JP3577844B2 - Ink cartridge for recording device and detecting device for near-end of ink - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention belongs to the technical field of a detection device for detecting an ink cartridge and an ink near-end in a recording device such as a printer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printer or the like, ink contained in an ink cartridge for supplying ink to a head portion is gradually consumed by a printing process, and the remaining amount is reduced (near end), and furthermore, the ink is used up. Various devices have been provided for detecting (end) or the like in advance and informing the user to replace the ink cartridge without delay.
[0003]
One example is disclosed in JP-A-3-277558 (known example).
[0004]
The key point of the known example is a change in the conductive resistance value of the water-soluble ink between the inner wall of the ink tank loaded with the porous material impregnated with the aqueous ink in the ink cartridge and a pair of electrodes provided in the ink reservoir. Is used to detect the near end or the end in the ink cartridge.
[0005]
In the above-mentioned known examples, the material of the electrode is not particularly described, but generally, a SUS material is generally used in order to improve the conductivity (prior art).
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to the above-mentioned known examples and the prior art, it is possible to effectively detect an ink end or the like by a change in a conductive state by the ink in a state where the electrode is wetted by a water-soluble ink in contact with the electrode. There was room to be done.
[0007]
That is, according to the above-described normal electrode, even when the ink cartridge approaches the ink end state, a state in which ink adheres to the surface of the electrode pin due to, for example, the wettability of the electrode pin is likely to occur. As compared with the case where the ink is sufficiently filled in the inside, the electric resistance value between the electrodes does not increase particularly, and there is a possibility that a detection error such as an ink end may occur.
[0008]
In order to solve the above problem, the electrode pins are separated with sufficient margin to improve the detection accuracy. However, it has been pointed out that there is a problem that the structure becomes large as a result.
[0009]
A first problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a device in which the above-mentioned disadvantages are improved and the detection accuracy of ink end and the like is improved.
[0010]
A second problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a device capable of ensuring the accuracy of detecting the ink end or the like even if the interval between the electrode pins is reduced and capable of reducing the size of the ink cartridge. is there.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The configuration of the present invention for solving the above problem is as follows.
[0012]
(1) An ink cartridge in which a pair of electrodes capable of contacting the contained ink is provided, and a near end or the like of the ink can be detected based on a resistance change amount between the electrodes, and the ink cartridge is provided on a surface of the electrodes. An ink cartridge for recording devices that has a conductive ink-repellent coating formed by plating with nickel - water-repellent polymer resin .
[0013]
(2) The ink cartridge for a recording device according to the above (1), wherein the water-repellent polymer resin is polytetrafluoroethylene .
[0014]
(3) The ink cartridge for a recording apparatus according to the above (1 ), wherein the joint plating is heat-treated .
[0015]
(4) A device for detecting a near-end or the like by an ink cartridge, in which a pair of electrodes capable of contacting the stored ink is provided, and the near-end or the like of the ink can be detected based on a resistance change amount between the electrodes. An electrode plate pressed against an electrode of an ink cartridge having a conductive ink-repellent coating formed of nickel - water-repellent polymer resin on the surface of the electrode, and receiving a signal from the electrode plate. A detection device for detecting near-end of an ink for a printing apparatus, comprising: a determination unit for comparing a set resistance value from a set value memory unit.
[0016]
(5) The detection device for detecting near-end of ink of an ink cartridge for a recording device according to (4) , wherein the water-repellent polymer resin is polytetrafluoroethylene .
[0017]
(6) the co柝the plating is heat treated (4) detection devices such as a near end of ink ink cartridge for a recording apparatus according.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows an ink cartridge 1 and its ink end detecting means 200.
[0023]
▲ 1 ▼ Ink cartridge 1
As shown in FIG. 2, the ink cartridge 1 is provided with an ink supply section 13 at the bottom of a box-shaped casing 12 in which ink is stored in a foam 11. The electrode pins 14A and 14B are fixed in a pair on the bottom of the casing 12 so as to expose the electrode plate 210, and the electrode plate 210 of the detection means 200 is pressed against the rear end.
[0024]
Further, the electrode pins 14A and 14B are made of a conductive material, for example, a SUS material, and the outer surface thereof is coated with a coating 140 having an ink-repellent property having conductivity by a plating process described later. is there.
[0025]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 15 denotes a porous body closely fitted to the ink supply holes 131 below the electrode pins 14A and 14B, and reference numerals 16 and 17 denote seals provided in the large-diameter holes 132 of the ink supply holes 131. The ring and the bush are configured so that the ink supply needle 30 inserted through the film 18 is fitted in a liquid-tight manner.
[0026]
Reference numeral 19 denotes an O-ring of the electrode pins 14A and 14B, and reference numeral 20 denotes a filter.
[0027]
{Circle around (2)} Ink end detecting means 200
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 as a functional block diagram, a signal of the detected electric resistance value from the electrode plate 210 pressed against the outer ends of the electrode pins 14A and 14B is received by the judging means 220, and from the set value memory means 230 In this case, the ink end or the near end can be displayed on the display means 240 to call attention to the operator.
[0028]
{Circle around (3)} Ink end detecting action, that is, as shown in the examples described later, the coating 140 is formed of a high molecular weight organic material having high water repellency such as polytetrafluoroethylene mixed with nickel. When the ink cartridge 1 is sufficiently filled with ink due to the use of the plating layer, the ink that comes into contact with the coating 140 is sufficiently brought into contact with the electrode pins 14A and 14B, causing a problem in conductivity. I can't.
[0029]
By the way, when the amount of ink in the ink cartridge 1 is reduced and the amount of ink near the electrode pins 14A and 14B is also reduced, the electrode pins 14A and 14B are gradually exposed from the ink. At this time, the coating 140 is formed as described above. Since the ink cartridge 1 has high water repellency, the ink 140 is rapidly repelled when the ink cartridge 1 nears the end due to a decrease in the amount of ink, and the coating 140 is exposed. A change in the remaining amount of ink can be accurately detected.
[0030]
This point is also evident from the graph showing the change in the resistance value shown in FIG.
[0031]
That is, the resistance value (V) with respect to the ink residual ratio in the ink cartridge 1, which is indicated by the ratio of the ink storage amount and the ink consumption amount, shows a rapid rise from around the ink residual ratio of 80% as shown by the measured curve (L1). As a result, a rapid increase in the resistance value (V1) is detected, and in the 90% range, the resistance value (V2) rises more rapidly.
[0032]
The reason is that the electrode pins 14A and 14B are rapidly exposed due to the water repellent property of the coating 140 on the surface as described above.
[0033]
Therefore, the ink end or the like can be reliably detected, and can be determined by the point determination unit 220 and notified to the operator by the display unit 140.
[0034]
The error curve (L2) shows the change in the resistance value due to the electrode pin not subjected to the water-repellent treatment, the change rate is gradual, and it is inferred that there is a detection error such as ink end. Things.
[0035]
【Example】
The processing method for forming the coating 140 on the electrode pins 14A and 14B was performed as follows.
[0036]
1.3 mmφ electrode pins 14A and 14B made of SUS material are immersed in a plating solution obtained by dispersing 20% by volume of polytetrafluoroethylene in a nickel sulfamate bath and heated to 40 ° C. Applying a current having a current density of dm2 and performing a coagulation treatment for 1 minute to form a conductive ink-repellent film having a thickness of about 1 mm, and then performing a heat treatment at 360 ° C. in a heating furnace to obtain a conductive and ink-repellent property Was formed.
[0037]
Fluoropolymers used in this plating process include polytetrafluoroethylene, polyperfluoroalkoxybutadiene, polyfluorovinylidene, polyfluorovinyl, polydifluoroalkyl fumarate, etc. singly or as a mixture. Is used.
[0038]
There is no particular limitation on the matrix of the plating layer, and an appropriate metal such as nickel, copper, silver, zinc, and tin can be selected. Preferably, nickel, nickel-cobalt alloy, nickel-phosphorus alloy, nickel- A boron alloy or the like is selected.
[0039]
The plating method may be either an electroless method or an electrolytic method, but an ink including an ink for ink jet recording is used, and Li +, Na +, K +, Ca2 +, Cl-, SO42-, and SO32 are contained in the ink. Since ions such as-, NO3-, and NO2- are mixed as impurities, it is more preferable to use an electrolysis method that is less susceptible to the ionic species and has high durability.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
The remarkable effects provided by the present invention described above are as follows.
[0041]
{Circle around (1)} When the remaining ink in the ink cartridge becomes insufficient, it is possible to reliably notify the ink end and the like, so that the ink cartridge can be replaced in a timely manner and the printing process can be continued safely.
[0042]
{Circle around (2)} Even if the interval between the pair of electrodes is interposed, a change in the resistance value can be accurately detected, so that the ink cartridge and a device for detecting the near end thereof can be made more compact.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a longitudinal section of an ink cartridge and a near-end detecting device.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the ink cartridge of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the electrode pin of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a graph showing a change in resistance value of FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Ink cartridge 11 Form 12 Casing 13 Ink supply section 131 Ink supply holes 14A, B Electrode pin 140 Coating 110 Electrode plate 15 Porous body 200 Ink end detecting means 220 Judging means 230 Setting value memory means 240 Display means

Claims (6)

Arranged pairwise electrode that can contact the housing ink, a ink cartridge which enables detecting the near end of ink based on the change in resistance between the electrodes, nickel on the surface of the electrode - repellent An ink cartridge for recording devices that has a conductive ink-repellent coating formed by plating with aqueous polymer resin . The ink cartridge for a recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water-repellent polymer resin is polytetrafluoroethylene . The co柝plating ink cartridge for a recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat treated. A detecting device for detecting a near-end or the like by an ink cartridge, wherein a pair of electrodes capable of contacting the contained ink is provided, and a near-end or the like of the ink can be detected based on a resistance change amount between the electrodes; Nickel on the surface - An electrode plate pressed against the electrode of an ink cartridge having a conductive ink-repellent coating formed of a water-repellent polymer resin plated with a conductive ink-repellent coating, and a setting resistor from a setting value memory means receiving a signal from the electrode plate and receiving a signal from the electrode plate. A detection device for detecting near-end of ink for a printing apparatus, comprising: a determination unit for comparing the value with a value. 5. The detection device for detecting near-end of ink in an ink cartridge for a recording apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the water-repellent polymer resin is polytetrafluoroethylene . 5. The detecting device for detecting near-end of ink of an ink cartridge for a recording device according to claim 4, wherein the squeeze plating is heat-treated .

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