by, for example, heat caulking so that the movable side terminal 120A made of a plate spring member and the fixed side terminal 120B are brought into pressure contact with the respective contact terminals 123 by the spring force.
Besides, the IC substrate 121 includes an antenna member 124, and by using this antenna member 124, communication is made in a non-contact manner (wireless) by an electric wave between the ink-jet recording apparatus and the IC board 121, and information and electric power are transmitted.
Incidentally, the compressed air introduction port 107 formed in the second case member 102B communicates with the pressurizing chamber recess 115 through an air flow path 125.
Besides, in
The pressurizing unit is constituted by the second case member 102B, the detection unit 116, the pressurizing chamber film 114 and the like.
Besides, the filter 130 and the check valve 131 are provided at the midway of the passage for connecting the ink delivery port 106 and the sensor chamber through hole 112. Besides, the ink injection port 108 formed in the first case member 102A communicates with the ink chamber through hole 111 through the ink injection passage 132. Besides, the ink chamber through hole 111 and the sensor chamber through hole 112 are communicated with each other through the narrow communicating path 135.
Incidentally, in
Besides, in
Besides, in
A tank unit is constructed by the first case member 102A, the ink chamber film 113A, the sensor chamber film 113B, and the like.
As stated above, the first case member 102A side is constructed as the tank unit, and the second case member 102B side is constructed as the pressurizing unit, so that the number of parts is decreased and cost reduction is realized, and further, it becomes possible to recycle the pressurizing unit.
In the ink cartridge 101 according to this embodiment, as shown in
Besides, the antenna member 124 is formed of the coil-shaped pattern on both sides of the IC board 121, and the pair of contact terminals 123 are disposed outside the antenna member 124 formed of the coil-shaped pattern.
Further, the control IC 160 is provided on the IC board 121, and this control IC 160, together with the pair of contact terminals 123, is disposed outside the antenna member 124 formed of the coil-shaped pattern.
An antenna 203 is adjacent to the antenna 124 provided in the inside of the ink cartridge 101 and is provided in the ink-jet recording apparatus 200 side. An output signal of the detection unit 116 provided in the inside of the ink cartridge 101 is transmitted from the antenna 124 in the ink cartridge 101 to the antenna 203 in the ink-jet recording apparatus 200 side in a non-contact manner. The detection signal of the detection unit 116 received by the antenna 203 is sent to a control part 204 of the ink-jet recording apparatus 200. The control part 204 controls the pressurizing pump 201, the recording head 202, and a driving mechanism 205 such as a carriage.
Besides, the IC board 121 provided in the inside of the ink cartridge 101 has a function of storing information relating to the ink in the ink cartridge 101, and the information relating to the ink stored in the IC board 121, together with the detection signal of the detection unit 116, is transmitted to the antenna 203 in the ink-jet recording apparatus 200 side from the antenna 124 in the ink cartridge 101 side. The information stored in the IC board 121 is the information relating to, for example, a remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 101, the kind of ink, the model number of ink and the like.
Incidentally, in this embodiment, although the output signal of the detection unit 116 is transmitted to the ink-jet recording apparatus 200 in the non-contact manner using the antennas 124 and 203, the signal may be transmitted in a contact manner in which an electric contact provided in the ink cartridge 101 is made to come in contact with an electric contact provided in the ink-jet recording apparatus 200 side.
Next, the detection operation of the detection unit 116 including the contact type switch 120 will be described with reference to
Incidentally, in
A part of a wall forming the ink reservoir chamber 140 is made of the ink chamber film 113A, a part of a wall forming the sensor chamber 142 is made of the flexible sensor chamber film 113B, and a part of a wall forming the ink pressurizing chamber 141 is made of the flexible pressurizing chamber film 114.
Since the ink pressurizing chamber 141 is airtightly sealed by the pressurizing chamber film 114, the pressure of the compressed air introduced into the inside of the ink cartridge 101 is not transmitted to a space 143 where the spring seat member 117, the compression spring 119 and the like are disposed.
In this embodiment, when a pressure actually applied to the ink in the ink reservoir chamber 140 by the compressed air is P1, and a pressure actually applied to the ink in the sensor chamber 142 by the spring force of the compression spring 119 is P2, the pressure of the compressed air and the spring force of the compression spring 119 are set so that P1>P2 is established.
More specifically, since the spring force of the compression spring 119 is changed according to its compression amount, the pressure P2 applied to the ink in the sensor chamber 142 by the spring force of the compression spring 119 is changed within a range of P2-MAX to P2-MIN in accordance with the amount of the ink stored in the inside of the sensor chamber 142. Then, in this embodiment, the pressure of the compressed air and the spring force of the compression spring 119 are set so that P1 >P2-MAX>P2-MIN is established.
As stated above, the maximum pressure P2-MAX of the compression spring 119 is made smaller than the pressure P1 of the compression air, so that the detection unit 116 can be operated without fail.
Besides, in this embodiment, when a pressure loss by reaction force at the time of deformation of the ink chamber film 113A and the pressurizing chamber film 114 is P4, and a pressure of the compressed air introduced from the compressed air introduction port 107 to the ink pressurizing chamber 141 is P1′, the pressure of the compressed air and the spring force of the compression spring 119 are set so that P1′−P4=P1>P2 is established.
By this, even in the case where the reaction force is generated at the time of deformation of the ink chamber film 113A and the pressurizing chamber film 114, the detection unit 116 can be operated without fail.
As shown in
Then, the sensor chamber film 113B is deformed upward by the pressure of the ink having flowed in the sensor chamber 142, and the spring seat member 117 is pressed upward against the spring force of the compression spring 119. Then, as is understood from
That is, in the case where the ink in the ink reservoir chamber 140 is pressurized by the compressed air, and the pressure of the ink in the inside of the ink reservoir chamber 140 and the sensor chamber 142 has a predetermined value or more, the contact type switch 120 is put in the off state.
That is, in the detection unit 116 of the ink cartridge 101 of this embodiment, the ink in the ink reservoir chamber 140 is pressurized by the compressed air, and the pressure of the pressurized ink in the ink reservoir chamber 140 is transmitted to the ink in the sensor chamber 142. At this time, in the case where the pressure P of the ink in the inside of the sensor chamber 142 is higher than the predetermined value, that is, the pressure P2 applied to the ink in the sensor chamber 142 by the spring force of the compression spring 119, the spring seat member 117 is pressed upward up to the upper limit position, and the contact type switch 120 is put in the off state.
Incidentally, this embodiment is constructed such that when the spring seat member 117 displaced against the spring force of the compression spring 119 by the increase of volume of the sensor chamber 142 reaches the vicinity of the limit point. (upper limit position) in the displaceable range, it comes in contact with the movable side terminal 120A and the movable side terminal 120A is displaced.
Besides, this embodiment is constructed such that when a pressure loss by the reaction force at the time of deformation of the sensor chamber film 113B is P5, and a pressure applied to the sensor chamber film 113B from the spring seat member 117 is P2′, P1>P2′+P5, and P2′−P5=P2>P are established. By this, even in the case where the reaction force is generated at the time of deformation of the sensor chamber film 113B, the detection unit 116 can be operated without fail.
Besides, as described above, in this embodiment, the sensor chamber through hole 112 is constructed to have the substantially square section, so that the reaction force at the time of deformation is lessened, and the pressure loss P5 due to the deformation is lessened.
Besides, this embodiment is constructed such that when the pressure loss in the ink flow path from the ink cartridge 101 to the ink-jet recording apparatus 200 is P3, P1>P2>P3 is established. More specifically, the minimum pressure P2-MIN of the compression spring 119 becomes larger than the pressure loss P3 of the ink flow path. By this, almost all ink existing in the sensor chamber 142 can be certainly delivered from the ink delivery port 106 by the spring force of the compression spring 119.
Incidentally, since the pressure necessary for pressurizing the sensor chamber 142 may be smaller than the pressure necessary for pressurizing the ink reservoir chamber 140, this pressurizing force is generated by the compression spring 119 as in this embodiment, so that the ink cartridge 101 can be miniaturized and manufacturing cost can be reduced.
Further, this embodiment is constructed such that when the water head difference of the ink cartridge 101 relative to the recording head 202 of the ink-jet recording apparatus 200 is P7, P1>P2>P3−P7 is established. By this, even in the case where the recording head 202 is located at a position higher than the ink cartridge 101, ink can be certainly supplied from the ink cartridge 101 to the recording head 202.
In the ink-jet recording apparatus 200, when ink is consumed, the amount of ink in the ink reservoir chamber 140 is decreased, and the volume of the ink reservoir chamber 140 is gradually decreased. At this time, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink reservoir chamber 140 is a predetermined value or more, the pressure of the compressed air applied to the ink in the ink reservoir chamber 140 is transmitted through the ink to the ink in the sensor chamber 142. Accordingly, in this state, the state in which the spring seat member 117 is pressed upward up to the upper limit position against the spring force of the compression spring 119 is kept, and the off state of the contact type switch 120 is kept.
The ink in the ink reservoir chamber 140 is further consumed, and as shown in
That is, the pressure of the compressed air is not transmitted to the ink in the container body 102, and in the case where the pressure of the ink in the container body 102 is less than the predetermined value, the contact type switch 120 is put in the on state.
Besides, in other words, the contact type switch 120 operates and is put in the on state when the ink in the inside of the ink pressurizing chamber 141 is all consumed and the ink stored in the inside of the ink cartridge 101 becomes only the ink in the inside of the sensor chamber 142. That is, the detection unit 116 including the contact type switch 120 can digitally detect whether or not the amount of ink stored in the inside of the ink cartridge 101 is the predetermined value or more corresponding to the maximum value of the amount of ink which can be stored in the inside of the sensor chamber 142.
Here, it is preferable that the predetermined value corresponding to the maximum value of the amount of ink which can be stored in the inside of the sensor chamber 142 is set to an amount of ink which can print one or more sheets of recording paper to be processed by the ink-jet recording apparatus 200. By setting the predetermined value as stated above, even after an ink near end (N/E) is detected by the detection unit 116, it is not necessary to stop printing, and it is possible to prevent the recording paper from being wasted.
As described above, since the movable side terminal 120A is pressed and displaced by the displacing spring seat member 117, the switching operation of the contact type switch 120 can be certainly performed by the simple structure.
Incidentally, in this embodiment, the movable side terminal 120A is pressed upward by the raised spring seat member 117 and the contact type switch 120 is switched from the on state (conduction state) to the off state (non-conduction state). However, a modified example may be such that the arrangement of the movable side terminal 120A and the fixed side terminal 120B is turned upside down, and in the non-pressure state, the movable side terminal 120A and the fixed side terminal 120B are put in the non-contact state, and at the time of pressurization, the movable side terminal 120A is pressed upward by the raised spring seat member 117 and comes in contact with the fixed side terminal 120B.
Incidentally,
As is understood from
Then, when there occurs a state in which the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 101 becomes lower than the predetermined value (in this embodiment, the state in which the ink in the ink reservoir chamber 140 is almost exhausted), the pressure of the compressed air is not transmitted to the ink in the ink cartridge 101. In this state, the ink supply pressure is determined by the spring force of the compression spring 119.
That is, at the point of time when the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 101 is lowered to the predetermined value, that is, at the point of time of the ink near end (N/E), the maximum spring pressure P2-AMX of the compression spring 119 in the maximally compressed state becomes the ink supply pressure.
Then, as the consumption of the ink in the sensor chamber 142 progresses, the compression amount of the compression spring 119 becomes small, and the spring pressure is decreased to the spring pressure (minimum spring pressure) P2-MIN at the point of time when the spring seat member 117 reaches the inner bottom of the container body 102. At this point of time, ink does not remain even in the sensor chamber 142, and the ink cartridge 101 is put in the state of ink end (I/E).
Besides, as is understood from
Then, when there occurs a state where the remaining amount of ink in the ink reservoir chamber 140 becomes lower than the predetermined value, the pressure of the compressed air is not transmitted to the ink in the ink cartridge 101. In this state, the ink supply pressure is determined by the compression spring 119 and the reaction force of the sensor chamber film 113B.
Incidentally, the pressure P3 in
Besides,
As is understood from
Then, in the ink cartridge 101 according to this embodiment, by using the foregoing operation characteristics of the detection unit 116, as described below, it is possible to detect poor mounting (insufficient insertion, etc.) of the ink cartridge 101 to the ink-jet recording apparatus 200, or to detect trouble of the detection unit 116.
That is, in the case where the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 1 is the predetermined value or more (for example, a new ink cartridge 101 is mounted), when the detection unit 116 is not turned OFF although the pressurizing pump 201 is operated, it is conceivable that there occurs the poor mounting of the ink cartridge 101 or the trouble of the detection unit 116. In this case, for example, a message to urge the user to confirm the mounting state of the ink cartridge 101 is displayed.
Incidentally, information as to whether the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 101 is the predetermined value or more at the point of time when it is mounted in the ink-jet recording apparatus 200 is previously stored in the IC board 121 incorporated in the ink cartridge 101.
Besides, in the case where the detection unit 116 is in the OFF state although the pressurizing pump 201 is in the stop state, it is judged that the detection unit 116 is out of order.
Next, a method of assembling the ink cartridge 101 will be described.
When the ink cartridge 101 is assembled, the tank unit including the first case member 102A, the ink chamber film 113A, the sensor chamber film 113B, the third case member 102C and the like, and the pressurizing unit including the second case member 102B, the detection unit 116, the pressurizing chamber film 114 and the like are first respectively formed as separate bodies. Thereafter, the tank unit and the pressurizing unit are stacked and are fixed to each other by heat caulking.
Here, the ink reservoir chamber 140 and the sensor chamber 142 are formed in the tank unit in a sealed state, while the ink pressurizing chamber 141 is formed in the pressurizing unit in a sealed state. Accordingly, when the tank unit and the pressurizing unit are stacked and are fixed to each other, it is not necessary to ensure sealing between both the units.
Next, a manufacturing method of the above-mentioned ink cartridge, in particular, a method of injecting ink into the inside of the ink reservoir chamber 140 will be discussed with reference to
First of all, in a case member providing step, the first case member 102A prior to being joined to the second case member 102B and the third case member 102C is provided. This first case member 102A is in such a state that the ink chamber film 113A and the sensor chamber film 113B are attached to the film welding parts 133A and 133B on one surface of the first case member 102A, and the bottom film 110 is welded to the film welding part 136A and 136B on the other surface thereof.
As shown in
The first case member 102A provided in the case member providing step has a clearance between the top surface 134b of the partition wall 134a and the bottom film 110 due to the clearance formation projecting parts 134c formed on the top surface 134b of the partition wall 134. That is, the bottom film 110 in this point of time is not welded to the top surface 134b of the partition wall 134a, and is welded only to the top portions of the clearance formation projecting parts 134c. In addition, the bottom film 110 is welded to the top surface of the projecting part 132a forming a part of wall surface defining the ink injection passage 132.
Next, in a fluid discharge step, the ink injection port 108 is temporally closed, and a vacuum unit is connected to the ink delivery port 106, whereby air in the inside of the ink reservoir chamber 140 and the ink injection passage 132 is discharged and decompressed.
Next, in an ink injection step, ink is injected from the ink injection port 108 to the ink injection passage 132, so that ink injected into the ink injection passage 132 passes through the clearance between the top surface 134b of the partition wall 134a and the bottom film 110 and flows into the inside of the ink reservoir chamber 140.
After the injection of ink into the inside of the ink reservoir chamber 140 is complete, the method advances to a flow passage closing step in which the bottom film 110 is welded to the top surface 134b of the partition wall 134a to close the ink flow passage. In this flow passage closing step, as shown in
Next, in a vacuum discharge step, ink existing in the ink injection passage 132 between the ink injection port 108 and the partition wall 134a is vacuum-discharged through the ink injection port 108.
Thereafter, in an injection port closing step, the seal member 150 is welded to the ink injection port 108 to close the ink injection port 108.
As mentioned above, ink between the ink injection port 108 and the partition wall 134a is vacuum-discharged, and the thus discharged ink is re-utilized, to thereby eliminate wasteful disposal of ink.
Further, no ink remains between the ink injection port 108 and the partition wall 134a. Therefore, it is possible to prevent ink leakage from the ink injection port 108. Further, such a feeling as if ink still remains in the ink cartridge 101 will not be caused after ink in the ink cartridge 101 is completely used.
Furthermore, since the seal member 150 is welded to close the ink injection port 108, it is more surely prevent the ink leakage from the ink injection port 108.
As mentioned above, after the ink is injected into the ink reservoir chamber 140 of the first case member 102A, the first case member 102A, the second case member 102B and the third case member 102C are united together.
As described above, in the ink cartridge 101 and the method of manufacturing the same according to this embodiment, the partition wall 134a is provided in the ink injection passage 132 communicating the ink injection port 108 with the ink reservoir chamber 140. When the ink is filled into the ink reservoir chamber 140, the ink flows through the clearance between the bottom film 110 and the top surface 134b of the partition wall 134a. After the filling of ink is complete, the bottom film 110 is bonded to the top surface 134b of the partition wall 134a. Therefore, even in a case where the ink reservoir 140 is defined by a rigid member such as the first case member 102A and a flexible member such as the ink chamber film 113A, injection of ink into the ink reservoir chamber 140 can be readily conducted, and the ink flow passage used during the ink injection can be reliably sealed after the ink injection is complete.
By forming the clearance forming projecting part 134c on the top surface 134b of the partition wall 134a, the clearance can be surely secured between the top surface 134b of the partition wall 134a and the bottom film 110 during the ink injection. Further, when the ink reservoir chamber 140 and the ink injection passage 132 are decompressed prior to the ink injection, a part of the ink injection passage 132 between the partition wall 134a and the ink injection port 108 can be surely decompressed.
Further, the first case member 102A is formed of a material suitable for welding film material thereto from the viewpoint of welding the ink chamber film 113A and the sensor chamber film 113B thereto. For this reason, even in a case where the partition wall 134a is formed as an integral part of the first case member 102A, the welding of the bottom film 110 to the top surface 134b of the partition wall 134a can be performed without any problem.
Moreover, since the ink injection is performed using the ink injection port 108 and the ink delivery port 106 formed in the first case member 102A, it is unnecessary to inject ink downwardly in a gravity direction, which is required in a case of an ink cartridge constructed by an ink bag. Accordingly, the freedom as to the ink injection direction during ink filling is high. For this reason, the ink cartridge 101 can be arranged such that the motion of the heat and pressure application means for welding is directed downwardly (in the gravity direction) when the bottom film 110 is welded to the top surface 134b of the partition wall 134a after the ink injection is complete. This arrangement makes the welding operation easier in comparison to a case in which the heat and pressure application means is moved horizontally as required in a flexible bag type ink cartridge.
As described above, in the ink cartridge 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in
Besides, in the ink cartridge 101 according to this embodiment, as shown in
Besides, in the ink cartridge 101 according to this embodiment, since the movable side terminal 120A and the fixed side terminal 120B made of the conductive elastic member are brought into pressure contact with the pair of contact terminals 123 while they are elastically deformed, the movable side terminal 120A and the fixed side terminal 120B can be certainly brought into contact with the pair of contact terminals 123, and further, it is not necessary to perform soldering or the like to connect the terminals, so that manufacturing cost is reduced and recycling of the detection unit 116 becomes easy.
Besides, as shown in
As described above, in the ink cartridge 101 according to this embodiment, since the tank unit and the pressurizing unit individually include the sealed chambers, it is not necessary to ensure sealing between both the units, and the assembly or decomposition of the ink cartridge is easy.
Besides, in the ink cartridge 101 according to this embodiment, the compressed air is not brought into direct contact with the ink chamber film 113A, but the pressurizing chamber film 114 deformed by the contact with the compressed air is brought into contact with the ink chamber film 113A. Thus, the amount of air permeating through the ink chamber film 113A and dissolving in the ink can be suppressed to a large degree, and the lowering of print quality due to the dissolving of the air into the ink can be prevented.
As described above, in the ink cartridge 101 according to this embodiment, the communication through an electric wave is performed between the ink-jet recording apparatus 200 and the IC board 121 by using the antenna member 124, and the information relating to the remaining amount of ink obtained by the detection unit 116 and the electric power to the detection unit 116 are transmitted, so that an electric contact between the ink-jet recording apparatus 200 and the ink cartridge 101 becomes unnecessary, and it is possible to avoid trouble of poor contact which becomes a problem when the electric contact is provided.
Incidentally, although it is difficult to supply large electric power by the communication through the electric wave, in the ink cartridge 191 according to this embodiment, the detection unit 116 for digitally detecting whether or not the remaining amount of ink is the predetermined value or more is provided, so that it is possible to detect the remaining amount of ink by use of small electric power.
Besides, in the ink cartridge 101 according to this embodiment, since the detection unit 116 is operated by the pressure actually applied to the ink in the ink reservoir chamber 140 from the compressed air, it is possible to certainly judge the existence of the delivery of the ink from the ink cartridge 101.
Besides, in this embodiment, since the sensor chamber through hole 112 is formed to have the substantially square section, the reaction force at the time of deformation of the sensor chamber film 113B becomes small, and it becomes possible to deform the sensor chamber film 113B by small pressure. Thus, it is possible to certainly detect the pressure change of the ink in the sensor chamber 142.
Besides, in the ink cartridge 101 according to this embodiment, it is possible to detect the point of time when ink in the ink reservoir chamber 140 is almost exhausted and the sensor chamber 142 is filled with ink, that is, the point of time when the ink near end (N/E) occurs. Thus, it is possible to avoid such a situation that the ink end (I/E) occurs in the middle of printing and the recording paper is wasted.
Besides, in the ink cartridge 101 according to this embodiment, the amount of ink which can be supplied from the point of time of the ink near end (N/E) to the ink end (I/E) is determined by the amount of ink in the sensor chamber 142 at the point of time of the ink near end (N/E). Then, since the amount of ink in the sensor chamber 142 at the point of time of the ink near end (N/E) is determined at the design stage, this ink amount is stored in the IC board 121 of the ink cartridge 101, and the remaining amount of ink is rewritten into the predetermined amount of ink at the point of time when the detection unit 116 detects the ink near end (N/E), so that it becomes possible to accurately judge the point of time of the ink end (I/E). Thus, it is possible to avoid such a situation that a judgment of ink end (I/E) is made although ink sufficiently remains in the ink cartridge 101 and the ink is wasted, or an erroneous judgment that ink sufficiently remains is made although the ink end (I/E) almost actually arises, and the ink end (I/E) arises in the middle of printing and the recording paper is wasted.
Besides, since the amount of ink consumed from the point of time of an ink full-tank state to the point of time of the ink near end (N/E) is determined at the design stage, this ink amount is stored in the IC board 121 of the ink cartridge 101, so that at the point of time of the ink near end (N/E), information relating to the unit weight of an ink droplet can be corrected on the basis of the number of times of discharge of ink droplets. By this, the accuracy of calculation of the ink consumption amount after the ink near end (N/E) can be raised, and the point of time of the ink end (I/E) can be more accurately judged.
Besides, in this embodiment, since a signal to detect whether or not the ink in the ink cartridge 101 is pressurized by the compressed air, and a signal to detect the point of time when the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 101 becomes the near end (N/E) are the same signal outputted from the detection unit 116, the mechanism for detection can be simplified.
Further, in this embodiment, the minimum spring pressure P2-MIN of the compression spring 119 is set to be larger than the pressure loss P3 in the ink flow path, so that the ink in the sensor chamber 142 can be used up.
As shown in
Also in this modified example, effects similar to the foregoing embodiment can be obtained.
As a modified example of the above embodiment, as shown in
As stated above, the heat caulking ribs 151 are formed at the tank unit 150 side, so that when a used ink cartridge is decomposed and is recycled, the pressurizing unit 152 which is not subjected to deformation by heat caulking can be recycled as it is. By this, since the pressurizing unit 152 in which the detection unit 116 including the expensive IC board 121 is disposed can be recycled, a cost reducing effect by recycling can be raised.
Besides, as another modified example of the embodiment, as indicated by a dotted line in
As described above, in the liquid container of the invention, since the plural terminals formed in the IC module are disposed side by side along the long the side direction of the IC module, the detection unit can be easily and certainly brought into contact with the plural terminals of the IC module, and the structure of the terminals at the detection unit side can be made simple, and further, it is possible to easily visually confirm that the terminals of the detection unit side are certainly in contact with the terminals of the IC module side in the middle of manufacture of the liquid container.
As described above, according to the invention, in the liquid container constructed such that the pressurized fluid is sent into the inside of the liquid container so that the liquid in the container is delivered to the outside, it is possible to judge whether the liquid in the inside of the liquid container is actually pressurized by the pressurized fluid.
As described above, according to the invention, in the liquid container constructed such that the pressurized fluid is sent into the inside of the liquid container so that the liquid in the inside of the container is delivered to the outside, it is possible to judge whether the liquid in the inside of the liquid container is actually pressurized by the pressurized fluid, and the liquid in the second reservoir chamber can be used up.
As described above, according to the invention, in the liquid container constructed such that the pressurized fluid is sent into the inside of the liquid container so that the liquid in the container is delivered to the outside, the assembling and decomposing work can be made easy.
Besides, according to the invention, in the foregoing type of liquid container, it is possible to realize the structure which is easy to recycle.
Further, according to the invention, in the foregoing type of liquid container, it is possible to prevent the pressurized fluid introduced into the inside of the container from dissolving in the liquid.
As described above, in the liquid container according to the invention, the detection unit for digitally detecting whether or not the amount of ink stored in the inside of the liquid container is the predetermined value or more is provided, and the output signal of this detection unit is transmitted to the liquid consuming apparatus by the electric wave, so that the electric contact between the liquid consuming apparatus and the liquid container becomes unnecessary, and it is possible to avoid the trouble of poor contact which becomes the problem in the case where the electric contact is provided.
A third embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to
An ink injection port 108 formed in a first case member 102A communicates with an ink chamber through hole 111 through an ink injection flow path 132. Besides, the ink chamber through hole 111 and the sensor chamber recess 212 are communicated with each other through a narrow communicating path 135A. Further, a filter mounting part 131 in which a filter 130 is inserted and the sensor chamber recess 212 are communicated with each other through a narrow communicating path 135B.
Then, in an ink cartridge 101 according to this embodiment, as shown in
Incidentally, as a modified example, as shown in
Then, in the ink cartridge 101 according to this embodiment, as is understood from
As described above, according to the ink cartridge 101 of this embodiment, in the state where ink in the ink reservoir chamber 140 is not pressurized by the compressed air, since the small hole 137 is sealed by the sensor chamber film 113B, the inflow of air into the inside of the ink cartridge 101 and the leakage of ink from the ink cartridge 101 can be certainly prevented.
Besides, since the small hole 137 and the ring-shape projection part 138 can be disposed inside the sensor chamber 142, space efficiency is also excellent.
Besides, since the sensor chamber film 113B constituting the movable part for sealing the small hole 137 is the member originally necessary for constituting the sensor chamber 142, it is not necessary to additionally provide a new member for the small hole sealing, and there does not arise such a problem that the number of parts is increased and the layout becomes complicated.
Besides, the ring-shape projection 138 is formed of the elastic material, so that it is possible to prevent the sensor chamber film 113B from being damaged by repeated contact with the ring-shape projection 138, and the sealing of the small hole 137 by the sensor chamber film 113B can be made certain.
Besides, in this embodiment, since the sensor chamber recess 212 is formed to have a substantially square section, reaction force at the time of deformation of the sensor chamber film 113B becomes small, and it becomes possible to deform the sensor chamber film 113B by a small pressure. Thus, a pressure change of ink in the sensor chamber 142 can be certainly detected.
In the first to third embodiments discussed above, each of members, such as case members 10, 20, 102A, 102B, 102C, constituting the container body and members, such as film members 17, 18, 46, 113A, 113B, 114, 110, attached thereto is preferably made of polystyrene or polypropylene for the purpose of enhancing heat-welding. Each of the film member may be a single-layered film member or a multi-layered film member. In case of the multi-layered film member, a layer of the film member, which forms a surface to be heat-welded to a case member, is made of the same material as that of the case member. The multi-layered film member is advantageous over the single-layered film member in the multi-layered film member can have both the layer for enhancing the heat-welding and a layer (such as an ethylene layer) for providing a gas-impermeable property.
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