Patent Application
20070070134
The invention relates to a liquid supplying member for supplying liquid contained in a liquid cartridge to a liquid ejection apparatus for effecting recording or printing operation. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a liquid supplying member.
For instance, the liquid ejection apparatus, such as an ink jet recording apparatus, subjects an object to recording or printing by ejecting liquid to the object while a liquid ejection head is reciprocally actuated. Liquid to be ejected to the object (e.g., ink) is supplied from a liquid container (e.g., a liquid cartridge) to a liquid ejection head (e.g., a recording head).
In addition to the liquid ejection apparatus of the type having both a liquid ejection head and a liquid container mounted on a carriage that travels reciprocally, a liquid ejection apparatus of another type having only a liquid ejection head mounted on a carriage (off-carriage type) is also available as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-212974A, for example.
In such an ejection apparatus of the off-carriage type, as the printer size (printable sheet size) is larger, a length of the drawing of the ink supplying tube is longer, and the dynamic loss (pressure loss) is larger in the liquid supplying tube ranging from the ink tank to the carriage. This necessitates the use of an ink supplying tube having a large inside diameter for each ink supplying tube.
In addition, most of the ink supplying tubes used in the off-carriage type apparatus have each an annular cross section. Accordingly, its flexural rigidity is basically large. Further, when the ink supplying tube having a large inside diameter is employed, the flexural rigidity of the tube is further increased. Accordingly, to overcome the flexural rigidity of the tube, the necessity arises of further increasing a driving force for the carriage. With increase of the flexural rigidity, the tube must be designed to have a large bending diameter. In any case, the result is a further size increase of the apparatus.
The ink supplying tube involves the following problems. It is necessary to suppress evaporation of water content as a major component of the ink solvent. Further, air is dissolved into the ink in the ink supplying tube to thereby reduce a degree of degassing in the ink. To cope with this, one may take a measure of increasing the thickness of the ink supplying tube. Where the tube thickness increase measure is taken, the flexural rigidity of the tube is more increased.
To improve the anti-water permeability and gas barrier properties of the ink supplying tube, there is a proposal to use two or more layers to construct the ink supplying tube. Where a multi-layer construction is introduced into the tube annular in cross section, it is basically unavoidable to increase the flexural rigidity. Where the measure to use two or more layers for the tube is employed, metal molds must be respectively used for forming those layers in the extrusion molding machine. This results in increase of cost to manufacture.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a liquid supplying member in use for the liquid ejection apparatus in which a flexural rigidity of the ink supplying tube is reduced, and satisfactory anti-water permeability and gas barrier properties are realized at low cost, and to provide a liquid ejection apparatus provide with the liquid supplying tube.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a liquid supplying member in which the liquid ejection apparatus body can be made compact and the attaching operation of the liquid supplying member can be facilitated.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a method of manufacturing such a liquid supplying member, and a liquid ejection apparatus incorporating such a liquid supplying member.
In order to achieve the above objects, according to the invention, there is provided a liquid supplying member, for supplying liquid from a liquid container to a liquid ejection head which are provided in a liquid ejection apparatus, comprising:
an elastic member, elongated in a first direction so as to have a first face and a second face; and
a film member, joined to the first face and the second face such that a passage, through which the liquid is supplied from the liquid container to the liquid ejection head, extending in the first direction is hermetically defined by an inner face of the film member and the elastic member.
According to the invention, there is also provided a liquid ejection apparatus in which the above liquid supplying member is extended from the liquid container to the liquid ejection head.
According to the invention, there is also provided a liquid supplying member, for supplying liquid from a liquid container to a liquid ejection head which are provided in a liquid ejection apparatus, comprising:
a plurality of elastic members, each of which is elongated in a first direction so as to have a first face and a second face, the elastic members being arrayed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;
a first film member, joined to the first face of each of the elastic members; and
a second film member, joined to the second face of each of the elastic members, such that a passage, through which the liquid is supplied from the liquid container to the liquid ejection head, extending in the first direction is hermetically defined between the adjacent elastic members by inner faces of the first film member and the second film member.
According to the invention, there is also provided a liquid ejection apparatus in which the above liquid supplying member is extended from the liquid container to the liquid ejection head.
In such configurations, a liquid supplying member in which the flexural rigidity is reduced can be provided with simple structure.
Preferably, the elastic member is formed with a recessed portion such that a width of the passage is enlarged thereat. The recessed portion is situated closer to the liquid ejection head than the liquid container.
With such a configuration, the recessed portion serves as a buffer which absorbs pressure fluctuation in liquid due to acceleration caused by the reciprocal movement of the liquid ejection head. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide an additional buffer member in the ejection head side. In a case where the film member has flexibility, such a buffering function is further enhanced.
Preferably, the film member comprises an inner layer having a first permeability for gas and water, and an outer layer having a second permeability for gas and water which is less than the first permeability.
With such a configuration, the barrier property for gas and water can be attained with lower manufacturing cost in comparison with a case where the annular ink supplying tube is rendered to have such multi-layered structure.
Preferably, the elastic member is comprised of elastomer. With such a configuration, it is easier to heat-weld the film member to the elastic member. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
Preferably, a connector having a higher rigidity than the elastic member, and having an opening communicated with the passage is provided at each end of the elastic member.
Preferably, the liquid supplying member is flexed such that either the first film member or the second film member faces inwards.
According to the invention, there is also provided a liquid supplying member, for supplying liquid from a liquid container to a liquid ejection head which are provided in a liquid ejection apparatus, comprising:
a flexible base member, having a first face in which a plurality of first grooves are arrayed in a first direction; and
a first flexible plate member, joined to the first face of the base member so as to seal the first grooves to form liquid supplying passages.
Preferably, each of the first grooves is formed with a through hole extending to a second face of the base member which is opposite to the first face.
With such a configuration, since a single liquid supplying member enables supply of a plurality of types of liquids, the liquid supplying member can be routed in a compact manner within the liquid ejection apparatus. Accordingly, the liquid ejection apparatus can be made compact.
Preferably, the base member is comprised of a thermoplastic elastomer. In this case, injection molding can be adopted to form the base member. Consequently, the liquid supplying member can be manufactured inexpensively, and alternatives of shape of the liquid supplying member can be easily increased.
Here, it is preferable that: the thermoplastic elastomer is comprised of polypropylene; and the first plate member comprises a first layer which is joined to the first face of the base member and comprised of at least one of polypropylene and polyethylene. In this case, the base member and the first plate member can be welded together.
It is further preferable that the first plate member comprises a second layer comprised of metal. In this case, even when another layer of the first plate member has enabled permeation of liquid, the metal layer prevents evaporation of the liquid. Further, even when another layer of the elongated plate member has enabled permeation of exterior air, the metal layer prevents intrusion of outside air into liquid.
It is further preferable that the first plate member comprises a third layer comprised of polyamide and a fourth layer comprised of polyethylene terephthalate, between which the second layer is sandwiched. In this case, not only the metal layer is protected, but also the strength of the first plate member is enhanced.
The liquid supplying member may further comprise a second flexible plate member which is joined to a part of the second face and comprised of a metal layer. In this case, even when liquid has permeated through the base member, the metal layer prevents evaporation of liquid.
It is also preferable that: the liquid supplying member comprises a first portion to be flexed and a second portion not to be flexed; and the first portion has a first thickness and the second portion has a second thickness thicker than the first thickness. In this case, the liquid supplying member can be readily flexed, while the quantity of liquid permeating through the base member in the thickness direction becomes smaller.
Preferably, a portion of the base member corresponding to at least the first portion has a cross section curved in a direction that the liquid supplying member is to be flexed. In this case, the liquid supplying member can be routed in the liquid ejection apparatus more compactly.
Preferably, the second face of the base member is formed with a plurality of second grooves arrayed in the first direction and sealed by a second flexible plate member.
Here, it is preferable that each one of the first grooves is communicated with associated one of the second grooves.
It is also preferable that each of the second grooves is formed with a through hole extending to the first face.
In the above configurations, alternatives in a direction in which the liquid supplying member is connected to the outside can be increased.
The liquid supplying member may further comprise a connector having a higher rigidity than the base member and communicating the first grooves and the liquid ejection head. In this case, attachment of the liquid supplying member is performed easily.
A cross-sectional area of each of the first grooves may be partly changed. For example, the channel can be given a small cross-sectional area in only a portion of the liquid supplying member which is to be passed through a narrow area, thereby rendering the cross-sectional area of the liquid supplying member small.
Preferably, the base member is curved such that both longitudinal ends are opposed to each other in the vicinity of a longitudinal center portion thereof, in an original state. In this case, injection molding can be preferably adopted to form the base member.
According to the invention, there is also provided a method of manufacturing a liquid supplying member for supplying liquid from a liquid container to a liquid ejection head provided in a liquid ejection apparatus, the method comprising steps of:
providing a mold for forming a base member having a first face in which a plurality of first grooves are arrayed in a first direction;
injecting molten thermoplastic elastomer into the mold to form the base member having a flexibility; and
joining a flexible plate member to the first face of the base member so as to seal the first grooves to form liquid supplying passages.
With such a configuration, the liquid supplying member can be manufactured inexpensively.
It is preferable that: the mold is configured such that the base member is curved such that both longitudinal ends are opposed to each other in the vicinity of a longitudinal center portion thereof; and the thermoplastic elastomer is injected from portions of the mold corresponding to the both longitudinal ends and the longitudinal center portion.
In this case, even when the liquid supplying member is long, the base member can be formed through injection molding.
According to the invention, there is also provided a liquid ejection apparatus in which the above liquid supplying member is extended from the liquid container to the liquid ejection head.
Preferably, the liquid supplying member is flexed such that either one of the base member or the first plate member having a higher elasticity than the other faces inwards.
Here, the bending direction is preferably a direction in which any one having higher elasticity from among the base member and the elongated plate member becomes contracted. Such a configuration enables an improvement in durability of the liquid supplying member.
The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The sheet feeder 5 is provided with a sheet feeding roller 6. A recording sheet 7, nipped between the sheet feeding roller 6 and a follower roller (not shown), is transported by rotation of the sheet feeding roller 6 in a secondary scanning direction orthogonal to the primary scanning direction. A number of protrusions 5a are intermittently arrayed in the longitudinal direction on the upper face of the sheet feeder 5. The recording sheet 7 is transported along the top faces of the thus arrayed protrusions 5a.
An ink jet recording head 8, as indicated by a dashed line, is mounted on the lower face of the carriage 1, which faces the recording sheet 7. The recording head 8 ejects ink drops onto the recording sheet 7 at proper timings according to print data so as to print an image on the recording sheet 7.
A capping device 10 is disposed in a non-printing region (home position). When the recording head 8 moves to just above the capping device 10, the capping device 10 moves upward and seals a nozzle formation face of the recording head (the bottom face of the recording head 8 in this embodiment). A suction pump 11 for applying a negative pressure to the inner space of the capping device 10 is disposed under the capping device 10.
During a period that the recording device is deactivated, the capping device 10 serves as a nozzle cover which suppresses evaporation of the ink solvent. At the same time, a cleaning operation for the maintenance of the recording head on its ink drop ejecting function is also performed in a manner that a negative pressure is applied from the suction pump 11 to the recording head 8 to thereby suck ink from the recording head.
As shown in
As shown in
Ink supplying pipes 18 are connected the tank holder 15 on which those ink tanks are mounted to a first connector 17 mounted on the upper side of the tank holder 15. The respective colors of ink are supplied from the respective ink tanks to the first connector 17 through the ink supplying pipes 18.
In the embodiment, an outer case of each ink tank, not shown in particular, is hermetically constructed. A flexible ink pack filled with ink is contained in each tank case. A pressurized air is supplied to the outer case forming the ink tank, whereby the ink is pushed out by the pressurized air.
A second connector 10 is mounted on the upper side of the carriage 1. The ends of an ink supplying tube 20 are connected to the first and second connectors 17 an 19 with the aid of connection members to be described later, respectively. With such an mechanical arrangement, the respective colors of ink are supplied from the ink tanks to the carriage side, and the recording head 8 ejects ink drops onto the recording sheet 7 in accordance with print data.
In the embodiment, an elongated flat tube is adopted as the ink supplying tube 20. A belt-shaped flat portion of the ink supplying tube 20 is laterally extended from the first connector 17 such that belt-shaped flat faces are made horizontal. The ink supplying tube 20 is returned horizontally via a U-shaped bent portion 20a and connected to the second connector 19. In accordance with the movement of the carriage 1, the bent portion 20a accordingly moves along the longitudinal direction of the ink supplying tube 20.
As shown in
The connection pipes 22a formed on the first connection member 21a are connected to the first connector 17 shown in
As shown in
Four spaces, which are defined by the adjacent elastic members 31 and the upper and lower film members 32, are used as ink supplying passages 33 as shown in
In this case, a relatively elastic material may be selected for the elastomer. Accordingly, the flat face of the ink supplying tube 20 may smoothly be bent as shown in
As shown in
The connection pipe 23 is press-fitted into the space between the adjacent elastic members 31, and the film members 32 is heat welded to the upper and lower faces of the connection pipe 23 as shown in
In the recording apparatus of the off-carriage type, with the reciprocal movement of the carriage 1, the ink in the ink supplying tube 20 receives an acceleration force. In this case, the acceleration force frequently causes the pressure fluctuation of ink in the recording head 8. To cope with this, generally a damper member is mounted on the carriage 1 to thereby absorb the fluctuation of the ink pressure.
However, in the ink supplying tube 20 described above, the ink supplying passages 33 are each surrounded by the elastic members 31 and the film members 32. With an elasticity of the film members 32 in particular, the damper function is secured. In this respect, the invention provides a recording device which is not provided with any special damper member by using the ink supplying tube 20.
In a case where the damper function by the film members 32 is insufficient, recessed portions 36 may be formed at opposed positions of the elastic members 31 as shown in
In the ink supplying tube thus constructed, broad areas resulting from presence of the enlarged spaces 37 are secured at portions of the ink supplying tube 20, whereby the damper function is effectively exhibited. The enlarged spaces 37 are preferably located at downstream positions of the ink supplying passages 33 of the ink supplying tube 20, that is, closer to the carriage 1.
In this embodiment, since a single ink supplying passage 33 is provided in a single ink supplying tube 20, four independent tubes are to be incorporated in the apparatus shown in
Although it is not explicitly shown in these figures, it is preferable to form thin films 34 on the outer faces of the film member 32 by aluminum lamination process, as in the case shown in
In this embodiment, a single film member 32 is hermetically joined to the upper and lower faces of the elastic member 31 to define an ink supplying passage in an enclosing manner.
The film member 32 is joined to both sides of the elastic member 31 in a bag shape to thereby form an ink supplying passage 33. With such a structure, of a peripheral length of the inner surface of the ink supplying passage 33, a part defined by the film member 32 is longer than a part defined by the elastic member 31, i.e., a thickness of the elastic member 31.
As in the second embodiment, since a single ink supplying passage 33 is provided in a single ink supplying tube 20, four independent tubes are to be incorporated in the apparatus shown in
Although it is not explicitly shown in these figures, it is preferable to form thin films 34 on the outer faces of the film member 32 by aluminum lamination process, as in the case shown in
As shown in
The carriage 142 is reciprocally moved along a guide shaft 148 by an unillustrated motor. The cartridges 145 are fixed not to the carriage 142 but to the main body of the ink jet recording apparatus 110. The liquid supplying member 200 is made of plastic material (e.g., thermoplastic elastomer) and formed with a required number of channels (a plurality of channels in the embodiment) to supply a plurality of colors of ink held in the respective cartridges 145 to the recording head 144 that travels back and forth. The recording head 144 ejects ink to the object 111 located below a travel path of the recording head 144, to thus perform recording, writing, or printing operation. The plurality of colors of ink held in the cartridges 145 are supplied to one end 200a (see
With such a configuration, it is possible to supply a plurality of colors of ink held in the plurality of cartridges 145 to the recording head 144 by attaching only one liquid supplying member 200 to the ink jet recording apparatus 110. Consequently, the ink jet recording apparatus 110 can be made compact. Further, the efforts required to mount the liquid supplying member 200 become smaller.
Here, in a case where an elastomer primarily made of SEPS (polystyrene-polyethylene-polypropylene-polystyrene) polymer is used as an elastic material to be used for forming the liquid supplying member 200 is used, the liquid supplying member 200 becomes softer than the polyethylene tube. In this case, the liquid supplying member 200 can be folded largely, to thereby render the ink jet recording apparatus 110 particularly compact. Moreover, when the carriage 142 is driven, the load exerted on a motor which drives the carriage 142 becomes smaller.
The ink jet recording apparatus 110 is an example of the liquid ejection apparatus. Further, the recording head 144 of the ink jet recording apparatus is an example of a liquid ejection head of the liquid ejection apparatus, and the cartridges 145 are examples of a liquid container.
However, the invention is not limited to these examples. Another example of the liquid ejection apparatus corresponds to a color filter manufacturing apparatus to be used for manufacturing a color filter of a liquid-crystal display. In this case, a coloring material ejection head of the apparatus is an example of the liquid ejection head. Another example of the liquid ejection apparatus is an electrode formation apparatus for forming electrodes, such as those of an organic EL display or those of a FED (Field Emission Display). In this case, an electrode material (a conductive paste) ejection head of the apparatus is an example of the liquid ejection head. Still another example of the liquid ejection apparatus is a biochip manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a biochip. In this case, a bio-organic substance ejection head of the apparatus and a sample ejection head serving as a precision pipette correspond to examples of the liquid ejection head. The liquid ejection apparatus of the invention includes other industrial liquid ejection apparatuses of industrial application.
The object 111 is a substance to be subjected to recording, writing, or printing as a result of ejection of liquid. For instance, the object includes recording paper, a circuit board on which a circuit pattern such as electrodes of a display are printed, a CD-ROM on which a label is printed, and a preparation on which a DNA circuit is to be printed.
As shown in
The base member 210 is formed with a plurality of elongated ridges 211 defining a plurality of individual grooves 212 each having rectangular cross section and arranged in a width direction of the base member 210. Open side of the grooves 212 are covered with the elongated plate member 112 to form a plurality of individual ink supplying passages.
Such a structure enables manufacture of the liquid supplying member 200 by injecting plastic material (e.g., a thermoplastic elastomer) into a mold, to thereby mold the base member 210. In this case, the base member 210 can be formed into a complicated geometry, and manufacturing costs can be reduced. In addition to the SEPS polymer, the plastic material constituting the liquid supplying member 200 preferably includes paraffin oil serving as a softening agent. Further, the plastic material may contain polypropylene along with or separately from the paraffin oil.
Among the ridges 211, ones provided at both widthwise ends of the base member 210 are wider than the remaining ridges 211. By such a configuration, the quantity of ink solvent (e.g., water) permeating through the base member 210 and the quantity of outside air which permeates through the base member 210 and dissolves in ink can be reduced.
As shown in
The welding layer 221 is for joining the elongated plate member 220 to the base member 210 by welding. In a case where the base member 210 includes the polypropylene as well as the SEPS, the welding layer 221 is formed from polyethylene or polypropylene.
The reinforcement layer 322 is for reinforcing the elongated plate member 220. The reinforcement layer 322 also serves to improve the heat resistance of the elongated plate member 220. Specifically, the reinforcement layer 322 is formed from polyamide.
The metal layer 223 is formed of an aluminum foil, for example. Providing the metal layer 223, the elongated plate member 220 serves to prevent evaporation of a solvent (water, for example) contained in ink. The metal layer 223 also serves to prevent exterior air from penetrating through the elongated plate member 220 and dissolving in the ink.
The protective layer 224 serves to protect the metal layer 223 physically and thermally, and is formed from, e.g., polyethylene terephthalate. The protective layer 224 also serves to reinforce the elongated plate member 220.
The liquid supplying member 200 can be flexed in a direction orthogonal to the face 210a of the base member 210 as shown in
In a non-flexed state, as shown in
With such a configuration, when the base member 210 is subjected to the injection molding, the plastic material having flown through a single channel can be caused to simultaneously inject into areas in the mold corresponding to the both ends 200a, 200b, and the center section of the base member 210. Accordingly, even when the liquid supplying member 200 is long, the base member 210 can be formed through injection molding.
As shown in
As shown in
In the other end 210b of the liquid supplying member 200 is configured so as to be identical with the end 200a.
As shown in
As shown in
The connecting ports 310 are tubular members provided so as to stand upright on the main body of the connector 300 and are arranged along one longitudinal end of the connector 300 in a staggered manner. The arrangement of the connecting ports 310 corresponds to the layout of the through holes 214.
The connecting ports 320 are tubular members standing upright on the main body of the connector 300. A predetermined number of the connecting ports 320 are provided at separated positions and are arranged in parallel with a short side of the connector 300, thereby constituting groups. In the embodiment, each group comprises a pair of connecting ports 320. Packings 322 are provided so as to surround the respective groups so that the chance of leakage of ink from the connection between the connecting ports 320 and the recording head 144 can be prevented. Here, the packings 322 may be omitted.
In the embodiment, the connecting ports 310 and 320 are provided on the same side of the main body of the connector 300. However, they may be provided on different sides of the main body.
Another preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below. Members substantially identical with those described in the fourth embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation for those will be omitted.
With such a structure, the through holes 214 provided at the end 200a can be oriented in a direction different from that in which the through holes 214 formed at the other end 200b are oriented.
Injection molding enables inexpensive manufacture of the base member 210 of such a structure.
With such a configuration, the solvent of ink becomes less prone to passing through the base member 210 and evaporating. Further, the liquid supplying member 200 remains easily foldable. In the modification, a face 210a in which grooves 212 are formed is made flush, and irregularities are formed in an opposite face 210b, thereby changing the thickness of the base member 210.
With such a configuration, even if the solvent of ink has permeated through the base member 210, the solvent will be blocked by the elongated plate member 220, thereby rendering the ink less prone to evaporating. Since the elongated plate member 220 is joined to only the face 210a in the portion where the liquid supplying member 200 to be flexed, the flexibility of the liquid supplying member 200 is not impaired.
In the above embodiments, the ink jet recording apparatus (printing apparatus including facsimile, copier and the like) for ejecting ink is exemplified as the liquid ejection apparatus. The liquid ejection apparatus may eject another kind of liquid, as a matter of course. Examples of such apparatus is a liquid ejection apparatus for jetting liquid, e.g., electrode material or colorant, used in manufacturing LCD devices, EL display devices, FET (field emission display) devices, a liquid ejection apparatus for ejecting organic material used in manufacturing biological biochips, and a test sample ejection apparatus as an accurate pipette.
Although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. Such changes and modifications as are obvious are deemed to come within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| P2002-053905 | Feb 2002 | JP | national |
| P2003-026154 | Feb 2003 | JP | national |
| P2003-120528 | Apr 2003 | JP | national |
This is a Divisional of application Ser. No. 10/830,091 filed Apr. 23, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/374,526 filed on Feb. 27, 2003. Application Ser. Nos. 10/830,091 and 10/374,526 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10830091 | Apr 2004 | US |
| Child | 11606921 | Dec 2006 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10374526 | Feb 2003 | US |
| Child | 10830091 | Apr 2004 | US |
